<P> On 23 September 1779 , the squadron encountered the Baltic Fleet of 41 sail under convoy of the HMS Serapis and HM hired armed vessel Countess of Scarborough near Flamborough Head . The Bonhomme Richard and Serapis entered a bitter engagement at about 6 : 00 p.m. The battle continued for the next four hours , costing the lives of nearly half of the American and British crews . British victory seemed inevitable , as the more heavily armed Serapis used its firepower to rake Bonhomme Richard with devastating effect . The commander of the Serapis finally called on Jones to surrender . He replied , `` Sir , I have not yet begun to fight ! '' Jones eventually managed to lash the ships together , nullifying his opponent 's greater maneuverability and allowing him to take advantage of the larger size and considerably more numerous crew of Bonhomme Richard . An attempt by the Americans to board Serapis was repulsed , as was an attempt by the British to board Bonhomme Richard . Finally , after another of Jones 's ships joined the fight , the British captain was forced to surrender at about 10 : 30 p.m. The Bonhomme Richard -- shattered , on fire , leaking badly -- defied all efforts to save her and sank about 36 hours later at 11 : 00 a.m. on Saturday , 25 September 1779 . Jones sailed the captured Serapis to the Dutch United Provinces for repairs . </P>
what was the outcome of the naval battle between the bonhomme richard and the serapis
the British captain was forced to surrender