The Black Pearl is a fictional ship in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series. It is easily recognized by its distinctive black hull and sails and is captained by Captain Jack Sparrow. The ship is said to be "nigh uncatchable" and is the only ship that can outrun the Dutchman. In the universe of the Pirates of the Caribbean, The Black Pearl was built by the French and was originally a merchant ship called Wicked Wench. According to the franchises lore, the ship that would become the Black Pearl began its career as the Wicked Wench, under the command of an unnamed pirate captain. The Black Pearl is a hybrid vessel, being an amalgamation of a galleon and an East Indiaman, a standard ship of the various East Indian companies. In the first movie, the Black Pearl was a steel barge with wooden structures built on top to resemble a real ship. For the second and third movies, a floating sailing ship was built.