John Fiske was an American naval commander, merchant capitalist, and militia officer.
Background
John Fiske traced his descent from John Fiske, who was in New England in 1637. Born at Salem, Massachusetts, he was the son of Anna Gerrish Fiske and the Rev. Samuel Fiske, a talented divine whose usefulness was prematurely ended by quarrels with his parishioners.
Education
After a common-school education the son went to sea, forged ahead rapidly, and when barely twenty-one he was master of a brigantine voyaging to Spain.
Career
At the outbreak of the Revolution, his affairs were prospering, and he was well liked. In 1775 he acted as member of the Salem committee of safety and correspondence. In the next year, after a state navy had been authorized by the Massachusetts General Court, Fiske was commissioned captain of the brigantine Tyrannicide (Apr. 20).
He was not the first naval officer of the state to receive a commission, despite Bentley’s assertion, for that of Captan Jeremiah O’Brien bore the date of March 15, 1776. Fiske put to sea in July, captured a British prize four days after sailing, and in August he brought in three more. Other cruises followed.
From February till October 1777, Fiske commanded the brigantine Massachusetts, then in March, by order of the board of war, Captains Fiske, Haraden, and Clouston sailed to harass enemy shipping off the coasts of western Europe. It was a notable cruise in the annals of the state navy. Many prizes fell into their hands some of which escaped, but Fiske took eight vessels.
He put in at Marblehead late in July, but was soon at sea again, watching for English ships returning from the West Indies. He captured some prizes and returned to Salem in mid- October.
Meantime, his professional honor having been assailed, an investigation of the charges made against him was made and he received a public vindication. In 1778 he was recommended for another command, and was offered the Hazard, but he refused it, alleging that it was not formidable enough. Fiske now set up as a merchant, and his ventures proved fortunate till near the end of his life.
He continued to buy ships, and fitted them out for voyages to the Mediterranean and to the East and West Indies. In 1791 he was elected master of the Salem Marine Society and he then urged Congress to establish aids to navigation on the Massachusetts coast (Laws of the Salem Marine Society, 60-62, 131). After the war he filled a few minor civic offices acceptably.
Achievements
Religion
In 1791 he was elected master of the Salem Marine Society and he then urged Congress to establish aids to navigation on the Massachusetts coast (Laws of the Salem Marine Society, 60-62, 131).
Membership
In 1775 he acted as member of the Salem committee of safety and correspondence.
Personality
He was generous to clerks and captains, and his reputation for hospitality was justly celebrated. Captain Fiske was a bluff, hearty man, vehement but reasonable and honest.
Connections
In 1766 he married Lydia Phippen and had by her several children. She died in 1782. His second wife, Martha Lee Hibbert, whom he married in 1783, died in 1785 and the following year he married Sarah Wendell Gerry who, with three children by his first wife, survived his death.