Bligh, Lieutenant William. A Narrative of the Mutiny, On Board His Majesty’s Ship Bounty; and the Subsequent Voyage of Part of the Crew, in the Ship’s Boat, from Tofoa, on of the Friendly Islands, to Timor, a Dutch Settlement in the East Indies. Written by Lieutenant William Bligh. Scarce and early pirated edition. Dublin, Printed for L. White, P. Byrne, J. Moore, J. Jones, B. Dornin, Grueber and M’Allister. W. Jones, and R. White. 1790. 22 x 13.5 cm. vii, (1), 144 pages. [[A]4, B8-K8]. Watermarked Paper. Contemporary cloth. Rough cut edges. Condition: Binding seriously rubbed, bumped, (damp) stained and faded (see images). Front joint open at the top of spine. Front free end paper and large part of half title page missing. Large part (c. 80%) of leaf D8 (pages 47 & 48) missing (a facsimile page printed on archival photo paper is losely inserted). Top section of the book damp stained. Edges dust dulled. Some minor nicks, tears & creases). Name of previous owner in colour pencil on ‘Advertisement’ page. Otherwise internally clean. The book would benefit greatly from rebinding. Despite its faults it remains a fascinating copy and a terrific read.

Captain Bligh’s initial account on the most famous mutiny in maritime history, written shortly after returning to England in March 1790.

From the book’s ‘Advertisement’ page:
“This part of the voyage is not first in the order of time, yet the circumstances are so distinct from that by which it was preceded, that it appears unnecessary to delay giving as much early information as possible concerning so extraordinary an event. The rest will be laid before the Public as soon as it can be got ready; and it is intented to publish it in such a manner, as, with the present Narrative, will make the account of the voyage complete.”

William Bligh’s Narrative covers the period from April 4, 1789, to March 14, 1790; that is from the departure of the Bounty from Otaheite (Tahiti) to his own arrival back in Britain. The Mutiny on the Bounty took place April 28, three weeks after departure.

Bligh published his narrativel several months after his return to London. Titled ‘Narrative of the Mutiny on the Bounty’, it was a bestseller for the publisher, George Nicol. Bligh published an expanded account, A Voyage to the South Sea, in 1792. Bligh’s narrative called the voyage one of “uninterrupted prosperity,” and made no mention of personal differences with the crew.

Bligh’s 1790 ‘Narrative’ was consequently published (pirated) in Dublin, Philadelphia, Rotterdam, and Paris & Amsterdam the same year: Official First Edition: London (George Nicol). Pirated Editions (all 1790): Dublin (White, Byrne et al), Philadelphia (W. Spotswood), Paris & Amsterdam (Didot & Dufour), (French), Rotterdam (G.A. Arenberg): (Dutch).

Note: Unlike the First (George Nicol, London) Edition; the Dublin Edition was published without charts & plans.

• Keywords: Classical & Old Literature · Ethnography · Great Britain · History · Literature · Naval · Navigation · Sailing · Transport & Travel · Travel & Exploration · World Travel
• Language: English
• Inventory Number: 103222AB

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