Character guide

John Hatteras

major

Also known as Captain Hatteras, Hatteras, the Bear Hatteras, the Ice Hatteras

Obsessive English captain determined to reach the North Pole.

Dr. Clawbonny

major

Also known as the doctor, Doctor, Poor Clawbonny

Ship's doctor and Hatteras's loyal, scholarly friend.

Richard Shandon

supporting

Also known as Shandon, Mr. Shandon, Commander Richard Shandon

First officer of the Forward, skeptical of Hatteras's mission.

Altamont

supporting

Also known as Captain Altamont, Mr. Altamont

American explorer found stranded in the ice.

Johnson

supporting

Also known as Boatswain Johnson, old Johnson, Powder Johnson

Loyal boatswain and trusted crewman on the Forward.

Simpson

minor

Also known as Poor Simpson

Crewman who dies during the ice crossing.

James Wall

minor

Also known as Wall, Mr. Wall

Second officer who joins the mutiny against Hatteras.

Pen

minor

Also known as Captain Penny, devil Pen, the Englishman Penny

Mutinous sailor who challenges Hatteras's authority.

Clifton

minor

Also known as the cautious Clifton

Cautious crewman who questions the expedition's safety.

Bell

minor

Carpenter on the Forward, skilled and reliable.

Brunton

minor

Also known as Mr. Brunton

Engineer on the Forward, involved in the mutiny.

Gripper

minor

Sailor who helps with the dogs and sledges.

Bolton

minor

Crewman who remains loyal to Hatteras.

Garry

minor

Sailor who dies during the expedition.

Warren

minor

Crewman who perishes in the ice.

Wolston

minor

Sailor who assists with the winter preparations.

Foker

minor

Crewman who takes part in the mutiny.

Stewart

minor

Sailor who remains with the ship during the ice crossing.

Duke

supporting

Hatteras's loyal dog who accompanies him to the Pole.

Sir John Franklin

minor

Also known as Franklin, Sir John

Lost Arctic explorer whose fate drives the search.

Lady Franklin

minor

Also known as Franklin

Sir John's wife, who sponsors rescue expeditions.

Captain MacClure

minor

Also known as MacClure, Lieutenant MacClure

Historical Arctic explorer mentioned in the narrative.

Captain James Ross

minor

Also known as James Ross, Captain Ross

Polar explorer whose discoveries are referenced.

Captain MacClintock

minor

Also known as MacClintock

Arctic explorer who found Franklin relics.

Sir Edward Belcher

minor

Also known as Belcher, Edward Belcher

British naval officer who led Arctic expeditions.

Mr. Bellot

minor

Also known as Bellot, Lieutenant Bellot, Poor Bellot

French officer who died in the Arctic.

Captain Pullen

minor

Arctic explorer mentioned in the narrative.

Captain Kennedy

minor

Also known as Kennedy

Arctic explorer referenced in the story.

Captain Inglefield

minor

British naval officer who searched for Franklin.

Captain Kellet

minor

Also known as Kellet

Arctic explorer mentioned in the text.

Mr. Cornhill

minor

Also known as Cornhill, Quartermaster Cornhill

Quartermaster who helps outfit the Forward.

K. Z.

minor

Mysterious benefactor who finances the expedition.

Dr. Kane

minor

Also known as Kane, Captain Kane

American Arctic explorer referenced in the story.

Mr. Grinnell

minor

Also known as Grinnell, the famous Mr. Grinnell

American merchant who funded Arctic searches.

John Ross

minor

Also known as Sir John Ross

Early Arctic explorer mentioned in the narrative.

Scoresby

minor

Whaler and Arctic explorer referenced in the text.

Baffin

minor

Historical Arctic explorer mentioned in the story.

John Davis

minor

Also known as Davis

Early Arctic explorer referenced in the narrative.

Collinson

minor

Also known as Captain Collinson

British naval officer who searched for Franklin.

Lieutenant Creswell

minor

Also known as Creswell

Officer who crossed the Northwest Passage.

Commander Moore

minor

Also known as Moore

Naval officer mentioned in the Franklin search.

Davy Jones

minor

Also known as Jones

Mythical figure referenced by the crew.

Toby

minor

One of the sled dogs on the expedition.

The Eskimo

minor

Also known as Eskimo

Indigenous person encountered in the Arctic.