Let’s not compare a square-rigged sailing ship with modern naval vessels, shall we?
Three thousand years of experience are engraved on the sailor’s heart: any port in a storm. Is anyone seriously arguing that the prudent mariner of a sailing vessel in storm conditions, within sight of harbor, will say to himself “No thanks; we’ll just loiter out here”. It is too ridiculous for words.
Large modern vessels can be sent to sea because their keel dimensions allow them to wide out practically any wave in relative stability. In harbor during a storm, vessels like aircraft carriers or large crude carriers risk being driven onto a lee shore and stranded without hope of recovery. A vessel of the Bounty’s size could easily recover from a beaching.
I do not presume to match my nautical skill with that of the Bounty’s (Late? RIP) master, but will only say that I don’t understand why he risked his vessel and all the souls aboard as he did.
Well then, I guess someone just wanted this to happen and sent the ship out in a storm.