# Captain Hoseason — Kidnapped character guide

> Captain Hoseason in Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Hoseason, the captain

**First appearance:** 0007-vi-what-befell-at-the-queen-s-ferry

## Who they are

A grave, well-spoken sea captain who offers a curious lad a friendly bowl aboard his brig — and a berth in the hold instead.

## Relationships

### [Alan Breck Stewart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/characters/alan_breck_stewart)

_rivalry_

Bitter enemies after Alan kills Hoseason's crewman and they clash over David's fate.

### [Mr. Riach](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/characters/mr_riach)

_professional_

Hoseason's first mate, who often opposes the captain's cruelty but remains subordinate.

### [David Balfour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/characters/david_balfour)

_rivalry_

Hoseason kidnaps David and later tries to kill him, making them bitter enemies.

### [Mr. Shuan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/characters/mr_shuan)

_professional_

Shuan is the brutal second mate under Hoseason, complicit in the ship's crimes.

### [Alan Breck Stewart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/characters/alan_breck_stewart)

_rivalry_

Bitter enemies after Alan kills Hoseason's crewman and they clash over David's fate.

### [Mr. Riach](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/characters/mr_riach)

_professional_

Hoseason's first mate, who often opposes the captain's cruelty but remains subordinate.

### [Alan Breck Stewart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/characters/alan_breck_stewart)

_rivalry_

Bitter enemies after Alan kills Hoseason's crewman and they clash over David's fate.

### [David Balfour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/characters/david_balfour)

_rivalry_

Hoseason kidnaps David and later tries to kill him, making them bitter enemies.

### [Mr. Riach](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/characters/mr_riach)

_professional_

Hoseason's first mate, who often opposes the captain's cruelty but remains subordinate.

### [Mr. Shuan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/characters/mr_shuan)

_professional_

Shuan is the brutal second mate under Hoseason, complicit in the ship's crimes.

### [David Balfour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/characters/david_balfour)

_rivalry_

Hoseason kidnaps David and later tries to kill him, making them bitter enemies.

## In the story

### [Kidnapped](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/kidnapped)

The captain of the Covenant, who kidnaps David on behalf of his uncle.

### [I Go to the Queen’s Ferry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/v-i-go-to-the-queen-s-ferry)

Mentioned in the letter and by Ransome as the brutal captain of the Covenant, with whom Ebenezer has a venture.

### [What Befell at the Queen’s Ferry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/vi-what-befell-at-the-queen-s-ferry)

Hoseason presents a composed exterior but is complicit in the kidnapping, showing his duplicity.

### [VII: I Go to Sea in the Brig Covenant of Dysart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/vii-i-go-to-sea-in-the-brig-covenant-of-dysart)

The hard, iron-willed captain of the Covenant; he reluctantly allows David to be moved to the forecastle after Mr. Riach insists the boy will die in the hold.

### [The Roundhouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/viii-the-roundhouse)

Hoseason orders David to the roundhouse, covers up the murder by claiming Ransome went overboard, and shows occasional kindness to David while maintaining his authority.

### [The Man with the Belt of Gold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/ix-the-man-with-the-belt-of-gold)

The captain conspires with his officers to murder Alan for his gold, but his plan is foiled by David's warning.

### [X: The Siege of the Roundhouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/x-the-siege-of-the-roundhouse)

Hoseason confronts Alan at the door but retreats after Alan's defiance. He is later suspected to have been wounded by David's shot.

### [The Captain Knuckles Under](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/xi-the-captain-knuckles-under)

Appears at the window with his arm in a sling, pale and old; reluctantly agrees to Alan's terms after losing his first officer.

### [XIII: The Loss of the Brig](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/xiii-the-loss-of-the-brig)

Hoseason is deeply distressed by the danger to his brig, showing a stoic but devastated demeanor as the ship is wrecked.

### [I Come to Mr. Rankeillor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/chapters/xxvii-i-come-to-mr-rankeillor)

Hoseason is mentioned as having reported David's drowning, which led to the case being dropped.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/characters/captain_hoseason
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kidnapped_se/characters