John Hunter

**John Hunter** (29 August 1737 – 13 March 1821), was a Royal Navy admiral who became the second Governor of New South Wales.

## Early life

John Hunter was born in Leith, Scotland. His parents were William Hunter and Helen Drummond. He lived for a while with his uncle at Lyn, Norfolk. He studied music with composer Dr. Charles Burney. He started studying at the University of Aberdeen so that he could become a minister in the Church of Scotland. In 1754 he decided to become a sailor and started as the captain's servant in _HMS Grampus_. The _Grampus_ was a 14 gun sloop.

## Sailor

By 1755 he was an able seaman in the _HMS Centaur_, the next year a midshipman on the _HMS Union_ and the _HMS Neptune_. These were the flagships of Admiral Charles Knowles. In 1757 Hunter took part in an attack on Rochefort. In 1757 he was involved in the attack on Quebec. Hunter passed his exams in navigation and astronomy in 1760 and qualified to be a lieutenant. It took until 1780 to get a job as lieutenant.

Hunter was a midshipman with Admiral Durrell on his flagships, the _HMS Royal Ann_, _HMS Princess Amelia_ and the _HMS Royal George_. Durell made Hunter the master's mate in his new ship, the _HMS Launceston_. He served in North America and by 1768 was the ship's master. He served on the _HMS Carysfort_ at Jamaica from 1769 to 1771. He went to the East Indies on the _Intrepid_ from 1772 to 1774. He then served in the _Kent_ and the _Foudroyant_. He returned to North America and was on the _HMS Eagle_ with Admiral Lord Howe. With Howe's help and support, Hunter was finally made a lieutenant, 20 years after he passed his exams. Officer jobs were hard to get; there were more officers on shore on half pay than there were serving on ships.

John Hunter became lieutenant on the _HMS Berwick_ and then on the _HMS Victory_. He was made captain of the fireship _HMS Spitfire_, and in November 1782, the sloop _HMS Marquis de Seignelay_.

## The First Fleet

Hunter was made the second Captain of _HMS Sirius (1786)_, which was to escort the First Fleet taking convicts to settle in Australia. Governor Arthur Phillip was the first captain, but he was also responsible for all the ships. Hunter's job was to be in charge of the _Sirius_. Hunter was also to become the Governor of Australia if any thing should have happened to Phillip. After the settlement was set up, Hunter was to return to England in the Sirius. After the fleet arrived at Botany Bay, Hunter and Phillip went off to find a better site, and then moved the fleet to Port Jackson.

## Early days in Sydney

Hunter was involved in survey work around the new settlement and as a judge in the new criminal court. Both he and the judge advocate, David Collins, found they were unable to work with the Lieutenant Governor, Major Robert Ross. Hunter was an artist, and kept a sketch book with more than 100 paintings of plants, animals, fish and scenes around Sydney.

## Other websites

- Three paintings from John Hunter's sketch book

## Infobox (_person)

- **name**: John Hunter
- **image**: Gouverneur John Hunter.jpg
- **imagesize**: 200px
- **caption**: John Hunter
- **birth date**: 29 August 1737
- **birth place**: Leith, Scotland
- **death date**: 13 March 1821
- **death place**: London, England
- **occupation**: Sailor, Surveyor,
 2nd Governor of Australia
- **predecessor**: Arthur Phillip
- **successor**: Philip Gidley King