Pacific Union College HomePitcairn Islands Study Center Home
Study Center Bligh & Bounty Pitcairn Island Norfolk Island PUC Library
 

"The Bounty Saga" Chronology

A Chronology of Events Relating to Bligh/Bounty/Pitcairn/Norfolk

This extensive chronology is the work of, and used by permission of, Butch Kerr, a long-time student and researcher of “The Bounty Saga.”
    Year     Date      What/Event                          Where           Notes
1738
6/4
George III born London
1743
2/2
Joseph Banks born London
1754
9/9
William Bligh born Plymouth to Francis & Jane Bligh
1760
9/22
George III became King of England London
1764
9/25
Fletcher Christian born-Cumberland Moorland Close to Charles & Ann Christian
1767
6/17
Tahiti discovered - Samuel Wallis Tahiti in ship Dolphin
1767
7/2
Pitcairn Island discovered-Carteret South Pacific son of Maj. Pitcairn on Swallow
1768
8/25
Capt Cook departs in Endeavor England first Cook voyage of discovery
1769
4/13
Capt Cook arrives for first time Tahiti Matavia Bay
1770
7/27
Bligh enters active Naval Service London HMS Hunter-10 gun sloop-as AB
1771
7/13
Capt Cook returns in Endeavor London first Cook discovery voyage
1771
2/4
Bligh promoted to Midshipman in HMS Hunter
1771
9/22
Bligh departed HMS Hunter
1771
9/22
Bligh to HMS Crescent London 36 guns - Midshipman
1772
7/13
Capt Cook departs in Resolution London second Cook discovery voyage
1774
9/2
Bligh depart HMS Crescent London
1774
9/2
Bligh on HMS Ranger London as AB
1774
10/3
Norfolk Island discovered Norfolk Is by Capt Cook in Resolution
1775
7/29
Capt Cook returns in Resolution London second Cook discovery voyage
1775
9/30
Bligh appointed Midshipman London on HMS Ranger
1776
3/20
Bligh to Master HMS Resolution London Captain James Cook
1776
5/1
Bligh passed the Lieutenants exam
1776
7/14
Cook sails on 3rd voyage-Resolution Plymouth Bligh is sailing master
1779
2/14
Captain James Cook killed Hawaii
1780
10/4
Resolution/Bligh return to England Nore Bligh as navigator
1781
2/4
Bligh marries Elizabeth Betham Conchan Parish Betsy from Douglas
1781
2/14
Bligh appointed Master / Belle Poule London fought at Dogger Bank
1781
9/5
Bligh transferred from Belle Poule London
1781
9/6
Bligh transferred to HMS Berwick London Capt John Fergusson-74 guns
1781
10/5
Bligh promoted to Lieutenant
1781
12/31
Bligh departed HMS Berwick London
1782
1/1
Bligh arrives HMS Princess Amelia Fifth Lieutenant- 80 guns
1782
3/19
Bligh departs HMS Princess Amelia after battle of Dogger Bank
1782
3/20
Bligh served on HMS Cambridge Jr. Lieutenant-also w/F Christian
1783
1/13
Bligh departed HMS Cambridge London went to 1/2 pay
1783
4/25
Fletcher Christian to HMS Eurydice Spithead as Midn- Capt George Courtney
1783
6/4
Bligh took command of Lynx Jamaica trade merchant- for Duncan Campbell
1784
Bethia built in Hull, England Hull a merchant collier
Bligh took command of Cambrian Jamaica trade merchant- for Duncan Campbell
1785
Bligh took command of Britannia Jamaica trade merchant-Duncan Campbell
1785
Britannia departs England to Jamaica Bligh is Capt.w/ F. Christian
1785
Britannia arrives England from Jamaica F. Christian is gunner
1787
Britannia departs England to Jamaica Capt Bligh/F Christian 2nd mate
1787
5/13
First Fleet sails Portsmouth Capt Arthur Phillip-to Australia
1787
5/23
Bethia purchased by Admiralty Deptford Renamed Bounty
1787
8/2
Britannia arrives in England Portsmouth Bligh Capt- w/ F. Christian
1787
8/6
Bligh informed of Bounty command London by Campbell-letter to Banks
1787
8/16
Bligh appointed to command Bounty London
1787
9/3
Bounty out of shipyard dock Deptford Bounty then refitted
1787
10/9
Bounty sailed down the Thames Longbeach Loaded guns and ammo
1787
12/23
Bounty departs from England Spithead Breadfruit mission, with 46 men
1788
1/6
Bounty arrives at Canary Is. Teneriffe resupply
1788
1/12
Bounty departs Canary Is. Teneriffe
1788
1/26
Sydney, Australia, founded Sydney First Fleet- Capt Phillip
1788
Feb
Norfolk Island Penal Colony founded Norfolk Is First Fleet - 
1788
3/2
Fletcher Christian promoted to LT at sea 3 watches vice 2 on Bounty
1788
3/11
Matthew Quintal - 24 lashes at sea insolence/contempt to Fryer
1788
3/28
Start of attempt to round Cape Horn Cape Horn brutal weather for Bounty
1788
4/22
Bounty turns for Africa Cape Horn Bligh thanks crew
1788
5/24
Bounty arrives at Cape Town Cape Town resupply
1788
5/24
John Williams - 6 lashes- Cape Town neglect in heaving the lead
1788
7/1
Bounty departs Cape Town Cape Town resupplied
1788
8/21
Bounty arrives Adventure Bay Tasmania
1788
9/4
Bounty departs Adventure Bay Tasmania resupplied
1788
10/9
James Valentine dies-Bounty AB at sea asthma, and was bled
1788
10/19
W.Brown./ J.Mills grog stopped at sea refusing to dance/exercise
1788
10/26
Bounty arrives in Tahiti Matavia Bay to collect breadfruit
1788
11/2
Breadfruit tent/shore party setup Tahiti 9 Bounty crew -to collect plants
1788
11/3
John Adams - 12 lashes Tahiti allowed grudgeon to be stolen
1788
12/5
Matthew Thompson- 12 lashes Tahiti for insolence-disobey orders
1788
12/9
Bounty Surgeon John Huggan died Tahiti alcohol poisoning
Thomas Ledward appointed surgeon Tahiti
1788
12/25
Bounty moved-Matavia to Toahroah Tahiti grounded and refloated
1788
12/27
William Muspratt - 12 lashes Tahiti neglect of duty
1788
12/29
Robert Lamb - 12 lashes Tahiti neglect of duty-cleaver stolen
1789
1/5
3 Bounty men deserted in the cutter Tahiti Churchill,Muspratt, Millward
1789
1/6
Midn Haywood confined in irons Tahiti was watch officer - 3 deserted
1789
1/17
Bounty sails found mildewed/rotted Tahiti new sails in storage
1789
1/23
3 Bounty deserters apprehended Tahiti With help from Tahitians
1789
1/24
3 Bounty deserters punished Tahiti Church 12,Musp 24,Millward 24
1789
1/30
Isaac Martin - 19 lashes Tahiti for striking a Tahitian
1789
2/4
2nd flogging for 3 Bounty deserters Tahiti Church 12,Musp 24,Millward 24
1789
2/6
Bounty anchor line cut Tahiti cause/person never determined
1789
3/2
Tahitian man flogged on Bounty Tahiti for stealing Peckovers bedding
1789
3/31
Breadfruit collection completed Tahiti loaded onboard Bounty
1789
4/4
Bounty departs Tahiti Tahiti 1015 breadfruit plants
1789
4/22
Bounty anchors at Nomuka Friendly Is for water- Natives a problem
1789
4/26
Bounty departs Nomuka Friendly Is Bligh angry
1789
4/28
Mutiny on the Bounty South Pacific Ocean
1789
4/29
Bligh/launch to shore Tofua 23' launch-19 men
1789
5/2
John Norton died - Quartermaster Tofua Killed by Tofuans
1789
5/2
Bligh/launch depart Tofua Tofua Start of boat voyage
1789
5/28
Bligh/launch arrive Restoration Is. New Holland
1789
5/30
Bligh/launch depart Restoration Is. New Holland
1789
5/31
Bligh/launch on Sunday Island New Holland confrontation w/Purcell
1789
5/28
Bounty arrives Tubuai w/mutineers Tubuai at anchor to explore island
1789
6/6
Bounty depart Tubuai w/mutineers Tubuai to Tahiti
1789
6/14
Bounty launch/Bligh arrive Timor Coupang 3618 miles
1789
6/16
Bounty depart Tahiti w/mutineers Matavia Bay
1789
6/23
Bounty arrive Tubuai w/mutineers Tubuai to set up colony
1789
7/20
David Nelson died Coupang Botanist on Bounty
1789
8/20
Bligh departs Timor in Resource Coupang purchased the schooner
1789
9/12
Bounty departs Tubuai Tubuai to Tahiti / failed colony
1789
9/23
Bounty departs Tahiti w/9 mutineers Matavia Bay last time in Tahiti-16 stayed
1789
10/1
Bligh/Bounty crew arrive in Batavia Batavia in schooner Resource
1789
10/10
Resource and launch sold Batavia
1789
10/10
Thomas Hall died Batavia AB/ Cook
1789
10/16
Bligh departs Batavia in Vlydte Batavia with John Samuel & John Smith
1789
William Elphinstone died Batavia masters mate
1789
Peter Linkletter died Batavia Quartermaster
1789
Robert Lamb AB/butcher died at sea enroute from Batavia to England
1789
Thomas Ledward died-act surgeon at sea-ship Welfare?  'not heard from'
1789
12/16
Bligh arrives at Cape of Good Hope Table Bay in Dutch ship Vlydte
1790
1/2
Bligh departs Cape of Good Hope Table Bay in Vlydte w/ Samuel & Smith
1790
1/15
Bounty arrives in Pitcairn Pitcairn Island new settlement established
1790
1/23
Bounty is burned Pitcairn Island now 'Bounty Day' on Pitcairn
1790
3/14
Bligh arrives in England from Batavia Portsmouth Isle of Wight boat from Vlydte
1790
3/16
Bligh formally reports Bounty mutiny London to the Admiralty
1790
       4/? Charles Churchill died Tahiti murdered by Matthew Thompson
1790
      4/? Matthew Thompson died- AB Tahiti murdered by a Tahitian 
1790
7/1
Bligh book 'Narrative' is published London First of Bounty books-G. Nichol
1790
10/22
Bligh court martialed for Bounty loss Spithead exonerated- HMS Royal William
1790
11/7
HMS Pandora departs England Spithead Captain Edward Edwards
1790
11/14
Bligh to HMS Falcon- Captain London 14 gun sloop
1790
12/15
Bligh to HMS Medea- Captain London
1790
   date ? Fahoutu fell collecting eggs & died Pitcairn Williams's wife-first Pitcairn death
1790
    10/? Thursday October Christian born Pitcairn first born on Pitcairn
1790
12/15
Bligh promoted to Post Captain London
1791
3/23
HMS Pandora arrives in Tahiti Tahiti 14 Bounty crew taken prisioners
1791
4/16
Bligh to Captain HMS Providence London
1791
5/8
HMS Pandora departs from Tahiti Tahiti 14 Bounty crew in a cage
1791
8/3
HMS Providence/Assistant Bligh sail Portsmouth on 2nd breadfruit voyage
1791
8/28
HMS Pandora wreck Great Barrier Reef another boat voyage to Timor
1791
8/28
Henry Hillbrant died -cooper Great Barrier Reef Pandora wreck
1791
8/28
Richard Skinner died -AB Great Barrier Reef Pandora wreck
1791
8/28
John Sumner died -AB Great Barrier Reef Pandora wreck
1791
8/28
George Stewart died-ABmidshipman Great Barrier Reef Pandora wreck
1791
9/17
HMS Pandora boats arrive in Timor Coupang 10 Bounty crewmen
1791
   date ? Puarei/Obuarei died-date unknown Pitcairn Adams first consort-from Tahiti
1792
4/10
Providence/Assistant Bligh arrive Tahiti 2nd breadfruit collection
1792
6/18
Bounty/Pandora crew arrive England Spithead 10 Bounty crew /HMS Gorgon
1792
7/1
Bligh's book 'Voyage' published London by G. Nichol- 2nd Bounty book
1792
7/20
Providence/AssistantBligh depart Tahiti with breadfruit for Jamaica
1792
8/12
Court martial of mutineers begins HMS Duke Portsmouth-10 Bounty crewmen
1792
8/18
Court martial of mutineers ends Portsmouth HMS Duke
1792
10/29
Burkitt, Ellison, Millward hanged Spithead HMS Brunswick
1793
1/27
Providence/Assistant Bligh arrive Jamaica deliver breadfruit
1793
6/17
Providence/Assistant Bligh depart Jamaica after service against France
1793
   date ? Nancy given to Williams Pitcairn start of the rebellion
1793
8/1
Talaloo/Tararo died- Raiatean Pitcairn killed by Menalee
1793
8/2
Oho/Uhuu died-Tubuain Pitcairn killed by Menalee
1793
9/3
Providence/Assistant Bligh arrive England at Deptford 8/7-Bligh to 1/2 pay
1793
9/20
Fletcher Christian died Pitcairn killed by Tahitian men
1793
9/20
William Brown died Pitcairn killed/ b. England 1762
1793
9/20
John Mills died Pitcairn killed/ b. Scotland 1750
1793
9/20
Isaac Martin died Pitcairn killed/ b. USA 1758
1793
9/20
John Williams died Pitcairn killed/ b. England 1765
1793
9/28
Timoa/Teimau died-Tahitian Pitcairn killed by Menalee
1793
10/1
Menalee/Minarii died-Tahitian Pitcairn killed by McCoy
1793
10/4
Nehow/Niau died- Tahitian Pitcairn killed by Young
1793
10/4
Tetaheite/Taroamiva died-Tubuain Pitcairn killed by Susan
1794
5/1
Minutes of Bounty court martial  Portsmouth published by Stephen Barney
1794
5/14
Appendix to court martial Minutes Portsmouth published by Edward Christian
1794
12/3
Bligh Answer to Christian Appendix London published by Bligh/G. Nichol
1795
Short Reply to Bligh's Answer London published by Edward Christian
1795
4/30
Bligh to command- HMS Calcutta 24 guns
1796
1/7
Bligh departs HMS Calcutta
1796
1/7
Bligh to command -HMS Director 64 guns
1797
4/16
Mutiny at Spithead Spithead mutiny 4/16 to 5/15
1797
5/12
Mutiny at the Nore London mutiny 5/12 to 6/13
1797
5/19
Bligh ordered off of HMS Director Sheerness Mutiny at the Nore
1797
6/16
Bligh returned to HMS Director Sheerness then to Camperdown Battle
1798
   date ? William McCoy died Pitcairn suicide - drunk/b. 1763 Scotland
1798
   date ? William Muspratt died - tailor England
1798
John Hallet died - midshipman at sea HMS Penelope sinking
1798
4-?
Thomas Hayward died-midshipman at sea HMS Swift sinking
1799
   date ? Tevarua/Big Sully/Sarah died Pitcairn Quintal consort
1799
   date ? Matthew Quintal killed Pitcairn by Adams and Young/b 1766
1800
7/3
Bligh departed HMS Director London shore leave in London
1800
12/25
Edward Young died-midshipman Pitcairn of asthma/b. 1762 W.I.
1801
3/13
Bligh command of HMS Glatton Yarmouth Battle of Copenhagen
1801
4/13
Bligh departed HMS Glatton Copenhagen thanked by Nelson
1801
4/13
Bligh to command of HMS Monarch Copenhagen 74 guns-appoint by Adm Parker
1801
5/7
Bligh departed HMS Monarch Nore
1801
5/8
Bligh command of HMS Irresistible Nore 74 guns-
1801
5/21
Bligh elected Fellow, Royal Society London
1802
5/28
Bligh departed HMS Irresistible London stood down - 1/2 pay
1804
5/2
Bligh to command-HMS Warrior Plymouth
1805
2/25
Bligh court martial started HMS San Josef re Warrior-Lt Frazier
1805
2/26
Bligh court martial concluded Torbay Bligh reprimanded/admonished
1805
2/26
Bligh returned to Warrior Portsmouth as Commanding Officer
1805
4/29
Bligh appointed Governor of NSW London
1806
2/20
Bligh departs England for NSW London HMS Porpoise & Lady Sinclair
1806
8/8
Bligh arrives in NSW as governor Sydney became governor 8/14
1807
James Morrison died/masters mate at sea gunner-HMS Blenhiem
1808
1/26
Bligh deposed as governor of NSW Sydney Rum Rebellion
1808
2/6
Capt Folger rediscovers Pitcairn Is Pitcairn in American sealer Topaz
1809
5/14
Admiralty notified-Bounty at Pitcairn London news via Brazil-Lt Fitzmarice
1810
5/12
Bligh departs NSW Sydney in HMS Hindostan
1810
10/25
Bligh arrives in England from NSW Spithead then Bligh to London
1810
   date ? Mareva died  Pitcairn Manarii/Teimua/Niau-Adams
1810
   date ? Yeatuahitea died Pitcairn Brown consort
1811
7/31
Bligh promoted to Rear Admiral London flag never broken at sea
1812
4/15
Bligh's wife Elizabeth died Lambeth buried at Lambeth
1814
6/4
Bligh promoted to Vice Admiral London at his home
1814
9/17
Capts Pipon & Stains arrive Pitcairn Pitcairn HMS Tagus & Briton
1817
5/26
John Fryer died -Bounty Master Norfolk UK Wells next the sea
1817
10/17
American ship Sultan visit Pitcairn Pitcairn Capt Caleb Reynolds
1817
10/19
Jenny departed Pitcairn to Tahiti Pitcairn on American Ship Sultan
1817
12/7
Bligh died of cancer London buried at Lambeth 
1819
1/18
British ship Hercules arrives Pitcairn Pitcairn Capt Henderson-brought books
1819
3/2
American ship Elizabeth arrives Pitcairn Capt Henry King
1819
3/5
American whaler Stanton arrives Pitcairn Capt Burtch
1819
7/17
Jenny interview published Sydney in Sydney Gazette
1820
1/29
King George III died London Windsor Castle
1820
6/19
Sir Joseph Banks died London Spring Grove-Isleworth
1821
4/23
English ship Surry arrives Pitcairn Pitcairn Capt Thomas Raine
1822
3/8
American whaler Russell arrives Pitcairn CDR Frederic Arthur
1823
12/10
English whaler Cyrus arrives Pitcairn Master John Hall
1823
12/10
John Buffett/John Evans arrived Pitcairn on ship Cyrus from London
1825
12/5
HMS Blossom visited Pitcairn Pitcairn Capt Beechey
1826
3/7
Sarah/Sully died-Chas Christian wife Pitcairn Teio's baby from Tahiti
1826
12/14
Jane Quintal departed Pitcairn Pitcairn Ship Lovely Ann-Capt Blythe
1828
11/5
George Hunn Nobbs arrived Pitcairn with Noah Bunker in small boat
1829
3/5
John Adams died Pitcairn Buried on Pitcairn/b1763 London
1829
3/14
Teio/Mary died Pitcairn John Adams wife- blind
1831
2/10
Peter Heywood died -Post Captain England after distinguished naval career
1831
3/7
Pitcairners move to Tahiti from Pitcairn via Lucy Ann & Comet
1831
3/21
Pitcairners arrive in Tahiti from Pitcairn via Lucy Ann & Comet
1831
4/21
Thursday October Christian died Tahiti first born on Pitcairn
1831
4/29
Vahineatua/Prudence died Tahiti Mills/Adams consort
1831
6/9
Toowhaiti/Nancy died Tahiti Tararo/Williams/Young consort
1831
6/27
1st Pitcairners back to Pitcairn from Tahiti via Courier de Bordeaux
1831
9/3
Last Pitcairners back to Pitcairn from Tahiti via Am whaler Charles Doggett
   date ? Tehuteatuaonoa/Jenny died Tahiti Adams/Martin consort
1832
10/28
Joshua Hill arrived Pitcairn via barque Maria from Tahiti
1834
3/10
William Purcell died- Carpenter England Last of Bounty crew -in asylum
1837
12/9
Joshua Hill departs Pitcairn Pitcairn via HMS Imogene/ Capt Bruce
1838
11/29
Pitcairn became British Colony Pitcairn HMS Fly -Capt Russell Elliott
1838
11/29
Edward Quintal 1st Chief Magistrate Pitcairn election supervized by Elliott
1841
9/14
Mauatua/Maimiti died Pitcairn Christian/Young consort
1850
7/15
Teraura/Teopiti/Susannah died Pitcairn Young/Quintal/T.O. Christian
1856
5/2
Pitcairners move to Norfolk Island Pitcairn via HMS Morayshire- 194 people
1856
6/8
Pitcairners arrive at Norfolk Island Norfolk Is on HMS Morayshire
1858
3/15
Wild Wave crew -Capt Knowles arrive Pitcairn in boat from wreck on Oeno Is.
1859
1/17
1st Pitcairners back to Pitcairn from Norfolk Is via brig Mary Ann
1863
12/18
2nd Pitcairners back to Pitcairn from Norfolk Is via ship St Kilda
1884
11/6
George Hunn Nobbs died Norfolk Is
1891
5/5
John Buffett died Norfolk Is
1891
12/30
John Evans died Norfolk Is
1886
10/18
John Tay arrives via sloop Pelican Pitcairn 7th-day Adventist layman
1890
11/25
Schooner Pitcairn arrrives Pitcairn w/ John Tay & 7th-day minister
1892
1/8
John Tay died Suva, Fiji born 1831 - USA
This extensive chronology is the work of, and used by permission of, Butch Kerr, a long-time student and researcher of “The Bounty Saga.”