Sketcher and naval officer, served as master's mate in the Discovery from 1790 to 1795 in its voyage around the world. In 1791 when Discovery was for some weeks at King George Sound (Albany, WA), Sykes made some sketches including a view of some Aboriginal huts which was redrawn in London by William Alexander and used as an engraving, Deserted Indian Village in King George III Sound, New Holland,