Bounty had been acquired to transport breadfruit plants from Tahiti (then rendered "Otaheite"), a Polynesian island in the South Pacific Ocean, to the British colonies in the West Indies. The expedition was promoted by the Royal Society and organised by its president Sir Joseph Banks, who shared the view of Caribbean plantation owners that breadfruit might grow well there and provide cheap food for the slaves. Bounty was refitted under Banks' supervision at Deptford Dockyard on the River Thames. The great cabin, normally the quarters of the ship's captain, was converted into a greenhouse for over a thousand potted breadfruit plants, with glazed windows, skylights, and a lead-covered deck and drainage system to prevent the waste of fresh water. The space required for these arrangements in the small ship meant that the crew and officers would endure severe overcrowding for the duration of the long voyage.
Bounty had been acquired to transport breadfruit plants from Tahiti (then rendered "Otaheite") a Polynesian island in the South Pacific Ocean to the British colonies in the West Indies The expedition was promoted by the Royal Society and organised by its president Sir Joseph Banks who shared the view of Caribbean plantation owners that breadfruit might grow well there and provide cheap food for the slaves Bounty was refitted under Banks' supervision at Deptford Dockyard on the River Thames The great cabin normally the quarters of the ship's captain was converted into a greenhouse for over a thousand potted breadfruit plants with glazed windows skylights and a lead-covered deck and drainage system to prevent the waste of fresh water The space required for these arrangements in the small ship meant that the crew and officers would endure severe overcrowding for the duration of the long voyage