William Bligh
William Bligh
Vice Admiral of the Blue William Bligh FRS RNwas an officer of the British Royal Navy and a colonial administrator. He is best remembered for the historic mutiny which occurred during his command of HMS Bounty in 1789; Bligh and his loyal men made a remarkable voyage to Timor, 3,618 nautical miles, after being set adrift in Bounty's launch by the mutineers...
NationalityBritish
ProfessionSoldier
Date of Birth9 September 1754
asthmatic british-soldier died james lose misfortune night thursday
On Thursday the 9th we had the misfortune to lose one of our seamen, James Valentine, who died in the night of an asthmatic complaint.
according british-soldier custom divine performed seeing service usual
In the forenoon, after seeing that every person was clean, divine service was performed according to my usual custom on this day.
british-soldier cape hour obliged passage pump required ship
The ship required to be caulked in every part for she was become so leaky that we had been obliged to pump every hour in our passage from Cape Horn.
board british-soldier directions gave instead iron nineteen proportion taken tons
I gave directions that only nineteen tons of iron should be taken on board instead of the customary proportion which was forty-five tons.
summer strong adventure
Adventure Bay is a convenient and safe place for any number of ships to take in wood and water during the summer months: but in the winter, when the southerly winds are strong, the surf, on all parts of the shore, makes the landing exceedingly troublesome.
class people degrees
There is a degree of wretchedness and want among the lower class of people which is not anywhere so common as among the Spanish and Portuguese settlements.
pounds beef poor
Beef also was difficult to be procured and exceedingly poor; the price nearly sixpence farthing per pound.
night glasses land
On the night of the 1st of September we observed for the first time signs of the natives being in the neighbourhood. Fires were seen on the low land near Cape Frederick Henry, and at daylight we saw the natives with our glasses.
tents plant caution
Our plants had now increased to 252: as they were all kept on shore at the tent I augmented the guard there, though from the general conduct of the natives there did not appear the least occasion for so much caution.
journey sea advancement
The object of all the former voyages to the South Seas undertaken by the command of his present majesty, has been the advancement of science and the increase of knowledge.
navy too-much voyages
The ship was masted according to the proportion of the navy; but on my application the masts were shortened, as I thought them too much for her, considering the nature of the voyage.
summer fog years
In our passage from the Cape of Good Hope the winds were mostly from the westward with very boisterous weather: but one great advantage that this season of the year has over the summer months is in being free from fogs.
adventure wind variables
All the 20th we were endeavouring to get into Adventure Bay but were prevented by variable winds.
appointed british-soldier named
The ship was named the Bounty: I was appointed to command her on the 16th of August 1787.