John Fryer (15 August 1753 – 26 May 1817) was the sailing master on the HMAV Bounty, a British vessel made famous by the Mutiny on the Bounty. He had the interesting position of being a strong critic of both Captain William Bligh and mutiny leader Fletcher Christian, even at one time accusing Bligh of favoring Christian. Despite his anger at Bligh, he did not support the mutiny.
Fryer was born at Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk. After his naval servi...
more
John Fryer (15 August 1753 – 26 May 1817) was the sailing master on the HMAV Bounty, a British vessel made famous by the Mutiny on the Bounty. He had the interesting position of being a strong critic of both Captain William Bligh and mutiny leader Fletcher Christian, even at one time accusing Bligh of favoring Christian. Despite his anger at Bligh, he did not support the mutiny.
Fryer was born at Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk. After his naval service, he returned to Wells, and his grave in the churchyard is now clearly identified.
In 1787, John Fryer was appointed Master of the HMAV Bounty, with Fletcher Christian as Master's Mate. The Bounty's Captain William Bligh on 10 January 1788 put his crew on three watches, giving one of them to Christian; and on 2 March 1788 ordered Christian promoted to Acting Lieutenant. Some have speculated that this was the source of the ill-will that later developed between Fryer and Bligh. However, as a Master, Fryer would never have been promoted to...
less
