Typhoon by Joseph Conrad - Chapter 5 of 6
Channel: Donald Miller
Date: 2014-02-26

"Typhoon," like all of Conrad's sea tales, is based to some extent upon his firsthand experience as a longtime seaman. The story is based on an incident that Conrad read about in the newspaper.

"Typhoon" describes how Captain MacWhirr sails the Siamese steamer Nan-Shan into a typhoon—a mature tropical cyclone of the northwestern part of the Pacific Ocean. Other characters include the young Jukes - most probably an "alter ego" of Conrad from the time he had sailed under captain John McWhir - and Solomon Rout, the chief engineer. 

The novel evokes the seafaring life at the turn of the nineteenth century. While Macwhirr - who, according to Conrad, "never walked on this Earth" - is emotionally estranged from his family and crew, and though he refuses to consider an alternate course to skirt the typhoon, his indomitable will in the face of a superior natural force elicits admiration.

CHARACTERS

Captain MacWhirr, an empirical man without imagination.

Captain Wilson from "Melita", the "storm-strategist".

Jukes, the first mate (with no first name).

Jukes' absent friends - second mate Jack Allen and another mate from trans-Atlantic liner (addressee of Jukes' letter).

Solomon Rout, the chief engineer, an experienced seaman.

Second engineer Harry and third engineer Beale.

The boatswain.

The second mate.

Sailors, steward and cook of the "Nan-Shan".

The coolies, hired workers from India and China.

The clerk for Messrs. Bun-Hin Co.

Mrs Lucy MacWhirr, the Captain's wife.

Lydia MacWhirr, the Captain's daughter.

Mrs Rout, the chief engineer's wife.

Messrs Sigg and Son, the owners of the boat.

Owners and foremen from the building yard.