"The Bounty and Beyond"

by David Townsend (2002)

She had sailed from Spithead,
The time of year being wrong.
Hammocks exchanged for beds,
Spirits high reflected in her songs.

Built in Hull, Surry County
43 men out on the "larboard" bound,
She was the HMAV "Bounty"
A jewel in His Majesties crown.

She was built to haul coal,
And master cold weather.
A little "wooden mole"
And the cold seas to tether.

She was ninety feet long
And three mast down.
She tried to round the Horn,
But repaired to Cape Town.

Then southward she sailed,
Her mission in the books.
Breadfruit and ale,
Then in Port Royal drop hooks.

Weeks then months finally gave way,
There on the horizon Tahiti loomed.
The "Bounty" had finally made Matavai Bay,
The "Crew" was at peace or so it was assumed.

To fill her hold,
Nearly a year it would take.
New friendships to mould,
And new loves to make.

But as her time ended,
And below decks she was filled.
Hearts would have to be mended,
For time had stood still.

With all goodbyes having been said,
She was homeward bound.
The crew feeling dead.
Coconuts and threats were the sounds.

Commissioned officers only one would exist.
Mutiny was the order but try to resist,
Lt. Bligh was bound and so were his wrist.
Of 43 men, 19 were cast adrift.

No England or Port Royal,
No London or Kingstown.
No promotions but being loyal,
Perhaps a second time around.

41 days and 3600 miles,
East Timor they arrived.
18 men could cast a small smile,
And only 12 would survive.

Of Fletcher Christian, the ships 1st mate,
It was back to Tahiti where a new life would await.
23 men left to man the ships wake,
But around the corner, the Pandora had a date.

As Christian found the Island of Pitcairn,
Bligh on the other had his food he was 'asharin'.
But back in England a Court Martial took place,
Three were found guilty with the look on their face.

The "Example" having been made
And Georgie on his throne,
Had Bligh resubmit the trade,
With King Aru of Tahiti alone.

With the results of the mission,
Having been met.
Jamaica continued,
To become more indebt.

Bligh became Governor,
Of New South Wales.
And the "Pitcairners" will hover,
When they see a ship that they "hail".

Our Christian and Bligh,
Their destinies we have seen.
For they may have died,
But we remain of their genes.