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A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding
Re: HMS Bounty
From: Carl Herzog
Date: 2004 May 19, 09:34 -0400
From: Carl Herzog
Date: 2004 May 19, 09:34 -0400
To some degree, the genesis of the Bligh's reputation as a tyrant came from the Christian family's efforts to clear Fletcher's name. As I recall, Fletcher's brother conducted his own "investigation" into the mutiny and self-published a tract pinning the blame on Bligh and his abusive ways. Though Bligh was innocent of any serious wrongdoing in the eyes of the Admiralty, the tide of public opinion was shifted somewhat out of his favor. The legend didn't come into full bloom until Nordhoff and Hall showed up. I can't remember where I read this account, but perhaps someone else can elaborate. Carl Herzog Providence, RI
