THE SOUTH PACIFIC

THE BOUNTY CROSSES THE PACIFIC

On 10 April 1983, the 1978 Bounty left Whangārei, New Zealand, bound for Tahiti. After the short coastal voyages of her early years, this was her first major passage into the South Pacific. She sailed with an 18 member crew, heading towards Tahiti and a new chapter in the Bounty's story. Contemporary reports recorded her expected arrival for early May.

The passage was not without difficulty. During the crossing, the Bounty encountered winds of around 52 knots, breaking her mast. The damage was repaired after reaching Tahiti, and Captain Joseph McGuire described the four week passage as remarkably straightforward. The Bounty arrived at Pointe Venus, where the original Bounty had anchored almost two centuries earlier. Her arrival was marked by a traditional welcome, with canoe loads of dancers greeting the ship and her crew.

TAHITI & MOOREA

The voyage to Tahiti was not simply a destination. The Bounty had arrived to become part of a new film production based on the famous mutiny. From Tahiti, she moved into the waters around Moorea, where she was used extensively during the filming of The Bounty. Contemporary Pacific Islands Monthly reported on the Bounty lying at anchor off Moorea and identified her as the replica being used in Dino de Laurentiis's new film. Filming continued around Moorea before the production moved back to New Zealand.

FROM VOYAGE TO FILM

The Bounty had crossed the Pacific.

She had survived heavy weather, reached Tahiti, returned to the waters of the original Bounty story — and then became part of a new one.

Her next chapter would take her back across the Pacific once again.