Captain Gilbey

Captain Gilbey is the officer sent to summon Jonathan Strange to the aid of the ship False Prelate when it runs upon the shoals at Spithead. He is described as handsome, intelligent and of pleasant manners, he conveys Strange to the scene in his gig, and is helpful in explaining some of the difficulties attendant upon first hasty attempts to save the ship. (Mr. Strange - a great proficient in magic but wholly ignorant in nautical matters - very nearly destroys the False Prelate in his impulsive efforts to help her: Captain Gilbey dissuades him from his more rash and impractical plans.)[28]