Pandora’s Box Poem by Robert Sheridan

A British frigate of 24 guns
Three-masted, shipped rigged
Crews-of-fiction, pressed-ganged
Captain Bligh commanded.

November of 1790, Portsmouth sailed
Sent out by the British Admiralty
Steered a direct course to Otaheite
In order to capture the Bounty mutineers.

Pure conjecture as-to where Christian’s crew rendezvoused
March of 1791, the Pandora arrived at Tahiti
Bligh – eighteen officers and seaman stood by him
Captured 14 – shackled in chains, the ‘Box’ awaited them.

From a deck cell, the Bounty crewmen cried farewell
To their wives and children on Tahiti
One consort gashed her scalp in grief
May of 1791, the Pandora sailed with prisoners manacled.

August of 1791, the Pandora through darkening waters slid
Struck submerged coral – began to take on seawater
Prisoners begged to be freed – most were unbolted
Pandora’s crew (most) and mutineers were eventually rescued.

Of the 10 surviving prisoners,7 were acquitted
3 others were yardarmed – had been convicted
Bligh was never court-martialed – rear admiral was appointed
“I am now in a part of the world I never expected.”

'2007'