# Daggoo — Moby-Dick character guide

> Daggoo in Moby-Dick by Herman Melville.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Ahasuerus Daggoo, gigantic Daggoo

**First appearance:** 0027-xxiv-the-advocate

## Who they are

A gigantic African harpooner who serves as Flask's boat-steerer on the Pequod.

## In the story

### [Knights and Squires](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/chapters/xxvii-knights-and-squires)

A gigantic, coal-black harpooneer from Africa, moving with lion-like tread. He is the 'Squire' to little Flask, his imposing stature creating a 'corporeal humility' in those who look up at him.

### [XXXIII: The Specksnyder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-specksnyder)

Implied as one of the harpooneers subject to the hierarchical customs and quartering arrangements described.

### [The Cabin-Table](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-cabin-table)

The gigantic harpooneer whose movements shake the cabin; he participates in tormenting Dough-Boy by stuffing his head into a trencher, yet is described as 'abstemious.'

### [The Quarterdeck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/chapters/xxxvi-the-quarterdeck)

Confirms the whale's identity by describing its 'very bushy' and quick spout.

### [Midnight, Forecastle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/chapters/xl-midnight-forecastle)

Quarried out of the blackness of the storm; provoked into a fight with a Spanish sailor who insults his race, showing racial tension among the crew.

### [XLVIII: The First Lowering](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/chapters/xlviii-the-first-lowering)

Serves as a human pedestal for Flask, lifting him onto his shoulders with 'barbaric majesty' and steadying him in the rolling sea.

### [LII: The Albatross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/chapters/lii-the-albatross)

Implied to be one of the six lookouts aloft during the encounter.

### [LIX: Squid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/chapters/lix-squid)

Spots the mysterious white mass from the mainmast-head, initially crying out that it is Moby Dick.

### [The Line](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/chapters/lx-the-line)

Implied as a harpooneer engaged in the critical task of preparing the line.

### [LXI: Stubb Kills a Whale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/chapters/lxi-stubb-kills-a-whale)

An oarsman in the boat, yelling wildly and straining at his oar during the pursuit.

### [LXIV: Stubb’s Supper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/chapters/lxiv-stubb-s-supper)

Mentioned as the man Stubb orders overboard to cut a steak from the whale.

### [LXVII: Cutting In](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/chapters/lxvii-cutting-in)

Implied as one of the attending harpooneers who could wield the boarding-sword, though not explicitly named.

### [LXXIV: The Sperm Whale’s Head—Contrasted View](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/chapters/lxxiv-the-sperm-whale-s-head-contrasted-view)

Mentioned alongside Queequeg and Tashtego as part of the skilled team set to drawing teeth from the whale's jaw.

### [LXXVIII: Cistern and Buckets](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/chapters/lxxviii-cistern-and-buckets)

First to cry 'man overboard,' is hoisted to the sinking head to attempt a rescue, and later spots the successful divers.

### [LXXXI: The Pequod Meets the Virgin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/chapters/lxxxi-the-pequod-meets-the-virgin)

One of the three harpooneers who simultaneously strikes the whale.

### [XCVI: The Try-Works](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/chapters/xcvi-the-try-works)

Implied to be one of the 'pagan harpooneers' and 'Tartarean shapes' working at the try-pots.

### [XCVIII: Stowing Down and Clearing Up](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/chapters/xcviii-stowing-down-and-clearing-up)

Implied as a key harpooneer and crew member participating in the intense physical labor of processing the whale and cleaning the ship.

### [CXII: The Blacksmith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/chapters/cxii-the-blacksmith)

Implied as one of the 'harpooneers' or 'bowsmen' in the eager circle around the forge.

### [CXIII: The Forge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/chapters/cxiii-the-forge)

One of the three harpooneers who willingly gives his blood to temper the harpoon's barbs.

### [The Hat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/chapters/cxxx-the-hat)

Noted by Ahab as one of the 'Pagan harpooneers' whose fidelity he seems to trust more than that of the mates.

### [CXXXIII: The Chase—First Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/chapters/cxxxiii-the-chase-first-day)

Rouses the crew at the start of the chase by thundering handspikes on the deck.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/characters/daggoo
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/characters