# Captain Jonsen — A High Wind in Jamaica character guide > Captain Jonsen in A High Wind in Jamaica by Richard Hughes. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Captain Jonsen, Still Jonsen, Jonsen, IV Captain Jonsen, presently Jonsen, V Captain Jonsen **First appearance:** 0004-iv ## Snapshot A sober, calculating pirate captain who can draw any ship and any naked woman, undone less by gunboats than by a child's pencil marks. ## Who they are Jonsen runs the schooner with Nordic tidiness and a schemer's patience, staking everything on returning the children safely to discredit his accusers. Yet the cabin wall still bears Emily's puerile drawings, and the pencil among his bedding triggers a flood of memories he cannot afford. His astute plan works perfectly, and no premonition warns him of the whispering already underway aboard the steamer. ## Relationships ### [Emily Thornton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/emily_thornton) _psychological_ Captain Jonsen is both fascinated and unnerved by Emily's detached, amoral nature, creating a dynamic of uneasy captor and enigmatic captive. ### [Otto](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/otto) _professional_ Captain Jonsen commands Otto as a crew member, relying on him for practical tasks but sharing little personal connection. ### [Edward Thornton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/edward_thornton) _psychological_ Captain Jonsen views Edward as a troublesome older child captive, their interactions tinged with mutual suspicion and tension. ### [Captain Marpole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/captain_marpole) _professional_ Captain Jonsen and Captain Marpole are fellow sea captains who share a professional acquaintance, often discussing maritime matters. ### [Rachel Thornton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/rachel_thornton) _psychological_ Captain Jonsen sees Rachel as a more conventional, frightened child, and his interactions with her are marked by awkward pity and guilt. ### [Margaret Fernandez](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/margaret_fernandez) _psychological_ Captain Jonsen feels a strange, uneasy protectiveness toward Margaret, seeing her as a vulnerable child among his captives. ### [Emily Thornton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/emily_thornton) _psychological_ Captain Jonsen is both fascinated and unnerved by Emily's detached, amoral nature, creating a dynamic of uneasy captor and enigmatic captive. ### [Otto](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/otto) _professional_ Captain Jonsen commands Otto as a crew member, relying on him for practical tasks but sharing little personal connection. ### [Captain Marpole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/captain_marpole) _professional_ Captain Jonsen and Captain Marpole are fellow sea captains who share a professional acquaintance, often discussing maritime matters. ### [Emily Thornton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/emily_thornton) _psychological_ Captain Jonsen is both fascinated and unnerved by Emily's detached, amoral nature, creating a dynamic of uneasy captor and enigmatic captive. ### [Edward Thornton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/edward_thornton) _psychological_ Captain Jonsen views Edward as a troublesome older child captive, their interactions tinged with mutual suspicion and tension. ### [Otto](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/otto) _professional_ Captain Jonsen commands Otto as a crew member, relying on him for practical tasks but sharing little personal connection. ## In the story ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/ii) Leader of the pirates; speaks with a German accent, claims a commission in the Columbian navy, and orchestrates the capture and looting. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iii) Busy sorting and disposing of identifiable items from the barque; frustrated by the Clorinda's escape. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iv) Sets up the sleeping area for the children, hangs about awkwardly trying to help, then leaves through the fore-hatch. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iv) Captain Jonsen displays an unexpected gentleness toward Emily, treating her almost like a daughter. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/i) Blushes when Emily calls him silly; argues with buyers during the auction and storms off. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/ii) Dines with the Chief Magistrate; tries to arrange leaving the children at Santa Lucia. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iii) Jonsen sends a boat ashore to get water while becalmed off the Mangrove Keys. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/v) Takes the wheel from the mate during the squall, later rebukes the children for tobogganing, and expresses frustration at having to care for them. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/vi) Captain Jonsen is increasingly conflicted about the children's presence on his ship. He shows moments of unexpected kindness but remains a figure of authority and danger. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/ii) Drunk and aggressive during the incident; has his thumb bitten by Emily; avoids her afterward, seeming more ashamed than angry. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/i) The coarse-looking pirate captain is the object of Laura's devotion, though his character remains opaque. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/ii) Reconciles with Emily, tends to her wound, shares childhood memories, and later participates in capturing the Dutch steamer and goading the animals. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/i) Captain Jonsen decides to change course to Santa Lucia and imposes stricter discipline on the crew. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/ii) Seldom comes below; Emily is fond of him and fascinated by his scarred hands, but she also suspects he might kill her. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iii) Struggles with melancholy and frustration, loses his temper with the children, and physically disciplines Rachel. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/v) Spots a threatening sail and attempts to secure Emily's loyalty through emotional manipulation. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/ix) Captain Jonsen displays an unexpected tenderness toward Emily, treating her almost like a daughter and giving her small privileges. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/i) Tormented by fear of a man-of-war, he paces the deck, climbs the rigging, and descends to check on the sleeping children. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/ii) Agitated and anxious, Jonsen decides to disguise the schooner and send the children away, even joking about sewing them in bags. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iii) Arranges the transfer of the children to the steamer and returns in a hurry, mopping his forehead. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iv) Feels relief after the children are gone, reflects on his clever plan, and is unexpectedly overcome with memories of Emily. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/i) Mentioned indirectly as the captain of the schooner; Emily refuses to talk about him or the pirates. ### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/iii) Captain Jonsen is imprisoned in Newgate with Otto and the crew; Laura imagines God with his face. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/v) Mentioned as the pirate captain the children grew fond of during their captivity. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/vi) Captain Jonsen is in court with the crew, huddled in a pen. He appears thinner, and his face bears a terrible look when his eyes meet Emily's. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/chapters/vii) Attempts suicide by cutting his throat the night before execution; is carried unconscious to the gallows and hanged in a chair. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters/captain_jonsen - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/a_high_wind_in_jamaica_se/characters