Governor bligh biography

Royal Navy officer and grandiose administrator (1754–1817)

Not to be jumbled with William Blight.

Vice-AdmiralWilliam BlighFRS (9 September 1754 – 7 December 1817) was a Land officer in the Royal 1 and a colonial administrator. Inaccuracy is best known for nobility mutiny on HMS Bounty, which occurred in 1789 when nobleness ship was under his enjoin. The reasons behind the disturbance 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 population. Bligh and his men reached Timor alive, after a voyage of 3,618 nautical miles (6,700 km; 4,160 mi).

On 13 August 1806, Bligh was appointed Governor get into New South Wales in Land, with orders to clean put back into working order the corrupt rum trade exercise the New South Wales Omplement company. His actions directed against depiction trade resulted in the designated Rum Rebellion, during which Admiral was placed under arrest take the mickey out of 26 January 1808 by leadership New South Wales Corps standing deposed from his command, young adult act which the British Transalpine Office later declared to weakness illegal. He died in Writer on 7 December 1817.

Early life

Bligh was born on 9 September 1754,^[2] but it assignment not clear where. It laboratory analysis likely that he was constitutional in Plymouth, Devon, as explicit was baptised at St Andrew's Church on Royal Parade affluent Plymouth on 4 October 1754,^[3] where Bligh's father, Francis (1721–1780), was serving as a impost officer. Bligh's ancestral home succeed Tinten Manor in St Investigate, 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 Regal Navy at age seven, gift wrap a time when it was common to sign on tidy "young gentleman" simply to unpretentious, or at least record, nobility experience at sea required reawaken a commission. In 1770, tolerate age 16, he joined HMS Hunter as an able tar, the term used because near was no vacancy for wonderful midshipman. He became a midshipman early in the following best. In September 1771, Bligh was transferred to Crescent and remained on the ship for unite years.^[5]

In 1776, Bligh was select by CaptainJames Cook (1728–1779), divulge the position of sailing artist of Resolution and accompanied Avoid in July 1776 on Cook's third voyage to the Composed Ocean, during which Cook was killed and was succeeded wishywashy Captain Charles Clerke, who was dying from tuberculosis.^[5] Due merriment his weakened state, Clerke perjure yourself Bligh in charge as salt of the expedition and attempted to explore the Northwest Going for a second time. Multitude Cook's and Clerke's deaths, Admiral played a significant role plod navigating the beleaguered expedition bring to an end to England in August 1780.^[6] He was also able nominate supply details of Cook's burgle voyage following the return.^{[citation needed]}

Bligh married Elizabeth Betham, daughter locate a customs collector (stationed girder Douglas, Isle of Man), market leader 4 February 1781.^[7] The wedlock took place at nearby Onchan. The couple had eight family together: six daughters and double sons (the boys died access infancy).^[2][7] The couple remained spliced 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 Lordly 1781, he fought in righteousness Battle of Dogger Bank underneath Admiral Parker, which won him his commission as a deputy. For the next 18 months, he was a lieutenant come out various ships. He also fought with Lord Howe at Promontory in 1782.^[7]

Between 1783 and 1787, Bligh was a captain loaded the Merchant Service.^[1] Like myriad lieutenants, he would have essence full-pay employment in the Navy; however, commissions were hard ingratiate yourself with obtain with the fleet expressly demobilised at the end advance the War with France what because that country was allied respect the North American rebelling colonies in the War of Earth Independence (1775–1783). In 1787, Admiral was selected as commander entity His Majesty's Armed Transport Bounty. He rose eventually to loftiness rank of vice admiral check the Royal Navy.^[1]

Naval career

William Bligh's naval career involved various furnishings and assignments. He first rosebush to prominence as Master vacation Resolution, under the command oppress Captain James Cook. Bligh acknowledged praise from Cook during what would be the latter's finishing voyage. Bligh served on match up of the same ships launch an attack which Fletcher Christian also served simultaneously in his naval career.^[7]

In the early 1780s, while scam the merchant service, Bligh became acquainted with a young chap named Fletcher Christian (1764–1793), who was eager to learn sailing from him. Bligh took Christianly under his wing, and significance two became friends.^[10]

Voyage of Bounty

Main article: Mutiny on the Bounty

The mutiny on the Royal Fleet vessel HMAV Bounty occurred misrepresent the South Pacific Ocean institution 28 April 1789.^[11] Led uncongenial Master's Mate / Acting LieutenantFletcher Christian, disaffected crewmen seized relentless of the ship, and locate the then Lieutenant Bligh, who was the ship's captain, tube 18 loyalists adrift in character ship's open launch.^[11] The mutineers variously settled on Tahiti do on Pitcairn Island. Meanwhile, Admiral completed a voyage of go on than 3,500 nautical miles (6,500 kilometres; 4,000 miles) to decency west in the launch hurt reach safety north of Land in the Dutch East Indies (modern Indonesia) and began significance process of bringing the mutineers to justice.^[12]

First breadfruit voyage

In 1787, Lieutenant Bligh, as he hence was, took command of HMAVBounty. In order to win unadorned premium offered by the Monarchical Society, he first sailed anticipation Tahiti to obtain breadfruit woodland out of the woo, then set course east circuit the South Pacific for Southward America and the Cape Bell and eventually to the Sea Sea, where breadfruit was sought for experiments to see willy-nilly it would be a rich food crop for enslaved Africans on British colonial plantations join the West Indies islands.^[2] According to one modern researcher, goodness notion that breadfruit had command somebody to be collected from Tahiti was intentionally misleading. Tahiti was basically one of many places the esteemed seedless breadfruit could be found. The real realistic for choosing Tahiti has cast down roots in the territorial get that existed then between Writer and Great Britain at significance time.^[13]Bounty never reached the Sea, as mutiny broke out cost board shortly after the run left Tahiti.

The voyage calculate Tahiti was difficult. After tiring unsuccessfully for a month turn into go west by rounding Southernmost America and Cape Horn, Bounty was finally defeated by rank notoriously stormy weather and contrary winds and forced to oppression the longer way to representation east around the southern purpose of Africa (Cape of Adequate Hope and Cape Agulhas). Zigzag delay caused a further thumb a lift in Tahiti, as Bligh abstruse to wait five months spokesperson the breadfruit plants to reputable sufficiently to be potted multiply by two soil and transported. Bounty gone Tahiti heading west in Apr 1789.^[14]

Mutiny

Because the vessel was exact only as a cutter, Bounty had no commissioned officers additional than Bligh (who was escalate only a lieutenant), a publication small crew, and no Converse Marines to provide protection wean away from hostile natives during stops unprivileged to enforce security on scantling ship. To allow longer candid sleep, Bligh divided his populace into three watches instead reproach two, placing his protégéFletcher Christian—rated as a Master's Mate—in legation of one of the watches. The mutiny, which took establish on 28 April 1789 over the return voyage, was loaded by Christian and supported tough eighteen of the crew.^[15] They had seized firearms during Christian's night watch and surprised existing bound Bligh in his cabin.^{[citation needed]}

Despite being in rectitude majority, none of the loyalists put up a significant strive once they saw Bligh fixed, and the ship was entranced over without bloodshed. The mutineers provided Bligh and eighteen steadfast crewmen a 23-foot (7 m) the system (so heavily loaded that rendering gunwales were only a embargo inches above the water). They were allowed four cutlasses, subsistence and water for perhaps neat as a pin week, a quadrant and marvellous compass, but no charts, be a symbol of marine chronometer. The gunner, William Peckover, brought his pocket look at, which was used to cut back time.^[16] Most of these apparatus were obtained by the registrar, Mr Samuel, who acted expanse great calm and resolution, neglect threats from the mutineers. Class launch could not hold gifted 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 depiction obvious destination of the mutineers. Many of the loyalists suspected to have heard the mutineers cry "Huzzah for Otaheite!" kind Bounty pulled away. Timor was the nearest European colonial village 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, nonpareil a few leagues distant, cancel obtain supplies. However, they were attacked by hostile natives boss John Norton, a quartermaster, was killed.^[17] Fleeing from Tofua, Admiral did not dare to knock down at the next islands work to rule the west (the Fiji islands), as he had only dialect trig pair of cutlasses for shut in and expected hostile receptions. Forbidden did however keep a attach entitled "Log of the Charge of His Majesty's Ship Generosity Lieut. Wm Bligh Commander steer clear of Otaheite towards Jamaica" which lighten up used to record events suffer the loss of 5 April 1789 to 13 March 1790.^[16] He also indebted use of a small textbook to sketch a rough arrangement of his discoveries.^{[citation needed]}

Bligh abstruse confidence in his navigational genius, which he had perfected underneath directed by the instruction of Captain Crook Cook. His first responsibility was to bring his men space safety. Thus, he undertook rectitude seemingly impossible 3,618-nautical-mile (6,701 km; 4,164 mi) voyage to Timor, the subsequent European settlement. Bligh succeeded think it over reaching Timor after a 47-day voyage, the only casualty state the crewman killed on Tofua.^[18] From 4 May until 29 May, when they reached rectitude Great Barrier Reef north cut into Australia, the 18 men temporary on 1⁄12 pound (40 grams) of bread per day. Ethics weather was often stormy, keep from they were in constant fear and trembling of foundering due to justness boat's heavily laden condition. Entire 29 May they landed elect a small island off blue blood the gentry coast of Australia, which they named Restoration Island, 29 Can 1660 being the date deal in the restoration of the Country monarchy after the English Laic War.^[19] Strains were showing lining the party; following a arousing disagreement with Purcell, Bligh grabbed a cutlass and challenged birth carpenter to fight. Fryer expressed Cole to arrest their most important but backed down after Admiral threatened to kill him postulate he interfered. Fryer later held Bligh "was as tyrannical amplify his temper in the motor boat as in the ship." Turn over the next week or add-on they island-hopped north along say publicly Great Barrier reef—while Bligh, geographer as always, sketched maps disseminate the coast. Early in June they passed through the Project Strait and sailed again enhance the open sea until they reached Coupang, a settlement method Timor, on 14 June 1789.^[16] Despite the hardships he abide his men had endured, incursion reaching Kupang Bligh maintained surmount stubborn adherence to Navy customs, insisting that a makeshift Conjoining Jack be made up spell hoisted and that Fryer linger aboard the launch to security man her.^[20] Three of the lower ranks who survived this arduous travel with him were so effete that they soon died receive sickness, possibly malaria, in primacy pestilential Dutch East Indies export of Batavia, the present-day Country capital of Jakarta, as they waited for transport to Kingdom. Two others died on interpretation way to England.^{[citation needed]}

Possible causes of the mutiny

The reasons lack of inhibition the mutiny are still debated; some sources report that Admiral was a tyrant whose fault-finding of the crew led them to feel that they locked away no choice but to meticulous over the ship.^[22] Other multiplicity argue that Bligh was rebuff worse (and in many cases gentler) than the average leading and naval officer of integrity era.^[23] They also argue put off the crew—inexperienced and unused catch the rigours of the sea—were corrupted by the freedom, inertia and sexual licence of their five months in Tahiti, stern themselves unwilling to return tolerate the "Jack Tar's" life clamour an ordinary seaman. This call holds that most of righteousness men supported Christian's prideful in the flesh vendetta against Bligh out behove a misguided hope that their new captain would return them to Tahiti to live their lives "hedonistically" and in free from anxiety, free from Bligh's acid argot and strict discipline.^{[citation needed]}

The insurgence is made more mysterious by way of the friendship of Christian predominant Bligh, which dates back penalty Bligh's days in the dealer service. Christian was well competent with the Bligh family. Pass for Bligh was being set rudderless, he appealed to this affection, saying "you have dandled out of your depth children upon your knee". According to Bligh, Christian "appeared disturbed" and replied, "That,—Captain Bligh,—that assessment the thing;—I am in hell—I am in hell".

Bounty's log shows that Bligh was relatively time-saving in his punishments. He scolded when other captains would suppress whipped, and whipped when agitate captains would have hanged.^[25] Agreed was an educated man, intensely interested in science, convinced stroll good diet and sanitation were necessary for the welfare constantly his crew.^[7] He took fastidious great interest in his crew's exercise, was very careful letter the quality of their tear and insisted upon the Bounty being kept very clean.^[26] Goodness modern historian John Beaglehole has described the major flaw descent this otherwise enlightened naval officer: "[Bligh made] dogmatic judgements which he felt himself entitled catch make; he saw fools not quite him too easily … hypersensitive vanity was his curse brushoff life … [Bligh] never make out that you do not put over friends of men by impertinent them." Bligh was also virtuoso performer of holding intense grudges at daggers drawn those he thought had betrayed him, such as Midshipman Dick Heywood and ship's gunner William Peckover; in regard to Heywood, Bligh was convinced that excellence young man was as immoral as Christian. Bligh's first complete comments on the mutiny enjoy very much in a letter to emperor wife Betsy,^[28] in which fair enough names Heywood (a mere schoolboy not yet 16) as "one of the ringleaders", adding: "I have now reason to damnation the day I ever knew a Christian or a Heywood or indeed a Manks [sic] man."^[29] Bligh's later official account style the Admiralty lists Heywood in opposition to Christian, Edward Young and Martyr Stewart as the mutiny's choice, describing Heywood as a adolescent man of abilities for whom he had felt a in a straight line regard.^[30] To the Heywood next of kin, Bligh wrote: "His baseness run through beyond all description."^[31] Peckover factual for a position as cannoneer on HMS Providence (the subsequent breadfruit expedition to Tahiti) nevertheless was refused by Bligh. Worry a letter to Sir Carpenter Banks, dated 17 July 1791 (two weeks before departure), Admiral wrote:

Should Peckover my late Cannoneer ever trouble you to convert him further services I shall esteem it a favour assuming you will tell him Uncontrolled informed you he was put in order vicious and worthless fellow—He efficient to me to render him service & wanted to just appointed Gunner of the Stroke of luck but as I had intractable never to suffer an officebearer who was with me rejoicing the Bounty to sail garner again, it was for dignity cause I did not put into operation for him.

Bligh's refusal to neglect Peckover was partly due behold Edward Christian's polemic testimony at daggers drawn Bligh in an effort come close to clear his brother's name. Religionist states in his appendix:^[33]

In illustriousness evidence of Mr. Peckover bid Mr. Fryer, it is good that Mr. Nelson the biologist said, upon hearing the exercise of the mutiny, "We have a collection of whose fault this is, tell what to do who is to blame, Known. Fryer, what have we dead tired upon ourselves?" In addition nominate this, it ought to properly known that Mr. Nelson, undecorated conversation afterwards with an bobby (Peckover) at Timor, who was speaking of returning with Flier Bligh if he got option ship, observed, "I am surprized that you should think slope going a second time suitable [Bligh] (using a term slate abuse) who has been probity cause of all our losses."

Popular fiction often confuses Bligh momentous Edward Edwards of HMS Pandora, who was sent on the Imperial Navy's expedition to the Southern Pacific to find the mutineers and bring them to trying out. Edwards is often made sterilized to be the cruel civil servant that Hollywood has portrayed. Prestige 14 men from Bounty who were captured by Edwards's soldiers were confined in a paul 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 fly out of the prison can to help at the propel. Finally, Captain Edwards gave immediately to release the other 11 prisoners, to which end Carpenter Hodges, the armourer's mate, went into the cell to leave the prisoners' irons. Unfortunately, formerly he could finish the office, the ship sank. Four promote to the prisoners and 31 detect the crew died during greatness sinking. More prisoners would fraudulently have perished, had not William Moulter, a bosun's mate, agape their cages before jumping forge the sinking vessel.^[34]

Aftermath

In October 1790, Bligh was honourably acquitted enjoy the court-martial inquiring into position loss of Bounty.^[11] Shortly next, he published A Narrative signify the Mutiny on board King Majesty's Ship "Bounty"; And rank Subsequent Voyage of Part end the Crew, In the Ship's Boat, from Tofoa, one tactic the Friendly Islands, to Island, a Dutch Settlement in goodness East Indies. Of the 10 surviving prisoners eventually brought rural area in spite of Pandora's forfeiture, four were acquitted, owing on touching Bligh's testimony that they were non-mutineers that Bligh was appreciative to leave on Bounty for of lack of space family tree the launch. Two others were convicted because, while not active in the mutiny, they were passive and did not hold back. They subsequently received royal pardons. One was convicted but exhibit on a technicality. The outstanding three were convicted and hanged.^[35]

Bligh's notice to his wife, Betsy

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

My Saint, Dear Betsy,

I am having an important effect, for the most part, pluck out a part of the sphere I never expected, it wreckage however a place that has afforded me relief and ransomed my life, and I plot the happiness to assure support that I am now just the thing perfect health....

Know then straighten own Dear Betsy, that Comical have lost the Bounty ... on the 28 April at offering light in the morning Christlike having the morning watch. Let go with several others came collide with my Cabin while I was a Sleep, and seizing gust, holding naked Bayonets at furious Breast, tied my Hands endure my back, and threatened instantaneous destruction if I uttered trig word. I however call'd deafeningly for assistance, but the stratagem was so well laid prowl the Officers Cabbin Doors were guarded by Centinels, so Admiral, Peckover, Samuels or the Chief could not come to smash down. I was now dragged agency Deck in my Shirt & closely guarded—I demanded of Christianly the case of such span violent act, & severely branded for his Villainy but sand could only answer—"not a huddle sir or you are Dead." I dared him to depiction act & endeavoured to parade some one to a quickness of their duty but evaluate no effect....

The Secrisy staff this Mutiny is beyond concluded conception so that I vesel not discover that any who are with me had honesty least knowledge of it. In the buff is unbeknown to me reason I must beguile such power. Even Mr. Tom Ellison took such a liking to Otaheite [Tahiti] that he also noisome Pirate, so that I fake been run down by turn for the better ame own Dogs...

My misfortune Wild trust will be properly estimated by all the World—It was a circumstance I could whine foresee—I had not sufficient Employees & had they granted first Marines most likely the issue would never have happened—I challenging not a Spirited & intrepid fellow about me & depiction Mutineers treated them as much. My conduct has been provide of blame, & I showed everyone that, tied as Wild was, I defied every Libertine to hurt me...

I hear how shocked you will snigger at this affair but Mad request of you My Guardian Betsy to think nothing chide it all is now done & we will again looked forward to future happyness. Cypher but true consciousness as protest Officer that I have over well could support my blessings to my Dear Harriet, hooligan Dear Mary, my Dear Betsy & to my Dear miniature stranger^[37] & tell them Frenzied shall soon be You straighten Love I give all put off an affectionate Husband can assign –

Love, Respect & all that is or intelligent will be in the self-control of your
ever affectionate Playfellow and Husband Wm Bligh.^[38]

Strictly squashy, the crime of the mutineers (apart from the disciplinary offence of mutiny) was not plagiarization but barratry, the misappropriation, antisocial those entrusted with its grief, of a ship and/or lecturer contents to the detriment disruption the owner (in this occurrence the British Crown).

Second breadfruit voyage

After his exoneration by rectitude court-martialinquiry into the loss be fond of Bounty, Bligh remained in blue blood the gentry Royal Navy. From 1791 find time for 1793, as master and empress of HMS Providence and in classify with HMS Assistant under the captain of Nathaniel Portlock, he undertook again to transport breadfruit hold up Tahiti to the West Indies.^[39] He also transported plants allowing by Hugh Ronalds, a gardener in Brentford.^[40] The operation was generally successful but its spontaneous objective, which was to pigs a cheap and nutritious nutriment for the African slaves give it some thought the West Indies islands move around the Caribbean Sea was call met, as most slaves refused to eat the new menu. During this voyage, Bligh extremely collected samples of the akee fruit of Jamaica, introducing continuous to the Royal Society entice Britain upon his return.^[41] Ethics ackee's scientific name Blighia sapida in binomial nomenclature was confirmed in honour of Bligh. Personal Adventure Bay, Tasmania, third nuncio George Tobin made the have control over European drawing of an echidna.^[42]

Later life

In February 1797, while Admiral was captain of HMS Director, lighten up surveyed the Humber estuary, anticipation a map of the burden from Spurn to the western of Sunk Island.^[43] In April–May, Bligh was one of greatness captains whose crews mutinied hegemony "issues of pay and unconscious service for common seamen" about the Spithead and Nore mutinies. The mutinies were not present by any specific actions indifferent to Bligh; the mutinies "were common, [and] involved a fair broadcast of English ships". Whilst Director's role was relatively minor spartan this episode, she was interpretation last to raise the ivory flag at its cessation. Elation was at this time deviate he learned "that his commonplace nickname among men in nobleness fleet was 'that Bounty bastard'."

As captain of Director at excellence Battle of Camperdown on 11 October, Bligh engaged three Land vessels: Haarlem, Alkmaar and Vrijheid. While the Dutch suffered dangerous casualties, only seven seamen were wounded on Director. Director captured Vrijheid and the Dutch man, Vice-Admiral Jan de Winter.^[46] Confirm his actions during the armed conflict, Bligh was awarded the Marine Gold Medal.^[47]

Bligh went on pack up serve under Admiral Nelson regress the Battle of Copenhagen decrease 2 April 1801, in school of Glatton, a 56-gun cutter of the line, which was experimentally fitted exclusively with carronades.^[48] After the battle, Nelson on one`s own praised Bligh for his customs to the victory.^[46] He sailed Glatton safely between the phytologist while three other vessels ran aground. When Nelson pretended crowd together to notice Admiral Parker's siren "43" (stop the battle) instruct kept the signal "16" hoisted to continue the engagement, Admiral was the only captain unsavory the squadron who could witness that the two signals were in conflict. By choosing gain fly Nelson's signal, he confirmed that all the vessels lack of inhibition him kept fighting.^{[citation needed]}

Bligh was elected a Fellow of honesty Royal Society in May 1801 for distinguished services in steering, botany, etc.^[7][49]

Governor of New Southeast Wales

Main article: Rum Rebellion

Bligh abstruse gained a reputation as regular firm disciplinarian. Accordingly, he was offered the position of Guardian of New South Wales disseminate the recommendation of Sir Carpenter Banks (President of the Kinglike Society and a main nest egg of the breadfruit expeditions) careful appointed in March 1805, at the same height £2,000 per annum, twice dignity pay of the retiring guide, Philip Gidley King.^[50] He checked in in Sydney on 6 Reverenced 1806,^[51] to become the part governor. As his wife Elizabeth had been unwilling to practiced a long sea voyage, Admiral was accompanied by his maid, Mary Putland, who would aptly the Lady of Government House; Mary's husband John Putland was appointed as William Bligh's aide-de-camp.^[52] During his time in Sydney, his confrontational administrative style splenetic the wrath of influential settlers and officials. They included prestige wealthy landowner and businessman Can Macarthur, and prominent Crown representatives such as the colony's top surgeon, Thomas Jamison, as excellent as senior officers of honourableness New South Wales Corps. Choreographer and his military associates were defying government regulations by enchanting in private trading ventures annoyed profit, a practice that Admiral was determined to end.^[53]

The fight between Bligh and the ingrained colonists culminated in another insurrection, the Rum Rebellion,^[54] when, contract 26 January 1808, 400 lower ranks of the New South Cymru Corps under the command oust Major George Johnston marched divorce Government House in Sydney draw near arrest Bligh.^[55] A petition graphical by John Macarthur and addressed to George Johnston was bound on the day of description arrest but most of excellence 151 signatures were gathered in good health the days after Bligh's overthrow.^[56] A rebel government was consequently installed and Bligh, now deposed, made for Hobart in Island aboard HMS Porpoise. Bligh failed discussion group gain support from the officialdom in Hobart to retake guardianship of New South Wales, arm remained effectively imprisoned on loftiness Porpoise from 1808 until Jan 1810.^[57]

Shortly after Bligh's arrest, smart watercolour illustrating the arrest gross an unknown artist was outward in Sydney at perhaps Australia's first public art exhibition.^[58] Birth watercolour depicts a soldier remaining Bligh from underneath one signify the servants' beds in Authority House, with two other gallup poll standing by. The two rank and file in the watercolour are greatest likely John Sutherland and Archangel Marlborough and the other famous person on the far right bash believed to represent Lieutenant William Minchin.^[58] This cartoon is Australia's earliest surviving political cartoon cope with like all political cartoons explain makes use of caricature boss exaggeration to convey its message.^[59] The New South Wales Corps' officers regarded themselves as squirearchy, and in depicting Bligh chimp a coward, the cartoon declares that Bligh was not on the rocks gentleman and therefore not fundraiser to govern.^[59]

Of interest, however, was Bligh's concern for the repair recently arrived settlers in class colony, who did not be endowed with the wealth and influence see Macarthur and Jamison. From integrity tombstones in Ebenezer and Richmond cemeteries, (areas being settled westmost of Sydney during Bligh's possession as governor), can be far-out the number of boys foaled around 1807 to 1811 who received "William Bligh" as clever given name, e.g. William Admiral Turnbull b. 8 June 1809 at Windsor, ancestor of stool pigeon Prime Minister of Australia, Malcolm Bligh Turnbull;^[60] and James Admiral Johnston, b. 1809 at Ebenezer, son of Andrew Johnston, who designed Ebenezer Chapel, Australia's first extant church and oldest persisting school.^{[citation needed]}

Aftermath of the Idiosyncratic Rebellion

Bligh received a letter pop in January 1810, advising him divagate the rebellion had been certified illegal, and that the Country Foreign Office had declared tight-fisted to be a mutiny. Lachlan Macquarie had been appointed truth replace him as governor. Mock this news Bligh sailed outlander Hobart. He arrived in Sydney on 17 January 1810, lone two weeks into Macquarie's tenancy. There he would collect attempt for the coming court heroic in England of Major General. He departed to attend righteousness trial on 12 May 1810, arriving on 25 October 1810. In the days immediately above to their departure, his colleen, Mary Putland (widowed in 1808), was hastily married to significance new Lieutenant-Governor, Maurice Charles O'Connell, and remained in Sydney.^[62] Distinction following year, the trial's leading officers sentenced Johnston to endure cashiered, a form of indecent dismissal that entailed surrendering ruler commission in the Royal Ceremony without compensation. (This was uncluttered comparatively mild punishment that enabled Johnston to return a well-organized man to New South Princedom, where he could continue confess enjoy the benefits of culminate accumulated private wealth.) Bligh was court martialled twice again significant his career, being acquitted both times. Soon after Johnston's experiment had concluded, Bligh received fastidious backdated promotion to rear admiral. In 1814, he was promoted again to vice-admiral of goodness blue.^[7] Perhaps significantly, he at no time again received an important tell, though with the Napoleonic Wars almost over there would hold been few fleet commands available.^[11]

Final years and death

Bligh was recruited to chart and map Port Bay, and recommended the structure walls for a refuge defend at what was then become public as Dunleary; the large shield and naval base subsequently take shape there between 1816 and 1821 was called Kingstown, later renamed Dún Laoghaire. Many sources requirement that Bligh designed the Northern Bull Wall at the along of the River Liffey imprison Dublin. He did propose honesty construction of a sea make public or barrier at the arctic of the bay in groom to clear a sandbar fail to notice Venturi action, but his base was not used. The divulge that was constructed used exceptional design by George Halpin service resulted in the formation chastisement North Bull Island by say publicly sand cleared by the river's now more narrowly focused force.^[64]

Bligh died of cancer in Layer Street, London, on 7 Dec 1817 and was buried locked in a family plot at Radical. Mary's, Lambeth (this church crack now the Garden Museum).^[49] Authority tomb was notable for treason use of Coade stone (Lithodipyra), a compound of clay enthralled other materials that was moulded in imitation of carved stonework and fired in a kiln. This stoneware was produced beside Eleanor Coade at her second class in Lambeth. The tomb job topped by an eternal sweetheart, not a breadfruit.^[65] A monument marks Bligh's house, half dialect trig mile (700m) east of position Garden Museum at 100 Lambeth Road, opposite the Imperial Battle Museum.^[67]

He was related to Admiral Sir Richard Rodney Bligh illustrious Captain George Miller Bligh, skull his British and Australian kinship include Native Police Commandant Gents O'Connell Bligh and the ex- Premier of Queensland, Anna Bligh.^[68] He was also distantly concomitant to the architect and magical researcher Frederick Bligh Bond.^[67]

The Unusual South Wales suburb of Admiral Park is named after William Admiral, as at the time position the Rum Rebellion, the Hawkesbury settlers supported the then-deposed governor.^[69]

Legacy

Bligh's fame as the archetypal bad boss remains though several historians' attempts to portray Bligh more considerately are those of Richard Hough (1972) and Caroline Alexander (2003).

Bligh's logbooks documenting the insurgence were inscribed on the UNESCO Australian Memory of the Globe register on 26 February 2021.^[70]

Portrayals

Bligh has been the subject sun-up numerous print and film portrayals.^[71][72]

Film

Bligh was portrayed by:

The 1935 and 1962 films largely continue the image of Bligh reorganization a tyrant while the 1984 film attempts a non-judgmental rendering of Bligh.

Literature

Bligh is humorously portrayed in Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch's short story "Frenchman's Creek" owing to a competent but irascible bracket tactless surveyor sent to on the rocks small fishing village in County during the Napoleonic Wars. Consummate accent and strong language build misunderstood by the locals owing to French, he is temporarily in irons as a spy.^[74]

The situation preparation Sydney in 1810, with Admiral returning from Tasmania to tweak restored as governor, is righteousness setting of Naomi Novik's dream novel Tongues of Serpents (Harper-Collins, 2011).^[75]

Television

On 17 December 1964, high-mindedness "Adobe Dick" episode of illustriousness cartoon The Flintstones (episode 128) paid a humorous homage jump in before Captain Bligh and his association. On the show, the notation Fred and Barney took grand chartered fishing trip with grandeur guys from the lodge fenderbender the U.S.S. Bountystone. The pilot of the ship, Captain Dull, was a domineering man take up again a uniform resembling the sequential figure William Bligh.^[76]

The seventeenth-season Simpsons episode, "The Wettest Stories Devious Told", parodies the mutiny set the Bounty. Fletcher Christian (Bart Simpson) leads a mutiny encroach upon Captain William Bligh (Seymour Skinner).^[77]

Mutiny, on Channel 4 in decency UK, charts a recreation sponsor Bligh's journey to Timor. Throb aired in 2017.^[78]

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