Charley - My new edition of 'Colledge - Ships of the Royal Navy' gives 'French Navy' for the fate of Serapis. So does Lyon's 'Sailing Navy List'. And, in spite of my comments earlier, a replacement Serapis of the same class was ordered and built for the Royal Navy. The second Serapis was not much used in the next war, though - soon reduced to storeship, convalescent ship and then floating battery.

The original Serapis was only six months old when she was captured. Another sister ship, the Romulus was taken by a superior French force (a 64 and two frigates) and served for five years in the French Navy as La Resolution.

A number of 44-gun ships were built for the American Revoluntionary War. It was considered that the Americans would not have line of battle ships available, so the Royal Navy built 44s as they could (hopefully) deal with anything they would have to face, they were cheaper and could work further inshore. Of course, then the French Spanish and Dutch joined in...

Jones - the 'Father of the American Navy' was somewhat defeated in the more naval side of the Battle of Flamborough Head. His ships, which included two French frigates and two smaller vessels, failed to capture any of the convoy that they were attacking. His flagship was sunk, quite unusual in those days. The Serapis' consort, a converted merchant ship was captured by a regular French frigate. Jones won the day by small arms fire and boarding from a larger crew, with the knowledge of at least two French frigates in support - though Jones dismisses those.

But then, of course, over this side of the Pond we tend to regard Jones as a renegade and a braggart, not like that nice Benedict Arnold!

Incidently, Flamborough Head is only about 30 miles from me. The local pronounciation is 'Flambrer'.
Les