Swallows and Amazons

John is around 12 or 13 years old and is captain of the Swallow. He is extremely brave and competent in all matters regarding camping and sailing. He becomes Admiral of the Fleet, or Commodore, after Titty captures the Amazon. Well-read in naval warfare, he plans to join the Navy when he is an adult, like his father.

John is conscientious and has a strong moral code. He is mortified when Jim Turner calls him a liar, yet he won’t let Mother write to Jim to exonerate John from damaging the houseboat because it would place the blame on the Blackett girls. He continues to worry about what Jim thinks of him when Mrs. Dixon accuses the children of meddling with the houseboat a second time. He is keenly aware of his duty to the younger children, and his conscience cannot rest until he has told Mother that they went sailing at night. When he and Jim make peace, he experiences a rare show of emotion.

Susan, who seems to be around 11 or 12, is the mate of the Swallow and a somewhat maternal figure. She enjoys her job of cooking for the crew. She also sews Roger’s buttons back on and cleans the pots and pans.