Red Ensign

Barr is the manager and chief designer driving a radical ship design that promises 25% more cargo with less fuel. He pursues the project with relentless determination, deciding to build twenty ships to cut costs and outpace rivals. When government contracts fail to materialize, he forges a signature to obtain a loan, illustrating intense pressure and willingness to take drastic risks. His leadership rallies the workforce and his partnership with June becomes central to financing the venture.

June is the chief shareholder and Barr's ally, backing the bold plan despite board opposition. She leverages her trust fund to help Barr secure a loan, signaling financial clout and personal stake in the project’s success. Her support stabilizes the endeavor when funding dries up and workers rally behind Barr’s vision. She embodies a practical, strategic influence in a male-dominated industry.

Manning is a rival shipbuilder who hears rumors about Barr's design and sends operatives to uncover the project. He aims to buy the design or all the ships, using underhanded tactics to stall Barr. He attempts to blackmail Barr when his position is tested, intensifying the conflict and shaping the ethical stakes of the story. His machinations drive much of the external pressure on Barr.

Lord Dean is a board member who initially opposes Barr's plan and resists the loan. Jealous of Barr and June's relationship, he becomes a focal point in the governance struggle over the project. His actions and reactions reflect the old-guard dynamics of business leadership during the period. His opposition heightens the stakes Barr must overcome.

MacLeod is the third officer on one of Manning's ships and is caught up in Manning's sabotage. He is killed when Manning's men blow up the ship being built, marking a brutal turning point in the conflict between rival interests. His death underscores the human cost of industrial warfare and corporate scheming.

A financial staffer who tracks payroll and expenses, the Wages Accountant stands at the fragile interface between the payroll and Barr's survival plan. The forged loan and looming payroll crisis threaten his duties, highlighting the precarious human burden behind large-scale industrial ventures. His role illustrates how financial controls are tested in times of economic stress.

Bassett is the reporter who informs Barr about MacLeod's death and follows the story as it unfolds, increasing public pressure and heightening the stakes of the industrial struggle. His reporting helps frame the events for the wider audience and adds a public dimension to the corporate drama.

Casey is part of Manning's circle, involved in the underworld of industrial intrigue and sabotage. He contributes to the murky operations surrounding the design and the actions of Manning's faction, illustrating how espionage and loyalty pressures influence the outcome of the conflict.