Intricate models of the famous ships HMS Serapis and Bonhomme Richard are on display at Filey Library for Local History Month, offering visitors a chance to learn about a pivotal naval battle.
As part of Local History Month, Filey Library is hosting a special exhibition featuring model ships from the famous Battle of Flamborough Head.
The intricate models of HMS Serapis and Bonhomme Richard will be on display from the 20th of May to the 30th of May.
Visitors to the library may also have the chance to learn more about the historic battle from David and Ruth Newton.
The exhibition offers a great opportunity for visitors to see the detailed craftsmanship of the original maker, John Wade.
Mr Newton has paid tribute:
"He got the plans of the ships, and then built them from scratch, in real intricate detail, then mapped where the rivets hold the wood in place. There's dukes and counts and little militia men on these ships, and they are beautiful pieces of work, and they allow us to tell the story of the most significant battle in American naval history, and probably the biggest international event to ever happen in Yorkshire because it changed the world."
The models have recently undergone extensive restoration work to ensure they remain in top condition for the public to view.
Detailing the recent repairs by local resident Bob Smith and the enduring local connection to the battle, David Newton said:
"One of our group, who has greater skill than I, has spent the winter rerigging one of the ships. He's completely cleaned them up, re-glued everything that was a bit loose, put new rigging up, and the Bonham Richard now looks so magnificent. What makes us so fascinated with history is that it's all around us. And you see things like that, and bits of the Bonham Richard wash up at Speeton Bay on the beach there, just on a regular basis, and people cart them up and hide them in the back garden and go, "Don't tell anybody we've got a piece of the Bonham Richard in our back garden!"
The Battle of Flamborough Head was a pivotal moment off the Yorkshire Coast, tying the region directly to the broader conflict of the American War of Independence.
Explaining the historical context of the naval engagement, David said:
"They took the Declaration of Independence in 1776, but we weren't giving up our colonies and we were winning the war over there. And the French came into the war and this little squadron of four French and American ships sailed round Britain to disrupt the Royal Navy from the invasion of Britain by the French and Spanish, and they got to Flamborough Head. And here the planes were trying to sink 41 merchant ships to supply the escort ships, the British fought them off, but eventually surrendered having made the convoys safe."
The outcome of the battle had far-reaching consequences for the war effort and international relations at the time.
Describing the aftermath and its impact on the conflict, Mr Newton added:
"At that point, the Americans just as they're inclined to do so, said mission accomplished and spread it around that they'd won. And because of that, Benjamin Franklin was able to persuade everybody that this is a great victory in the backyard of the biggest navy of the day that kept the French in the war and it boosted the morale of the Americans who went on to gain their independence in 1783."
The model ships can be viewed at Filey Library during their regular opening hours.
The exhibition is open on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10.00am until 5.00pm, on Thursday from 1.00pm to 5.00pm, and on Saturday from 10.00am to 1.00pm.
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