Post #102381 by Satan's Sin on Sun, Jul 18, 2004 8:13 AM

Christian was a "master's mate" -- and yes, he was the XO, but he was not an active-duty British naval officer.

The only British naval officer on the Bounty was Bligh -- and he as a lieutenant. He was called "captain" because the c.o. of any ship -- regardless of pay grade -- is by courtesy called "captain." Bligh wasn't awarded the actual rank of captain until much later -- and later on he made admiral. He also suffered another mutiny, btw.

The Bounty was not really on a military mission per se. The Bounty was not even a warship, but was purchased by the British government for the purpose of gathering and delivering breadfruit. The British put an active duty officer in charge of the Bounty (Bligh), but the rest of the crew was basically a "pickup" civilian crew -- Christian included.

But oh how I prefer the "Hollywood" version of Brando arriving at the Bounty in a fancy carriage with two hot babes to see him off! Christian as indolent aristocrat who is "obliged" to serve in the military so as to be socially correct! And who immediately looks down his nose at the bourgeois Bligh! Much, much better! Completely historically false, but much, much better.

In my opinion.