John Fearn (sailor)

1798) was an English ship captain, notable as the first European to report sighting the Pacific island of Nauru.

Among those on board was supercargo and partner in the firm that owned the vessel, Robert Campbell.

The newly built vessel was named after the then governor of New South Wales, John Hunter, and carried a speculative cargo of mixed goods.

On arrival six weeks was spent at the Thames River, in the North Island, taking spars.

[12] Fearn has frequently been confused with his contemporary namesake, a British philosopher who spent some years as an officer in the Royal Navy.