# Arthur H. Davies — The Riddle of the Sands character guide > Arthur H. Davies in The Riddle of the Sands by Erskine Childers. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Davies, Herr Davies, Mr. Davies **First appearance:** 0003-i-the-letter ## Who they are A shy, obsessive yachtsman whose restless instinct for the Frisian shallows turns a casual cruise into a hunt for something far more dangerous than weather. ## Relationships ### [Dollmann](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/characters/dollmann) _rivalry_ Davies suspects Dollmann of treason and spies on him, creating a tense adversarial dynamic. ### [Bartels](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/characters/bartels) _friendship_ Davies and Bartels are allies who share information and assist each other in the investigation. ### [Carruthers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/characters/carruthers) _friendship_ Davies and Carruthers are close friends and co-investigators, sharing a strong bond of trust. ### [Grimm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/characters/grimm) _rivalry_ Davies and Grimm are opponents, with Grimm acting as an obstacle to Davies' mission. ### [Lieutenant X⸺](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/characters/lieutenant_x) _professional_ Davies and Lieutenant X⸺ have a brief, formal interaction related to naval intelligence matters. ### [Davis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/characters/davis) _friendship_ Davies and Davis are friendly acquaintances who share a common interest in sailing and the investigation. ### [Dollmann](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/characters/dollmann) _rivalry_ Davies suspects Dollmann of treason and spies on him, creating a tense adversarial dynamic. ### [Carruthers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/characters/carruthers) _friendship_ Davies and Carruthers are close friends and co-investigators, sharing a strong bond of trust. ### [Bartels](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/characters/bartels) _friendship_ Davies and Bartels are allies who share information and assist each other in the investigation. ### [Dollmann](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/characters/dollmann) _rivalry_ Davies suspects Dollmann of treason and spies on him, creating a tense adversarial dynamic. ### [Grimm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/characters/grimm) _rivalry_ Davies and Grimm are opponents, with Grimm acting as an obstacle to Davies' mission. ### [Bartels](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/characters/bartels) _friendship_ Davies and Bartels are allies who share information and assist each other in the investigation. ## In the story ### [The Riddle of the Sands](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/the-riddle-of-the-sands) Carruthers' acquaintance who sends the mysterious letter inviting him to the Baltic for a yachting holiday. ### [The Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/i-the-letter) Old acquaintance who sends a letter inviting Carruthers on a yachting trip to Flensburg. ### [The Dulcibella](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/ii-the-dulcibella) Meets Carruthers at the station, reveals he has no paid crew, and rows Carruthers out to the Dulcibella, showing him around the cramped cabin. ### [III: Davies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/iii-davies) Davies is portrayed as a skilled but unpretentious sailor, indifferent to yachting etiquette, and deeply absorbed in the sea. His character is revealed through his actions and Carruthers' observations. ### [IV: Retrospect](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/iv-retrospect) Davies narrates his earlier cruise, showing reluctance to discuss perilous incidents and a tendency to deflect questions. He is protective of his guest's confidence and avoids boasting. ### [Wanted, a North Wind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/v-wanted-a-north-wind) Davies is preoccupied and passionate about naval history; he shows emotional response at the Alsen memorial and discusses war and wind with Carruthers. ### [Schlei Fjord](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/vi-schlei-fjord) Teaches Carruthers sailing with intensity; shows moments of distraction and introspection; apologizes for his behavior and later seems preoccupied with thoughts of the North Sea. ### [VII: The Missing Page](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/vii-the-missing-page) Narrates his perilous solo sailing ordeal and his subsequent meeting with Dollmann. ### [The Theory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/viii-the-theory) Davies presents his theory about the strategic value of the Frisian coast and recounts how Dollmann tried to drown him. ### [IX: I Sign Articles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/ix-i-sign-articles) Confesses his earlier deception about the duck-hunting trip; outlines his plan to return to Norderney via the Kiel Canal to investigate Dollmann. ### [His Chance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/x-his-chance) Davies passionately discusses German naval ambitions and British unpreparedness, reveals his failed attempt to join the navy, and expresses his patriotic desire to serve through this 'chance'. ### [XI: The Pathfinders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xi-the-pathfinders) Leaves to fetch oil and bread, returns to navigate the flotilla, explains the shortcut and Sticker's Gat, and executes kedging-off after grounding. ### [My Initiation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xii-my-initiation) Davies confidently navigates the Dulcibella through the sandbanks, explains the watershed concept, and leads the exploration of the sands at low water. ### [XIII: The Meaning of Our Work](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xiii-the-meaning-of-our-work) Davies persists in his theory about the channels, demonstrates supreme aptitude and intuition in navigating the sands, and passionately argues for the strategic importance of small boats in shallow waters. ### [The First Night in the Islands](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xiv-the-first-night-in-the-islands) Davies goes ashore to fetch supplies, leaving Carruthers aboard. Upon return, he analyzes the prowler incident and discusses countermeasures with Carruthers. ### [Bensersiel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xv-bensersiel) Identifies the gunboat Blitz, handles the yacht during the storm, and makes the decision to run for Bensersiel. ### [Commander von Brüning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xvi-commander-von-br-ning) Struggles with German and lies about his earlier cruise with Dollmann; his genuine passion for sailing is evident. ### [Clearing the Air](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xvii-clearing-the-air) Struggles with his feelings for Clara Dollmann and the conflict between love and patriotism; admits his affection and his hope to avoid close contact with the Dollmanns. ### [Imperial Escort](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xviii-imperial-escort) Focused and practical, preparing the yacht for sea; finds contentment and resolve in the maritime environment. ### [XIX: The Rubicon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xix-the-rubicon) Trembles upon sighting the Medusa's dinghy, decides to visit Norderney, and is deeply affected by Fräulein Dollmann's presence. ### [The Little Drab Book](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xx-the-little-drab-book) Discovers the little drab book and identifies Dollmann as the author; reveals his love for Clara and his determination to reconcile his passions for her and his country. ### [Blindfold to Memmert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xxi-blindfold-to-memmert) Davies leads the daring navigation through the fog, using his expertise in tides and channels to guide the dinghy to Memmert. ### [The Quartet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xxii-the-quartet) Remains in the dinghy, provides compass and chart, agrees to Carruthers landing alone, waits anxiously. ### [A Change of Tactics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xxiii-a-change-of-tactics) Returns to the yacht with Carruthers, discusses the clues, and initially resists changing their plan. ### [Finesse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xxiv-finesse) Struggles through the dinner, eating little and drinking nothing; makes a clumsy advance to Fräulein Dollmann and later draws a diagram with breadcrumbs under Böhme's scrutiny. ### [XXV: I Double Back](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xxv-i-double-back) Seen briefly at departure; gives Carruthers a scrap of paper with notes on the journey and theories. ### [The Seven Siels](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xxvi-the-seven-siels) Mentioned as longed-for help in reckoning the tide. ### [The Luck of the Stowaway](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xxvii-the-luck-of-the-stowaway) Mentioned as Carruthers's partner; Carruthers longs to rejoin him and reflects on Davies's tutelage. ### [We Achieve Our Double Aim](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/xxviii-we-achieve-our-double-aim) Reunites with Carruthers; helps confront Dollmann and navigates the escape. ### [Epilogue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/chapters/epilogue) Mentioned as 'Davies' whose views on the channel theory are endorsed as sound. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/characters/arthur_h_davies - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_riddle_of_the_sands_se/characters