# Captain Anthony — Chance character guide > Captain Anthony in Chance by Joseph Conrad. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Anthony, Roderick Anthony, Captain Anthony of the Ferndale, the captain **First appearance:** 0013-i-the-ferndale ## Snapshot The reserved master of the Ferndale, son of a famous poet, whose plain seamanship and quiet gravity hide a capacity for unexpected feeling. ## Who they are Captain Anthony is a sailor of simple, principled character, known to Marlow only through the accident of Fyne's marriage to his sister. He arrives in London from a long voyage and drifts into the Fynes' circle, where his reserve and his father's poetic legacy set him apart. His decision to marry Flora de Barral, made with the same grave directness he brings to command, sets the story's central knot of loyalty, suspicion, and sacrifice. ## Relationships ### [Charles Powell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/charles_powell) _professional_ Captain Anthony is Powell's commanding officer, and Powell is his loyal first mate, with a relationship built on mutual respect and duty. ### [Flora de Barral](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/flora_de_barral) _romantic_ Captain Anthony is Flora's devoted husband, having rescued her from despair, and their relationship is intense and protective. ### [Franklin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/franklin) _professional_ Franklin is Captain Anthony's chief officer and trusted subordinate, with a relationship based on naval hierarchy and mutual loyalty. ### [Mrs. Fyne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/mrs_fyne) _social_ Captain Anthony and Mrs. Fyne are acquaintances with a strained relationship, as she disapproves of his marriage to Flora. ### [Fyne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/fyne) _social_ Captain Anthony and Fyne are acquaintances with a formal relationship, connected through Flora and the Fyne household. ### [Mr. Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/mr_smith) _professional_ Captain Anthony and Mr. Smith have a professional relationship, with Smith being a business associate or employer. ### [Charles Powell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/charles_powell) _professional_ Captain Anthony is Powell's commanding officer, and Powell is his loyal first mate, with a relationship built on mutual respect and duty. ### [Charles Powell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/charles_powell) _professional_ Captain Anthony is Powell's commanding officer, and Powell is his loyal first mate, with a relationship built on mutual respect and duty. ### [Flora de Barral](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/flora_de_barral) _romantic_ Captain Anthony is Flora's devoted husband, having rescued her from despair, and their relationship is intense and protective. ### [Franklin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/franklin) _professional_ Franklin is Captain Anthony's chief officer and trusted subordinate, with a relationship based on naval hierarchy and mutual loyalty. ### [Mrs. Fyne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/mrs_fyne) _social_ Captain Anthony and Mrs. Fyne are acquaintances with a strained relationship, as she disapproves of his marriage to Flora. ### [Franklin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/franklin) _professional_ Franklin is Captain Anthony's chief officer and trusted subordinate, with a relationship based on naval hierarchy and mutual loyalty. ## In the story ### [Author's Note](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/chapters/author-s-note) Described as determined to embrace a 'wisp of mist'; Conrad followed him, leading to the novel's length. ### [Chance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/chapters/chance) The captain of the Ferndale who, by chance, offers Powell a position on his ship, setting the plot in motion. ### [Part I: The Damsel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/chapters/part-i-the-damsel) The captain of the Ferndale, who meets Flora and eventually elopes with her. ### [II: The Fynes and the Girlfriend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/chapters/ii-the-fynes-and-the-girlfriend) Mentioned as Mrs. Fyne's sailor-brother, son of Carleon Anthony, and the man Flora has eloped with. ### [V: The Tea-Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/chapters/v-the-tea-party) Mentioned as the person Flora has confided in about her life. ### [VI: Flora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/chapters/vi-flora) Discussed by Marlow, who wonders about his character and intentions regarding Flora. ### [VII: On the Pavement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/chapters/vii-on-the-pavement) Discussed by Flora and Fyne. His encounter with Flora is recounted, and he is the subject of Fyne's mission. ### [Part II: The Knight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/chapters/part-ii-the-knight) Introduced as the 'Knight', a solitary and romantic figure, son of a famous poet, who has led a life at sea and is now being considered as a potential husband for Flora. ### [I: The Ferndale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/chapters/i-the-ferndale) Shows a new, defiant, and self-conscious demeanor on board the Ferndale, suggesting the impact of his recent marriage. ### [II: Young Powell Sees and Hears](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/chapters/ii-young-powell-sees-and-hears) The captain of the Ferndale, whose marriage is resented by the crew. He is seen as a remote, fairytale-like figure by Powell. ### [III: Devoted Servants—and the Light of a Flare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/chapters/iii-devoted-servants-and-the-light-of-a-flare) Shows noticeable constraint toward his wife and father-in-law, often retreating below deck. ### [IV: Anthony and Flora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/chapters/iv-anthony-and-flora) Determined to marry Flora to protect her, despite believing she does not love him. ### [V: The Great de Barral](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/chapters/v-the-great-de-barral) He prepares the Ferndale for his wife and father-in-law, creating a private space, but is also anxious and fearful about meeting de Barral. ### [VI: … a Moonless Night, Thick with Stars Above, Very Dark on the Water](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/chapters/vi-a-moonless-night-thick-with-stars-above-very-dark-on-the-water) Struggles with the tension between his wife and her father, ultimately deciding to let Flora go. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters/captain_anthony - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chance_se/characters