John Scott

 was the captain of the schooner Governor Ready in 1829. His ship rescued the survivors of the wrecks of the Mermaid and Swiftsure in October of that year.

Scott was a superstitious man. When his ship was wrecked as well, he blamed the Mermaid crew. After all were rescued by the Comet, he spread rumours that the Mermaid crew were jinxed. This led to fights among the different crews.

When the Comet broke up, Captain Fraser abandoned ship with his men, leaving the Mermaid, Swiftsure and Governor Ready crews to cling to the wreckage. Captain Nolbrow blamed Scott's superstition for Fraser's abandoning them. (PROSE: Of the Mermaid and Jupiter)