Work Begins on Major Bridlington Mural Honoring the Battle of Flamborough Head

Thursday 17th September 2026

By Bridlington Gold Radio Editor

BRIDLINGTON — A major new piece of public street art has officially commenced production in the heart of Bridlington. The project anchors a highly anticipated, town-wide cultural trail designed to bring East Yorkshire's dramatic maritime history directly to the public square.

The Bridlington Business Ambassadors have confirmed that acclaimed professional artist Sam Porter (operating as Mural Minded) has officially started painting The Battle of Flamborough Head mural. Working high up on a scissor lift against a prominent brick gable end at Palace Car Park, Porter has begun mapping out the intricate outlines of the historic naval warships.

The installation is supported by a mix of community fundraising and strategic regeneration grants, including backing from the Bridlington Town Council and the Yorkshire Coast 1779 Group.

Reliving the Drama of 1779

The massive new artwork at Palace Car Park depicts the chaotic, moonlit events of 23 September 1779, when the American War of Independence arrived directly on the doorstep of the Yorkshire Coast.

A Franco-American squadron led by Continental Navy Commodore John Paul Jones, aboard his flagship the Bonhomme Richard, intercepted a massive British merchant fleet of 41 ships returning from the Baltic. Defending the valuable convoy were two Royal Navy escort vessels: HMS Serapis and the Countess of Scarborough.

What followed was a bloody, four-hour, close-quarters duel watched by thousands of anxious spectators lining the Flamborough cliffs. As the Bonhomme Richard took catastrophic damage and began to sink, the British commander demanded to know if Jones was ready to strike his colors. Jones defiantly shouted back his immortal battle cry: "I have not yet begun to fight!"

In a desperate tactical move, the American crew lashed their shattered vessel directly to the HMS Serapis, fighting hand-to-hand until the British surrendered. Though the Bonhomme Richard sank into the North Sea two days later, Jones sailed away victorious in the captured Serapis—marking a rare historic instance where a commander won a naval engagement despite losing his own ship.

A Growing Trail for the Town

The new Palace Car Park installation serves as the latest extension of Bridlington’s expanding open-air art gallery. It follows a highly successful £125,000 regeneration scheme delivered by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council which previously brought two landmark heritage murals to the town. 

The new battle mural directly connects to these earlier trail pieces:

• The Harbour Wall Mural (Prince Street): Located directly opposite Bridlington Harbour, this breathtaking towering artwork features a traditional coble boat battling massive waves. It stands as a profound tribute to the Great Gale of 1871—the infamous sea tragedy in Bridlington Bay that claimed the lives of 70 sailors. The piece intricately weaves together local marine life, showing a detailed puffin, gannets, and a local lobster against the rolling tides. 
• The Old Town Mural (High Street): Located on the wall of a building in the historic Old Town quarter, this highly symbolic piece features a depiction of the "Gansey Girl". Inspired by the famous harbour sculpture, it pays homage to the tight-knit fishing communities and the tireless women who hand-knitted the distinctive woollen patterns for their loved ones at sea. It is flanked by illustrations of the historic Bridlington Priory Church, a jackdaw, and a swallow. 

Informational signs detailing the naval conflict have been posted on the work's safety fencing at Palace Car Park to give passers-by deeper insight into the developing art. Organizers plan to share regular photographic progress updates online, though they highly encourage locals and tourists to stop by and watch the masterpiece develop in real-time.

The mural is on track for completion by the end of September, immediately followed by a formal public unveiling ceremony.