Four men to set sail in re-creation of Captain Bligh's mutiny on the Bounty voyage

The mutiny on the Bounty has been memorialized in novels, movies (one of which won an Academy Award for best picture of 1935) and other media. Occurring aboard the British Royal Navy ship HMS Bounty on April 28, 1789,  commanding officer William Bligh and a crew of 18 were cast adrift on a small boat by mutineers.

Now, 221 years later, a four-man crew plans to set sail on a 25-foot, open-deck vessel, trying to re-create the 4,400-mile epic voyage from Tonga to West Timor.

Led by Australian adventurer Don McIntyre, the Bounty Boat Expedition will be setting out Wednesday. Joining him will be fellow Australian David Bryce, Hong Kong businessman David Wilkinson and 18-year-old Chris Wilde, a student from Great Britain, who hope to complete the journey in 40 days.

Like Bligh, they will not be using any modern-day navigational systems, instead relying on original 18th century octant, sextant and pocket watches, plus nautical tables, a boat compass, telescope and rope knot meter. They will have no modern charts, watches, nautical almanacs or compass lights on-board.

The provisions will also be similar to those which Bligh and his companions had -- hardtack, beef (instead of pork), water, rum and wine. Though they will also pack nuts, raisins and museli bars, the crew hopes to be able to gather a supply of fruit, vegetables and coconuts in Tonga as well as catch fish and supplement their drinking water with rain water.

A big difference, however, is the size of the boat being used on this modern expedition. Though a couple of feet longer, it's only about half the volume size of Bligh's vessel, presenting a greater risk of capsizing.

One look at the vessel, pictured above, brings the realization of what an adventure just everyday living will be during the weeks ahead for these swashbucklers. Best of luck to all aboard -- hopefully McIntyre won't have a mutiny on his hands.

-- Kelly Burgess

Photo: People gather on a dock to watch the four-man crew in their 25-foot open-deck boat, in which they will attempt to reenact the 4,400-mile voyage of Capt. William Bligh of the HMS Bounty after he was cast adrift by mutineers in 1789. Credit: Linny Folau / Associated Press

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Oil spill off Australian coast creates environmental disaster

A cargo ship leaked tons of fuel oil off the coast of Queensland, Australia, creating one of the area's biggest environmental disasters.

Nearly 40 miles of beach has been blackened, causing authorities to declare the area coastland and local islands a disaster zone.

Worst hit have been the national parks on Bribie and Moreton islands and along the Sunshine Coast. There are now reports that the ship has also leaked oil in the Brisbane River after it was brought to port and detained by Australian Maritime Safety Authority port officials.

"This could be the worst environmental disaster we have faced," State Premier Anna Bligh said. "If there is any grounds for prosecution of this ship and its owners, we will not hesitate to take that action."

Steve Irwin's ghost greets diver -- or does it? -- at Australia's Batt Reef

Italian scuba diver Pino Termini has either a) spent too much time in the sun; b) been holding his breath too long during dives, or c) really did see the ghost of Steve Irwin during a recent dive along Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

Specifically, the former Italian Navy diver was exploring Batt Reef near Port Douglas, and is quoted on the allnewsweb.com website as saying:

"As I started my dive I saw somebody and was surprised because I saw no other boats around, then I noticed that the person had no oxygen tank or mask; the person swam towards me and I realized that it was none other than the Crocodile Hunter himself: Steve Irwin. I freaked out, but he looked calm and at peace.

"I have seen a lot underwater but never a ghost. It was as if he was looking after the spot where he met his end, I felt that I should not impose myself on his turf as it was his and it seemed as if he was caring for the living creatures there."

Batt Reef is where Irwin, the star of Animal Planet's "Crocodile Hunter" series, was pierced by a stingray, and later died, in September 2006.

Does Irwin's spirit remain in the shape and form of the man as he appeared while alive?

There is, at the very least, one believer.

—Pete Thomas

Photo: Steve Irwin hugs a baby alligator at the San Francisco Zoo in 2002.

Credit: Getty Images