John Fearn (1768–1837) was a British Royal Navy officer, ship captain and explorer. Fearn became famous for being the first European to land on the Pacific island of Nauru, which is now a sovereign republic.Fearn discovered Nauru on 8 November 1798, while travelling with his whaling ship Hunter from New Zealand to China. He named it Pleasant Island due to its attractive environment and the friendly nature of the Nauruans.Fearn was commemorated on the obverse of a $10 Nauruan coin.