John Mayrant

Photo of a miniature portrait

Captain John Mayrant (December 1762 – August 1836) was an officer in the Continental Navy and later the United States Navy, who served aboard the Bon Homme Richard in its 1779 battle with the Serapis.

Biography

Born in the parish of St. James Santee, South Carolina, Mayrant was appointed midshipman in the South Carolina Navy May 23, 1778. The following year, in France, he was appointed midshipman and aide to John Paul Jones. Sailing from Lorient in Bon Homme Richard, he led the boarders in the engagement with Serapis, September 23, 1779. He died in Tennessee.

Namesakes

Two ships in the United States Navy were named USS Mayrant for him.

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.