David Nelson's Web Site

The Black Pearl.

The Black Pearl is a legendary ship that appears in Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean film series. Easily recognized by her distinctive jet black hull and sails, the Pearl is first introduced in the film Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and has appeared in the following sequels, Dead Man's Chest, At World's End, On Stranger Tides, and Dead Men Tell No Tales. Among other appearances, the Pearl appears in The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios, as well as several books and video games.

In the past, the ship was originally named the Wicked Wench, under the command of Jack Sparrow. However, Jack's employer, Cutler Beckett, later ordered the Wench to be set aflame and sunk. As part of a deal with Davy Jones, the ship was raised from the depths, and Jack was given thirteen years as captain, in exchange for 100 years of service aboard the Flying Dutchman. With the Wench’s new charred look, Jack rechristened her the Black Pearl. Now an infamous pirate vessel, the Black Pearl would embark on many adventures on the high seas.

The Model

This model was started on December 15, 2021.  It is constructed using a plank on frame format at a scale of 1:50 using materials supplied in a Molin kit.  The instructions in the kit were all written in an oriental script so were of little use.  The pictures provided did provide sufficient guidance.

January 19, 2022

In this image we see the hull with it's planking complete.  The next steps will be to fit he external features of the hull.  This will include quarter and stern galleries, ladders and skid rails up the side, railings along the top of the gunwales, gun port lids, etc.

March 27, 2022

As of this date the hull is complete, all fittings are made and ready to be installed.  The next phase will be the rigging.

In this image we see a profile of the hull with an 18"ruler to give perspective of it's size.  In the foreground are the ships fittings.  From the left:  the rudder, the masts and yards, the anchors and bits, the capstans, wheel and stern lanterns, the stern gallery supports, ladders and mast caps, the hatch gratings and then the ships guns.

The figure head

View of the deck.

The stern galleries.

June 1, 2022

This model of the Black Pearl is now complete.  The following pictures show the result.

Overall profile of the model.

View of the bow.

The rear deck.  Here we can see the ships wheel, the riding bits, base of the Mizzen mast and the grating over
the main cabin.

This is the middle deck.  We see the gratings and ladder to the lower deck, the base of the Main mast
 surrounded by the ship's capstan.  The ship's guns line the deck.  Rigging lines for the masts and sails
come down to the belaying pins in the pin rails along the hull where they are belayed and coiled up.

This is the fore deck where we see a grating over the lower deck, ridding bits where rigging is belayed, the
foot of the Fore mast and the railing along the edge of the deck.

The figure head.

The top of the lower Fore mast.  This top was used to secure standing rigging of the upper masts and was
used as a platform for riflemen to fire down on other ships being pursued.

Port side of the hull.  Note the ladder steps to be used by seamen to climb from the water up onto the deck
and the skid rails used to slide barrels and other heavy items from the water level up onto the deck.

Shrouds, ratlines and dead eyes of the lower Fore mast.

Port quarter galleries.  These galleries provide a view out of the side of the ship and contained washroom
 facilities for the ship's captain.

The ship's stern.  This was traditionally the most decorated part of the ship.  It was also the weakest part of
the ship so was a target for other ships firing cannon at this one.