pirates
For other uses, see Helmsman (disambiguation)
Jack with chart
"The world's still the same. There's just...less in it."
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Anamaria at the helm of the Interceptor.

Anamaria at the helm of the Interceptor.

"Hold steady, helmsman!"
―An officer to the helmsman of the HMS Monarch[src]

A helmsman or steersman was a person who steered the helm or wheel of a ship, boat, or other types of maritime vessel. The rank and seniority of the helmsman may vary: on small vessels such as fishing vessels, the functions of the helmsman were combined with that of the skipper; on larger vessels, there is a separate officer of the watch who was responsible for the safe navigation of the ship and gives orders to the helmsman, who physically steered the ship in accordance with those orders. In the merchant navy, the person at the helm is usually a sailor or able seaman, particularly during ship arrivals, departures, and while maneuvering in restricted waters or other conditions requiring precise steering. An ordinary seaman is commonly restricted to steering in open waters. Moreover, military ships may have a seaman or quartermaster at the helm.

A professional helmsman maintained a steady course, properly executed all rudder orders, and communicated to the officer on the bridge using navigational terms relating to ship's heading and steering. A helmsman relied upon visual references, a compass, and a rudder angle indicator to steer a steady course. The mate or other officer on the bridge directed the helmsman aboard merchant or navy ships.

Notable helmsmen

"Mr. Trafford, I'll want you on our helm."
―Jack Sparrow to Lee Trafford[src]

Behind the scenes

"That chart I drew up'll get you past the reefs. If you're steersman's good enough, that is."
"I'll be at the wheel myself."
―Jack Sparrow and James Norrington[src] (early screenplay draft)

The term "helmsman" was first used in the souvenir book for Walt Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean,[14] which featured a skeletal helmsman could be seen steering a ghostly galleon sailing on a storm-tossed lagoon.[15] The skeleton helmsman served as the teaser poster for the 2003 film Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.[16][17][18]

In the 2011 video game Pirates of the Caribbean: Master of the Seas, helmsman is one of the ranks a player can earn.[citation needed]

Appearances

Sources

External links

Notes and references

  1. ↑ Pirates of the Caribbean: Armada of the Damned
  2. ↑ The Price of Freedom, Chapter One: Fair Winds and Black Ships
  3. ↑ The Price of Freedom, Chapter Two: Lady Esmeralda
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 The Price of Freedom, Chapter Thirteen: "Red Flag...Ho!"
  5. ↑ The Price of Freedom, Epilogue: The Black Pearl
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
  8. ↑ The Price of Freedom, Chapter Ten: Revelations
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 9.8 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Disney Adventures: "Going Overboard!"
  11. ↑ Pirates of the Caribbean Online
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
  14. ↑ Walt Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean: The Story of the Robust Adventure in Disneyland and Walt Disney World, p. 13
  15. ↑ Pirates of the Caribbean: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies
  16. ↑ ::CineMovies:: Première image de "The Pirates of the Caribbean" en exclu!! - Archived
  17. ↑ Pirates of the Caribbean Teaser Image! - Coming Soon! - Latest News - Archived
  18. ↑ FilmForce: Dead Men Tell No Tales - Archived