Richard Rodney Bligh Admiral Sir Richard Rodney Bligh GCB ( bap . 8 November 1737 – 30 April 1821 ) was an officer of the Royal Navy , who saw service during the American War of Independence , and the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars , eventually rising to the rank of Admiral . Family and early life . Bligh was born into a naval family , probably in 1737 since he was baptised on 8 November 1737 at Holy Trinity Church , Gosport . His godfather was Captain George Brydges Rodney , later to win fame during the American War of Independence , rising to the rank of Admiral . Bligh ' s father was Richard Bligh , a lieutenant in the navy , while William Bligh was a third cousin . The younger Richard also embarked on a naval career , joining in 1750 aboard Rodney ' s ship , the 44 - gun . By 1756 he had risen to midshipman and was serving aboard the 90 - gun HMS " Ramillies " , then flying the flag of Admiral Sir John Byng . Bligh saw action at Byng ' s unsuccessful attempt to relieve Minorca , after which he was commissioned a lieutenant on 30 September 1757 aboard the 24 - gun . He remained with the fleet of his patron Rodney , whom he accompanied to the West Indies . Rodney duly appointed him Master and Commander of the sloop on 22 October 1762 . He carried out various cruises aboard her against enemy privateer s . He followed this by being made post - captain aboard on 6 December 1777 . In January 1780 he commissioned the newly built . By 1782 he was in command of the 64 - gun during the Relief of Gibraltar by Admiral Richard Howe . Command . On the outbreak of war with Revolutionary France , Bligh was initially commissioned to command the 74 - gun before being moved to in 1794 . He was present during the events around the Glorious First of June as part of the attached squadron under George Montagu , but did not actively participate in the engagement . By late 1794 the " Alexander " and the had been assigned to escort a convoy from England to Cape St Vincent . While the two warships were returning they were spotted by a French squadron under Joseph - Marie Nielly , consisting of five 74 gun ships of the line , three large frigate s and a brig . Outnumbered the British ships attempted to escape , but began to be overhauled by the French . Bligh eventually turned and engaged the French , allowing " Canada " to escape . After an unequal engagement during which " Alexander " was reduced to a sinking condition , Bligh struck his colours . The French took possession of " Alexander " , but owing to the damage both they and their prize had sustained , were compelled to abandon their cruise and return to port , thus allowing several approaching British convoys to reach port unhindered . Flag rank . Bligh was taken as a prisoner of war , but unknown to him he had been promoted to the rank of rear - admiral of the blue on 23 October 1794 . He was eventually exchanged and returned to England in May 1795 , where he faced the customary court - martial for the loss of his ship . He was honourably acquitted , and allowed to take up a position under Sir Peter Parker . He was then appointed as second - in - command to Sir Henry Harvey , then commander in the Windward Islands , with Bligh flying his flag aboard the 74 - gun . Bligh arrived on station in September , but was then given new orders from Sir Hyde Parker , instructing him to go to Jamaica and take command until Parker arrived the following month . Bligh remained as Parker ' s second , being promoted to vice - admiral on 14 February 1799 . He incurred the wrath of Parker though when he granted pardons to two of the mutineers from , and recommended mercy for a third . Acting against regulations Parker forced Bligh to resign his command and return to Britain in the summer of 1799 . In late 1803 he was given command of the naval forces in and off Scotland , serving under Lord Keith , before being promoted to the rank of admiral of the blue on 23 April 1804 . He then resigned and retired from active service . Family and later life . Bligh married Ann Worsley , daughter of Sir Edward Worsley in 1765 . They had one son , George Miller Bligh , who went on to become a captain in the Navy . The couple also had four daughters , two of whom married naval officers , and three of whom went on to have children who became naval officers . Ann died in 1797 , Richard remarrying on 28 June 1800 . He was appointed a GCB on 16 May 1820 , and died on 30 April 1821 at his home , Bell Vue , near Southampton , Hampshire .