SALVAGE hunters are examining underwater photographs which could prove they have finally found the wreck of a pirate ship sunk in battle more than 200 years ago.

The final resting place of the Bonhomme Richard, 42-gun flagship of American revolutionary hero John Paul Jones, has been a mystery since she was lost during the Battle of Flamborough Head in September 1779.

Now a team of international salvage hunters led by the US Navy has found evidence of a wooden wreck dating to approximately the correct date in around 200ft of water off the North Yorkshire coast.

Analysts are now studying the data to decide whether the historic vessel has finally been found in the North Sea.

Branded a pirate by the British, John Paul Jones is regarded as one of the founders of the US Navy after his exploits during the American War of Independence.

His squadron carried out raids around the British coast, before Jones led the Bonhomme Richard into battle against a merchant convoy off Flamborough Head, capturing two British warships including HMS Serapis.

But the sea-battle left the Bonhomme Richard shattered, leaking and on fire, sinking beneath the waves two days later.

A 2011 salvage operation failed to find the wreck, but a second attempt has now been made led by the USNS Grasp, which has been based in Sunderland for the seven-day mission.

On board were a crew of US Navy and civilian divers as well as underwater archaeologists and naval history experts who searched a five-square mile area and found evidence of a shipwreck on the seabed.

Divers found a timber hull and large concentrations of iron objects, which are now being analysed by scientists and historians.

Timothy Kelly, master of the USNS Grasp, said: “We had great weather and conducted a series of successful magnetometer and sonar scan surveys of the area, as well as some high quality photography of the wreck.

“We hope this will be enough for a conclusive yes or no as to whether or not we have found the final resting place of the Bonhomme Richard.”

Matthew Hunt, director of Port of Sunderland, said: “It is great to be part of a project that is literally diving into the naval history of two proud maritime nations.

“Hopefully the USNS Grasp crew have enough evidence to finally reveal if this particular wreck, over 20 miles off the coast, is the wreck of the Bonhomme Richard.”

“Port of Sunderland has been the base for many North Sea operations, but I think a crew looking for a US vessel from the War of Independence is a first.

“Searching for a hundreds of years old seabed site is like hunting for a needle in a haystack, but technology reduces the odds dramatically. I hope the USNS Grasp prove successful.”