Thursday, April 28, 2011

Boat #35, St. Helena - Mutiny on the HMS Bounty

William Bligh captained the HMS Resolution from 1776–1780. But it was his tenure on the ill-fated HMS Bounty that made him famous. On this day in the year 1789, 18 mutineers led by Fletcher Christian set Captain Bligh and those loyal to him afloat on a small boat. The mutineers claimed the action was necessary in response to Bligh's cruel behavior, but some have speculated that the mutineers had merely become fond of the Tahitian lifestyle. The 18 men settled in Tahiti and on nearby Pitcairn Island. Many residents of present day Pitcairn are direct descendants of the mutineers. Bligh and his men managed to survive a harrowing trip aboard their small boat, finally landing on Timor before later returning to England.

No comments:

Post a Comment