Just read Norfolk Island is experiencing a bit of a financial slump. Tourist numbers are down. Been to Norfolk, years ago with my nana who was good friends with one of the Fletcher Christian descents. Fairly laid back then, swimming at emily bay, going to the church built by the convicts. and cows have right of way at all times. Anyone know the story about Captain Bligh, apparantely one of his descendants was also cast off in a leaky boat. How intriguing. The original Captain Bligh was apparently a cruel man, is that right, because that is how the film potrayed him.
Sheba said
02:11 AM Mar 28, 2012
Got a couple of very good books on the Pitcairn descendants, but won't be able to get the correct Titles 'til Thursday week at the earliest.
Will post them when I find them. You might then be able to access them through your local library.
I think I remember hearing some time ago that our late Qld. Premier is a descendant of Bligh.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Cruising Granny said
06:09 AM Mar 29, 2012
I'd love to go over there some day. Another destination for the bucket list. It's just so off the beaten track, and it would be more of an experience than a destination for sightseeing. A great experience no doubt.
Beth54 said
11:14 AM Mar 29, 2012
I'd like to go too one day. It's always interested me since school days.
I've read a lot of novels set in the convict days, but not much that is factual.
Check out the library Lynette.
-- Edited by Beth54 on Thursday 29th of March 2012 11:18:53 AM
Sheba said
06:46 PM Mar 31, 2012
Beth54 wrote:
If I remember correctly, he rowed to Australia.
Actually Beth, their first stop was at Restoration Island, where they got fresh water from a spring [hence the name], up near "my country" on Cape York, just around the corner from Portland Roads.
From there, he navigated around the tip, and through Torres Straight, to Indonesia, which was still known as the Dutch East Indies in those days.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Saturday 31st of March 2012 07:01:01 PM
03_troopy said
09:14 PM Mar 31, 2012
animalcarer wrote:
Just read Norfolk Island is experiencing a bit of a financial slump. Tourist numbers are down. Been to Norfolk, years ago with my nana who was good friends with one of the Fletcher Christian descents. Fairly laid back then, swimming at emily bay, going to the church built by the convicts. and cows have right of way at all times. Anyone know the story about Captain Bligh, apparantely one of his descendants was also cast off in a leaky boat. How intriguing. The original Captain Bligh was apparently a cruel man, is that right, because that is how the film potrayed him.
I think the movies portrayed him as a cruel tyrant simply because that version of the description of William Bligh what was movie-goers expected to see, and probably made for a more commercially successful movie. I remember reading years ago that the stories of Bligh and the Bounty were greatly exaggerated and that he was in fact quite a reasonable man given his situation and time. The other account suggested that it was more a case of Fletcher Christian and the crew that were at fault. Fletcher Christian being a weak man and very inexperienced as a Naval Officer, and a crew that had been dragged away from "Paradise" back to the hard life of being at sea again. A listing on wikipedia (which shouldn't be taken as gospel) also mentions this:
A lot of historical events were made into movies, with a little resemblance to the true story. (By Hollywood, of course.)
I seem to remember the truth being as you describe.
And Bligh astounded everyone back in England by rowing himself to safety after being ejected from the Bounty. If I remember correctly, he rowed to Australia.
Beth54 said
02:11 AM Apr 1, 2012
Sheba wrote:
Beth54 wrote:
If I remember correctly, he rowed to Australia.
Actually Beth, their first stop was at Restoration Island, where they got fresh water from a spring [hence the name], up near "my country" on Cape York, just around the corner from Portland Roads.
From there, he navigated around the tip, and through Torres Straight, to Indonesia, which was still known as the Dutch East Indies in those days.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Saturday 31st of March 2012 07:01:01 PM
Thanks Gail. I was close! It's an interesting tale alright.
When you say 'my country', did you come from Cape York or is it just a favourite place. I remember you mentioning Portland Roads before...
Sheba said
02:12 AM Apr 1, 2012
Beth54 wrote:
--When you say 'my country', did you come from Cape York or is it just a favourite place. I remember you mentioning Portland Roads before...
Can't explain it properly, but when I arrived at Temple Bay, I just felt like I'd come home.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Beth54 said
02:43 AM Apr 1, 2012
Sheba wrote:
Beth54 wrote:
--When you say 'my country', did you come from Cape York or is it just a favourite place. I remember you mentioning Portland Roads before...
Can't explain it properly, but when I arrived at Temple Bay, I just felt like I'd come home.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Okay, I can understand that. When I head west on the Warrego Highway, I feel like I'm going home, even though I've never lived out there. Mum came from Mungallala, so it must be in the genes.
Just read Norfolk Island is experiencing a bit of a financial slump. Tourist numbers are down. Been to Norfolk, years ago with my nana who was good friends with one of the Fletcher Christian descents. Fairly laid back then, swimming at emily bay, going to the church built by the convicts. and cows have right of way at all times. Anyone know the story about Captain Bligh, apparantely one of his descendants was also cast off in a leaky boat. How intriguing. The original Captain Bligh was apparently a cruel man, is that right, because that is how the film potrayed him.
Got a couple of very good books on the Pitcairn descendants, but won't be able to get the correct Titles 'til Thursday week at the earliest.
Will post them when I find them. You might then be able to access them through your local library.
I think I remember hearing some time ago that our late Qld. Premier is a descendant of Bligh.
Cheers,
Sheba.
It's just so off the beaten track, and it would be more of an experience than a destination for sightseeing. A great experience no doubt.
I'd like to go too one day. It's always interested me since school days.
I've read a lot of novels set in the convict days, but not much that is factual.
Check out the library Lynette.
-- Edited by Beth54 on Thursday 29th of March 2012 11:18:53 AM
-- Edited by Sheba on Saturday 31st of March 2012 07:01:01 PM
I think the movies portrayed him as a cruel tyrant simply because that version of the description of William Bligh what was movie-goers expected to see, and probably made for a more commercially successful movie. I remember reading years ago that the stories of Bligh and the Bounty were greatly exaggerated and that he was in fact quite a reasonable man given his situation and time. The other account suggested that it was more a case of Fletcher Christian and the crew that were at fault. Fletcher Christian being a weak man and very inexperienced as a Naval Officer, and a crew that had been dragged away from "Paradise" back to the hard life of being at sea again. A listing on wikipedia (which shouldn't be taken as gospel) also mentions this:
William Bligh
Very true Troopy.
A lot of historical events were made into movies, with a little resemblance to the true story. (By Hollywood, of course.)
I seem to remember the truth being as you describe.
And Bligh astounded everyone back in England by rowing himself to safety after being ejected from the Bounty. If I remember correctly, he rowed to Australia.
Thanks Gail. I was close!
It's an interesting tale alright.
When you say 'my country', did you come from Cape York or is it just a favourite place. I remember you mentioning Portland Roads before...
Okay, I can understand that. When I head west on the Warrego Highway, I feel like I'm going home, even though I've never lived out there. Mum came from Mungallala, so it must be in the genes.