Naval History Blog

A deep water diving helmet equipped with lights. Photo: Alexis Catsambis

After more than two weeks in the North Sea aboard USNS Grasp, amid cold winds, unpredictable weather and swells of nearly 16 feet, the NHHC Underwater Archaeology Branch (UAB), along with partners from Ocean Technology Foundation, Naval Oceanographic Office, SUPSALV, Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2 and the US Naval Academy, continues to comb the ocean floor for the remains of John Paul Jones’ Revolutionary War flagship Bonhomme Richard.

An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) in its cradle prior to launch. Photo: Alexis Catsambis

The search zone encompasses several hundred nautical miles, so to locate Bonhomme Richard, which may lie several hundred feet beneath the frigid waters of the North Sea, the team utilizes remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). ROVs are tethered to the research vessel via electrical cable and towed, whereas AUVs are programmed to survey specific coordinates and then allowed to collect data as they navigate independently through the water. The ROVs and AUVs are equipped with sidescan sonars, multibeam echosounders and magnetometers which scan the sea floor and deliver data to the archaeologists aboard the command vessel. The combined data collected from this equipment helps archaeologists to clearly differentiate between debris items and potential archaeological sites or “targets”. So far, the expedition has conducted 3 remote-sensing surveys and 13 AUV missions.

Divers preparing for a deep water descent. Photo: Alexis Catsambis

The Bonhomme Richard survey expedition is also an important training opportunity for Navy divers. To date, there have been 14 diver investigations launched, many of which have focused on targets resting at more than 200 feet deep. Such depths exert enormous pressure on the human body, so instead of regular compressed air, divers must use a specially-formulated mixture of  oxygen, nitrogen, and/or helium. The ratio of the gasses is essential to the safety of the diver; if the mix is off by even a little, it can be very hazardous, so it is important that divers be well-trained when undertaking mixed-gas diving. To further protect themselves from the extreme pressure and cold, the divers wear a full deep water diving helmet which locks into place, and several warm layers beneath a dive suit designed to keep them dry while working underwater.

Stay tuned for more updates!

On July 17^th, the NHHC Underwater Archaeology Branch (UAB) along with partners from Ocean Technology Foundation, Naval Oceanographic Office, SUPSALV, Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MSDU) 2 and the US Naval Academy, set out to continue the search for one of the Navy’s first fighting vessels, Bonhomme Richard. Captained by the father of our Navy, John Paul Jones, the ship was lost in 1779 after engaging in combat with HMS Serapis off the Yorkshire coast of England. Although Jones emerged victorious, Bonhomme Richard was irreparably damaged. After transferring all men and supplies safely to the captured Serapis, Jones set the beleaguered U.S. frigate adrift to sink into the North Sea.  Its final resting place has remained unknown ever since.

USNS Grasp as seen from one of its tenders while conducting AUV operations over four neighboring targets. Photo courtesy of Alexis Catsambis.

Over the next three weeks, the expedition will be conducted aboard Safeguard-class USNS Grasp. The team on deck will use survey data collected from remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) equipped with side-scan sonar and multibeam echosounder equipment to investigate targets of interest gathered from previous surveys. The side-scan sonar and multibeam echosounder relay data to create an image of the sea floor using sound waves; if a particular target looks promising, archaeologists will investigate it more closely and, if possible, deploy divers to take an even closer look.    

Officer-in-Charge Ray Miller and midshipman Joseph Walter discuss the Swordfish AUV that is being prepared for the first launch of the mission. Photo courtesy of Alexis Catsambis.

Stay tuned for more updates from the field!

USNS Henson at work searching for Bonhomme Richard. Photo courtesy of Dr. Robert Neyland.

 The second survey this year for Bonhomme Richard has been successfully completed. Dr. Robert Neyland, NHHC’s Underwater Archaeology Branch Director, together with the Ocean Technology Foundation , Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command  Naval Oceanographic Office, Office of Naval Research , and U.S. Naval Academy worked aboard the USNS Henson to survey a 70 sq nautical mile area and analyze several high priority targets. Hopefully, one of which may uncover the elusive wreck. 

Dr. Robert Neyland, Underwater Archaeology Branch Head, on the deck of USNS Henson. Photo courtesy of Robert Neyland.

The 25-knot winds and ten-to-twelve-foot waves in the North Sea paused operations for merely a day, leaving the USNS Henson adequate time to undergo a repair to its winch. The challenges created by the stormy seas are a sobering reminder of Bonhomme Richard’s final struggles as Captain John Paul Jones worked in similar conditions to transfer three hundred and fifty men from the ship to HMS Serapis shortly before Bonhomme Richard sank into the North Sea. 

HMS Victory, a ship contemporary with Bonhomme Richard and HMS Serapis. Photo courtesy of Dr. Robert Neyland.

 The survey continued despite persistent rough seas, and the crew is pleased to report that over 60 sq nautical miles were covered. USNS Henson scientists and midshipmen worked diligently processing the sonar data, categorizing targets, and selecting those for further investigation. A number of interesting targets have been identified and several have been tagged to be further investigated in future surveys. Overall the survey was very successful and put us one step closer to discovering the final resting place of Bonhomme Richard! 

Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) on the deck of USNS Henson. Photo courtesy of Dr. Robert Neyland.

Stay tuned for more updates from the field as the search for Bonhomme Richard continues!    

The Bonhomme Richard strafing decks with HMS Serapis. Courtesy of The Serapis Project.

The NHHC Underwater Archaeology Branch (UAB), Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, Naval Oceanographic Office, Office of Naval Research, and U.S. Naval Academy along with partners from Ocean Technology Foundation began the 2010 search and survey for Bonhomme Richard.

A SAAB Double Eagle MKII ROV being launched off the deck of CMT Cassiopée during the May 2010 search for Bonhomme Richard. Photo courtesy of Alexis Catsambis.

On September 23, 1779, Bonhomme Richard,  the flagship of the Continental Navy and commanded by Captain John Paul Jones, participated in one of the fiercest battles of the Revolutionary War against HMS Serapis off the coast of Flamborough Head, England. Although Jones emerged victorious from the battle, Bonhomme Richard was badly damaged and, after drifting for thirty-six hours, sank into the North Sea. If found, the final resting place of Bonhomme Richard could shed new light on US maritime history and would increase public awareness and appreciation for America’s maritime patrimony.

Photo of the USNS Henson, which will serve as the search vessel for the 2010 Bonhomme Richard survey. Photo courtesy of msc.navy.mil.

The survey area was determined using a computer program, developed by the U.S. Naval Academy, which integrates the weather and tidal data, crew actions and the vessel’s last known positions to establish where it might have gone down. The Bonhomme Richard Project teams will use an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) equipped with side scan and multibeam sonar, and a separate high-quality side scan sonar that will be towed behind the search vessel to create an image of the sea floor. NHHC will also be joined by a French Navy minehunter equipped with a robotic underwater video camera and teams of divers to further examine any targets warranting closer investigation. Dr. Robert Neyland, Head of UAB, will act as chief archaeologist and lead the investigation in authenticating and identifying any remains of the ship and its artifacts.

 Stay tuned for more updates as the search for Bonhomme Richard continues!