UPDATE: Missing crew member, Claudene Christian, 42, was pulled from the water unconscious and later confirmed dead by the Coast Guard. Captain Robin Walbridge is still missing.
CBC News is reporting: Claudia McCann, whose husband Robin Walbridge is the captain of the Bounty, told CBC News her husband is one of the two missing crew members. CBC News has learned the other missing crew member is Claudene Christian.
Claudene Christian is reported to be a distant relative of Fletcher Christian, the original Master’s Mate who seized command of the ship during the mutiny.
i can’t believe it the it is just gone, when it was in Pictou my brother was it and now BOOM it is gone hope they find the missing people
Jenna.B
Why were they out there? Hasn’t this storm been widely publicized for several days?
First Light
Moontide darkest night
on t’ morrow
at first light
following sea
on t’ morrow
at first light
is this really happen. oh no, i can’t believe.
Claudene Christian was a direct descendant of Fletcher Christian, being his great-great-great-great-great granddaughter.
why were they out there to begin with? thaty boat was docked in fall river and was not even sea worthy in calm waters let alone sailing into a hurricane.
The Bounty’s sinking was clearly the outcome of an egomaniac that cared more about his status than his crew, many of which had little or no experience. The Bounty was going under on Sunday, yet no “abandon ship” order was given at that time. For several hours the first mate should have been preparing the crew’s safety with lifelines, teher lines, and the possibility the ship could go under at any time. Evidence indicates the commanding crew members basically sat on their asses until it was way too late. Waiting for a nutjob of a Captain to give a long overdue abandon ship order, no one had the sense to do the right thing—override the s.o.b.s god-like status, and give the order. I liken it to an insane commercial pilot flying directly into a mountain side believing he was smarter than mother nature and could just slide up or down the mountainside while all crew members were doubting they would ever survive such assinine tactics.
They killed my daughter; they destroyed my life.
Harry Christian
I am deeply sorry for your loss. Neverthess, I take exception to the charaterization of the captain as an “egomaniac.” That was not the Robin Walbridge that I knew. I mourn his loss as well.
I feel very strong in the fact that this Captain Walbridge had a death wish to take a wooden ship like the Bounty out in a storm such as Sandy. What was he thinking that he was God and could be famous for sailing in such storms. What he did was risk the lives of many. And he killed my cousin Claudene Christian with his actions of wrong choices. I think he went down with the ship and that is just were he belongs. My cousin who I miss dearly did not deserve to have her life end like this. She would never have left her family this soon in life, she had so much to still live for. She was a amazing lady. I will never forget you Chops. And to see the pain my Aunt and Uncle are going through from her loss none of you can even understand this pain unless you have lost a child.
Gidget and Harry. I truly understand your pain and would not want to tell you how to feel, but to accuse Robin of murder is not appropriate. Why do I say that? Because the captain called all the crew on deck and gave them a chance to stay at port. This is a fact. Claudene decided to stay. Claudene lived a full life and lived larger than most who reach her age. She was a remarkable soul of great spirit.
“Claudene’s life has touched and inspired many beyond her death. That is her legacy. She knew the risks. She even texted that this is what she loved doing even as the boat sank. Go ahead and grieve but think how you want her to be remembered