13. Captain Bligh Was Actually a Decent Guy
Captain William Bligh (1754 – 1817) is often seen as the epitome of a tyrannical boss and cruel commanding officer. He reportedly overworked, mistreated, and insulted his men, and was a sadist who gratuitously punished any who triggered his insecurities by flogging them to within an inch of their lives. In reality, Bligh was a decent captain for his era. He frequently tongue-lashed his men, but so did most captains back then. However, Bligh’s men were flogged less frequently than sailors on other ships: he preferred to chastise his crew verbally, instead of physically. Also, Bligh was a relatively exceptional commander, in that he invested significant time and effort to keep his crew healthy. He organized their shifts to ensure that they got plenty of rest, oversaw a daily exercise regimen, and fed them as highly nutritious a diet as was possible under the circumstances.
His crew did not mutiny because of unbearable conditions. After a long journey, the men spent several weeks in the tropical island paradise of Tahiti, partying it up with local women. On the way back, the contrast between the dreary ship life and the paradise they had left behind was too much, so they mutinied. Bligh’s conduct after the mutiny was actually inspirational. The mutineers placed him and 17 loyal crewmen on a boat, gave them provisions for five days, then cast them adrift in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, thousands of miles from civilization, to die. Instead, Bligh kept his men alive and navigated the dinky boat nearly 4000 until they reached civilization, all the while battling thirst, hunger, illness, and the occasional hostile natives. It was one of history’s most extraordinary feats of seamanship.