The "SERAPIS", made in England, was launched for her first voyage in mid-1779 during a crisis period that the United States calls the "American Revolution". The war was not just on American soil but was indeed fought throughout the world and in the various oceans around the globe. Serapis' first mission of escorting the Baltic merchant fleet woult turn to be her last voyage under the British flag.
The ship was taken from the British by John Paul Jones during the American Revolution during the famous naval battle with Bonhomme Richard in 1779. This pivotal engagement gave the American cause encouragement during the dark days of the Revolution. The ship ended up in the French navy and was subsequently lost off the coast of Isle Ste Marie in 1791. The wreck site was originally located in 1999 by Dick Swete.