Captain Pugwash
Captain Pugwash, from the title sequence of the 1974–75 series
Created by	John Ryan
Original work	Eagle #1
Years	1950-2008
Print publications
Book(s)	Captain Pugwash (1957) Pugwash Aloft (1958) Pugwash and the Ghost Ship (1962) Pugwash in the Pacific (1973) Pugwash the Smuggler (1976) Pugwash and the Sea Monster (1976) Pugwash and the Buried Treasure (1980)
Comics	The Quest of the Golden Handshake (1983) The Battle of Bunkum Bay (1984) The Secret of San Fiasco (1985)
Comic strip(s)	Captain Pugwash (1950) Pugwash Ahoy! (1960-1965)
Films and television
Animated series	Captain Pugwash (1974-1975) The Adventures of Captain Pugwash (1998)
Television short(s)	Captain Pugwash (1957-1966)
Theatrical presentations
Play(s)	Captain Pugwash (1973) Captain Pugwash and the Inca Treasure (1974) The Adventures of Captain Pugwash (2008)
Miscellaneous
Toy(s)	Corgi Toys (1981) Vivid Imaginations (1998)

Captain Pugwash is a fictional pirate who appears in a series of British children’s comic strips, books and television shows created by John Ryan.

The eponymous hero – Captain Horatio Pugwash – sails the high seas in his ship called the Black Pig, assisted by cabin boy Tom, pirates Willy and Barnabas, and Master Mate. His mortal enemy is Cut-Throat Jake, captain of the Flying Dustman.

History

At John Ryan’s wedding in 1950, he was introduced by a friend to Marcus Morris, who was launching Eagle, and asked the artist to create a strip for it. When John returned home, he claimed that Captain Pugwash appeared without explanation.^[1] It ran for the first nineteen issues of Eagle, but was dropped due to being considered too childish, and John replaced it with Harris Tweed.^[2]

The first Captain Pugwash picture book, subtitled A Pirate Story and featuring Tom’s debut, was rejected by twelve publishers until The Bodley Head picked it up in 1957. The book became successful, and was translated around the world.^[3] That same year, the BBC commissioned it to be adapted into an animated short film,^[4] made using “captions”. This was a form of cutout animation that involved levers attached to the back of characters.

All the voices were provided by Peter Hawkins, who had to be hidden behind a monitor due to his facial expressions made while recording being too distracting for the animators.^[5] What this did mean was that he could write notes in his script about incidental characters and be reminded of them as they appeared onscreen.^[6] Further short films would be produced and broadcast until 1966, and in 1960 a popular and regularly released Radio Times strip was launched to promote the series, running until 1965.^[7] In 1974 a new colour series was commissioned, with Peter Hawkins reprising his roles, and wider-reaching than its sporadically produced predecessor.

In 1997, John Ryan licensed the franchise to John Cary Films,^[4] followed by The Britt Allcroft Company purchasing the rights to the character, with the intensions of producing a revival series.^[8] The new series of 26 episodes, animated traditionally, aired in 1998.

A related book by John Ryan is Admiral Fatso Fitzpugwash, in which it is revealed that Pugwash had a medieval ancestor who was First Sea Lord but was terrified of water.

Characters

Captain Pugwash

The pompous but likeable captain of the Black Pig. Although he boasts of being the "bravest buccaneer", he is actually quite cowardly and stupid. His greed often gets him into trouble. Nevertheless, he usually wins the day – either with the help of Tom the Cabin Boy or by sheer luck. Despite being a pirate, he is rarely seen committing any acts of piracy.

The Mate/Master Mate/Mr. Mate

A somewhat dopey character, who has a tendency to use malapropisms and to mispronounce common words. He has a teddy bear in his bunk and is quite mild-mannered. It is not entirely clear why he is the mate, as he does not appear to have any authority over the rest of the crew. He was present in the first ever Pugwash story, in which he was depicted as being constantly sleepy. Pugwash's adenoidal pronunciation of Master Mate's name appears to be the main source of the urban legend about characters' sexually suggestive names.^[9]

Barnabas

The most aggressive of the pirates, but in reality just as harmless. He is quite rebellious and grumpy, and is perhaps marginally more intelligent than Willy, the Mate or the Captain. He was not present in the 1998 series.

Willy

A simple sailor from Wigan. He appears to be the youngest crew member (apart from Tom). He is against using violence, and has been the crew's saviour on occasion (more by luck than by design).

Tom the Cabin Boy

It might be argued that without Tom, Pugwash would have been sunk long ago. He is the most intelligent and resourceful member of the crew, the only one who can cook and the only one who can actually sail a ship. Although Pugwash never admits it, Tom's ability to think up schemes is probably the only thing that prevents him from being a total failure as a pirate, though Tom is never angry at him stealing the spotlight. The rest of the crew also found they were unable to operate without Tom, after he left with the captain when the crew mutinied. Tom is an expert concertina player, despite this being a 19th-century anachronism for an 18th-century pirate, and part of his repertoire is "The Trumpet Hornpipe" (the Captain Pugwash theme).

He was portrayed with a Home Counties accent in the first television adaptation, and with an Irish accent in the 1998 series.

Cut-Throat Jake

Captain Pugwash's fearsome arch-enemy, captain of the Flying Dustman (a pun on the Flying Dutchman combined with a reference to the occupation of dustman). When he is not scheming to bring about Pugwash's downfall, he is a rather more competent pirate than his enemy, and always seems to have plenty of treasure. He speaks with a stereotypical West Country accent, and is easily recognisable by his eye patch and enormous black beard.

Characters added in the 1998 series

• Jonah

This character replaced pirate Barnabas, who was in the earlier series. His catchphrase is "No good will come of this, mark my words!" Jonah appears to be of Jamaican origin. He is the tallest of the crew so he often hits his head on the ceiling of the ship's lower deck. He is also one of the strongest of the crew as he is the Black Pig's carpenter.

• Governor of Portobello

This character lives at the top of the island in a mansion covered in vines. He talks very quietly and his head of guard, Lt. Scratchwood, usually acts as a megaphone. He is deeply in love with Donna Bonanza and attends to her every need.

• Donna Bonanza

An infamous opera singer who is the love of the Governor of Portobello and has her own group of security guards. She owns a cat named Franco.

• Toni

Tom the Cabin Boy’s best friend, who works for barber Betty, and has dreams of becoming a member of the Black Pig.

• Dook

A member of Jake’s crew who somewhat resembles Barnabas, but is less aggressive in the 1998 series. This character appeared in the original series, but was never named.

• Swine

An Australian pirate who works for Jake. He almost always has a mug of grog in his hand. Like Dook, he appeared in the original series but was unnamed.

• Stinka

A Mexican who works for Jake, who sometimes finds him annoying. Again, this character was unnamed in the earlier series.

• Jake’s Mum

The mother of Cut-Throat Jake, who serves as the Flying Dustman’s cook.

• Lieutenant Scratchwood Toddington

The voice for the governor and the law for the town of Portobello. In charge of the guard and collecting taxes, he also spends his time chasing thieves.

• Rook

Portobello’s merchant, who sometimes works for Cut-Throat Jake.

Libel case regarding double entendres

In 1991, the Pugwash cartoonist John Ryan successfully sued the Sunday Correspondent and The Guardian newspapers for inaccurately claiming that some Pugwash character names were double entendres.^[10]

Pugwashisms

Captain Pugwash is renowned for his exclamations, owing something to the style of Captain Haddock in The Adventures of Tintin:

• "Dolloping doubloons/dolphins!"
• "Coddling catfish!"
• "Lolloping landlubbers!"
• "Suffering seagulls!"
• "Staggering stalactites!"
• "Nautical nitwits!"
• "Plundering porpoises!"
• "Kipper me capstans!"
• "Tottering turtles!"
• "Dithering dogfish!"
• "Scuttling cuttlefish!"
• "Stuttering starfish!"
• "Blistering barnacles!"
• "Shuddering sharks!"

Cut-Throat Jake has occasionally been known to utter the similar exclamation, "Scupper me skull-and-crossbones!"

Theme music

The series' signature tune was the "Trumpet Hornpipe", a folk dance that dates to at least the early nineteenth century. Some early versions of the tune refer to it as "Lascelles Hornpipe" and "Baloon Hornpipe".^[11] The composer and country of origin are unknown.

The original black-and-white episodes of Captain Pugwash used a solo rendition by the accordionist Tom Edmondson, who had learned the tune from watching Jimmy Shand's band in Northumberland as a teenager.^[11] Edmondson's version was recorded in the front room of his home in Harbottle, Northumberland, on 12 July 1954.^[12] The recording was made by the folklorist Peter Kennedy as part of the BBC's Folk Music and Dialect Recording Scheme^[13] and Edmondson was paid £1.50 (30s) for his efforts.^[14] The track was transferred to disc for the BBC Sound Library and, according to John Ryan, it was later chosen as the Captain Pugwash theme by "a genius at the BBC", whose name he could not remember.^[11]

For the colour Captain Pugwash episodes, a new recording of the "Trumpet Hornpipe" was commissioned from Johnny Pearson in 1973. This version used accordion, bass and acoustic guitar, and the finished piece was retitled "Shipshape".^[11] The recording was published by KPM and was later added to the KPM Recorded Music Library which gave Pearson the composer credit.^[15] Pearson’s arrangement of the theme is also used as the goal theme for Fleetwood Town FC.

For the 1998 series, a new arrangement of the theme was created by Philip Lane. Another arrangement appears in the audiobook versions.

The Trumpet Hornpipe itself is in the code of BBC Micro computer game Frak! and Acorn Electron game Zalaga, intended to be played when a pirated version of the game was loaded, a reference to Captain Pugwash.

Captain Pugwash books

Original Series

• Captain Pugwash: A Pirate Story (1957)
• Pugwash Aloft (1958)
• Pugwash and the Ghost Ship (1962)
• Pugwash in the Pacific (1973)
• Pugwash the Smuggler (1976)
• Pugwash and the Sea Monster (1976)
• Pugwash and the Buried Treasure (1980)

Colins Cub series

• Captain Pugwash and the Ruby (1976)
• Captain Pugwash and the Treasure Chest (1976)
• Captain Pugwash and the New Ship (1976)
• Captain Pugwash and the Elephant (1976)

Strip cartoon series

• The Captain Pugwash Cartoon Book (1977)
• The Quest of the Golden Handshake (1983)
• The Battle of Bunkum Bay (1984)
• The Secret of San Fiasco (1985)

Black-and-white series

• Captain Pugwash and the Fancy Dress Party (1982)
• Captain Pugwash and the Mutiny (1982)
• Pugwash and the Midnight Feast (1984)
• Pugwash and the Wreckers (1984)
• Captain Pugwash and the Huge Reward (1991)
• Captain Pugwash and the Pigwig (1991)
• Captain Pugwash and the Birthday Party (1997)

Audiobooks

In 1987, BBC Cover to Cover released various stories published in the 1980s on one cassette, read by the voice of Pugwash in the television series, Peter Hawkins.^[16] In 2012, the original picture book series was released on CD, with Jim Broadbent narrating.

Television episodes

1957–1966 series

Produced and directed by Gordon Murray.

1. Captain Pugwash – 8 October 1957
2. The Firework Party – 21 February 1960
3. Surprise Attack – 6 March 1960
4. The Highwayman – 20th March 1960
5. The Captain’s Dream – 3rd April 1960
6. Gold Dust – 1 May 1960
7. Abandon Ship – 15 May 1960
8. The Flying Buccaneer – 29 May 1960
9. A New Ship – 7 May 1961
10. The Cuckoo Clock – 21 May 1961
11. The Powder Magazine – 4 June 1961
12. Ivory Cargo – 18 June 1961
13. New Sails – 2 July 1961
14. On Trial – 16 July 1961
15. The Map – 30 July 1961
16. Night Attack – 4 February 1962
17. Ghost Ship – 18 February 1962
18. The Test – 4 March 1962
19. The Secret Weapon – 18 March 1962
20. The Crown Jewels – 1 April 1962
21. The Doctor – 15 April 1962
22. Press Gang – 29 April 1962
23. Man Overboard – 13 May 1962

From 3 October 1962, episodes 2-23 of Captain Pugwash were repeated (skipping only "The Powder Magazine" and "Ivory Cargo"). The twenty episodes ran until 29 March 1963.

1. King of the Barbary Pirates – 5 April 1963
2. Arctic Circle – 12 May 1963
3. The Smugglers – 19 May 1963
4. Tug-of-War – 26 May 1963
5. Solid Gold – 2 June 1963
6. Heads or Tails – 9 June 1963
7. Mobertory Bay – 23 June 1963
8. Secret Mission – 30 June 1963
9. Pleasure Cruise – 7 July 1963
10. Black Pepper – 29 March 1964
11. Home Grown – 5 April 1964
12. Pirate Romance – 12 April 1964
13. The Fortune-Teller – 19 April 1964
14. The Wreckers – 26 April 1964
15. Twins – 3 May 1964
16. A Cure for Hiccups – 17 May 1964
17. High Society – 24 May 1964
18. The Secret of the Stinkas – 10 March 1965
19. The Submarine – 4 April 1965
20. The Haunted Reef – 11 April 1965
21. The Moon of Muddipore – 18 April 1965
22. The Escape – 25 April 1965
23. A Hairy Affair – 2 May 1965
24. Hero Willy – 9 May 1965
25. Total Eclipse – 16 May 1965
26. The Dragon of Pop Sing Ho – 23 May 1965
27. The Vanishing Island – 30 May 1965
28. Captain Moonshine – 6 June 1965
29. Carnival – 13 June 1965
30. Cruise of the Flying Pig: Part 1 – 8 May 1966
31. Cruise of the Flying Pig: Part 2 – 15 May 1966
32. Cruise of the Flying Pig: Part 3 – 22 May 1966
33. The Open Day – 29 May 1966
34. The Man in the Iron Mask: Part 1: The Three Musketeers – 5 June 1966
35. The Man in the Iron Mask: Part 2: Battle Royal – 12 June 1966
36. The Curse of the Pugwashes: Part 1: Ghastleigh Grange – 19 June 1966
37. The Curse of the Pugwashes: Part 2: Family Fortune – 26 June 1966

From 1 January 1973 to 19th April 1974 20 episodes dating from 9-37 were repeated, preceding the 1974-1975 series.

1974–1975 series

1. Down The Hatch
2. Monster Ahoy
3. Mouse Amidships
4. The Showboat
5. Pirate Picnic
6. Flood Tide
7. Fishmeal
8. Mutiny on the Black Pig
9. A Shot Across The Bows
10. The Great Bank Robbery
11. Wedding Bells
12. Diamonds on Ice
13. Stung!
14. The Birthday Cake
15. The Riddle of the Rubies
16. Six Foot Deep
17. The Cannon Ball
18. Witches Brew
19. The Golden Trail
20. Pirate of the Year
21. Easy Money
22. The Plank
23. Voyage of Discovery
24. Fair Exchange
25. Smugglers’ Cove
26. The Flying Buccaneer
27. The Island of the Dodos
28. Caught in the Act
29. A Tell Tale Tail
30. Off With His Head

1998 series

1. The Stowaway Sheep
2. The Portobello Plague
3. The Doubledealing Duchess
4. The Emperor's New Clothes
5. The Boat Race
6. The Dingly Dangly Crab
7. Chest of Drawers
8. The Vanishing Ship
9. Hot Chocolate
10. The Fat Cat
11. The Pandemonium Parrot
12. The Brush With Art
13. A Hair-Raising Day
14. Fiddle De Diamonds
15. The Melodious Mermaid
16. The Titanic Teapot
17. The New Cabin Boy
18. Treasure Trail
19. Peppercorn Pistols
20. Sticky Moments
21. Muddling Monsters
22. The Megamango Monkeys
23. King Pugwash
24. The Devil's Dog
25. Perfumes of Arabia
26. The Admiral's Fireworks

Planned film

In May 2017, a live-action film adaptation was announced, to be directed by John Hay, produced by Atticus Films^[17] and starring Nick Frost as Captain Pugwash and Jason Flemyng in an unknown role. Production was set to begin in 2018, with the plot following Captain Pugwash travelling to Botany Bay, where he eventually finds himself at the helm of The Black Pig on a mission to rescue Tom the Cabin Boy's father, who is marooned on a volcanic island.^[18] In March 2021, Frost said that he believes the film will be unlikely to be produced because of budget issues,^[19] however the following year Isabel Ryan, daughter of creator John, said she wants the film to have the involvement of Rye.^[20]

Stage adaptations

On 17th December 1973, a theatre show, Captain Pugwash, written by Ryan and John Kennett, opened at the King's Road Theatre in Chelsea, London. Directed by John Ingram and designed by John Marsh, the entertainment for children played twelve performances a week (twice daily, Monday to Saturday) until 12 January 1974. Edward Philips as Pugwash headed a cast of live actors playing characters including Tom and Cut-Throat Jake.^[21] The following year a second play was performed, entitled Captain Pugwash and the Inca Treasure, from 19 December 1974 to 18 January 1975.^[22] In 2008 a new show was performed with Richard Alan in the title role.^[23]

In popular culture

In a 1990 episode of The 8.15 from Manchester, Captain Pugwash was a special guest.^[24]

In a 2002 issue of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Pugwash and Tom the Cabin Boy attended The Pirates’ Conference, alongside Captain Clegg of Doctor Syn, Long John Silver and Captain Hook.

Ed Hartwell’s 2005 short film Time Looters was made using a similar “caption” style of cutouts.^[25] All the voices were provided by Joe Grossi, in a similar way to Peter Hawkins.

In a 2006 That Mitchell and Webb Look sketch, Robert Webb criticises the 1974-1975 series, however he finds he is sitting next to the cardboard cutout who played Pugwash.

In a 2007 Dead Ringers sketch parodying BBC Two’s loss of The Simpsons, a ripoff entitled The Stimpsons was created, however the characters were quickly revealed to be Captain Pugwash, Mr. Benn, Charley the Cat and Bagpuss.^[26]

The Norwegian band Kaptein Kaliber, founded in 1996, was named after the Norwegian name for the character. Their first album in 1999 featured Pugwash on the cover, limited to twenty copies.^[27]

Merchandise

According to Isabel Ryan, her father John did not partake in merchandising unless somebody had created something for him.^[28] Waves of merchandise were first produced with the 1974 series, including badges, T-shirts,^[29] and jigsaw puzzles. In 1981, Corgi Toys produced a model of the Black Pig, complete with stand-up figures of Pugwash and Tom the Cabin Boy. John himself remarked that the franchise did not sell well in the United States due to the titular character being “too innocuous”.^[30] For the 1998 series, Vivid Imaginations created many more toys, including miniatures and plushies, both in eight inches and fourteen inches. Six inch Happy Meal plushies were also available as part of the Children’s Favourites line.

Home video releases

The first VHS release of the 1974 series was in 1982, courtesy of RPTA Video. The tape was also released on CED Videodisc. In 1987 Tempo Video released a new tape, which was also sold in Australia via Thorn EMI and the US via Family Home Entertainment.

Between 1990 and 1991 BBC Video released eighteen episodes across two tapes.

For the 1998 series, VCI Home Video released three tapes.

In 2005 HIT Entertainment released 6 episodes on DVD.

This was followed in 2006 by all 26 episodes across three discs exclusive to Australia, and in 2007 by a single release of all 30 episodes of the 1974 series.