# The Ancient — Racundra’s First Cruise character guide > The Ancient in Racundra’s First Cruise by Arthur Ransome. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Ancient **First appearance:** 0008-run-to-paternoster ## Snapshot An old seaman aboard Racundra, he steers through long spells without fatigue but dreads fog more than any gale the Baltic can throw at him. ## Who they are The Ancient is the narrator's seasoned shipmate, taking the tiller in long, easy spells and sighting land at Kokskar and Wrangel Island as the Gulf is crossed. He voices the sailor's particular horror of fog, when ships go howling around all blind, contrasting with his comfort in a stiff wind. His presence gives the crew its generational depth, a counterweight of old sea wisdom to the narrator's planning and enthusiasm. ## In the story ### [The Crew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/the-crew) An old seaman with a rich sailing history, happy to be at sea again, serving as a rigger and crew member. ### [The Start](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/the-start) A crew member who assists with the work and shares stories, providing comfort and experience. ### [Riga to Runö](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/riga-to-run) Comes on deck at 4:30 a.m., wondering about the Riga light, and later lowers the peak as the wind shifts. ### [Runö to Paternoster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/run-to-paternoster) Crew member who shares a story of a fatal North Sea crossing and assists with navigation. ### [Worms to Pakerort](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/worms-to-pakerort) The Ancient comments on Racundra's performance ('She juist joomps out of them like a dinghy'), assists with sail handling, and quarrels with the narrator over whether to anchor near Baltic Port. ### [Pakerort to Reval](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/pakerort-to-reval) The Ancient Mariner, who comes on deck at dawn, looks for Pakerort, and later repairs the gaff jaws with a manila rope substitute. ### [Port of Reval](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/port-of-reval) Shares the plug tobacco given by the Maid of Erin's owner and speaks of the ketch. ### [Reval to Helsingfors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/reval-to-helsingfors) Assists with steering and foghorn duties, and supports the narrator's navigation decisions. ### [Helsingfors: Swinging the Ship](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/helsingfors-swinging-the-ship) Comes ashore for the first time to buy sailmaker's needles and brushes, and helps with the swinging. ### [Helsingfors to Reval](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/helsingfors-to-reval) The Ancient Mariner comments on the wind and fog, gets wet due to late oilskins, and assists with sailing duties. ### [Reval to Baltic Port](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/reval-to-baltic-port) Delights in sail-shifting and recalls his time on the Thermopylae, comparing it to modern sailing. ### [Spithamn to Ramsholm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/spithamn-to-ramsholm) Interested in jam-making, discusses marmalade-making in the galley. ### [Ramsholm to Hapsal Through the Nukke Channel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/ramsholm-to-hapsal-through-the-nukke-channel) At the tiller during the channel passage, following the narrator's directions. ### [Hapsal to Heltermaa (Island of Dagö)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/hapsal-to-heltermaa-island-of-dag) The Ancient is in the bows singing out about the bottom and later stands by with the anchor as a last resource. ### [From the Island of Dagö to the Island of Moon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/from-the-island-of-dag-to-the-island-of-moon) Provides lore about the Gates of Moon and expresses gloom about the equinox. ### [Kuivast to Werder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/kuivast-to-werder) Assists with anchoring and comments philosophically on the equinoctial weather. ### [Seal Hunters from Runö](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/seal-hunters-from-run) The elder seal hunter from Runö, who has been coming to the inlet since childhood and gives the narrator a tobacco pouch. ### [Werder to Riga](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/werder-to-riga) A crew member who is skeptical of the navigation but eventually acknowledges the narrator's correctness. ### [Appendix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/appendix) The Ancient Mariner is mentioned as having a small space in the forecastle, but he expresses contentment with it. ### [List of Illustrations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/chapters/list-of-illustrations) Featured in an illustration at the tiller. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/characters/the_ancient - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/racundra_s_first_cruise_se/characters