PITCAIRN, 
CHAPTER I. 
litS BOUNTY — THE OBJECT OP THE VOYAGE TO OTAHEITS 
— BREAD-FRUIT — ARRIVAL AT OTAHEITE — DEATH OF THE 
SURGEON — DELAY AT OTAHEITE — ENTERTAINMENTS ON 
BOARD THE BOUNTY — TIN AH AND IDDEAH— DESERTION AND 
ROBBERY BY THREE SEAMEN OF THE BOUNTY — FAREWELL 
TO OTAHEITE— HUAHEINE, WYTOOTACKEE, AND ANNAMOOKA 
— ARRIVAL OFF TOFOA — MUTINY IN THE SHIP — LIST OF MEN 
LEFT IN THE BOUNTY— LIST OF MEN IN THE LAUNCH. 
In the year 1787, in the reign of King George 
the Third, his Majesty's armed ship, Bounty, 
was fitted out by the English government, for 
the purpose of proceeding to the South Sea 
Islands for plants of the bread-fruit tree, which 
afforded to the inhabitants of those islands, and 
of Otaheite especially, the greater portion of 
their food. This step was taken in consequence 
of representations made to the King, by mer- 
chants and planters interested in his Majesty's 
West Indian possessions. 
Lieutenant William Bligh, to whom the com- 
mand of the vessel had been given, was then 
about thirty-three years of age. He had been 
sailing-master under Captain Cook, having been 
for four years with that great navigator in the 
Resolution. He was appointed in August, 1787, 
both commander and purser of the Bounty, which 
B 
