The sculpture was originally built by local artist Frank Lund and Major Mace in 2013.
The ship has been destroyed and rebuilt by volunteers multiple times following severe storm surges.
It is constructed using only found materials, including salvaged timber and driftwood.
The ship is intentionally designed to be an evolving, ephemeral installation rather than a permanent fixture.
It is situated on the Magazines Promenade, named after the 18th-century gunpowder magazines that previously occupied the site.
The Black Pearl is a large-scale driftwood sculpture of a pirate ship located on the beach at New Brighton. It is constructed entirely from reclaimed wood and debris washed up on the shores of the River Mersey. The structure is maintained by local artists and volunteers who periodically rebuild and reinforce it against tidal damage. It sits directly on the sand of the Magazines Promenade, subject to the natural cycle of the tide. The sculpture serves as a popular community art project rather than a commercial or permanent municipal structure. It provides a distinct visual landmark against the backdrop of the Mersey Estuary and the Liverpool skyline.
From the promenade looking down towards the ship with the Liverpool skyline in the distance.
Check the local tide tables before visiting, as the ship is often surrounded by water at high tide.
Wear footwear suitable for walking on sand and uneven pebbles.
Visit during low tide to walk around the entire perimeter of the hull.
Do not attempt to climb or stand on the sculpture, as the driftwood is fragile and creates a safety hazard.
The structure is subject to unpredictable damage from high tides and storms, which may result in periods of reconstruction or partial absence.
