Plan of HMS Bounty.

Plan of HMS Bounty. © National Maritime Museum, London

Description: HMS 'Bounty' was a collier (a coal-carrying merchant ship) named 'Bethia' until she was purchased by the Royal Navy in May 1787. She was a tiny ship at 215 tons, mounting only four four-pounders and ten swivels. She was purchased for a single mission, an experiment: to travel 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. In June 1787, 'Bounty' was refitted at Deptford. The great cabin was converted to house the potted breadfruit plants and gratings fitted to the upper deck. Lieutenant William Bligh, 33-year-old former sailing master of HMS 'Resolution', was appointed commanding officer on 16 August. Though now routinely portrayed as the epitome of abusive sailing captains, Bligh received the appointment because he was considered an exceptionally capable naval officer -- an evaluation he was to prove correct. This plan gives some idea of the cramped conditions on board the 'Bounty' in 1787—89. There were more than forty on board. Conditions worsened when breadfruit plants were brought on board. There was no room on the Bounty for marines who, as shipboard police, would have helped to keep discipline.

Creator: Unknown

Date: 1787

Credit line: National Maritime Museum, London