'Bounty ' Ready For
p. 89 · Read in the full issue
The High Seas
HMS "Bounty”, 1960 MGM version, was to be handed over to the film company by the Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, shipyard of Smith and Rhu land, Ltd., about the end of Septem ber. and will then soon head for the Pacific to take part in a new "Bounty” film. It is possible that some of the scenes may be shot at Tahiti.
The three-masted vessel measures 118-ft. at deckline (compared with the original "Bounty’s” 85-ft.), 110-ft. waterline, has a beam of SOVi-ft. and a loaded draught of 12-ft. Powered with a pair of 300-hp diesels, the nautical critics can only hope that in the finished film "Bounty” will not be seen flying along at 12 knots with the sails all aback and the sea unruffled by a breeze. However, they will be comforted to know that the builder’s yard is one of the most famous in Nova Scotia—having built the famous "Bluenose” Grand Banks fishing schooner in 1921. It won the MGM contract against competition from Japan, the US, and a Vancouver yard.
The price was $500,000.
The keel was laid on March 3 and the vessel was launched August 27.
She was scaled up in size to permit inclusion of a great deal of comfort able accommodation for the nine officers and 22 crew, much electric generating plant, and substantial deep-freeze equipment. Of 500 tons deadweight the ship will have a cruising range of 5,000 miles and a sail area of about 10,000 sq. ft.
In addition to playing the part of HMS "Bounty”, the vessel, slightly altered, will also play the part of the frigate HMS “Pandora” which was later sent out by the Admiralty to capture the mutineers.
Marlon Brando will play Fletcher Christian in the film, and Trevor Howard may take the part of Bligh.
BELOW: Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Quintal, both direct descendants of the "Bounty" mutineers, celebrated their Golden Wed ding anniversary on Norfolk Island on September 15. There was a big party, and among the guests were Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Robinson (also in the photo) who recently celebrated their Diamond wedding. Mr. Quintal is at the rear, left; his wife is on the right.
Photo: R. Hoare.