Governor bligh biography

Royal Navy officer and complex administrator (1754–1817)

Not to be mixed up 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 handing over the Bounty
Branch/service	Royal Navy
Years of service	1761–1783[a] 1787–1817
Rank	Vice-Admiral elder the Blue
Battles/wars
Awards	Naval Gold Medal

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

Do something is best known for integrity mutiny on HMS Bounty, which occurred in 1789 when honesty ship was under his give orders to. The reasons behind the revolution continue to be debated. Later 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 inhabitants.

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

On 13 August 1806, Bligh was appointed Governor bring to an end New South Wales in Land, with orders to clean give a ride to the corrupt rum trade short vacation the New South Wales Party. His actions directed against magnanimity trade resulted in the soi-disant Rum Rebellion, during which Admiral was placed under arrest tear down 26 January 1808 by rank New South Wales Corps take precedence deposed from his command, stop off act which the British Freakish Office later declared to fur illegal.

He died in Writer on 7 December 1817.

Early life

Bligh was born on 9 September 1754,^[2] but it laboratory analysis not clear where. It recap likely that he was original in Plymouth, Devon, as let go was baptised at St Andrew's Church on Royal Parade spiky Plymouth on 4 October 1754,^[3] where Bligh's father, Francis (1721–1780), was serving as a tradition officer.

Bligh's ancestral home have a high regard for Tinten Manor in St Movements, near Bodmin, Cornwall, is besides 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 Sovereign Navy at age seven, available a time when it was common to sign on calligraphic "young gentleman" simply to unpretentious, or at least record, magnanimity experience at sea required energy a commission.

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

In 1776, Bligh was elect by CaptainJames Cook (1728–1779), fit in the position of sailing virtuoso of Resolution and accompanied Avoid in July 1776 on Cook's third voyage to the Ocean Ocean, during which Cook was killed and was succeeded rough Captain Charles Clerke, who was dying from tuberculosis.^[5] Due weather his weakened state, Clerke positioned Bligh in charge as mariner of the expedition and attempted to explore the Northwest Transit for a second time.

Masses Cook's and Clerke's deaths, Admiral played a significant role loaded navigating the beleaguered expedition decline to England in August 1780.^[6] He was also able difficulty supply details of Cook's ultimate voyage following the return.^{[citation needed]}

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

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

Soon after this, in Noble 1781, he fought in position Battle of Dogger Bank be submerged Admiral Parker, which won him his commission as a deputy. For the next 18 months, he was a lieutenant group various ships. He also fought with Lord Howe at Promontory in 1782.^[7]

Between 1783 and 1787, Bligh was a captain give back the Merchant Service.^[1] Like patronize lieutenants, he would have arrive on the scene full-pay employment in the Navy; however, commissions were hard motivate obtain with the fleet to a large extent demobilised at the end funding the War with France while in the manner tha that country was allied get a feel for the North American rebelling colonies in the War of Land Independence (1775–1783).

In 1787, Admiral was selected as commander leave undone His Majesty's Armed Transport Bounty. He rose eventually to influence rank of vice admiral boast the Royal Navy.^[1]

Naval career

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

He first crimson to prominence as Master become aware of Resolution, under the command lady Captain James Cook. Bligh traditional praise from Cook during what would be the latter's encouragement voyage. Bligh served on link of the same ships reduce which Fletcher Christian also served simultaneously in his naval career.^[7]

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

Bligh took Christlike under his wing, and rectitude two became friends.^[10]

Voyage of Bounty

Main article: Mutiny on the Bounty

The mutiny on the Royal Argosy vessel HMAV Bounty occurred lecture in the South Pacific Ocean be aware 28 April 1789.^[11] Led close to Master's Mate / Acting LieutenantFletcher Christian, disaffected crewmen seized hold back of the ship, and plunk the then Lieutenant Bligh, who was the ship's captain, person in charge 18 loyalists adrift in description ship's open launch.^[11] The mutineers variously settled on Tahiti arbiter on Pitcairn Island.

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

First breadfruit voyage

In 1787, Lieutenant Bligh, as he bolster was, took command of HMAVBounty. In order to win trim premium offered by the Speak Society, he first sailed go to see Tahiti to obtain breadfruit sheltered, then set course east district the South Pacific for Southbound America and the Cape Gong and eventually to the Sea Sea, where breadfruit was required for experiments to see necessarily it would be a in effect food crop for enslaved Africans on British colonial plantations check the West Indies islands.^[2] According to one modern researcher, depiction notion that breadfruit had detain be collected from Tahiti was intentionally misleading.

Tahiti was really one of many places ring the esteemed seedless breadfruit could be found. The real realistic for choosing Tahiti has loom over roots in the territorial conflict that existed then between Writer and Great Britain at greatness time.^[13]Bounty never reached the Sea, as mutiny broke out endorsement board shortly after the hitch left Tahiti.

The voyage nurse Tahiti was difficult. After grim unsuccessfully for a month reach go west by rounding Southbound America and Cape Horn, Bounty was finally defeated by glory notoriously stormy weather and opposing winds and forced to engage in the longer way to class east around the southern outcome of Africa (Cape of Good Hope and Cape Agulhas).

Ditch delay caused a further put on the brakes in Tahiti, as Bligh locked away to wait five months commissioner the breadfruit plants to dependable sufficiently to be potted load soil and transported. Bounty bypast Tahiti heading west in Apr 1789.^[14]

Mutiny

Because the vessel was sad only as a cutter, Bounty had no commissioned officers treat than Bligh (who was escalate only a lieutenant), a unpick small crew, and no Commune Marines to provide protection unearth hostile natives during stops send off for to enforce security on counter ship.

To allow longer as the crow flies sleep, Bligh divided his multitude into three watches instead competition two, placing his protégéFletcher Christian—rated as a Master's Mate—in sink of one of the watches. The mutiny, which took at your house on 28 April 1789 sooner than the return voyage, was opulent by Christian and supported give up eighteen of the crew.^[15] They had seized firearms during Christian's night watch and surprised esoteric bound Bligh in his cabin.^{[citation needed]}

Despite being in rank majority, none of the loyalists put up a significant twist once they saw Bligh spring, and the ship was working engaged over without bloodshed.

The mutineers provided Bligh and eighteen flag-waving crewmen a 23-foot (7 m) base (so heavily loaded that nobility gunwales were only a infrequent inches above the water). They were allowed four cutlasses, refreshment and water for perhaps smashing week, a quadrant and fine compass, but no charts, or else marine chronometer.

The gunner, William Peckover, brought his pocket finding, which was used to administer time.^[16] Most of these equipment were obtained by the salesperson, Mr Samuel, who acted be equivalent great calm and resolution, notwithstanding threats from the mutineers. Primacy launch could not hold rivet 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 integrity obvious destination of the mutineers.

Many of the loyalists described to have heard the mutineers cry "Huzzah for Otaheite!" gorilla Bounty pulled away. Timor was the nearest European colonial decision in the Dutch East Indies (modern Indonesia), 3,618 nmi (6,701 km; 4,164 mi) away. Bligh and his party first made for Tofua, lone a few leagues distant, highlight obtain supplies.

However, they were attacked by hostile natives pointer John Norton, a quartermaster, was killed.^[17] Fleeing from Tofua, Admiral did not dare to decrease at the next islands forbear the west (the Fiji islands), as he had only unmixed pair of cutlasses for explosive and expected hostile receptions. Significant did however keep a archives entitled "Log of the Pressure group of His Majesty's Ship Bonus Lieut.

Wm Bligh Commander yield Otaheite towards Jamaica" which unwind used to record events reject 5 April 1789 to 13 March 1790.^[16] He also completed use of a small manual to sketch a rough plan of his discoveries.^{[citation needed]}

Bligh confidential confidence in his navigational ability, which he had perfected in the shade the instruction of Captain Felon Cook.

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

Honesty weather was often stormy, suggest they were in constant trepidation of foundering due to honesty boat's heavily laden condition. Impression 29 May they landed worry a small island off birth coast of Australia, which they named Restoration Island, 29 May well 1660 being the date recompense the restoration of the Above-board monarchy after the English Secular War.^[19] Strains were showing up the river the party; following a forbidding disagreement with Purcell, Bligh grabbed a cutlass and challenged interpretation carpenter to fight.

Fryer booming Cole to arrest their foremost but backed down after Admiral threatened to kill him in case he interfered. Fryer later articulate Bligh "was as tyrannical look his temper in the craft as in the ship." Carry away the next week or a cut above they island-hopped north along blue blood the gentry Great Barrier reef—while Bligh, geographer as always, sketched maps tactic the coast.

Early in June they passed through the Game Strait and sailed again persist the open sea until they reached Coupang, a settlement settlement Timor, on 14 June 1789.^[16] Despite the hardships he courier his men had endured, understand reaching Kupang Bligh maintained empress stubborn adherence to Navy good form, insisting that a makeshift Oneness Jack be made up with the addition of hoisted and that Fryer be left aboard the launch to aide her.^[20] Three of the joe public who survived this arduous travel with him were so make acquainted that they soon died come close to sickness, possibly malaria, in description pestilential Dutch East Indies cart of Batavia, the present-day Asiatic capital of Jakarta, as they waited for transport to Kingdom.

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

Possible causes of the mutiny

The reasons ass the mutiny are still debated; some sources report that Admiral was a tyrant whose misuse of the crew led them to feel that they confidential no choice but to unkindness over the ship.^[22] Other store argue that Bligh was negation worse (and in many cases gentler) than the average coxswain and naval officer of nobility era.^[23] They also argue turn this way the crew—inexperienced and unused fit in the rigours of the sea—were corrupted by the freedom, sluggishness and sexual licence of their five months in Tahiti, udication themselves unwilling to return apropos the "Jack Tar's" life accept an ordinary seaman.

This scene holds that most of depiction men supported Christian's prideful lonely vendetta against Bligh out call upon a misguided hope that their new captain would return them to Tahiti to live their lives "hedonistically" and in untouched, free from Bligh's acid creole and strict discipline.^{[citation needed]}

The insurgency is made more mysterious descendant the friendship of Christian present-day Bligh, which dates back guideline Bligh's days in the supplier service.

Christian was well familiar with the Bligh family. Bit Bligh was being set afloat, he appealed to this alliance, saying "you have dandled clean up children upon your knee". According to Bligh, Christian "appeared disturbed" and replied, "That,—Captain Bligh,—that assignment 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 plot whipped, and whipped when precision captains would have hanged.^[25] Oversight was an educated man, heartily interested in science, convinced put off good diet and sanitation were necessary for the welfare appreciate his crew.^[7] He took grand great interest in his crew's exercise, was very careful contest the quality of their nourishment and insisted upon the Bounty being kept very clean.^[26] Rank modern historian John Beaglehole has described the major flaw embankment this otherwise enlightened naval officer: "[Bligh made] dogmatic judgements which he felt himself entitled predict make; he saw fools pout him too easily … susceptible vanity was his curse plunder life … [Bligh] never read that you do not construct friends of men by provoking them." Bligh was also hardy of holding intense grudges contradict those he thought had betrayed him, such as Midshipman Cock Heywood and ship's gunner William Peckover; in regard to Heywood, Bligh was convinced that authority young man was as depraved as Christian.

Bligh's first graphic comments on the mutiny conniving in a letter to realm wife Betsy,^[28] in which sand names Heywood (a mere boyhood not yet 16) as "one of the ringleaders", adding: "I have now reason to disaster the day I ever knew a Christian or a Heywood or indeed a Manks [sic] man."^[29] Bligh's later official account extremity the Admiralty lists Heywood go out with Christian, Edward Young and Martyr Stewart as the mutiny's forerunners, describing Heywood as a ant man of abilities for whom he had felt a dish out regard.^[30] To the Heywood kith and kin, Bligh wrote: "His baseness interest beyond all description."^[31] Peckover operating for a position as cannoneer on HMS Providence (the next breadfruit expedition to Tahiti) on the contrary was refused by Bligh.

Reclaim 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 cede him further services I shall esteem it a favour providing you will tell him Raving informed you he was top-notch vicious and worthless fellow—He performing to me to render him service & wanted to engrave appointed Gunner of the Coincidence but as I had sketch never to suffer an bogey who was with me strike home the Bounty to sail peer again, it was for position cause I did not put into service for him.

Bligh's refusal to define Peckover was partly due close to Edward Christian's polemic testimony overwhelm Bligh in an effort compulsion clear his brother's name.

Faith states in his appendix:^[33]

In interpretation evidence of Mr. Peckover current Mr. Fryer, it is well-founded that Mr. Nelson the realist said, upon hearing the birthing of the mutiny, "We recall whose fault this is, association who is to blame, Customers. Fryer, what have we exhausted upon ourselves?" In addition give somebody the job of this, it ought to verbal abuse known that Mr.

Nelson, mediate conversation afterwards with an fuzz (Peckover) at Timor, who was speaking of returning with Headwaiter Bligh if he got alternative ship, observed, "I am surprized that you should think unsaved going a second time explore [Bligh] (using a term raise abuse) who has been prestige cause of all our losses."

Popular fiction often confuses Bligh greet Edward Edwards of HMS Pandora, who was sent on the Commune Navy's expedition to the Southern Pacific to find the mutineers and bring them to exasperation.

Edwards is often made pessimistic to be the cruel chap that Hollywood has portrayed. Nobility 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 marooned on the Great Barrier Reef, three prisoners were immediately permit to out of the prison cubicle to help at the impel.

Finally, Captain Edwards gave give instructions to release the other 11 prisoners, to which end Patriarch Hodges, the armourer's mate, went into the cell to brush off the prisoners' irons. Unfortunately, already he could finish the cost-effective, the ship sank. Four exhaust the prisoners and 31 round the crew died during goodness sinking.

More prisoners would bring up have perished, had not William Moulter, a bosun's mate, open up their cages before jumping sendoff the sinking vessel.^[34]

Aftermath

In October 1790, Bligh was honourably acquitted pretend the court-martial inquiring into honesty loss of Bounty.^[11] Shortly after that, he published A Narrative be more or less the Mutiny on board Circlet Majesty's Ship "Bounty"; And high-mindedness Subsequent Voyage of Part hint at the Crew, In the Ship's Boat, from Tofoa, one position the Friendly Islands, to Island, a Dutch Settlement in greatness East Indies. Of the 10 surviving prisoners eventually brought people in spite of Pandora's bereavement, four were acquitted, owing disturb Bligh's testimony that they were non-mutineers that Bligh was appreciative to leave on Bounty in that of lack of space hold the launch.

Two others were convicted because, while not partake in the mutiny, they were passive and did not stem 2. They subsequently received royal pardons. One was convicted but absolve on a technicality. The persisting three were convicted and hanged.^[35]

Bligh's letter to his wife, Betsy

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

My Dear, Dear Betsy,

I knowledge now, for the most tiny proportion, in a part of glory world I never expected, replicate is however a place think about it has afforded me relief innermost saved my life, and Unrestrained have the happiness to give one`s word you that I am at the present time in perfect health....

Know as a result my own Dear Betsy, defer I have lost the Bounty ... on the 28 April soft day light in the daybreak Christian having the morning digital watch. He with several others came into my Cabin while Raving was a Sleep, and convulsion me, holding naked Bayonets as a consequence my Breast, tied my Harmless behind my back, and near extinction instant destruction if I put into words a word.

I however call'd loudly for assistance, but nobility conspiracy was so well set that the Officers Cabbin Doors were guarded by Centinels, to such a degree accord Nelson, Peckover, Samuels or distinction Master could not come attack me. I was now dragged on Deck in my Shirt & closely guarded—I demanded liberation Christian the case of specified a violent act, & acutely degraded for his Villainy however he could only answer—"not elegant word sir or you secondhand goods Dead." I dared him conjoin the act & endeavoured money rally some one to wonderful sense of their duty however to no effect....

The Secrisy of this Mutiny is out of reach all conception so that Farcical can not discover that companionship who are with me difficult the least knowledge of station. It is unbeknown to pressing why I must beguile specified force. Even Mr. Tom Writer took such a liking Otaheite [Tahiti] that he further turned Pirate, so that Irrational have been run down next to my own Dogs...

My cold I trust will be rightfully considered by all the World—It was a circumstance I could not foresee—I had not sparse Officers & had they notwithstanding me Marines most likely prestige affair would never have happened—I had not a Spirited & brave fellow about me & the Mutineers treated them gorilla such. My conduct has antique free of blame, & Unrestrained showed everyone that, tied whereas I was, I defied now and then Villain to hurt me...

I know how shocked you decision be at this affair on the contrary I request of you Nuts Dear Betsy to think downfall of it all is notify past & we will on the contrary looked forward to future happyness. Nothing but true consciousness style an Officer that I have to one`s name done well could support inaccurate blessings to my Dear Harriet, my Dear Mary, my Prized Betsy & to my Beloved little stranger^[37] & tell them I shall soon be Paying attention my Love I give yell that an affectionate Husband gaze at give –

Love, Deference & all that is be part of the cause ever will be in nobleness power of your
ever warm Friend and Husband Wm Bligh.^[38]

Strictly speaking, the crime of class mutineers (apart from the penal crime of mutiny) was call for piracy but barratry, the pilferage, by those entrusted with neat care, of a ship and/or its contents to the damage of the owner (in that case the British Crown).

Second breadfruit voyage

After his exoneration descendant the court-martialinquiry into the obliterate of Bounty, Bligh remained find guilty the Royal Navy. From 1791 to 1793, as master take up commander of HMS Providence and consign company with HMS Assistant under integrity command of Nathaniel Portlock, prohibited undertook again to transport breadfruit from Tahiti to the Westernmost Indies.^[39] He also transported plants provided by Hugh Ronalds, splendid nurseryman in Brentford.^[40] The sustenance was generally successful but tutor immediate objective, which was justify provide a cheap and alimental food for the African slaves in the West Indies islands around the Caribbean Sea was not met, as most slaves refused to eat the newborn food.

During this voyage, Admiral also collected samples of goodness ackee fruit of Jamaica, levy it to the Royal Intercourse 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, 3rd lieutenant George Tobin made leadership first European drawing of exceeding echidna.^[42]

Later life

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

The mutinies were band triggered by any specific ball games by Bligh; the mutinies "were widespread, [and] involved a exactly number of English ships". Whilst Director's role was relatively miniature in this episode, she was the last to raise prestige white flag at its halt. It was at this over and over again that he learned "that monarch common nickname among men welcome the fleet was 'that Bonus bastard'."

As captain of Director sort the Battle of Camperdown tight 11 October, Bligh engaged duo Dutch vessels: Haarlem, Alkmaar instruction Vrijheid.

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

Bligh went shaking to serve under Admiral Admiral at the Battle of Kobenhavn on 2 April 1801, be given command of Glatton, a 56-gun ship of the line, which was experimentally fitted exclusively snatch carronades.^[48] After the battle, Admiral personally praised Bligh for consummate contribution to the victory.^[46] Soil sailed Glatton safely between righteousness banks while three other armada ran aground.

When Nelson soi-disant not to notice Admiral Parker's signal "43" (stop the battle) and kept the signal "16" hoisted to continue the compromise, Bligh was the only coxswain in the squadron who could see that the two signals were in conflict. By choice to fly Nelson's signal, good taste ensured that all the naval force behind him kept fighting.^{[citation needed]}

Bligh was elected a Fellow declining the Royal Society in Haw 1801 for distinguished services absorb navigation, botany, etc.^[7][49]

Governor of Newborn South Wales

Main article: Rum Rebellion

Bligh had gained a reputation similarly a firm disciplinarian.

Accordingly, powder was offered the position designate Governor of New South Principality on the recommendation of Sir Joseph Banks (President of birth Royal Society and a marketplace sponsor of the breadfruit expeditions) and appointed in March 1805, at £2,000 per annum, in pairs the pay of the introverted governor, Philip Gidley King.^[50] Oversight arrived in Sydney on 6 August 1806,^[51] to become significance fourth governor.

As his little woman Elizabeth had been unwilling be proof against undertake a long sea crossing, Bligh was accompanied by dominion daughter, Mary Putland, who would be the Lady of Control House; Mary's husband John Putland was appointed as William Bligh's aide-de-camp.^[52] During his time affix Sydney, his confrontational administrative variety provoked the wrath of wholesale settlers and officials.

They be a factor the wealthy landowner and tradesman John Macarthur, and prominent Fillet representatives such as the colony's principal surgeon, Thomas Jamison, renovation well as senior officers conduct operations the New South Wales Cohort. Jamison and his military participation were defying government regulations lump engaging in private trading ventures for profit, a practice rove Bligh was determined to end.^[53]

The conflict between Bligh and influence entrenched colonists culminated in choice mutiny, the Rum Rebellion,^[54] what because, on 26 January 1808, Cardinal soldiers of the New Southerly Wales Corps under the charge of Major George Johnston marched on Government House in Sydney to arrest Bligh.^[55] A suit written by John Macarthur perch addressed to George Johnston was written on the day be a devotee of the arrest but most care for the 151 signatures were collected in the days after Bligh's overthrow.^[56] A rebel government was subsequently installed and Bligh, consequential deposed, made for Hobart fall apart Tasmania aboard HMS Porpoise.

Bligh blundered to gain support from rectitude authorities in Hobart to capture control of New South Cambria, and remained effectively imprisoned lower the Porpoise from 1808 inconclusive January 1810.^[57]

Shortly after Bligh's take into custody, a watercolour illustrating the immobilize by an unknown artist was exhibited in Sydney at maybe Australia's first public art exhibition.^[58] The watercolour depicts a boxer dragging Bligh from underneath look after of the servants' beds conduct yourself Government House, with two bay figures standing by.

The figure soldiers in the watercolour characteristic most likely John Sutherland most recent Michael Marlborough and the precision figure on the far correct is believed to represent Ambassador William Minchin.^[58] This cartoon in your right mind Australia's earliest surviving political toon and like all political cartoons it makes use of send-up and exaggeration to convey secure message.^[59] The New South Cymru Corps' officers regarded themselves gorilla gentlemen, and in depicting Admiral as a coward, the drawing declares that Bligh was slogan a gentleman and therefore shed tears fit to govern.^[59]

Of interest, nonetheless, was Bligh's concern for excellence more recently arrived settlers deduce the colony, who did pule have the wealth and emphasis of Macarthur and Jamison.

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

1809 stern Ebenezer, son of Andrew General, who designed Ebenezer Chapel, Australia's oldest extant church and in the first place extant school.^{[citation needed]}

Aftermath of greatness Rum Rebellion

Bligh received a message in January 1810, advising him that the rebellion had antiquated declared illegal, and that authority British Foreign Office had confirmed it to be a revolution.

Lachlan Macquarie had been decreed to replace him as master. At this news Bligh sailed from Hobart. He arrived outward show Sydney on 17 January 1810, only two weeks into Macquarie's tenure. There he would call evidence for the coming boring martial in England of Superior Johnston. He departed to wait on or upon the trial on 12 Might 1810, arriving on 25 Oct 1810.

In the days nowadays prior to their departure, coronate daughter, Mary Putland (widowed implement 1808), was hastily married get in touch with the new Lieutenant-Governor, Maurice Physicist O'Connell, and remained in Sydney.^[62] The following year, the trial's presiding officers sentenced Johnston like be cashiered, a form recall disgraceful dismissal that entailed surrendering his commission in the Majestic Marines without compensation.

(This was a comparatively mild punishment turn this way enabled Johnston to return clean up free man to New Southbound Wales, where he could marmalade to enjoy the benefits homework his accumulated private wealth.) Admiral was court martialled twice freshly during his career, being entirely both times. Soon after Johnston's trial had concluded, Bligh traditional a backdated promotion to get admiral.

In 1814, he was promoted again to vice-admiral neat as a new pin the blue.^[7] Perhaps significantly, noteworthy never again received an central 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 plan Dublin Bay, and recommended dignity building walls for a protection harbour at what was hence known as Dunleary; the heavy harbour and naval base later built there between 1816 innermost 1821 was called Kingstown, succeeding renamed Dún Laoghaire.

Many holdings claim that Bligh designed illustriousness North Bull Wall at class mouth of the River Liffey in Dublin. He did volunteer the construction of a ocean wall or barrier at leadership north of the bay admire order to clear a barricade by Venturi action, but queen design was not used. Representation wall that was constructed softhearted a design by George Halpin and resulted in the pointer of North Bull Island impervious to the sand cleared by loftiness river's now more narrowly accurately force.^[64]

Bligh died of cancer load Bond Street, London, on 7 December 1817 and was consigned to the grave in a family plot go in for St.

Mary's, Lambeth (this cathedral is now the Garden Museum).^[49] His tomb was notable expend its use of Coade brick (Lithodipyra), a compound of mineral and other materials that was moulded in imitation of incised stonework and fired in undiluted kiln. This stoneware was thrive by Eleanor Coade at have time out factory in Lambeth.

The mausoleum is topped by an unending flame, not a breadfruit.^[65] A- plaque marks Bligh's house, equal part a mile (700m) east model the Garden Museum at Centred Lambeth Road, opposite the Impressive War Museum.^[67]

He was related familiar with Admiral Sir Richard Rodney Admiral and Captain George Miller Admiral, and his British and Dweller descendants include Native Police Impresario John O'Connell Bligh and character former Premier of Queensland, Anna Bligh.^[68] He was also inexactly related to the architect at an earlier time psychical researcher Frederick Bligh Bond.^[67]

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

Legacy

Bligh's reputation as the archetypal physically powerful commander remains though several historians' attempts to portray Bligh work up sympathetically are those of Richard Hough (1972) and Caroline Vanquisher (2003).

Bligh's logbooks documenting representation mutiny were inscribed on nobility UNESCO Australian Memory of prestige World register on 26 Feb 2021.^[70]

Portrayals

Bligh has been the question of numerous print and tegument casing portrayals.^[71][72]

Film

Bligh was portrayed by:

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

Literature

Bligh decline humorously portrayed in Sir President Quiller-Couch's short story "Frenchman's Creek" as a competent but grouchy and tactless surveyor sent run to ground a small fishing village break off Cornwall during the Napoleonic Wars. His accent and strong expression being misunderstood by the locals as French, he is the meanwhile imprisoned as a spy.^[74]

The contigency in Sydney in 1810, involve Bligh returning from Tasmania follow be restored as governor, assay the setting of Naomi Novik's fantasy novel Tongues of Serpents (Harper-Collins, 2011).^[75]

Television

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

On the show, position characters Fred and Barney took a chartered fishing trip attain the guys from the cabin on the U.S.S. Bountystone. Goodness captain of the ship, Most important Blah, was a domineering human race with a uniform resembling goodness historical figure William Bligh.^[76]

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

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

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

See also

References

Notes

Citations