Summary: Chapter 1
The narrator begins the story by recalling a time, in
the days before steamships, when it was common to observe in port
towns a group of sailors gathered around a “Handsome Sailor” type—a
man who stood out from his peers by being taller, stronger, and
more physically attractive. The Handsome Sailor’s peers would instinctively look
up to and follow this naturally superior specimen. As an example,
the narrator cites an instance in Liverpool in which he observed a
male African in a plaid cap promenading proudly in the company of
his fellow seamen.
At twenty-one years old, though young-looking for his
age, Billy Budd exemplifies the Handsome Sailor type. He has only
recently entered into the service of the British naval forces. In
the summer of 1797, while returning to the
British Isles on board the merchant ship Rights-of-Man, he
is impressed into duty by the H.M.S. Bellipotent, a
warship in need of extra sailors.
Billy is the only member of his company on the Rights-of-Man selected
to change ranks by the representative of the Bellipotent, Lieutenant
Ratcliffe. Without complaint, Billy accepts his reassignment, much
to Ratcliffe’s satisfaction. However, this shift surprises his old
company and meets with the silent disapproval of his old shipmaster,
Captain Graveling.
In preparation for his departure from the Rights-of-Man, Billy goes
to the lower hold to gather his gear. Meanwhile, Ratcliffe barges
his way into the cabin of the Rights-of-Man and
helps himself to a drink. Graveling plays the polite host, but refrains
from drinking himself.
In a quiet moment, Graveling reproaches Ratcliffe for
stealing Billy from the Rights-of-Man. After eliciting
a meager apology, Graveling proceeds to lament his loss, recounting
the tale of Billy’s days on board the Rights-of-Man. He
recalls Billy’s arrival amidst a quarreling crew, the rapid rise
of his popularity and authority, and his swift and judicious use
of force at necessary moments. He relates a story in which a sailor
referred to as “the Red Whiskers,” the only member of the crew who
disliked Billy, tried to bully the young sailor. When the Red Whiskers
punched Billy, Billy responded with a forceful blow of his own.
To the surprise of all, Billy’s violent response actually pacified
the Red Whiskers’ hatred for Billy, turning that hatred to love.
Graveling details the love felt by all for Billy the peacekeeper
and dreads the encroaching discord that will doubtlessly return
to the Rights-of-Man upon Billy’s departure.
Ratcliffe delivers the tongue-in-cheek reply, “Blessed
are the peacekeepers, especially the fighting peacekeepers.” Then
he gestures toward the cannons on board the Bellipotent to
illustrate his idea of what a peacekeeper is. He reassures Graveling
that despite the hardship of his immediate loss, he should remember
that the king would doubtless approve of such selfless compliance
with the needs of the empire. Calling out to Billy on deck, Ratcliffe
tells him to slim down his possessions from a large box to a smaller
bag.
