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Revised May 12 2021

Chronology of Bounty Mutiny Story


DateEventWhereNotes
May 5, 1787Lord Sydney writes AdmiraltyLondonRegarding Breadfruit Mission
May 9, 1787Admiralty instructs Navy BoardLondonTo purchase suitable vessel.
May 26, 1787Bethia purchased for £1950Wapping Old StairsMoved to Deptford Yard
Jun 8, 1787Bethia becomes BountyDeptfordRegistered on list of Royal Navy Ships
Aug 16,1787Bligh appointed to command BountyLondon
Aug 30, 1787Admiralty orders masts and yards cut downDeptfordIn accordance with Bligh's request.
Oct 15, 1787Bounty ordered to proceed to Spithead
Nov 4, 1787Bounty arrives SpitheadSpitheadDelay caused by bad weather.
Nov 24, 1787Bligh receives final orders from Lord HoodSpithead
Nov 28, 1787Crew receives 2 months paySpitheadDeparture delayed by bad weather.
Dec 23, 1787Bounty departs from EnglandSpithead
Jan  5, 1788Bounty arrives at Canary Is.Teneriffe Resupply.
Jan 10, 1788Bounty departs Canary Is.Teneriffe
Feb  7, 1788Bounty crosses the lineEquator
Mar  2, 1788Fletcher Christian promoted to LTAt sea. Bligh had already given the third watch to Christian.
Mar 10, 1788Matthew Quintal-24 lashesAt sea. Insolence/contempt to Fryer.
Mar 23, 1788First sighting Tierra del FuegoAt sea
Mar 24, 1788Begin attempt to round Cape HornCape Horn
Apr  9, 1788Reach westernmost pointCape HornAfterwards driven back.
Apr 22, 1788Bounty turns for AfricaCape HornBligh thanks crew.
May 24, 1788Anchor Simon's Bay
John Williams-6 lashes
Cape of Good Hope Resupply.
Neglect in heaving the lead.
Jul  1, 1788Bounty departs Simon's BayCape of Good Hope Resupplied.
Aug 21, 1788Bounty arrives Adventure BayTasmaniaWooding, watering & plank resupply
Sep  4, 1788Bounty departs Adventure BayTasmania Resupplied.
Oct  9, 1788James Valentine diesAt sea. Of asthma  complaint..
Oct 19, 1788W. Brown, J. Mills grog stoppedAt sea. Refusing to dance/exercise.
Oct 26, 1788Bounty anchors outer part of Matavai Bay Tahiti
Oct 27, 1788Bounty reanchored quarter-mile off-shore Tahiti Matavai Bay
Nov  2, 1788Breadfruit tent/shore party setupTahiti9 Bounty crew to collect plants
Nov  4, 1788A. Smith-12 lashesTahitiGudgeon stolen under his watch
Dec  5, 1788William Purcell refuses order
Matthew Thompson-12 lashes
TahitiConfined
Insolence, disobey orders.
Dec 10, 1788Bounty Surgeon John Huggan died
Thomas Ledward appointed Surgeon
Tahitialcohol poisoning
Dec 27, 1788Wm. Muspratt-12 lashesTahiti Neglect of duty.
Dec 29, 1788R. Lamb-12 lashesTahiti Neglect of duty-cleaver stolen.
Jan  5, 17893 Bounty men deserted in the cutterTahitiChurchill, Muspratt, Millward
Jan  6, 1789Hayward confined in ironsTahiti Had watch when 3 deserted.
Jan 17, 1789Bounty sails found mildewed/rottedTahiti New sails in storage.
Jan 23, 1789 Deserters apprehendedTahiti With help from Tahitians.
Jan 24, 17893 Bounty deserters punishedTahitiChurchill 12 lashes
Muspratt 24
Millward 24
Jan 30, 1789Isaac Martin-19 lashesTahiti For striking Tahitian.
Feb  4, 17892nd flogging for 3 desertersTahitiChurchill 12 lashes
Muspratt 24
Millward 24
Feb  4, 1789Released from ironsTahitiChurchill, Millward, Muspratt, & Hayward
Feb  6, 1789Bounty anchor line cutTahiti Culprit not determined at the time.
Mar  2, 1789Tahitian man flogged on BountyTahiti Stealing Peckover's bedding.
Mar 31, 1789Breadfruit collection completedTahiti Loaded onboard Bounty.
Apr  4, 1789Bounty departs TahitiTahiti1015 breadfruit plants
Apr 12, 1789J. Sumner 12 LashesWhytootackeeNeglect of duty
Apr 22, 1789Bounty anchors at NomukaFriendly Is. For water-natives a problem.
Apr 26, 1789Bounty departs NomukaFriendly Is.Bligh angry.
Apr 28, 1789Mutiny on the BountyAt sea, near Tofoa
Apr 29, 1789Bligh-launch to shoreTofoa23' launch-19 men
May  2, 1789John Norton died
Bligh-launch depart Tofoa
Tofoa Killed by natives.
Start of boat voyage.
May 28, 1789Bligh-launch arrive Restoration Is.
Bounty arrives Tubuai
New Holland
Tubuai

At anchor to explore island.
May 30, 1789Bligh-launch depart Restoration Is.New Holland
May 31, 1789Bligh-launch on Sunday Island
Bounty sets sail
New Holland
Tubuai
confrontation w/Purcell
returning to Tahiti for supplies
Jun  6, 1789Bounty arrives TahitiTahiticoncoct story for Tahitians
Jun 14, 1789Bligh-launch arrive TimorCoupang3618 miles
Jun 16, 1789Bounty departs TahitiMatavai Bay
Jun 23, 1789Bounty arrives TubuaiTubuaito set up colony
Jul   1, 1789Bligh buys ResourceCoupang34 foot schooner for 1000 Rix-dollars
Jul 20, 1789David Nelson diedCoupangBotanist on Bounty
Aug 9, 1789HMS Mercury passesTubuaiFires guns, but does not land
Aug 13, 1789HMS Mercury landsTahitiIn Matavai Bay
Aug 15, 1789Brown (alias Bound) cuts messmateTahitiImmediately put in irons
Aug 20, 1789Bligh & 17 men sail for BataviaCoupangOn schooner Resource
Aug 23, 1789Brown (alias Bound) leaves MercuryTahitiGoes ashore at his own request
Sep 2, 1789HMS Mercury departsTahiti 
Sep 12, 1789Bounty departs TubuaiTubuaito Tahiti-failed colony
Sep 23, 1789Bounty departs Tahiti w/9 MutineersTahitilast time in Tahiti
16 stayed
Oct  1, 1789Bligh-crew arrive in BataviaBataviain schooner Resource
Oct 10, 1789Resource and launch sold
Thomas Hall died
Batavia
AB/Cook
Oct 16, 1789Bligh departs in VlydtBataviawith John Samuel & John Smith
Oct 1789William Elphinstone diedBataviamaster's mate
Oct 1789Peter Linkletter diedBataviaquartermaster
Oct 26, 1789VOC Sparenrijk departsBataviaThomas Hayward, John Hallett
George Simpson, Lawrence Lebogue
Nov 12, 1789VOC Castor departsBataviaWilliam Cole
William Peckover
Nov 18, 1789VOC Rotterdam Welvaren departsBataviaLost at sea
Robert Lamb
Thomas Ledward see below
Dec 16, 1789Bligh arrives at Cape of Good HopeTable Bayin Dutch ship Vlydt
Jan  2, 1790Bligh departs Cape of Good HopeTable Bayin Vlydt w/ Samuel & Smith
Jan  2, 1790VOC Dordwijk departsBataviaJohn Fryer
William Purcell
Robert Tinkler
Jan  7, 1790VOC Sparenrijk arrivesCape of Good HopeThomas Hayward, John Hallett
George Simpson, Lawrence Lebogue
Jan 15, 1790Bounty arrives in PitcairnPitcairn Is.new settlement estab.
Jan 23, 1790Bounty is burnedPitcairn Is.now 'Bounty Day' on Pitcairn
Feb  2, 1790VOC Castor arrivesCape of Good HopeWilliam Cole
William Peckover
Feb 17, 1790VOC Sparenrijk departsCape of Good HopeThomas Hayward, John Hallett
George Simpson, Lawrence Lebogue
Feb 26, 1790VOC Castor departsCape of Good HopeWilliam Cole
William Peckover
Mar 14, 1790Bligh arrives in EnglandPortsmouthIsle of Wight boat from Vlydt
Mar 16, 1790Bligh formally reports Bounty mutinyLondonto the Admiralty
Apr  11, 1790Charles Churchill diedTahitimurdered by Matthew Thompson
Apr  13, 1790Matthew Thompson diedTahitimurdered by a Tahitian
May  5, 1790VOC Dordwijk arrivesCape of Good HopeJohn Fryer
William Purcell
Robert Tinkler
May 23, 1790VOC Sparenrijk arrivesAmsterdamThomas Hayward, John Hallett
George Simpson, Lawrence Lebogue
Jun 22, 1790VOC Castor arrivesTexel, HollandWilliam Cole
William Peckover
Jul  1, 1790Bligh book 'Narrative' is publishedLondonFirst of Bounty books
Aug  10, 1790Edwards appointedEnglandTo search for mutineers
Sep 25, 1790VOC Dordwijk arrivesGoeree, HollandJohn Fryer
William Purcell
Robert Tinkler
~Oct 2, 1790Prince of Orange arrivesHarwich, EnglandJohn Fryer
William Purcell
Robert Tinkler
Oct 22, 1790Bligh court-martialed for Bounty lossSpitheadexonerated-HMS Royal William
Nov  7, 1790HMS Pandora departs EnglandPortsmouthCapt Edward Edwards
Nov 14, 1790Bligh to HMS Falcon-CaptLondon14-gun sloop
1790Fahoutu fell collecting eggs & diedPitcairn Is.William's wife-first Pitcairn death
Oct  ?, 1790Thursday October Christian bornPitcairn Is.first born on Pitcairn
Mar  23, 1791HMS Pandora arrives in TahitiTahiti14 Bounty crew taken prisoner
May  8, 1791HMS Pandora departs from TahitiTahiti14 Bounty crew in cage
May  24, 1791Pandora's jolly boat lostPalmerston IslandMidshipman John Sival and 4 crewmen lost
June  22, 1791Pandora and Resolution/Matavy Tender
become separated
Upolu IslandAfter two day search, nine men given up for lost
Aug  3, 1791Providence/Assistant depart EnglandSpitheadSecond Breadfruit mission
Aug 29, 1791HMS Pandora wreckGreat Barrier Reef Henry Hillbrant died - Cooper
Richard Skinner died - AB
John Sumner died - AB
George Stewart died - AB/Midshipman
Sep 17, 1791Pandora boats arrive in TimorCoupang10 Bounty crewmen
1791Puarei/Obuarei diedPitcairn Is.Smith/Adams first wife-from Tahiti
Oct 6, 1791Edwards and survivors depart CoupangCoupangIn VOC Rembang
Oct 30, 1791Rembang reaches SamarangSamarang, JavaReunited with Resolution/Matavai Tender crew
Nov 7, 1791Rembang and Resolution/Matavai Tender arriveBatavia 
Nov 11, 1791VOC Zwaan departsBataviaPandora Lt. Larkan w/
2 petty officers
18 seamen
Dec 21, 1791VOC Horssen departsBataviaPandora Lt. Corner w/ Surgeon
3 midshipmen
14 seamen
Dec 21, 1791VOC Hoornweg departsBataviaPandora Lt. Hayward w/ Boatswain
Surgeon's Mate, 3 midshipmen
15 seamen
Dec 21, 1791VOC Vredenburg departsBataviaPandora Capt. Edwards w/ Master, Purser
Gunner, Clerk, 2 midshipmen
14 seamen, 10 Prisoners
Jan 25, 1792VOC Zwaan arrivesCape of Good HopePandora Lt. Larkan w/
2 petty officers
18 seamen
Feb 21, 1792VOC Zwaan departsCape of Good HopePandora Lt. Larkan w/
2 petty officers
18 seamen
Mar 18, 1792VOC Vredenburg arrivesCape of Good HopePandora Capt. Edwards w/ Master, Purser
Gunner, Clerk, 2 midshipmen
14 seamen, 10 Prisoners
Mar 19, 1792VOC Horssen arrivesCape of Good HopePandora Lt. Corner w/ Surgeon
3 midshipmen
14 seamen
Mar 31, 1792VOC Hoornweg arrivesCape of Good HopePandora Lt. Hayward w/ Boatswain
Surgeon's Mate, 3 midshipmen
15 seamen
Apr 5, 1792HMS Gorgon departsCape of Good HopePandora Capt. Edwards w/
10 prisoners
Apr 9, 1792Providence/Assistant arrive TahitiMatavai Bay 
Apr 11, 1792VOC Horssen departsCape of Good HopePandora Lt. Corner w/ Surgeon
3 midshipmen
14 seamen
Apr 11, 1792VOC Vredenburg departsCape of Good HopePandora Master Passmore w/ Purser
Gunner, Clerk, 2 midshipmen
14 seamen
May 21, 1792VOC Zwaan arrivesZeeland, HollandPandora Lt. Larkan w/
2 petty officers
18 seamen
Jun 18, 1792HMS Gorgon arrivesSpitheadPandora Capt. Edwards w/
10 prisoners
Jul 10, 1792VOC Vredenburg arrivesAmsterdamPandora Master Passmore w/ Purser
Gunner, Clerk, 2 midshipmen
14 seamen
Jul 12, 1792VOC Horssen arrivesDelft, HollandPandora Lt. Corner w/ Surgeon
3 midshipmen
14 seamen
Jul 19, 1792Providence/Assistant depart TahitiMatavai Bay 
Aug 14, 1792VOC Hoornweg arrivesRotterdamPandora Lt. Hayward w/ Boatswain
Surgeon's Mate, 3 midshipmen
15 seamen
Sep 12, 1792Court-Martial beginsHMS Duke, Portsmouth
Sep 18, 1792Court-Martial endsHMS Duke, Portsmouth
Oct 2, 1792Providence/Assistant wood & waterCoupang, Timor
Oct 27, 1792Heywood, Morrison, Muspratt releasedHMS Hector, Portsmouth
Oct 29, 1792Burkitt, Ellison, Millward hangedHMS Brunswick, Spithead
Dec 17, 1792Providence/Assistant wood & waterSt. Helena
1793Nancy given to WilliamPitcairn Is.start of rebellion
Feb 5, 1793Providence/Assistant arrive JamaicaPort Royal, JamaicaVoyage a success
Aug  1, 1793Talaloo/Tararo died-RaiateanPitcairn Is.killed by Menalee
Aug  2, 1793Providence/Assistant arrive EnglandThe Downs
Aug  2, 1793Oho/Uhuu died-TubuainPitcairn Is.killed by Menalee
Sep 20, 1793Massacre - died:
Fletcher Christian
William Brown
John Mills
Isaac Martin
John Williams
Pitcairn Is.killed by Tahitian men
b. England 1764 - 29
b. England 1762 - 31
b. Scotland 1750 - 43
b. Philadelphia 1758 - 35
b. England 1765 - 28
Sep 28, 1793Timoa/Teimau died-TahitianPitcairn Is.killed by Menalee
Oct  1, 1793Menalee/Minarii died-TahitianPitcairn Is.killed by McCoy
Oct  4, 1793Nehow/Nihau died
Tetaheite/Taromiva died-Tubuain
Pitcairn Is.killed by Young
killed by Susan
1798William McCoy diedPitcairn Is.suicide-drunk/b. 1763 Scotland
1798William Muspratt died-tailorEngland
1798John Hallett died-midshipmanAt sea.HMS Penelope sinking
Apr  ?, 1798Thomas Hayward died-midshipmanAt sea.HMS Swift sinking
1799Tevarua/Big Sully/Sarah diedPitcairn Is.Quintal consort
1799Matthew Quintal killedPitcairn Is.by Adams/Smith and Young/b. 1766
Dec 25, 1800Edward Young died-midshipmanPitcairn Is.of asthma/b. 1782 W.I.
Feb 1, 1807James Morrison died-masters mateAt sea.gunner, HMS Blenhiem
Feb  6, 1808Pircairn rediscoveredPitcairn Is.Capt Folger in American sealer Topaz

I have received the following from a claimed descendent of Thomas Ledward:

"Returned to England from Batavia and sailed with George Vancouver as ships surgeon. Banks letters referring to Thomas Ledward being replaced as surgeon on George Vancouver's voyage by Archibald Menzies the Naturalist due to Ledward's illness."

However, the reference he cites refers to 'Ledward, surgeon,' not 'Thomas Ledward,' as he states. There is a note in the Bounty's muster book, "17th Nov., 1789. Embarked on board the Rotterdam Welfare. Q. What became of him?" The VOC ship Rotterdam Welvaren departed Batavia on the 18th and never arrived at the Cape. This seems the most likely to have been the fate of both Ledward and Lamb. There are also, reportedly, people in Hawaii who claim to be descended from Mr. Ledward, although there is no evidence that he fathered any children while at Tahiti. Whatever the case, he disappears from the Bounty story.


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