The loss of HMS Bounty

HMS Bounty in Chicago, 2003

Anyone who spent any time in Fall River, Mass., in the 1990s, as I did during periodic visits to my mother-in-law’s home in nearby Somerset, probably has fond memories of HMS Bounty, the 1960 replica that was built for MGM’s Mutiny on the Bounty, with Marlon Brando.

The tall ship called Fall River home from 1993 until 2001. Although we never boarded her, my wife Liz and I admired her fine lines, her distinctive blue and yellow hull, and the handsome sweep of her stern windows many times while walking along the waterfront in Fall River.

Built in Nova Scotia, the Bounty was here in Maine only last week, for minor repairs at a local shipyard. Yesterday, she sank off the coast of North Carolina. The Coast Guard rescued 14 crew members and recovered the body of a 15th. Still missing as of this morning is the ship’s captain, Robin Walbridge.

Hurricane Sandy caused extensive damage along the Eastern Seaboard on Monday, but for me it was the loss of the Bounty and at least one - possibly two - members of her crew that hit home.

U.S. Coast Guard photo 10/29/2012