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John Norton, quartermaster aboard the ill-fated H.M.S. Bounty was an experienced seaman, and likely had spent 15 or 16 years in the British Royal Navy. He appears to have been unmarried, and was sole support of an aged parent. Physically, he is said to have been the heaviest and clumsiest man on the ship. We know that he had served with Lt. William Bligh, the Bounty commanding officer, as quartermaster on the H.M.S. Britannia.

On the 13th of October, 1787, Norton signed on as a member of the Bounty crew, the last of the petty officers to join the crew. This is interesting, as other crewmembers who had previously served with Bligh were among the earlier crewmembers to sign on. Whether this was due to any reluctance on Bligh's or Norton's part will never be known.

The big old, slow moving veteran was apparently quiet and well-behaved, and did not run afoul of his superiors as so many aboard the ship did. On the day of the mutiny, 28 Apr 1789, Norton was unquestionably loyal to Bligh, and was automatically assigned to sail with Bligh in the ship's Launch, although there was likely some comment about space when he stepped into the already overcrowded boat! His mates would have been less skeptical had they any idea of what would happen to them only a week or so later.

Desperate for provisions, though knowing full well the danger that faced Bligh's rag-tag refugees, the Launch put in at the island of Tofua, the home of a very violent and warlike people. Suspecting treachery at any moment, Bligh prepared the Launch for a quick escape at the first sign of danger. When the 200 Tofuans began a rock-throwing attack, the crew jumped aboard, but they had misjudged the vessel's draft. They were aground!

Lumbering Norton, without a moment's thought, threw himself into the water and physically wrestled the loaded Launch free from the bar. He succeeded, but not before being knocked unconscious by the stones being hurled at them. Before the crew could rescue him, he was set upon by an advance guard of natives, beaten to death with rocks, and stripped of his clothing and possessions.

Later, it was said by others in the Launch, in a moment of black humor, that John's death improved by the draft of the vessel and the level of provisions for the voyage. But he had died a hero, saving the lives of his fellows, and proving that bravery often comes from the least likely quarter when the need arises.