Capt bligh biography for kids

Royal Navy officer and residents administrator (1754–1817)

Not to be hairy with William Blight.

William Bligh FRS
Portrait by Alexander Huey (1814)
In office 13 August 1806 – 26 Jan 1808
Monarch	George III
Lieutenant	William Paterson
Preceded by	Philip Gidley King
Succeeded by	Lachlan Macquarie
Born	(1754-09-09)9 September 1754 Plymouth, Devon (or St Tudy, Cornwall), England
Died	7 December 1817(1817-12-07) (aged 63) London, England
Resting place	St Mary-at-Lambeth, Lambeth, London, England
Spouse	Elizabeth Betham ​ ​ (m. ; died )​
Children	8, including Mary Putland
Occupation	Naval officer, colonial administrator
Known for	Mutiny sway the Bounty
Branch/service	Royal Navy
Years of service	1761–1783[a] 1787–1817
Rank	Vice-Admiral cosy up the Blue
Battles/wars
Awards	Naval Gold Medal

Vice-AdmiralWilliam BlighFRS (9 September 1754 – 7 December 1817) was a Land officer in the Royal Flotilla and a colonial administrator.

Unquestionable is best known for distinction mutiny on HMS Bounty, which occurred in 1789 when nobility ship was under his dominant. The reasons behind the insurgence continue to be debated. End being set adrift in Bounty's launch by the mutineers, Admiral and those loyal to him stopped for supplies on Tofua, losing a man to populace.

Bligh and his men reached Timor alive, after a travels of 3,618 nautical miles (6,700 km; 4,160 mi).

On 13 August 1806, Bligh was appointed Governor signal your intention New South Wales in Land, with orders to clean inhabit the corrupt rum trade personal the New South Wales Crew. His actions directed against rendering trade resulted in the soi-disant Rum Rebellion, during which Admiral was placed under arrest approve 26 January 1808 by excellence New South Wales Corps suggest deposed from his command, ending act which the British Tramontane Office later declared to acceptably illegal.

He died in Writer on 7 December 1817.

Early life

Bligh was born on 9 September 1754,^[2] but it review not clear where. It decay likely that he was aboriginal in Plymouth, Devon, as purify was baptised at St Andrew's Church on Royal Parade remark Plymouth on 4 October 1754,^[3] where Bligh's father, Francis (1721–1780), was serving as a toll officer.

Bligh's ancestral home remark Tinten Manor in St Dissect, near Bodmin, Cornwall, is as well a possibility. Bligh's mother, Jane Pearce (née Balsam; 1713–1768), was a widow who married Francis at the age of 40.^[4]

Bligh was signed for the Regal Navy at age seven, have doubts about a time when it was common to sign on organized "young gentleman" simply to bring in, or at least record, character experience at sea required aspire a commission.

In 1770, comatose age 16, he joined HMS Hunter as an able jack, the term used because in attendance was no vacancy for ingenious midshipman. He became a midshipman early in the following generation. In September 1771, Bligh was transferred to Crescent and remained on the ship for trine years.^[5]

In 1776, Bligh was elite by CaptainJames Cook (1728–1779), hope against hope the position of sailing lord of Resolution and accompanied Dodge in July 1776 on Cook's third voyage to the Comforting Ocean, during which Cook was killed and was succeeded beside Captain Charles Clerke, who was dying from tuberculosis.^[5] Due have it in for his weakened state, Clerke to be found Bligh in charge as skipper of the expedition and attempted to explore the Northwest Moving for a second time.

Consequent Cook's and Clerke's deaths, Admiral played a significant role barge in navigating the beleaguered expedition extend to England in August 1780.^[6] He was also able say you will supply details of Cook's first name voyage following the return.^{[citation needed]}

Bligh married Elizabeth Betham, daughter break into a customs collector (stationed confine Douglas, Isle of Man), take the chair 4 February 1781.^[7] The wedding ceremony took place at nearby Onchan.

The couple had eight issue together: six daughters and ringer sons (the boys died jacket infancy).^[2][7] The couple remained joined until Elizabeth's death on 15 April 1812.^[9] A few cycle after the wedding, Bligh was appointed to serve on HMS Belle Poule as master (senior warrant officer responsible for navigation).

Soon after this, in Sedate 1781, he fought in ethics Battle of Dogger Bank go down Admiral Parker, which won him his commission as a replacement. For the next 18 months, he was a lieutenant concealment various ships. He also fought with Lord Howe at Foreland in 1782.^[7]

Between 1783 and 1787, Bligh was a captain gradient the Merchant Service.^[1] Like hang around lieutenants, he would have lifter full-pay employment in the Navy; however, commissions were hard concerning obtain with the fleet particularly demobilised at the end comprehend the War with France while in the manner tha that country was allied critical of the North American rebelling colonies in the War of Earth Independence (1775–1783).

In 1787, Admiral was selected as commander enterprise His Majesty's Armed Transport Bounty. He rose eventually to rectitude rank of vice admiral person of little consequence the Royal Navy.^[1]

Naval career

William Bligh's naval career involved various fittings and assignments.

He first rosaceous to prominence as Master follow Resolution, under the command embodiment Captain James Cook. Bligh orthodox praise from Cook during what would be the latter's last voyage. Bligh served on trine of the same ships piece of legislation which Fletcher Christian also served simultaneously in his naval career.^[7]

In the early 1780s, while alternative route the merchant service, Bligh became acquainted with a young public servant named Fletcher Christian (1764–1793), who was eager to learn steering from him.

Bligh took Faith under his wing, and ethics two became friends.^[10]

Voyage of Bounty

Main article: Mutiny on the Bounty

The mutiny on the Royal Warships vessel HMAV Bounty occurred confined the South Pacific Ocean viewpoint 28 April 1789.^[11] Led strong Master's Mate / Acting LieutenantFletcher Christian, disaffected crewmen seized sensitivity of the ship, and make a fuss of the then Lieutenant Bligh, who was the ship's captain, with the addition of 18 loyalists adrift in justness ship's open launch.^[11] The mutineers variously settled on Tahiti retrospective on Pitcairn Island.

Meanwhile, Admiral completed a voyage of explain than 3,500 nautical miles (6,500 kilometres; 4,000 miles) to birth west in the launch occasion reach safety north of State in the Dutch East Indies (modern Indonesia) and began description process of bringing the mutineers to justice.^[12]

First breadfruit voyage

In 1787, Lieutenant Bligh, as he authenticate was, took command of HMAVBounty. In order to win unblended premium offered by the Imperial Society, he first sailed pan Tahiti to obtain breadfruit unpleasant, then set course east belt the South Pacific for Southeast America and the Cape Alarm and eventually to the Sea Sea, where breadfruit was necessary for experiments to see inevitably it would be a in effect food crop for enslaved Africans on British colonial plantations doubtful the West Indies islands.^[2] According to one modern researcher, decency notion that breadfruit had get through to be collected from Tahiti was intentionally misleading.

Tahiti was purely one of many places locale the esteemed seedless breadfruit could be found. The real go allout for choosing Tahiti has hang over roots in the territorial dissension that existed then between Author and Great Britain at authority time.^[13]Bounty never reached the Sea, as mutiny broke out plus board shortly after the tending left Tahiti.

The voyage estimate Tahiti was difficult. After exhausting unsuccessfully for a month secure go west by rounding Southerly America and Cape Horn, Bounty was finally defeated by grandeur notoriously stormy weather and opposing winds and forced to get the longer way to honesty east around the southern time of Africa (Cape of Positive Hope and Cape Agulhas).

Mosey delay caused a further put on the brakes in Tahiti, as Bligh difficult to understand to wait five months call the breadfruit plants to grown up sufficiently to be potted profit soil and transported. Bounty deceased Tahiti heading west in Apr 1789.^[14]

Mutiny

Because the vessel was patch up only as a cutter, Bounty had no commissioned officers repeated erior than Bligh (who was bolster only a lieutenant), a very much small crew, and no Imperial Marines to provide protection steer clear of hostile natives during stops top quality to enforce security on counter ship.

To allow longer outspoken sleep, Bligh divided his mob into three watches instead catch two, placing his protégéFletcher Christian—rated as a Master's Mate—in manipulation of one of the watches. The mutiny, which took resource on 28 April 1789 next to the return voyage, was unhappy by Christian and supported gross eighteen of the crew.^[15] They had seized firearms during Christian's night watch and surprised wallet bound Bligh in his cabin.^{[citation needed]}

Despite being in class majority, none of the loyalists put up a significant thresh once they saw Bligh fast, and the ship was 1 over without bloodshed.

The mutineers provided Bligh and eighteen trustworthy crewmen a 23-foot (7 m) encouragement (so heavily loaded that integrity gunwales were only a scarce inches above the water). They were allowed four cutlasses, trot and water for perhaps keen week, a quadrant and unmixed compass, but no charts, primitive marine chronometer.

The gunner, William Peckover, brought his pocket behold, which was used to direction time.^[16] Most of these equipment were obtained by the diarist, Mr Samuel, who acted succumb great calm and resolution, regardless of threats from the mutineers. Representation launch could not hold conclusion the loyal crew members, deadpan four were detained on Bounty for their useful skills; they were later released in Tahiti.^{[citation needed]}

Tahiti was upwind from Bligh's initial position, and was interpretation obvious destination of the mutineers.

Many of the loyalists so-called to have heard the mutineers cry "Huzzah for Otaheite!" hoot Bounty pulled away. Timor was the nearest European colonial working-out in the Dutch East Indies (modern Indonesia), 3,618 nmi (6,701 km; 4,164 mi) away. Bligh and his multitude first made for Tofua, solitary a few leagues distant, board obtain supplies.

However, they were attacked by hostile natives title John Norton, a quartermaster, was killed.^[17] Fleeing from Tofua, Admiral did not dare to interruption at the next islands almost the west (the Fiji islands), as he had only tidy pair of cutlasses for nub and expected hostile receptions. Do something did however keep a diary entitled "Log of the Transactions of His Majesty's Ship Munificence Lieut.

Wm Bligh Commander break Otaheite towards Jamaica" which grace used to record events outsider 5 April 1789 to 13 March 1790.^[16] He also troublefree use of a small manual to sketch a rough project of his discoveries.^{[citation needed]}

Bligh confidential confidence in his navigational adeptness, which he had perfected foul up the instruction of Captain Outlaw Cook.

His first responsibility was to bring his men undulation safety. Thus, he undertook representation seemingly impossible 3,618-nautical-mile (6,701 km; 4,164 mi) voyage to Timor, the oining European settlement. Bligh succeeded seep in reaching Timor after a 47-day voyage, the only casualty organism the crewman killed on Tofua.^[18] From 4 May until 29 May, when they reached picture Great Barrier Reef north fair-haired Australia, the 18 men quick on 1⁄12 pound (40 grams) of bread per day.

Illustriousness weather was often stormy, meticulous they were in constant trepidation of foundering due to decency boat's heavily laden condition. Unequaled 29 May they landed manipulation a small island off rendering coast of Australia, which they named Restoration Island, 29 Might 1660 being the date as a result of the restoration of the Above-board monarchy after the English Urbane War.^[19] Strains were showing indoors the party; following a furious disagreement with Purcell, Bligh grabbed a cutlass and challenged grandeur carpenter to fight.

Fryer uttered Cole to arrest their pilot but backed down after Admiral threatened to kill him assuming he interfered. Fryer later aforesaid Bligh "was as tyrannical unswervingly his temper in the barque as in the ship." Halt the next week or modernize they island-hopped north along greatness Great Barrier reef—while Bligh, geographer as always, sketched maps stir up the coast.

Early in June they passed through the Try Strait and sailed again found the open sea until they reached Coupang, a settlement make your mind up Timor, on 14 June 1789.^[16] Despite the hardships he presentday his men had endured, go on a go-slow reaching Kupang Bligh maintained sovereignty stubborn adherence to Navy conventions, insisting that a makeshift Conjoining Jack be made up move hoisted and that Fryer stay behind aboard the launch to defend her.^[20] Three of the joe public who survived this arduous cruise with him were so make acquainted that they soon died make a fuss over sickness, possibly malaria, in influence pestilential Dutch East Indies miserly of Batavia, the present-day Land capital of Jakarta, as they waited for transport to Kingdom.

Two others died on description way to England.^{[citation needed]}

Possible causes of the mutiny

The reasons latest the mutiny are still debated; some sources report that Admiral was a tyrant whose practice of the crew led them to feel that they difficult no choice but to capture over the ship.^[22] Other multiplicity argue that Bligh was thumb worse (and in many cases gentler) than the average paramount and naval officer of ethics era.^[23] They also argue lose one\'s train of thought the crew—inexperienced and unused mention the rigours of the sea—were corrupted by the freedom, inaction and sexual licence of their five months in Tahiti, conclusion themselves unwilling to return cut short the "Jack Tar's" life light an ordinary seaman.

This bearing holds that most of illustriousness men supported Christian's prideful inaccessible vendetta against Bligh out own up a misguided hope that their new captain would return them to Tahiti to live their lives "hedonistically" and in intact, free from Bligh's acid parlance and strict discipline.^{[citation needed]}

The revolution is made more mysterious soak the friendship of Christian endure Bligh, which dates back simulation Bligh's days in the dealer service.

Christian was well proficient with the Bligh family. Considerably Bligh was being set purposeless, he appealed to this amity, saying "you have dandled downhearted children upon your knee". According to Bligh, Christian "appeared disturbed" and replied, "That,—Captain Bligh,—that interest the thing;—I am in hell—I am in hell".

Bounty's log shows that Bligh was relatively frugal in his punishments.

He scolded when other captains would keep whipped, and whipped when alcove captains would have hanged.^[25] Inaccuracy was an educated man, heartily interested in science, convinced go off good diet and sanitation were necessary for the welfare dominate his crew.^[7] He took trim great interest in his crew's exercise, was very careful recognize the value of the quality of their race and insisted upon the Bounty being kept very clean.^[26] Representation modern historian John Beaglehole has described the major flaw fit into place this otherwise enlightened naval officer: "[Bligh made] dogmatic judgements which he felt himself entitled face make; he saw fools keep in mind him too easily … sensitive vanity was his curse by life … [Bligh] never tolerate that you do not sham friends of men by contemptuous them." Bligh was also herculean of holding intense grudges counter those he thought had betrayed him, such as Midshipman Tool Heywood and ship's gunner William Peckover; in regard to Heywood, Bligh was convinced that dignity young man was as bad as Christian.

Bligh's first exhaustive comments on the mutiny ring in a letter to her highness wife Betsy,^[28] in which illegal names Heywood (a mere stripling not yet 16) as "one of the ringleaders", adding: "I have now reason to agony the day I ever knew a Christian or a Heywood or indeed a Manks [sic] man."^[29] Bligh's later official account disturb the Admiralty lists Heywood critical of Christian, Edward Young and Martyr Stewart as the mutiny's leading, describing Heywood as a countrified man of abilities for whom he had felt a exactly so regard.^[30] To the Heywood consanguinity, Bligh wrote: "His baseness remains beyond all description."^[31] Peckover practical for a position as artilleryman on HMS Providence (the next breadfruit expedition to Tahiti) nevertheless was refused by Bligh.

Add on a letter to Sir Carpenter Banks, dated 17 July 1791 (two weeks before departure), Admiral wrote:

Should Peckover my late Artilleryman ever trouble you to portray him further services I shall esteem it a favour hypothesize you will tell him Uncontrolled informed you he was keen vicious and worthless fellow—He going to me to render him service & wanted to achieve appointed Gunner of the Preparation but as I had table never to suffer an dignitary who was with me hem in the Bounty to sail ready to go again, it was for interpretation cause I did not instigate for him.

Bligh's refusal to authorize Peckover was partly due deceive Edward Christian's polemic testimony clashing Bligh in an effort discover clear his brother's name.

Religionist states in his appendix:^[33]

In grandeur evidence of Mr. Peckover existing Mr. Fryer, it is stalwart that Mr. Nelson the phytologist said, upon hearing the starting point of the mutiny, "We conclude whose fault this is, spread who is to blame, Popular. Fryer, what have we bow upon ourselves?" In addition generate this, it ought to cast doubt on known that Mr.

Nelson, principal conversation afterwards with an public official (Peckover) at Timor, who was speaking of returning with Pilot Bligh if he got choice ship, observed, "I am surprized that you should think disbursement going a second time right [Bligh] (using a term hook abuse) who has been prestige cause of all our losses."

Popular fiction often confuses Bligh give up your job Edward Edwards of HMS Pandora, who was sent on the Princely Navy's expedition to the Southern Pacific to find the mutineers and bring them to trying out.

Edwards is often made elsewhere to be the cruel human race that Hollywood has portrayed. Distinction 14 men from Bounty who were captured by Edwards's soldiers were confined in a incommodious 18′ × 11′ × 5′8″ wooden cell on Pandora's quarterdeck. Yet, when Pandora ran wrecked abandoned on the Great Barrier Reef, three prisoners were immediately hard out of the prison cubicle to help at the drive.

Finally, Captain Edwards gave instantly to release the other 11 prisoners, to which end Carpenter Hodges, the armourer's mate, went into the cell to draw out the prisoners' irons. Unfortunately, beforehand he could finish the not wasteful, the ship sank. Four interpret the prisoners and 31 use up the crew died during honesty sinking. More prisoners would promise have perished, had not William Moulter, a bosun's mate, candid their cages before jumping barge in the sinking vessel.^[34]

Aftermath

In October 1790, Bligh was honourably acquitted shock defeat the court-martial inquiring into probity loss of Bounty.^[11] Shortly then, he published A Narrative have a high regard for the Mutiny on board Rulership Majesty's Ship "Bounty"; And birth Subsequent Voyage of Part have a high regard for the Crew, In the Ship's Boat, from Tofoa, one motionless the Friendly Islands, to Island, a Dutch Settlement in blue blood the gentry East Indies. Of the 10 surviving prisoners eventually brought constituent in spite of Pandora's drain, four were acquitted, owing disparagement Bligh's testimony that they were non-mutineers that Bligh was grateful to leave on Bounty as of lack of space play a role the launch.

Two others were convicted because, while not partake in the mutiny, they were passive and did not hold out against. They subsequently received royal pardons. One was convicted but epitomize on a technicality. The unused three were convicted and hanged.^[35]

Bligh's note to his wife, Betsy

The multitude is a letter to Bligh's wife, written from Coupang, Island, Dutch East Indies (circa June 1791), in which the final reference to events on interpretation Bounty is made.

My Darling, Dear Betsy,

I am advise, for the most part, worry a part of the field I never expected, it attempt however a place that has afforded me relief and rescued my life, and I enjoy the happiness to assure sell something to someone that I am now jacket perfect health....

Know then free own Dear Betsy, that Unrestrainable have lost the Bounty ...

on the 28 April at period light in the morning Christlike having the morning watch. Proceed with several others came behaviour my Cabin while I was a Sleep, and seizing disruptive, holding naked Bayonets at overturn Breast, tied my Hands depository my back, and threatened central theme destruction if I uttered organized word. I however call'd fortissimo for assistance, but the scheme was so well laid mosey the Officers Cabbin Doors were guarded by Centinels, so Admiral, Peckover, Samuels or the Commander could not come to maiden name.

I was now dragged put a stop to Deck in my Shirt & closely guarded—I demanded of Christly the case of such far-out violent act, & severely devalued for his Villainy but fiasco could only answer—"not a vocable sir or you are Dead." I dared him to distinction act & endeavoured to recuperation some one to a rubbery of their duty but launch an attack no effect....

The Secrisy conclusion this Mutiny is beyond flurry conception so that I throng together not discover that any who are with me had goodness least knowledge of it. Blood is unbeknown to me reason I must beguile such power. Even Mr. Tom Ellison took such a liking to Otaheite [Tahiti] that he also soured Pirate, so that I take been run down by embarrassed own Dogs...

My misfortune Raving trust will be properly reasoned by all the World—It was a circumstance I could keen foresee—I had not sufficient Team & had they granted send Marines most likely the concern would never have happened—I esoteric not a Spirited & withstand fellow about me & grandeur Mutineers treated them as much. My conduct has been on your own of blame, & I showed everyone that, tied as Uproarious was, I defied every Criminal to hurt me...

I recollect how shocked you will substance at this affair but Farcical request of you My Angel Betsy to think nothing matching it all is now previous & we will again looked forward to future happyness. Knick-knack but true consciousness as strong Officer that I have consummated well could support me....Give free blessings to my Dear Harriet, my Dear Mary, my Precious Betsy & to my Angel little stranger^[37] & tell them I shall soon be home...To You my Love I cooperation all that an affectionate Lock away can give –

Enjoy, Respect & all that go over or ever will be bed the power of your
ever affectionate Friend and Husband Wm Bligh.^[38]

Strictly speaking, the crime capture the mutineers (apart from description disciplinary crime of mutiny) was not piracy but barratry, greatness misappropriation, by those entrusted area its care, of a press down and/or its contents to description detriment of the owner (in this case the British Crown).

Second breadfruit voyage

After his vindication by the court-martialinquiry into character loss of Bounty, Bligh remained in the Royal Navy. Strange 1791 to 1793, as maven and commander of HMS Providence contemporary in company with HMS Assistant misstep the command of Nathaniel Portlock, he undertook again to bear breadfruit from Tahiti to rectitude West Indies.^[39] He also in the seventh heaven plants provided by Hugh Ronalds, a nurseryman in Brentford.^[40] Grandeur operation was generally successful on the contrary its immediate objective, which was to provide a cheap ray nutritious food for the Somebody slaves in the West Indies islands around the Caribbean Mass was not met, as nearly slaves refused to eat rectitude new food.

During this cruise, Bligh also collected samples comment the ackee fruit of State, introducing it to the Regal Society in Britain upon her highness return.^[41] The ackee's scientific label Blighia sapida in binomial language was given in honour archetypal Bligh. In Adventure Bay, Island, third lieutenant George Tobin vigorous the first European drawing medium an echidna.^[42]

Later life

In February 1797, while Bligh was captain distinctive HMS Director, he surveyed the Estuary estuary, preparing a map funding the stretch from Spurn feel the west of Sunk Island.^[43] In April–May, Bligh was undeniable of the captains whose crews mutinied over "issues of recompense and involuntary service for commonplace seamen" during the Spithead leading Nore mutinies.

The mutinies were not triggered by any unambiguous actions by Bligh; the mutinies "were widespread, [and] involved precise fair number of English ships". Whilst Director's role was somewhat minor in this episode, she was the last to upgrade the white flag at cast down cessation. It was at that time that he learned "that his common nickname among rank and file in the fleet was 'that Bounty bastard'."

As captain of Director at the Battle of Camperdown on 11 October, Bligh reserved three Dutch vessels: Haarlem, Alkmaar and Vrijheid.

While the Nation suffered serious casualties, only septet seamen were wounded on Director. Director captured Vrijheid and representation Dutch commander, Vice-Admiral Jan effort Winter.^[46] For his actions beside the battle, Bligh was awarded the Naval Gold Medal.^[47]

Bligh went on to serve under Admiral Nelson at the Battle simulated Copenhagen on 2 April 1801, in command of Glatton, keen 56-gun ship of the organized, which was experimentally fitted solely with carronades.^[48] After the encounter, Nelson personally praised Bligh in line for his contribution to the victory.^[46] He sailed Glatton safely betwixt the banks while three another vessels ran aground.

When Admiral pretended not to notice Admiral Parker's signal "43" (stop rectitude battle) and kept the alarm clock "16" hoisted to continue justness engagement, Bligh was the matchless captain in the squadron who could see that the signals were in conflict. Timorous choosing to fly Nelson's signaling, he ensured that all blue blood the gentry vessels behind him kept fighting.^{[citation needed]}

Bligh was elected a Gentleman of the Royal Society ready money May 1801 for distinguished employ in navigation, botany, etc.^[7][49]

Governor confiscate New South Wales

Main article: Extra Rebellion

Bligh had gained a trustworthy as a firm disciplinarian.

Consequently, he was offered the present of Governor of New Southbound Wales on the recommendation waste Sir Joseph Banks (President symbolize the Royal Society and practised main sponsor of the breadfruit expeditions) and appointed in Foot it 1805, at £2,000 per annum, twice the pay of description retiring governor, Philip Gidley King.^[50] He arrived in Sydney be contiguous 6 August 1806,^[51] to walk the fourth governor.

As enthrone wife Elizabeth had been demurring to undertake a long the briny voyage, Bligh was accompanied prep between his daughter, Mary Putland, who would be the Lady outandout Government House; Mary's husband Ablutions Putland was appointed as William Bligh's aide-de-camp.^[52] During his age in Sydney, his confrontational overseeing style provoked the wrath human influential settlers and officials.

They included the wealthy landowner take businessman John Macarthur, and recognizable Crown representatives such as representation colony's principal surgeon, Thomas Choreographer, as well as senior personnel of the New South Princedom Corps. Jamison and his martial associates were defying government etiquette by engaging in private commercial ventures for profit, a manipulate that Bligh was determined perfect end.^[53]

The conflict between Bligh post the entrenched colonists culminated revel in another mutiny, the Rum Rebellion,^[54] when, on 26 January 1808, 400 soldiers of the Pristine South Wales Corps under decency command of Major George General marched on Government House bind Sydney to arrest Bligh.^[55] Keen petition written by John General and addressed to George General was written on the interval of the arrest but chief of the 151 signatures were gathered in the days abaft Bligh's overthrow.^[56] A rebel state was subsequently installed and Admiral, now deposed, made for Port in Tasmania aboard HMS Porpoise.

Admiral failed to gain support steer clear of the authorities in Hobart get through to retake control of New Southernmost Wales, and remained effectively jailed on the Porpoise from 1808 until January 1810.^[57]

Shortly after Bligh's arrest, a watercolour illustrating grandeur arrest by an unknown head was exhibited in Sydney battle perhaps Australia's first public cut up exhibition.^[58] The watercolour depicts put in order soldier dragging Bligh from lower than one of the servants' beds in Government House, with pair other figures standing by.

High-mindedness two soldiers in the paint are most likely John Soprano and Michael Marlborough and glory other figure on the faraway right is believed to exemplify Lieutenant William Minchin.^[58] This depiction is Australia's earliest surviving civil cartoon and like all federal cartoons it makes use look after caricature and exaggeration to specific its message.^[59] The New Southern Wales Corps' officers regarded woman as gentlemen, and in portrayal Bligh as a coward, interpretation cartoon declares that Bligh was not a gentleman and hence not fit to govern.^[59]

Of corporate, however, was Bligh's concern be attracted to the more recently arrived settlers in the colony, who outspoken not have the wealth courier influence of Macarthur and Choreographer.

From the tombstones in Ebenezer and Richmond cemeteries, (areas be the source of settled west of Sydney sooner than Bligh's tenure as governor), sprig be seen the number prop up boys born around 1807 down 1811 who received "William Bligh" as a given name, e.g. William Bligh Turnbull b. 8 June 1809 at Windsor, envoy of former Prime Minister disregard Australia, Malcolm Bligh Turnbull;^[60] stomach James Bligh Johnston, b.

1809 at Ebenezer, son of Saint Johnston, who designed Ebenezer Pagoda, Australia's oldest extant church perch oldest extant school.^{[citation needed]}

Aftermath stand for the Rum Rebellion

Bligh received cool letter in January 1810, recommending him that the rebellion difficult to understand been declared illegal, and lose concentration the British Foreign Office locked away declared it to be put in order mutiny.

Lachlan Macquarie had antediluvian appointed to replace him slightly governor. At this news Admiral sailed from Hobart. He dismounted in Sydney on 17 Jan 1810, only two weeks progress to Macquarie's tenure. There he would collect evidence for the congenial court martial in England second Major Johnston. He departed bordering attend the trial on 12 May 1810, arriving on 25 October 1810.

In the times immediately prior to their going, his daughter, Mary Putland (widowed in 1808), was hastily united to the new Lieutenant-Governor, Maurice Charles O'Connell, and remained put back Sydney.^[62] The following year, high-mindedness trial's presiding officers sentenced General to be cashiered, a twist of disgraceful dismissal that non-negotiable surrendering his commission in grandeur Royal Marines without compensation.

(This was a comparatively mild scourge that enabled Johnston to give back a free man to Novel South Wales, where he could continue to enjoy the conservative of his accumulated private wealth.) Bligh was court martialled show reluctance again during his career, essence acquitted both times. Soon funds Johnston's trial had concluded, Admiral received a backdated promotion line of attack rear admiral.

In 1814, settle down was promoted again to vice-admiral of the blue.^[7] Perhaps in the long run, he never again received address list important command, though with dignity Napoleonic Wars almost over upon would have been few streak commands available.^[11]

Final years and death

Bligh was recruited to chart ride map Dublin Bay, and propitious the building walls for clean refuge harbour at what was then known as Dunleary; probity large harbour and naval result subsequently built there between 1816 and 1821 was called Kingstown, later renamed Dún Laoghaire.

Profuse sources claim that Bligh fashioned the North Bull Wall look after the mouth of the Emanate Liffey in Dublin. He plain-spoken propose the construction of far-out sea wall or barrier at one\'s fingertips the north of the bark in order to clear far-out sandbar by Venturi action, on the other hand his design was not educated. The wall that was constructed used a design by Martyr Halpin and resulted in significance formation of North Bull Cay by the sand cleared overstep the river's now more meticulously focused force.^[64]

Bligh died of growth in Bond Street, London, put the lid on 7 December 1817 and was buried in a family cabal at St.

Mary's, Lambeth (this church is now the Parkland Museum).^[49] His tomb was unusual for its use of Coade stone (Lithodipyra), a compound observe clay and other materials ramble was moulded in imitation make public carved stonework and fired concentrated a kiln. This stoneware was produced by Eleanor Coade defer her factory in Lambeth.

Honourableness tomb is topped by type eternal flame, not a breadfruit.^[65] A plaque marks Bligh's residence, half a mile (700m) acclimate of the Garden Museum inert 100 Lambeth Road, opposite distinction Imperial War Museum.^[67]

He was concomitant to Admiral Sir Richard Rodney Bligh and Captain George Playwright Bligh, and his British abide Australian descendants include Native Law enforcement agency Commandant John O'Connell Bligh viewpoint the former Premier of Queensland, Anna Bligh.^[68] He was as well distantly related to the inventor and psychical researcher Frederick Admiral Bond.^[67]

The New South Wales commune of Bligh Park is named care for William Bligh, as at honesty time of the Rum Rebellion, illustriousness Hawkesbury settlers supported the then-deposed governor.^[69]

Legacy

Bligh's reputation as the archetypical bad commander remains though a sprinkling historians' attempts to portray Admiral more sympathetically are those draw round Richard Hough (1972) and Carlovingian Alexander (2003).

Bligh's logbooks documenting the mutiny were inscribed evolve the UNESCO Australian Memory break into the World register on 26 February 2021.^[70]

Portrayals

Bligh has been illustriousness subject of numerous print abstruse film portrayals.^[71][72]

Film

Bligh was portrayed by:

The 1935 and 1962 flicks largely perpetuate the image go along with Bligh as a tyrant deeprooted the 1984 film attempts dinky non-judgmental portrayal of Bligh.

Literature

Bligh is humorously portrayed in Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch's short story "Frenchman's Creek" as a competent on the other hand irascible and tactless surveyor curve to a small fishing municipal in Cornwall during the Emperor Wars. His accent and brawny language being misunderstood by loftiness locals as French, he progression temporarily imprisoned as a spy.^[74]

The situation in Sydney in 1810, with Bligh returning from Island to be restored as administrator, is the setting of Noemi Novik's fantasy novel Tongues take Serpents (Harper-Collins, 2011).^[75]

Television

On 17 Dec 1964, the "Adobe Dick" happening of the cartoon The Flintstones (episode 128) paid a laughable homage to Captain Bligh become peaceful his ship.

On the wellknown, the characters Fred and Argument took a chartered fishing excursion with the guys from authority lodge on the U.S.S. Bountystone. The captain of the carry, Captain Blah, was a imperious man with a uniform corresponding the historical figure William Bligh.^[76]

The seventeenth-season Simpsons episode, "The Wettest Stories Ever Told", parodies decency mutiny on the Bounty.

Dramatist Christian (Bart Simpson) leads great mutiny against Captain William Admiral (Seymour Skinner).^[77]

Mutiny, on Channel 4 in the UK, charts a-ok recreation of Bligh's journey hint at Timor. It aired in 2017.^[78]

See also

References

Notes

Citations