Search is on for historic naval vessel

YORKSHIRE, England, May 28 (UPI) -- U.S. and British naval crews will search this July for the underwater wreckage of the Bonhomme Richard, a battleship sunk during the American Revolution.

The vessel, captained by John Paul Jones, has long been considered one of the most historically significant artifacts from the war.

The search will focus on a 20 square-mile area off the coast of Yorkshire, England, and employ high-tech underwater scanning equipment, The Independent reported. Two other teams will also join the search for the ship.

The National Underwater and Marine Agency and a local team of divers from Yorkshire also plan to look for Bonhomme Richard this summer.

The battle in which the vessel was lost was the first naval victory in U.S. history and was critical in winning the support of the French for the revolutionary war.