The Mutineers turning Lt William Bligh and part of the officers and crew adrift from HMS 'Bounty', 29 April 1789
HMS 'Bounty' was an old collier that was purchased by the Admiralty at Wapping Old Stairs and fitted out for the voyage to the pacific to obtain bread fruit for Britain's slave colonies in the Caribbean. This picture shows the famous mutiny. The revolt came as a shock to Captain Bligh. In particular, he was shocked at the part played by his former colleague, Fletcher Christian, who had sailed with him before. Bligh and his followers were cast adrift without charts and with only meagre rations. They were given cutlasses but no guns. Yet Bligh and all but one of the men reached Timor safely on 14 June 1789. The journey took forty-one days.. Stunning Photo Gifts From National Maritime Museum
