Mutineer. Master-at-Arms on the HMS Bounty. In January 1789, during the Bounty's stay in Tahiti, Commander William Bligh had Churchill flogged (48 lashes) for desertion. When the ship's crew mutineed on April 28, Churchill acted as Fletcher Christian's second-in-command and was among the group who arrested Bligh in his cabin. Returning to Tahiti, he participated in the warfare between the native tribes and was made a tribal chief himself. This caused friction between Churchill and fellow mutineer Matthew Thompson, who envied his onetime crony's status. One day in 1790 Thompson accused Churchill of stealing weapons from him. When Churchill denied it, Thompson shot him to death. He was the first Bounty mutineer to die.
Mutineer. Master-at-Arms on the HMS Bounty. In January 1789, during the Bounty's stay in Tahiti, Commander William Bligh had Churchill flogged (48 lashes) for desertion. When the ship's crew mutineed on April 28, Churchill acted as Fletcher Christian's second-in-command and was among the group who arrested Bligh in his cabin. Returning to Tahiti, he participated in the warfare between the native tribes and was made a tribal chief himself. This caused friction between Churchill and fellow mutineer Matthew Thompson, who envied his onetime crony's status. One day in 1790 Thompson accused Churchill of stealing weapons from him. When Churchill denied it, Thompson shot him to death. He was the first Bounty mutineer to die.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
Advertisement
Advertisement
