Harbormaster

"Smith. Or Smithy, if you like." The title of this article is a nickname or alias. This article is about a subject that has not been identified with an official name and is known only by a nickname or alias. Please see the relevant discussion or explanation in the article itself.

Unknown
Biographical information
Gender	Male
Ethnic group	English
Eye color	Blue
Hair color	Gray
Born	Around the 1670s or the 1680s
Title(s)	Harbormaster
Statistics
Affiliation	British Empire Port Royal
Behind the scenes
First appearance	The Curse of the Black Pearl
Latest appearance	The Curse of the Black Pearl
Portrayer	Guy Siner

"Hold up there, you! It's a shilling to tie up your boat to the dock. And I shall need to know your name."
"What do you say to three shillings, and we forget the name?"
"...Welcome to Port Royal, Mr. Smith."

―Harbormaster being bribed by Jack Sparrow

The Harbormaster was a British colonial official responsible for supervising the harbor at Port Royal. With his gray wig, spectacles, and tricorn hat, the Harbormaster seemed like a loyal servant of the King, but years of mixing with maritime riffraff had corrupted him. When Captain Jack Sparrow offered a small bribe of three shillings to keep his arrival secret, the Harbormaster couldn't resist and accepted this bribe.

Biography

The Harbormaster at the docks.

"Honest men are slaves to their conscience, and there's no predicting 'em. But you can always trust a dishonest man to stay that way..."

―Jack Sparrow

He was once a loyal servant of the King, though years of exposure to maritime riffraff left him corrupt. He would often accept bribes to supplement his meagre government salary, allowing him to afford fine clothes. He was commonly seen sporting a wig, spectacles, and tricorne hat.

The Harbormaster accosted Captain Jack Sparrow when he arrived in Port Royal aboard the sinking Jolly Mon. Jack offered him three shillings to ensure his name did not appear on the Harbormaster's ledger. Despite the reproachful look of his assistant, the Harbormaster accepted this bribe, though did not notice Jack stealing his purse as the pirate swaggered away. The next day, following the Black Pearl's attack on the town, the Harbormaster was speaking with a small group of Royal Marines on the dock while his assistant fished, unaware that Sparrow and Will Turner were walking underwater beneath an overturned boat. His further fate is unknown.

Behind the scenes

"If you're out rolling scuppers in this tub, you're either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid."
"It's remarkable how often those two traits coincide."

―Harbormaster and Jack Sparrow

• The Harbormaster was portrayed by Guy Siner in The Curse of the Black Pearl.
• In Ted Elliott and Terry Rossio's first screenplay draft of The Curse of the Black Pearl, Jack Sparrow was originally meant to leave the Harbormaster like in the finished version of the film but without stealing his purse of shillings.

Appearances

• Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (First appearance)
  • Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003 junior novelization)
  • Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2006 junior novelization)
  • Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (comic)

Sources

• Pirates of the Caribbean: The Visual Guide
• Pirates of the Caribbean: The Complete Visual Guide