# John Mangles — In Search of the Castaways character guide > John Mangles in In Search of the Castaways by Jules Verne. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Captain Mangles, Captain John Mangles, Mangles **First appearance:** 0004-v-the-departure-of-the-duncan ## Snapshot The young, steady captain of the Duncan, whose seamanship carries the expedition and whose heart quietly belongs to Mary Grant. ## Who they are Mangles commands the Duncan with the composure of a far older sailor, navigating unknown southern seas while his passengers chase a document's riddles. His first encounter with Paganel — being mistaken for Captain Burton of the Scotia — shows his patience under absurdity, and his competence is the expedition's practical foundation. His growing, unspoken love for Mary Grant gives the voyage a second, quieter stake, one her father blesses the moment he steps aboard. ## In the story ### [I: The Shark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/i-the-shark) Captain of the Duncan; identifies the shark and oversees the hunt. ### [The Three Documents](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/ii-the-three-documents) Captain of the Duncan; translates the German document and provides shipping news confirming the Britannia's voyage. ### [The Departure of the Duncan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/v-the-departure-of-the-duncan) Captain of the Duncan, skillfully oversees the yacht's preparation and navigation. ### [An Unexpected Passenger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/vi-an-unexpected-passenger) Praises the Duncan and assures Mary of Robert's safety aloft. ### [Jacques Paganel Is Undeceived](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/vii-jacques-paganel-is-undeceived) Corrects Paganel's assumption that he is Captain Burton; identifies himself as captain of the Duncan. ### [The Geographer's Resolution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/viii-the-geographer-s-resolution) Captain Mangles engages Paganel in conversation about the Canaries and the voyage, and later gives orders to steer toward Cape Verde. ### [Through the Strait of Magellan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/ix-through-the-strait-of-magellan) Engages to make Robert a sailor and harbors concealed feelings for Mary Grant. ### [The Course Decided](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/x-the-course-decided) Commands the Duncan and prepares the ship for the voyage to the eastern coast. ### [A New Destination](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxvii-a-new-destination) Shows attentions to Mary Grant and recounts the Duncan's voyage around Cape Horn. ### [Tristan d’Acunha and the Isle of Amsterdam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxviii-tristan-d-acunha-and-the-isle-of-amsterdam) Measures the temperature of warm springs on the Isle of Amsterdam (166° Fahrenheit). ### [The Storm on the Indian Ocean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxix-the-storm-on-the-indian-ocean) Captain Mangles skillfully navigates the Duncan through the storm, taking precautions and ultimately using oil to calm the sea. ### [A Hospitable Colonist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxx-a-hospitable-colonist) Skillfully anchors the Duncan after the storm; receives Glenarvan's thanks; takes bearings and plans the route. ### [The Quartermaster of the Britannia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxxi-the-quartermaster-of-the-britannia) Initially doubtful of Ayrton's story but becomes convinced after hearing details about Mary and Robert. ### [Preparations for the Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxxii-preparations-for-the-journey) Captain of the Duncan; persuades Glenarvan to let him join the overland expedition and organizes the cart's interior for the ladies. ### [An Accident](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxxiii-an-accident) Captain Mangles spots the dust cloud from the cattle drive and assists alongside Glenarvan during the river crossing. ### [Crime or Calamity?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxxv-crime-or-calamity) Accompanies the group to the bridge; converses with the surveyor-general and police officer about the disaster. ### [Wealth in the Wilderness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxxviii-wealth-in-the-wilderness) Saves Robert Grant by stabbing the attacking kangaroo. ### [Suspicious Occurrences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xxxix-suspicious-occurrences) Agrees with the major that orders should be sent from Twofold Bay rather than by messenger across wild country. ### [A Startling Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xl-a-startling-discovery) Questions Ayrton's plans and notes the suspicious coincidence regarding the surviving horse. ### [The Plot Unveiled](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xli-the-plot-unveiled) Proposes to ride to Melbourne for help; insists Glenarvan should not go. ### [Four Days of Anguish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xlii-four-days-of-anguish) Volunteers to reconnoiter the bridge with Paganel; reports the bridge is destroyed. ### [Helpless and Hopeless](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xliii-helpless-and-hopeless) Captain Mangles attempts to cross the flooded river with a bark canoe but fails, and later helps construct a raft. ### [A Rough Captain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xliv-a-rough-captain) Vows to continue searching for Captain Grant alone if needed; arranges passage on the Macquarie and negotiates with Captain Halley. ### [The Wreck of the Macquarie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xlv-the-wreck-of-the-macquarie) Remains vigilant and composed, advising Glenarvan against the danger of meeting the Duncan; he takes decisive action when the Macquarie nears the reefs, overriding the drunken captain. ### [Vain Efforts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xlvi-vain-efforts) Assumes command after the crew's desertion, directs efforts to refloat the Macquarie, and later proposes building a raft. ### [XLVII: A Dreaded Country](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xlvii-a-dreaded-country) Captain of the raft, skillfully navigates and makes critical decisions during the voyage. ### [XLVIII: Introduction to the Cannibals](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xlviii-introduction-to-the-cannibals) Estimates the canoe's speed and discusses escape plans with Glenarvan. ### [A Momentous Interview](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/xlix-a-momentous-interview) Supports Mary Grant and is ready to defend her amid the threats from the Maori crowd. ### [The Chief's Funeral](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/l-the-chief-s-funeral) Terrified by Mary's request, he struggles with the prospect of her death. ### [Strangely Liberated](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/li-strangely-liberated) Vows to fulfill a promise to Mary Grant; tests the rope and coordinates the escape. ### [The Sacred Mountain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/lii-the-sacred-mountain) Accompanies Glenarvan on the nighttime reconnaissance and comments on the mountain's stability. ### [A Bold Stratagem](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/liii-a-bold-stratagem) Leads the advance during the escape and helps navigate the terrain. ### [From Peril to Safety](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/liv-from-peril-to-safety) Leads the escape, shows courage and resourcefulness, and comforts Mary Grant with hope for her father. ### [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) Present during the reunion and the questioning of Tom Austin, shares in the joy and astonishment at the turn of events. ### [Ayrton's Obstinacy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/lvi-ayrton-s-obstinacy) Consulted about the return voyage and proposes refueling at Talcahuana. ### [A Cry in the Night](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/lviii-a-cry-in-the-night) Observes the children's distress and later consults maps with Paganel regarding Maria Theresa Island. ### [Captain Grant's Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/lix-captain-grant-s-story) Blushes when introduced to Captain Grant; his love for Mary is revealed; commands the boat landing Ayrton. ### [LXI: The End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/lxi-the-end) Marries Mary Grant and commands the Duncan. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/characters/john_mangles - 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