Jack was employed into service for the East India Trading
Company and was given command of the Wicked Wench. However,
after he set free a cargo of slaves, his employer, Cutler
Beckett, had Jack branded as a pirate and the Wench set aflame
and sunk. After failing to rescue the Wench, Sparrow struck a
bargain with the ghostly captain of the Flying Dutchman, Davy
Jones, to resurrect his beloved vessel. Jones returned the ship
to Jack in near perfect condition except for the permanently
charred hull. This prompted Jack to rename her the Black Pearl
Jack Sparrow just got way cooler.   Yo, this is why Norrington
said he’s the “worst pirate I’ve ever heard of,” and then Jack
followed it up with, “But you have heard of me.”  Because Jack
was branded a Pirate because he freed people rather than
stealing anything. So Norrington, with his sense of duty, knows
that Jack has been branded a criminal for actively not being a
terrible human being. Norrington is torn between his duty as a
naval officer and knowing that Jack