THE BATTLE OF FLAMBOROUGH HEAD
On September 23, 1779, an important naval engagement took place off the north Yorkshire coast of England near Flamborough Head . It demonstrated that conflict between the Americans and the British during the American Revolution was not limited to North America. I was reminded of this while visiting nearby Scarborough in Yorkshire this week. Flamborough Head Flamborough Head is a dramatic eight mile promonotary extending into the North Sea. A convoy of 40 merchant ships carrying supplies, protected by two British Royal Navy ships, was attacked off here by four ships commanded by John Paul Jones, often referred to as the Father of the American Navy . The convoy escaped into Scarborough Harbor, where it was safe under the cannons of Scarborough Castle . Scarborough Harbour During my visit this week, at Scarborough Castle, a guide explained to...