JAMES PARBERY
MARINER · ARTIST · WRITER · ACTOR
Bounty was my ‘first love’ - the ship that launched my maritime career.
THE MARINER
A life shaped by the sea
James's time aboard the 1978 Bounty became a defining chapter in his life, the beginning of a maritime career, and a platform for his various creative pursuits.
His connection with the ship extended beyond sailing. Through his maritime artwork, writing, film work and preservation efforts, James helped document and interpret the practical life of a square-rigged sailing vessel.
James Parbery first joined Bounty as a trainee crew member in October 1987, sailing from Port Louis, Mauritius, to Fremantle, Australia. What began as a voyage became a defining chapter in his life and the beginning of a maritime career.
Over the years, James served in several roles aboard Bounty, from crew member and watch leader to bosun and shipkeeper. He was there during the First Fleet re-enactment, returned to the ship in the 1990s, and witnessed different chapters of her working life.
TIMELINE
1987–88
THE FIRST FLEET VOYAGE
James joined as a trainee crew member in Mauritius, then served as Fleet Host, crew member and watch leader during the First Fleet re-enactment in Australia.
1993–2000
RETURN TO BOUNTY
James rejoined in October 1993, serving as crew member, bosun and minstrel. In 1996, he launched his A Flag for Allcampaign aboard the ship.
1994–2004 · THE FILMING YEARS
James took part in several film and television productions, including Robinson Crusoe, Billy Connolly's World Tour of Australia, Moby Dick and The Incredible Journey of Mary Bryant. His work included maritime consultancy, performance and stunt work, drawing on his practical knowledge of sailing ships. During the production of The Incredible Journey of Mary Bryant, James served as maritime adviser and appeared as Captain Gilbert, bringing his experience of traditional sailing vessels to the screen.
1997–2006 · FILM, MEMORY & PRESERVATION
During Bounty's filming years, the ship sailed between Sydney, Eden and Melbourne for productions including Moby Dick. Following this period, James arranged for the ship's whaleboats to be donated to the Eden Maritime Museum, helping preserve objects associated with the vessel's working history.
In 2004, James returned to the world of film as maritime adviser and featured extra for The Incredible Journey of Mary Bryant. He also wrote and performed a song aboard Bounty for a BBC documentary about Captain Cook.
Around 2005, James served as Bounty's shipkeeper. In the same period, performing under the name Jimmy Parbuckle, he released his first album with his band, The Reeelers. The album included Packet Ship, a song telling the story of the Bounty mutiny.
James's story illustrates how the 1978 replica became more than a film vessel: it was a workplace, a platform for creative expression and a source of lasting maritime connections.
THE ARTIST & THE MARITIME WRITER
Recording the working life of Bounty
James Parbery's connection with Bounty extended beyond sailing. A mariner, marine artist and writer, he documented aspects of the ship through technical drawings, rigging diagrams and articles on traditional seamanship. His work offers a practical view of the vessel: how her rigging was arranged, how traditional maritime terminology is used, and how the knowledge of working sailors helps preserve a ship's story.
PINRAIL DIAGRAM OF HMAV BOUNTY
As laid out for her current use — 4 April 1996
Drawn by James Parbery,
James's pinrail drawing records the practical rigging arrangement of the 1978 replica. Its layout would have been almost identical to that of the original Bounty, allowing experienced sailors familiar with the eighteenth-century vessel to recognise the arrangement of the running rigging.
The drawing is a valuable complement to the historical plans: it documents the practical rigging of the 1978 replica, which would have been almost identical to the layout of the original ship.
LEARNING THE ROPES
James's published writing explores the distinctions between rope and line, traditional seamanship and the language used aboard sailing vessels. His articles appeared in Australian Sea Heritage, Marlinspike and the Cape Horner's Journal. His writing preserves the knowledge and terminology of working mariners, alongside the personal experiences he shares from his years aboard Bounty.
FROM THE ARTIST'S COLLECTION
James has also shared drawings made over the years, including sketches of cast members during the 2004 filming of The Incredible Journey of Mary Bryant. These offer another perspective on the ship's film history and the people who worked around her.
We can expand this gallery as James identifies the drawings he would like included and supplies higher-resolution images.
THE STORY CONTINUES
A ship's history is not written only in logbooks, charts and official records. It lives in the memories of those who sailed in her, the skills they carried, the friendships they formed and the stories they continue to tell.
Through his drawings, writing, photographs and recollections, James Parbery offers a personal window into the working life of Bounty and the people who shared her voyages.
This archive is a living collection. As further memories, images and documents come to light, James's story will continue to grow.
The ship is the thread. The people are the story. The legacy is what remains.