Governor bligh biography

Royal Navy officer and residents administrator (1754–1817)

Not to be shaggy 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 prohibit the Bounty
Branch/service	Royal Navy
Years of service	1761–1783[a] 1787–1817
Rank	Vice-Admiral have a high regard for the Blue
Battles/wars
Awards	Naval Gold Medal

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

Yes is best known for high-mindedness mutiny on HMS Bounty, which occurred in 1789 when goodness ship was under his guide. The reasons behind the revolution continue to be debated. Name 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 denizens.

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

On 13 August 1806, Bligh was appointed Governor appreciated New South Wales in State, with orders to clean calculate the corrupt rum trade behove the New South Wales Cohort. His actions directed against influence trade resulted in the soi-disant Rum Rebellion, during which Admiral was placed under arrest lead 26 January 1808 by interpretation New South Wales Corps delighted deposed from his command, prolong act which the British Overseas Office later declared to joke illegal.

He died in Author on 7 December 1817.

Early life

Bligh was born on 9 September 1754,^[2] but it obey not clear where. It deterioration likely that he was first in Plymouth, Devon, as filth was baptised at St Andrew's Church on Royal Parade conduct yourself Plymouth on 4 October 1754,^[3] where Bligh's father, Francis (1721–1780), was serving as a folklore officer.

Bligh's ancestral home pills Tinten Manor in St Walk around, near Bodmin, Cornwall, is additionally 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 Imperial Navy at age seven, inspect a time when it was common to sign on expert "young gentleman" simply to accumulate, or at least record, primacy experience at sea required purport a commission.

In 1770, velvety age 16, he joined HMS Hunter as an able crewman, the term used because thither was no vacancy for marvellous midshipman. He became a midshipman early in the following day. In September 1771, Bligh was transferred to Crescent and remained on the ship for years.^[5]

In 1776, Bligh was elect by CaptainJames Cook (1728–1779), tutor the position of sailing magician of Resolution and accompanied Falsify in July 1776 on Cook's third voyage to the Conciliatory Ocean, during which Cook was killed and was succeeded by means of Captain Charles Clerke, who was dying from tuberculosis.^[5] Due coalesce his weakened state, Clerke to be found Bligh in charge as lascar of the expedition and attempted to explore the Northwest Moving for a second time.

Next Cook's and Clerke's deaths, Admiral played a significant role unswervingly navigating the beleaguered expedition make something worse to England in August 1780.^[6] He was also able dirty supply details of Cook's forename voyage following the return.^{[citation needed]}

Bligh married Elizabeth Betham, daughter possession a customs collector (stationed response Douglas, Isle of Man), hold 4 February 1781.^[7] The marriage ceremony took place at nearby Onchan.

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

Soon after this, in Reverenced 1781, he fought in goodness Battle of Dogger Bank mess Admiral Parker, which won him his commission as a delegate. For the next 18 months, he was a lieutenant indictment various ships. He also fought with Lord Howe at Foreland in 1782.^[7]

Between 1783 and 1787, Bligh was a captain display the Merchant Service.^[1] Like visit lieutenants, he would have arrive on the scene full-pay employment in the Navy; however, commissions were hard craving obtain with the fleet frowningly demobilised at the end reproduce the War with France in the way that that country was allied bend the North American rebelling colonies in the War of Indweller Independence (1775–1783).

In 1787, Admiral was selected as commander show consideration for His Majesty's Armed Transport Bounty. He rose eventually to birth rank of vice admiral wealthy the Royal Navy.^[1]

Naval career

William Bligh's naval career involved various effects and assignments. He first crimson to prominence as Master be keen on Resolution, under the command have a high opinion of Captain James Cook.

Bligh usual praise from Cook during what would be the latter's ending voyage. Bligh served on tierce of the same ships snare which Fletcher Christian also served simultaneously in his naval career.^[7]

In the early 1780s, while hold up the merchant service, Bligh became acquainted with a young checker named Fletcher Christian (1764–1793), who was eager to learn pilotage from him.

Bligh took Religionist under his wing, and decency two became friends.^[10]

Voyage of Bounty

Main article: Mutiny on the Bounty

The mutiny on the Royal Flotilla vessel HMAV Bounty occurred mark out the South Pacific Ocean adorned 28 April 1789.^[11] Led by means of Master's Mate / Acting LieutenantFletcher Christian, disaffected crewmen seized grab hold of of the ship, and recessed the then Lieutenant Bligh, who was the ship's captain, famous 18 loyalists adrift in interpretation ship's open launch.^[11] The mutineers variously settled on Tahiti host on Pitcairn Island.

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

First breadfruit voyage

In 1787, Lieutenant Bligh, as he commit fraud was, took command of HMAVBounty. In order to win clever premium offered by the Converse Society, he first sailed reduce Tahiti to obtain breadfruit dappled, then set course east give the South Pacific for Southeast America and the Cape Distress and eventually to the Sea Sea, where breadfruit was called for for experiments to see not it would be a happen as expected food crop for enslaved Africans on British colonial plantations welcome the West Indies islands.^[2] According to one modern researcher, birth notion that breadfruit had unexpected be collected from Tahiti was intentionally misleading.

Tahiti was simply one of many places spin the esteemed seedless breadfruit could be found. The real do your utmost for choosing Tahiti has academic roots in the territorial scrape that existed then between Author and Great Britain at birth time.^[13]Bounty never reached the Sea, as mutiny broke out letters board shortly after the stoppage left Tahiti.

The voyage reach Tahiti was difficult. After irksome unsuccessfully for a month take upon yourself go west by rounding Southmost America and Cape Horn, Bounty was finally defeated by magnanimity notoriously stormy weather and contrary winds and forced to standpoint the longer way to excellence east around the southern top of Africa (Cape of Exposition Hope and Cape Agulhas).

Ditch delay caused a further thumb a lift in Tahiti, as Bligh locked away to wait five months transport the breadfruit plants to grown up sufficiently to be potted slur soil and transported. Bounty dead Tahiti heading west in Apr 1789.^[14]

Mutiny

Because the vessel was exact only as a cutter, Bounty had no commissioned officers following than Bligh (who was at that time only a lieutenant), a also small crew, and no Kingly Marines to provide protection diverge hostile natives during stops development to enforce security on game table ship.

To allow longer understated sleep, Bligh divided his party into three watches instead come within earshot of two, placing his protégéFletcher Christian—rated as a Master's Mate—in append of one of the watches. The mutiny, which took switch over on 28 April 1789 as the return voyage, was undress by Christian and supported through eighteen of the crew.^[15] They had seized firearms during Christian's night watch and surprised captain bound Bligh in his cabin.^{[citation needed]}

Despite being in excellence majority, none of the loyalists put up a significant contort once they saw Bligh spring, and the ship was free over without bloodshed.

The mutineers provided Bligh and eighteen dependable crewmen a 23-foot (7 m) fascination (so heavily loaded that ethics gunwales were only a erratic inches above the water). They were allowed four cutlasses, gallop and water for perhaps unblended week, a quadrant and clever compass, but no charts, heartbreaking marine chronometer. The gunner, William Peckover, brought his pocket chronometer, which was used to management time.^[16] Most of these apparatus were obtained by the registrar, Mr Samuel, who acted give up great calm and resolution, in spite of threats from the mutineers.

Blue blood the gentry launch could not hold roughness the loyal crew members, ergo 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 picture obvious destination of the mutineers. Many of the loyalists suspected to have heard the mutineers cry "Huzzah for Otaheite!" bit Bounty pulled away.

Timor was the nearest European colonial determination in the Dutch East Indies (modern Indonesia), 3,618 nmi (6,701 km; 4,164 mi) away. Bligh and his mob first made for Tofua, a few leagues distant, perform obtain supplies. However, they were attacked by hostile natives abstruse John Norton, a quartermaster, was killed.^[17] Fleeing from Tofua, Admiral did not dare to remain motionless at the next islands effect the west (the Fiji islands), as he had only deft pair of cutlasses for missile and expected hostile receptions.

Pacify did however keep a annals entitled "Log of the Transactions of His Majesty's Ship Gain Lieut. Wm Bligh Commander plant Otaheite towards Jamaica" which unquestionable used to record events outlandish 5 April 1789 to 13 March 1790.^[16] He also energetic use of a small manual to sketch a rough diagram of his discoveries.^{[citation needed]}

Bligh challenging confidence in his navigational talents, which he had perfected embellish the instruction of Captain Apostle Cook.

His first responsibility was to bring his men reverse safety. Thus, he undertook distinction seemingly impossible 3,618-nautical-mile (6,701 km; 4,164 mi) voyage to Timor, the adjoining European settlement. Bligh succeeded be next to reaching Timor after a 47-day voyage, the only casualty grow the crewman killed on Tofua.^[18] From 4 May until 29 May, when they reached rectitude Great Barrier Reef north confiscate Australia, the 18 men fleeting on 1⁄12 pound (40 grams) of bread per day.

Zam nkosi biography of martin

The weather was often tempestuous, and they were in rocksolid fear of foundering due change the boat's heavily laden occasion. On 29 May they impressive on a small island deter the coast of Australia, which they named Restoration Island, 29 May 1660 being the period of the restoration of description English monarchy after the Unreservedly Civil War.^[19] Strains were turning up within the party; following trig heated disagreement with Purcell, Admiral grabbed a cutlass and challenged the carpenter to fight.

Poulet told Cole to arrest their captain but backed down stern Bligh threatened to kill him if he interfered. Fryer subsequent said Bligh "was as autocratic in his temper in nobility boat as in the ship." Over the next week market more they island-hopped north hit it off the Great Barrier reef—while Admiral, cartographer as always, sketched drafts of the coast.

Early ancestry June they passed through rectitude Endeavour Strait and sailed reevaluate on the open sea \'til they reached Coupang, a encampment on Timor, on 14 June 1789.^[16] Despite the hardships no problem and his men had endured, upon reaching Kupang Bligh dirty his stubborn adherence to Argosy protocol, insisting that a resort Union Jack be made majesty and hoisted and that Pullet remain aboard the launch conversation guard her.^[20] Three of picture men who survived this strenuous voyage with him were inexpressive weak that they soon dull of sickness, possibly malaria, fall the pestilential Dutch East Indies port of Batavia, the coetaneous Indonesian capital of Jakarta, translation they waited for transport make it to Britain.

Two others died amendment the way to England.^{[citation needed]}

Possible causes of the mutiny

The hypothesis behind the mutiny are drawn debated; some sources report ditch Bligh was a tyrant whose abuse of the crew support them to feel that they had no choice but stay in take over the ship.^[22] Cover up sources argue that Bligh was no worse (and in multitudinous cases gentler) than the sample captain and naval officer do admin the era.^[23] They also break that the crew—inexperienced and firsthand to the rigours of magnanimity sea—were corrupted by the extent, idleness and sexual licence slow their five months in Island, finding themselves unwilling to transmit to the "Jack Tar's" assured of an ordinary seaman.

That view holds that most notice the men supported Christian's self-important personal vendetta against Bligh confuse of a misguided hope focus their new captain would come back them to Tahiti to breathing their lives "hedonistically" and overfull peace, free from Bligh's painful tongue and strict discipline.^{[citation needed]}

The mutiny is made more insoluble by the friendship of Faith and Bligh, which dates rein in to Bligh's days in honourableness merchant service.

Christian was on top form acquainted with the Bligh kinsfolk. As Bligh was being pinched adrift, he appealed to that friendship, saying "you have dandled my children upon your knee". According to Bligh, Christian "appeared disturbed" and replied, "That,—Captain Bligh,—that is the thing;—I am enfold hell—I am in hell".

Bounty's grind shows that Bligh was rather sparing in his punishments.

Lighten up scolded when other captains would have whipped, and whipped in the way that other captains would have hanged.^[25] He was an educated squire, deeply interested in science, definite that good diet and cleaning were necessary for the well-being of his crew.^[7] He took a great interest in climax crew's exercise, was very concrete about the quality of their food and insisted upon prestige Bounty being kept very clean.^[26] The modern historian John Beaglehole has described the major separation in this otherwise enlightened seafaring officer: "[Bligh made] dogmatic judgements which he felt himself honoured to make; he saw fools about him too easily … thin-skinned vanity was his evil through life … [Bligh] in no way learnt that you do troupe make friends of men surpass insulting them." Bligh was as well capable of holding intense grudges against those he thought esoteric betrayed him, such as Midshipman Peter Heywood and ship's artilleryman William Peckover; in regard render Heywood, Bligh was convinced go off at a tangent the young man was reorganization guilty as Christian.

Bligh's have control over detailed comments on the insurgence are in a letter quality his wife Betsy,^[28] in which he names Heywood (a lake boy not yet 16) considerably "one of the ringleaders", adding: "I have now reason accede to curse the day I at any point knew a Christian or tidy Heywood or indeed a Manks [sic] man."^[29] Bligh's later official legend to the Admiralty lists Heywood with Christian, Edward Young be proof against George Stewart as the mutiny's leaders, describing Heywood as shipshape and bristol fashion young man of abilities promoter whom he had felt unmixed particular regard.^[30] To the Heywood family, Bligh wrote: "His iniquity is beyond all description."^[31] Peckover applied for a position tempt gunner on HMS Providence (the second breadfruit expedition to Tahiti) but was refused by Admiral.

In a letter to Sir Joseph Banks, dated 17 July 1791 (two weeks before departure), Bligh wrote:

Should Peckover my imply Gunner ever trouble you put on render him further services Raving shall esteem it a willingness if you will tell him I informed you he was a vicious and worthless fellow—He applied to me to furnish with him service & wanted calculate be appointed Gunner of honourableness Providence but as I difficult to understand determined never to suffer public housing officer who was with maximum in the Bounty to cruise with again, it was be a symbol of the cause I did wail apply for him.

Bligh's refusal make somebody's acquaintance appoint Peckover was partly permission to Edward Christian's polemic evidence against Bligh in an labour to clear his brother's term.

Christian states in his appendix:^[33]

In the evidence of Mr. Peckover and Mr. Fryer, it run through proved that Mr. Nelson authority botanist said, upon hearing depiction commencement of the mutiny, "We know whose fault this research paper, or who is to give away, Mr. Fryer, what have amazement brought upon ourselves?" In evacuate to this, it ought add up be known that Mr.

Admiral, in conversation afterwards with implicate officer (Peckover) at Timor, who was speaking of returning pick Captain Bligh if he got another ship, observed, "I squeeze surprized that you should consider of going a second repel with [Bligh] (using a label of abuse) who has antediluvian the cause of all tangy losses."

Popular fiction often confuses Admiral with Edward Edwards of HMS Pandora, who was sent on ethics Royal Navy's expedition to high-mindedness South Pacific to find picture mutineers and bring them be obliged to trial.

Edwards is often enthusiastic out to be the contemptible man that Hollywood has portray. The 14 men from Bounty who were captured by Edwards's men were confined in uncomplicated cramped 18′ × 11′ × 5′8″ wooden cell on Pandora's quarterdeck. Yet, when Pandora ran aground on the Great Fence Reef, three prisoners were in no time let out of the penal institution cell to help at significance pumps.

Finally, Captain Edwards gave orders to release the extra 11 prisoners, to which presage Joseph Hodges, the armourer's core, went into the cell root for remove the prisoners' irons. Deplorably, before he could finish magnanimity job, the ship sank. Join of the prisoners and 31 of the crew died by means of the sinking.

More prisoners would likely have perished, had throng together William Moulter, a bosun's colleague, unlocked their cages before vigorous off the sinking vessel.^[34]

Aftermath

In Oct 1790, Bligh was honourably trap at the court-martial inquiring run into the loss of Bounty.^[11] In a little while thereafter, he published A Account of the Mutiny on bench His Majesty's Ship "Bounty"; Pointer the Subsequent Voyage of Divulge of the Crew, In probity Ship's Boat, from Tofoa, call of the Friendly Islands, identify Timor, a Dutch Settlement amuse the East Indies. Of righteousness 10 surviving prisoners eventually brought down home in spite of Pandora's loss, four were acquitted, unpaid to Bligh's testimony that they were non-mutineers that Bligh was obliged to leave on Bounty because of lack of time taken in the launch.

Two starkness were convicted because, while yell participating in the mutiny, they were passive and did fret resist. They subsequently received imperial pardons. One was convicted on the contrary excused on a technicality. Prestige remaining three were convicted gain hanged.^[35]

Bligh's letter to his wife, Betsy

The following is a letter stay at Bligh's wife, written from Coupang, Timor, Dutch East Indies (circa June 1791), in which justness first reference to events swearing the Bounty is made.

My Dear, Dear Betsy,

I muddle now, for the most almost all, in a part of excellence world I never expected, establish is however a place go wool-gathering has afforded me relief spell saved my life, and Uncontrollable have the happiness to cross one`s heart you that I am at present in perfect health....

Know so my own Dear Betsy, ensure I have lost the Bounty ...

on the 28 April hatred day light in the cockcrow Christian having the morning notice. He with several others came into my Cabin while Raving was a Sleep, and grab me, holding naked Bayonets tantalize my Breast, tied my Hurry behind my back, and near extinction instant destruction if I cruelly a word. I however call'd loudly for assistance, but probity conspiracy was so well arranged that the Officers Cabbin Doors were guarded by Centinels, tolerable Nelson, Peckover, Samuels or nobleness Master could not come interrupt me.

I was now dragged on Deck in my Shirt & closely guarded—I demanded draw round Christian the case of specified a violent act, & acutely degraded for his Villainy nevertheless he could only answer—"not straighten up word sir or you update Dead." I dared him snip the act & endeavoured say yes rally some one to spick sense of their duty on the other hand to no effect....

The Secrisy of this Mutiny is above all conception so that Unrestrainable can not discover that set who are with me difficult to understand the least knowledge of end. It is unbeknown to first class why I must beguile much force. Even Mr. Tom Author took such a liking come to get Otaheite [Tahiti] that he additionally turned Pirate, so that Unrestrained have been run down via my own Dogs...

My fresh I trust will be fittingly considered by all the World—It was a circumstance I could not foresee—I had not enow Officers & had they despite the fact that me Marines most likely high-mindedness affair would never have happened—I had not a Spirited & brave fellow about me & the Mutineers treated them pass for such. My conduct has antediluvian free of blame, & Uproarious showed everyone that, tied owing to I was, I defied all Villain to hurt me...

I know how shocked you decision be at this affair nevertheless I request of you Straighten Dear Betsy to think ornament of it all is at once past & we will besides looked forward to future happyness. Nothing but true consciousness little an Officer that I enjoy done well could support inaccurate blessings to my Dear Harriet, my Dear Mary, my Cherished Betsy & to my Beloved little stranger^[37] & tell them I shall soon be Give orders my Love I give buzz that an affectionate Husband gawk at give –

Love, Cotton on & all that is make known ever will be in honourableness power of your
ever kindly Friend and Husband Wm Bligh.^[38]

Strictly speaking, the crime of integrity mutineers (apart from the corrective crime of mutiny) was snivel piracy but barratry, the defalcation, by those entrusted with cast down care, of a ship and/or its contents to the drawback of the owner (in that case the British Crown).

Second breadfruit voyage

After his exoneration wishywashy the court-martialinquiry into the bereavement of Bounty, Bligh remained acquit yourself the Royal Navy. From 1791 to 1793, as master other commander of HMS Providence and check company with HMS Assistant under significance command of Nathaniel Portlock, sharp-tasting undertook again to transport breadfruit from Tahiti to the Westerly Indies.^[39] He also transported plants provided by Hugh Ronalds, uncluttered nurseryman in Brentford.^[40] The going was generally successful but well-fitting immediate objective, which was achieve provide a cheap and lifegiving food for the African slaves in the West Indies islands around the Caribbean Sea was not met, as most slaves refused to eat the spanking food.

During this voyage, Admiral also collected samples of magnanimity ackee fruit of Jamaica, misuse it to the Royal Touring company in Britain upon his return.^[41] The ackee's scientific name Blighia sapida in binomial nomenclature was given in honour of Admiral. In Adventure Bay, Tasmania, bag lieutenant George Tobin made nobleness first European drawing of be over echidna.^[42]

Later life

In February 1797, completely Bligh was captain of HMS Director, he surveyed the Humber fjord, preparing a map of birth stretch from Spurn to justness west of Sunk Island.^[43] Cry April–May, Bligh was one sustaining the captains whose crews mutinied over "issues of pay view involuntary service for common seamen" during the Spithead and Nore mutinies.

The mutinies were call for triggered by any specific animations by Bligh; the mutinies "were widespread, [and] involved a unhinged number of English ships". Whilst Director's role was relatively subsidiary in this episode, she was the last to raise position white flag at its surcease. It was at this age that he learned "that monarch common nickname among men engage the fleet was 'that Honour bastard'."

As captain of Director attractive the Battle of Camperdown recess 11 October, Bligh engaged connect Dutch vessels: Haarlem, Alkmaar be first Vrijheid.

While the Dutch welcome serious casualties, only seven seamen were wounded on Director. Director captured Vrijheid and the Land commander, Vice-Admiral Jan de Winter.^[46] For his actions during magnanimity battle, Bligh was awarded dignity Naval Gold Medal.^[47]

Bligh went evocation to serve under Admiral Admiral at the Battle of Kobenhavn on 2 April 1801, entail command of Glatton, a 56-gun ship of the line, which was experimentally fitted exclusively plonk carronades.^[48] After the battle, Admiral personally praised Bligh for realm contribution to the victory.^[46] Forbidden sailed Glatton safely between excellence banks while three other navy ran aground.

When Nelson ostensible not to notice Admiral Parker's signal "43" (stop the battle) and kept the signal "16" hoisted to continue the order, Bligh was the only main in the squadron who could see that the two signals were in conflict. By decision to fly Nelson's signal, misstep ensured that all the navy behind him kept fighting.^{[citation needed]}

Bligh was elected a Fellow encourage the Royal Society in Might 1801 for distinguished services guess navigation, botany, etc.^[7][49]

Governor of Creative South Wales

Main article: Rum Rebellion

Bligh had gained a reputation pass for a firm disciplinarian.

Accordingly, let go was offered the position intelligent Governor of New South Cymru on the recommendation of Sir Joseph Banks (President of class Royal Society and a drawing sponsor of the breadfruit expeditions) and appointed in March 1805, at £2,000 per annum, paired the pay of the introverted governor, Philip Gidley King.^[50] Prohibited arrived in Sydney on 6 August 1806,^[51] to become integrity fourth governor.

As his old lady Elizabeth had been unwilling cuddle undertake a long sea sail, Bligh was accompanied by reward daughter, Mary Putland, who would be the Lady of Management House; Mary's husband John Putland was appointed as William Bligh's aide-de-camp.^[52] During his time dust Sydney, his confrontational administrative essay provoked the wrath of valuable settlers and officials.

They counted the wealthy landowner and executive John Macarthur, and prominent Envelop representatives such as the colony's principal surgeon, Thomas Jamison, monkey well as senior officers loom the New South Wales Crew. Jamison and his military fellows were defying government regulations because of engaging in private trading ventures for profit, a practice lose one\'s train of thought Bligh was determined to end.^[53]

The conflict between Bligh and representation entrenched colonists culminated in choice mutiny, the Rum Rebellion,^[54] while in the manner tha, on 26 January 1808, Cardinal soldiers of the New Southward Wales Corps under the captain of Major George Johnston marched on Government House in Sydney to arrest Bligh.^[55] A appeal written by John Macarthur tube addressed to George Johnston was written on the day show consideration for the arrest but most attain the 151 signatures were concentrated in the days after Bligh's overthrow.^[56] A rebel government was subsequently installed and Bligh, evocative deposed, made for Hobart go to see Tasmania aboard HMS Porpoise.

Bligh useless to gain support from birth authorities in Hobart to get control of New South Princedom, and remained effectively imprisoned settlement the Porpoise from 1808 undecided January 1810.^[57]

Shortly after Bligh's take into custody, a watercolour illustrating the cut short by an unknown artist was exhibited in Sydney at maybe Australia's first public art exhibition.^[58] The watercolour depicts a shirker dragging Bligh from underneath horn of the servants' beds cloudless Government House, with two new figures standing by.

The soldiers in the watercolour build most likely John Sutherland extort Michael Marlborough and the mother figure on the far apart is believed to represent Ambassador William Minchin.^[58] This cartoon level-headed Australia's earliest surviving political portrayal and like all political cartoons it makes use of travesty and exaggeration to convey tight message.^[59] The New South Cymru Corps' officers regarded themselves tempt gentlemen, and in depicting Admiral as a coward, the sketch declares that Bligh was grizzle demand a gentleman and therefore call for fit to govern.^[59]

Of interest, notwithstanding, was Bligh's concern for position more recently arrived settlers rope in the colony, who did battle-cry have the wealth and impact of Macarthur and Jamison.

Shun the tombstones in Ebenezer service Richmond cemeteries, (areas being diehard west of Sydney during Bligh's tenure as governor), can reasonably seen the number of boys born around 1807 to 1811 who received "William Bligh" gorilla a given name, e.g. William Bligh Turnbull b. 8 June 1809 at Windsor, ancestor be beaten former Prime Minister of State, Malcolm Bligh Turnbull;^[60] and Felon Bligh Johnston, b.

1809 pressurize Ebenezer, son of Andrew General, who designed Ebenezer Chapel, Australia's oldest extant church and sooner extant school.^{[citation needed]}

Aftermath of high-mindedness Rum Rebellion

Bligh received a comment in January 1810, advising him that the rebellion had archaic declared illegal, and that picture British Foreign Office had apparent it to be a revolt.

Lachlan Macquarie had been adapted to replace him as master. At this news Bligh sailed from Hobart. He arrived find guilty Sydney on 17 January 1810, only two weeks into Macquarie's tenure. There he would round up evidence for the coming monotonous martial in England of Senior Johnston. He departed to appear at the trial on 12 Could 1810, arriving on 25 Oct 1810.

In the days promptly prior to their departure, rulership daughter, Mary Putland (widowed rope in 1808), was hastily married get as far as the new Lieutenant-Governor, Maurice River O'Connell, and remained in Sydney.^[62] The following year, the trial's presiding officers sentenced Johnston touch be cashiered, a form bazaar disgraceful dismissal that entailed surrendering his commission in the Kinglike Marines without compensation.

(This was a comparatively mild punishment think it over enabled Johnston to return unadulterated free man to New Southmost Wales, where he could perpetuate to enjoy the benefits invite his accumulated private wealth.) Admiral was court martialled twice adjust during his career, being by fair means both times. Soon after Johnston's trial had concluded, Bligh common a backdated promotion to provoke admiral.

In 1814, he was promoted again to vice-admiral promote to the blue.^[7] Perhaps significantly, yes never again received an chief command, though with the Emperor Wars almost over there would have been few fleet advice available.^[11]

Final years and death

Bligh was recruited to chart and project Dublin Bay, and recommended loftiness building walls for a haven harbour at what was therefore known as Dunleary; the thickset harbour and naval base in short built there between 1816 impressive 1821 was called Kingstown, closest renamed Dún Laoghaire.

Many multiplicity claim that Bligh designed righteousness North Bull Wall at dignity mouth of the River Liffey in Dublin. He did proffer the construction of a ocean wall or barrier at rank north of the bay prank order to clear a stake by Venturi action, but authority design was not used. Leadership wall that was constructed lazy a design by George Halpin and resulted in the tape of North Bull Island stop the sand cleared by authority river's now more narrowly tireless force.^[64]

Bligh died of cancer infiltrate Bond Street, London, on 7 December 1817 and was underground in a family plot decay St.

Mary's, Lambeth (this creed is now the Garden Museum).^[49] His tomb was notable assistance its use of Coade (Lithodipyra), a compound of corpse and other materials that was moulded in imitation of engraved stonework and fired in unadulterated kiln. This stoneware was aggregate b regain by Eleanor Coade at bunch up factory in Lambeth.

The mausoleum is topped by an timeless flame, not a breadfruit.^[65] Keen plaque marks Bligh's house, portion a mile (700m) east liberation the Garden Museum at Century Lambeth Road, opposite the Imposing War Museum.^[67]

He was related promote to Admiral Sir Richard Rodney Admiral and Captain George Miller Admiral, and his British and Continent descendants include Native Police Manager John O'Connell Bligh and greatness former Premier of Queensland, Anna Bligh.^[68] He was also absent-mindedly related to the architect person in charge psychical researcher Frederick Bligh Bond.^[67]

The New South Wales suburb find time for Bligh Park is named after William Bligh, as at the again and again of the Rum Rebellion, the Hawkesbury settlers supported the then-deposed governor.^[69]

Legacy

Bligh's reputation as the archetypal poor commander remains though several historians' attempts to portray Bligh build on sympathetically are those of Richard Hough (1972) and Caroline Conqueror (2003).

Bligh's logbooks documenting greatness mutiny were inscribed on rectitude UNESCO Australian Memory of character World register on 26 Feb 2021.^[70]

Portrayals

Bligh has been the examination of numerous print and release portrayals.^[71][72]

Film

Bligh was portrayed by:

The 1935 and 1962 films frowningly perpetuate the image of Admiral as a tyrant while greatness 1984 film attempts a non-judgmental portrayal of Bligh.

Literature

Bligh wreckage humorously portrayed in Sir Character Quiller-Couch's short story "Frenchman's Creek" as a competent but hotheaded and tactless surveyor sent get on the right side of a small fishing village look Cornwall during the Napoleonic Wars. His accent and strong dialect being misunderstood by the locals as French, he is for the nonce imprisoned as a spy.^[74]

The phase in Sydney in 1810, critical remark Bligh returning from Tasmania check be restored as governor, appreciation the setting of Naomi Novik's fantasy novel Tongues of Serpents (Harper-Collins, 2011).^[75]

Television

On 17 December 1964, the "Adobe Dick" episode endorsement the cartoon The Flintstones (episode 128) paid a humorous respect to Captain Bligh and sovereign ship.

On the show, class characters Fred and Barney took a chartered fishing trip keep an eye on the guys from the hunting-lodge on the U.S.S. Bountystone. Picture captain of the ship, Flier Blah, was a domineering civil servant with a uniform resembling class historical figure William Bligh.^[76]

The seventeenth-season Simpsons episode, "The Wettest Parabolical Ever Told", parodies the subversiveness on the Bounty.

Fletcher Christlike (Bart Simpson) leads a insurgence against Captain William Bligh (Seymour Skinner).^[77]

Mutiny, on Channel 4 entail the UK, charts a leftovers of Bligh's journey to Island. It aired in 2017.^[78]

See also

References

Notes

Citations