Bligh’s Incredible Voyage Following Mutiny
Nineteen men’s struggle for survival amidst a 4,000-mile journey home in the wake of mutiny
On a mission to acquire breadfruit plants in Tahiti, the story of the HMS Bounty is often highlighted by mutiny that would prevent it from completing its commission. Admittedly, mutiny aboard a Royal Navy vessel during Great Britain’s dominance is eye-catching. However, it often overshadows the incredible story of Captain William Bligh, 18 of his crewmen and their 4,000-mile voyage for home following that infamous mutiny.
Having spent ten months at sea, the HMS Bounty had successfully reached Tahiti in late October of 1788. Captain Bligh and his crew would spend five months on the island collecting breadfruit plants. During that time, the crew enjoyed life ashore, socializing with the local Tahitians. It would not take long for many of the crew to become enamored with their customs, their culture, and even their women – several men developing special “connections” with locals and two more marrying Tahitian brides.
Many of the men who had grown to love life in Tahiti were saddened at the prospect of returning home with their breadfruit cargo. Especially for some who took issue with Captain Bligh’s temperament and leadership. Nevertheless, in early April 1789 the Bounty departed Tahiti. 1,300 miles into the voyage, mutiny broke out. When the dust settled, Captain Bligh and 18 of the 42-man crew found themselves herded into an open boat with less than five days food and water, a compass, nautical tables, sextant and a tool chest.
Their open boat was designed to hold a maximum of fifteen men and was only suited for shorter distance trips – not a nearly 4,000-mile journey with 19 men crammed shoulder to shoulder. As the mutineers steered the Bounty back to Tahiti, Bligh and the men who had joined him – few out of loyalty, most just wanting a way home - aimed their small craft for Tofua in hopes of additional supplies to sustain a longer journey to the Dutch East Indies.
Tofua, an active volcano, was some 30 miles away. They were able to successfully navigate to the island where after just a few days’ stay and a noted foolhardy admission by Bligh, natives attempted to commandeer their launch. One of Bligh’s men was killed as the crew scrambled to escape back to sea.
The experience and loss of a crewman on Tofua influenced Bligh to opt for a direct-sail voyage to a Dutch settlement in Timor. The weather throughout the journey was less than favorable as they faced high seas, colder temperatures, and at times relentless rain. The rain became both a blessing and curse as it required constant bailing by the men to stay afloat, but in return, it ensured they had an additional source of water.
Rations along the journey consisted of a meager ounce of bread and quarter-pint of water per man per day. Though an occasional ounce of port or teaspoon of rum offered a temporary indulgence, the men constantly endured the threat of starvation. Though they set fishing lines, they reported not catching a single fish.
As the 23-foot launch continued west, the men aboard became the first Europeans to sail through the Fiji Islands. True to his craft, as they sailed Bligh charted the islands they passed along the way. He would do so well that the charts he created featuring the self-named Bligh Islands, could be used for navigation today. Many today acknowledge Captain Bligh as one of the Royal Navy’s best navigators.
After forty-seven arduous days at sea, on a quiet Sunday in mid-June, Bligh and his crew successfully reached Coupang, the Dutch settlement on Timor they had set out for after fleeing Tofua. Outside of the one casualty suffered at Tofua, Bligh and the men aboard their launch had successfully navigated nearly 4,000 miles of ocean with little equipment and minimal provisions.
