Bounty's Upper Deck

Move your mouse over the image to see the labels. Some items are clickable, and will take you below to a short explanation. Notice that openings in the deck have raised wooden frames around them. These are called 'coamings,' and their purpose is to prevent water on the deck from running below. more...

First, this is not meant to be exhaustive, but rather to give you a general idea of where things were.

Notice the two black diagonal lines. These lines separate the deck into three areas, bow to stern: forecastle, waist, and quarterdeck.

Forecastle. The area of the ship forward of the foremast. The name comes from medieval times, when a castle like structure, from which archers could shoot down on their enemies, occupied this area of the deck. Pronounced fo'csle, it refers to that area of the deck as well as below decks. This area of the ship provided the roughest ride, and was therefore where the seamen were quartered. It is the source of the term 'before the mast,' which refers to the seamen, as opposed to the officers. deck

Waist. That area of the deck between the foremast and the mainmast, or between the fo'csle (forecastle) and the quarterdeck; the working area of the deck. deck

Quarterdeck. That area of the upper deck aft of the mainmast. Officer country. deck

The Catheads. A heavy piece of timber projecting from each side of the bow of a vessel to hold the bower anchors in position preparatory to letting go or securing them in their bed after they are weighed. deck

Scuttles. Ports cut in the deck to admit light and air. They could be tightly closed with metal plates called deadlights. deck

Galley Stove Pipe. Directly below the stove pipe was the Bounty's Brodie stove, and her galley, where the food was prepared. deck

Windlass. Winch for raising and lowering the anchors. deck

Companions or Companionways. Ladders which gave access to and from the lower decks. Notice the frames around the companion openings. All openings in the deck are so framed, and these frames are called coamings. Their purpose is to prevent water on deck from running below. deck

Channels. Wooden ledges projecting from the ship's sides to spread the shrouds and keep them clear of the gunwales. deck

Main Hatch. The main hatch was fitted with a watertight cover, which could be removed to provide access to the lower decks. deck

Boat Chocks. This is where the famous launch rested, and atop the launch, the cutter. The outlines are somewhat faint, but if you look carefully you can see them. The only power aboard ship was manpower. So putting the boats out or getting the boats in was no simple task. deck

Pumps. The pumps had pipes running down into the hold from which the water was pumped. These pumps were manned almost continuously during the Bounty's attempt to round Cape Horn. Combined with working the rigging in really wretched weather, I don't think anyone today can truly appreciate the hardships the Bounty's crew suffered in this attempt. Many were laid low, yet none complained. It was the lack of people to man the ship that forced Bligh to abandoned the attempt. So far as I can discern, this is the only time Bligh thanked his crew for anything. It was well deserved. deck

The Capstan. A vertical winch used for heavy lifting. deck

Four-pounders. The Bounty carried four four-pounders, so called because they fired a four pound ball. deck

Swivel gun mount. There were ten such mounts, five to a side, on which could be mounted half-pound swivel guns. deck

The Binnacle. A cabinet directly in front of the wheel. Here were a compass and a light for the man at the helm, (at the wheel.) The binnacle is mentioned often in these pages, for the various things that were kept there. deck

Grills. For ventilation. top

The Galleries. One to a side, they provided light to the Great Cabin. This was ordinarily the captain's quarters, but on the Bounty had been converted into a green-house for the breadfruit plants. In the attempt to round the Cape, Bligh allowed some of the men to hang their hammocks here, in an attempt to keep them healthy. deck

The Flag Locker. Here were kept the flags used to announce their identity, i.e., the Union Jack, as well as flags used in signalling. deck

Stern Lanterns. Here be the ship. deck

Brace bitts. The posts on the crossbar are used for fastening ropes and cables. deck

Taffrail. The railing around the stern of the ship. deck