Bligh, William, 1754-1817

Epithet: Captain; of Add MS 31865

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000126.0x00033e

Bligh was an officer of the British Royal Navy and colonial administrator. He is best known for the famous mutiny that occurred against his command aboard HMAV Bounty. After the Bounty mutiny he became Governor of New South Wales.

From the description of Papers [manuscript]. 1958. (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 224756309

Bligh died in 1817, leaving his lands Copenhagen, Camperdown, Mount Betham, Simpson's Farm and Tyler's Farm to his six daughters:- Elizabeth Bligh, Dame Mary O'Connell, Harriet Barker, Frances, Jane and Ann Bligh. In 1838 these lands were vested in trustees, Charles Hallett and Felix Slade, for sale.

From the description of Papers of Bligh estate [manuscript]. (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 225790891

On 28 April 1789, Bligjh and 18 men from the "Bountry" were set adrift in the ship's launch. After one of the longest known open boat voyages, the launch reached Koepang, Timor, on 15 June. They secured a schooner, the "Resource", and proceeded on toBatavia, pausing at Sourabaya for supplies, where disputes broke out amongst themen. The Dutch governor was obliged to carry out investigations into the men's complaints.

From the description of [Signed documents] [manuscript]. 1789-1938. (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 225841423

Sir Joseph Banks was an English naturalist and president of the Royal Society.

From the guide to the Sir Joseph Banks papers, 1766-1820 (bulk), 1766-1820, (American Philosophical Society)

English Vice-Admiral.

From the description of Document signed, an autograph letter from Richard Symons : "Irresistible," Yarmouth Road, to Samuel Lewis, Agent for Victualling His Majesty's Navy, 1801 Aug. 18. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270536468

William Bligh, son of Francis and Jane Bligh, was born at Plymouth in 1754. In 1776 he was appointed master of the Resolution under the command of Captain James Cook and in 1787 took command of the Bounty on an expedition to the West Indies. The crew, under Fletcher Christian, mutinied in 1789. Bligh became Governor of N.S.W. in 1806. He was recalled to England in 1810 and in 1812 became Rear-Admiral of the White. He died in London in 1817.

From the description of Notebook and list of mutineers. 1789. (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 221425785

William Bligh, naval officer and colonial governor. While in command of the transport ship Bounty in the South Pacific, Bligh's crew mutinied, the story of which later served as inspiration for many novels and films. Bligh briefly served as governor of New South Wales, Australia from 1806-1808.

From the description of William Bligh manuscript material : 1 item, 1816 (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 76944950

From the guide to the William Bligh manuscript material : 1 item, 1816, (The New York Public Library. Carl H. Pforzheimer Collection of Shelley and His Circle.)

Admiral and Governor of N.S.W. Appointed master of the Resolution under the command of James Cookin 1776. Offered the command of the H.M.S. Bounty in 1787 on a expedition to procure breadfruit plants for the West Indies during which the crew mutinyed, seized Bligh and placed him in a boat with 18 others crewmen. 1801 made a Fellow of the Royal Society. 1805, Sir Joseph Banks offered him the position of Governor of N.S.W.

From the description of Letters [manuscript]. 1776-1811. (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 225710557

Epithet: Captain; RN; Governor of New South Wales

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000126.0x000340

Master of the Resolution on Cook's 3rd voyage. Survived a mutiny on H.M.S. Bounty (sent under his command to Tahiti to procure breadfruits in 1787) by sailing an open boat to Timor. Was Governor of New South Wales, 1806-1810.

From the description of Memorandum [manuscript]. (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 225804264

Admiral, and Governor of New South Wales.

From the description of Logbooks [manuscript]. (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 225768898

William Bligh was born at Plymouth, England on 9 September 1754. On 27 July 1770 Bligh joined the Royal Navy as an able-seaman. A year later he became a midshipman. As master of H.M.S. Resolution Bligh made his first voyage to the South Seas in 1776 with Captain James Cook. Bligh returned to England in 1780. He was married to Elizabeth Betham in 1781.

In 1787 Bligh was appointed commander of H.M.S. Bounty, with the objective of procuring bread-fruit plants from the South Pacific to introduce to the West Indies. On 30 April 1789 the crew of the Bounty mutinied, casting off Bligh and 18 loyalists in an open, 23 foot long boat. With scarce provisions and no charts, Bligh managed to navigate the boat 6705 kilometres to Timor over six weeks. Bligh was honourably acquitted in October 1790. In 1791 Bligh was commissioned again to transport bread-fruit plants from Tahiti to the West Indies, as commander of H.M.S. Providence. This time Bligh succeeded in his voyage. In addition, Bligh charted part of the south-east coast of Van Dieman?s Land while staying in Adventure Bay. He also made significant explorations of Tahiti, Fiji and Torres Strait and returned in 1793.

Between 1795 and 1802 Bligh commanded H.M.S. Director at the battle of Camperdown and as commander of H.M.S. Glatton fought in Copenhagen under Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson. Upon his good friend Sir Joseph Banks?s recommendation, Bligh was appointed governor of New South Wales in 1805. Bligh's attempts to reform the colony caused tension among the New South Wales Corps and upset many powerful settlers. On 26 January 1808 Major George Johnston, head of the New South Wales military, marched on Government House, placed Bligh under arrest and took control of the colony.

Bligh was released in 1809 and sailed back to England in 1810. He was acquitted after a court martial and promoted to rear-admiral of the Blue in July of 1810. He was promoted to vice-admiral in 1814. After his wife?s death in 1812, Bligh moved from Lambeth to Faringham, Kent. Bligh died on 7 December 1817, leaving his estate to his six surviving daughters.

From the description of OM71-34 William Bligh Log, 1791-1793. (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 755789398