Editing Mutiny on the Bounty (section)

=== ''Bounty'' under Christian ===
[[File:Tubuai.jpg|thumb|[[Tubuai]], where Christian first attempted to settle; the island is almost totally surrounded by a [[coral reef]]]]

After the departure of Bligh's launch, Christian divided the personal effects of the departed loyalists among the remaining crew and threw the breadfruit plants into the sea.{{sfn|Alexander|2003|pp=12–13}} He recognised that Bligh could conceivably survive to report the mutiny, and that anyway the non-return of ''Bounty'' would occasion a search mission, with Tahiti as its first port of call. Christian therefore headed ''Bounty'' towards the small island of [[Tubuai]], some {{convert|450|nmi}} south of Tahiti.{{sfn|Guttridge|2006|p=36}} Tubuai had been discovered and roughly charted by Cook; except for a single small channel, it was entirely surrounded by a coral reef and could, Christian surmised, be easily defended against any attack from the sea.{{sfn|Hough|1972|pp=192–195}}

''Bounty'' arrived at Tubuai on 28 May 1789. The reception from the native population was hostile; when a [[flotilla]] of war canoes headed for the ship, Christian used a four-pounder gun to repel the attackers. At least a dozen warriors were killed, and the rest scattered. Undeterred, Christian and an armed party surveyed the island and decided it would be suitable for their purposes.{{sfn|Hough|1972|pp=194–196}} However, to create a permanent settlement, they needed compliant native labour and women. The most likely source for these was Tahiti, to which ''Bounty'' returned on 6 June. To ensure the co-operation of the Tahiti chiefs, Christian concocted a story that he, Bligh, and Cook were founding a new settlement at [[Aitutaki]]. Although [[Death of James Cook|Cook had actually been killed]] ten years earlier, the use of his name ensured generous gifts of livestock and other goods and, on 16 June, the well-provisioned ''Bounty'' sailed back to Tubuai. On board were nearly thirty Tahitian men and women, some of whom were there by deception.{{sfn|Dening|1992|p=90}}{{sfn|Hough|1972|pp=196–197}}

For the next two months, Christian and his forces struggled to establish themselves on Tubuai. They began to construct a large [[moat]]ed enclosure—called "Fort George", after the British king—to provide a secure fortress against attack by land or sea.{{sfn|Dening|1992|p=90}} Christian attempted to form friendly relations with the local chiefs, but his party was unwelcome.{{sfn|Hough|1972|pp=199–200}} There were persistent clashes with the native population, mainly over property and women, culminating in a pitched battle in which 66 islanders were killed and many wounded.{{sfn|Alexander|2003|p=14}} Discontent was rising among the ''Bounty'' party, and Christian sensed that his authority was slipping. He called a meeting to discuss future plans and offered a free vote. Eight remained loyal to Christian, the hard core of the active mutineers, but sixteen wished to return to Tahiti and take their chances there. Christian accepted this decision; after depositing the majority at Tahiti, he would "run before the wind, and&nbsp;... land upon the first island the ship drives. After what I have done I cannot remain at Tahiti."{{sfn|Hough|1972|pp=199–200}} In order to flee, ''Bounty'' cut the ropes to two anchors in the bay; one was recovered by {{HMS|Pandora|1779|2}}, <ref>
{{cite web
|url=http://library.puc.edu/pitcairn/bounty/pandora-encyclopedia.shtml
|title=HMS ''Pandora'' Encyclopedia
|work=Pitcairn Islands Study Center
|publisher=[[Pacific Union College]]
|access-date=2012-10-31
}}</ref><!--end of refn--> while the other was rediscovered in 1957.<ref>National Geographic, December 1957, Luis Marden, "I Found the Bones of the Bounty"</ref>