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Table of Contents | Printable Version The Chief Mate The dominant trait of the chief mate is to take all things into earnest consideration. He is of a painstaking turn of mind. He has round eyes and frightful whiskers that the Captain often uses as a main descriptor of him. He has the habit of analyzing why and how everything happens or has happened. He is respectful towards the Captain yet does not fully trust him because of the Captain's unorthodox ways of handling the ship. The Second Mate The Second Mate is the youngest member of the crew. He is a round-cheeked, silent young man who is very serious. Occasionally a slight quiver on his cheeks is noticed. He sleeps deeply and without snoring. He confirms the chief mate's information regarding Sephora and states that she is the Liverpool ship with a cargo of coal. He does not trust the Captain's judgment and sneers at him whenever he has an opportunity. He thinks he is wiser than the Captain. The Steward The Steward does the cleaning and other jobs that a domestic servant would do. He tries to do his job well and is helpful but he happens to act as an intruder while the Captain is trying to hide his double and therefore bears the brunt of the Captain's ire. Each time he comes into the room, there is tension. Even the reader is scared that the secret may be revealed. When he goes to hang the coat, the Captain is almost sure that he will spot his double. When the steward comes to tell the Captain to close the part, the Captain tells him that it is closed already. Constant tension prevails in his presence. The Captain and the reader feel relief when he goes away.
The Skipper of Sephora is another man who has a face full of whiskers. He is an older gentleman who has been on the sea for thirty-seven years. In fact, he brings his wife with him on ship. He mumbles as though he was ashamed of saying his name, Archbold. The Captain is immediately on the defensive with Archbold and sees him only in terms of representing an unjust law. Archbold wants to capture Leggatt and turn him in to the authorities. He only sees Leggatt as a murderer and not as a man who also saved the ship due to his decisive action. He effaces this grand effort of Leggatt's by giving God credit for the ship's safety during the storm. Table of Contents | Printable Version |