Ten years ago today, the replica of HMS Bounty sank in Hurricane Sandy off the coast of North Carolina. Despite horrific conditions, the US Coast Guard was able to rescue 14 of the 16 aboard the ship when she sank.
Tragically, two died. Crew member Claudene Christian was recovered from the water by the Coast Guard but was unresponsive and was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Captain Robin Walbridge’s body was never recovered.
Roughly a week after the sinking, many of the Bounty survivors sat down for an interview with ABC’s Good Morning America.
I sailed on her in the 90’s when the non-profit was trying to raise money to re-outfit her. One of the passengers was a former skipper who told me that the Bounty had tremendous leaks even in calm weather. He did not think it was a good candidate for refitting. Later she was sold to I believe a plumbing contractor on Long Island who promised to refit her and sail her. I remember he wound up spending a lot more than he had planned for but lost touch after that. RIP to the two who passed away.