Remembering the HMS Bounty and Captain Robin Walbridge Posted Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 8:45:40 PM     Alexandria Bay, NY 1000 Islands  Comments  Unique Views 2495/Total Views 2606

"She came into view as we rounded Cedar Island on our way from the Chippewa Bay dock to Dark Island.  Arguably one of the most identifiable of the tall ships sailing today sat tied up at our main dock.  The “HMS Bounty” had come to call at Singer Castle.  Avid sailor that he was, Frederick Bourne would have loved her, all 180’ majestic feet from bowsprit to stern as much as we did.
  
After summering on the Great Lakes the “Bounty” was once again on her way back down the St. Lawrence toward Montreal and then on to her home port for the winter season.  On that particular September day the crew and passengers sailing on the Bounty had a chance to be tourists instead of being the “tourist attraction.”  They would get to tour a castle in the 1000 Islands. 

While the crew and passengers toured the castle, Captain Robin invited castle staff members aboard the Bounty.  Our visit began with us climbing up the side of the ship to reach the main deck with the aid of ropes and for some of us a small ladder.  We saw all levels of the ship including the engine room, galley and cabins.  On the main deck stood the ship’s wheel -- the same wheel had been used on the ships in all of the “Mutiny on the Bounty” movies and during the shooting of “The Pirates of the Caribbean.”  We could imagine Captain Bly or Captain Jack Sparrow steering her over the waves with the sails billowing in the wind.
 
Captain Robin Walbridge was a warm and gracious host – it was clear that he loved his ship and his life sailing on the Bounty.  At the end of the visit all of us urged him to stop again the next time he sailed the St. Lawrence.  Sadly Captain Robin Walbridge and the HMS Bounty will not be coming our way again….  On Monday, October 29, 2012 Hurricane Sandy claimed the life of the captain and his majestic ship."

Above notice received from the President of Singer Castle on Dark Island, Tom Weldon and written by Jean Papke.


HMS Bounty tied up at Dark Island


Pam Thomas and Captain Robin Walbridge


Pam Thomas and Captain Robin Walbridge





Video below not recent.. but shows a previous encounter with rough conditions..


For more on the loss of the ship and Captain Walbridge follow the links below..

http://origin.tampabays10.com/news/article/280241/8/HMS-Bounty-sinks-St-Petersburg-Captain-Robin-Walbridge-missing 

http://bennetttheredonethat.bangordailynews.com/2012/10/30/remembering-the-hms-bounty-and-captain-wallbridge/ 

http://www.tallshipbounty.org/the-ship/RobinWalbridge.php

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