The nation’s oldest city, which has seen its share of dignitaries throughout its long history, is preparing for the arrival of a movie star with more than 50 years experience and several films to her credit. But this movie star is not a person — it’s a ship.

The ship should be coming into St. Augustine at noon today near the bayfront and the St. Augustine Municipal Marina. Local pirate groups will be waving scarves to welcome in the boat and its staff. The public is welcome to greet the Bounty as well.

The HMS Bounty, a replica of one of the most famous ships in the world, was built for the 1962 MGM movie, “Mutiny on the Bounty” starring Marlon Brando and Trevor Howard. The Bounty has also appeared in several other motion pictures over the years, including “Treasure Island,” and two of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies starring Johnny Depp.

The Bounty, which has just begun its 2012 East Coast tour, will come through the St. Augustine Inlet, possibly as early as Wednesday, and tie up at the St. Augustine Municipal Marina, where she will be available to the public for tours Friday through Sunday.

“We’re thrilled to come to St. Augustine,” said Tracie Simonin, director of the H.M.S. Bounty. “We had several important ports of call that we were obligated to make, but I also hand-picked a few, including St. Augustine, because we love coming to cities we haven’t visited. And with all of the history of St. Augustine, it’s a natural fit. It should be exciting.”

The ship is widely known for the 1789 mutiny that took place aboard the ship, which had been tasked with obtaining breadfruit in Tahiti and delivering it to the West Indies to feed slaves. The mutiny has been the subject of several books, films, and popular songs during the more than 200 years since. The mutiny was led by master’s mate Fletcher Christian against the now infamous commander, Lt. William Bligh. He is generally referred to as “Captain Bligh,” since he served in that capacity on the ship.

Credits to St Augustine Record