HMS Bounty made famous as the scene of the Mutiny on the Bounty on 28 April 1789, was originally a three-masted cargo ship the Bethia. The Bethia was purchased by the British Admiralty in May of 1797 and then modified and commissioned as His Majesty's Armed Vessel the Bounty for a botanical mission to the Pacific Ocean.
She was a relatively small sailing ship at 215 tons, three-masted and full-rigged. After conversion for the breadfruit expedition, she was mounted with only four cannons, four pounders and ten swivel guns. She was very small in comparison to other three-mast Colliers used for similar expeditions.
The ship purchased by the Royal Navy for a single mission in support of an experiment. The plan was for her to sail to Tahiti, pick up breadfruit plants, and transport them to the West Indies in hopes that they would grow well there and become a cheap source of food for slaves. The Grand Experiment was proposed by Sir Joseph Banks, who recommended William Bligh as commander, and was promoted through a prize offered by the Royal Society of Arts.
The HMS Bounty was refitted in June 1787, at Deptford. The large cabin was converted to house the potted breadfruit plants, and gratings were fitted to her upper deck. Her complement was 46 officers and men.
Commanding Lieutenant William Bligh’s Description of the Ship Was:
"The Burthen of the Ship was nearly 215 Tons; Her extreme length on deck 90ft 10 in. & breadth from outside to outside of the bends 24ft 3 in. A Flush deck & a pretty Figure Head of a Woman in Riding Habit; She mounted 4 four pounders & 10 Swivels & her Complement was:
1. Lieut & Commander 2. Masters Mates 1. Gunners Mate
1. Master 2. Midshipmen 1. Carpenters Mate
1. Boatswain 1. Clerk 1. Sailmaker
1. Gunner 2. Qr. Masters 1. Armourer
1. Carpenter 1. Qr.Masr.Mate 1. Carpenters Crew
1. Surgeon 1. Boatswains Mate 1. Corporal
24 Able Seamen
Total. 45 One of which is a Widow's man. There was likewise a Botanist & his Assistant."
William Bligh was appointed Commanding Lieutenant of Bounty on 16 August 1787, at the age of 33, after a career that included a tour as sailing master of James Cook's Resolution during Cook's third and final voyage (1776-1779).
HMS Bounty makes a fine part of history to have in any one collection. We have located a few you may want to add.
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 HMS BOUNTY WOODEN MODEL SHIP SAILING BOAT 35CM $34.08 End Date: Monday Jun-3-2013 23:50:36 PDT Buy It Now for only: $34.08 Buy It Now |
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