# Captain Ellis — The Shadow Line character guide

> Captain Ellis in The Shadow Line by Joseph Conrad.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0004-the-shadow-line

## Who they are

A port official who appoints the narrator as captain of the ship.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shadow_line_se/chapters/i)

The Marine Superintendent, a choleric and self-important figure, appoints the narrator as captain of the 'Melita' despite the crew's reluctance.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shadow_line_se/chapters/ii)

Appoints the narrator to command of the Melita; arranges for the harbour launch to take him aboard.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shadow_line_se/characters/captain_ellis
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shadow_line_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_shadow_line_se/characters