In April 1789, the HMS Bounty left Tahiti and whilst passing through the Endeavour Channel, a number of the crew staged a mutiny. Captain Blight and 18 loyal crew members were forced by the mutineers into one of the the three small life boats and were cast adrift. This craft, powered by a large sail and with four men rowing at a time, covered 3600 miles until they reached the safety of Timor.