Cyprus mutiny the mutiny in which the mutineers are depicted as birds. Cyprus mutiny The "Cyprus" mutiny took place in 1829 off the British penal settlement of Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania, Australia). Convicts seized the brig and sailed her to Canton, China, where they scuttled her and claimed to be castaways from another vessel. On the way, "Cyprus" visited Japan during the height of the period of severe Japanese restrictions on the entry of foreigners, the first Australian ship to do so. The mutineers were eventually captured. Two of them, George James Davis and William Watts, were hanged at Execution Dock,
George Edward Watts George Edward Watts George Edward Watts (1786 – December 2, 1860) commanded a Royal Navy ship during the War of 1812. He was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the son of John Watts and Agnes Skene, and entered the Royal Navy in 1797. He served in Halifax, the West Indies and the North Sea. Watts commanded HMS Jaseur during the War of 1812, capturing more than 30 ships. He was promoted to captain in 1814, to Rear-admiral in 1849 and to Vice-Admiral in 1856. In 1820, he married Jane Waldie. Watts died at Malvern at the age of 74. He