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He was 5 feet 8 inches tall, of fair complexion, and very well made. He had scars on both his ankles and on his right shin, and was very much tattooed.

He brought with him, from London, a painted head, such as hairdressers have in their shops to show the different fashions, it being maid with regular features and proper color. In Tahiti, Bligh had Skinner dress it, which he did with exceeding neatness, using a log and a quantity of cloth to devise a rudimentary body. Skinner and others than brought it up on deck, and it was introduced as an Englishwoman. Many of the polynesians thought it was living. One old woman ran up with many presents to lay at her feet, and discovered that it was a dummy. The people thought it a very funny joke, all but the old lady who took back her gifts and left in a huff.

His involvement in the mutiny was total. He was the man who attempted to shoot Bligh in the Launch. He was one of the four mutineers who voluntarily came on board the 'Pandora' immediately after it docked to report the mutiny to Capt. Edwards. To their somewhat naive surprise (considering his actions during the mutiny, he was naive indeed!), they were immediately placed in irons. Skinner, however, was considered a dangerous man, and was never released from handcuffs.

According to Rawson in 'Pandora's Last Voyage', Skinner left a widow and children on Tahiti. There are, however, no records, and no memories remain.