# Richard Henry Dana Jr. — Two Years Before the Mast character guide > Richard Henry Dana Jr. in Two Years Before the Mast by Richard Henry Dana Jr.. **Role:** major **Also known as:** I, me, my, mine, myself **First appearance:** 0002-two-years-before-the-mast ## Snapshot A Harvard student who trades books for blubber and rope, shipping before the mast to learn what the law looks like from the bottom of the rigging. ## Who they are Dana is the educated son of a Boston family who signs aboard the Pilgrim as a common sailor, sharing forecastle bunks with the men he might otherwise have commanded. His double vision — gentleman's eye and sailor's hands — is the book's central tension, letting him measure the brutal distance between maritime law and maritime life. Every rope he learns to coil and every flogging he witnesses sharpens the reformer he will become. ## In the story ### [Two Years Before the Mast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/two-years-before-the-mast) The author and narrator, who recounts his time as a sailor before the mast. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/i) The narrator joins the crew of the Pilgrim, describing his transformation from a student to a sailor and his first experiences aboard. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/ii) First voyage, keeps the first watch at sea, suffers seasickness, begins to adapt to sea life. ### [Ship's Duties—Tropics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/iii) Provides a detailed account of shipboard life and duties. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/iv) Experiences his first sight of land at Pernambuco, sees catamarans, and encounters a Pompero gale during his watch. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/v) The narrator describes his experiences during the storm, including furling the jib in dangerous conditions and enduring constant wetness and cold. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/vi) The narrator reflects on the death of George Ballmer and engages in a conversation with the cook about superstitions. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/vii) Describes his first sight of land, his eagerness to go ashore, and his lasting attachment to the island. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/viii) Moves from steerage to forecastle, learns to make and mend clothes, participates in tarring and painting, and reflects on the life of a sailor. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/ix) The narrator observes the surf landing and hide loading, reflecting on the contrast with his Cambridge college life. ### [Southeaster and Passage Up the Coast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/x) The narrator describes the storm, the maneuvers, and the interactions with passengers. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xi) Describes his experience aloft during the squall, losing his hat, and later performing his first act of seamanship by sending down a royal yard. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xii) The narrator participates in the crew's Sunday work and later goes fishing, observing the customs officers and describing Californian society. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xiii) Acts as interpreter and trader, learning Spanish and observing local customs. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xiv) The narrator expresses his despair over the extended voyage and his resolve to become a master of a vessel. He participates in the grueling work of hauling goods and hides ashore at San Pedro. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xv) Witnesses the floggings, feels sick and angry, vows to redress sailors' grievances, spends a solitary night ashore, and observes the crew's demoralized state. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xvi) Enjoys his first true taste of liberty ashore, reflecting on the sweetness of freedom and the bonds of shipmate loyalty. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xvii) The narrator reflects on the weakened crew and the effects of the flogging on the men. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xviii) Reflects on the beauty of San Juan and the romance of hide droghing; later goes down the cliff by halyards to retrieve lodged hides. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xix) Narrator describes his new life as a hide curer and beachcomber, living with Nicholas and the Sandwich Islanders. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xx) Receives letters and newspapers from home via the Alert, reads them eagerly, and engages in daily work and social activities on the beach. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xxi) The narrator observes and recounts the social and legal practices in California, including instances of murder and justice. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xxii) Anxious to return home, he arranges an exchange to board the Alert and improve his seamanship. ### [Chapter XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xxiii) Serves in the gig, rows passengers and goods ashore, enjoys the variety and social opportunities, and spends night watches with Tom Harris. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xxiv) Volunteers to descend a cliff to retrieve hides, reflecting his blend of lightness and strength; also reflects on his pride in taking a weather earing. ### [Chapter XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xxv) The narrator participates in the departure from Santa Barbara, the rounding of Point Conception, and the rowing race to shore. ### [Chapter XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xxvi) The narrator is ordered to go to San José but escapes when the Indians leave without him; he later participates in wood loading and spends a cold, rainy night in an open boat. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xxvii) The narrator participates in the liberty day activities, including the boxing match and the fandango, and describes the events in detail. ### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xxviii) Receives Boston newspapers, reads about his college classmates' graduation, and reflects on his contrasting life at sea. He also observes George Marsh's departure with curiosity. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xxix) The narrator is central to the chapter, describing his feelings of relief and regret as the ship prepares to leave California, and his role in facilitating the exchange of crew members. ### [Homeward Bound: Preparations and Anticipation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xxx) The narrator reflects on the voyage home, prepares for bad weather, and recalls his surprise at meeting Professor N⸺. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xxxi) Describes the harsh conditions and the wave that sweeps the deck; reflects on temperance policies and the crew's suffering. ### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xxxii) The narrator describes the crew's joy at sighting land, the dangerous ice encounter, and the harsh Cape Horn life, including his own physical health and silent recitations. ### [XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xxxiii) The narrator observes the conflict between captain and mate, participates in sail setting, and later admires the ship from the flying jibboom. ### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xxxiv) Narrowly escapes death when the fore topgallant yard falls after he steps off; later furls sails during the storm and observes the corposant. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xxxv) The narrator describes the ship's preparations for port, the onset of scurvy, and the encounter with the Solon. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/xxxvi) Reflects on his apathy upon nearing home, then becomes active as the ship prepares to dock. ### [Concluding Chapter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/concluding-chapter) The narrator and author, reflecting on the systemic issues faced by sailors and advocating for gradual reform. ### [Twenty-Four Years After](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/twenty-four-years-after) Returns to California after twenty-four years, reflecting on personal changes and the transformation of the landscape. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/chapters/endnotes) The author provides explanatory notes on sailor life, including eating customs and shipboard practices. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_years_before_the_mast_se/characters/narrator - 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