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The Bounty

The Isle of Man has strong connections with the mutiny, in 1789, on His Majesty's Armed Transport "Bounty".This event was, over the years, the subject of three Hollywood films. Her Master's Mate, Fletcher Christian, although born in Cumberland in the north-west of England, was from a branch of the famous Christian family of Milntown in the Isle of Man. Midshipman Peter Heywood, son of Deemster Heywood of the Nunnery estate, Douglas, was aged 17 and on his first voyage. He was sentenced to death, not for taking part in the mutiny but for failing to suppress it. He was later pardoned and went on to serve with distinction in the Royal Navy for over 27 years.

The old parish church of Onchan saw the wedding, in 1781, of Lieutenant William Bligh, later to become Captain of the "Bounty", and Elizabeth Betham, daughter of the Collector of Customs at Douglas. The Betham family lived at The Hague which still stands off Summerhill Road in Onchan. The grave of the parents of Mrs. Bligh may be seen in the Onchan churchyard.