Moon Once Helmed the HMS Bounty

I was saddened to hear of the capsizing and sinking of the HMS Bounty replica. Built for the 1962 film, a remake of Mutiny on the Bounty, after its movie career ended, the ship was used as a tourist attraction. In 1983, as part of the Ted Turner purchase of MGM Studios, the Bounty was placed on display in St. Petersburg, FL. where I had a chance to be behind the wheel. I was so thrilled because I loved that movie (and still do), the soundtrack and some clever lines uttered by Marlon Brando in his own unique style.

Sadly, however, Monday, while out in the ocean, just off the coast of North Carolina, sixteen members of the Bounty abandoned ship after getting caught in the high seas brought on by Hurricane Sandy. The ship sank and two crew members, including Captain Robin Walbridge, were reported as missing.  It was later reported that the Coast Guard had recovered one of the missing crew members, Claudene Christian, who was found to be unresponsive and was pronounced dead at Albemarle Hospital in Elizabeth City, N.C. What an odd irony, as the Lieutenant that originated the mutiny in 1789 was Fletcher Christian.