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Peter Heywood was born on the isle of Man into a prominent family. In his 11th year, he was sent to school in Nantwich, in Cheshire, remanded to the care of the Rev. Mr. Hunter. When sufficiently advanced, he was sent to St. Bees, but he stayed there only a short while when the opportunity to pursue his early and constant interest in maritime studies came. His entry into the navy was dated 11 Oct 1786. The Heywoods and Mrs. Bligh's family, the Bethams, were close friends. Indeed, Bligh was often a visitor at their family home, 'The Nunnery', on every occasion when he visited the Isle of Man. It was a letter from Bligh's father-in-law that urged him to take young Peter onto the Bounty crew. On 27 Aug 1787, at the age of 15, he was appointed as the junior midshipman.

He was 5 feet 7 inches tall, with a fair complexion, light brown hair, and was very much tattooed. On his right leg was tattooed the three legs of the Isle of Man, as upon the coin. At the time of the mutiny, he 'was not yet done growing', according to Bligh. It is interesting to compare the personalities of the three midshipmen who had privileged backgrounds. Heywood was an intellectual, bookish, and quiet. This was in contrast to Thomas Hayward, the naval loyalist, and John Hallett, the aristocrat. There was obviously no love lost between them, both on board the Bounty, and later at the trials. Hayward and Hallett were the only ones to speak ill of him (other than Bligh who wasn't especially enamored with any of any of the three!). It is interesting, however, that he seems to have been the only one of the three who was universally popular with those under him, a trait he shared with midshipmen Edward Young and George Stewart, both of the 'common' classes (and both active mutineers!).

Heywood felt that he had done nothing during the mutiny unbecoming to his position and rank, and the evidence seems to suggest that he tried to keep out of the way, understandable when you consider his age, and lack of experience. He claimed that he had hidden below deck, coming up too late to join the loyalists in the Launch. He sailed on the Bounty to Tahiti where he remained, and began work on what would become the definitive dictionary of the Tahitian language. He carefully followed and respected their customs. and on later voyages by Bligh, the Tahitians asked as to Heywood's health, and passed on their well wishes.

When the HMS Pandora arrived in Tahiti, Heywood voluntarily went on Board to report the mutiny to Capt. Edwards. To his somewhat naive surprise, he was immediately placed in irons. Returned to England for trial, Heywood was convicted, but was pardoned by the King on 24 Oct 1792. Admiral Lord Hood offered to take him as a midshipman on his own flagship. Heywood's uncle, then Captain Pasley, chose instead to make him midshipman of his own ship, the 'Bellerophon'. He sailed on 17 May 1794 with Pasley after a leave of several months, required to rebuild his health after so many months in confinement.

Heywood's career was from that point forward one of unbroken successes. He was universally commended by all those under which he served as a junior officer. After serving some years in the North Sea and in India under the flag of Vice Admiral Rainier, he obtained successively the ranks of Commander and (1803) Post-Captain. From 1803-1805, he commanded the 'Leopard' on extensive survey voyages of Ceylon, India, and the Eastern Islands. From 1806-1809, he served as flag captain to Admiral Sir G. Murray in the diplomatic service and protection of the English merchants during a period when civil war was raging in the South American colonies.

After a number of other senior flag assignments, he retired from active duty as a Senior Captain due for promotion to Admiral. He was offered a command on the lakes of Canada, but turned it down, indicating his willingness to return to active duty only in case of war. He spent his remaining years promoting the interests of his profession, and involvement with the Hydrographical Department of the Admiralty. He was, indeed, offered the directorship of the department, however, he turned it down due to his health which was visibly declining at the time.

Peter Heywood married Frances Simpson on 31 Jul 1816, at the age of 44. They had no children of their own.

Caroline Alexander, in "The Bounty", says, "Toward the end of 1830, the year of his [step-]daughter's marriage, Heywood's shaky health took a sudden, alarming turn for the worse. His shortness of breath became painful, and he found even speaking difficult. From his bed, he watched the sun and the wind that blew over the fields of gorse beyond his house, commenting to Diana when she drew the curtains that is was a fine wind to beat out of the Channel, where her husband was then bound. He died on February, 10, 1831, at fifty-eight, and was buried in a voult in St. Michael's Church, in Highgate, the worldlier part of London claimed him at the last. Years later, another body would be laid in the same vault--that of Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Thus the poet of the "Ancient Mariner" and the midshipman who had shared the voyage that had partially inspired it were brought together."

It is likely due to his long and distinguished naval career that he is referred to as ROGER BYAM in the fictional 'Mutiny on the Bounty', one of only two members of the crew to have their names omitted from that book. The other was the surgeon, John Huggan.

This was a final tribute to Peter Heywood and his last ship of service in the Royal Navy from his last crew.

For more information on Captain Peter Heywood & his Family:

Profiles of Famous Manxmen: Peter Heywood
Peter Heywood
Nessy Heywood (by A. W. Moore)