The Mutinous Voyage of William Bligh and the Bounty's Launch

24. The truth of the mutiny and its aftermath is shrouded in myths

Fletcher Christian and some of the mutineers, accompanied by their Tahitian wives and six men, eventually settled on Pitcairn Island in the Pacific Ocean. When the American sealing ship Topaz discovered their refuge in 1808 only one mutineer was alive, John Adams, who claimed Christian was murdered by the Tahitian men during a violent revolt on the island. His grave has never been found. Some claim he returned to Great Britain; among those who claimed to have seen him there was Peter Heywood. Heywood was tried, convicted, and condemned to death, but family influence enabled him to obtain a pardon from the King.

Among the materials saved by John Samuel when he was forced into the launch was Bounty‘s log. It was introduced as evidence during Bligh’s court-martial, as well as that of the mutineers, including Peter Heywood. It is held today at the State Library of New South Wales, viewable in transcript form. Bligh’s account of the open-boat voyage is also available in transcript form on several websites, and the original pages can be viewed online as well. Together they provide an in-depth record of one of the most remarkable tales to be found in the annals of the sea.