William Bligh: The Man the Pacific Couldn’t Kill
About this episode
The episode explores the complex life of William Bligh, focusing on his navigation skills and survival after the mutiny on the HMS Bounty.
When most people hear the name William Bligh, they think of a tyrant. Thanks to generations of books and movies, the captain of the HMS Bounty has gone down in history as the cruel, power-mad villain whose crew finally rose up and mutinied. The real story is far more complicated—and far more impressive. Long before the mutiny, Bligh had established himself as one of the finest navigators in the British Navy. And after being cast adrift by Fletcher Christian and his fellow mutineers in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, he accomplished one of the greatest survival voyages in maritime history, guiding eighteen men more than 3,600 miles to safety in a tiny open boat. This week, Ben is joined by Dr. Patricia Larash to separate fact from fiction and explore the remarkable life of William Bligh: explorer, naval officer, survivor, colonial governor, and perhaps the most unfairly maligned captain in history. Because getting mutinied against once is memorable. Getting mutinied against twice is a lifestyle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More episodes of Badass of the Week
- Hector: The Blood-Soaked Shield of Troy
- Henry Knox: The Cannon King Who Won America’s Independence
- The Death Match: The Soccer Game That Defied the Nazis
- Vassili Paleokostas: History’s Wildest Prison Break Artist
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Badass of the Week podcast page.