Toilers of the Sea · Character

Tangrouille

The Durande's secretly tippling steersman, whose hidden store of brandy and unsteady hand at the helm set catastrophe quietly in motion.

supporting

Also known as the unlucky Tangrouille, the steersman Tangrouille

First appearance: i the douvres

As a supporting figure in Toilers of the Sea, Tangrouille is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The steersman of the Durande, who observes Clubin's actions with growing unease.

In the storyPart I: Sieur ClubinOpen this moment free

See Tangrouille in Part I: Sieur Clubin Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Tangrouille keeps his rum and gin in a hiding-place in the hold, convinced no one knows of it, and steals down nearly every night for furtive draughts under Captain Clubin's strict, sober eye. On the eve of departure he finds an unexpected bottle of brandy, drinks it all to destroy the evidence, and takes the helm the next morning with a slight oscillation of the body. His frailty is the human crack through which the story's disaster enters.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Tangrouille sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Tangrouille in i the douvres

Character Web

15 connections

A slice of how Tangrouille sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Social
Friendship
Professional
Other

Character groups

Central Characters & Antagonists
Protagonist

+10 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This scene is the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Gilliatt’s silen…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

The Man Rock
social · ambivalent
Tangrouille, a local sailor, is familiar with the Man Rock and its dangers, often… How this plays out →
Gilliatt
friendship · positive
Captain Clubin
professional · ambivalent
Gilliatt
friendship · positive
Gilliatt
friendship · positive
The Man Rock
social · ambivalent
Tangrouille, a local sailor, is familiar with the Man Rock and its dangers, often… How this plays out →
Captain Clubin
professional · ambivalent
The Man Rock
social · ambivalent
Tangrouille, a local sailor, is familiar with the Man Rock and its dangers, often… How this plays out →
Captain Clubin
professional · ambivalent

The Man Rock
Tangrouille, a local sailor, is familiar with the Man Rock and its dangers, often discussing it.
Gilliatt
Tangrouille is a friendly acquaintance who helps Gilliatt with local knowledge and minor assistance.
Captain Clubin
Clubin interacts with Tangrouille as a fellow seaman, using him for information without revealing his true plans.
Gilliatt
Tangrouille is a friendly acquaintance who helps Gilliatt with local knowledge and minor assistance.
Gilliatt
Tangrouille is a friendly acquaintance who helps Gilliatt with local knowledge and minor assistance.
The Man Rock
Tangrouille, a local sailor, is familiar with the Man Rock and its dangers, often discussing it.
Captain Clubin
Clubin interacts with Tangrouille as a fellow seaman, using him for information without revealing his true plans.
The Man Rock
Tangrouille, a local sailor, is familiar with the Man Rock and its dangers, often discussing it.
Captain Clubin
Clubin interacts with Tangrouille as a fellow seaman, using him for information without revealing his true plans.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Tangrouille in i the douvres

In the story

Tangrouille appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Part I: Sieur Clubin
The steersman of the Durande, who observes Clubin's actions with growing unease.
Book II: Mess Lethierry
The steersman of the Durande who survives the wreck and reports on the events.
Book VI: The Drunken Steersman and the Sober Captain
The drunken steersman of the Durande, whose habits contrast with Clubin's sobriety.
An Unexpected Flask of Brandy
The helmsman of the Durande, a fallen nobleman (probable Tancarville/Montmorency) who gets drunk occasionally. He has a secret store in the hold where he finds an unexpected bottle of brandy, drinks it all, and throws the bottle overboard, resulting in slight unsteadiness at the helm.
Conversations Interrupted
The helmsman is drunk, causing the ship to lurch and deviate from its course.
Captain Clubin Displays All His Great Qualities
The unlucky helmsman who is publicly berated by Clubin for drunkenness and removed from his post.
V: Clubin Reaches the Crowning-Point of Glory
Sobered by the disaster, reports water rising, and later weeps as he leaves Clubin behind.
III: A Quotation from the Bible
Set at liberty by Lethierry after the wreck.
The Rock, and How Gilliatt Used It
Mentioned as the former occupant of a cabin where Gilliatt finds a piece of chalk.
The Harbour Bell
Mentioned as the drunken helmsman during the wreck of the Durande, part of the evidence of Clubin's negligence.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Tangrouille unlock in the free preview.

See Tangrouille in i the douvres

See Tangrouille in Part I: Sieur Clubin