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Apparently, like Master Fryer, Bligh was singularly unimpressed with Cole's ability. Bligh relates in his logbook, 'If I had any officers to supercede the Master and Boatswain, or was capable of doing without them, considering them as common seamen, they should no longer occupy their current stations. I trusted to their reports, yet [the] new sails never were brought out, [nor] is it certain they have ever been out since we left England.' It is interesting, though, that this criticism did not appear later in Bligh's formal report, which probably indicates that it was written in a moment of pique, and may not have been substantiated by evidence.

He tried to dissuade Christian from continuing the mutiny, and, with Fryer, intervened later to try to convince Christian to simply arrest Bligh and return with him to England. When his pleas were rejected, it was Cole who pleaded with Christian to allow the refugees to use the Bounty Launch, rather than the Cutter, which had been Christian's first choice. The cutter, according to Cole, was in bad repair, the wood being seriously deteriorated.

One sarcastic comment reported in Morrison's journal seems to shed some light on Cole's attitude. Just before the Launch was set off, Morrison, Cole's mate, appealed to his superior that he was remaining on the Bounty only because it would not be fair to his family for him to risk the heavy danger of the Launch voyage. Cole's retort, 'God bless you, my boy. If it were not for MY wife and family, I would stay myself!'

During the voyage of the Launch, he appears to have sided with Bligh in the disputes with Fryer. On one occasion, Tinkler behaved in a 'saucy and impertinent' manner toward Cole, and received a dressing down for it. Fryer urged his brother-in-law to 'stick a knife in him (Cole)'.

During the trial, Cole remained loyal to his former mate, and, along with Fryer, presented much testimony in Morrison's behalf, and was probably responsible for Morrison's eventual pardon.

Greenwich Hospital records indicate that a William Cole died in March 1833 at the age of seventy-one. Following the court-martial, the former boatswain of the Bounty had enjoyed what must have been a relative comfortable ten-year stint on a single ship, 'Irresistible', with two of his sons doing duty as his "servants." He was admitted to his pension in 1805; if he were indeed the William Cole who died at Greenwich, then he had a good long run at his retirement. (Caroline Alexander, "The Bounty")