The enormity of the task, the desperate nature of their situation and the insignificance of their plight to an uncaring ocean is the preoccupation of this scene. Wet, cold and perpetual motion in an open box was the fate of those clinging to the Bounty's launch. In construction the picture is based on a centralised dark and bottomless well. The action, like a whirlpool, gathers momentum as it drags at the edges of the picture. Overlaying this is a geometric construction of triangles and parallel lines as if to show that even in chaos nature has a design or an order. Still there is little relief for the eye . . . and deliberately so as there was precious little relief for the sailors! Foam streaks the surface but there are no waves breaking. Bligh struggles with the tiller in an attempt to turn the boat into the threatening swell.