The Bounty Mutiny - Part 1

The Bounty Mutiny - Part 1

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Rich: It is June, 1789. Lieutenant William Bligh, former commanding officer of the vessel, HMS Bounty, has recovered from a torturous 3,600 mile journey and a small overcrowded boat. Two months prior, he and 18 other men were cast from the Bounty by acting Lieutenant Fletcher Christian and his fellow Mutineers, through a miraculous accomplishment of navigation and determination.

Bligh and all, but one of his men have survived just barely and arrived at the island of Timor. One of the first tasks Bligh must do is to write to his beloved wife. My dear Betsy, I am now in a part of the world that I never expected. It is how a place that has offered me relief and saved my life, and I have the happiness to [00:01:00] assure you.

I am now in perfect health, know then I have lost the Bounty. On the 28th April at daylight in the morning, Christian, having the morning watch, he with several others, came into my cabin while I was asleep and seizing me, holding naked bayonets at my breast, tied my hands behind my back, and threatened instant destruction if I uttered a word.

I, however, called loudly for assistance, but the conspiracy was so well laid that the officer's cabin doors were guarded by sentinels. So that Nelson Peckover Samuels or the master could not come to me. I was now dragged on deck in my shirt and closely guarded. I demanded of Christian the cause of such a violent act and severely degraded him for his villainy, but he could only answer, not a word, sir, or you are dead.

I dared him to the act and endeavored to rally someone to a sense of their duty, but to no effect. Besides this [00:02:00] villain see young Heyward, one of the Ringleaders, and besides him see Stewart joined with him Christian. I had a short of promotion when he came home and with the other two I was every day rendering them some service.

It is incredible. These very young men I placed very confidence in, yet these great villains joined with the most able man in the ship. Got possession of the arms and took the Bounty from me. I have no reason to curse the day I ever knew a Christian or a Haywood. I know how shocked you will be at this affair, but I request of you, my dear Betsy, to think nothing of it all is now passed and we will again look forward to future happiness to you.

My love, I give all that an affectionate husband can give love, respect, and all that is or ever will be in the power of your ever affectionate friend and husband, William Bligh. I. The Mutiny on HMS Bounty today on shipwrecks and sea [00:03:00] Dogs.

Hello and welcome to Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs, tales of Mishaps, misfortune, and Misadventure. I'm your host, Rich Napolitano. The legendary story of the Bounty Mutiny has been written about at length. And has appeared in multiple Hollywood films and television programs. We have often been shown the vision of a crotchety old William Bligh issuing fierce floggings and belittling insults to help us prove with charismatic and fresh faced Fletcher Christian acting as a hero.

As is often the case, Hollywood used some creative license to offer a more dramatic tale. The true story, however, is not so clearly defined.

His Majesty's armed vessel Bounty, also simply referred to as HMS Bounty, began its existence as a Collier named the Bethea in Kingston upon Hall East Yorkshire, England in 1784 at just [00:04:00] 215 tons. She was a relatively small ship just under 91 feet long and 24 feet wide. She was a three masted, fully rigged ship with no forecastle or Stern.

Castle, meaning all accommodations were below deck. On the 23rd of May, 1787, the Bethea was purchased by the Royal Navy for the specific purpose of transporting breadfruit plants from the Pacific Island of Tahiti to British possessions in the West Indies. They hoped the plant would grow well and become an inexpensive food source for the growing population of enslaved persons working the sugar plantations on islands such as Jamaica, Barbados, and Nevis.

The Bethea was renamed to HMS Bounty. To reflect the bountiful purpose of the ship's voyage. Appointed to command the Bounty was Lieutenant William Bligh, a 33-year-old officer who had served as master of the sloop resolution, circumnavigating the globe during Captain James Cook's third voyage from 1775 to 1779.[00:05:00]

Bligh was highly respected, both as a skilled mariner and a knowledgeable navigator. Bligh requested changes to the Bounty to prepare for the mission. Her sails were shortened to withstand the strong winds and its grand Cabin was converted into storage for the breadfruit plants. Four, four pound cannon and 10 swivel guns were added as well.

In case of any conflict, the Bounty embarked on its expedition leaving from Portsmouth on the 23rd of December, 1787 with 46 men on board. 43 Royal Navy personnel joined Captain Bligh, including four warrant officers and two masters mates, one of which was Fletcher Christian. Also on board were two civilian botanists from Kew Gardens, David Nelson and William Brown, who would oversee the care of the breadfruit plants.

Lieutenant William Bligh was the acting captain and commanding officer of the Bounty, and the only commissioned officer on board while his role on the Bounty was that of a captain. His rank in the Royal Navy at the time was [00:06:00] lieutenant. Two days into the journey, Bligh allowed his men to celebrate Christmas Day in ordered a full allowance of rum and a meal of beef and plum pudding to be issued to every man.

Several days of severe weather and strong. Gales rocked the Bounty in late December, and the crew worked tirelessly through the tempest crashing waves, soaked their cabins water, got into the bread and prevented any fires to cook hot food. Bligh ordered extra grog in addition to beer to give the crew a bit more comfort in such difficult conditions.

The Bounty reached Tenerife on January 17th, 1788. Over the next three days, the ship was resupplied with fresh water, wine, bread, and beer, while the carpenters repaired the damaged boats and spars. After getting underway again on January 10th, Bligh ordered two casks of cheese to be brought up and aired out, finding two wheels of cheese missing.

Bligh questioned the ship's Cooper, Mr. Henry Hill Brandand, and accused the crew of stealing the two cheeses. [00:07:00] Hill Brandand Sheepishly reminded Lieutenant Bligh that the cast had been opened before by his clerk, Mr. Samuel, and the cheeses were sent to Blight's Cabin without further deliberation. Bligh ordered the allowance of cheese to be stopped until the cheeses were returned.

Telling the Cooper he would give him a damned good flogging if he said anymore about it. The following day, Bligh ordered a shift of three, watches, a change from the usual four hour shifts of this decision. Bligh wrote, I have ever considered this among seamen as conducive to health and not being jaded by keeping on deck every other four hours.

It adds much to their content and cheerfulness sometime for relaxation and mirth is absolutely necessary, and I have considered it so much that after four o'clock the evening is laid out aside for their amuseament and dancing. I had great difficulty before I left England to get a man to play the violin and I preferred it last to take one, two thirds blind than come without [00:08:00] one.

The third watch was assigned to Master's mate, Mr. Fletcher Christian. Christian sailed with Bligh previously to the West Indies and Bligh mentored him, taught him navigation, and prepared Christian to someday become a commissioned officer. Overall, William Bligh was very pleased with the conditions on board boasting.

As two thirds allowance of bread is as much as men generally consume. I ordered them to be put to it on this day, and as their water is all filtered through drip stones, which I have procured for that purpose. Few seamen and officers I may venture to say, can ever boast of more comforts at sea. The first sign of Bkigh's dissatisfaction with the crew came on January 23rd, 1788.

The ship's surgeon, Dr. Thomas Huggan, was known to be an alcoholic and was often drunk during the voyage. In his log book, Bligh remarked, I now find my doctor to be a drunken sot, he is constantly in liquor, having a private stock by him, which I have assured him shall be taken away [00:09:00] if he does not desist from making himself such a beast.

In fact, Bligh was well aware of Huggans drinking prior to the voyage and petitioned unsuccessfully to have and replaced.

On February 9th, the Bounty crossed the equator and Bligh allowed the men to perform the usual ceremony of King Neptune's Court. For the 27 men who had never crossed the line, Bligh would not allow the custom of ducking, however, which he referred to as brutal and inhuman.

Ducking typically involved attaching a man to a line and sending him overboard into the ocean three times before bringing him back up. This varied by the ship and the circumstances and could be something as simple as having a bucket of water poured over their heads. Nevertheless, Bligh found the practice distasteful and didn't allow it.

Following the ceremony, the men celebrated with wine and dancing. On March 2nd, Bligh promoted Masters mate, Fletcher Christian to acting lieutenant and summoned all hands to hear the order read aloud. [00:10:00] This was a point of contention for Sailing Master John Fryer. He had already accused Bligh of favoring Christian when the latter was named head of the third watch.

The position of acting lieutenant was a much desired post for the mates on board, and this did not sit well with Mr. Fryer.

As the Bounty reached the coast of Argentina, the weather, wind, and currents became turbulent. Bligh made note of the worsening conditions and the continual soundings taken to determine the depth of the water.

On the 10th of March, Bligh issued the first punishment of the voyage, giving two dozen lashes to seamen Matthew Quintal for insense and contempt. He lamented having to do so writing. Until this afternoon, I had hoped I could perform the voyage without punishment to anyone. Bligh spent the last weeks of March and most of April attempting to navigate the treacherous waters around Cape Horn.

Fierce currents and Gales continued to stymie his progress as the Bounty pushed forward, backtracked circled, and tried again. Bligh was [00:11:00] careful making every decision with the safety of his crew in mind. Cape Horn proved vexing for Bligh as it had been for many captains before and after. Referring to Commodore George Anson's account of his voyages, published in 1748, Bligh wrote, I do not wonder at Lord Anson's account of the high sea for it exceeds any I have seen.

And to be here in a laborsome ship must be an unhappy situation. By April 2nd, 1788, the battered ship had been damaged, repaired, damaged again, and the crew were exhausted, wet and cold. Bligh again saw to their needs writing,. My next business was to see after my people who had undergone some fatigue and to take care that a proper fire was kept and that no one kept on wet clothes.

This being done and seeing them all comfortably dry, I ordered a large quantity of portable soup to be boiled in their peas, which made a valuable and good dinner for them. But the Bounty was still laboring at Cape [00:12:00] Horn, doing battle with the fearsome Drake passage. As the Bounty ventured deeper into even worse squalls, many of the men's births were drenched.

Bligh gave up his own cabin to those with wet bedding until such time their bedding could be dried. After 30 days of a desperate struggle with eight men being injured or sick, Lieutenant Bligh admitted defeat and turned his ship to the east. Bligh set a course for the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa, and the crew were overjoyed to be leaving the nightmares Hellscape of Drake passage On May 23rd, the Bounty arrived at False Bay at the Cape of Good Hope.

In the five months at sea, thus far, not a man was lost and there was not a single case of scurvy or other serious illness. Bligh took pride in the management of his ship as he insisted on regular bathing, washing of clothes, disinfecting the ship with vinegar and drying out wet materials at every opportunity.

Bligh also demanded regular exercise in the form of dancing, something he [00:13:00] experienced while serving with Captain Cook Bligh Insultingly wrote. seamen will seldom attend to themselves in any particular, and simply to give directions that they are to keep themselves clean and dry as circumstances will allow is of little avail.

They must be watched like children as the most recent danger has little effects to prevent them from the same fate. This provides incredible insight into Bligh's attitude toward his crew while he went through great pains to keep his men healthy, warm, and well fed. It was coming from a feeling of superiority.

He believed it was his duty to protect them as they were incapable of caring for themselves. And Bligh expected strict adherence to his regimen. Bligh made arrangements for the men to be fed nutritious meals of meat, fish, and vegetables on shore every day during their stay, during their time at False Bay.

The second punishment of the voyage was meted out to seaman John Williams for neglect of duty. With all repairs [00:14:00] complete and the ship restocked the Bounty weighed anchor in early July with plans to resupply again in Van Dieman's land or modern day Tasmania. The Bounty reached Adventure Bay and Van Dieman's land on August 21st.

Van Dieman's land was inhabited by native peoples, but no European settlements existed at the time. The colony of Botany Bay in modern day, Sydney, Australia had just been formed in January of that same year. During the occasional encounters with the native people, the Bounty crew attempted communication and traded small trinkets such as cloth and nails.

The Bounty remained in Adventure Bay for two weeks to collect and cut wood, fill casks of water and forage for food and resources. On one occasion, Bligh went ashore to check on the progress of the Wooding party and found his carpenter, William Purcell, to be cutting the wood. improperly, at least in his own estimation.

Purcell being annoyed with Bligh's persistent meddling replied, you came ashore [00:15:00] simply to find fault in something. Bligh then labeled Purcell as Insolent and reprehensible and ordered him back to the ship. Bligh chose not to punish Purcell as he didn't believe he could afford to spare a man. Bosun's mate James Morrison wrote " At Adventure Bay were sown seeds of eternal discord between Lieutenant Bligh and the carpenter.

It will be no more true to say with all the officers in general."

The Bounty departed Van Dieman's land on September 5th, 1788. A month later, Abel Seaman James Valentine, whom Bligh respected greatly died of an apparent infection. Valentine had complained of feeling ill and was bled from his arm by the ship's surgeon, Thomas Huggan.

The arm then became inflamed and swollen and Valentine began coughing up blood before passing away. His loss was regretted deeply by Lieutenant Bligh and he blamed the surgeon for the man's demise.

On the 19th of October, 10 months into the [00:16:00] voyage, Lieutenant Bligh had a run in with two of his crew. Bligh wrote of this seamen, John Mills and William Brown refusing to dance this evening.

I ordered their grog to be stopped with a promise of further punishment on a second refusal. I have always directed the evenings from five to eight o'clock to be spent in dancing. That every man should be obliged to dance, as I considered it conducive to their health. The surgeon's drunkenness continued to be a concern as he was lagging in his duties, caring for four men, being treated for rheumatism and Bligh increasingly had to see to their wellbeing.

Mr. Huggan himself was one of the men on the daily sick list, and Bligh attributed his complaints to his constant state of intoxication. On October 24th, Bligh ordered the sick to receive daily doses of elixir vitriol mixed with water. This concoction was a mixture of diluted sulfuric acid and alcohol. It was believed to help scurvy and other maladies, but often caused more damage than it cured.[00:17:00]

The following day, Bligh discovered the assistant surgeon had been covering for Mr. Huggan, who had been in bed for four days in a constant state of intoxication. Bligh had Huggan's cabin searched and all alcohol was removed. The sick list indicated Huggan was suffering from paralytic affection and was only able to get out of bed to search for his liquor.

48 hours later, weak but sober, Thomas Huggan appeared on deck for duty despite the loss of one man and a small number of sick.

The Bounty arrived at Tahiti on October 26th, 1788. They were greeted warmly by the native people who guided the ship to Matavai Bay on the northern coast where the ship made anchor the following day.

The Tahitians approached in canoes and Bligh was given gifts including two hogs, a large quantity of coconuts and a small number of breadfruit plants. The local chiefs asked about Captain James Cook, who had visited the island in 1769 and again in 1773, and he [00:18:00] built a friendly relationship with the people.

Fearing a negative reaction. Bligh gave strict orders that no one was to speak of Captain Cook's death. In addition, Mr. Nelson, one of the botanists told the Tahitians that Bligh was the son of Captain Cook, which delighted them.

The men mingled with the native people, especially the women and Bligh exchanged gifts with the island's chiefs.

Many Tahitians, both men and women, visited the ship each day and Bligh became weary of the crowds and extremely mindful of theft. He was careful not to have anything of value in his pockets. However, a number of petty thefts occurred much to the dismay of the local chiefs, and Bligh was forced to punish the crewman who had allowed it on one such occasion.

seamen. Alexander Smith received 12 lashes for allowing a man to steal a gudgeon, a socket like fitting on a ship's rudder.

The crew were thrilled to be anchored at this island paradise where the trade winds were pleasant food, plentiful, and the women amorous. [00:19:00] Bligh only had the men working light duty and allowed them to seek out pleasures and relaxation.

The Lieutenant spent most of his time attempting to acquire breadfruit plants, often dining with the chiefs, and offering gifts of food, clothes, and other items. Mr. Nelson created a garden on shore and planted seeds of melons that he purchased at the Cape of Good Hope. In return, Bligh was supplied with a large quantity of breadfruit seedlings.

During the days, the crew performed routine tasks to clean the ship and make repairs, but also to get the breadfruit plants into pots and ready to board Nights were generally leisurely, and many of the Bounty's crew had taken up with Tahitian women. Much time was spent with the women on shore in the relative comfort of huts with soft bedding.

The women were frequent visitors to the Bounty as well, which Captain Bligh allowed. However, all Tahitian men were ordered to go offshore at Sunset. Carpenters prepared the grand [00:20:00] cabin to receive the breadfruit to accommodate for the proper amount of sunlight and water. In the meantime, Mr. Nelson planted the breadfruit on shore until they were hardy enough to transport to the Bounty.

Another punishment was necessary on December 5th when seamen Matthew Thompson received 12 lashes for insense and disobedience of orders. A short time later, the troublesome surgeon, Thomas Huggan was found on deck. Drunk and delirious and experiencing a shortness of breath. He died that evening with the cause, determined to be alcohol poisoning.

Bligh, having been burdened by the man for some time, felt little grief for Huggang writing. This unfortunate man died owing to drunkenness and inance exercise was a thing he could not bear an idea of, or could I ever bring him to take a half dozen of turns on deck at a time in the course of the whole voyage.

Sleeping was the way he spent his time, and he accustomed himself to breathe so little fresh air and was so filthy in his [00:21:00] person that he became laterally a nuisance. After two months at Matava Bay, 744 breadfruit, plants were loaded on the Bounty, and Bligh moved the ship across the bay, a short distance to the Southwest on December 24th, 1788.

This new position was safely tucked between reefs and calm waters, and the breadfruit plants could be moved to a spot on shore that would be more advantageous for their growth. This was not terriBligh far from their previous position and did not prevent the men from continuing their relations with the local women.

By the time they would leave Tahiti, 18 of the men were treated for venereal diseases, which were originally brought to the island by British sailors who landed there previously. The end of December was the beginning of a period of difficulty for William Bligh on the 29th of December. Robert Lamb, the ship's butcher received 12 lashes for allowing his cleaver to be stolen.

On January 5th, 1789, William Muskrat, Jonathan Millward [00:22:00] and Charles Churchill were found missing At the 4:00 AM Muster, the men had deserted with the ship's cutter and had stolen eight muskets in ammunition. The mate on watch, Thomas Hayward had fallen asleep, allowing the men to abscond with the weapons.

Bligh subsequently demoted Hayward and had him chained to the mast for falling asleep on duty. As nobody saw the three men leave with the boat. Bligh turned to the Tahitians and begged for their assistance and finding the deserters. The native men were hesitant as the missing crewmen were armed. Finally, they agreed and set off in a boat after the three deserters.

The chief of Matavai Bay was unhappy that his people were sent away on the mission without his consent and agreed to only return the boat and not the men. Bligh threatened that his men in the boat would be returned saying otherwise, I should make the whole country suffer for it, not wishing for a conflict.

The chief made assurances that the men would be returned on January 23rd. [00:23:00] Bligh received news that the three deserters were hiding in a house about five miles from the ship. Bligh and his Tahitian assistant took a boat to the location where the men gave themselves up without incident. Bligh had the three men shackled in irons onboard the Bounty the following day.

Churchill was given a dozen lashes and Millward and Musk brat received two dozen each, but this was just half of their punishment with the men receiving the same number again on February 4th. During this same time seamen, Isaac Martin was also punished with 19 lashes for striking a Tahitian man. Bligh entirely blamed his officers for the desertions and for the growing lack of discipline among the men, writing his complaints in the ship's log.

Such neglectful and worthless, petty officers, I believe never were in a ship as are in this. No orders for a few hours together are obeyed by them, and their conduct in general is so bad that no confidence or trust can be reposed in them. [00:24:00] The officers and crew had relished the comforts and pleasures of Tahiti, but became increasingly less likely to perform their duties.

The officers failed to have the spare sales taken out, spread apart, and dried in the sun, which caused them to mildew and rot. The ship's boats had not been properly cared for and had fallen into disrepair. Among other items, finding this dereliction of duty. Bligh unleashed his fury on his officers with a verbal assault.

Regarding this neglect, Bligh wrote, if I had any officers to superscede the master and Bosun, they should no longer occupy their respective stations. Scarce. Any neglect of duty can equal the criminality of this. Finally on April 5th, 1789 with 1015 breadfruit plants on board, the Bounty departed Tahiti. The majority of the crew did not wish to leave their island paradise and grumbled openly about their departure.

Combined with Bligh's increased frequency of [00:25:00] punishments as well as longstanding bad blood between Bligh and the officers. The tension on board was reaching a critical point. Bligh continued to criticize, insult, and humiliate his officers and crew over their perceived and sometimes actual failures. Fletcher Christian's patience had finally run out with his former mentor when he complained to Bligh.

Sir, your abuse is so bad that I cannot do my duty with any pleasure. I have been in hell for weeks with you. When the Bounty stopped at Anamooka Island to fill its water barrels and collect wood. Bligh assigned Fletcher Christian to lead the watering party. He gave specific orders to keep the weapons and the boats and to not engage with the native people.

Fearing loss of the boats, arms, or valuable tools. Christian and the others seemingly ignored this order and allowed a large number of natives to crowd around them. When the party returned to the ship, Bligh discovered an ax and an ads were stolen from the [00:26:00] boats.

He publicly reprimanded Christian, calling him a cowardly Rascal for letting a set of naked savages interfere with his supervision of collecting water. William Bligh further wrote As to the officers, I have no resource or do I ever feel myself safe in the few instances I trust to them, they are liberally rascals who could easily be disarm by five people with good sticks.

On the 27th of April, the conflict came to a head over Bligh suspicion that coconuts had been stolen. He asked Mr. Fryer. Don't you think these coconuts have shrunk since last night? He then ranted and questioned everyone according to boon's mate, James Morrison Fletcher Christian lamented. I hope you don't think me guilty of stealing.

Bligh answered. Yes. You damned hound. I do. You must have stolen them from me. Or you could give a better account of them. I suppose you'll steal my yams next, but I'll sweat you for it, you rascals. [00:27:00] I'll make half of you jump overboard. Bligh then ceased all grogg rations and ordered yam rations to be cut in half before storming off.

While Fletcher Christian was left in tears. to question a man's honor such as Bligh had done, was among the greatest personal insults a gentleman of this time could endure. Nevertheless, Bligh invited Christian to dine with him that same evening. Fletcher Christian was desperate to get away from Bligh and briefly had plans to build a makeshift raft and escape.

Midshipman. George Stewart talked him out of the suicidal plan and confided in Christian saying, we are with you. The men are ready for anything. Whether or not Christian took this to mean the crew were ready for mutiny cannot be known, but mutiny is precisely what Fletcher Christian chose.

In the early morning hours of April 28th.

Fletcher Christian, corporal Charles Churchill, Gunner's mate, John Mills and seamen, Thomas Burke. Entered Lieutenant Blighthe's cabin while he was [00:28:00] asleep, seized him and tied his hands behind his back. Christian was carrying a Cutlass and the other men were armed with muskets. They threatened to kill Bligh on the spot if he made a sound, but Bligh screamed for assistance.

Nevertheless, sentinels were placed at the cabins of the officers, loyal to Bligh, preventing any interference. The mutineers then dragged Bligh up to the deck, still in his sleeping attire and naked from the waist down. Christian ordered the bounties launch to be lowered in order that prompted Bligh to question Christian's authority to give such an order.

Christian answered, hold your tongue, sir. Are you are dead. This instant, Bligh described this moment. The villains round me had their pieces cocked and bayonets fixed and particular people were now called upon to go in the boat and were hurried over the side. William Bligh and 18 others boarded the launch most who were loyal to him, plus others by Christian's orders.

Some provisions and supplies were transferred to the launch, including twine, [00:29:00] canvas lines, sales, a 20 gallon cask of water, 150 pounds of rock, hard, hard attack, salt, pork, a tool, chest quadrant, compass, and a small quantity of rum and wine. When Bligh asked for arms to protect against hostile attack, Christian and the other mutineers laughed.

Bligh pleaded for his K 2 Chronometer. An expensive timekeeping device used to determine longitude. Mr. Samuel his clerk made an attempt to obtain the device, but was shuffled off into the boat before being able to do so. At the last minute, four, cutlasses were tossed into the 23 foot launch. As the overcrowded boat was cast off.

Bligh shouted to three of his loyalists who were kept on board. Never fear my lads. I'll do you justice if I ever reach England.

Bligh wrote down the names and detailed physical descriptions of every mutant ear in hopes his notes would someday make their way back to England one way or [00:30:00] another. That is going to do it for part one of Mutiny on the Bounty.

Thank you so much for listening. Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is written, edited, and produced by me, Rich Napolitano original theme music is by Sean Siegfried. For ad free listening, you can join the Officers Club on Patreon at patreon.com/shipwrecks pod, where just $5 a month. You'll get all episodes, all ad free.

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