William Bligh Born 9 September 1754

This week in history was William Bligh’s birthday. Records show he was born on 9 September 1754 in Plymouth, United Kingdom. He is a name known by many with the stories of his life as a master of the sea, the Mutiny on the Bounty, and the Rum Rebellion.

Here on Norfolk Island is the famous Captain of the ship HMAV Bounty and the Mutiny that look place on 28 April 1789. He along with his loyal men were set adrift in a small longboat and sailed through uncharted seas to Timor, a journey of approximately 6,500km.

I have read that: At seven years old boy Bligh went to sea as a cabin boy and in 1770 joined the Royal Navy. William Bligh joined the HMS Hunter as an able-bodied seaman at the age of 16 years. He was an officer of the Royal Navy and a colonial administrator. He also is noted for this skill at sea with a notable career. His early sea voyage was under the command of the famous explorer Captain James Cook. He sailed as a master on the Resolution on Cook’s last voyage 1776 -79, sailing the ship and crew back to England after the death of Captain James Cook. He was also a commander in the French wars.

The early history of Australia, William Bligh was the 4^th Governor of New South Wales from 1805 to 1808. Another mutiny took place during this time, the Rum Rebellion, and he was imprisoned by the army mutineers.

I have also read that: Bligh was made a rear admiral in 1811 and a Vice Admiral in 1814. He died 7 December 1817, Bond Street, London, and was buried in the Garden Museum, London, United Kingdom. He married in February 1781, his wife was Elizabeth Betham and I read that they had nine children.

Norfolk Island is the home of the Pitcairn Island descendants. Pitcairn Island is where nine of the Mutineers on the Bounty settled and had families. The history of the Mutiny of the Bounty lives on here on Norfolk Island and historic stories are told in the Norfolk Island Museums and on Island tours. There are motels and businesses as well as roads named after the Bounty and Bligh. Downtown at Kingston the roadway into Norfolk Island Government House was named Bligh Street. There is no road signage, but it is shown on older maps.

Happy Birthday William Bligh, you will be pleased to know your name still lives on many centuries later.

Betty Matthews

15 September 2023