John Fryer

Biographical Summary:

"...John Fryer (1752-1817) He was Master, Royal Navy. H.M.A.V. Bounty. As one of the most experienced men on the Bounty, he was constantly quarreling with Bligh's decisions, ability, and Bligh's favored treatment of Christian. He was himself, however, considered a rather weak master and leader by the crew. There is, however, no question as to his skill as a navigator. His actions during the mutiny, in the opinion of Bligh, were not sufficiently strong in defence of his Captain and his ship. His cabin was located directly across from Bligh's stateroom. At the time the mutineers broke into Bligh's room in order to arrest him and take him on deck, Bligh recorded that '...he saw them in my cabin, for our eyes met each other through his door window, and he had a pair of ship's pistols loaded, and ammunition in his cabin. A firm resolution might have made good use of them.' Fryer's response was that 'he could find no body to act with ... that as to the pistols, he was so flurried and surprised that he did not recollect he had them.' Even though he was refused a reference by Bligh, he went on to rise to the top of his specialty, navigation, later to the rank of Master in Command where he commanded several ships. He retired on 6 Apr 1812. His service record is as follows:

• 20 Jan 1781 Master: HMS Camel
• 07 Dec 1787 Master: HMS Bounty
• 1790 Master: HMS Thunderer
• 09 Jan 1793 Master: HMS Inconstant
• 26 Jul 1795 Master: HMS St. George
• 17 Jan 1796 Master: HMS Britannia
• 1798 Superintendent of First Rate Division, Portsmouth
• 03 Nov 1800 Master: HMS Royal George
• 1801 Commander: HMS Serrapis (storeship)
• 1804 Commander: HMS William (storeship)
• 1806 Commander: HMS Abundance (storeship).

SOURCE: http://www.thepeerage.com/p16859.htm#i168583