Minor Characters
Lieutenant Ratcliffe
A lieutenant on the Indomitable, Ratcliffe searches for men to conscript, forcibly if necessary, to join the ship. Upon seeing the handsome Billy, he immediately chooses him.
Captain Graveling
The captain of the Rights-of-Man, who is sad to have to let go of Billy, his best sailor, when Billy is impressed into naval service.
Red Whiskers
The only sailor on the Rights-of-Man who is initially not fond of Billy. He starts a fight with Billy but ultimately comes to respect and love him.
Squeak
A corporal serving under Claggart, whom Claggart orders to prank and harass Billy. Squeak makes up rumors about Billy insulting Claggart, which fuel Claggart's hatred of Billy.
Red Pepper
A sailor awakened by Billy's confrontation with the after-guardsman at night. He is skeptical of Billy's story and wants to punish Billy and the unidentified after-guardsman.
The After-Guardsman
An unnamed sailor who wakes Billy one night and offers him two guineas in exchange for helping him with an unspecified plot, probably a mutiny.
The Chaplain
The priest onboard the Indomitable, who goes to give spiritual advice to Billy before his execution. He is unable to say much to Billy, though, because Billy does not fear death and is so innocent the chaplain feels he does not any blessing or even really any religion.
The Purser
An officer of the Indomitable in charge of money onboard, who talks with the surgeon after Billy's death and claims that the complete stillness of Billy's body during his hanging shows Billy's remarkable will power.