Cirrus@Austlit

Christian was Master's Mate on the Bounty and was responsible for leading the mutineers against Captain Bligh. In 1788, the Bounty had sailed from England for Tahiti to collect a cargo of breadfruit. It was here that Christian fell in love with Maimiti, a Tahitian woman, whom he later married. On April 4, 1789, the Bounty departed Tahiti and some 3 weeks later, Christian launched the mutiny. Christian and the mutineers returned to Tahiti where 16 of their number remained. Christian and eight others, together with some Tahitian women, sailed again eventually settling on Pitcairn Island on January 23, 1790.