# Captain Cuttle — Dombey and Son character guide > Captain Cuttle in Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Captain Cuttle, Ned Cuttle, Captain Edward Cuttle, the Captain **First appearance:** 0012-ix-in-which-the-wooden-midshipman-gets-into-trouble ## Snapshot A hook-handed, proverb-spouting old sailor whose enormous heart and comic loyalty anchor the novel's warmest circle of friends. ## Who they are Captain Cuttle keeps watch over Solomon Gills's shop and Walter Gay's fortunes with a devotion as sturdy as his wooden hand, forever quoting his friend's wisdom and making himself useful in gloriously muddled ways. Bluff, sentimental, and utterly incapable of guile, he embodies the homely decency Dickens sets against the cold grandeur of the Dombey world. He matters because his loyalty and comic warmth give the story its emotional shelter, a place where love is not a transaction. ## Relationships ### [Florence Dombey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/florence_dombey) _friendship_ Captain Cuttle is a loyal, fatherly friend to Florence, offering her shelter and unwavering support in her times of need. ### [Walter Gay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/walter_gay) _friendship_ Captain Cuttle is a devoted, paternal friend to Walter, treating him like a son and supporting his adventures and romance. ### [Mr. Toots](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/mr_toots) _friendship_ Captain Cuttle and Mr. Toots share a comradely, slightly eccentric friendship, often bonding over their mutual affection for Florence. ### [Rob the Grinder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/rob_the_grinder) _professional_ Captain Cuttle employs Rob the Grinder as a servant, treating him with gruff kindness, though Rob later betrays his trust. ### [Mr. Toots](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/mr_toots) _friendship_ Captain Cuttle and Mr. Toots share a comradely, slightly eccentric friendship, often bonding over their mutual affection for Florence. ### [Walter Gay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/walter_gay) _friendship_ Captain Cuttle is a devoted, paternal friend to Walter, treating him like a son and supporting his adventures and romance. ### [Walter Gay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/walter_gay) _friendship_ Captain Cuttle is a devoted, paternal friend to Walter, treating him like a son and supporting his adventures and romance. ### [Florence Dombey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/florence_dombey) _friendship_ Captain Cuttle is a loyal, fatherly friend to Florence, offering her shelter and unwavering support in her times of need. ### [Rob the Grinder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/rob_the_grinder) _professional_ Captain Cuttle employs Rob the Grinder as a servant, treating him with gruff kindness, though Rob later betrays his trust. ### [Florence Dombey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/florence_dombey) _friendship_ Captain Cuttle is a loyal, fatherly friend to Florence, offering her shelter and unwavering support in her times of need. ### [Mr. Toots](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/mr_toots) _friendship_ Captain Cuttle and Mr. Toots share a comradely, slightly eccentric friendship, often bonding over their mutual affection for Florence. ### [Rob the Grinder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/rob_the_grinder) _professional_ Captain Cuttle employs Rob the Grinder as a servant, treating him with gruff kindness, though Rob later betrays his trust. ## In the story ### [Preface of 1867](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/preface-of-1867) Dickens imagines him secluding himself from Mrs. MacStinger among the mountains of Switzerland, reflecting the strong association between writing and place. ### [In Which Some More First Appearances Are Made on the Stage of These Adventures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/iv-in-which-some-more-first-appearances-are-made-on-the-stage-of-these-adventures) A laconic, salt-looking friend of Solomon Gills, with a hook for a hand and a deep reverence for nautical instruments. ### [In Which the Wooden Midshipman Gets Into Trouble](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/ix-in-which-the-wooden-midshipman-gets-into-trouble) Eager to help Solomon; insists on backing Walter in approaching Mr. Dombey for financial assistance; carries valuables to make a good impression. ### [Containing the Sequel of the Midshipman's Disaster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/x-containing-the-sequel-of-the-midshipman-s-disaster) Optimistic about Walter's romantic hopes, attempts to sing 'Lovely Peg' with Florence's name. ### [XV: Amazing Artfulness of Captain Cuttle, and a New Pursuit for Walter Gay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xv-amazing-artfulness-of-captain-cuttle-and-a-new-pursuit-for-walter-gay) Reluctantly agrees to break the news to Solomon Gills; shows deep loyalty and philosophical reflection. ### [Captain Cuttle Does a Little Business for the Young People](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xvii-captain-cuttle-does-a-little-business-for-the-young-people) Visits Mr. Dombey's house but retreats upon hearing of the calamity; later goes to the Dombey office to speak with Mr. Carker about Walter's prospects, feeling he has done business for the young people. ### [Walter Goes Away](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xix-walter-goes-away) Mentioned as staying away intentionally to allow Walter and his uncle private time. ### [Strange News of Uncle Sol](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xxv-strange-news-of-uncle-sol) Receives the news of Solomon Gills's disappearance and resolves to keep house for Walter. ### [The Wooden Midshipman Goes to Pieces](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xxxii-the-wooden-midshipman-goes-to-pieces) Living in fear of Mrs. MacStinger, he takes elaborate precautions and mourns Walter's presumed death. ### [XXXIX: Further Adventures of Captain Edward Cuttle, Mariner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xxxix-further-adventures-of-captain-edward-cuttle-mariner) In self-imposed retirement, troubled by doubts about his past intervention, he keeps to himself, reads, and tends the shop. He is deeply affected by Rob's betrayal and feels abandoned. ### [XLVIII: The Flight of Florence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xlviii-the-flight-of-florence) Takes Florence in, comforts her, and promises to protect her; watches over her as she sleeps. ### [XLIX: The Midshipman Makes a Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/xlix-the-midshipman-makes-a-discovery) Nurtures Florence with tender care, cooking for her and watching over her through the night. He struggles to speak of Walter Gay and eventually broaches the subject of the sea. ### [Mr. Toots's Complaint](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/l-mr-toots-s-complaint) Captain Cuttle accompanies Mr. Toots to Florence and later observes the interaction between Florence and Walter, showing concern for the change in Walter's behavior. ### [Several People Delighted, and the Game Chicken Disgusted](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/lvi-several-people-delighted-and-the-game-chicken-disgusted) Struggles to contain his delight at Florence and Walter's happiness, playing cribbage with Mr. Toots and Susan Nipper. ### [Another Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/lvii-another-wedding) Attends the wedding as a father figure and later joins the celebration with Solomon Gills and Mr. Toots. ### [LX: Chiefly Matrimonial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/lx-chiefly-matrimonial) Writes to Mr. Toots about Florence's return; witnesses the wedding procession of Bunsby and Mrs. MacStinger; later visits Mr. Dombey's house. ### [Final](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/chapters/lxii-final) Partner in the Midshipman shop, delighted with his name over the door and the family's happiness. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters/captain_cuttle - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dombey_and_son_se/characters