British Scientist and Seaman. Botanist on the HMS Bounty. From 1776 to 1779 he served as Botanist on Captain Cook's third South Seas expedition, during which he discovered many varieties of tropical plant life. William Bligh was there as Cook's Sailing Master. Described as "one of the quietest fellows in nature", Nelson's principal duty on the Bounty was to care for the 600 breadfruit plants Bligh was transporting from Tahiti to the West Indies. He was well-liked by everyone aboard. When the mutiny broke on April 28, 1789, Nelson was kept under guard below deck for his own protection; he later told Gunner's Mate William Peckover, "The ship is taken by our own people, and Mr. Christian at their head. But we all know whose fault it is". Over the mutineers' objections Nelson asked to be put off the ship with Commander Bligh and his followers; he suffered greatly on the 3,500-mile open boat voyage and died soon after the loyalists reached Timor. Bligh was genuinely shaken by his death. He gave Nelson a funeral with full naval honors, after which the gentle botanist was laid to rest in the small European cemetary in Coupang. (The site no longer exists). On a voyage to Tasmania in 1792, Bligh named a high spot on the island "Nelson's Hill". Now known as Mount Nelson, it is the site of Tasmania University, Hobart, and a popular local tourist attraction.
British Scientist and Seaman. Botanist on the HMS Bounty. From 1776 to 1779 he served as Botanist on Captain Cook's third South Seas expedition, during which he discovered many varieties of tropical plant life. William Bligh was there as Cook's Sailing Master. Described as "one of the quietest fellows in nature", Nelson's principal duty on the Bounty was to care for the 600 breadfruit plants Bligh was transporting from Tahiti to the West Indies. He was well-liked by everyone aboard. When the mutiny broke on April 28, 1789, Nelson was kept under guard below deck for his own protection; he later told Gunner's Mate William Peckover, "The ship is taken by our own people, and Mr. Christian at their head. But we all know whose fault it is". Over the mutineers' objections Nelson asked to be put off the ship with Commander Bligh and his followers; he suffered greatly on the 3,500-mile open boat voyage and died soon after the loyalists reached Timor. Bligh was genuinely shaken by his death. He gave Nelson a funeral with full naval honors, after which the gentle botanist was laid to rest in the small European cemetary in Coupang. (The site no longer exists). On a voyage to Tasmania in 1792, Bligh named a high spot on the island "Nelson's Hill". Now known as Mount Nelson, it is the site of Tasmania University, Hobart, and a popular local tourist attraction.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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