Fryer Testimony Home Minutes & Appendix Peckover Testimony
Revised Jun 5 2021
WILLIAM COLE, BOATSWAIN of the BOUNTY, deposed.
That Quintal, a seaman belonging to the Bounty, but in what part of the ship he knows not, calling to the carpenter (Purcell) said, they had mutinied and taken the ship; that Christian had the command, and the Captain was a prisoner upon the quarter deck; that the witness being thus awaked, jumped out of the cabin, and said to the carpenter, For God's sake I hope you know nothing of this; he said, he did not; that the sail-maker Lawrence Lebogue lying by witness's cabin, witness asked him what he meant to do; Lebogue answered, he did not know, but would do as the witness did; that witness went up the fore hatchway, and looking aft, saw Thompson centinel at the main hatchway, and Heywood leaning over his hammock, in the larboard birth, and Mr. Young in the starboard birth, Mr. Elphinstone looking likewise over the side of the birth which was boarded up; that witness then went on deck, saw men under arms around the fore hatchway, Churchill, Brown, Alexander Smith, William McKoy, and Williams; that Williams looked aft, saw the Captain's hands tied behind him, and Mills, Martin, Ellison, and Burkitt, centinels over him. That witness jumped down the fore hatchway, awaked Morrison, Milward, McIntosh, and Simpson, all lying in the same tier. I informed them what happened and hoped to form a party; they denied all knowledge of the mutiny; that Milward said, he was very sorry for it, and said he had a hand in the foolish piece of business before, and was afraid they would make him take a part in that; that, Churchill then came forward and called out to Millward to come on deck immediately, for he had a musket for him, or to take a musket; that they all went up as they got their cloaths on; that witness did not see any of the rest at that time have arms. That witness went on deck and asked Christian what he meant to do; that Christian then ordered this witness to hoist out the boat, and threatening him with the bayonet if he did not take care that the boat was hoisted out; and witness asked liberty to go and speak with Mr. Fryer, which was granted; witness went below and asked Mr. Fryer what was best to do, when Mr. Fryer in a low voice told witness by all means to stay; that one of the centinels over Mr. Fryer, (Sumner, as witness believes,) said to Mr. Fryer, "you have a wife and family, but all will be forgot in a little time"; that Mr. Fryer came upon deck and asked Christian what he was about, and told him, "If he did not approve of the Captain's behaviour, to put him under an arrest, and proceed on the voyage"; that Christian then said, "If that's all you have to say, go down to your cabin, for I've been in hell for weeks past"; that they were then intending to send away the Captain and Hayward, Hallet, and Samuel, with him; that the small cutter being stove, they made interest with Christian for the other cutter, which was fitted out; that Christian still threatened the witness, if he carried any thing away, or sprung any yard; that witness then finding the Captain was to be sent from the ship, went aft and asked for the long boat; that Hayward and Hallet were upon deck all this time; that after asking Christian three or four times without an answer, Captain Bligh said, For God's sake, Mr. Cole, do all in your power; that the carpenter said, "I've done nothing I am ashamed or afraid of, I want to see my native country"; that the launch was then granted; that the carpenter and armourer were employed in fitting her; that when the boat was going over the side, Byrne was in the cutter along-side, but how he came there witness don't know; witness says, we were employed in getting the launch out; that Christian ordered a dram to be given to each of the men under arms; that Smith brought some spirits and gave witness some in water; that Christian was continually threatening witness with the bayonet, to take care not to carry any thing away; that witness saw Heywood standing there at the same time, lending a hand to get the fore-stay sail along; that when the boat was hooked, Heywood said something to me, but what it was I do not know, Christian threatening witness at the time; that Heywood then went below, and witness saw no more of him; that witness says, they got the boat out, and Norman, McIntosh, Coleman, and Morrison, who did not go into the boat with others who did, were busy in getting necessary things into the launch; that Churchill and Quintal were walking about, saying Damn them, they have enough; that at this time witness saw William Musprat with a musket in his hand, but don't remember seeing him before; that witness heard Churchill call out, Keep somebody below, but who he knows not; that Churchill and Quintal were forcing the people into the boat; that Coleman was handing a bag into the boat which appeared to contain iron, or it was in the boat before; that Christian ordered it to be stopped; that Norman and McIntosh were then going into the boat, and endeavouring to get in the carpenter's tool chest, when Quintal said, "If you will let them have these things, they will build a vessel in a month"; that the chest was then handed in, some tools first being taken out; that the carpenter got his cloaths chest in; that they were then forcing the people out that were going and not of their side; that witness went then into the boat, and that Peckover, Samuel, Hayward, and Hallet, soon after were put or came into the boat; that Captain Bligh was then brought to the side, and put into the boat, which was then veered astern; that Coleman and Norman were crying on the gang way from the time they were ordered not to go into the boat; that McIntosh was standing by, not crying, but wished to come into the boat; that Byrne was in the cutter all the time crying; that when the launch was dropt astern, some pork, and other provisions and necessaries were handed over; that Burkitt went and got some cloaths from the gunner and threw into the boat; that Sumner demanded the Boatswain's call of witness, and said it would be of no use to him where he was going; that witness asked him in the Indian tongue, if he would give him any thing for it, and sent it up, but got nothing for it; that Norton asked for his jacket when Sumner said, "If I had my will you, bugger, I would blow your brains out"; that witness then told Captain Bligh it would be best to cast off, as the witness thought they might fire upon the boat; that Captain Bligh then called and wished to speak with Christian, but he did not come aft; that Coleman called over, and said 'he had no hand in it, and desired if any of them reached England, to remember him to Mr. Green of Greenwich'; that the boat then cast off, being at midships only seven or eight inches out of water; that the last person witness saw was Ellison, loosing the maintop gallant sail, and they sailed directly.
Q. per COURT.—How many men did you see under arms?
A. Nine at first on the deck, viz. Churchill, Williams, Mills, Brown, McKoy, Burkitt, A. Smith, Martin, Ellison, and two or three at other parts; Thompson at the main hatchway; Quintal and Sumner over the master's cabin, and at the cock-pit; Hillbrant about the deck; Skinner on the deck, but not at first; Musprat on the deck abaft the fore-hatchway, it was at the latter part of the time I saw him. Millward was ordered to take a musket and had it on the deck, Churchill called out to him, "Damn you, come up, here's a musket ready for you."
Q. What number of men was helping you to hoist the launch out?
A. Fourteen or fifteen; those who had no arms helped out with the boat, but those who had did not quit their arms; the master at arms had a pistol. I was not put under any restraint, but often threatened by Christian.
Q. Did any of the prisoners assist you in getting the launch out?
A. Yes; Coleman, Norman, McIntosh, and Morrison, were forward, Heywood and Hallet aft, I believe.
Q. Had you any conversation with the prisoners respecting the mutiny?
A. No conversation about the mutiny, except with the men mentioned whom I awaked.
Q. What force was used to prevent the people getting into the boat, who were not permitted to go?
A. Nothing but orders; the people stood round them with arms, but they did not attempt to break the order.
Q. Did you see any attempt by any one of the prisoners to prevent the mutiny?
A. None, I saw Heywood handle the forestay tackle fall.
Q. You say you saw Heywood handle the forestay tackle fall, was that voluntarily done?
A. Voluntarily. He was not forced.
Q. You say you saw no one of the prisoners make any attempt to stop the mutiny. Did you see any make any marks of disapprobation at what was going forward?
A. No.
Q. When the drams were ordered, did either of the prisoners partake?
A. Smith the servant served all in general, I did not observe who in particular.
Q. Did you hear any one threaten to shoot into the launch before you cast off?
Q. You have said, that Coleman, McIntosh and Norman, were detained against their will; have you reason to believe that any other of the prisoners were so detained?
A. I believe Heywood. I thought he intended to come away, he had no arms.
Q. Have you any other reason to think that Heywood was detained against his will?
A. I heard Churchill call out to keep them below; who he meant 1 do not know, but I believe Heywood.
Q. You have said you did not see any of the prisoners shew any marks of disapprobation of what was going on What was the cause of Coleman, Norman and Byrne crying, as you have represented?
A. Coleman and Norman wanted to come into the boat; why Byrne cried I know not, but he was blind.
Q. What was Burkitt's situation when on deck?
A. He was on the starboard side next the wheel, he had his musket shouldered, and was standing there.
Q. When you awoke Morrison, Millward, McIntosh, and Simpson, what did they do, when first on the deck?
A. Millward was ordered to take a musket, and went up, the other three were clearing the boat from yams.
Q. How long was it from the time Heywood quitted the tackle fall and went below, before you was forced into the boat?
A. Twenty minutes, or half an hour.
Q. Did you see any of the prisoners forcing Captain Bligh into the boat, or any under arms at that particular time?
A. I was in the boat alongside, and cannot tell who forced him.
Q. In consequence of Churchill calling to Millward to come upon deck, and take a musket; did Millward make any objection?
A. Not to my knowledge.
Q. You say, that Coleman, Norman, and McIntosh assisted at the top tackle fall to get out the launch. Did you suppose that they meant to be of use to Captain Bligh and accompany him, or that they were well disposed towards the mutineers, and wished to get quit of their Captain?
A. I think they wished to go with him.
Q. Do you think Heywood assisted from the same motive?
A. I have no reason to think otherwise, we did not converse at all. I did not see him at the tackle fall until the boat went out.
Q. Where was Musprat when under arms?
A. Abaft the hatchway.
Q. Did he appear to be centinel over any place or person?
A. He did not.
Q. Who were the persons that forced Captain Bligh into the boat?
A. I do not remember. I was in the boat, they on the deck.
Q. per BYRNE.—When the large cutter was hoisted out, who was the person that threw the fall out of her, to hook on the fore stay tackle?
A. I do not remember,
Q. When the orders were given for hoisting her out, did you not look down the hatchway, and see three or four people abreast in the starboard cable tier?
A. No; I saw Norton (since killed) get out of his hammock, and I believe the cook was there.
Q. Do you remember any one ordering some person to hook on the tackle to the boat?
A. Not in particular.
Q. Did you not call to people below, to come up and hoist out the cutter?
A. I do not know that I did, but I might.
Q. When the cutter was out, did you not order me to stay in her, to keep her from thumping against the ship?
A. I do not remember I did, but I told you to hawl her a-head when the launch was going over the side.
Q. When Purcell and you came out of the cock-pit, on the first alarm, did you perceive any one sitting on the chest on the fore hatchway?
A. I do not remember.
Q. Did any one speak to you or Mr. Purcell on the fore hatchway?
A. They may, but I do not know.
Q. When Mr. Purcell and you came up, did not I say to you, 'Sir, the people are in arms, and Captain Bligh is a prisoner'?
A. I do not remember seeing you, but you might be there; but your being blind I should have taken but little notice of you in the confusion.
Morrison.—Do you recollect when I came upon deck, after you called me out of my hammock, I came to you abaft the windlass, and said, Mr. Cole, what to be done? Your answer was, "By God, James, I don't know, but go and help them Out with the cutter."
A. Yes, I do remember it.
Q. Do you remember in consequence of your order, I went about clearing the cutter?
A. Yes.
Q. Do you remember I did hawl a trawl or grapnel from the main hold, and put them into the boat?
A. I remember such things being in the boat, who put them in I know not.
Q. Do you remember calling to me to assist in hoisting a cask of water from the hold, same time threatening Norton the quarter master that he should not go in the boat, if he was not more attentive in getting the things into her?
A. I remember telling Norton that, for he was frightened, and believe that Morrison was employed on that business.
Q. Do you recollect I came to you when you were getting your things (which were tied up in part of your bedding) into the boat, and telling you the boat was then overloaded, and that Captain Bligh had begged no more should go into her, and in consequence would take my chance in the ship; that you took me by the hand and said, God bless you, my boy, I do you justice if ever I get to England?
A. I remember shaking hands with you, and your saying you would take your chance in the ship; I had no reason before but to think you meant to leave the ship.
Q. per COURT.—Do you remember saying, If you got to England you would do him justice?
A. I do not remember it, but I have no doubt but I did.
Q. Morrison.—Was my conduct on that day such, or during the voyage, as to give you reason to suppose I was concerned in the mutiny?
A. I had no reason to suppose so.
Q. per COURT.—Did you hear prisoner Morrison say that Captain Bligh said, that no other men could come into the boat, as she was deeply laden already?
A. I remember taking him by the hand, but the conversation I do not recollect.
Q. Did you at that time believe that prisoner Morrison would have gone with you into the boat, if it had not been apprehended the boat was too deeply laden?
A. From his conduct and behaviour I had no reason but to think so, he did what I ordered him.
Q. What was Morrison doing when you desired him to clear the cutter?
A. To the best of my knowledge standing on the booms doing nothing, just come up.
Q. You said, Morrison assisted in getting out the boat, did you consider all those that assisted in getting out that boat to be of the Captain's party?
A. No. Some were under arms.
Q. Did you consider these not under arms, at that time, to be of the Captain's party?
A. I certainly did think they had no hand in the mutiny.
Q. Do you think all Mr. Christian's party was entrusted with arms?
A. I do not know, for some came on deck with arms, afterwards Mr. Young came upon deck with a musket; and Musprat came afterwards, which was after the first boat was hoisted out.
Q. Did you on that day consider Morrison as a person that was awed by the people under arms, to assist in hoisting the boat out, or as one aiding and assisting them in their design?
A. I do not think he was in awe of the people, nor that he was aiding or assisting them in their design.
Q. Did Morrison express any desire to come into the boat, and was he prevented?
A. He did not make any express desire, nor was he prevented from so doing.
Q. Ellison.—Are you certain, when you came upon deck and looked round, whether it was me that was armed, or the man that stood before me, as I stood at the wheel?
A. To the best of my knowledge I think it was you under arms; there were four men then on the quarter-deck under arms; Ellison, Mills, Martin, and Burkitt.
Q. Are you certain it was me, I was only a boy and scarcely able to lift a musket at that time?
A. You stood by Captain Bligh part of the time, he was upon deck with a musket, and I believe a bayonet fixed.
Q. In what position did I stand?
A. I do not know, I cannot answer that question.
Q. Burkitt.—When you came aft to get the compass out of the binnacle from the starboard-side of the quarter-deck, did not Quintal come and say, he would be damned if you should have it; you said, Quintal, It is very hard you will not let me have a compass, when there is a plenty more in the store-room; then you looked very hard at me, and I said, Quintal, let Mr. Cole have it, and any thing else that will be of service?
A. Quintal objected to the compass going, but I do not remember that you said what you mention; you might, you were standing there, I do not remember what conversation passed, the confusion was so great.
Q. Did you hear me that morning, during the time you said I was under arms, give any orders or use any bad language?
A. I did not. But when Mr. Peckover asked you for the cloaths, you went and got them, and threw them into the boat.
Q. Do you remember my coming aft and looking over and asking the people in the boat, if they wanted any thing I could get for them? Mr. Peckover told me to get his pocket-book out of his cabin and his cloaths.
A. I do not remember your asking any body if they wanted any thing; I have said you brought Mr. Peckover's cloaths.
Q. Millward.—Can you positively say that I took the musket according to Churchill's orders?
A. I don't know if by Churchill's orders, but you had one.
Q. Do you recollect speaking to me as I stood by the windlass, when you came up the fore-hatchway, and asked me what I was doing? I told you. Nothing; you told me to lend a hand and clear the large cutter
A. No.
Q. per COURT.—Were all the people that were called on deck bound and put in the boat, or were they all at liberty?
A. They were not bound, but brought up by centinels at different times, and put into the boat.
Q. Were there no other arms in the ship but in the chest, at the main hatchway?
A. Not to my knowledge.
Q. Was it Burkitt's watch on deck the morning of the mutiny?
A. I think it was.
A. I do not know he watched at all, he assisted the cook.
A. To the best of my knowledge it was.
A. I do not remember what watch he was in.
A. I do not think it was.
Q. Was Byrne on deck when you first came up?
A. I do not remember.
A. No.
Q. Was he on deck in the morning early?
A. I did not see him.
Q. What time did day break?
A. About a quarter before five o'clock.
Q. Byrne.—When you and all the people were in the boat, did you not hear me speak to some of the people forward in the launch's bow, as I was in the large cutter's stern?
A. I do not remember; you may.
Q. Did you ever hear any of the people in the launch say I had so spoken to them?
Q. Did you hear any one else?
A. I do not remember.
Q. Did you say yesterday, you did not know how I came in the cutter?
A. I did not know if you was hoisted out in her or not.
Fryer Testimony Home Minutes & Appendix Peckover Testimony