John Hunter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Hunter
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John Hunter
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| Born | 29 August 1737 |
| Died | 13 March 1821 |
| Predecessor | Arthur Phillip |
| Successor | Philip Gidley King |
John Hunter (born August 29, 1737 – died March 13, 1821) was an important figure in the Royal Navy. He later became the second Governor of New South Wales, a British colony in Australia. He was known for his skills as a sailor and his work in mapping new lands.
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Early Life and Education
John Hunter was born in Leith, Scotland. His parents were William Hunter and Helen Drummond. For a time, he lived with his uncle in Lyn, Norfolk, England. He even studied music with a famous composer named Dr. Charles Burney.
John first started studying at the University of Aberdeen. He planned to become a minister in the Church of Scotland. However, in 1754, he changed his mind. He decided he wanted to be a sailor instead. He began his naval career as a captain's servant on a ship called HMS Grampus. This ship was a small warship with 14 guns.
John Hunter quickly moved up the ranks in the navy. By 1755, he was an able seaman on the HMS Centaur. The next year, he became a midshipman on two important ships: the HMS Union and the HMS Neptune. These ships were the main ships of Admiral Charles Knowles.
In 1757, Hunter took part in a naval attack on Rochefort, France. He was also involved in the attack on Quebec in Canada that same year. He was very good at his studies. In 1760, he passed his exams in navigation and astronomy. This meant he was qualified to become a lieutenant. However, it took him a long time to actually get a job as a lieutenant, because there were many officers waiting for positions.
Hunter continued to serve on several ships. He was a midshipman with Admiral Durrell on his main ships, including the HMS Royal Ann and the HMS Royal George. Admiral Durrell later made Hunter a master's mate on his new ship, the HMS Launceston. Hunter served in North America and became the ship's master by 1768.
He then served on the HMS Carysfort in Jamaica from 1769 to 1771. From 1772 to 1774, he traveled to the East Indies on the Intrepid. He also served on the Kent and the Foudroyant. He returned to North America and joined the HMS Eagle with Admiral Lord Howe. With Admiral Howe's help, Hunter finally became a lieutenant. This was 20 years after he first passed his exams! It was very hard to get officer jobs back then. Many officers were on shore with half pay, waiting for a ship to serve on.
John Hunter later became a lieutenant on the HMS Berwick and then on the famous HMS Victory. He was made captain of a special warship called the fireship HMS Spitfire. In November 1782, he became captain of the small warship HMS Marquis de Seignelay.
The First Fleet to Australia
Hunter was chosen to be the second Captain of HMS Sirius (1786). This ship was part of the First Fleet. The First Fleet was a group of ships that carried convicts and settlers to start a new British colony in Australia.
The leader of the First Fleet was Governor Arthur Phillip. He was the first captain of the Sirius, but he was also in charge of all the ships. Hunter's main job was to be responsible for the Sirius. He also had a very important role: if anything happened to Governor Phillip, Hunter would become the Governor of Australia. After the new settlement was set up, Hunter was supposed to return to England in the Sirius.
The fleet first arrived at Botany Bay in Australia. However, Hunter and Phillip explored the area and found a better place to settle. They then moved the entire fleet to Port Jackson, which is where Sydney is today.
Life in Early Sydney
Once the new colony was established, Hunter was very busy. He helped with survey work, which meant mapping and exploring the land around the new settlement. He also served as a judge in the new criminal court.
Hunter was also a talented artist. He kept a sketch book with more than 100 paintings. These paintings showed the plants, animals, fish, and scenes around the new settlement of Sydney. His artwork gives us a valuable look into what early Australia was like.
Images for kids
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John Hunter
