The king’s navy will not rest until every mutineer is captured and executed. Wherever you go, wherever you hide a thousand ships will search you out
Captain Bligh, Mutiny on the Bounty, 1962
HMS Bounty, the 1960’s replica of the original Bounty is currently docked in Old San Juan for its winter break. This beautiful tall ship was built for the 1962 movie Mutiny on the Bounty, starring Marlon Brando and is an accurate replica based on the original HMS Bounty plans (albeit slightly taller and longer to accommodate the film making equipment).
HMS Bounty is docked at the Old San Juan waterfront between piers 3 and 4 and will stay there until the end of March, so if you have the chance; go and take a closer look for yourself.
While docked in San Juan, you can jump on board and take a closer look at the craftsmanship and learn more about the history of one of Britain’s most famous sailing ships.
On board there are 2 permanent crew members as well as several local volunteers who will show you around the ship and answer any questions that you may have.
The ship is open daily (8am – 6pm) and once on board you can spend as much time as you like exploring the upper and lower decks of the ship and learning about its famous voyage.
Even if you don’t take the on board tour it is well worth the short walk to the HMS Bounty to see this tall ship up close.
The Original HMS Bounty – quick facts
- Was a former coal carrying merchant ship ‘Bethia’ and was re-commissioned in 1787 as the HMS Bounty.
- HMS Bounty’s mission was to sail to the tiny island of Tahiti for sapling breadfruit trees and transport them to the West Indies.
- Captain William Bligh would lead the Bounty on this long voyage.
- It took 10 months for the Bounty to reach Tahiti and once there they remained for 5 months.
- 3 weeks into the return voyage to the West Indies Fletcher Christian, angered and humiliated seized the ship from Captain Bligh.
- Of the 44 men on board, 31 sided with Bligh and 18 of these along with Bligh were set adrift in Bounty’s launch. The rest of the mutineers then sailed the ship to the island of Tubuai.
- They stayed in Tubuai for around 3 months before heading back to Tahiti. From there Fletcher Christian and several others sailed the Bounty to Pitcairn Island, where they burned the ship and were not discovered for 18 years.
- Back on the launch, Captain Bligh navigated the boat to safety without any charts, using just a sextant and a pocket watch. It took them 41 days and 3600 nautical miles.
What: HMS Bounty
Where: Between Piers 3 and 4 in Old San Juan
When: daily tours 8am – 6pm until the end of March 2011
Cost: Adults $10, children $5, children under 7 are FREE
