Character Analysis
While Mr. Newkirk's commitment to Darwinism is a bit questionable due to his Monkey Luddite mother, he's clearly pretty good at what he does since he's the only other midshipman chosen to stay aboard after Dr. Barlow and her weighty equipment arrive. He's a bit gangly and awkward, though—"Newkirk still had plooks on his face and hardly knew how to tie his necktie" (11.31)—which cuts him out of romantic hero status. Until Alek arrives, Newkirk is the closest thing Deryn has to a friend on board.