Serapis flag

The Serapis flag was a flag designed by Dutch supporters of the American Revolution in order to make sure that Serapis, a ship led by John Paul Jones during the American Revolution, would not be flagged down and held by the Dutch government as a pirate flag.

History

The Serapis was designed in 1778 in England, and was soon taken by American vessels during the Revolution. In 1781, the ship was given to the French, and it was lost off the coast of Madagascar. John Paul Jones got control of the ship during the war, and used it to steal resources and materials from the British from coast towns.

Serapis Flag Media

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  The "Serapis" or "John Paul Jones" flag

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  Coat of arms of the USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53).

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  A painting, currently at the Chicago History Museum, depicting a sketch of the flag flown from prize HMS Serapis