Mutiny on the Bounty

[CaptainSteve]

Much has already been written on the subject of the Mutiny on the Bounty, the events & causes leading up to it, the fallout after the fact, and the perilous journey thrust upon Capt Bligh and the loyalists cast adrift.

 

Whilst working on a build of the HMS Bounty Launch recently, one of the questions which arose was what additional items could a builder put into their Launch to add a little touch of historical authenticity.

 

As such, the following has been produced from a dissertation of William Bligh's meticulously kept logs.

 

This is not intended to be a historical study or scholarly review to be added to the already impressive collection of writings on the Mutiny event. My main purpose is to allow modellers of HMS Bounty and/or the Bounty Launch to have a quick reference point whereby they can see what was taken on-board at the outset, and what was collected, found or traded along the way. In this way, I would hope you can select and model any additional equipment for your Launch build.

 

Resources used for this compilation were:

                              "The Bounty Mutiny" - William Bligh and Edward Christian (brother of Fletcher)

                              "A Narrative of the Mutiny, On Board HMS Bounty" - William Bligh

                              "In Bligh's Hand" - Jennifer Gall

 

(Any errors or omissions of fact are mine entirely.)

 

Mutiny Spreadsheet.xml

Edited January 3, 2015 by CaptainSteve

[usedtosail]

That's a really nice spreadsheet, Captain. It will be a big help to those building the Bounty Launch model.

[Canute]

Cap'n, excellent work. More goodies to add to the launch. Thanks!

[mattsayers148]

Great work CaptainSteve, this really is a great contribution for all modelers, the beans and clams should be fun to make. Great job!

 

Matt

[CaptainSteve]

Yerr ...

I be thinkin' that I might stop at the hairy coconuts, Matt.

 

(Although, there is THIS, in case anybody is interested in adding it to their Launch)

Edited January 7, 2015 by CaptainSteve

[JerseyCity Frankie]

Many years ago I saw a Bounty Launch with Bligh's uniform coat draped over the thwart in the stern sheets.  It was pretty ingenious, just some blue paper cut into the shape of a coat with buttons and epaulets made of gold foil, draped over the seat. There were no figures and no other personal items that I can recall. Maybe a telescope? Wish I had thought of that.

Edited December 31, 2014 by JerseyCity Frankie

[doghomer]

As I recollect Captain Bligh had the ships carpenter build up the sides of the launch and that portions of the launch were covered by canvas.  I have not read of any discussion as to  what these  modifications both to the sides and perhaps a  frame for the canvas  would have looked like.

[CaptainSteve]

As I recollect Captain Bligh had the ships carpenter build up the sides of the launch and that portions of the launch were covered by canvas.  I have not read of any discussion as to  what these  modifications both to the sides and perhaps a  frame for the canvas  would have looked like.

 

Doggie,

There was, as I recall, an entry on 10 May, where Bligh rigged up a canvas weather cloth ...

Edited January 1, 2015 by CaptainSteve

[mattsayers148]

H K F Courses Winds Rems. Sunday 10th May 1789 In the Bountys Launch

1 2 2 WBN EBS Fine Wr. I now got fitted a pair of Shrouds to each Mast, and contrived a Canvas weather cloth around the Boat also raised the Quarters about 9 Inches by help of the Seats, and found it of great Service

2 2 4

3 2 6

4 2 2

5 3 " " Served a bit of bread and a Jill of water for supper

 

You are correct CaptainSteve. I've been putting in motion a method of storing materials that would give the men more room. The little squirrel has been dropping hints, he's been right before, so I'll listen to him still.

 

Hope everyone is having a happy and safe New Year.

 

Matt

[Keith_W]

In my recent trip to the UK I stumbled across this. This is what I love about London - so much history, and the possibility you might happen upon somewhere where famous feet have trodden on!

 

Looks like you will need to put a flatscreen TV and a reading lamp on your Bounty Launch, Cap'n!

[CaptainSteve]

Looks like you will need to put a flatscreen TV and a reading lamp on your Bounty Launch, Cap'n!

 

I'm working on it now, Keith !!

Edited January 1, 2015 by CaptainSteve

[CaptainSteve]

Doggie,

There was, as I recall, an entry on 10 May, where Bligh rigged up a canvas weather cloth ...

 

Further to the installation of the weathering cloth, please note the following from Bligh's log:

 

7 May, 1789   16deg 29' S      Variable weather & cloudy. 

         Winds NE 

         Set up "watch and watch" rotation.

 

Continued reading of "The Bounty Mutiny" reveals that, essentially, this meant Bligh set up a series of six-hourly "watches", whereby half the crew is standing (if not employed as bailers etc), allowing the other half to stretch out/relax/sleep as much as was possible, given the circumstances.

 

Adding a "weathering cloth" with frame, it seems obvious (to me) that a frame was built if Bligh has noted that the Carpenter was involved.

This would have been of benefit to the Loyalists by:

(i) allowing them to collect rain-water

(ii) provide some cover from rain and high sun 

(iii) give additional supports for standing crew on work-detail (ie: non-resting)

 

Unfortunately, I could find no further reference to the "weathering cloth" or its' frame. Thus, I have no concept of the appearance and construction.

I can only imagine the whole thing as a large, floating tent.  

Edited February 26, 2015 by CaptainSteve

[michaelpsutton2]

I am familiar with those log entries. It was always my impression that the "weather clothes" were intended to provide addition freeboard not for shade. I think he would have said "awnings" which was a term on common usage back then. I could be wrong

[CaptainSteve]

... were intended to provide addition freeboard not for shade. I think he would have said "awnings" which was a term on common usage back then. I could be wrong

 

You could be completely correct, Michael.

As mentioned, I have no evidence of the actual mock-up that was used.

 

One other point which has not been mentioned so far, is the actual usage of the oars. The two times I recall their use was, firstly, upon their fleeing Tofoa after the death of John Norton, and, secondly, on the party's final approach along the coastline to the port at Coupang.

Edited February 26, 2015 by CaptainSteve

[michaelpsutton2]

Great point "Weather clothes" could have interfered with the use of oars..........

[roach101761]

John Weliver of Fort Myer's Florida modeled his launch depicting a known event in the launch, complete with all the figures.  He added a bird, alighting on the mast about to be captured and eaten.

 

Phil

[CaptainSteve]

Phil,

I suspect you mean this model.

Edited March 5, 2015 by CaptainSteve

[roach101761]

That is the one.  Perhaps a review of the Bounty Materials will yield another singular event. 

 

Phil

Edited March 8, 2015 by roach101761

[AJohnson]

On 1/1/2015 at 7:46 AM, Amfibius said:

In my recent trip to the UK I stumbled across this. This is what I love about London - so much history, and the possibility you might happen upon somewhere where famous feet have trodden on!

 

Looks like you will need to put a flatscreen TV and a reading lamp on your Bounty Launch, Cap'n!

I've seen the plaque, Bligh's former residence is a stones throw from the Imperial War museum, well worth a visit with the imposing 15inch guns of HMS Ramillies and Resolution at the entrance.

[Joe100]

Bligh and Bounty are two of my favorite subjects excepting Shackleton of course. Such a contradiction he was.

[Pirate]

I  don't see how Bligh could have obtained other materials, he had what he he had. From my understanding the first island he stopped at the natives we hostile and killed a man. He never stopped again

[Admiral Beez]

I just finished this book, Captain Bligh's Portable Nightmare.

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/933602.Captain_Bligh_s_Portable_Nightmare

 

An excellent read.  

Edited January 27, 2022 by Admiral Beez