| Linus Harcourt | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Vital statistics | |
| Title | Captain |
| Gender | Male |
| Status | Deceased (killed by Jack Rackham) |
| Ships | Goliath |
| Relationships | None |
| Appearances | Only Appearance: XIV. |
| Portrayed by | Andre Weideman |
Linus Harcourt was the captain on the Goliath, a pirate ship that did not port in Nassau. He encountered Jack Rackham on his first day as captain.
Biography[]
Season Two []
Linus Harcourt and his crew chased after the True North, a merchant vessel. However, they were beaten to it by Captain Jack Rackham and the crew of the Colonial Dawn. The Goliath sails alongside the merchant vessel, and the crew boards and points their weapons at the Colonial Dawn crew. Rackham introduces himself, and when Harcourt says he's never heard of him, Rackham says he should get out more. Harcourt laughs at this and introduces himself in turn. Rackham is surprised that his ship is named after the greatest disappointment in the history of warfare, but Harcourt confesses that his men like how it sounds.
Harcourt then asks if Rackham has ever split a prize before, and he answers that he has not. Harcourt says that there are three ways it plays out: crews fight it out, captains fight it out, or the captains sit down and negotiate. Given that Rackham and his men are clearly outnumbered, and Harcourt is visibly stronger than Rackham, he agrees to the third option. The two sit down and go over the True North's manifest.
While Harcourt goes over the manifest, he asks if it is Rackham's first day on the job. Rackham asks what makes him say that. Harcourt answers that there are little indications, such as the way they look at him and reacted to the banner. Rackham then asks what's wrong with the banner. Harcourt says it's just that it's new and lightly traveled. He then asks if Jack thinks there's something wrong with the banner, and he replies that it's fine.
Harcourt offers Rackham a deal where the total tonnage is split fairly evenly, but Harcourt and his men get the tobacco and sugar, worth about four fifths of the value, while Rackham is left with the pots, pans and blankets. Rackham protests that they were supposed reach an equitable result, but Harcourt says that it was supposed to be a result based on reason. Harcourt says he is offering them a meaningful share of the profits just for having gotten to the prize first. Harcourt says it's the best he can offer Rackham, for his men know if they came to blows over the prize they would have won. Harcourt says his men know they have the advantage in numbers, and he needs to maintain their faith in him. He says that they can see Jack's crew, and they can see Jack.
After a brief sidebar with his quartermaster, Jack returns and says he'll agree to the deal with a few small adjustments. Harcourt agrees, but Jack then splashes his wine in Harcourt's face and slashes his throat with a dagger. Jack tries to pull out his pistol but Harcourt disarms him and the two begin fistfighting. Harcourt "thanks" Jack for offering them a way forward, and gains the upper hand. Jack then pulls Harcourt's shirt open, revealing that the wound is fatal. Harcourt falls on top of Jack, dead of blood loss.
The two pirate crews then aim their weapons at each other but Jack begs them to wait. He says that he tried to negotiate a reasonable deal with Harcourt, but says that Harcourt refused to agree to any deal that did not include the slaughter of every member of the prize crew. Jack then has his crew free and arm the merchant sailors. He then asks the Goliath crew if there is anyone among them who is willing to negotiate a fairer deal with him. After some hesitation, the Goliath's Quartermaster agrees to sit down with Jack.
Quotes[]
"Captain Linus Harcourt of the Goliath."
- Linus Harcourt introducing himself in XIV.
"Had we come to blows over this prize, there's no doubt my men would have won it whole. I'm offering you a meaningful share just for having got here first. It's the most I can spare without losing my men's faith in me. I know we have the advantage here. I can see your numbers. I can see you."
- Harcourt to Rackham.
"Thank you for offering us a way forward."
- Harcourt's last words.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Harcourt has a tattoo of a cross on his forehead. Historically, it was common for the Byzantines to brand their non-Christian prisoners with a cross.