Mutiny is a revolt among a group of people (typically in the military, or part of a ship’s crew) to oppose, change or overthrow an organization or leader to which they were previously loyal.
On a ship’s crew, mutiny particularly means open rebellion against a ship’s captain.
History[]
Season One[]
Due to a streak of unprofitable prizes, Singleton prepares to challenge Captain Flint for the captaincy of the Walrus. In truth, Singleton is encouraged by the leadership of the Ranger, who hope that Singleton will prove himself such a poor captain that the members of the Walrus Crew defect, allowing the Ranger Crew to pick up their talented members. Ultimately, Flint accuses Singleton of stealing the schedule of the Urca de Lima, and kills him in a duel.
After Flint wins the duel, and is reelected captain, Billy Bones remains nervous that the crew is still resentful of Flint. With John Silver’s help, he learns that Morley, Turk and Randall are the last vestiges of the mutiny.
During the Boarding of the Andromache, Logan challenges Flint after he orders him to participate in a dangerous plan. Gates knocks Logan out with a punch, and reminds the crew that as per the Articles, the captain’s orders are law in battle. After the battle is done, Flint remarks to Mr. Scott that he nearly faced another mutiny chasing down the Andromache.
After Billy’s demise during the battle with the Andromache, Gates organizes a mutiny with Dufresne (the newly elected quartermaster), De Groot and Dr. Howell. He tells them all about the lies with Singleton, Silver and the page. The four agree that after they get the Urca de Lima gold, they are going to kill Flint.
The Walrus and the Ranger sail to Division Bay, the purported location of the Urca, but find it empty. De Groot pushes for them to make landfall and try Flint for his crimes. Gates argues that if they do that now, camps will divide and they’ll start fighting. Gates insists that they will try Flint back in Nassau like civilized men. Dufresne points out that Gates spent the night drinking with Flint, and how they can trust Gates’ word. Gates in turn gives Dufresne a letter detailing Flint’s crimes.
A Spanish Man O’ War is then spotted nearby, and Flint and Gates go to the great cabin to talk in private. In Flint’s cabin, Flint lays out his plan. The Walrus will pose as a beleaguered Spanish merchant vessel, while the Ranger fires two shots over their bow flying the Black as she sails away. At 300 yards, they are to open fire on the warship, signaling the Ranger to do the same. The Walrus will rake the ship stern to bow and then the Ranger will rake her bow to stern, sinking her before she has a chance to turn her broadsides on the pirates. Gates refuses, saying that all he sees is an empty bay, a guardacosta warship and a captain who’s lost his mind, and no Urca. Flint is convinced that the ship is an escort for the galleon, but Gates reminds him that the whole justification for this endeavor was that the Urca had no escort. Gates then reveals that he is behind the mutiny against Flint, and is going to be sailing the Ranger back to Nassau, knowing that Flint has no chance against the warship. Flint then kills Gates, and tells his crew that Gates had a heart attack.
Dufresne agrees to go along with Flint’s plan, but after Flint has Silver say they are tobacco ship, going against Dufresne’s explicit warnings, he launches his mutiny. He accuses him of tyrannical crimes against his crew, including the murders of Singleton and Billy Bones, as well as a plot to steal a portion of the Urca gold. Dufresne produces the letter Gates wrote, detailing Flint's crimes, and hands it to Logan, who confirms that it is written in Gates' hand. Flint tries to fire a cannon himself, but is shot in the shoulder by Dufresne. As Dufresne orders the ship to turn around and head home to Nassau, Silver fires an unattended cannon. This causes the Spanish ship to realize the ruse and return fire. Dufresne then orders the Walrus gun crews to open fire. Ultimately, the pirates lose the battle, with the Ranger going down with all hands and the Walrus barely being able to limp away.
Season Two[]
Dufresne reveals to Flint that the Urca was wrecked in the storm the previous night, and promises to persuade the crew to pardon Flint for his crimes if he helps them get the gold. Flint refuses, and tells Dufresne that eventually their camp will be discovered and slaughtered by the Spanish, which is what the crew deserves for siding with a “cowardly, sniveling shit of a mutineer” like Dufresne.
Benjamin Hornigold asks John Silver how he isn’t concerned that when they set sail, Gates had Flint’s ear and Silver was nothing, but then Flint called Gates a mutineer and killed him, and now Silver has taken his place.
After Eleanor Guthrie steals Abigail Ashe from Charles Vane’s captivity, Vane manages to find her at the gate of one of Fort Nassau’s tunnels. Vane begs her not to leave with Abigail, pointing out that his crew will mutiny and likely kill him for this.
Vane and his crew track Flint to Charles Town and take his ship while he is ashore, but Vane resolves to stay and rescue Flint after hearing that he has been arrested and will be executed the next day. He leaves Jenks in charge of the ship with the half of the crew that think the rescue mission is a bad idea. Ultimately, Jenks decides to mutiny and abscond with the ship. However, he needs more men to sail the ship and asks John Silver for help. Silver refuses to divulge names, knowing it would mean the death of the rest of the men. Jenks tortures him, but Silver is rescued when the rest of his crew kills or captures Jenks and his men.
Season Three[]
Captain Hornigold, now a privateer in the service of the Crown, accosts the Straight Arrow, and offers them pardons in exchange for their surrender. The pirates mutiny, and lock Captain Hallendale in his cabin with nothing but seawater to drink and then abandon the ship at sea, leaving him marooned. The ship is discovered at anchor under bare poles and flying the Black by the Walrus.
Season Four[]
After the defeat of the forces of Governor Woodes Rogers at the Battle of the Maroon Island, Rogers' ships and soldiers are recalled to London due to the outbreak of war with Spain. One subordinate, Captain Berringer of the British Army, leads a mutiny of several hundred soldiers, who stay behind in Nassau, determined to avenge their defeat.
Quotes[]
"Mr. Gates, if you walk through that door with the intent of subverting my plans, I will have no alternative but to interpret that as an incitement of mutiny."
"You think I'm inciting mutiny?"
"You are inciting mutiny."
"I'm managing one!"
Trivia[]
- Historically, Singleton's move to oust Flint wouldn't have been considered a true mutiny, as any man had a right to try and challenge the captain via election.