Object Image

Coconut bowl belonging to Lieutenant William Bligh (1754-1817) of the 'Bounty'. A smoothed and hollowed coconut shell, signed and dated 'W Bligh/April 1789' (initials and date are incised). Inscription in ink: 'The cup I eat my miserable allowance out.' A 19th-century museum label is attached with the inscription, numbered '1086': 'Relic of the mutiny on the 'Bounty', bowl made and used by Captain Bligh to eat his ration while adrift.' The bowl was used by Bligh to during the boat voyage from Tofua to Timor in the 'Bounty's' launch - about 3600 nautical miles, which is over 4000 statute (land) miles.

Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London. Purchased with assistance from the Garfie...

1789
Coconut
102.0 x 127.0mm
ZBA2701
Image and text © Royal Museums Greenwich, 2021

Where you'll find this

National Maritime Museum
Permanent collection