# Mr. F⸺ — Two Years Before the Mast character guide

> Mr. F⸺ in Two Years Before the Mast by Richard Henry Dana Jr..

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** F⸺

**First appearance:** 0003-i

## Snapshot

The Pilgrim's first mate, a Down East disciplinarian who brags he's been through the mill and come out a johnnycake — hot or cold, you'll find him hard.

## Who they are

Mr. F⸺ rules the deck with clenched fists and a voice built to annihilate, greeting even respectful grievances with oaths and threats of hazing. When the crew petitions for redress, he drives them forward and makes the 'down east johnnycake' a byword for the voyage's souring mood. His contempt for the men poisons the ship's peace long after the immediate quarrel blows over.

## In the story

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/iv)

Demoted from second mate to common sailor after a verbal harangue from the captain.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/viii)

The mate who explains the bread allowance issue to the captain after the confrontation.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xii)

Former second mate, now part of the crew, joins the fishing trip and catches a pearl-oyster shell.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xiii)

Mentioned as the supercargo's clerk, taken from before the mast to manage trade.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xiv)

The first mate is portrayed as a kind and honest man but too gentle for the captain's harsh standards, leading to conflict and the captain's increased control.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xvii)

F⸺ runs away after being threatened with flogging, hiding in a cave until the Pilgrim sails.

### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xxvi)

The agent's unpopularity grows after he abandons four men in the rain at Santa Clara without food or shelter, leading to crew resentment.

### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xxxiv)

The mate calls out to the narrator and the English lad to look at the corposant on the main topgallant masthead.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/characters/mr_f
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/characters