James Dillon

James Dillon was a young Royal Navy officer. After serving as lieutenant on HMS Burford, he is appointed to HMS Sophie as lieutenant in place of the previous lieutenant, Mr Baldick. Following Jack Aubrey's appointment as Commander. Dillon is a member of the Anglo Irish aristocracy, he is Lord Kenmare's nephew and either owns or will inherit a large estate in Ireland. Dillon while not rich (the estate is 'three quarter of it mountain and the rest of it bog') can be thought of as well to do. His delight is to fight with the King's enemies, and having private means he is not as committed to prize taking as is Jack Aubrey. While Jack was pleased with his First officer's performance and seamanship, their personal relationship varies from time to time. Dillon's early belief is that Aubrey is overly interested in prize money above duty, and that he is "shy" - another way of describing cowardice, but Jack's attack on the battery at Almoraira changes this view, and the relationship with Aubrey becomes much more cordial. His relationship with Stephen Maturin, is far more settled; they were previously acquainted, both being members of the United Irishmen. They share an Irish heritage, and also the Roman Catholic faith. Dillon's last weeks are unhappy, as being a man of impeccable honour feels he has been blackmailed by one Father Mangan a passenger on the John B Christopher. Mangan is an Irish revolutionary, and threatens to denounce Dillon as one of the same, if he is taken off the Christopher to be prosecuted in England. Dillon beforehand had made up his mind to ignore Mangan's presence on the ship, but the it seems that the first verbal interaction between the two, was Mangan;s threat. Dillon felt that this made it look as if he had been manipulated by blackmail, and that this had the appearance of dishonourable conduct on his part. Lieutenant Dillon met his death during the action with the Cacafuego, leading one of the two boarding-parties..