Robert Dunkley (sailor)

Robert Dunkley was a British sailor, most notably recognized for his service and eventual command of the HMS Bounty after the infamous mutiny in 1789. He joined the Bounty as a midshipman under the command of Lieutenant William Bligh.

Following the mutiny, Dunkley was among the officers and loyal crew members who were cast adrift in the Bounty's launch with Bligh. He endured the arduous journey across the Pacific Ocean to Timor, facing severe hardships including exposure, lack of supplies, and threats from indigenous populations.

Dunkley survived the voyage and eventually returned to England. While Bligh was exonerated of blame for the mutiny, the surviving crew members, including Dunkley, were still subject to a court martial to determine their involvement and innocence. Dunkley was acquitted, recognized for his loyalty to Bligh and his forced participation in the events following the mutiny.

Historical records regarding Dunkley's life after the Bounty incident are relatively scarce, but his participation in the ill-fated voyage and survival of the subsequent ordeal cemented his place in maritime history. He represents one of the loyal crew members who suffered alongside Bligh and helped to bring the news of the mutiny to the world.