The Volunteer

The Volunteer is the whaling/sealing ship initially under the command of Captain Brownlee, until he is murdered by Henry Drax and Cavendish becomes the replacement captain. It is the setting for most of the intrigue and violence that form the narrative backbone of this novel. It is Cavendish who decides to scuttle the Volunteer in an ill-fated attempt to fraudulently collect insurance; it is aboard the Volunteer that Henry Drax rapes and kills an adolescent cabin boy; and it is aboard the Volunteer that Patrick Sumner drifts into narcotics addiction.

Delhi, India

The overthrow of British colonial rule overcomes Patrick Sumner while he is posted in Delhi and causes him to leave the country and the British government. In escaping Delhi and going to the North Water, Sumner is really just exchanging one form of chaos for another.

Liverpool, England

Liverpool is where Doctor Sumner meets...