HMS Bounty - combined thread
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PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard recovered the body of a woman and continues to search for a man missing in the Atlantic Ocean approximately 90 miles southeast of Hatteras, N.C., Monday.
Recovered was:
Recovered was:
- Claudene Christian, 42
- Robin Walbridge, 63
Interesting report from the Captain of the Picton Castle
http://thechronicleherald.ca/novasc...in-questions-bounty-being-at-sea-during-storm
BRIDGEWATER — The captain of the Picton Castle says he can’t understand why the Bounty was at sea Monday when a massive hurricane was forecast to hit.
Indeed, Dan Moreland postponed leaving Lunenburg more than a week ago precisely because of hurricane Sandy.
“It was an easy decision to make,” he said. “It’s black and white, there are no nuances with this. It’s a huge system and that made the decision very simple.”
Moreland said he has known Robin Walbridge, the longtime captain of the Bounty, for years and he is an experienced seaman, but Moreland said he was shocked that Walbridge decided to sail, given the forecast.
“Yes, I have to say yes, I can’t say anything else. When I first heard the Bounty was out there, I thought, ‘You’ve got to be kidding.’ ”
Moreland said there was very good information on the storm well in advance.
“I don’t understand this one at all,” he said. “This is a huge system, there is no way of avoiding this, there’s no dodging and weaving around it.”
Moreland has captained the Picton Castle on five circumnavigations, and the tall ship has sailed more than 400,000 kilometres under his command without incident.
Moreland had planned to set sail in the Picton Castle over a week ago but delayed the voyage because of the impending hurricane.
“I had no interest in going because of this storm,” clearly a large system that would have extensive impact, he said.
He postponed the departure until last Wednesday, and then, given the latest weather information, decided to stay put until the storm passed.
Moreland said he is extremely sorry that two of the Bounty’s crew members are missing. And those who made it into lifeboats would have faced horrendous conditions, he said. They would have been exposed to the elements and “whopped around and feeling every wave.”
Rescuing them by air was a “very desperate measure,” Moreland said, “a last possible option.”
The Bounty, launched in Lunenburg in 1960, is the second tall ship connected to the South Shore town to sink in less than three years. In February 2010, the Lunenburg-based Concordia went down in a storm off the coast of Brazil. All 64 students and staff were rescued after spending 40 hours in life-rafts.
Moreland expects the Bounty’s sinking to come under intense scrutiny.
“When you lose a ship, there are some pretty obvious questions out of this. It’s pretty horrible, and the big question is, the decision to go.”
http://thechronicleherald.ca/novasc...in-questions-bounty-being-at-sea-during-storm
BRIDGEWATER — The captain of the Picton Castle says he can’t understand why the Bounty was at sea Monday when a massive hurricane was forecast to hit.
Indeed, Dan Moreland postponed leaving Lunenburg more than a week ago precisely because of hurricane Sandy.
“It was an easy decision to make,” he said. “It’s black and white, there are no nuances with this. It’s a huge system and that made the decision very simple.”
Moreland said he has known Robin Walbridge, the longtime captain of the Bounty, for years and he is an experienced seaman, but Moreland said he was shocked that Walbridge decided to sail, given the forecast.
“Yes, I have to say yes, I can’t say anything else. When I first heard the Bounty was out there, I thought, ‘You’ve got to be kidding.’ ”
Moreland said there was very good information on the storm well in advance.
“I don’t understand this one at all,” he said. “This is a huge system, there is no way of avoiding this, there’s no dodging and weaving around it.”
Moreland has captained the Picton Castle on five circumnavigations, and the tall ship has sailed more than 400,000 kilometres under his command without incident.
Moreland had planned to set sail in the Picton Castle over a week ago but delayed the voyage because of the impending hurricane.
“I had no interest in going because of this storm,” clearly a large system that would have extensive impact, he said.
He postponed the departure until last Wednesday, and then, given the latest weather information, decided to stay put until the storm passed.
Moreland said he is extremely sorry that two of the Bounty’s crew members are missing. And those who made it into lifeboats would have faced horrendous conditions, he said. They would have been exposed to the elements and “whopped around and feeling every wave.”
Rescuing them by air was a “very desperate measure,” Moreland said, “a last possible option.”
The Bounty, launched in Lunenburg in 1960, is the second tall ship connected to the South Shore town to sink in less than three years. In February 2010, the Lunenburg-based Concordia went down in a storm off the coast of Brazil. All 64 students and staff were rescued after spending 40 hours in life-rafts.
Moreland expects the Bounty’s sinking to come under intense scrutiny.
“When you lose a ship, there are some pretty obvious questions out of this. It’s pretty horrible, and the big question is, the decision to go.”
I'm saddened and upset that anyone would chose to head to sea in such conditions. I've crossed the Atlantic 4 times and been through a few hard storms. With weather information what it is today... I just wonder what lured them out of a safe harbor?
At 90 miles offshore, I'd imagine she is in fairly deep water. I wonder how long she lasted before sinking?
At 90 miles offshore, I'd imagine she is in fairly deep water. I wonder how long she lasted before sinking?
God bless her. I don't know anything about her but she lived with gusto and while saddened by her passing I celebrate her life of adventure. My most sincere symphathy to her family. I am truely sorry.
USCG reports mast is still visible and went down quickly that most or all crew had to swim to lifeboats.
If the mast is still visible does that mean it's in shallow enough water to attempt to salvage it?
Reuters is reporting Claudene is in critical condition at Albemarle Hospital in Elizabeth City. Let us all Pray for a full recovery.
I was fortunate enough to be part of the volunteer crew when the Bounty used to winter in St Petersburg.
No need to speculate about the boat....It was built in 1960 for the 62 version of "Mutiny on the Bounty". When Ted Turner bought MGM he used it as a party boat for several years then donated it to the "Tall Ship Bounty Foundation" In Fall River Mass.
Jeff Finston was at the time the 1st mate (much of the time the Master of the boat). He told us about clearing Miami for Andrew and it held together. The boat had heavy duty fire pumps on board which could also act to drain the bilge.
The Foundation ran out of money and the present owner took it over . Since then I don't know much about it except that Robin was the Capitan of the Bounty before it was sold and remained on it till present.
It is my hope that he and the other crew member are found. I will surely miss the old girl. I can't begin to tell you how much fun I had on her.
I twice made the trip from Fall River to St Pete as they were doing.
There but by the grace of God....
No need to speculate about the boat....It was built in 1960 for the 62 version of "Mutiny on the Bounty". When Ted Turner bought MGM he used it as a party boat for several years then donated it to the "Tall Ship Bounty Foundation" In Fall River Mass.
Jeff Finston was at the time the 1st mate (much of the time the Master of the boat). He told us about clearing Miami for Andrew and it held together. The boat had heavy duty fire pumps on board which could also act to drain the bilge.
The Foundation ran out of money and the present owner took it over . Since then I don't know much about it except that Robin was the Capitan of the Bounty before it was sold and remained on it till present.
It is my hope that he and the other crew member are found. I will surely miss the old girl. I can't begin to tell you how much fun I had on her.
I twice made the trip from Fall River to St Pete as they were doing.
There but by the grace of God....
Interesting connection. Claudene Christian was related to Fletcher Christian who took command of the Bounty from Willaim Bligh.
http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/156986-bounty-victim-was-mutineer-s-relative
http://www.thechronicleherald.ca/novascotia/156986-bounty-victim-was-mutineer-s-relative
The USCG report I read may have refered to an instance while on site. I've read so many reports today, some of the facts blur.
I read that she just came out of dry dock on the 22nd. I cant help but think there was something about that will come to light.
I would be TOTALLY shocked if the water is 14000ft deep 90miles out. I would even find 1400ft a stretch. But, I have no charts to look at so I could be totally clueless. would not be the first time.
No matter what the story is, it is FOR SURE a very sad day for the clan of sailors.
I would be TOTALLY shocked if the water is 14000ft deep 90miles out. I would even find 1400ft a stretch. But, I have no charts to look at so I could be totally clueless. would not be the first time.
No matter what the story is, it is FOR SURE a very sad day for the clan of sailors.
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