Folios 169-172: William Bligh, HMS Porpoise, Simons Bay, Cape of Good Hope. Further...

Folios 169-172: William Bligh, HMS Porpoise, Simons Bay, Cape of Good Hope. Further complaints about the behaviour of Captain Joseph Short, after he had sent his despatches on HMS Alexander transport by way of Rio de Janeiro. Details all complaints, including not following orders, threatening a shot across the beam of HMS Lady Sinclair, Mr. Jackson, Master. Is sending copies of letters to support his complaint.

Folio 173-174: Enclosure in folios 169-172: Captain Joseph Short, HMS Porpoise, at sea, 8th April 1806 to Captain William Bligh. Concerning the complaint from Mr. Jackson, Master of the Lady Sinclair of being forced to convoy this ship and missing his season in China. He is ordered to convoy the ship to Port Jackson.

Folios 175-176: Enclosure in folios 169-172: Captain William Bligh, HMS Lady Sinclair, at sea, 9th April 1806 to Captain Joseph Short. He refers Captain Short to his orders to proceed to Port Jackson with the Lady Sinclair and follow his orders as to course and ports used. Reminds him he is his superior Officer.Jackson. Folios

Folios 176-177: Enclosure in folios 169-172: Captain Joseph Short, HMS Porpoise, at sea, 10th April, 1806 to Captain William Bligh. As Commander of the convoy he considers it his duty to ensure Mr. Jackson, Master of HMS Lady Sinclair follows his orders, if necessary firing a shot. He will never willingly submit to the Lady Sinclair parting company.

Folio 178: Enclosure in folios 169-172: Captain William Bligh, HMS Lady Sinclair, at sea, 9th May 1806 to Captain Joseph Short. He is sorry that he mistook the Cape, which meant the loss of time as the ship could have been on shore earlier.

Folio 179: Enclosure in folios 169-172: Captain William Bligh, Commander of HMS Porpoise, Cape of Good Hope, 12th May 1806 to Captain Joseph Short. Order to report on the state and condition of the ship.

Folios 180-181: Enclosure in folios 169-172: Captain Joseph Short, HMS Porpoise, Simons Bay, Cape of Good Hope, 12th May 1806 to Captain William Bligh. Concerning the order to report on the condition of the ship, he does not consider himself to be under Captain Bligh’s orders as he is on shore. Is he wishes to be returned onto the books he should come aboard and assume command.

Folios 182-184: Enclosure in folios 169-172: Captain Joseph Short, HMS Porpoise, Simons Bay, Cape of Good Hope, 15th May 1806 to Captain William Bligh. Again reiterates the reason he will not follow any orders is because Captain Bligh is ashore on leave. He is sure the Lords of the Admiralty did not intend for him to assume command otherwise why would they have sent all orders and private signals to himself, and put Captain [Francis] Beaufort, HMS Woolwich under his command. Folios 184-185: Enclosure in folios 169-172: Captain Joseph Short, Simons Bay, Cape of Good Hope, 13th May 1806 to Captain William Bligh. Until a superior Officer is mustered on this ship he considers himself in charge and will therefore not carry out any orders given by Captain Bligh. He considers that an Officer cannot be punished for disobeying orders from a superior Officer who has no right to give them.

Folio 185: Enclosure in folios 169-172; Captain William Bligh, HMS Porpoise and Senior Officer of ships at the Cape of Good Hope, 15th May 1806 to Captain Joseph Short, 2nd in command, HMS Porpoise. An order to muster him on board the ship.

Folios 186-187: Enclosure in folios 169-172: Captain Joseph Short, HMS porpoise, 22nd May 1806 to Captain William Bligh. Acknowledges receipt of letter in which he wishes to claim prize money for Danish ship, but as he was not mustered he will have no claim, if he is not happy with this suggests that the matter should be decided by anyone aware of the rules of the service, perhaps Messrs. Maude, Robertson and Hopley. He is aware of the cases of Captains Hunter and Waterhouse, but these Officers were both on board and mustered. He is keen to mend the breach between them before they send in their reports as otherwise he fears it will end in a Court Martial. He wishes to give up command of this ship at Port Jackson. Mentions Sir David Baird. Asks for his answer as the packet to St. Helena will only wait for two days.

Folios 188-191: Enclosure in folios 169-172: Duplicate of folios 169-172.