Giving no hint of the perils of his passage the proud Bligh stands erect as the launch sails into 'civilisation'. This was the London idealised version and here Blig could as well be sailing into a Dutch or English port. In reality two or three square rigged ships did stand at anchor in the busy Coupang harbour on that day but Bligh's men were in such a perilous state they could hardly lift themselves to see over the gunwales – and thereby bear any witness to their salvation.

23" x 15"