Cumbria welcomes Bounty replica

The replica of The Bounty will visit Cumbria in June

Cumbria is to commemorate the actions of one of its most famous sons with a visit by a replica of Fletcher Christian's "Bounty".

The replica will form the centrepiece of a six-day celebration of the area's Bounty heritage in June.

Allerdale Borough Council has helped to provide funding for the project, which will allow Maryport to make its mark during Sea Britain 2005.

Christian - born near Cockermouth - led the famous Pacific mutiny in 1789.

His father was born at Ewanrigg, near Maryport.

The replica of The Bounty - an 18th century British man o' war - will be open to visitors at Maryport's Elizabeth Dock throughout the six-day stay from 14 June.

An on-board exhibition will include displays of weaponry and information about hand-to-hand combat in the 18th century, details of the harsh discipline meted out to sailors and an insight into living conditions and navigation.

Naval history

Paul Sherwin, Allerdale Borough Council's entertainments manager, said: "This is a real coup for Maryport and West Cumbria because the ship is coming to us from the Liverpool Maritime Festival, which is expected to attract some three million visitors.

"From Maryport, she has been commanded to go straight to Portsmouth to appear before The Queen at the Spithead review."

Sea Britain 2005 is a year-long nationwide celebration that commemorates Nelson's victory at the Battle of Trafalgar.

Trafalgar took place just 16 years after Fletcher Christian wrote his name into naval history by leading the Mutiny on the Bounty.

Christian took control of the Bounty with 11 other mutineers on 28 April, 1789 during an ill-fated trip to Tahiti and the West Indies.

The Bounty's Master, Captain William Bligh, and 18 loyal crewmen, were set adrift in the ship's 23-foot launch, eventually reaching safety.

Mr Sherwin added: "The story of Bligh, Christian and The Bounty is one of the world's most famous naval stories and we think it is time that West Cumbria's role in the story is fully explored.

"We hope that thousands of local people and visitors will be attracted to view the ship."