Pitcairn's Island  Source  Whalesite

REVIEW OF THE MUTINY
ON BOARD THE BOUNTY.

      Few chronicles of the sea, recorded during our naval career, have created greater interest than that of the mutiny on board the Bounty, but the subject has been presented to naval readers in such different colours, that notwithstanding most accounts are substantially correct in result, the causes which have been assigned as productive of the criminal act are of very different natures. The information which the public possess of this lamentable occurrence is contained in a work entitled "Lieut. Bligh's Voyage to the South Seas in the years 1787, 1788, and 1789," and in a Memoir of the Services of Captain Peter Heywood, published in "Marshall's Naval Biography," but if either of these authorities is referred to alone, an exparte statement will be obtained, and very opposite conclusions inferred. Lieut. Bligh's book was doubtless written under irritated feelings; but if this position is to be denied, at least there is great reason for receiving with caution the testimony of a man looking naturally for advancement in his profession, and abundantly moved to take especial care not to endanger his prospects, by any acknowledgment which would lead to the suspicion that an event so much to be deplored was in any degree occasioned by his own indiscretion. On the other hand, we are not to expect from the Biographer of Capt. Heywood any admission, complimentary to Lieut. Bligh, after his attempt to stamp upon that popular seaman the odium of a "particeps criminis;" and, by the way, we feel it our duty to observe, in justice to a most scientific and meritorious officer, that, so far as the charge may be supposed to have affected young Heywood, no person who examines the evidence adduced, even by Lieut. Bligh himself, can entertain a doubt that the youth was not a most unwilling and painfully constrained associate.

      Having advanced thus much in token of impartiality, and anxious to escape from the charge of pretending to sit in judgment upon an event connected with which the evidence is conflicting, we propose to lay before our readers succinctly a statement of the fact. A great desire had been expressed that an attempt should be made to cultivate the "bread-fruit" in the West Indies, a valuable esculent indigenous to the South Seas; and the British Government, yielding to the solicitation of the merchants interested, consented, about the close of the year 1787, to dispatch the Bounty, an armed ship of 216 tons, for the purpose of transporting these plants to our western colonies. The command of the ship, and the superintendence of the object in question, was confided to Lieut. Bligh, as well, possibly, on account of his scientific attainments, as for the knowledge which he possessed of those seas, from having navigated them in the capacity of sailing-master under the celebrated Captain Cook.

      The orders of Lieut. Bligh were to a certain extent discretionary, but their general tenour was, that he should proceed round Cape Horn to the Society Islands, there to take on board as many plants as could be conveniently disposed of, and make the best of his way to the West Indies by the Cape of Good Hope, and after delivering his charge to certain authorities mentioned in his instructions, to return from thence to England. The Bounty's crew consisted of one Lieutenant,

commanding, a Master, Surgeon and Assistant, a Botanist and Assistant, a Gunner, Boatswain, and Carpenter, two Master's Mates, five Midshipmen, a Clerk, and twenty-eight seamen, in all forty-six hands. Thus manned, on the 23d of December, 1787, the ship sailed from Spithead, and without any event worthy of observation, so far as relates to our subject, she arrived on the 6th of January at Santa-Cruz, Teneriffe; from this port, having completed her water and stock, the voyage was resumed, and on the 23d of March they made the coast of Tierra del Fuego. The passage from Teneriffe to Cape Horn did not pass without a manifestation of the seeds of discord. Marshall relates, upon the authority of a journal kept by James Morrison, one of the seamen, afterwards tried for the mutiny, that "a few days after the Bounty's departure from Santa-Cruz, Lieut. Bligh ordered the cheese to be hoisted up and exposed to the air, when he pretended to miss a certain quantity, and declared that it had been stolen. The cooper informed him that it had been opened by the order of his clerk, who also acted as steward, and the cheese sent on shore to his own house. Lieut. Bligh, without farther inquiry, ordered the allowance of that article to be stopped both from officers and men until the deficiency should be made good, and told the cooper he would give him " a d___d good flogging if he said another word on the subject." The above fact we have reason to know is substantially correct, although Lieut. Bligh is totally silent on the subject.

      Mr. Marshall furnishes three other instances of this officer's arbitrary conduct, apparently for the purpose of leading his readers to a conclusion that the commander's proceedings were unwarrantably oppressive, and sufficient to account for the subsequent mutiny. But whether the offensive conduct imputed to Lieut. Bligh be true or exaggerated, no doubt can be entertained that a morbid feeling had been excited both in officers and men, and we have no reason to believe that the grounds for discontent had afterwards been diminished by a more relaxed discipline. Thirty days of severe labour, cold, and suffering, were unprofitably endured in attempting to get to the westward of Cape Horn, and the meritorious conduct of the men on that occasion called forth the expression of the commander's unqualified approbation. At length, however, the exhausted crew were relieved from their exertions by bearing up for the Cape of Good Hope. On the 24th of May the ship arrived at Simon's Bay, where the damage which she had sustained off Cape Horn was repaired, and the crew refreshed. Adventure Bay, Van Dieman's Land, was made on the 20th of August following, and after staying there until the 4th of September, the ship proceeded upon her voyage, and was safely anchored at Martavai Bay, Otaheite, on the 4th day of the succeeding month.

      It seems proper to notice again, in this place, that the Bounty's quarter-deck was still the scene of unhappy dissensions. We are told, on the one hand, by Lieut. Bligh, that he is frequently under the necessity of admonishing his Surgeon for drunkenness; and by Marshall, on the other, that he is in collision with the Master, in consequence of that officer's refusal to sanction, by his signature, the ship's accounts, kept under the Commander's direction, until the order is enforced in a dictatorial tone, immediately after reading the "Articles of War." The Master, we suppose, considered such a display of authority conclusive, and that he was no longer justified in refusing; the books were signed with a protestation, however, to the effect, that he did so only in obedience to a specific order. Nor were the elements of the Commander's mess-table more harmonious, for it may be observed, when the ship left England, the Master, Surgeon, and Botanist were admitted to his table; contentions, however, had taken place, and the party was dissolved soon after the ship had left Van Dieman's land. The disputes which gave rise to the rupture, prevented these officers from holding any farther intercourse with the Commander, except when the public duty required it.

      Such, then, was the state of feeling which existed on the part of the officers and ship's company towards their Commander at the time the ship arrived at Otaheite, and it is asserted nearly in terms, that to the misconduct of Lieut. Bligh the mutiny must be traced, and not to the attractions which that officer attri-

buted to Otaheite and its inhabitants. It is not consistent with the unity of our subject to enter into details of the peculiar character and habits of the island and its natives; such of our readers as may feel desirous of information, may have their curiosity amply and amusingly gratified by a perusal of Lord Byron's Narrative of his Visit to the Island, in his Majesty's ship "Blonde," but we may, in accordance with our design, repeat, generally, that they are uniformly described as a most amiable, hospitable, and affectionate people, and, to the untutored sailor, no doubt were objects of considerable fascination.

      The Bounty, having shipped 1015 plants of the bread fruit, had so far accomplished the object of her voyage, and on the 4th of April sailed from Otaheite for Annamooka, one of the "Friendly Islands," in order to complete her water, where she arrived on the 23d, and on the 26th again put to sea. Having arrived at the main object of our Narrative, it will be well, before we enter upon Lieut. Bligh's account of the mutiny, to lay before our readers the detail of a transaction which, it is said, took place on the day preceding this event, and on which he is wholly silent.

      Morrison's Journal states, "that Lieut. Bligh came on deck, and missing some cocoa-nuts, said they had been stolen, and could not be taken away without the knowledge of the officers, all of whom were sent for and questioned on the subject. On their declaring that they had not seen any of the people touch them, he exclaimed, 'then you must have taken them yourselves,' and proceeded to inquire separately how many they had purchased. In the mean time Mr. Elphinston, Master's Mate, was ordered to see every nut in the ship brought aft; on coming to Mr. Christian, that gentleman answered, 'I do not know, Sir, but I hope you don't think me so mean as to steal yours.' Mr. Bligh replied,' Yes, you d__d hound! I do: you must have stolen them from me, or you would be able to give a better account of them;' then turning to the other officers, he said, 'God d___n you, you scoundrels! you are all thieves alike, and combine with the men in robbing me; I suppose you'11 steal my yams next, but I'll sweat you for it, you rascals! I'll make half of you jump overboard before you get through Endeavour Straits.' This threat was followed by an order to stop the villains' grog, and give them but half a pound of yams to-morrow. 'If they steal then, I'11 reduce them to a quarter.'

      Lieut. Bligh commences his Narrative of the Mutiny as follows: _

      "Tuesday, the 28th, just before sun-rising, while I was yet asleep, Mr. Christian, with the Master-at-arms, Gunner's Mate, and Thomas Burkitt, seaman, came into my cabin, and seizing me, tied my hands with a cord behind my back, threatening me with instant death if I spoke or made the least noise: I however called as loud as I could, in hopes of assistance, but they had already secured the officers who were not of their party, by placing sentinels at their doors. There were three men at my cabin door, besides the four within; Christian had only a cutlass in his hand, the others had muskets and bayonets. I was hauled out of my bed, and forced on deck in my shirt, suffering great pain from the tightness with which they had tied my hands. I demanded the reason of such violence, but received no other answer but abuse for not holding my tongue. The Master, the Gunner, the Surgeon, Mr. Elphinstone, Master's Mate, and Nelson, were kept confined below, and the fore-hatchway was guarded by sentinels. The Boatswain and Carpenter, and also the Clerk, were allowed to come upon deck, where they saw me standing, abaft the mizen-mast, with my hands tied behind my back under a guard, with Christian at their head. The Boatswain was ordered to hoist the launch out, with a threat, if he did not do so instantly, to take care of himself.

      "When the boat was out, Mr. Hayward and Mr. Hellett, two of the Midshipmen, and Mr. Samuel, were ordered into it. I demanded what their intention was in giving this order, and endeavoured to persuade the people near me not to persist in such acts of violence, but it was to no effect. The Master, by this time, had sent to request that he might come on deck, which was permitted but he was soon ordered back again to his cabin.

      "I continued my endeavours to turn the tide of affairs, when Christian changed the cutlass which he had in his hand for a bayonet that was brought to him, and holding me with a strong gripe by the cord that tied my hands, he with many oaths threatened to kill me immediately, if I would not be quiet. Particular people were called on to go into the boat, and were hurried over the side; whence I concluded that with these people I was to be set adrift; I therefore made another effort to bring about a change, but with no other effect than to be threatened with having my brains blown out. The boatswain and seamen, who were to go in the boat, were allowed to collect twine, canvass, lines, sails, cordage, an eight and twenty gallon cask of water, and Mr. Samuel got one hundred and fifty pounds of bread, with a small quantity of rum and wine, also a quadrant and compass; but he was forbidden, on pain of death, to touch either map, Ephemeris, Book of Astronomical Observations, sextant, timekeeper, or any of my surveys or drawings.

      "The mutineers having forced those of the seamen whom they meant to get rid of into the boat, Christian directed a dram to be served to each of his own crew. I then unhappily saw that nothing could be done to effect the recovery of the ship; there was no one to assist me, and every endeavour on my part was answered with threats of death.

      "The officers were next called upon deck, and forced over the side into the boat, while I was kept apart from every one, abaft the mizen-mast; Christian, armed with a bayonet, holding me by the bandage that secured ray hands. The guard round me had their pieces cocked, but on my daring the ungrateful wretches to fire, they uncocked them.

      "Isaac Martin, one of the guard over me, I saw, had an inclination to assist me, and as he fed me with shaddock, (my lips being quite parched) we explained our wishes to each other by our looks; but this being observed, Martin was removed from me. He then attempted to leave the ship, for which purpose he got into the boat; but with many threats they obliged him to return. The Armourer and two of the Carpenters, were also kept contrary to their inclinations; and they begged of me, after I was astern in the boat, to remember that they declared they had no hand in the transaction.

      "It is of no moment for me to recount my endeavours to bring back the offenders to a sense of their duty; all I could do was by speaking to them in general; but it was to no purpose, for I was kept securely bound, and no one except the guard suffered to come near me.

      "It appeared to me that Christian was some time in doubt whether he should keep the Carpenter or his mates; at length he determined on the latter, and the Carpenter was ordered into the boat. He was permitted, but not without some opposition, to take his tool chest. Much altercation took place among the mutinous crew during the whole business; some swore 'I'll be d__d if he does not find his way home, if he gets any thing with him;' (meaning me,) and when the carpenter's chest was carrying away, 'D__n my eyes, he will have a vessel built in a month!' while others laughed at the helpless situation of the boat, being very deep and so little room for those who were in her. As for Christian, he seemed as if meditating destruction on himself and every body else. I asked for arms, but they laughed at me, and said, 'I was well acquainted with the people among whom I was going, and therefore did not want them;' four cutlasses however were thrown into the boat, after we were veered astern.

      "The officers and men being in the boat, they only waited for me, of which the Master-at-arms informed Christian; who then said, 'Come, Capt. Bligh, your officers and men are now in the boat, and you must go with them; if you attempt to make the least resistance you will instantly be put to death;' and, without further ceremony, with a tribe of armed ruffians about me, I was forced over the side, where they untied my hands. Being in the boat, we were veered astern by a rope; a few pieces of pork were thrown to us, and some clothes, also the cutlasses I have already mentioned; and it was then that the Armourer

and Carpenters called out to me to remember that they had no hand in the transaction. After having undergone a great deal of ridicule, and been kept some time to make sport for these unfeeling wretches, we were at length cast adrift in the open ocean.

      "Notwithstanding the roughness with which I was treated, the remembrance of past kindnesses produced some signs of remorse in Christian. When they were forcing me out of the ship, I asked him, if this was a proper return for the many instances he had received of my friendship? he appeared disturbed at my question, and answered with much emotion, 'That, Capt. Bligh, that is the thing; I am in hell __ I am in hell!'

      "It will very naturally be asked, what could be the reason for such a revolt? in answer to which I can only conjecture, that the mutineers had flattered themselves with the hopes of a more happy life among the Otaheitians than they could possibly enjoy in England, and this, joined to some female connections, most probably occasioned the whole transaction. Under these, and many other attendant circumstances, equally desirable, it is now perhaps not so much to be wondered at, though scarcely possible to have been foreseen, that a set of sailors, most of them void of connections, should be led away; especially when, in addition to such powerful inducements, they imagined it in their power to fix themselves in the midst of plenty, on one of the finest islands in the world, where they need not labour, and where the allurements of dissipation are beyond any thing that can be conceived. The utmost, however, that any commander could have supposed to have happened is, that some of the people would have been tempted to desert. But if it should be asserted, that a commander is to guard against an act of mutiny and piracy in his own ship, more than by the common rules of service, it is as much as to say that he must sleep locked up, and when awake be girded with pistols. The secrecy of this mutiny is beyond all conception. To such a close-planned act of villainy, my mind being entirely free from any suspicion, it is not wonderful that I fell a sacrifice, the possibility of such a conspiracy being ever the farthest from my thoughts. Had their mutiny been occasioned by any grievances, either real or imaginary, I must have discovered symptoms of their discontent, which would have put me on my guard; but the case was far otherwise. Christian, in particular, I was on the most friendly terms with; that very day he was engaged to have dined with me; and the preceding night he excused himself from supping with me, on pretence of being unwell; for which I felt concerned, having no suspicions of his integrity and honour."

      It may not be irrelevant to our subject, before we proceed with this narrative, to draw the reader's attention to such parts of the foregoing statement as appear at variance with the facts detailed by Mr. Marshall, and we believe ourselves warranted in saying, in direct contradiction to a portion of Lieut. Bligh's account. We cannot rely with implicit faith upon the commander's assertion of being entirely free from all suspicion of evil, up to the moment of the mutiny; neither is it reasonable to suppose that he is ingenuous, when he informs us that the most perfect harmony and good understanding subsisted between himself and the crew. We have reason to believe that he attributed the stranding of the Bounty's cable in Martavai Bay to his people, where attempts at desertion had taken place, and to prevent which loaded pistols were kept in the binnacle, but afterwards removed for greater security to the Master's cabin. Loud and frequent are the complaints of this officer against his subordinates, and more than once he was heard to say that he was beset with villains and scoundrels, the officers worse than the men, and was under the apprehension that nothing but corporeal punishment could reduce them to order.

      If any credit is due to Morrison's Journal, the scene of the 27th, the day previous to the mutiny, is no very ample proof of Lieut. Bligh's confidence in Mr. Christian, as a gentleman of integrity and honour. We find him branded with the accusation of theft, d__d hound, 8tc. which is repelled with indignation on the part of that person. Should this be true, it will go far to render feasible the

very opposite statement of Christian's conduct during the mutiny, when Lieut. Bligh observed the symptoms of remorse, and it is worth while to compare these two statements. Thus quotes Marshall: "Lieut. Bligh, finding he must go, again implored Mr. Christian to relent, saying, I'11 pawn my honour, I'11 give my bond, Mr. Christian, never to think of this if you will desist: consider my wife and family." To which the other replied, "No, Capt. Bligh, if you had had any honour, things would not have come to this, and if you have any regard for your wife and family, you should have thought of them before, and not behaved so much like a villain as you have done. Lieut. Bligh attempted again to speak, but was ordered to be silent; the Boatswain then tried to pacify Christian, but he said "Tis too late; I've been in hell for this fortnight past, and am determined to bear it no longer."

      Lieut. Bligh's character for humanity, we are lead to believe, was of a very equivocal nature, and for which the following anecdote must suffice. An Otaheitean was detected in stealing the iron hoops of a cask, which being reported to Lieut. Bligh, he was, by the consent of his chief, sent on board the ship, where he was punished with one hundred lashes; the poor wretch afterwards escaped from confinement by jumping overboard and swimming on shore. If there is any truth in this circumstance, considering the delinquent in the light of an untutored savage, we are bound to say that it was a most unwarrantable act of cruelty.

      In conclusion, we must beg to be understood as not aiming at a desire to extenuate in any degree the culpability of Christian and his misled associates, as every moral feeling must revolt at their crime; but in justice, we hold it our duty to add, that an intemperate and unnecessary severity of discipline was a principal cause of the calamitous event; and no doubt exists in our minds, that Lieut. Bligh was a person very ill calculated to preserve that unity of feeling and good understanding which the nature of such an expedition demanded.

      Let us return to our subject. Lieut. Bligh's first determination was to seek a supply of water from Tofoa, and afterwards to sail for Tongataboo, and there risk a solicitation to the king to equip their boat, so as to enable them to reach the East Indies. The quantity of provisions in the boat, was one hundred and fifty pounds of bread, sixteen pieces of pork (about thirty-two pounds), six quarts of rum, six bottles of wine, with twenty-eight gallons of water, and four empty small casks. The narrative proceeds to state that they reached Tofoa the next morning, but with the greatest difficulty procured sufficient food to subsist them without breaking in upon their stock in the boat, which Lieut. Bligh prudently had determined to keep undiminished. A morsel of bread and half a glass of wine, or a spoonful of rum, was the averaged pittance allowed at each meal during their stay at this inhospitable island. At sunset on the 2d of May, a very serious attack of the natives obliged the wanderers to depart, which they effected with much difficulty and the loss of one of their number, John Norman, who was murdered before he could reach the boat. This reception convinced Lieut. Bligh that little could be expected to benefit their situation at Tongataboo, he therefore made arrangements to proceed at once by New Holland to the Island of Timor, an estimated distance of 1200 leagues.

      The dimensions of the boat destined to perform this perilous voyage, was in length twenty-three feet, breadth six feet nine inches, and depth two feet nine inches. Their number now consisted of eighteen, and the stock of provisions reduced to one hundred and fifty pounds of bread, twenty pounds of pork, three bottles of wine, five quarts of rum, and twenty-eight gallons of water, but the people cheerfully assented to the allowance even of an ounce of bread and a gill of water, provided their Commander would lead them towards home. It was eight at night, says Lieut. Bligh, when they bore away to the north-west, under a reefed lug foresail, the wind blowing a gale from the eastward, attended with a heavy sea; the boat was lightened by throwing every unnecessary article over board, but still with difficulty was kept free by constant baling. The succeeding days were past in intense suffering, but a spoonful of rum judiciously adminis-

tered served to support the strength which cold, wet, and famine were fast reducing. On the 4th they made the Fidgee Islands, where they were chased by two large canoes, but having reason to apprehend danger from such visitors, with great exertion they succeeded in escaping.

      The weather had now moderated, and heavy rains enabled them to increase their stock of water to thirty-four gallons. "The allowance I issued this day, the 8th," says Lieut. Bligh, "was an ounce and a half of pork, a tea-spoonful of rum (which was of infinite service), half a pint of cocoa-nut milk, and an ounce of bread." He had ingeniously made a pair of scales of two halves of a cocoa-nut shell, substituting pistol-balls for weights. On the 14th they made the Islands to the northward of the Hebrides, which from their contiguity are considered a part of that archipelago. The last few days had greatly increased the horrors of their situation, and bowel complaints fearfully prevailed; some relief, however, was experienced in their cold and comfortless condition, by adopting the Commander's suggestion of rincing their clothes, already saturated with rain, in salt water. On the 29th of May, after thirty days consummate misery, they made the coast of New South Wales, and appropriately named the place of their disembarkation "Restoration Island," from the coincidence of its being the anniversary of King Charles's Restoration, as well as the land of their own deliverance. Their general allowance had been the twenty-fifth part of a pound of bread, and a gill of water three times a day, but latterly this pittance had been seasonably increased by the addition of a few aquatic birds, which with the entrails were voraciously devoured, but from the total absence of sleep they arrived at this island in the last stage of exhaustion.

      Although disease had not disappeared from amongst them, yet from the plentiful supply of oysters and birds, with the occasional good rest now afforded, strength was fast returning. The people prudently were not allowed to remain for any length of time on shore, nor to stray farther than the search after provisions absolutely demanded. Thus he continued, landing from time to time, to coast to the northward, without any material circumstance occurring; and invariably declined the invitation of the natives, whose good reception was not to be relied on. It is painful to observe, in aggravation of what might be conceived the extent of human suffering, that insubordination to the Commander's authority still raised its head amongst the ill-fated band; it was, however, at once happily suppressed by the prompt measures Lieut. Bligh adopted.

      On the 3d of June, they once more committed themselves to the perils of the ocean, heartily grateful for the relief which had been so seasonably afforded, and taking their departure from Booby Island, in Endeavour Strait, directed their course for Timor. Again it became the unpleasant duty of Lieut. Bligh to reduce the allowance to its old standard, for excepting oysters, New South Wales did not afford the means of increasing their stock of provisions. These, however, with the birds, which they were fortunate enough to take at times, supplied them with a comparatively hearty meal; still it was the Commander's misery to witness the ravages that privation and suffering were making among his wretched companions, without the intervention of any material circumstance to enliven their dreary voyage. On the morning of the 12th, every heart leaped at the joyful cry of land, and surely never was land more welcome; well, indeed, might they hail it the haven of rest. Suffice it to say, the island of Timor was made, and coasting round to its south-west point, on the 15th of June, with thanks to God for his mercy, they threw themselves upon the hospitality of Mr.William Adrian Van Este, the Governor of Coupang.

      "An indifferent spectator," says Lieut. Bligh, "would have been at a loss which most to admire, the eyes of famine sparkling at immediate relief, or the horror of their preservers at the sight of so many spectres, whose ghastly countenance, if the cause had been unknown, would rather have excited terror than pity. Our bodies were nothing but skin and bones, our limbs were full of sores, and we were clothed in rags: in this condition, with the tears of joy and grati-

tude flowing down our cheeks, the people of Timor beheld us with a mixture of horror, surprise, and pity."

      We hasten to the conclusion of Lieut. Bligh's narrative, whose expressions of gratitude for the hospitable treatment received at the hands of the Dutch Government at Coupang, are highly honourable to that nation. He succeeded in purchasing a schooner, for the purpose of reaching the island of Java, and all things in readiness, sailed from Timor on the 20th of August, and arrived at Batavia on the 1st of October. Having disposed of his vessel, he, with his clerk, Mr. Samuel, and John Smith, seaman, embarked in a Dutch packet for Europe, aud landed at Portsmouth on the 14th March, 1790. The rest of the crew were left under the master's orders at Batavia, that they might be dispersed in various ships for a passage to England, where twelve out of the nineteen safely arrived.

      We now take our farewell of Lieut. Bligh, and return with the reader to the Bounty, which ship, it may be remembered, we left under the command of Christian, off Tofoa, one of the Friendly Islands. We propose taking a hasty sketch of the events which attended the remainder of these unhappy men. Christian returned with the ship to Martavai Bay, where he imposed upon the islanders the tale of having been despatched by his commander to procure supplies for the purpose of establishing a settlement at a neighbouring island. These kind-hearted people joyfully assisted him with every thing he desired, and seventeen men with eleven women accompanied their deceiver. Having embarked their provision, they sailed for Toobouai, an island a few degrees to the southward of Otaheite, which Christian had selected for his final residence. The Toobouaites, however, manifested great opposition to this visit, and Christian set about erecting a fort for the future protection of himself and companions, from whom he forced, with the utmost rigour, an unconditional obedience to bis orders.

      A few days soon convinced these men that peace and safety were not to be found at this island; a council therefore was held, when a majority of sixteen to nine, induced Christian to return once more to Otaheite, and it was arranged that the former should be landed there agreeable to their desire, with a proportion of the stores, while the remaining eight abandoned their fortunes and their fate to the guidance of their guilty leader. On the 22d of September, the Bounty again, and for the last time, visited Martavai Bay, and having landed the sixteen whose wish it was to remain, Christian suddenly sailed the same night, having on board eight men and himself, three male natives, twelve women and an infant girl.

      Messrs. Heywood and Stewart, two midshipmen of the sixteen that remained at Otaheite, threw themselves on the protection of the chief of the district, and the other fourteen separated, that they might enjoy the same advantage from their several "friends" on the island, and well worthy did they prove themselves of the trust reposed in them. The ingenuity of the two carpenters, who were of this party, at the suggestion of Morrison, in the course of nine months, built and launched a schooner, thirty feet long, with the intention of going to Batavia, determined to meet their fate, under a conviction of their innocence; to this plan, the two young officers above mentioned would not accede, anxiously awaiting the arrival of one of his Majesty's ships, which they had no doubt would be sent in pursuit of them. The schooner's voyage, however, was eventually defeated by the opposition of the natives to their leaving the island. On the 23d of March, 1791, one year, ten months, and eighteen days after the mutiny, the Pandora frigate, Capt. Edwards, arrived in Martavai Bay, in search of the ill-fated ship. Messrs. Heywood and Stewart immediately gave themselves up, and with the rest who were brought on board, put into double irons.

      We refrain from entering into the treatment of these unfortunate prisoners, but this we must say, that if the truth has been related, it was the most unwarrantable, unofficerlike, and barbarous exercise of power, we ever recollect to have known recorded of a British officer: we willingly draw a veil over the atro-

cious scene, and refer our readers to Marshall's Biography for the facts we decline to detail. After incredible suffering, those who escaped from the wreck of the Pandora, which ship was lost on a reef off the coast of Australia, on her passage home, met the tribunal of their country on the 12th of Sept. 1792, at Portsmouth, the sequel of which will be found attached to each individual's name in the list at the end of this article. We earnestly invite our readers to a perusal of the life of Capt. Peter Heywood, contained in Marshall's Biography, and to which work we are indebted for the substance of the above facts; interesting details will be found which are not strictly necessary to our subject. A few lines will carry us to the conclusion of this eventful history. Subsequent report has informed us, that Christian and his companions carried the Bounty to Pitcairn's Island, hitherto uninhabited, lying in latitude 25 south, and long. 130 west, and where, for their greater security, after landing every thing that could possibly serve them in their forlorn condition, the ship was destroyed. Here they remained unknown for a period of nine years, when they were discovered by an American ship; they were again visited in the year 1814, by Sir Thomas Staines, in the Briton, and lately by Capt. Beechey, in the Blossom. The only survivor, even in 1809, was Alexander Smith, alias John Adams, and it may be observed as a remarkable circumstance, that all met with a violent death: jealousy soon begat discord, and Christian was the first who fell a sacrifice to his own guilt, the other seven were not long his survivors, and despair at losing their European husbands, eventually drove the Otaheitian women to murder their own countrymen, thus leaving Smith the only male adult amongst them.

      The patriarch of sixty-two still survives, an honour and a blessing to his little colony, which by every account is a pattern of good order and morality; such are the inscrutable ways of Providence, that a benefit to mankind has been the offspring of crime, and the delinquent has not only been spared a life long enough to blot out the remembrance of his guilt, but to set a proud example of wisdom and virtue to the wisest men in the wisest age.

"Review of the Mutiny on Board the Bounty."
      United Service Journal
1829. Part II, No. 7, (July 1829)
pp.44-53.

Pitcairn's Island  Source  Whalesite