Code: EXPLT
The hospitable behaviour of the Governor of Timor to Lieutenent Bligh (Coupang, Timor)
William Bligh - Voyage to Timor:As HMS Bounty turned to return to Tahiti with her mutinous crew, Leieutenent William Bligh steadfastly set course for the nearest European outpost at Timor. Though the small cutter was dangerously overloaded with 19 men, Bligh succeeded in sailing first to Tofua for supplies, then on to Timor. After sailing 3,618 miles, Bligh arrived at Timor after a 47-day voyage with only one man was lost during the ordeal when he was killed by natives on Tofua. Here records “The hospitable behaviour of the Govenor of Timor to Lieutenant Bligh” in Coupang, Timor on August 19,1789, as printed in November 1791 in London. Moving on to Batavia, Bligh was able to secure transport back to England. In October 1790, Bligh was honorably acquitted for the loss of Bounty and records show him to have been a compassionate commander who frequently spared the lash. In 1791, Bligh returned to Tahiti aboard HMS Providence to complete the breadfruit mission. The plants were successfully delivered to the Caribbean without any trouble. Five years later, Bligh was promoted to captain and given command of HMS Director. While aboard, his crew mutinied as part of the greater Spithead and Nore mutinies which occurred over the Royal Navy's handling of pay and prize money. Standing by his crew, Bligh was commended by both sides for his handling of the situation. Posssibly on the strength of htis he was to continue his carreer as Governor of New South Wales where he was confronted by the dubious activities of the now infamous RUM CORPS, that lead to the Rum Rebellion of 1808...A novel animated timeline of William Bligh's carreer!
Original copper-plate engraving by William Bromley, A.R.A. (1769-1842) after Perter Paul Benazech (1744-?). Hand coloured.
Published J Stratford, London July 31, 1802
Size of Plate mark 215mm x 172mm
Condition = some discolouration around edges of paper
AUD$66
Australia and the Pacific
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