HMS Bounty was commissioned to collect breadfruit plants from Tahiti and take them to St.Vincent in the British West Indies where they were to be cultivated for consumption. The Bounty (formerly the Berthia of 215 tons) was modified to carry the living plants and copper sheathed to combat the pest terado navalis. She departed Spithead in April 1787, commanded by Captain William Bligh, and after a hazardous voyage of some 27,000 miles anchored in Matavi Bay, Tahiti on the 26th october 1788. After 6 months, during which the crew enjoyed an almost idyllic life, Bounty set out from Oparre Bay on the 4th April 1789 for the long voyage to the West Indies. Three weeks later, led by Fletcher Christian, many of the crew rebelled and Captain Bligh and 18 members of the crew were set adrift in an open boat.They sailed for nearly three months, a distance of almost 4,000 miles before reaching Timor and safety.