HMS Bounty Probe: Rotting Wood Discovered in Ship's Frame Before Departure

During the ongoing investigation into the unfortunate HMS Bounty sinking, a shipyard official noted that the frame of the 18th-century replica tall ship was rotted.

Todd Kosakowski discovered the decay as the historic vessel was undergoing repairs at his shipyard, Boothbay Harbor Shipyard in Maine.

The Bounty was having some planks replaced before sailing down to Florida. Once notified, the captain reportedly decided not to replace the rotted wood before this voyage due to expenses and the time it would have taken.

A federal safety panel is hearing testimony in Virginia to determine what led to the tragedy.

The HMS Bounty sank 90 miles off Cape Hatteras, N.C., during October’s “Superstorm” Sandy. One member of the Bounty’s 16-person crew died, and the captain was never found.