os4] ANNUAL REGISTER, 1790. 
Captain Bligh reached the Cape 
about the middle of December; and 
foon after took his paflage for Eng— 
Jand, which he reached on the even- 
ing ofthe 13th of March, and ar- 
rived in London on the 14th. 
The leader of the mutineers is 
named Fletcher Chrifian; a man 
of refpectable family and connec- 
tions, and confidered a good feaman: 
he was of the rank of mafter’s mate 
of the Bounty, and ferved regularly 
the watch from the time the fhip 
failed from England. The com- 
mand of the Bounty thus devolving 
upon him, there was no poflibility 
of defeating his purpofe; as not the 
lealt previous circumftance could be 
traced, from the teftimonies of the 
faithtul part of the crew after they 
were in the boat, of a mutiny be- 
ing on foot. The mutineers were 
to the number of z5 ; and thofe who 
remained firm to their duty 19; 
confequently, had the flighteft fuf- 
picion been entertained of the defign, 
it might have been eafily fruitrated, 
as all the principal officers remained 
faithful to their commander. 
A conjeGture not improbable is, 
that the plot was projected while 
captain Bligh was engaged on fhore 
at Otaheite and other iflands, col- 
lecting plants, and making charts. 
This othcer only holds the rank of 
lieutenant in our navy. His merit 
pointed him out to the Admiralty 
as highly qualified for this expedi- 
tion; and the diftrefles he has un- 
dergone entitle him to every re- 
ward. In navigating his little fkiff 
through fo dangerous a fea, his fea- 
manhip appears as matchlefs as the 
undertaking feems beyond the verge 
of probability. 
We felicitate thofe who were 
companions in this hazardous voy- 
age, that in the. prefent Admi- 
ralty board exilts a difpofition to 
fofter and protect fuffering merit; 
and our dock-yards, it is hoped, will 
prove an afylum to moft of them to 
the end of their lives. 
We are forry to add, that Mr. 
Nelfon, the botanift, died foon after 
the boat reached Timor. This gen- 
tleman went out with his majefty’s 
particular approval: and a fecondary 
object of the voyage was to collect 
curious plants for the botanic garden 
at Kew. ” 
Account of the Difafter that befel his 
Majefty’s Ship Guardian, Lieu- 
| tenant Riou, Commander. 
HIS fhip was fitted out in a 
moft expenfive manner, and 
furnifhed with all forts of ftores 
and provifions for the new fettle- 
ment at Botany-bay, and had a very 
profperous voyage till fhe arrived 
at the Cape of Good Hope, where 
fhe recruited her provifions, and in- 
creafed the number of her live- 
ftock, beyond any former prece- 
dent. 
On the 24th of December, 1789, 
being in lat. 44° S. and long. 41° 30° 
E. of London, the weather extreme- 
ly foggy, we faw an ifland of ice 
about three miles to the S.W. 
Lieutenant Riou gave direétions te 
itand towards it, in order to colleé 
lumps of ice to fupply the fhip with 
water. This proceeding was judged 
highly expedient, as the daily de- 
mand of water was prodigious, 
owing to the great quantity of cat- | 
tle on board. As the thip ap- 
proached the ifland, the boats were , 
hoifted out and manned, and feveral 
lumps collected. During this time 
the fhip lay-to, and on the tupply of 
water being brought on board, fire 
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