In the movie The Bounty, Captain Bligh is on trial for the mutiny of his crew. Were captains of this time tried so and similarly?

by GoldenSummerVictory
PinkGayWhale

Strictly speaking, Lieutenant William Bligh and several of his crew were obliged to face a court martial inquiry into the loss of his ship, HMS Bounty. i.e. He wasn't on trial for the mutiny of his crew, although that was the cause of the loss.

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The court martial was held aboard HMS Royal William, moored at Spithead, on 22 October 1790 with Admiral Samuel Barrington presiding. This was a trial, in that Lieutenant Bligh and those of his crew who were present were found to be not responsible for the loss, although the ship's carpenter, William Purcell, was reprimanded for his behaviour during the boat trip afterwards.

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Yes, under naval law (Royal Navy) any ship's master who lost a vessel was required to face a court martial.

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Ref: BLIGH Master Mariner, by Rob Mundle