Black Pearl
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The Black Pearl, often simply referred to as the Pearl, is a fictional pirate ship that figures prominently in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. The ship was originally named Wicked Wench before it was ordered burned and sunk by Lord Cutler Beckett. It was later raised from the sea floor by Davy Jones after making a pact with Jack Sparrow who rechristened it, The Black Pearl. Disney wanted to rename the "Wicked Wench" on the ride to "Black Pearl" but were denied licensing rights.
The Black Pearl was captained by Jack Sparrow for two years. The crew was heading to the mysterious Isla de Muerta where the legendary Chest of Cortez was hidden. Captain and crew agreed to equal shares of the treasure, but First Mate Hector Barbossa persuaded Jack that equal shares included knowing the treasure's location. Jack complied, and soon after Barbossa led a mutiny and marooned Jack on an island.
The crew found the Aztec gold, which they quickly frittered away on food, drink and prostitutes. However, unaware the treasure was cursed,anyone who stole the coins turned into undead beings, unable to feel pleasure but suffering pain. Moonlight revealed the cursed pirate's true form—hideous skeletons with tattered flesh clinging to bones. Even the Pearl was affected as the ship became constantly shrouded in an eerie mist. After the curse is lifted, the mist disappeared.
The curse could only be lifted when every coin was returned to the chest along with a trace of blood from each pirate who stole one. "Bootstrap Bill" Turner, the only crew member who defended Jack during the mutiny, sent a coin to his young son Will Turner, believing the crew deserved to remain cursed. Barbossa had Bootstrap tied to a cannon and thrown overboard in retaliation. Only later did they learn they also needed his blood to break the curse and had, in fact, doomed themselves to continued damnation. Over the next decade the Pearl menaced the Caribbean as the pirates searched for the coins until all but one was found. As a boy, Will Turner brought the gold medallion with him on his journey to the Caribbean, although Elizabeth Swann, the governor's daughter, came into possession of it and kept it hidden. The Pearl later attacked Port Royal and abducted Elizabeth, believeing she was Bootstrap's child—the only source of Turner blood.
The Pearl was eventually commandeered by Jack Sparrow and Will Turner. While the pirates were fighting the Royal Navy at Isla de Muerta, Jack's new crew makes off with the Pearl, leaving Jack behind. However, they later rescued him when he escaped execution in Port Royal.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest reveals some of the back story of Jack Sparrow and the Black Pearl. Originally, she was the Wicked Wench that was sunk. (The ship is based on the one in the Disneyland attraction that inspired the movie.) Jack made a pact with Davy Jones, the captain of the Flying Dutchman, to raise her from the deep as Jack's own ship. In return, Jack would relinquish his soul to Jones after thirteen years, although following the mutiny, Barbossa held command for the majority of that time. Jack continuing to refer to himself as 'Captain Jack Sparrow' was sufficient reason for Davy Jones to collect the debt. Much of the plot revolves around Jack's attempt to escape his obligation.
More is learned about Jack Sparrow and the Black Pearl in a game on the "Dead Man's Chest's" official website. Jack was captain of the Wicked Wench under the employment of the East India Trading Co. Cutler Beckett ordered Jack to pick up precious "cargo" in Africa and deliver it to the West Indies/Caribbean. When Jack discovers the cargo is slaves, he frees them in Africa. As revenge, Beckett orders the "Wench" burned and sunk and Jack branded as a pirate. After Jack escapes prison, he vows to get the Wench back and nearly drowns attempting to pull her up from the ocean floor. He is saved by Davy Jones, and they strike their bargain. Jones raises the Wench from the depths, and Jack rechristens her Black Pearl.
At the conclusion of PotC: Dead Man's Chest, the Pearl, along with Jack Sparrow, is returned to the ocean bottom by Davy Jones' leviathan, the Kraken. However, Will, Elizabeth, and the surviving Pearl crew vow to resurrect Jack and his ship. In interviews with cast members on FilmFocus, it's been revealed that the Black Pearl is at "World's End", still intact. Jack Sparrow is supposedly dead aboard her and will be resurrected by Tia Dalma, who has joined the Black Pearl's crew in their quest to find Sparrow.
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[edit] In real life
The Black Pearl was only a soundstage simulation in the first Pirates movie, not an actual floating vessel. For the second and third movies, a floating sailing ship was built to serve as the set, though it is not an authentic tall ship. [1] [2]
[edit] Trivia
- The Black Pearl is said to be, "nigh uncatchable". Indeed, in the two films she either overtakes or flees all other ships, including the Interceptor (regarded as the fastest ship in the Caribbean) and the Flying Dutchman (which is actually faster against the wind). Her speed is derived from the large amount of sails she carries (provided it sails with the wind), in addition to oars called "sweeps."
- According to history, no pirate ship was ever built specifically to commit piracy. Instead, pirates either bought or stole small, fast vessels, then retrofitted them with heavy armaments. This fits with the history of the Pearl as revealed on the Dead Man's Chest website that she was originally a cargo ship named Wicked Wench, the pirate ship from the theme park attraction.
- The Black Pearl carries 32 cannons; 18 on the gun deck and 14 on the upper deck, it’s full broadside contains 16 cannonballs.
- The Black Pearl is usually seen with fog trailing behind it. However, this was merely the effect of the curse upon the ship's crew, as it is not seen at the end of The Curse of the Black Pearl nor in Dead Man's Chest. This mysterious effect was created by two barges carrying large fog machines following the ship.
- In DMC, a cargo hold beneath the Black Pearl crew's sleeping quarters is seen when Jack goes to get a bottle of rum.
- According to Leech, one of the newer crewmen, the ship can be operated with as few as six hands aboard(which also lead to his death due to a race to take the ship).
- The Black Pearl is easily recognised by its distinctive black sails.
- The Black Pearl is a "level within a level" in Kingdom Hearts II.
- The Black Pearl can be identified as an East Indiamen
- For the film Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, the Black Pearl was actually made into a sea-going vessel.
[edit] Crew of the Black Pearl
- Jack's Old Crew/Barbossa's Crew:
- Jack's New Crew
- Captain Jack Sparrow
- Joshamee Gibbs (First Mate)
- Will Turner
- Elizabeth Swann
- James Norrington (Dead Man's Chest only)
- Anamaria (Second Mate) (Curse of the Black Pearl only)
- Cotton
- Cotton's parrot
- Marty
- Pintel (Dead Man's Chest only)
- Ragetti (Dead Man's Chest only)
- Jack the monkey (Dead Man's Chest only)
- Leech
- Sweepy
- Duncan
- Moises
- Kursar
- Matelot
- Tearlach
- Crimp
- Quartetto
- Ladbroc
Most of these are either killed by the cannibals or by the Kraken
[edit] References
- ^ Pirates of the Carribean presskit, accessed Dec 9, 2006
- ^ Pirates of the Caribbean page at the-bahama-islands.com, accessed Dec 9, 2006
