17.7.11

Cap'n William Bligh's resting place


This tomb is in the knot garden in the old 16th century churchyard of St Mary-at-Lambeth, which was converted into a museum in 1980. It is inscribed on one side sacred to the memory of William Bligh, vice admiral of the Blue, also a navigator, who died Dec 7 1817. Bligh was also captain of the Bounty, famous for its 1789 mutiny. The other panels have inscriptions to his wife and family whose remains are also in the tomb. The tomb of plant-hunter and gardener, John Tradescant the Elder (c.1570-1638) and the Younger (1608-1662), are also buried in the garden.

The knot garden and its surrounds are planted with species introduced by the Tradescants, according to the Garden Museum website.



On my way to the Church I passed Bligh's former residence on Lambeth Road.


... and also the Imperial War Museum.


This picture taken on Union Street shows how rainy it was today.

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