# Robert Curtis — The Survivors of the Chancellor character guide > Robert Curtis in The Survivors of the Chancellor by Jules Verne. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Curtis, Captain Curtis, Mr. Curtis **First appearance:** 0001-ii ## Who they are The Chancellor's capable mate, a man of iron will and few words, who must hold a frightened crew together when disaster strikes. ## Relationships ### [Owen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/characters/owen) _rivalry_ Owen, the violent and mutinous sailor, frequently clashes with the authoritative first mate Robert Curtis. ### [M. Letourneur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/characters/m_letourneur) _friendship_ M. Letourneur respects and supports Robert Curtis as a capable leader during the shipwreck ordeal. ### [Mr. Ruby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/characters/mr_ruby) _social_ Mr. Ruby, a wealthy passenger, interacts with Curtis primarily as a fellow survivor on the raft. ### [André Letourneur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/characters/andre_letourneur) _friendship_ André admires Curtis's strength and leadership, forming a bond of mutual respect. ### [Walter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/characters/walter) _professional_ Walter is the ship's steward, taking orders from and assisting First Mate Curtis. ### [Mrs. Kear](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/characters/mrs_kear) _social_ Mrs. Kear, a demanding and selfish passenger, interacts with Curtis as a fellow survivor but often complains. ### [Mr. Falsten](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/characters/mr_falsten) _social_ Mr. Falsten, an engineer, interacts with Curtis as a practical and logical fellow survivor. ### [Miss Herbey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/characters/miss_herbey) _friendship_ Miss Herbey respects Curtis's authority and finds him a reliable protector amid the crisis. ### [Mr. Kazallon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/characters/mr_kazallon) _friendship_ Mr. Kazallon, the narrator, shares a close bond with Curtis, often consulting him and supporting his decisions. ### [Jynxstrop](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/characters/jynxstrop) _rivalry_ Jynxstrop, the cook and a mutineer, opposes Curtis's authority and contributes to the onboard chaos. ### [Dowlas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/characters/dowlas) _rivalry_ Dowlas, the carpenter and a mutineer, frequently challenges Curtis's leadership and stirs dissent. ### [Mr. Kazallon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/characters/mr_kazallon) _friendship_ Mr. Kazallon, the narrator, shares a close bond with Curtis, often consulting him and supporting his decisions. ## In the story ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/ii) The mate, who the narrator believes would take a more prominent role if circumstances required it. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/iv) The mate, a man of about thirty with great muscular power, energy, and kindness; he assists and amuses young Letourneur. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/v) The mate confides in the narrator about the unusual route and hints at unease with Captain Huntly's command. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/vi) Mate; shares Kazallon's bewilderment at the captain's course but is cautious in his response, hinting at readiness to act if danger arises. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/vii) The mate, who appears evasive when questioned about the night's disturbance and orders the tarpaulin to be watered. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/viii) Curtis remonstrates with Captain Huntly, orders repeated deck watering, and reveals the fire on board. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/ix) Reveals the fire to Kazallon, explains the danger and the measures taken, and has secretly changed course. ### [October 20th and 21st](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/x) Assumes effective command; remains alert at the helm, tacks to maximize speed, and orders all apertures sealed to stifle the fire. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xi) The mate who coolly interrogates Ruby, restrains the crew from launching the longboat, and orders Ruby gagged and confined. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xii) Takes command after Captain Huntly's resignation; discusses the fire's hopelessness and the hidden picrate of potash with Falsten and Mr. Kazallon. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xiii) Curtis maintains command, advising Kazallon that admitting air would worsen the fire, ordering wet tarpaulin over partitions, salvaging provisions, and threatening mutineers with a cutlass to prevent launching boats in the hurricane. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xiv) Captain; tries to prevent the sailors from launching the yawl; remains resolute, stating he will not give up hope as long as a plank of the ship remains. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xv) Curtis takes charge after the ship runs aground, climbing along the side to listen for water entering the hold, and later consults with the lieutenant and boatswain about their next steps. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xvi) Takes decisive command, distributes food, takes solar observations, and plans to lighten the ship and refloat it. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xvii) Actively works to extinguish the fire by saturating the cotton bales and manages the crew and pumps. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xviii) Visits the grotto but is preoccupied; enters the island on his chart as 'Ham Rock.' ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xix) Orders continuous pumping, oversees repairs and unlading, devises scheme to patch the leak with bales. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xx) Leads the inspection of the hold, assembles passengers and crew, proposes the plan to sail for Paramaribo, and commands the failed attempt to cross the ridge. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xxi) Leads the decision to blast the rock ridge and oversees the operation. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xxii) Remains calm and self-possessed, directing the crew and informing passengers of the danger. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xxiii) Leads the inspection and repair efforts, remains resolute, and quells a mutiny with a revolver. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xxiv) Suppresses the mutiny, keeps the crew working at the pumps, and resolves to abandon the ship after consultation. He retrieves a chart, sextant, and compass as the ship sinks. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xxv) Rescues André Letourneur, maintains calm command, prevents crew from dismantling masts prematurely, and organizes survivors. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xxvi) Insists on careful construction of the raft; appears preoccupied and anxious in the maintop, silently pressing the narrator's hand. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xxvii) Shouts orders in the storm, leads the crew in raft construction, and discovers the desertion of Kear and Huntly. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xxviii) Remains resolute and energetic, overseeing the raft's completion and maintaining order. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xxix) Ties a rope around his waist to attempt rescue of sailors, remains on the maintop as the last to leave the ship. ### [The Raft](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xxx) Captain Curtis is mentioned as one of the ship's officers on the raft and as the one who saved the small quantity of provisions. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xxxi) Asserts his captaincy over the raft, delivers an emotional speech urging unity and obedience, consults the compass, takes the sun's altitude, and calls a consultation on rationing. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xxxii) Holds himself aloof, feeling the responsibility of saving lives; orders the aft reserved for passengers. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xxxiii) Notices secret meetings among sailors and firmly refuses Owen's demand for brandy, asserting his authority. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xxxiv) Points out the cloud-ring and predicts the storm will burst with fury in a couple of hours. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xxxv) Assists in lashing passengers to the raft and works to strengthen it during the storm. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xxxvi) Curtis saves the narrator from a second heavy wave and takes the first inventory of remaining provisions. ### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xxxvii) Captain; adds a few drops of brandy to the daily biscuit ration and provides extra water for Walter. ### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xxxviii) Defends himself against mutineers, kills Wilson accidentally, and spares Owen after his remark. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xlii) Curtis is asked for water to help Owen, and he observes the distant ship sighting, ultimately shaking his head in disappointment. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xliii) Spots a ship and whispers to Mr. Kazallon; later directs signaling efforts and orders a fire to be built. ### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xliv) Curtis is consulted about the shark-catching attempt and remains silent when the boatswain asks about drawing lots. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xlv) Prevents the sailors from wringing out the sails, testing the water first and finding it briny. ### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xlvi) Expresses willingness to risk his life attacking sharks for food, but is dissuaded by the others. ### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xlviii) Attempts to pacify the angry sailors; stands beside Mr. Kazallon with hands in pockets, possibly armed. ### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/xlix) Attempts to control Jynxstrop along with several men. ### [L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/l) In the best condition among the survivors, bearing up under extreme hardships. ### [LI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/li) Remains standing on the front of the raft, watching and hoping, working to strengthen the raft. ### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/lii) Curtis remains steadfast at his post, refusing to abandon his duty despite the hopelessness, and tries to restrain Kazallon from suicide. ### [LV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/lv) Stands by the mast scanning the horizon, then rushes to save M. Letourneur from execution. ### [LVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/lvi) Throws a rope to the narrator and announces the discovery of fresh water, pointing to land to the west. ### [LVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/chapters/lvii) Curtis is the first to spot land and is celebrated as the captain who faithfully guided the survivors; he is listed last in the official rescue document as 'Robert Curtis, captain.' ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/characters/robert_curtis - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_of_the_chancellor_se/characters