On the 23rd December, 1787, the Bounty sailed from Spithead, and on the 26th it blew a severe storm of wind from the eastward, which continued to the 29th, in the course of which the ship suffered greatly.  One sea broke away the spare-yards and spars out of the starboard main-chains.  Another heavy sea broke into the ship and stove all the boats.  Several casks of beer that had been lashed upon deck, were broke loose and washed overboard; and it was not without great difficulty and risk that they were able to secure the boats from being washed away entirely.  Besides other mischief done to them in this storm, a large quantity of bread was damaged and rendered useless, for the sea had stove in the stern and filled the cabin with water.

This made it desirable to touch at Teneriffe to put the ship to rights, where they arrived on the 5th January, 1788, and having refitted and refreshed, they sailed again on the 10th.

‘I now,’ says Bligh, ’divided the people into three watches, and gave the charge of the third watch to Mr. Fletcher Christian, one of the mates.  I have always considered this a desirable regulation when circumstances will admit of it, and I am persuaded that unbroken rest not only contributes much towards the health of the ship’s company, but enables them more readily to exert themselves in cases of sudden emergency.’

Wishing to proceed to Otaheite without stopping, and the late storm having diminished their supply of provisions, it was deemed expedient to put all hands on an allowance of two-thirds of bread.  It was also decided that water for drinking should be passed through filtering stones that had been procured at Teneriffe.  ‘I now,’ says Bligh, ’made the ship’s company acquainted with the object of the voyage, and gave assurances of the certainty of promotion to every one whose endeavours should merit it.’  Nothing, indeed, seemed to be neglected on the part of the commander to make his officers and men comfortable and happy.  He was himself a thorough-bred sailor, and availed himself of every possible means of preserving the health of his crew.  Continued rain and a close atmosphere had covered everything in the ship with mildew.  She was therefore aired below with fires, and frequently sprinkled with vinegar, and every interval of dry weather was taken advantage of to open all the hatchways, and clean the ship, and to have all the people’s wet things washed and dried.  With these precautions to secure health, they passed the hazy and sultry atmosphere of the low latitudes without a single complaint.

On Sunday, the 2nd of March, Lieutenant Bligh observes, ’after seeing that every person was clean, Divine service was performed, according to my usual custom.  On this day I gave to Mr. Fletcher Christian, whom I had before desired to take charge of the third watch, a written order to act as lieutenant.’