# Ayrton — In Search of the Castaways character guide > Ayrton in In Search of the Castaways by Jules Verne. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Tom Ayrton, Mr. Ayrton **First appearance:** 0030-xxxi-the-quartermaster-of-the-britannia ## Snapshot A silent, calculating quartermaster who claims to have survived the Britannia's wreck, yet answers every question about Captain Grant with evasion and a sneer. ## Who they are Ayrton presents himself as a loyal sailor who served under Captain Grant, but his refusal to speak — and his cold indifference to the fate of the man he claims to have followed — unsettles Glenarvan's trust. He parries every inquiry with the cunning of a man who knows the law cannot touch him, hinting that his past hides more than shipwreck. His silence becomes the expedition's central riddle: is he a victim, a witness, or something far more dangerous to the search for the lost captain? ## Relationships ### [Lord Glenarvan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/characters/lord_glenarvan) _rivalry_ Ayrton initially deceives Glenarvan and later becomes a bitter antagonist, leading to a tense and adversarial dynamic. ### [Lord Glenarvan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/characters/lord_glenarvan) _rivalry_ Ayrton initially deceives Glenarvan and later becomes a bitter antagonist, leading to a tense and adversarial dynamic. ### [Lord Glenarvan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/characters/lord_glenarvan) _rivalry_ Ayrton initially deceives Glenarvan and later becomes a bitter antagonist, leading to a tense and adversarial dynamic. ## In the story ### [The Quartermaster of the Britannia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxxi-the-quartermaster-of-the-britannia) Reveals himself as the quartermaster of the Britannia, provides details of the shipwreck and his captivity, and offers to guide the search for Captain Grant. ### [Preparations for the Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxxii-preparations-for-the-journey) Quartermaster of the Britannia; agrees to guide the party, inspects the Duncan, and is assigned to drive the oxcart. ### [An Accident](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxxiii-an-accident) Quartermaster who guides the cart across the river and later rides to Black Point Station for a farrier. ### [Australian Explorers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxxiv-australian-explorers) Departed earlier, prompting the forced halt. ### [Crime or Calamity?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxxv-crime-or-calamity) Brings the farrier from Black Point Station; explains the trefoil mark; directs the cart toward the bridge and later is suspected by Glenarvan. ### [Fresh Faces](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxxvi-fresh-faces) Sent ahead with Mulready to drive the cart into Mount Alexander. ### [A Warning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxxvii-a-warning) Suggests sending an order to the Duncan to sail to the coast, but defers when the group decides to wait; reassures the aborigines to approach the party. ### [Wealth in the Wilderness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxxviii-wealth-in-the-wilderness) Takes charge of the horses and oxen while the travelers visit Hottam Station. ### [Suspicious Occurrences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxxix-suspicious-occurrences) Quartermaster who shows unusual care for the remaining animals; advises sending orders to the Duncan and seems disappointed when the group decides against it. ### [A Startling Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xl-a-startling-discovery) Proposes sending for the Duncan and is suspected by the major of having a role in the animals' deaths. ### [The Plot Unveiled](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xli-the-plot-unveiled) Revealed as Ben Joyce; shoots Glenarvan and escapes to join his band. ### [The Wreck of the Macquarie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xlv-the-wreck-of-the-macquarie) Not directly mentioned in this chapter. ### [Why the Duncan Went to New Zealand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/lv-why-the-duncan-went-to-new-zealand) Discovered to be on board the Duncan, confined for attempting to mutiny when he learned the yacht was sailing for New Zealand. ### [Ayrton's Obstinacy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/lvi-ayrton-s-obstinacy) Remains obstinate and refuses to speak about Captain Grant or the Britannia. ### [A Discouraging Confession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/lvii-a-discouraging-confession) Proposes a deal to be marooned on a desert island in exchange for his confession; reveals his identity as Tom Ayrton, quartermaster of the Britannia, and his role in the failed mutiny and subsequent deception. ### [Captain Grant's Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/lix-captain-grant-s-story) Confronts Captain Grant; accepts his punishment to be abandoned on Tabor Island; salutes the crew as he departs. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/characters/ayrton - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/characters