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AARON GRAHAM ARGUES FOR FLETCHER CHRISTIAN
Graham searched through his papers and muttered, as if to himself—but making it loud enough so it was audible to all. “How is it possible a single individual, Mr Bligh, can be so virtuous, such a paragon—with the leadership of Moses and the brains of Solomon?” He shook his head in mock awe and removed five separate documents from his brief. He placed them down hard, one after the other, aping Banks method of delivering his evidence.
“Thank you Sir Joseph for the evidence you provided from this one self-obsessed individual. Here are affidavits signed by Mr Cole, by Mr Purcell, by Mr Fryer and two detailed statements by Mr Morrison and by Mr Heywood ... and all support a different chain of events.” He paused appearing puzzled. “Strangely though unreported by Lieutenant Bligh?”
Graham spread out his hands as if holding an invisible chain and viewing his right hand he said, “at one end we know was the mutiny.” He slowly transferred his gaze to his left hand. “At the other, the beginning, we discover something else.” His arms dropped and he nodded at Pitt and the other two commissioners. “I shall begin my story with Bounty’s departure from Tahitie and, as opposed to Bligh’s intrigues, hypothesises and self-interested justifications. I shall try and explain to you what really occurred.”
“My Lords, I must admit that the more I researched at the three week long passage of ‘Bounty’' from the tranquil waters of Tahitie to Tofua the more intriguing and curious it became—and the more erratic Bligh became. These were days of dark lowering weather with lightning, thunder and tropical downpours; days when Lieutenant William Bligh was seized by some form of perceived threat that manifested itself in violent outbreaks against his officers in general, and Fletcher Christian in particular; days of upheaval.
“My witnesses, in their affidavits ...” Graham placed the flat of his hand on this papers. “... say it was a totally different Mr Bligh they observed between Tahitie and Tofua. It was a ne
Mr Bligh. a caricature, a cartoon, a two dimensional actor. A man with uneven temper, parsimony, relentless demands of perfection, lack of self-control and insistence on the public humiliation of his officers—particularly Christian!
“My witnesses say it was a man at the end of his rope; out of his depth; and for a man of Bligh’s volatile temper the strain under which he imagined he suffered, became intolerable. For him as well as for everyone else.
“But what caused this?
“I believe it all began with his insistence, noted already by Sir Joseph, that his officers were dissolute and incompetent. A state for which I believe Bligh, as the commanding officer, was personally responsible. The departure from Tahitie, was, for him, a nasty awakening from the refined delights of his own life among the nobility of Tahitie. Mr Cole notes in his affidavit he believed Bligh’s anger was inflamed by guilt. A guilt Bligh refused to acknowledge, and the guilt of and officer who had lost control—and desperately wanted to regain it.
“But was it Bligh’s fault. No! Never! Lieutenant William Bligh had no faults! At least none he would admit either to himself or others. We need only recall Sir Joseph’s evidence to see what a paragon Bligh thought he was—and what a victim of circumstance he maintains he became.
“So as they sailed towards the mutiny Bligh’s outbursts of temper were irrational and hysterical, and due to their frequency, as any good officer would know, they began to have less and less effect on his officers. But what of Christian; was he altogether blameless? Imagine if you will the sudden change in Christian's life. It was no doubt as violent as Blighs’.
For a man of Christian's over-sensitivity and indulgent temperament the return to the rigours of shipboard life and the renewal of a close working relation with Bligh must have been especially hard to bear—particularly in the confined quarters of shipboard life again. The evidence of Christian’s state of mind was, as he was reported as saying later, 'that he was in hell... in hell'
“But as they departed Tahitie to begin that fateful three weeks it was only jst starting.” Graham again slapped his hand on the papers. “And we shall see from this testimony how all things then led to their terrible climax. A climax, after you have heard me out, you may say was almost inevitable.
“The target of Bligh’s temper was mostly Christian—as I will demonstrate. But what caused this sudden hatred between Christian and Bligh? Why was Bligh so hell bent on so foully attacking Christian? And later on attacking Peter Heywood?
“There is no record of any disagreement. I have evidence that previously Bligh and Christian were good friends. Yet something did happen. What?” Graham looked up. “The answer to this puzzle will become obvious as my story unfolds.”
Graham picked up a folder and opened it, read a little and replaced it, and stroked his chin. He looked around noting the attentive faces and everyone but Banks leaning forward.
“As opposed to what Mr Bligh maintains in his evidence, re-stated in his narrative, and noted here by Sir Joseph; Cole and Purcell both say there were few regrets from the crew at leaving Tahitie. They state a small number of men may have developed close attachments with the women but after five months even they were glad to be going home. They say everyone was in high spirits, talking of England, trying to predict the length of the passage and calculating what their wages. Cole mentioned to me some may have even considered the possibility of returning to Tahitie one day, but on the eve of departure everyone was overwhelmingly happy to be going home.
“So what happened? How did Bligh capitalise on this euphoria.? The answer is he didn’t! At first hard work and slim rations were the order of the day. Bligh had plenty of, fresh fruit and vegetables, salt and fresh pork but he immediately limited his crew to one ration of pork and six bananas a day. When the bananas were gone he issued yams at a pound a man. He combined these lean rations with exercises of backing and filling, making and shortening sail, again familiarising his men with handling the vessel under difficult conditions. Bligh maintained this was to prepare them for the dangers of the Endeavour Striates. No doubt there was some truth in this but according to my affadavits it did not last. Suddenly Bligh began spending large amounts of his time below, shut up in his cabin. The reports say he only came on deck to complain or to abuse someone.” Graham paused to look at another paper.
He looked up. “One such instance was on April 22, when the ship reached Nomuka. Bligh decided to send Christian and others ashore unarmed. After the ship laid anchor Christian and Elphinstone were ordered ashore for fresh water and timber but the difference comes in the detail of what happened. From his log we have Bligh's account of what he thought occurred.. Bligh said, ‘To these people I not only gave my orders but my advice they were to keep themselves unconnected with the natives; however they were not been an hour on shore before one man lost his axe and the other an adze. The cause of this was the officer Christian, contrary to my direct orders , suffered the natives to crowd and amuse them, and by that means the theft was committed. The men cleared themselves of neglect as they could not comply with every part of their duty and keep their tools in their hands, and they therefore merited no punishment. As to the officers I have no recourse, or do I ever feel myself safe in the few instances I trust to them.’
“I remind you this was the same unfriendly island Bligh and his party of loyalists injudiciouly visited the day after the mutiny. This was eventually the island where Mr Norton was butchered. Why did they eventually have so much trouble at Nomuka? Why; because they had no weapons and this was the manner he now determined to use sending his men ashore.”
Graham leveled his dark eyes at Banks. “As usual Mr Fryer, Mr Cole and Mr Purcell give an entirely different version of events than Blighs’; in his affidavit Fryer gives the most complete account.” Graham read from a folder.‘
' ...the entire visit began badly. We worked our way through the reefs and eventually anchored in the same bay Captain Cook used twelve years earlier. Although Lieutenant Bligh claimed to know the place well he had great difficulty in finding a safe anchorage. We all agreed this was unlike him and it was the first sign something was amiss.
‘The next morning under a nasty dark sky and in spitting rain the wooding and watering parties were sent ashore. The natives gathered around our ship were a poor sickly lot with many tropical sores, lack of hair and many had missing fingers. There was no comparison with the fine specimens back in Tahitie. Everyone but our Captain sensed danger.
‘Mr Christian was allocated eleven men to carry casks for the collection of water. Mr Elphinstone was given four men with axes and saws for felling and cutting the timber. Christian’s orders from Mr Bligh were unusual. I remember he said,
“Mr Christian, you will take arms ashore but they are to be left under guard in the boat, you will be much safer without them Mr Christian. You will have nothing to do with the natives nor under any circumstances are they to be fired upon.” He said to Elphinstone, “your party will carry no arms at all, you will be visible from the ship. Do you understand?”
‘Yes sir,’ they both answered and began making their preparations.
“Mr Fryer further reported, ‘Mr Bligh informed Christian the best water was from a pond a quarter of a mile inland from the beach. The trees selected were some two hundred yards along the shore from the point in the cove where the boats were to land.
From the moment Christian landed he met trouble. The arrival of 'Bounty’ had attracted natives in their hundreds, some hostile, some friendly, some just curious but all fervently acquisitive. They attempted to interfere with Christian's men as they made their way inland towards the water hole. Apparently the natives tried to seize the empty water casks and were so threatening Christian decided to ignore Bligh’s orders and he armed himself and his men. He took the precaution of leaving two of his party to guard the launch.
Fryer reports, ‘the harassment continued all the way through the woods to the pond. The natives armed with clubs and spears made darting attacks, and when Christian aimed a musket at them it produced no other effect than to make them return the compliment by posing with their spears and clubs in a similar menacing fashion. So it was under conditions of great difficulty and danger, with the Natives constantly snatching at their clothes and their arms, Christian managed to bring off two loads of water in his casks. He decided to return aboard with the second load and report the situation to Mr Bligh who was apparently enjoying his usual occupation of entertaining some of the local chiefs. With some reluctance Christian approached him and said, “Sir I am having great difficulty carrying out my duties.”
Graham consulted another paper and looked up. “From here onwards I pressed all the witnesses to record the exact words used by Mr Bligh in this conversation. Make of them what you will but remember, this was the same island where today the remains of Mr Nelson today lie scattered.
‘Christian further added, “I fear for the men sir.”
It seems Bligh got to his feet, considered Christian for a moment then roared, “You dammed coward! Are you afraid of a few natives when you have arms to defend yourself!”
“The arms are of no use while your ordered prevent them from being used,” replied Christian quite reasonably.
“Damn you Christian are you a man or just a shag bag who received your ration of courage during the reign of Queen Dick? Return to your duties at once.”
Christian did as he was ordered and began to leave.
Then Mr Bligh called out to me. “Mr Fryer go ashore and assist that cowardly fop.”
‘When Fryer arrived ashore there were only two men at the boat and the rest with Christian at the water hole. Fryer states;
‘I found myself amongst a large group of natives who behaved in a strange and over friendly fashion. Among them was a handsome young man and a woman who both appeared to be chiefs. I called to the men in Christian's launch “Which way to the water hole?” They pointed a way down one of the a small lanes passing through the plantation.
A good looking man and woman suddenly understood and they took me by the arm. They pointed out the way I must go and also put their hands to their mouths in a sign for drinking. I turned to my men in the boat and said. “Stay where you are but lay off the oars until I return.”
“Aye aye sir.” they replied well understanding my unease.
I did not get far into the plantation when I met Mr Quintal rolling a cask of water with a number of natives about him. I returned with him to the boat and help put the cask aboard. That accomplished we both returned towards the watering hole. Again we had not gone far when I observed the same man and woman I met on the beach. This time they were very insistent for me to go with them and they made signs to eat. I gave them some small presents and turned my back to walk away.
“Mr Fryer!” Quintal yelled out. “Mr Fryer look out! There's a man going to knock you down with a club.”
‘I turned just in time to see the man brandishing the club over my head. Immediately the man realised his intention was exposed and he scuttled off into the trees.
‘It was all very volatile. The press of numbers, the unpredictability, the young couple attempting to entice us away and distracting me while another warrior attempted to club me from behind. Meanwhile up at the pond the children kept picking at the men's clothes as they tried to fill the last of the casks. At the same time, half hidden among the trees, natives hurled stones. Suddenly one snatched the cooper's adze and raced away between the trees. Then a warrior with an especially long and lethal looking spear began jabbing it at Christian.
‘This was exactly the scene I came across when I reached the water hole. I shouted. “Get the casks back to the launch empty or full.” I was afraid for everyone, myself included.
‘Down at the beach there was merry hell. Native children in the water were all around the cutter, climbing on the oars, trying to get aboard over the gunwales, shrieking and laughing. It seemed half in fun and half in excited hysteria. One of the sailors, fearful the cutter would drift too close to shore, and no doubt remembering what happened to Captain Cook, threw out the grapnel. Quick as a flash some of the children dived in to stir up the sand while others concealed by the dirty water cut the rope and made off with it. They were also cunning enough to pull on the severed rope under the water so the theft remained undetected until it was too late. Eventually, in the midst of this pandemonium, Christian managed to hoist the remaining casks into the launch while I remonstrated with the natives for the return of the grapnel.
‘It is too late,’ they explained with signs, 'very sorry but the grapnel was taken by people from another island and their canoe already left.
“Come on lads let's get out of here,” I shouted, “man the oars.”
Christian and I jumped into our boats and put off – thankful to have escaped with only the loss of one grapnel, an adze and no injury.’
Graham paused again in his telling and shook his head. “Mr Fryer then goes on to say.
‘In stark contrast Lieutenant Bligh was furious when he heard of the losses.
“God strike me blind, you mutton monger,” he shouted at Christian, “why didn't you fire, you are an officer aren't you! Or are you content to 'to box the Jesuit' while we lose everything?”
He turned on me and I pointed out that the loss was not great considering the danger ...
“Ax my arse sir, if it was not great to you it was great to me!” shouted Bligh waving his arms.
He then informed the whole crew they could buy what they liked from the natives, spears, food, shields, clubs and curios of all kinds. To Peckover who normally conducts all trading transactions Bligh said; “Buy anything and don't mind how much you give for it.”
At this pandemonium broke out and within a short time the decks became so cluttered with new purchases it was difficult to move. Then just as suddenly and unexpectedly as Mr Bligh released the flood tide of trading, he brought it to a halt.
Turning to me he then yelled, “Mr Fryer we will have the anchor up and go away.”
The crew all set about driving the natives off the decks and back to their canoes. All the ship's company stood at their stations. The anchor was raised and two men loosened the fore-topsail and the fore-topmast. The staysail was hoisted and we sailed out to sea.
Suddenly, from the forecastle, I heard Mr Bligh calling out; “Hand the arms up! Hand the arms up!”
I imagined the ship was being attacked so I hurried forward. “What was the matter Mr Bligh?” I asked.
“Come here and damn well assist me.”
“I didn't know you wanted any assistance. Only hearing you call for the arms I imagined something must be the matter sir.”
“Get the damned arms up, I'll keep these bastards and see if I can't get the lost grapnel back!”
‘Realisation dawned and we suddenly understood what Mr Bligh was doing. He was not going to let the natives get away with stealing the boat’s anchor. He was intent on using Captain Cook's method and holding the chiefs on board as ransom. The whole crew then took on another guise from unarmed labourers on shore to busy traders on board—and now to a fighting force with cutlasses and muskets with fixed bayonets. It was a bewildering change of scene, and an alarming one for the chiefs as well as the us.
We managed to capture five of the chiefs. Mr Bligh let one of them go with the message the others would be detained on board until the grapnel was returned. This caused great lamentation ashore, from those in canoes around the ship and among the prisoners so recently of the opinion they were honoured guests! They all cried out and some began the horrible practice of inflicting wounds on themselves, beating their eyes with fists and tearing at skin with shark's teeth.
Meanwhile Mr Bligh mustered the crew including the officers and men who were still armed, and delivered a scorching indictment of their efficiency and cowardice.
“You are just a bunch of piss proud, cowardly scum,” he shouted as he paced up and down. “I'll trim you all, do you hear! I'll have you sliced before your own faces then have your guts removed and burnt while you look on you mutton polishers.”
It was already a strenuous and sometimes dangerous day for many of the crew and now things appeared to be completely out of hand. What’s happened to our Captain? He seemed to have lost control. Everyone, including the officers, was fearful and bitterly resented this attack. Mr Bligh seemed intent on taunting, as if trying to provoke further violence. Against who though, and why? We all wondered the same thing.
Then, with a pistol in hand, Mr Bligh advanced towards William McKoy. He never liked McKoy so he pointed the gun at McKoy’s head and shouted, “I will shoot you McKoy if you do not pay attention.” He moved the muzzle only inches away from McKoy's face which grew white and went rigid with fear. It was a tense moment, then suddenly he turned on the rest of us. “You bunch of bloody shag bags, with four more men and all of us armed only with broomsticks I could disarm the lot of you.”
We thought Mr Bligh to have lost his attachment to reality. No one therefore attempted to deny his boast because there was no sensible answer. Our Captain was out of control.
We all stood silent, stunned, unbelieving the long silence punctuated by the howling and wailing of the natives. Eventually Mr Bligh calmed down, and his eyes cleared, and regaining mastery of himself he straightened his jacket. Then he took a deep breath.
“Those under arms stand down,” he ordered. “Mr Cole take four men and escort the chiefs below. Have them peel some coconuts for my dinner. Mr Fryer take over.” Then he turned away and went aft where he stood alone and stared out over the stern rail. The ship had come under short sail and began drifting to sea. All the canoes had fallen behind except for one full of women. Their cries of anguish increased as they inflicted more terrible wounds tearing at their heads, faces and shoulders with the dried shark's teeth.
By sundown there was still no sign of the grapnel and Mr Bligh seemed tired of the whole business. It was clear the grapnel will not be returned and he now wanted to rid himself of the captured native chiefs. He went below, dismissed the guard, and brought the chiefs up. He indicated they could go and motioned the large canoe alongside to take them off. The chiefs were beside themselves with relief and gratitude. With floods of grateful tears they embraced Mr Bligh who, in turn, presented each with a hatchet, saw, several large toys, some nails, knives and gimlets. Alltogether much more valuable than the original forfeited grapnel and adze.
It was a horrifying sight when the large canoe came alongside. In their fever of masochistic relief the women had increased their efforts at wounding themselves. Their faces were impossible to see beneath the blood that poured from their wounds. Mr Bligh observed all this and said to me, “Look there now Mr Fryer, we have made friends for life.”
Graham placed the affidavit on the table and looked around, “No doubt Mr Nelson would be now be splitting his sides with mirth ... had he later survived those same butchers who were Bligh’s friends for life.”
“I now turn to a most celebrated event,” continued Graham taking up another paper, “and an event again not mentioned in Bligh's log nor in his Narrative. It was however confirmed in great detail by everyone else including Mr Cole, Mr Purcell and Mr Fryer.”
“In Bligh’s Narrative,” Graham raised up the said volume and turned the pages, “referring to April 27, 1789 in the last Chapter of the first part he wrote,
'This far the voyage had advanced in a course of uninterrupted prosperity, and been attended with many circumstances equally pleasing and satisfactory. A very different scene was now to be experienced. A conspiracy had been formed, which was to render all our past labour productive only of extreme misery and distress. The means had been concerted and prepared with so much secrecy and circumspection, that no one circumstance appeared to occasion the smallest suspicion of the impending calamity.’ Graham picked up another document, “Then in his log the only entry on April 27, was, 'served fresh port and yams as yesterday'
Graham lifted his eyes from the page and glanced at the three commissioners, “Please remember those exact words my Lords. In Bligh's opinion 'no one circumstance gave the slightest suspicion,'... the slightest suspicion!.. Would it be possible the most significant event of all that lead to the mutiny entirely slipped from Mr Bligh's memory” He looked over at Banks, “perhaps in Bligh’ mind there are two ships called ‘Bounty’ and he was on the other one”
“What was your evidence?” growled Banks totally unimpressed.
Graham glanced down, “I will quote from Mr Cole who says, 'When the canoes left HMS ‘Bounty’' she stood some thirty miles off Noumka and Mr Bligh ordered a northerly course towards Tofua. We made little progress in the light winds. The next morning Mr Bligh was not seen on deck and 'Bounty' was peaceful, and the crew recovering from the events of the previous day. It was short lived however because about noon Mr Bligh emerged from the hatchway and made his way to his personal pile of coconuts. Suddenly he swung around red faced and called out, “Mr Fryer, here if you please!”
Fryer hurried over. “Mr Fryer don't you think these coconuts have shrunk since last night?”
Mr. Fryer carefully assessed the coconuts, frowned then said to Mr Bligh. “Sir they are not so high as they were last night but I think the pile may have been stacked by the men more carefully so as to take up less room—or perhaps they have been flattened by the crew walking over them during the night.”
But Mr Bligh was convinced some of his coconuts had been stolen. Never one to be speechless with anger and one whose language increased in volume and abuse with the deterioration of his temper the Captain said, “Rubbish, call all hands Mr Fryer, assemble the crew.”
When the entire crew assembled Lieutenant Bligh ordered everyone to stand beside their individual piles of coconuts. For some reason he decided Christian was the guilty party. He rushed over to him, “Are these all your coconuts Mr Christian?”
“Yes sir.”
“Did you take any from my pile?”
“I did use one Mr Bligh as mine were below and I was thirsty.”
“Kiss my arse you liar, you have stolen at least half my pile!” Mr Bligh’s temper increased.
Christian was deeply hurt and embarrassed in front of the crew. “Why do you treat me like this Captain Bligh? I hope you do not think me so mean as to be guilty of stealing half of your coconuts.”
Graham paused and said to Banks. “It was difficult to believe this conversation was between a Captain and his newly promoted second in command; and in front of the men is it not?”
Banks shrugged and Graham continued. “Well Mr Cole says, ‘Bligh shook his fist in Christian's face. “No reply!”“You would piss in bed and call it sweat you damned thief, because that was what you are, a piece of shit, an 'old hat', a miserable little sneak thief!” He then turned from Christian and confronted the rest of us, officers and men. He began shrieking and waving his fists in the air and accusing everyone of theft. He strutted up to Ned Young who since Adventure Bay was glowering resentfully. “How many nuts did you buy Mr Young?” Bligh demanded to know.
Young told him.
“And how many did you eat?”
“I do not know sir.” he leaned forward., “I have not yet counted how many remain.”
Bligh was not to be put off and he turned to the next man repeating the question, then moving on again until the whole crew were interrogated.
The men were let off more lightly as it was clear the officers were the main objects of his attack and Christian in particular. He then addressed his clerk so all of us heard, “Mr Samuel the crew may take their coconuts below. Those belonging to the officers will be stowed aft and no one is to touch them.”
Then he swung to the assembled officers his face only inches from Christian's his voice and his fury again rising, “There has never been such a set of damned thieving, scum under any Captain’s command before. God damn you, you whore lovers, you are all thieves alike and combine with the crew to rob me. I suppose you will steal my yams next; well, I'll look after your arses a bit longer—for my own good, then I'll have you all pissing on nettles and... and I'll make half of you jump overboard before we get through Endeavour Striates. You can all go to hell!”
Then Mr Bligh stormed off below.
Later all the officers got together and complained to each other of their treatment in front of the men. “How can we do our duty in these circumstances?” said Mr Fryer.
“He is robbing us. They are our coconuts we bought them. What next, our food and our grog?” said Purcell. “We are entitled to fair rations.”
“Quite correct Mr Purcell, they are my coconuts; I paid for them and they don't belong to Bligh or the Navy; and he is entitled to deny us rations but he can't steal what is ours,” argued Nelson.
Then being fearful more inroads might be made on the food recently bought at Nomuka, and on which we may now have to depend, we all gathered and hid what food we had left.
Much to everyone's surprise including mine Bligh was not finished with Christian. At four o'clock in the afternoon he came up on deck, and spied Christian. He reopened his attack; “So there you are again Christian you thieving mongrel. Whose coconuts will you steal next you bastard? You are no officer, and you will never, I say never, become one. And you will never make it back to England you scum. ...”
... and there was more I could not hear. When eventually Fletcher Christian managed to escape his tormentor he made his way forward.. Purcell saw him coming and observed tears running down his cheeks. In spite of all the previous happenings it was the first time anyone saw him so affected and everyone knew Christian was no sop, no weakling.
“What is the matter Mr Christian?” asked Purcell. “Am I not as badly treated as you?”
Bligh certainly disliked Purcell who was sensitive and very conscious of his rights.
Christian halted and surveyed the carpenter. “But you have the protection of your warrant, if I spoke to him as you do he would probably break me, turn me before the mast, and flog me. And if he did,” said Christian in real anguish, “it would be the death of us both, for have no doubt Mr Purcell, I would take him in my arms and jump over board with him! I would kill us both. sir, I would never let go.”
“Never mind Fletcher it is only for a short time longer,” replied a concerned Purcell who well knew Christian possessed both the strength and the will to accomplish such a difficult feat if he so desired.
“I would rather die a thousand deaths than to bear this treatment any longer. I always do my duty as an officer and as a man ought to do, yet I receive this treatment; flesh and blood cannot bear it any longer, and I will not!”
Christian's spirit had crumbled. It now turned and turned with nothing left to bite and Christian began to run away from a situation to him so low and unaccountable it was unbearable.’”
Graham put down the paper and addressed the tribunal directly. “My Lords, that is the substance of the contents of Mr Cole’s affidavit. If Sir Joseph has no objections I shall summarise the rest?” he paused and Banks sat stone faced.
Realising Banks had no intention of commenting he continued, “My Lords, a distraught Christian immediately went below and gave away his belongings. He also tore up his papers and threw them overboard. As the evening advanced rumours began circulating. Christian was contemplating suicide or desertion. He could take no more. There was much concern among many of the younger ratings when they heard of this. They were very fond of their Mr Christian who was always there when things were bad to cheer them and make their life bearable. What would life be like without him? In the confined quarters of 'Bounty' news travelled fast, and word of Christian's state and his plans to desert ship spread quickly. By sundown a number of people, including most of the midshipmen, knew how he felt. After the events of the past few days, and after the extraordinary events on the quarterdeck that morning both officers and men alike, were expecting a climax.
Never, in the sixteen months since HMS ‘Bounty’' left England and even during the weeks trying to round the Horn was there such a sense of impending doom. Not a man, from the youngest gentleman to the oldest seaman, expected soft treatment under any Captain, but this was different. They were all uneasy. Some dwelt on the dangers awaiting them in Endeavour Striates under a commander who threatened to throw half of them overboard.
“Later a further extraordinary event occurred. Christian was packed and his arrangements made for his departure were almost complete when John Smith, Bligh's servant, brought him a message.
“Mr Christian, the Captain desires your company at supper,” said Smith.
“He what! What do you say Mr Smith?”
Smith sighed impatienly. “Lieutenant Bligh has extended the invitation for you to join him for supper Mr Christian,”
Christian cannot believe it! Nor could anyone else. “Had the disease of unreality disfigured everything,” Christian was heard to mutter. Within a few hours he expected to quit the ship—be drifting on a raft among south sea islands where he might drown or be eaten by sharks. In his present state of mind anything would be superior to remaining on board. Now this invitation! – struggling to control his voice he said to the steward, “Inform the Captain I am indisposed.”
“Bligh's supper invitation to Christian was not the last surprise of the eventful evening. The Master Fryer was later on deck as he was in charge of the late watch. He had no knowledge of Christian's plans but was no friend of Blighs’ either. During his watch Bligh came up on deck and apparently began chatting cordially to him. Fryer said it was the first time Bligh has spoken to him without giving an order for months. Of course we now know the next day was the day of the mutiny. After speaking to Fryer, Bligh returned below to his own cabin and completed his log. The entry was short, he noted ‘nothing of importance to report,’ and recorded his position Latitude 19 degrees 45 minutes south, Longitude 175 degrees 05 minutes west. Then he retired to his bunk.’
Graham sat down and turned to Banks, “how extraordinary for a man whose behaviour, in truth, should have us transporting him directly to Bedlam Infirmary.”
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