Mural marks epic battle that helped forge US Navy
The artwork in Bridlington portrays a celebrated encounter during the American Revolutionary War.
A new mural showing one of the most famous naval battles in US history has been created near the site where it took place on the Yorkshire coast.
The piece, in Bridlington, depicts the Battle of Flamborough Head, a dramatic clash between the US and Royal navies during the American Revolutionary War.
It shows the USS Bonhomme Richard and the frigate HMS Serapis engaged in battle beneath Bempton Cliffs on 23 September 1779.
Artist Sam Porter, of Mural Minded, said: "I'm hoping that people will be inspired by it. That's really the ultimate aim, that you put a smile on people's faces and they're interested by it."
The fighting began when a French and American squadron of four ships attacked two Royal Navy warships escorting a supply convoy of about 40 vessels.
The Bonhomme Richard, commanded by Scottish-born captain John Paul Jones, seized the Serapis, but his own ship later sank and the remaining British convoy escaped to safety in Scarborough.
It is thought that more than 300 men and boys were killed and injured.
Bridlington Ambassadors, a group that promotes the port, commissioned the mural ahead of the battle's 250th anniversary in 2029 and said they hoped it would prompt residents and visitors to find out more about it.
"We wanted something in place for that anniversary because there will be big celebrations, and it has the potential for American tourism," said co-chairman Martyn Coltman.
"But we also wanted to bring the story to life, because we don't celebrate it enough locally. The ambassadors are about culture, tourism and the shellfish industry, and all those things fit into a maritime mural."
The mural has been painted on the side of the Quay Leisure building, close to the town's war memorial.
Because the battle took place at night, Porter said he had been "excited" to try out the colour contrast between flames and moonlight.
He described the response from people in the town as "amazing".
"Sometimes I'm painting, and then I'll just turn around and I've got an audience, which is something I've become quite used to," he added.
The battle is credited with helping to create the US Navy, but researchers from Yorkshire Coast 1779, a group that aims to raise awareness of the encounter, say there is "considerable debate" over who won.
Although the US force captured the two British warships, the group has noted that the Royal Navy succeeded in protecting the convoy, despite being outnumbered two to one.
James Hodgson, a trustee of the group, said the mural was "fantastic".
"It is yet another example of a legacy which will hopefully last for many years to come.
"We want people to say, what is that? By asking the question, then hopefully they'll say, oh, the Battle of Flamborough Head.
"Then they'll say, well, why is that important? Then they'll read about it or come to one of our events."
The mural is the fourth Porter has completed in the town. Earlier commissions included a painting of a gansey girl – the traditional name for a girl or young woman from a fishing family – and another showing the Great Gale of 1871.
The latest work was funded by the ambassadors, the town council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council, along with contributions from the owner of Quay Leisure and Coltman.