The Wikipedia page about the Defence, a brigantine ship built in 1779, provides a detailed account of its history and significance. The Defence was a warship known for its participation in the American Revolutionary War, specifically in the Battle of Flamborough Head in 1779. This battle was a significant naval engagement between American Continental Navy forces and British Royal Navy forces. The Defence, under the command of Captain James Richard Dacres, played a crucial role in the battle, engaging the British warship HMS Serapis in a fierce confrontation. Despite sustaining heavy damage, the Defence fought valiantly before ultimately being defeated and sinking. The ship's wreckage was discovered in the late 20th century, providing valuable insights into naval warfare during the Revolutionary War era. The Defence's story is a testament to the bravery and sacrifice of sailors during this tumultuous period in maritime history.

This description has been generated using GPT-3.5-TURBO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.