Above: Fletcher Christian

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Batavia, November 20th, 1791.

"My Ever Honoured and Dearest Mother,— At length the time has arrived when you are once more to hear from your ill-fated son, whose conduct, at the capture of that ship in which it was my ill fortune to embark. has, I fear, from what has since happened to me, been grossly misrepresented to you by Lieutenant Bligh, who, by not knowing the real cause of my remaining on board, naturally suspected me, unhappily for me, to be a coadjutor in the mutiny ; but I never, to my knowledge, whilst under his command, behaved myself in a manner unbecoming the station I occupied, nor so much as even entertained a thought derogatory to his honour, so as to give him the least grounds for entertaining an opinion of me so ungenerous and undeserved ; for I flatter myself he cannot give a character of my conduct, whilst I was under his tuition, that could merit the slightest scrutiny.

Peter Haywood

"Oh ! my dearest mother, I hope you have not so easily credited such an account of me ; do but let me vindicate my conduct, and declare to you the true cause of my remaining in the ship, and you will then see how little I deserve censure, and how I have been injured by so gross an aspersion. I shall then give you a short and cursory account. of what has happened to me since

"How I came to remain on board was thus : The morning the ship was taken, it being my watch below, happening to awake just after day-light, and looking out of my hammock, I saw a man sitting upon the arm-chest in the main hatch-way, with a drawn sword in his hand, the reason of which I could not divine ; so I got out of bed and inquired of him what was the cause of it. He told me that Mr. Christian, assisted by some of the ship’s company, had seized the captain and put him in confinement ; had taken the command of the ship, and meant to carry Bligh home a. prisoner, in order to try him by court-martial for his long tyrannical and oppresive conduct to his people. I was quite thunder-struck ; and, hurrying into my berth again, told one of my mess-mates, whom I awakened out of his sleep, what had happened. When dressing myself I went up the fore hatchway, and saw what he told me was but too true ; and again I asked some of the people, who were under arms, what was going to be done with the captain, who was then on the starboard side of the quarter-deck, with his hands tied behind his hack, and Mr. Christian alongside of him with a pistol and drawn sword.

"I now heard a very different story, that the captain was to be sent ashore to Tofoa in the launch, and that those who would not join Mr. Christian might either accompany the captain, or would be taken in irons to Otaheite (Tahiti; ed. note), and left there.

"The relation of two stories so different left me unable to judge which could be the true one ; but, seeing them hoisting the boats out, it seemed to prove the latter. In this trying situation, young and inexperienced as I was, and with-out an adviser (every person being as it were infatuated, and not knowing what to do), I remained for a while a silent spectator of what is going on ; and after revolving the matter in my mind, I determined to choose, what I thought, the lesser of two evils, and stay by the ship ; for I knew that those who went ashore inn the launch would be. put to death by the savage natives ; whereas the Otaheitans, being a. humane and generous race, one might have a hope of being kindly received, and remain there until the arrival of some ship, which seemed, to silly me, the most consistent with reason and rectitude.

"While this resolution possessed my mind, at the same time lending my assistance to hoist out the boats, the hurry and confusion affairs were in, and thinking my intention just, I never thought of going to Mr. Hugh for advice; besides, what confirmed me in it was my seeing two experienced officers, when ordered into the boat by Mr. Christian. desire his permission to remain in the ship (one of whom my own mess-mate, Mr. Hayward), and I being assisting to clear the launch, he asked me what I intended to do I told him, to remain in the ship. Now, this answer, I imagine, he has told Mr. Bligh I made to him ; from which, together with my not speaking to him that morning, his suspicions of me have arisen, construing my conduct into what is foreign to my nature.

"Thus, my dearest mother, it was all owing to my youth and unadvised inexperience, but it has been interpreted into villainy and disregard for my country’s laws, the ill effects of which I am at present, and still am to labour under for some months longer. However, to continue my relation—  I was not undeceived in my erroneous decision till too late, which was after the Captain was in the launch ; for, while I was talking to the Master-at-Arms, one of the ring-leaders in the affair, my other mess-mate (Mr. Stewart) whom I had left in his hammock in the berth, came up to me and asked me if I was going in the launch ? I replied, ‘No,’ upon which he told me not to think of such a thing as remaining behind, but take his advice and go down below with him to get a few necessary things, and make haste to go with him into the launch ; adding, that by remaining in the ship, I should incur an equal share of guilt with the mutineers themselves ; upon which he and the Master-at-Arms had some altercation about my mess-mate’s intention of going into the boat.

"I reluctantly followed his advice—I say reluctantly, because I knew no better, and was foolish ; and the boat swimming very deep in the water—the land being far distant —the thoughts of being sacrificed by the natives—and the self-consciousness of my first intentions being just—all these considerations almost staggered my resolution ; however, I preferred my companion’s judgment to my own, and we both jumped down the main hatchway to prepare ourselves for the boat, but no sooner were we in the berth than the Master-at-Arms ordered the sentry to keep us both in the berth till he should receive orders to release us. We desired the Master-at-Arms to acquaint Mr. Bligh of our detention, which we had reason to think he never did, nor were we permitted to come on deck until the launch was a long way astern. I now, when too late, saw my error.

" At the latter end of May we got. to an island to the southward of Taheite, called Toobocai, where they intended to make a settlement; but, finding no stock there of any kind, they agreed to go to Taheite, and, after procuring hogs and fowle, to return to Toobocai and remain. So, on the 6th of June, we arrived at Taheite, where I was in hopes I might find an opportunity of running away, and remaining on shore but I could not effect it, as there was always too good a look-out kept to prevent any such steps being taken ; and, besides, they had all sworn that, should any one make his escape, they would force the natives to restore him, and would then shoot him as an example to the rest, well-knowing that any one by remaining there might be the means (should a ship arrive) of discovering their place of abode. Finding it therefore impracticable, I saw no other alternative but to rest as content as possible, and return to Toobocai, and there wait till the masts of the "Bounty" should be taken out, and then take the boat, which might take me* to Taheite, and disable those remaining from pursuit. But Providence so ordered that we had no occasion to try our fortune at such a hazard, for, upon returning there and remaining till the latter end of August, in which time a fort was almost built, but nothing could be effected ; and, as the natives could not be brought to friendly terms, and with whom we had many skirmishes and narrow escapes from being cut off by them, and what was still worse, internal broils and discontent—these things determined part of the people to leave the island and go to Taheite, which was carried by a majority of votes, this being carried into execution on the 22nd of September, and, having anchored in Matawai Bay, the next morning my mess-mate (Mr. Stewart) and I went on shore, to the house of an old landed proprietor, our former friend ; and, being now set free from a lawless crew, determined to remain as much apart from them as possible, and wait patiently for the arrival of a ship.

"Fourteen more of the "Bounty’s" people came likewise on shore, and Mr. Christian and eight men went away with the ship, but God knows whither.* Whilst we remained here we were treated by our kind and friendly natives with a generosity and humanity almost unparalleled, and such as we could hardly have expected from the most civilized people."

‘ ‘Twelve more of the people who were at Otaheite, having delivered themselves up, there was a sort of prison built on the after-part of the quarter-deck into which we were all put in close confinement, with both legs and both hands in irons, and were treated with great rigour, not being allowed to get out of this den ; and, being obliged to eat, drink, sleep, and obey the calls of Nature here, you may form some idea of the disagreeable situation I must have been in . 

"On the 9th of May we left Otaheite, and proceeded to the neighbourhood of the Friendly Islands, where we cruised about six weeks in search of the ‘Bounty,’ but without success About the beginning of August we got in among the reefs of New Holland, to endeavour to discover a passage through them, but it was not effected ; for the Pandora, ever unlucky, and as if devoted by heaven to destruction, was driven by a current upon the patch of a reef, and on which, there being a heavy surf, she was soon almost bulged to pieces ; but, having thrown all the guns on one side overboard, ‘‘In this miserable condition, with expected death before our eyes, without the least hope of relief, and in the most trying state of suspense, we spent the night .

The boats by this time had all been prepared ; and as the Captain and officers were coining on the poop or roof of our prison, to abandon the ship, the water being up to the combing of the hatohways, we again implored his mercy ; upon which he sent a corporal and an armourer down to let some of us out. of irons, but three only were suffered to go up, and the scuttle being then clapped on, and the Master-at-Arms upon it, the armourer had only time to let two persons out of irons, the rest, except three letting themselves out ; two of these three went down with them on their hands, and the third was picked up.

‘She now began to heel over to port so very much that the Master-at-Arms, sliding overboard, and leaving the scuttle vacant, we all tried to get up, and I was the last out but three. The water was then pouring in at the bulk-head scuttles, yet I succeeded in getting out, and was scarcely in the sea when I could see nothing above it but the cross trees, and nothing around me but a scene of the greatest distress. I took a plank (being stark naked) and swam towards an island about three miles off, hut was picked up on my passage by one of the boats. When we got ashore to the small sandy key, we found there were thirty-four men drowned, four of whom were prisoners, and among these was my unfortunate mess-mate (Mr. Stewart) ; ten of us, and eighty-nine of the ‘Pandora’s’ crew were saved.

‘When a survey was made of what provisions had been saved, they were found to consist of two or three bags of bread, two or three breakers of water, and a little wine ; so we subsisted three days upon two wine-glasses of water, and two ounces of bread per day.

On the 1st of September we left the island, and on the 16th arrived at Coupang, in the Island of Timoi, having been on short allowance eighteen days. We were put in confinement in the Castle, where we remained till October, and on the 5th of that month were sent on board a Dutch ship bound for Batavia. After a very tedious and dangerous passage, the ship being twice near drove ashore, and so very leaky as to be scarce kept above water with both pumps constantly going, on the 30th we anchored at Samasang, in the Isle of Java, and on Monday, the 7th of November, anchored here at Batavia. I send this by the first ship, which is to sail in abut a week, by one of the ‘Pandora’s’ men. We are to follow in a week after, and expect to be in England in about seven months.

‘Though I have been eight months on close confinement in a hot climate, I have kept my health in a most surprising manner, without the least indisposition, and am still perfectly well in every respect, in mind as well as in body ; but without a friend, and only a shirt and pair of trousers to put on, and carry me home. Yet with all this I have a contented mind, entirely resigned to the will of Providence, which conduct alone enables me to soar above the reach of unhappiness. You will most probably hear of my arrival in England before I can write to you, which I most earnestly long for, that I may explain things which I cannot now mention ; yet I hope this will be sufficient to undeceive those who have been so ungenerous as to express, and those who have been so credulous as to believe. all that is laid to my charge.

-from Nessie Heywood's papers

The other Crew members of HMS Bounty:

Adams was either from Wapping-on-Thames or Stanford Hill, St. John Hackney, Middlesex in England. His father, a lighterman and servant to Daniel Bell Cole, a merchant, drowned in the River Thames. He and 3 siblings were left orphaned, and he and 2 siblings were brought up in the poorhouse. One sibling married soon after the father's death. It was in the poorhouse that Adams gained what little literacy he had before being tutored by Young on Pitcairn. It is also where he learned the rudiments of the liturgy of the Church of England. One brother was a waterman at Union Stairs, a 'steady character, and wore the fire coat of London Assurance'.

He was 5 feet 5 inches tall, with brown complexion, brown hair, strong made, very much pitted with smallpox, and very much tattooed on body, arms, legs, and feet. He had a scar on his right foot where it was cut with a wood axe. He signed on board the Bounty using the assumed name of ALEXANDER SMITH. He reverted to the use of his real name (Adams) after the mutiny.

Adams belonged to that class of individuals, who, under ordinary circumstances, would likely attract public attention only when picked up by the police. Known as 'reckless Jack', he was not the toughest, meekest, most nor least intelligent of the crew. Certainly not afraid to 'go for the cutlass', he learned survival in the streets of London.

One of the active mutineer party, he was part of the group who arrested Bligh. He was not in the leadership, but there was no question as to where his sympathies lay.

On Pitcairn, he formed a close friendship with Young, and lived as neighbors, sharing possessions and women between themselves, especially after the death of Obuarei. Adams and Young had also the most evenhanded attitude toward the Tahitian men. He was scarcely literate, and as he noted Young's increasing illness, he took reading lessons each day from his companion, knowing that he would soon by responsible for the growing community. It was at Young's death that this non-religious sailor found himself, for the first time, having to officiate at the burial services, and from that point on took his responsibilities very seriously.

Adams found himself alone among a community in which only he had an experience of the outside world He and Taio, formerly the consort of McCoy, formed a long-term monagamous relationship, that was to be officially blessed when they were married by Capt. Beechey many years later. Early visitors reported him as kindly, wise, thoroughly regenerated, and a deeply religious and moral patriarch. This is likely not far from the truth. He was indeed a completely regenerated rascal - whether this was due to a deep moral direction or from simple expediency in controlling an island teeming with the young will be forever unknown. We have only his own words to judge what he did, and we have the survival of a strong, religious, vital colony that he left in his wake. He couldn't have done everything wrong!

Born at St. Tudy, near Plymouth, on 9 Sep 1754, he was the son of a customs officer. His mother died when William was 14, but it was very early when his parents had decided on as Naval career for their young son. He first appears on Naval roles at the age of 9, when, at the behest of Hon. Keith Stewart, said to have been a close relative of his mother, he was entered as a personal servant to an officer on a man-of-war. This was a common practice, even at that age, in order to give young boys who were destined for a Naval career the necessary 6 years qualification as early as possible. He was paid off on 21 Feb 1763.

By the age of 15, he was not only well-versed in science and mathematics, but had developed fine talents as a writer and illustrator. He does not appear in the records again until 27 Jul 1770, when his name was entered on the paysheets of the H.M.S. Hunter, a small sloop mounting only 10 guns, rated as an AB and master's mate. This was soon after the death of his mother and the remarriage of his father, and these event may have had something to do with Bligh's re-entry into the Navy. It is believed that, in accord with normal custom, he was carried as an 'additional midshipman', that is, a young man deserving of officer's training, but carried in addition to the two official midshipman's positions on a naval vessel. They were officially recognized as junior officers in training, both by respect of crew and duties assigned. They also became official midshipmen as soon as vacancies occurred.

On 4 Feb 1771, he was discharged by order of Rear Admiral Sir Richard Spry, and re-entered the next day on the same ship as a midshipman. He remained on that ship until 22 Feb 1771, when he was reassigned to H.M.S. Crescent whereon he served until 23 Aug 1774. He then served on H.M.S. Ranger.

It was on 20 Mar 1776 that he received what was to be his first opportunity to visit the South Seas, when he was appointed Master on board H.M.S. Resolution, commanded by Capt. James Cook, just prior to Cook's third voyage. At 22, to be appointed sailing master on a major research vessel was a great tribute to his skill and connections. There is evidence that he was in constant attendance on this ship, and in consultation with Cook and his officers constantly. On 1 May 1776, he passed his examination for Lieutenant.

The voyage of the Resolution ended in late 1780, and Bligh took a 12-month leave from active duty, during which time he was married. Although little is known of his activities during this period, there is some indication that he may have spent time writing memoires of the famous voyage.

His wife's relationship to Sir Duncan and Captain Sir John Campbell paved the way to additional career-enhancing appointments. After serving on a number of ships, in Jun 1783, he entered the service of Sir Duncan Campbell in the West Indian trade. The pay of a junior lieutenant often demanded occasional forays into higher-paying positions, and this appears to have been the case here. It was in the service of Campbell that Bligh commanded his first ship, the Lynx. He remained in the Jamaica trade for four years, his last assignment on board the Brittania, where he was to meet Fletcher Christian an others who were to sail with him on the Bounty.

After the Bounty voyage, Bligh commanded a number of scientific voyages. Specialization in scientific projects paid off, and he became a Fellow of the Royal Society. Late in 1796, he was appointed commander of H.M.S. Director, a comparatively old ship, but a very important naval command. It was rated 4th class, mounted 64 guns, and carried 491 crewmen. This marked Bligh's promotion to senior command assigment. It is also interesting that in 1797, Bligh was involved in another serious mutiny, known as the Mutiny at the Nore. The crews of a number of naval vessels, including the Director, under the command of Vice-Admiral Buckner, mutinied together. It was a bloody and violent struggle. At its conclusion, Bligh stood strongly behind his ship's crew, and was commended by both seaman and officer alike for his handling of the affair.

His naval career was distinguished. Brave in battle, he was line astern of Nelson at Copenhagen in 1801. The wartime period ended in 1802, and Bligh again commanded a scientific voyage, this time a hydrological expedition.

In 1805, he was appointed Governor of New South Wales. His success in the realm of politics, unfortunately, did not match his prowess as a Naval commander. His appointment lasted until 1808 when the colonists 'mutinied' and sent him back to England. He arrived there on 25 Oct 1810, and never received further appointment. His service record was as follows:

• 01 Jul 1762 Captain's Servant: HMS Monmouth
• 27 Jul 1770 AB: HMS Hunter
• 05 Feb 1771 Midshipman: HMS Hunter
• 22 Sep 1771 Midshipman: HMS Crescent
• 02 Sep 1774 AB: HMS Ranger
• 30 Sep 1775 Midshipman: HMS Ranger
• 20 Mar 1776 Master: HMS Resolution
• 14 Feb 1781 Master: HMS Belle Poule
• 05 Oct 1781 Lieutenant: HMS Berwick
• 01 Jan 1782 Lieutenant: HMS Princess Amelia
• 20 Mar 1782 Lieutenant: HMS Cambridge
• 14 Jan 1783 Half-Pay Lieutenant
• 16 Aug 1787 Commanding Lieutenant: HMS Bounty
• 14 Nov 1790 Captain: HMS Falcon (sloop)
• 15 Dec 1790 Captain: HMS Medea
• 08 Jan 1791 Half-Pay Captain
• 16 Apr 1791 Captain: HMS Providence
• 07 Sep 1793 Half-Pay Captain
• 30 Apr 1795 Captain: HMS Calcutta
• 07 Jan 1796 Captain: HMS Director
• 03 Jul 1800 Half-Pay Captain
• 13 Mar 1801 Captain: HMS Glatton
• 12 Apr 1801 Captain: HMS Monarch
• 08 May 1801 Captain: HMS Irresistible
• 28 May 1802 Half-Pay Captain
• 02 May 1804 Captain: HMS Warrior
• 30 Apr 1805 Half-Pay Captain
• 24 May 1805 Governor of New South Wales
• 27 Sep 1805 Commander: HMS Porpoise
• 14 Nov 1805 Captain: HMS Porpoise
• 31 Jul 1808 Commodore: HMS Porpoise
• 03 Apr 1810 Commodore: HMS Hindostan
• 31 Jul 1810 Half-Pay Rear Admiral
• 04 Jun 1814 Half-Pay Vice Admiral

BROWN, William (Gardener -

On August 20, 1987, Sir Joseph Banks, representing the Lords of the British Admiralty, appointed the first six crewmembers to sail on the ill-fated H.M.S. Bounty, due to set sail three months later on a high-priority scientific voyage to the South Pacific. This select team, the nucleus of the crew, included the Commander, Sailing Master, Surgeon, Botanist, First Midshipman, and one 'enlisted man', Gardener William Brown.

Who was William Brown? Little is known of him. He was born in Leicestershire, England, about 1761. Some evidence suggests that this 26-year-old skilled horticulturist had been employed at Kew Gardens (the British equivalent of our National Botanic Gardens), very likely at the same time as Botanist David Nelson, one of the most respected men of his field in England at the time. Brown is likely to have been appointed at the direct request of this eminent scientist.

Commander Bligh described him as 5 feet 8 inches tall, with slender build, fair complexion, and dark brown hair. His face was terribly disfigured with a remarkable scrofula scar on one of his cheeks which contracted his eyelid, and ran all the way down to his throat.

Throughout the voyage, Brown seems to have been quiet and well-behaved. His only run-in with his Commander occurred when the Surgeon declared him unfit for duty due to rheumatic pain and a slight touch of scurvy. Bligh ordered him on deck for exercise, and upon his refusal, was punished by having his ration of grog withheld. He appears never to have been flogged, as so many of his crewmates were.

During the ship's stay in Tahiti, Brown's expertise kept him busy potting and storing the hundreds of breadfruit plants to be transported to the West Indies. What no doubt amazed him, was that his scarred face, no doubt considered unpleasant in England, was no impediment in the South Pacific. Scars were a mark of bravery, and Brown's obvious horticultural skills were also valued in that society. It is speculation only, but the acceptance and admiration he found among the Polynesians, especially the women, compared with his life in England, might well have been the reason for his actions during the coming mutiny.

Brown took absolutely no part in the mutiny, but he also appears to have entertained not the slightest notion of returning to England with Bligh. He willingly threw in his lot with Christian, and settled on Pitcairn Island with Teatuahitea, his consort from Tahiti. Sadly, all was not to go well.

Brown seems to have been the mildest mannered man on Pitcairn, taking no part whatsoever in the intrigues instigated by his fellow crewmembers. However, when the Polynesian men finally rebelled against the inhuman treatment of their English 'neighbors', Brown was one of the casualties of the uprising. He was murdered some time in late 1793 on Pitcairn, having fathered no children.

Although the name BROWN is one of the 4 surnames in use on the island today, they are descended from a later immigrant to the island, not from the young horticulturalist turned mutineer

BURKITT, Thomas (AB - age 25)

He was 5 feet 9 inches tall, with fair complexion, brown hair, well made, very tattooed. His face was severely pitted by smallpox, and was said to be a menacing looking man. One of the most active mutineers, he was on the forward watch at the time of the mutiny, and was one of the group who confronted Bligh in his cabin.

 Matavai Bay, at a place called Papara, where he is said to have fathered a son. He was tried, convicted, and hanged aboard the 'Brunswick'.

A fair-haired, amiable young Irishman who was nearly blind, he was 5 feet 6 inches tall, fair complexion, short fair hair, and slender made. Finding fiddlers willing to go on such a long voyage was difficult, which accounts for Bligh's willingness to accept him on board.

He took no active part in the mutiny, and was told to keep aside by the mutineers to avoid injury. He was very anxious to go with Bligh in the Launch, but not permitted to do so by the Mutineers as 'they would not do without their fiddler'. He was one of those who chose to stay on Tahiti. He took up residence in Oparra with the chief of that district. Byrne was very much handicapped by his blindness, and suffered from the nervous fear that his companions would abandon him, and that he would be left alone to find his way about.

When the 'Pandora' arrived, its coming was announced by the Tahitians long before it made port. Captain Edwards sent two armed boats to round up the mutineers, but most had escaped in Morrison's schooner, the 'Resolution'. Byrne refused to run from the 'Pandora', despite his long-standing fear of abandonment. He met Edward's boats as they arrived, and despite his protests of innocence, was immediately placed in irons. He survived the sinking of the Pandora, was returned to England, and was acquitted.

Christian was descended from a very prominant family. He was born at the farmstead of Moorland Close on 25 Sep 1764, and was carried over the hill to nearby Brigham church for baptism the same day. Not far from Cumbria's Lake district, Moorland Close sits on the summit of a gentle hill that slopes down to the river Derwent and the town of Cockermouth. Moorland Close was inherited from the family of Christian's mother.

The family had control of several other properties. Christian's father was born and raised at Ewanrigg in Cumberland, and his mother's mother, Mary Fletcher, was raised at Cockermouth Hall. The ancestral properties also included lands at Douglas on the Isle of Man, and it was this connection that suggests that Christian was a Manxman.

According to Bligh, Christian was 5 feet 9 inches tall, with very dark-brown complexion, dark-brown hair, strong-made, bowlegged, of a nervous disposition, and subject to violent sweating. He had a star tattooed on his left breast. He has been described as having a pleasing countenance and was a commanding figure. No picture of him exists. The above rendition is an artist's conception.

He was distantly related to William Wordsworth. A schoolmate, the local poet Isaac Wilkinson, described him as 'mild, generous, open, humane, sincere, and quick of spirit'. In general, even his detractors admit that he had a likeable personality.

The fortunes of his family, unfortunately, suffered serious reversal. His father died, and his mother was soon on the edge of bankruptcy, with Moorland Close about the be foreclosed. Christian, at an age where he welcomed adventure, went to sea at 18, signing as ship's boy the 'Cambridge', on which Bligh was 6th Lieutenant. He later took two trips with Bligh to Jamaica on the 'Britannia'.

It is interesting to compare the opinions of the way he was treated. Bligh felt that all his attempts to prepare the young man for eventual command were rejected. The crew, especially among the older officers and petty officers, felt that Bligh gave him too much special treatment. Christian himself felt more severely put upon by his commander than he had apparently ever felt in the past.

His conduct, especially after the mutiny, indicate that he was thin-skinned, mercurial, and emotional. Here was a man who felt he had ability, but any criticism made him question his own worth. Did he feel insecure among the older officers, being treated by a commander not too much his senior as a youngster? Would he have fared better with a stronger commander who might have forced him to sink or swim? We will never know.

There is little doubt that his feeling for Maimiti, in large part, convinced him to take the ship. They were, unquestionably, the most monogamous couple on Pitcairn. His 'English' name for her, Isabella', reflected his feelings for his cousin, Isabella Curwen. Had circumstances been different, one might have expected him to jump ship, which indeed he contemplated at one point, and make his life alone in the south seas. He was not a man who craved company, a loner who could have been a successful island entrepreneur. As it was, fate was not his ally.

CHURCHILL, Charles (Corporal - age 28)

Churchill, the Bounty corporal, was a very large, burly, bullying man, about 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a fair complexion. His short light-brown hair was bald at the top. He was heavily tattooed in several places of his body, legs and arms. His hands were severely scarred from scalding.

One of those who deserted the Bounty on 5 Jan 1789, only to be recaptured on 22 Jan 1789. He received 12 lashes, half as many as his two co-conspirators, to some degree due to the fact that he was normally the person who administered punishment on board, a thankless job that required the continuing respect of the crew if violence against him was to be avoided.

He took an active part in the mutiny, and was among the party the confronted Bligh in his cabin. Afterwards, he was placed in charge of the arms chest, upon which he made his bed.

He favored settling on Tahiti after the mutiny, where he was prepared to settle down with one of the Tahitian women. He moved in with Skinner and his wife, who were living with Skinner's father-in-law at Matavai. A few months later, Churchill, Thompson, and another Tahitian refugee, John Brown of the 'Mercury', settled down in their own place.

Churchill's relationship with the Tahitians was unusual. He was, by strength if not by acclamation, the principal leader of the mutineers on Tahiti, and as such, automatically merited the respect of the Tahitian community. Churchill struck up a close friendship with Natapua, a young fellow and heir apparent in the upper district of Taiarapu. Natapua became principal chief in 1789 upon the death of his elder brother, but he himself died the following year without issue, and Churchill, his 'teio', succeeded to the office, becoming the first white chief on the island. He also inherited his friend's estates.

The story of his death is disputed among various authors. It appears to have be the final result of a number of factors. Thompson had gotten into some serious difficulty with an important Tahitian family, and had killed two people and injured another with a musket. When confronted by Churchill, apparently a violent argument broke out between the two men revolving around an earlier incident where Churchill had arranged the theft of all the muskets on Tahiti. Thompson turned the musket on Churchill, killing him instantly

COLE, William (Boatswain)

Apparently, like Master Fryer, Bligh was singularly unimpressed with Cole's ability. Bligh relates in his logbook, 'If I had any officers to supercede the Master and Boatswain, or was capable of doing without them, considering them as common seamen, they should no longer occupy their current stations. I trusted to their reports, yet [the] new sails never were brought out, [nor] is it certain they have ever been out since we left England.' It is interesting, though, that this criticism did not appear later in Bligh's formal report, which probably indicates that it was written in a moment of pique, and may not have been substantiated by evidence.

He tried to dissuade Christian from continuing the mutiny, and, with Fryer, intervened later to try to convince Christian to simply arrest Bligh and return with him to England. When his pleas were rejected, it was Cole who pleaded with Christian to allow the refugees to use the Bounty Launch, rather than the Cutter, which had been Christian's first choice. The cutter, according to Cole, was in bad repair, the wood being seriously deteriorated.

One sarcastic comment reported in Morrison's journal seems to shed some light on Cole's attitude. Just before the Launch was set off, Morrison, Cole's mate, appealed to his superior that he was remaining on the Bounty only because it would not be fair to his family for him to risk the heavy danger of the Launch voyage. Cole's retort, 'God bless you, my boy. If it were not for MY wife and family, I would stay myself!'

During the voyage of the Launch, he appears to have sided with Bligh in the disputes with Fryer. On one occasion, Tinkler behaved in a 'saucy and impertinent' manner toward Cole, and received a dressing down for it. Fryer urged his brother-in-law to 'stick a knife in him (Cole)'.

During the trial, Cole remained loyal to his former mate, and, along with Fryer, presented much testimony in Morrison's behalf, and was probably responsible for Morrison's eventual pardon.

COLEMAN, Joseph (Armourer - age 36)

The Bounty armourer, also known as 'Josiah', Coleman was 5 feet 6 inches tall, with fair complexion, gray hair, strong made, and had a heart tattooed on one of his arms. His was truly a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was a highly experienced naval veteran, the equivalent of a high-level petty officer, with a spotless military and personal record. From what little is know of him, it appears that he was a true 'straight arrow'.

He took no active part in the mutiny, but was ordered to remain on the Bounty due to the need for carpenters and armorers. Choosing to remain on Tahiti in the hope of rescue and return to England, he moved in with a group of Tahitians at Matavai Bay.

He was one of the four mutineers who voluntarily came on board the 'Pandora' immediately after it docked to report the mutiny to Capt. Edwards. To their somewhat naive surprise, they were immediately placed in irons. However, along with Coleman and Norman, he was soon released and put to work on board the ship, manning the pumps. Upon his return to England, he was tried and acquitted.

ELLISON, Thomas (AB - age 17)

Ellison was the 'youngster' of the crew (other than the midshipmen), signing on as an able seaman at the age of 17 (he stated he was 18, the minimum enlistment age for AB's). He was a stocky little fellow, only 5 feet 3 inches tall, with a fair complexion and dark hair. He had his name tattooed on his right arm, and dated 'Oct. 25, 1788'. Ellison served with Bligh aboard the 'Britannia'. He was a protege of Duncan Campbell, and Bligh had recorded that he was becoming a good seaman.

During the mutiny, confused, he had unsuccessfully sought the council of others, and finally joined the mutiny enthusiastically. He served as Christian's servant after the mutiny, until their arrival at Tahiti. He chose to stay on Tahiti when Christian decided to sail east.

When the 'Pandora' arrived, he was encouraged to surrender without a fight by his much older comrades, probably suspecting that his age at the time of the mutiny would work in his favor. After his capture, while sailing aboard the 'Pandora', he joined with Morrison, the inveterate activist, in protesting the conditions under which the prisoners were being kept. The two men were tied down and not allowed to move, or to speak with the other prisoners until they arrived at Coupang 4 days later.

In his appeal to the court, Ellison made the following plea: 'This...is the real truth of all I know about this unhappy affair and I hope your honour will take my inexperienced youth into consideration, as I never did or meant any harm to anyone, much more to my Commander to whose care I was recommended...(he) took great pains with me and spoke to Mr. Samuel, his clerk, to teach me writing and arithmetic and I believe would have taught me further had not this happened. I must have been very ungrateful if I had in any respect assisted in this unhappy affair against my Commander and benefactor, so I hope, honorable gentlemen, you'll be so kind to take my case into consideration as I was no more than between 16 and 17 years of age when this was done.'

What unquestionably led to his conviction and execution was his childish mocking of Bligh after the mutiny was underway. Here was a youngster caught up in the excitement of the moment, and involved with men twice his age. This is not to say that he was a blameless child. He no doubt came from the same rough circumstances as did his fellow crewmembers, but indeed, the tragedy is that he was convicted due to his failure to exercise good judgement, when many mutineers were acquitted or pardoned after taking a much more active part in the mutiny

ELPHINSTONE, William (Master's Mate - age 36)

Although we don't know his origins, the name Elphinstone is known as an Orkney Island name, and this may well be underlined by his apparent friendship with Peter Linklater, the Quartermaster, with whom he signed on board the Bounty on 29 Aug 1787.

At 36, he was not in the best of health. As first mate, he had pretty much resigned himself to the fact that he would never advance to higher rank.

At the time of the breakout of the mutiny, he was immediately secured in his hammock, and not released until he was ushered to the Launch. During the voyage of the Launch, he sided with Fryer in his disputes with Bligh.

Bligh insisted that Elphinstone was in good health when Bligh left Batavia, however within a fortnight, he and Linkletter had both die

FRYER, John (Master - age 33)

As one of the most experienced men on the Bounty, he was constantly quarreling with Bligh's decisions, ability, and Bligh's favored treatment of Christian. He was himself, however, considered a rather weak master and leader by the crew. There is, however, no question as to his skill as a navIgator.

His actions during the mutiny, in the opinion of Bligh, were not sufficiently strong in defence of his Captain and his ship. His cabin was located directly across from Bligh's stateroom. At the time the mutineers broke into Bligh's room in order to arrest him and take him on deck, Bligh recorded that '...he saw them in my cabin, for our eyes met each other through his door window, and he had a pair of ship's pistols loaded, and ammunition in his cabin. A firm resolution might have made good use of them.' Fryer's response was that 'he could find no body to act with ... that as to the pistols, he was so flurried and surprised that he did not recollect he had them.'

Even though he was refused a reference by Bligh, he went on to rise to the top of his specialty, navigation, later to the rank of Post Captain where he commanded several ships. He retired on 6 Apr 1812. His service record is as follows:

• 20 Jan 1781 Master: HMS Camel
• 07 Dec 1787 Master: HMS Bounty
• 1790 Master: HMS Thunderer
• 09 Jan 1793 Master: HMS Inconstant
• 26 Jul 1795 Master: HMS St. George
• 17 Jan 1796 Master: HMS Britannia
• 1798 Superintendent of First Rate Division, Portsmouth
• 03 Nov 1800 Master: HMS Royal George
• 1801 Commander: HMS Serrapis (storeship)
• 1804 Commander: HMS William (storeship)
• 1806 Commander: HMS Abundance (storeship)

John Fryer's Grave at Wells, Norfolk -

HALL, Thomas (Cook - age 38)

Thomas Hall was the cook aboard the ill-fated H.M.S. Bounty when it sailed on 28 Nov 1787 from Portsmouth Harbor, in England, en route to Tahiti and it's unique historical notoriety. He is one of the least known members of the crew, and the only crewmember who does not appear on the Bounty's published complement (crew listing). Unlike so many of his crewmates, Hall was not physically described by Lieutenant Bligh, nor does he appear to have gotten into any trouble with his Commander on the voyage.

The quantity of food on the Bounty was one of the biggest bones of contention. A number of riots broke out as various crewmembers attempted to steal food from the galley. One one of the few occasions he is mentioned in any of the narratives, Hall had two ribs broken while defending his supplies from raiders.

He took no part whatsoever in the mutiny, which occurred on 28 Apr 1789, and sailed with Bligh in the Launch. During that voyage, he appears to have sided with Bligh in the constant bickering that went on between the commander and his sailing master, John Fryer.

Soon after the Launch successfully completed its historic voyage to Timor (13 Jun), he was taken ill with the flux. By the time the Launch reached Batavia (1 Oct), he was in very poor condition. Bligh obtained leave for him to be sent to the country hospital there. Nine days later, on 10 Oct 1789, Bligh received word that he had died.

HALLETT, John (Midshipman - age 15)

Recommended by Bligh's wife, he was the brother of a friend of hers from London. Like his friend and fellow midshipman, Hayward, Hallett was not popular with the crew of the Bounty nor its officers. He seems to have been of upper class background, and was not prepared for the rigors of naval life. Like Hayward, this seems to have been more a result of his youth than any inherent character defect.

Forced by Christian to go with Bligh, he had the navigation textbook in his pack which proved invaluable to the survival of the Launch. During the voyage of the Launch, he appears to have sided with Bligh in the disputes with Fryer.

Hallett, after his return to England, was promoted to Lieutenant, and was attached to the 'Pandora', along with Hayward, to assist in the search for his former crewmembers.

During the trials of the mutineers, Hallett proved to be a willing, if not particularly believable witness. His testimony, aimed at many, but especially damaging to Morrison, was seldom corroborated by the testimony of others. He and Hayward were virtually the only persons to testify against Heywood.

He was killed some years later in the sinking of the 'Penelope'.

HAYWARD, Thomas (Midshipman - age 20)

Nothing is known of Hayward's early life, or the lives of his 10 siblings, but the family probably had some means, and certainly a few connections. The eldest daughter, Ann, was a friend of Betsy Betham, who in 1781, married a young and quickly rising young Naval Lieutenant, William Bligh. It was at Betsy's suggestion, in the summer of 1787, that Bligh chose the 20-year-old Thomas to sail on his forthcoming scientific expedition to the South Pacific. That was on August 20th, and on the first of December, Thomas was named senior midshipman and third lieutenant of the H.M.S. Bounty.

Sadly, that was about the high point of the voyage for young Hayward. His performance aboard ship has been described as lackluster, and he was soon labeled as lazy. He was pointedly unpopular with crew and officers alike. It is likely that this was simply the behavior of a young man not quite ready for the responsibilities of command.

After the mutiny had occurred on 28 Apr 1789, Hayward was the first person ordered into the Launch by Christian, whom he had alienated on numerous occasions. Throughout the incident and during the voyage of the Launch, he remained thoroughly loyal to his commanding officer.

Hayward, after his return to England, was promoted to Lieutenant, and was attached to the HMS Pandora to assist in the search for his former crewmates. By this time, he was becoming a very skilled navigator, and was familiar with Tahitian waters. Indeed, he seems to have become the right hand man of Capt. Edwards, although he was not the ranking Lieutenant. Hayward's performance during the sinking of the HMS Pandora was level-headed and responsible. It was he and the sailing master who risked their own lives to save the instruments and charts that they would need to reach safety.

On the return voyage to England from Batavia, one incident sheds some little light on Hayward's character. A number of prisoners were being transported to England on board his ship. One of them, James Cox, either fell, jumped, or was pushed overboard. The master instinctively shouted orders to launch the boat, but Hayward is quoted as shouting, 'No No! Sail on! He may escape the gallows, but not the sharks!'

The Bounty and Pandora disasters behind him, Hayward continued his Naval career. Research by Peter Gill has uncovered the following listing of his assignments:

The Swift's last muster book entry is too faint to copy, and, in many cases, to read. But it appears to list Hayward as an officer. From the "Chronological Guide":

HILLBRANT, Henry (Cooper - age 24)

A stocky, fair-haired German who spoke English badly, the Bounty cooper was 5'7" tall, fair complexion, sandy hair, strong made. His left arm was notably shorter than the other, having been broken when he was quite young. He was tattooed in several places.

Hillbrant was one of the very first to run afoul of Captain Bligh, and in this case, contrary to most others, it might well not have been through any fault of his own. Hillbrant, as will be seen later, was a talkative person and very likely not able to keep secrets well. When the cheese rations were found to be short, it was Hillbrant, the cooper who had the responsibility for the barrels of provisions, who blurted out that he had seen Samuel, the clerk, take the cheeses from the barrels and, when questioned by Hillbrant, Samuel stated that he had been ordered by Bligh to take the cheeses to Bligh's home. I sincerely doubt that Hillbrant was trying to make Bligh angry when Bligh started ranting about the loss. I think that he was honestly (if naively) trying to remind the Captain of the circumstances that he saw. Bligh's response to him, threatening him if he should ever say that again, has been taken by Bligh as tacit admission of taking the cheeses, but does it seem rational that Bligh would take the risk of stealing ship's provisions from his own ship? He was well-off, and as a commander, he knew that short provisions would be the most likely source of trouble in mid-voyage. Could Bligh's response, alternatively, have been a reaction to Hillbrant's disclosure of Samuel's actions, which might well have been unauthorized ... was it to Samuel's home the cheeses were bound?? Samuel was, even by that early point, a lap-dog to the commander. Could Bligh have been reacting to just finding out that his pet clerk not only stole something, but blamed him in the process. He wouldn't likely have said anything to Samuel then, but I wonder what was said in private a bit later!

Preferring to remain on Tahiti than sail on with Christian, he settled in Oparra, near Matavai, with several of his fellow crewmembers, living as guests of the chief of that district. After his arrest, under severe questioning, he seems to have been the source of a great deal of Capt. Edward's information about the other mutineers, especially those with Christian and the ship. Because of the inaccuracy of the information, however, it is possible that Christian fed him with intentionally misleading information, knowing that he was likely to tell all under pressure. He was the only 'Pandora' prisoner who remained chained in the hold of the 'Pandora' when it went down.

According to Rawson in 'Pandora's Last Voyage', Hillbrant left a widow and children on Tahiti. There are, however, no records, and no memories remain.

HUGGAN, John (Surgeon)

Prior to the voyage, Bligh unsuccessfully tried to remove him from the roster describing him with 'his indolence and corpulency render him rather unfit for the voyage'. It was because of this that Bligh recruited Ledward, a man with at least as much medical training.

Huggan appears to have been a drunkard, although he was popular with the Tahitians. He was referred to as 'Old Bacchus' in the fictional 'Mutiny on the Bounty'. This use of a pseudonym, one of only two used in the book (the other being Heywood) leads to the supposition that his family was prominant and/or his earlier record was of a higher quality than Bligh seemed to indicate.

Bligh describes his last days. 'The surgeon had been a long time ill, the effect of intemperance and indolence. He had latterly scarce ever stirred out of his cabin, but was not thought to be in a dangerous state; nevertheless this evening (9 Dec 1788) he appeared to be so much worse than usual, that it was thought necessary to remove him to some place where he could have more air, but to no effect, for he died an hour afterwards. This unfortunate man drank very hard, and was so averse to exercise that he never could be prevailed on to take half a dozen turns upon deck at a time, the whole of the voyage.'

He was buried on Tahiti, with a great deal of native ceremony, so as to ward off spirits.

LAMB, Robert (Butcher - age 21)

Served with Bligh on the 'Britannia' as Chief Mate. His disillusionment with Bligh came at least in part from a flogging, in which he received 12 lashes for 'suffering his cleaver to be stolen'.

During the voyage of the Launch, he sided with Fryer in his disputes with Bligh. He was also the subject of an incident that occurred on 1 Jun 1789, according to Bligh's log. It was after 8:00 when the Launch stopped at the most southwesterly of the islands that Capt. Cook had named the 'Bird Islands'. Samuel, Peckover, and Lamb were sent to capture birds for the larder. After a few hours, they returned with only 12 noddys. It appears that Lamb separated himself from the other two, killed 9 birds eating them raw, and in the process setting the entire flock to flight. The noise also ruined chances that three others could sneak up on and capture turtles nearby. Bligh beat Lamb viciously for his selfish behavior.

In late 1789 or early 1790, Lamb boarded ship to return to England from Batavia, however, at some time during the voyage, he was stricken ill, and died before the ship arrived. He was buried at sea.

During the trials following the return of Bligh to England, a letter submitted in evidence by Bligh indicated Lamb's extreme discontent with Fletcher Christian, indeed he seems to have been, poshumously, the most outspoken witness against both Christian, and Bligh's special treatment of him. It must have embarrassed Bligh to use Lamb's letter in evidence, but it appeared to be necessary to establish Christian's state of mind.

The sailmaker was an older man, no doubt a senior veteran of the Royal Navy, and a native of either Canada or the USA, he had served with Bligh on the 'Britannia'. He remained quite friendly to him. During the voyage of the Launch, he appears to have sided with Bligh in the disputes with Fryer.

Many years after, he was encountered by a member of the Bligh family. When asked about the Bounty, his response was 'Damn me, I never think about the ship'.

LEDWARD, Thomas Denman (Surgeon's Mate)

Ledward was a student at St. Andrews University in Scotland during the 1782/83 session. While detailed class lists do not survive for these years, he did matriculate from the junior Greek class and other subjects were likely to have been junior Latin and junior Mathematics the normal subjects for first year pupils. His name was absent from subsequent years and the only other clue given by the University was that he paid his fees as a "seconder", that is, his father was likely to have been a professional (lawyer, doctor, or clergyman) or landed.

The Royal College of Surgeons indicates that Ledward was examined by the old Company of Surgeons on 4 Oct 1787, and as a result was qualified as Surgeon's First Mate to sail on a second class ship, which at that time would have carried about 90 guns and 680 men.

Described by Bligh as a 'passionate man but good-hearted', he was signed on because Bligh was unwilling to undertake such a long voyage with only one medical man on board. He was a well-educated man, well suited to have held the position of Ship's Surgeon himself, had Huggan not been previously appointed by the admiralty.

He took no part in the mutiny, and was confined early on below decks with the loyalist officers until being placed in the Launch. He appears to have had few if any disagreements with Bligh on either the Bounty or the voyage of the Launch, where he sided with Bligh in his disputes with Fryer. He was, therefore, notably incensed at the way Bligh treated him in Timor, as noted in letters.

In 1789 or early 1790, Ledward boarded the 'Welfare' for his passage back to England from Batavia. The ship never arrived, and was never heard from again, likely sinking somewhere in the Pacific...well, perhaps!!? There is a family living on present day Kauai, Hawaii, that believes, through oral history, that they are descendants of Ledward. Did he decide, like the mutineers, that his future was in the Pacific?

LINKLATER, Peter (Quartermaster - age 30)

Linklater signed on the H.M.S. Bounty as a Quartermaster on 29 Aug 1787, the same day as his crewmate, William Elphinstone, the Master's Mate. The name, Elphinstone, is also of Orkney origins, and the two men appear to have been friendly, and likely had served together before, perhaps on their last ship.

During the voyage of the Launch, he sided with Fryer in his disputes with Bligh. He apparently was uncooperative with Bligh on a number of occasions in matters of small importance.

Bligh insisted that Linkletter was in good health when Bligh left Batavia, however within a fortnight, he and Elphinstone had both died.

MARTIN, Isaac (AB - age 30)

He was 5 feet 11 inches tall, with a sallow complexion, short dark brown hair with a heavy full beard, rawboned, and tattooed with a star on his left breast.

Born in Philadelphia, he appears to have lived in Nantucket, RI. He appears to have been a sailor during the American Revolution and was perhaps one of the American sailors whose kidnapping by the manpower-starved  English Navy led to the War of 1812. On Oct 15, 1781, he was aboard the 'Jason', commanded by Capt. Charles Hamilton, which was captured by the 'Monsieur', a British ship. He was one of 76 crewmembers taken prisoner. He is still recorded as being a prisoner in Apr 1782. But in keeping with British policy, prisoners-of-war were granted pardons if they would enlist in the British military, and it appears that Martin ultimately took advantage of this policy. He was an experienced seaman prior to joining the crew of the Bounty in 1787.

While the Bounty was on Tahiti, Martin appears to have been overzealous in retrieving a piece of iron that had been stolen from him. Perhaps he knew full well the consequences of loss of Bounty implements. In any case, he struck the man he suspected of the theft. For this offense, he received 24 lashes, reduced to 19 on the plea of Tahitian friends.

Overhearing Christian approach Quintal about the mutiny, he though it a capital ideal and willingly assumed responsibility for raising a party. But his later actions, as reported by Bligh, seem to indicate that his heart was not in the action. Martin had been posted as Bligh's guard, and seemed to have an inclination to assist him in whatever way he could, including furnishing him a drink. But the other mutineers, noting their looks at one another, removed him from that duty. Martin then tried to leave the ship in a small boat, but yielded to the threats of the others to return. Perhaps he was counting more on a takeover of the ship by Christian, and an arrest of Bligh, with the ship returning to England.

On the sail from Tahiti to Pitcairn, Martin was coupled with Obuarei, but by the time the ship reached that lonely shore, his consort was Jenny., and it is with her he lived his short life on Pitcairn. They had no children.

McCOY, William (AB - age 25)

We know almost nothing of his early life, but he appears to have been an employee of a Scottish distillery at one point. He was 5 feet 6 inches tall, fair complexion, light brown hair with a heavy beard, strong-made, a scar where he had been stabbed in the belly, and a small scar under his chin. He was heavily tattooed all over his body.

McCoy was one of the last crewmen to sign on the Bounty. He and his friend, Quintal, enlisted together, and that may well have been a black day for the future of the ship. Quintal was truly the brutal bully, and McCoy was the provider of spirits.

His record on the Bounty was less controversial than most. The only incident in which he was involved may well give a better picture of this man. Bligh, in one of his frequent attacks of vocal frustration, was furiously upbraiding the whole crew for a number of failings. Suddenly he pointed a pistol at the head of McCoy and threatened to shoot him for not paying attention. Apparently even his involvement in the mutiny was peripheral, although there is no question of his willingness to throw his lot in with Christian.

On Pitcairn, McCoy lived monagamously and relatively quietly with his consort, Taio, given his lifetime association with Quintal, who tended to be a hot-tempered troublemaker. It was in 1796 that McCoy used the skills he learned as a youngster, and it was that contribution which, as much as anything, led to the early troubles of the Pitcairn colony. He was the first to distill liquor on Pitcairn, making it from the sweet syrup of the ti tree root. It was this skill that killed him, for in a fit of delirium tremens, he lept to his death from a cliff in 1798.

McINTOSH, Thomas (Carpenter's Crew - age 28)

He grew up in North Shields, Northumberland, where his mother operated a pub. He appears to have shipped under an assumed name. His real name was THOMAS TOSH, but also appears to have used the name McIntosh for some period before his enlistment. He was 5 feet 6 inches tall, fair complexion, light brown hair, slender made, pitted with smallpox, and tattooed.

Was ordered to remain on the Bounty due to the need for carpenters and armorers, even though he strongly expressed the desire to go with Bligh in the Launch. In a letter written to his mother in 1790, Bligh assures her that he had already recommended him for mercy in case they were captured and returned.

He was among those who opted to stay on Tahiti. Once there, however, contrary to the carrousing lifestyles of many, and yet lacking the desire to return to England of the others, McIntosh truly 'settled down', choosing Oparra, a region near Matavai Bay, where several of his fellow crewmembers were living as guests of a local chief. He had acquired a young Tahitian bride, and had fathered a son, born just before the arrival of the 'Pandora'. Up until that time, he had been living in an atmosphere that exceeded his wildest dreams. He was among those, therefore, who made a last hopeless attemnpt to evade capture. However his reasons, contrary to theirs, was not due to fear of conviction.

After his capture, he was placed in irons on board the 'Pandora', however, along with Coleman and Norman, he was soon released and put to work on board the ship, manning the pumps. Like them, he was tried and acquitted of the mutiny.

MILLS, John (Gunner's Mate - age 38)

A tall man (5 feet 10 inches), and the oldest of the mutineers, the Bounty Gunner's Mate had a fair complexion, light brown hair, was strong-made, and raw-boned. He had a scar on his right armpit due to an abcess. His early history suggests a sadistic bully-boy. On the 'Mediator', he was known to send midshipmen on fools' errands in order to steal their food.

Mills was indeed a mystery. His record on board the Bounty was exemplary. The only log record against him records his refusal to dance, which cost him his ration of grog. He was apparently a guard to the party that arrested Bligh during the mutiny. We will never know what possessed him to throw in his lot with the younger men, rather than remain with his contemporaries.

His daughter indicated that he was the Pitcairner who most grieved at the destruction of the Bounty, which had been their home for so long. Until that time, and even up to his death, he never quite gave up the hope that he would someday return to England, even if it had to be at the risk of his own life. Mills, of all the mutineers, can be said to have made a fatal, and perhaps very wrong, choice, a choice he lived to regret.

His short life on Pitcairn, however, was well above average. His family life with Prudence was respectful and happy. He was truly surprised when attacked by the Tahitian men, as he felt he had a good relationship with them.

He was 5 feet 5 inches tall, brown complexion, brown hair, strongly made, very much tattooed on various parts of his body. One of those who deserted on 5 Jan 1789, only to be recaptured on 22 Jan 1789 and flogged (48 lashes...in two installments). In contrast to most of the seamen among the Bounty crew, Millward was literate.

According to the testimony of both Hallet and Hayward, Millward was armed during the mutiny. Millward countered that a musket had been forced on him by Churchill, but Fryer, in deposed testimony, swore that Millward had cocked the musket at him while holding him prisoner.

One of the mutineers who chose to stay on Tahiti, Millward and Morrison moved in with Poeno, a chief of the Matavai district.

He was tried, convicted, and hanged aboard the 'Brunswick'. The evening before the execution, Millward took it upon himself to prepare himself and his crewmates for their deaths. He read 'Dodd's Sermon' to his fellow prisoners, and in such a manner as to convince an onlooker that an ordained chaplain was about his duties. It was also Millward, while standing on the cathead immediately prior to the execution who addressed the ship's company confessing the errors they had been guilty of, acknowledged the justice of their sentences, and warned them by his fate to shun similar paths. His speech was nervous, strong, and eloquent, and delivered in an open and deliberative manner. (this comes from a letter written by an unidentified British officer that attended both trial and execution, the letter being published in 'Briscoe's Douglas Advertiser', 19 Feb 1793).

MORRISON, James (Boatswain's Mate - age 27)

He was 5 feet 8 inches tall, with sallow complexion, long black hair, and a slender build. He had lost the upper joint of the forefinger of the right hand. He was tattooed with a star on his left breast, and a garter round his left leg with the motto 'Honi soit qui mal y pense'. One of his arms was badly scarred from a musket ball.

He had joined the navy at the age of 17 as a midshipman, was a qualified Master Gunner (and had indeed served as gunner on the Blenheim, a much larger vessel, and on which he was later to serve and die), and had passed an examination in elementary navigation, so he was better qualified than his lowly station of bo'sun's mate might indicate. An educated man, he was the author of a diary which became a definitive chronicle of the voyage. It shed a great deal of light on the personalities of the crew.

Indeed, Morrison may very well have sought appointment on the prestigious scientific Bounty voyage, and was willing to serve in any capacity in order to go along. The gunner's position had been filled a month before, and he missed his chance at the gunner's mate position by two days. Morrison appears to have been a lifelong writer, and it is likely that he planned to chronicle the Bounty voyage. He was very even-handed in his accounts, more so than might be expected given the circumstances and the privations to which he was exposed. He was loyal to Bligh when describing the mutiny, indicating that even his loyalist officers could have quelled the mutiny had they but tried.

And again, in writing about the voyage of the 'Rembang' conveying the survivors of the 'Pandora' from Coupang to Batavia, he had praise for Capt. Edwards, noting that had he not taken charge of that 'badly found and worse managed' ship, it would have never reached port.

He seems to have been a man of a most unconventional personality. He was a would-be reformer and outspoken critic of the Establishment. Yet, he chose the motto and symbol of the conservative Most Noble Order of the Garter with which to be tattooed. However, he appears to have been a radical indeed, in much the same way as his crewmate, Purcell. On the Bounty, the Pandora, and on other vessels, he was the first to stand up for his rights, and the rights of his crew, a shop-steward before the days of unions and a man before his time. Indeed, had he been born into the intellectual radicalism of the American 1960's, he would have fit in.

Interestingly enough, he was more than a little involved in the mutiny, acting as boatswain for the mutineers. But in many ways, he seems to have seen himself as the chronicler of a historical event, forgetting that he himself was part of it.

Choosing to remain on Tahiti, he and Millward moved in with Poeno, a close friend of his, and a chief of the Matavai district. His stay on Tahiti was certainly one of the more unusual. Through Poeno, he became a close advisor and 'taio' ('of equal authority') to Chief Matte (also known as Tinah and Ohoo) who was well on his way to becoming King Pomare the First, Sovereign of all Tahiti.

All the while, however, he not only documented his observations, and took an active and successful part in Tahitian society and politics, he was also preparing to take his circumstances into his own hands. In a considerable feat of naval architecture, he single-handedly designed and built, with the aid of the others, a 30-ton schooner, in which he intended, unbeknownst to the others, to sail to Batavia, and from there to England. Morrison felt that it would be unwise to let the others know of his plans, so he let everyone know that it was intended for excursions around the island and to neighboring Moorea.

The 'Resolution', as she was named, was launched on 1 Jul 1790. Morrison's plans, however, were to come to naught. Lack of proper canvas and cordage for sails, few if any navigational instruments, insufficient casks for water storage, and his limited knowledge of navigation convinced him, and others who had by then been taken into his confidence, that the attempt to escape to Batavia was impractical at best.

After his return to England, he was tried, and found guilty by the court, but with the highest recommendation of mercy. He immediately returned to active duty as a Warrant Officer, and served during the heroic period of St. Vincent, the Nile, Copenhagen, and Trafalgar.

His last ship was the 'Blenheim' flagship of Admiral Sir Thomas Troubridge on the East Indies station, based at Penang. He had served on the ship as a young gunner prior to his Bounty experience. When ordered to the Cape for duty, the ship was in no condition to sail. However, the Admiral was anxious to reach his new station, and, accompanied by the 'Harrier' commanded by the son of Admiral Troubridge, sailed from Penang in December of 1906 bound for the Cape via Madras. On 1 Feb 1807, in a frightful gale off the Madagascar coast, the old ship floundered with all hands, including Morrison, the Bounty's own intellectual protestor, serving conscientiously the Establishment he railed against.

MUSPRATT, William (Tailor - age 27)

The Bounty tailor was 5 feet 6 inches high, dark complexion, brown hair, slender made, with a very strong black beard and scars under his chin. He was tattooed in several places on his body. One of those who deserted on 5 Jan 1789, only to be recaptured on 22 Jan 1789 and flogged (48 lashes...in two installments). At the time of the mutiny, he was chopping wood in the fore scuttle. He was a rather dissolute womanizer and lazy in his duties, but had little stomach for the mutiny.

After the mutiny, Muspratt was one of the mutineers who insisted on returning to Tahiti. He, Sumner, and Burkitt settled on the western coast, south of Matavai Bay, at a place called Papara. Later, he settled in Oparra, near Matavai, with several of his fellow crewmembers, living as guests of the chief of that district.

After his return to England, Muspratt was court martialed for his part in the mutiny, and convicted. He was, however, defended by a skilled attorney, Stephen Barney, who succeeded in getting his client released on a legal technicality.

On 19 Aug 1793, he made and executed a will naming his brother, Joseph, as his executor. This will went through "limited probate" in Jan 1798, indicating that William was deceased, and had most recently been serving on the HMS Bellerophon.

NELSON, David (Botanist)

He was directly appointed by Sir Joseph Banks, having previously performed the same duties for Capt. Cook's third voyage, thus was well known by Bligh. He had been a Kew Gardens botanist. He was described by Capt. Clerke as 'one of the quietest fellows in nature'.

He actually designed and oversaw the conversion of the Bounty required to house the breadfruit through the weeks of transport. His earlier relationship (during the Cook voyage) with the Tahitians was the key to the Bounty's quick acceptance on their arrival.

He was equally respected and liked by all the crew and officers. The mutineers ordered him below so he would not become even peripherally involved. Despite the fact that he was no doubt one of the oldest men on the Bounty, he enthusiastically went about his duties with the vigor of a much younger man, constantly relishing the opportunity to study the native vegetation.

The voyage in the launch, however, was very hard on him. During the voyage of the Launch, he appears to have sided with Bligh in the disputes with Fryer. About a week before the landing on Timor, he was taken quite ill with 'a burning in the bowels, loss of sight, and inability to walk' which he attributed to eating poisonous berries that he could not identify.

He died on 20 Jul 1789, about five weeks after their arrival at Timor, of an inflammatory fever. In his log, Bligh wrote at the time of Nelson's death, 'The loss of this honest man bears very heavy on my mind, his duty and integrity went hand in hand, and he had accomplished through great care and diligence the object he was sent for, always forwarding every plan I had for the good of the service we were on. He was equally serviceable on the [Launch] voyage, in the course of which he always gave me pleasure by conducting himself with resolution and integrity.'

Nelson was buried the next day with full honors. The corpse was carried by 12 soldiers dressed in black, followed by the Governor, ten gentlemen of the town, the officers of all ships in Timor harbor, and finally by all Bounty crewmembers. He was interred behind the chapel in a burial-ground appropriated to the Europeans living on the island. No tombstone was available to be placed.

On a later voyage to Tasmania, in 1792, Bligh named a high spot as 'Nelson's Hill" as "he was the first white man on it'. This later became known as Mount Nelson, and is the present day location of Hobart University, a distinction that the old scientist would have very much appreciated.

A Bounty carpenter's mate, he was 5 feet 9 inches tall,with a fair complexion, light brown hair, was slender made, and pitted with the smallpox. He was one of the few crewmen who does not seem to have been tattooed. He was also described as having prominant, bulging eyes, and the most unusual range of motion in his neck, nearly 180 degrees, enabling him to literally look over his own shoulder!

He took no active part in the mutiny, and was ordered to remain on the Bounty due to the need for carpenters and armorers. He is the crewmember who noticed that the Bounty was being followed by a shark, and called Hayward's attention to it. Some authors have questioned whether this was an intentional attempt to distract the attention of the thoroughly loyalist Hayward while the mutineers talked among themselves. This is the minority opinion, however, and most feel that Hayward's distraction was simply the opportunity for the mutineers to talk.

Preferring to remain on Tahiti than sail on with Christian, he settled in Oparra, near Matavai, with several of his fellow crewmembers, living as guests of the chief of that district.

After his capture, he was placed in irons on board the 'Pandora', however, along with Coleman and McIntosh, he was soon released and put to work on board the ship, manning the pumps. He was tried upon his return to England, and was acquitted.

John Norton, quartermaster aboard the ill-fated H.M.S. Bounty was an experienced seaman, and likely had spent 15 or 16 years in the British Royal Navy. He appears to have been unmarried, and was sole support of an aged parent. Physically, he is said to have been the heaviest and clumsiest man on the ship. We know that he had served with Lt. William Bligh, the Bounty commanding officer, as quartermaster on the H.M.S. Britannia.

On the 13th of October, 1787, Norton signed on as a member of the Bounty crew, the last of the petty officers to join the crew. This is interesting, as other crewmembers who had previously served with Bligh were among the earlier crewmembers to sign on. Whether this was due to any reluctance on Bligh's or Norton's part will never be known.

The big old, slow moving veteran was apparently quiet and well-behaved, and did not run afoul of his superiors as so many aboard the ship did. On the day of the mutiny, 28 Apr 1789, Norton was unquestionably loyal to Bligh, and was automatically assigned to sail with Bligh in the ship's Launch, although there was likely some comment about space when he stepped into the already overcrowded boat! His mates would have been less skeptical had they any idea of what would happen to them only a week or so later.

Desperate for provisions, though knowing full well the danger that faced Bligh's rag-tag refugees, the Launch put in at the island of Tofua, the home of a very violent and warlike people. Suspecting treachery at any moment, Bligh prepared the Launch for a quick escape at the first sign of danger. When the 200 Tofuans began a rock-throwing attack, the crew jumped aboard, but they had misjudged the vessel's draft. They were aground!

Lumbering Norton, without a moment's thought, threw himself into the water and physically wrestled the loaded Launch free from the bar. He succeeded, but not before being knocked unconscious by the stones being hurled at them. Before the crew could rescue him, he was set upon by an advance guard of natives, beaten to death with rocks, and stripped of his clothing and possessions.

Later, it was said by others in the Launch, in a moment of black humor, that John's death improved by the draft of the vessel and the level of provisions for the voyage. But he had died a hero, saving the lives of his fellows, and proving that bravery often comes from the least likely quarter when the need arises.

The Bounty Gunner and Senior Warrant Officer served on all of Capt. Cook's three voyages. He spoke perfect Tahitian, had an amazing understanding of the Tahitian mind and culture, and thus was placed in charge of all trading activities there.

During the mutiny, he was one of the officers to be confined early below deck. During the voyage of the Launch, he appears to have sided with Bligh in the disputes with Fryer. It was he that suggested that Bligh should head for Timor in the Launch.

He was one of the three crewmembers who put ashore on 1 Jun 1789 at the southernmost of what Capt. Cook called the "Bird Islands" to try to capture food, and during which search Lamb set the flock to flight.

In July of 1792, Commodore Pasley, seeking evidence in Heywood's favor, indicated that he was going to contact Peckover, who, at the time, was living in Woolwich. A map of Land Tax Records in 1785-89 shows that Peckover was living in Gun Alley, Wapping, East London.

His Naval record was as follows, serving as Gunner in all cases:

• 30 Oct 1780 - HMS Dictator
• 15 Jul 1782 - HMS Resistance
• 11 Jun 1784 - HMS Recovery
• 16 Dec 1784 - HMS Warspite
• 27 Jan 1785 - HMS Amphitrite
• 24 Aug 1787 - HMS Bounty
• 01 Dec 1790 - HMS Antelope
• 06 Jun 1791 - HMS Sultan
• 23 Jan 1792 - HMS Antelope
• 06 Feb 1792 - HMS Ocean
• 23 May 1798 - HMS Bedford
• 30 Aug 1798 - HMS Irresistible
• 14 May 1801 - HMS Gelykheid

William Purcell (Carpenter)

On 27 Aug 1787, William Purcell was signed aboard H.M.S. Bounty as Ship's carpenter, with the rank of Senior Warrant Officer. Although his age is not given, it is reasonable to assume that he was 35 or 40 years of age, and probably a veteran of 10 to 20 years in the Royal Navy.

Purcell was highly conscious of his special status due to his rank and skills which exempted him from flogging. An early unionist, he was quick to call his Captain's attention to his claimed exemption from ordinary duty, and his proprietary rights to his tools. As recorded in his log, Bligh's difficulties with Purcell began at a very early date.

On 26 Aug 1788, while in port in Tasmania, Purcell refused 'in a most insolent and reprehensible manner' to take part in certain general duties, like hoisting water into the hold. This was probably a sulk, as Purcell had been recently reprimanded for his conduct on a wood-gathering party. His conduct could have resulted in his arrest and confinement pending trial, but Bligh, not wishing to lose the services of an able crewman for the remainder of the long voyage, chose instead to sentence him to laborer's duties on the ship, a very demeaning assignment for his rank.

He apparently was able to convince his colleague, Senior Warrant Officer Fryer, the Ship's Master, who was in charge of the assigned duties, that Purcell's rank and need to attend to his carpentry would not permit his compliance. When Bligh heard of this, he carefully gathered statements and evidence from crewmembers to be used later to back charges against the carpenter. Bligh then confronted Purcell, indicating that 'until he should work as commanded, all provisions would be withheld.' Severe punishment would befall any crewmember who assisted him, and the log recalls that 'he was soon brought to his senses'.

Purcell seems to have been only the first to express the serious rift that was forming between Bligh and his senior staff, all highly experienced older men. Bligh's well-documented confrontations with Fryer seem to have begun at this point, and grew increasingly rancorous throughout the voyage.

In October of 1788, while in Tahiti, Purcell again outraged Bligh when he refused to cut a grindstone for Bligh's Tahitian host on the grounds that 'it will spoil my chisel. There is a law to take away my clothes, but there is none to take away my tools.' This got him a day of cabin arrest!

Just before the mutiny, which occurred the following April, Fletcher Christian approached Purcell complaining of Bligh's treatment of his officers. Purcell tried to calm him, saying that 'it is for a short time only', but this had little effect on the angry young Lieutenant. Despite his earlier run-in's with Bligh, when the mutiny actually took place, there was little question of Purcell joining the mutineers. The senior officers knew well the gravity of mutiny, and what fate would await them should they be apprehended. Likewise, the mutineers had little patience for this group of 'establishment figures' that had attempted to dissuade them from their course of action. Christian, therefore, chose to force Purcell's assistants, Norman and McIntosh, to remain with the Bounty to handle carpentry emergencies. Most of Purcell's tools were likewise confiscated.

Despite the privations and the difficulties of the voyage in the launch that carried Bligh and his loyalists to safety in Timor, constant bickering occurred as the refugees split into camps supporting Bligh or Fryer. Purcell, of course, was one of Fryer's strongest supporters. On the second leg of the voyage, from Timor to Surabaya in a larger vessel towing the launch, Fryer and Purcell were again in deep trouble that ended with Bligh arresting them at the point of a bayonet!

But Fryer got some measure of revenge by filing charges against Bligh before leaving Surabaya, and from this point forward, Bligh and Fryer were not on speaking terms. On the third leg, from Surabaya to Batavia, the three men shipped on separate vessels in the convoy, with Fryer and Purcell in irons. On Sept. 22nd, Fryer apologized in a way acceptable to Bligh and was released, but Purcell remained in irons until Oct. 1st when they reached their destination.

In England, when Bligh filed his reports and charges against his former crew, he chose not to charge Fryer. Purcell was charged on six counts, but the prosecution was unusually mild, and he was let off with only an official reprimand. This sea-lawyer and advocate of the unionism that was later to affect most marine shipping was the only Bounty loyalist against whom Bligh preferred charges.

His career in the Royal Navy likely continued for several more years. He died on 10 Mar 1834 at Haslar Hospital, on the Gosport side of Portsmouth harbor in England. Ironically, his room overlooked Spithead, from which the Bounty set sail 47 years earlier. He was the last known survivor of the ill-fated crew, having outlived the last of the mutineers by 5 years.

QUINTAL, Matthew (AB - age 21)

He was a strong, muscular Cornishman from Padstow, 5 feet 5 inches tall, with fair complexion, light brown hair, strong made, and heavily tattooed on his backside and elsewhere.

His mother died when he was young, and he lived with an uncle for two years. After two years at Plymouth with his father, he shipped aboard the sloop-of-war, 'Nymphas' as servant to his uncle, a gunner. After his uncle's death, he was appointed servant to the Captain of a man-o-war, serving three years. There is no question that he was one of the most violent crewmembers and Pitcairn residents. He had a permanent attachment to Tahiti, and had no particular interest in returning to England. Although it is interesting to note that he, more than any other Pitcairn mutineer, not only named his consort after his mother, but each of his children is named for a member of his family. Not the act of a man with no feelings for family.

On 10 Mar 1788, Quintal became the first person on board the Bounty to feel the lash. Upon complaint to Bligh by Fryer, he was given two dozen lashes for insolence and mutinous behavior. He was the first crewman approached by Christian concerning the mutiny. Initially he was frightened of the possible consequences, but after Martin overheard and agreed, he became an ardent supporter of Christian.

After the Pitcairn landing, he favored destroying the Bounty, and, while the others discussed it, he went below and set the ship on fire. Like McCoy, who appears to have been a friend of his prior to his time on the 'Bounty', the introduction of liquor on Pitcairn affected him badly.

As an instance of his ferocious nature, the story is handed down that one day his wife went fishing, and not succeeding in catching enough to satisfy Quintal, he flew into a rage abusing her unendingly, and finally bit off her ear. In 1799, in a drunken rage, he threatened to kill all of Christian's children unless he could take Isabella, his widow, as a wife. Adams and Young refused his demand, and realized that their lives and the lives of many other were in danger, and decided that something had to be done. They invited him to Adams' house, at which time he was set upon and overpowered by the two men. By means of a hatchet, the dreadful work of his execution was soon completed. The dreadful scene was eyewitnessed by 9-year-old Elizabeth Mills.

SAMUEL, John (Clerk - age 26)

Samuel's family seems likely to have been involved as ship's outfitters, which led to his career as a Naval clerk. He appears to have been a serious, somewhat humorless person, very dedicated to his profession as ship's clerk and bookkeeper. Bligh considered him incompetant early in the voyage but later came to value him as one of his most loyal supporters. His was one of the cabins placed under immediate guard at the start of the mutiny. He was one of the first to be ordered into the Launch by Christian, preceded only by Hayward and Hallett.

But all was not always necessarily rosy between Bligh and Samuel. When the cheese rations were found to be short, Hillbrant, the talkative cooper had blurted out that he had seen Samuel, the clerk, take the cheeses from the barrels and, when questioned by Hillbrant, Samuel stated that he had been ordered by Bligh to take the cheeses to Bligh's home. I sincerely doubt that Hillbrant was trying to make Bligh angry when Bligh started ranting about the loss. I think that he was honestly (if naively) trying to remind the Captain of the circumstances that he saw. Bligh's response to him, threatening him if he should ever say that again, has been taken by Bligh as tacit admission of taking the cheeses.

SIMPSON, George (Quartermaster's Mate - age 27)

Little is known of Simpson. He seems to have been a quiet, hardworking seaman, serving as Quartermaster's Mate, with no mention of disciplinary problems. He took no part in the mutiny, and during the voyage of the Launch, he sided with Fryer in his disputes with Bligh.

He apparently was not available to testify at Heywood's trial, and it was his and Tinkler's absence that formed an important part of Heywood's plea for clemency.

SKINNER, Richard (Barber - age 22)

He was 5 feet 8 inches tall, of fair complexion, and very well made. He had scars on both his ankles and on his right shin, and was very much tattooed.

He brought with him, from London, a painted head, such as hairdressers have in their shops to show the different fashions, it being maid with regular features and proper color. In Tahiti, Bligh had Skinner dress it, which he did with exceeding neatness, using a log and a quantity of cloth to devise a rudimentary body. Skinner and others than brought it up on deck, and it was introduced as an Englishwoman. Many of the polynesians thought it was living. One old woman ran up with many presents to lay at her feet, and discovered that it was a dummy. The people thought it a very funny joke, all but the old lady who took back her gifts and left in a huff.

His involvement in the mutiny was total. He was the man who attempted to shoot Bligh in the Launch. He was one of the four mutineers who voluntarily came on board the 'Pandora' immediately after it docked to report the mutiny to Capt. Edwards. To their somewhat naive surprise (considering his actions during the mutiny, he was naive indeed!), they were immediately placed in irons. Skinner, however, was considered a dangerous man, and was never released from handcuffs.

According to Rawson in 'Pandora's Last Voyage', Skinner left a widow and children on Tahiti. There are, however, no records, and no memories remain.

SMITH, John (Commander's Steward - age 36)

Truly the least known of the Bounty crew, somehow appropriate for a man with the name of 'John Smith', Smith was the Captain's steward, and served as the second cook on Board the Bounty. Fiercely loyal to his commander, he remained as Bligh's servant after reaching Timor after the voyage of the Launch. He returned to England with Bligh on the 'Vlydte', arriving 14 Mar 1790 in Portsmouth Harbour.

STEWART, George (Midshipman - age 21)

Stewart's father claimed descent from the half-brother of Queen Mary Stuart, to whom she gave possession of the Orkney & Shetland Islands. He (the father) was born and was living on his property on the Island of Ronaldshay (Orkneys), but finding that his family could not enjoy the benefits of being sent to school, moved thence to the town of Stromness where he built a house.

The port was much frequented by shipping, having a very commodious harbour, where homeward bound ships often ducked for shelter. Captain Cook, on his third voyage, was one of these, and it was at this time that Bligh became acquainted with the family. They had been especially kind to him.

George was 5 feet 7 inches tall, with 'good' complexion, dark hair, slender build, small face, and black eyes. He was tattooed on his left breast with a star, and on his left arm with a heart and darts.

He was personally recommended by Bligh for inclusion in the Bounty crew. Originally he was signed on as a midshipman, but after several young men of more distinguished families were recruited (Hayward, Hallett, and Heywood), he was reduced to AB. Even though he was demoted on paper, he continued to serve as a junior officer (a relatively common practice, and a way that less well-born youths could 'work' their way into the officer ranks...indeed, Bligh himself had taken that route!).

He was one of the four mutineers who voluntarily came on board the 'Pandora' immediately after it docked to report the mutiny to Capt. Edwards. To their somewhat naive surprise, they were immediately placed in irons. Surprisingly, Stewart was never released from his handcuffs, and indeed drowned in chains when the ship sank.

SUMNER, John (AB - age 22)

He was 5 feet 8 inches tall, with fair complexion, brown hair, a scar on his left cheek, and tattooed in several places. He was the last man to be flogged by Bligh before the mutiny (12 Apr 1787), 12 lashes for neglect of duty.

He was part of the original mutiny party, and was the person quoted as saying about Bligh, 'Put him in a boat and let the bugger see if he can live upon three fourths of a pound of yams a day.' He and Quintal were put in irons by Christian at Tahiti on 23 Jun 1789, when they went ashore without permission claiming to be their own masters.

After the mutiny, Sumner was one of the mutineers who insisted on returning to Tahiti. He, Burkitt, and Muspratt settled on the western coast, south of Matavai Bay, at a place called Papara. Because he was 'too anxious' to be released, his handcuffs were not released when the 'Pandora' was sinking. Instead, he was dragged out of the hold still bound, and indeed drowned with his handcuffs on.

According to Rawson in 'Pandora's Last Voyage', Sumner left a widow and children on Tahiti. There are, however, no records, and no memories remain.

THOMPSON, Matthew (AB - age 37)

Matthew Thompson was considered one of the most violent of the crew. He was 5'8" tall, with a very dark complexion, short black hair, slender build, and was tattooed in several places.

After the mutiny, in an attempt to heal the many rifts that had developed among the crew, Christian and Churchill drew up articles of forgiveness for all mutineers to sign (and thus dispell all grudges between themselves), Thompson was the only man to refuse to sign. He was one who wished to settle on Tahiti. He settled down with Churchill and John Brown, a Tahitian refugee from another ship, the 'Mercury'.

Thompson, likely while drunk, was accused of raping and beating a young girl who happened to belong to one of the leading families on the island. In revenge, her brother knocked him down and then fled. Thompson seems to have gone berserk, for his next action was to fire his musket, killing a man and his child, and breaking the jaw of a woman. When confronted by Churchill, a violent argument broke out between the two men revolving around an earlier incident where Churchill had arranged the theft of all the muskets on Tahiti. Thompson turned the musket on Churchill, killing him instantly.

A young man named Patirre, a close friend of Churchill and 'subject' of the white chief, was determined to be avenged on Thompson. Having got five or six more to join him, they went to Thompson's house, saluting him as Chief, and flattering him until Patirre could work his way between Thompson and his musket. Patirre then knocked him down, and the others whipped a short plank across his chest, placed men on either end, while Patirre ran for a large rock with which he bashed in Thompson's skull. The Tahitians then cut off his head and buried the body.

TINKLER, Robert (Midshipman - age 15)

Recommended by Fryer, who was his brother-in-law. Serving as a supernumerary midshipman, he was referred to on the log as 'a boy', although he was addressed by all as Mr. Tinkler.

During the voyage of the Launch, he strongly sided with Fryer in his disputes with Bligh. On one occasion, Tinkler behaved in a 'saucy and impertinent' manner toward Cole, and received a dressing down for it. Fryer urged his brother-in-law to 'stick a knife in him (Cole)'. When Bligh heard about this, he threatened dire consequences to both Fryer and Tinkler if any harm should come to Cole.

He was not called as a witness in the mutineers' trial, probably due to his absence from England at the time.

He was promoted to Lieutenant on the 'Isis' on which ship he fought at Copenhagen in 1801, and later rose to the rank of Post-Captain and Commander.

Originally a very healthy, strong man with a large frame, he was taken ill while the Bounty was at Adventure Bay, and was bled in the arm by Huggan. The arm was looked after carelessly by him and the surgeon, and infection set in. Shortness of breath followed, and he likely died of pulmonary embolism, well before the mutiny occurred. He was not mentioned in the fictional 'Mutiny on the Bounty'.

A native of Stepney, a neighborhood of St. Peter Port on the Isle of Guernsey in the English Channel, Williams was the illegitimate son of a Jersey Island 'port follower'. He spoke French as easily as his accented English. A slim, dark man, 5'5" tall, black hair and beard, with a noticeable scar on the back part of his head.

He was the subject of the lightest reported punishment with the cat, 'six lashes for neglect of duty in heaving the lead' at Capetown. He was the man who bolstered the crew's resistance in the matter of the missing cheeses, reporting that he carried them to Bligh's house.

He became both Pitcairn's blacksmith and sawmill operator. He was the nearest thing the Bounty crew had to a skilled mechanic, and was admired for his skill. After his wife, Faahotu, was killed in a fall off a cliff, he was a lonely figure, isolated himself with his forge making the tools the colony needed. His enforced bachelorhood led him to severe depression, and in 1792, he announced that he was taking the cutter and leaving Pitcairn. In order to dissuade him, he was allowed to take Nancy, one of the two women who were being shared by the six Tahitian men. This ultimately led to the killings of the five crewmen.

YOUNG, Edward (Midshipman - age 21)

According to information in the Manx Museum, 'Ned' Young was likely born at St. Kitts in the West Indies of an English father and a West Indian mother, and may have spent at least a few years of his life in Peel, on the Isle of Man. He is said to have been a nephew of Sir George Young, but the official records of the Young family do not support this. Because of his involvement in the mutiny, however, he could have been disowned by the family, and 'purged' from the family records.

What did Ned Young look like? Soon after the Bounty sailed, Bligh described him as 'well-educated, well-recommended, the look of an able, stout seaman ... however, he seems frequently to fall short of what his appearances promise.' After the mutiny, Bligh described him as being 'of a dark complexion with rather a bad look'. He had lost several front teeth, and those that remained were all rotten. He was 5 feet tall (the smallest Bounty crewman), but very strong. He was tattooed with a heart pierced by a dart, and 'E.Y.'.

He was Christian's best friend on the Bounty, and his first co-conspirator, however that friendship fell apart after the mutiny. On Pitcairn, he formed a close friendship with Adams, with whom he lived as neighbor, sharing possessions and women between themselves. They had also the most even-handed attitude toward the Tahitian men.

There is some suspicion that he knew of, and perhaps encouraged, the Tahitian men to kill the white men. This suspicion is due to an overheard comment that 'Adams was to be spared'. He also took upon himself the responsibility of executing Quintal.

Some historians and authors feel that his character might well have been misjudged by history. He was well-educated, and gracious in manner, but his gentle exterior may have hidden a Machiavellian streak. Some go so far as to suggest that Young was the 'brains behind the mutiny', suggesting the idea and urging Christian to action.

Despite his appearance, was the most popular man with the Tahitian women, perhaps due as much to his half-caste ancestry as to his courtly manners. The strongest supporter among the mutineers of the Tahitian polygamous lifestyle, he seems to have had relationships with many of the women, although it was young Doubit (later called Susannah by Quintal) that was accepted as his consort.

He died of asthma, a disease from which he suffered for many years. His lasting legacy on Pitcairn, other than his discendants, was that he educated Adams, thus enabling basic literacy among the Pitcairners during their early years.

-from Lareau

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