This is a portrait of William Bligh by Alexander Huey in 1814. Bligh is best known for being cast adrift from HMS Bounty during the Mutiny led by Fletcher Christian. An internet search or a good library will give more sources on William Bligh's naval career. I am here to explain about my connection to him through my ancestor.
Joseph Short
1763 - 1809
He is the father in law of my 1st cousin 5x removed. Joseph had been born in Westminster to Joseph Short and Mary Pape. As far as I have found he was an only child.
In 1776 Joseph joined the Royal Navy and was promoted to Commander in 1793. At the start of 1805 Joseph decided to move to New South Wales, Australia, with his family and second wife Mary. In July of that year he received a letter from Edward Cooke, the Under-Secretary to the Colonial Office which recommended him to Captain William Bligh, for a grant of land in New South Wales. William Bligh had been appointed Governor in May 1805 and he was to travel as part of the convoy with Joseph.
William Bligh captained the HMS Sinclair while Joseph had managed to get appointed to command HMS Porpoise. Joseph's circle of friends included William Budge, the long term private secretary to the former First Lord of the Admiralty Viscount Melville. William Budge had recently been appointed Commissioner of Victualling; another friend from their mutual circle was travelling out with Joseph, Robert Fitz who had been appointed Deputy Commissary of New South Wales. He had previously been a clerk in the Colonial Office.
On the journey out Joseph clashed with William Bligh over who was leading the convoy. At one point he asserted his position by firing across Bligh's bow. On arrival in New South Wales, one of Joseph's officers reported him for drunken behaviour, cruelty and unofficerlike conduct. The charges were examined and Short was put on a return ship to England, to face court martial. Obviously this put an end to the idea of him starting a new life in Australia. He returned with his wife and family on HMS Buffalo; sadly Mary died on the voyage leaving Joseph with 6 children, one of whom was only a year old. Whether Mary's death was linked to the birth (at sea) of her son Edward Ballard Short, is not clear.
Joseph returned to England and died himself on 3 June 1809 on the Isle of Wight.
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