- description
- # The Captain
## Overview
This section, titled "The Captain," is a textual excerpt from a larger work, likely a book or manuscript. It was extracted on January 30, 2026, from the file `white_jacket.txt` and is part of the collection "[Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW)". The section focuses on the role and authority of a ship's captain.
## Context
This section is contained within [Chapter VI](arke:01KG8AJPBQJ0Q2SB2WPXFS2KHD) of the work, which broadly discusses the quarter-deck officers, warrant officers, and underlings of a man-of-war. It follows the section "[The Commodore and his Secretary](arke:01KG8AKTG8WVN2FDZ12E2D9AAK)" and precedes "[The First or Senior Lieutenant](arke:01KG8AKTGRQ8VWD72NXD2YKXCK)". The text describes the captain as a near-absolute ruler within the confines of his ship, comparing his authority to that of a king or the Grand Turk.
## Contents
The text describes Captain Claret as a "large, portly man, a Harry the Eighth afloat, bluff and hearty." It emphasizes the captain's supreme authority over all aspects of ship life, stating that "the captain’s word is law" and that he "never speaks but in the imperative mood." The narrative illustrates this absolute power through an anecdote where the captain dictates the ship's time, overriding the sailing master's observation. The section also notes the deference shown to the captain by his subordinate officers, who often retreat when he is on deck, highlighting the captain's significant sense of personal consequence at sea.
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- description_title
- The Captain
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- text
- Turn we now to the second officer in rank, almost supreme, however, in
the internal affairs of his ship. Captain Claret was a large, portly
man, a Harry the Eighth afloat, bluff and hearty; and as kingly in his
cabin as Harry on his throne. For a ship is a bit of terra firma cut
off from the main; it is a state in itself; and the captain is its
king.
It is no limited monarchy, where the sturdy Commons have a right to
petition, and snarl if they please; but almost a despotism like the
Grand Turk’s. The captain’s word is law; he never speaks but in the
imperative mood. When he stands on his Quarter-deck at sea, he
absolutely commands as far as eye can reach. Only the moon and stars
are beyond his jurisdiction. He is lord and master of the sun.
It is not twelve o’clock till he says so. For when the sailing-master,
whose duty it is to take the regular observation at noon, touches his
hat, and reports twelve o’clock to the officer of the deck; that
functionary orders a midshipman to repair to the captain’s cabin, and
humbly inform him of the respectful suggestion of the sailing-master.
“Twelve o’clock reported, sir,” says the middy.
“_Make_ it so,” replies the captain.
And the bell is struck eight by the messenger-boy, and twelve o’clock
it is.
As in the case of the Commodore, when the captain visits the deck, his
subordinate officers generally beat a retreat to the other side and, as
a general rule, would no more think of addressing him, except
concerning the ship, than a lackey would think of hailing the Czar of
Russia on his throne, and inviting him to tea. Perhaps no mortal man
has more reason to feel such an intense sense of his own personal
consequence, as the captain of a man-of-war at sea.
- title
- The Captain