NARRATIVE OF THE MUTINY OF THE _BOUNTY_
From "Chamber's Miscellany," ANONYMOUS
About the year 1786, the merchants and planters interested in the West
India Islands became anxious to introduce an exceedingly valuable plant,
the bread-fruit tree, into these possessions, and as this could best be
done by a government expedition, a request was preferred to the crown
accordingly. The ministry at the time being favorable to the proposed
undertaking, a vessel, named the _Bounty_, was selected to execute the
desired object. To the command of this ship Captain W. Bligh was
appointed, Aug. 16, 1787. The burden of the _Bounty_ was nearly two
hundred and fifteen tons. The establishment of men and officers for the
ship was as follows:--1 lieutenant to command, 1 master, 1 boatswain, 1
gunner, 1 carpenter, 1 surgeon, 2 master's mates, 2 midshipmen, 2
quarter-masters, 1 quarter-master's mate, 1 boatswain's mate, 1 gunner's
mate, 1 carpenter's mate, 1 carpenter's crew, 1 sailmaker, 1 armourer, 1
corporal, 1 clerk and steward, 23 able seamen--total, 44. The addition
of two men appointed to take care of the plants, made the whole ship's
crew amount to 46.
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