# Captain Flint — Swallows and Amazons character guide

> Captain Flint in Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Uncle Jim, Jim, James Turner, Mr. Turner

**First appearance:** 0010-ix-the-arrow-with-the-green-feather

## Snapshot

A testy houseboat recluse the children cast as Captain Flint, he guards his precious trunk and his solitude with equal ferocity.

## Who they are

He is the Amazons' uncle, living aboard a houseboat on the lake while chasing a treasure he refuses to explain. His suspicion of the Swallows—whom he wrongly accuses of meddling—collides with their code of honor, and his gruff temper makes him the adventure's most unpredictable adult. His note and his temper set the children scrambling to clear their names, turning a neighbor into an adversary worth winning over.

## Relationships

### [John Walker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/swallows_and_amazons_se/characters/john_walker)

_friendship_

Captain Flint (Jim Turner) is a friendly adult ally to John, often helping the children with their adventures.

### [Nancy Blackett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/swallows_and_amazons_se/characters/nancy_blackett)

_family_

Captain Flint is Nancy's uncle, with a teasing but affectionate relationship with his adventurous niece.

### [Nancy Blackett](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/swallows_and_amazons_se/characters/nancy_blackett)

_family_

Captain Flint is Nancy's uncle, with a teasing but affectionate relationship with his adventurous niece.

### [John Walker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/swallows_and_amazons_se/characters/john_walker)

_friendship_

Captain Flint (Jim Turner) is a friendly adult ally to John, often helping the children with their adventures.

## In the story

### [The Arrow with the Green Feather](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/swallows_and_amazons_se/chapters/ix-the-arrow-with-the-green-feather)

Mr. Turner of the houseboat is suspected as the enemy; he has been telling the natives the children meddled with his boat.

### [The Parley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/swallows_and_amazons_se/chapters/x-the-parley)

Referred to as Uncle Jim and Captain Flint, he is the common enemy of both crews, described as a retired pirate and a native stirrer.

### [The Letter from Captain Flint](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/swallows_and_amazons_se/chapters/xiv-the-letter-from-captain-flint)

Leaves a threatening letter at the Swallows' camp, warning them to stay away from his houseboat. He signs it as James Turner, but Titty adds his pirate name.

### [Captain John Visits Captain Flint](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/swallows_and_amazons_se/chapters/xv-captain-john-visits-captain-flint)

Captain Flint is encountered on the houseboat, preparing to leave. He angrily accuses John of setting off a firework and damaging his cabin roof.

### [Titty Alone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/swallows_and_amazons_se/chapters/xx-titty-alone)

Mentioned in Titty's thoughts regarding the message about the houseboat and his earlier crossness with John.

### [Captain Flint Gets the Black Spot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/swallows_and_amazons_se/chapters/xxv-captain-flint-gets-the-black-spot)

Alone in his ransacked cabin, he mistakenly suspects John of burglary and later receives the Black Spot from Nancy.

### [He Makes Peace and Declares War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/swallows_and_amazons_se/chapters/xxvi-he-makes-peace-and-declares-war)

Makes peace with the children, searches for his box, declares war for the next day, and enjoys a friendly dinner.

### [The Battle in Houseboat Bay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/swallows_and_amazons_se/chapters/xxvii-the-battle-in-houseboat-bay)

Captain Flint defends his houseboat, is captured, forced to walk the plank, and later proposes a banquet.

### [Two Sorts of Fish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/swallows_and_amazons_se/chapters/xxix-two-sorts-of-fish)

Recovers his sea-chest containing his manuscript and diaries, thanks Titty, and gives her a parrot.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/swallows_and_amazons_se/characters/captain_flint
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/swallows_and_amazons_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/swallows_and_amazons_se/characters