William Bligh – The Captain Who Would Not Break

Tonight’s Bedtime Story turns its lantern toward one of the most debated figures in Australian and naval history, Captain William Bligh. To some, he is the tyrant of the Bounty. To others, he is the brilliant navigator who steered a tiny launch thousands of kilometres to safety after the mutiny. And in Australia, he is the governor whose clash with the rum-soaked establishment sparked the only armed rebellion ever mounted against a colonial leader here.

In this episode, we peel back the legend to find the man: disciplined, stubborn, courageous, flawed and fiercely determined. We follow Bligh from the violent swell of the open sea to the political storms of early Sydney, exploring how one man could be both deeply admired and deeply despised. His life is a lesson in leadership, resilience and the unpredictable weight of reputation.

Hear the Nightline Bedtime Story live at 11.30pm AEDT, during The Nightline, broadcasting 8pm till midnight Monday to Friday, right across the 2SM Super Radio Network with Cheralyn Darcey.