# The Departure of the Duncan explained — In Search of the Castaways > Chapter companion for In Search of the Castaways by Jules Verne. ## What happens Lady Helena's brave decision to join the rescue expedition for Captain Grant is met with enthusiasm. Lord Glenarvan orders the Duncan prepared for a long voyage to the South Seas. Captain Mangles oversees the provisioning and arming of the yacht, and the crew, all loyal Scots, eagerly prepare. Mary and Robert Grant are allowed to accompany the expedition. After a farewell service at Saint Mungo's Cathedral in Glasgow, the Duncan departs on the night of August 24th, navigating the Clyde and reaching the open sea by morning. ## Themes in this chapter ### Courage and Sacrifice Lady Helena and Lord Glenarvan courageously decide to risk a long and perilous voyage to rescue Captain Grant, sacrificing comfort and safety. ### Nobility and Generosity The Glenarvans' noble character is shown in their selfless commitment to saving a fellow Scot, and the crew's loyal devotion reflects their generosity of spirit. ## Character check-ins ### Lady Helena Proposes to join the rescue expedition, demonstrating her brave and generous soul. ### Lord Glenarvan Resolves to sail to the rescue of Captain Grant and orders the Duncan prepared for a circumnavigation. ### John Mangles Captain of the Duncan, skillfully oversees the yacht's preparation and navigation. ### Mary Grant Receives permission from Lady Helena to accompany the expedition; prays for her benefactors at the cathedral. ### Robert Grant Eager to join the voyage, even willing to serve as cabin-boy; the captain is commissioned to teach him seamanship. ### Major MacNabb Accompanies the expedition as a calm, taciturn, and morally courageous relative of the Glenarvans. ## Key lines > It has been already said that Lady Helena had a brave and generous soul. What she had just done was an undeniable proof of it, and Lord Glenarvan had good reason to trust in this noble woman, who was capable of comprehending and following him. Lady Helena's courageous and generous nature was clearly demonstrated by her decision to join the rescue mission, and Lord Glenarvan rightly had confidence in her ability to understand and support him. _Highlights Lady Helena's bravery and the trust between the couple._ > The Duncan was a steam yacht of one hundred and ten tons burden. She had two masts—a foremast with foresail, mainsail, foretop and foretop-gallant sails; and a mainmast, carrying a mainsail and fore-staff. The Duncan was a 110-ton steam yacht with two masts and a full set of sails, allowing her to use wind power as well as steam. _Describes the yacht's specifications and dual propulsion capability._ > Captain Mangles, we must say, understood his business. Although he commanded only a pleasure yacht, he was ranked among the ablest of the Glasgow captains. Captain Mangles was highly skilled and respected, despite commanding a yacht rather than a commercial vessel. _Establishes Mangles' competence and reputation._ > The major was a man of fifty, of calm, regular features, who did as he was bid; of an excellent and superior character, modest, taciturn, peaceable, and mild; always agreeing with anything or anyone, disputing nothing, and neither contradicting himself nor exaggerating. Major MacNabb was a fifty-year-old man with a calm demeanor, obedient, modest, quiet, and agreeable, never arguing or exaggerating. _Introduces Major MacNabb's personality and temperament._ > At eight in the evening Lord Glenarvan and his companions, the entire crew, from the firemen to the captain, all who were to take part in this voyage of sacrifice, left the yacht, and betook themselves to Saint Mungo, the ancient cathedral of Glasgow. At eight o'clock in the evening, everyone involved in the expedition went to Saint Mungo's Cathedral in Glasgow for a farewell service. _Describes the collective visit to the cathedral before departure._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters/v-the-departure-of-the-duncan - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/in_search_of_the_castaways_se/chapters