Long after the disappearance of fletcher christian there were rumours he had actually escaped pitcairn and was seen years later in england. Thoughts?

I've never heard thins one before. It does beg the questoins: "If he did get off the island, why couldn't / didn't the other men with him? " and "If he did get off the island, why would he go to the one place on Earth where he would certainly be tried and hung as a pirate and mutineer?".

Records suggest that -

- In the weeks leading up to his disappearance, he would spend hours a day in a cave some distance from the mutineers' encampment. Perhaps he was plotting an escape there, perhaps building a boat?

- His body was never found

- Adams, the only mutineer left when pitcairn was discovered, who claimed fletcher was dead, was insane.

I feel these points do not allow the possibility he left the island to be ruled out.

The questions you asked are good..

1. If he did construct a boat, it obviously would have been a very small one, and considering the large distance he had to travel in it, it would only have been able to hold a few people. He was unable to choose a select few of the mutineers and he knew if he did, there would be an uproar which, could jeopardize his escape.

2. If he did reach Britain, his intentions would not have been to unveil his identity, as this would surely result in death. He would have kept to himself, alerting very few people of his presence, hence the rumours.

I don't know.. It's interesting to think about.