He is the governor of Port Royal and the father of Elizabeth Swann. In contrast to his strong-willed daughter, he is something of a milquetoast. Both Elizabeth and the Governor sailed from England to the Caribbean eight years prior to the events of this film, along with then Lieutenant James Norrington, presumably when Swann assumed the governor's post. Swann is a doting father, and he wishes for his daughter to accept Commodore Norrington's marriage proposal. However, he eventually comes to accept that she truly loves Will Turner.
According to the Pirates of the Caribbean Visual Guide, Elizabeth's mother died when Elizabeth was a young child. It is possible that Governor Swann holds some sort of peerage, as his butler refers to him as M'Lord. Many Colonial Governors held peerages or knighthoods, however, it is not directly stated in the films whether Swann holds one.
In the film, he protested when Will and Elizabeth were arrested by Lord Cutler Beckett for freeing Sparrow, and Swann informed Beckett that Former Commodore Norrington had resigned from the Navy after Beckett freed Will so he could go search for Jack Sparrow. Elizabeth escapes jail with help from her father Weatherby Swann but he is captured by Ian Mercer while Elizabeth is sent off by Beckett to offer Letters of Marque to Jack in return for the compass after threatening Beckett with his life.
Later at Port Royal, Beckett informs Governor Swann about his Daughter's status and that an EITC ship is in chase of the Black Pearl and that Elizabeth, if caught, will be saved. Beckett also informs Weatherby that he will be freed as long as he gives good reports to England about Beckett's missions.
Weatherby Swann is forced to use his authority to allow Beckett to execute hundreds of pirates. In a deleted scene, Swann comes on board the Flying Dutchman when Beckett confronts Davy Jones about the attack on pirates fleets, Swann asks Jones if he offered the pirates a chance to surrender since he was concerned if his daughter was on board one of them. In response, Jones informed him that his daughter is dead as she apparently went under with the Black Pearl, which was pulled down to the bottom of the sea by the Kraken. Horrified and driven temporarily mad with grief, Weatherby attempted to stab the heart of Davy Jones with a knife, but Admiral Norrington stopped him and Jones informed him about the consequences of stabbing his heart.
Beckett and Ian Mercer informed Swann that his daughter was still alive, and finally, after Norrington pleads for him too, Swann dropped the knife and walked away. After this, however, due to him having a fair amount of knowledge of the Dead Man's Chest and his attempt at stabbing it, Beckett ordered Swann to be killed and informed others such as Admiral Norrington that Swann was going back to England. He later appeared in Davy Jones' locker informing the crew of the Black Pearl about the chest and ignored Elizabeth's request to come aboard the Pearl, as he had truly died. His final scene is when he tells Elizabeth how proud he is of her and promises to give Elizabeth's love to her mother, and sails away into the locker. Though Elizabeth attempts to rescue him, Will Turner, her fiancé, stops her and Tia Dalma confirms that there is no way to save Governor Swann, as he is at peace. Swann is later avenged when Beckett is killed by the combined forces of the Black Pearl and the Flying Dutchman.
Trivia[]
During the crossing from England scene, Weatherby Swann is dressed like Captain Hook from Peter Pan.
Short film:Tales of the Code: Wedlocked Books:Jack Sparrow prequel novels • Pirates of the Caribbean: Legends of the Brethren Court • Pirates of the Caribbean: The Price of Freedom • Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides: The Visual Guide • Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (Ultimate Sticker Book) Video games:Pirates of the Caribbean • The Legend of Jack Sparrow • Pirates of the Caribbean Online • Disney Universe • Kingdom Hearts II • Pirates of the Caribbean Multiplayer Mobile • LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game • Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End • Pirates of the Caribbean: Armada of the Damned • Pirates of the Caribbean (pinball) • Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl • Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest • Pirates of the Caribbean: Master of the Seas • Disney INFINITY • Disney Heroes: Battle Mode • Kingdom Hearts III • Disney Sorcerer's Arena
Entertainment:Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Tutorial • Eye of the Storm: Captain Jack's Stunt Spectacular • Fantasmic! • Pirates Summer Battle "Get Wet!" Restaurants:Blue Bayou Restaurant • Pintel & Ragetti's Grub to Grab • The Snackin’ Kraken • Tortuga Tavern • Tortuga Treats Shops:Doubloon Market • Jolly Gypsy • Pirates League • Pirate Treasure Fireworks:Celebrate the Magic • Disney Movie Magic • Fantasy in the Sky • Happily Ever After • Ignite the Dream: A Nighttime Spectacular of Magic and Light • Magic, Music and Mayhem • The Magic, the Memories and You • Remember... Dreams Come True • World of Color Halloween:Mickey's Boo-to-You Halloween Parade • Pirates of the Caribbean Ghost Trail • The Nightmare Experiment
The Crew of the Black Pearl • The Crew of the Flying Dutchman • East India Trading Company • Brethren Court • Spaniard's crew • Blackbeard's Zombie Officers
Locations
Isla Tesoro • Dead Man's Cove • Port Royal, Jamaica • Fort Charles • Tortuga • Isla de Muerta • Pelegosto • Isla Cruces • Singapore • Davy Jones' Locker • Shipwreck Cove • London, England • Spain • Whitecap Bay • Fountain of Youth
Ships/Boats
Wicked Wench • Black Pearl • Flying Dutchman • Queen Anne's Revenge • HMS Interceptor • HMS Dauntless • HMS Endeavor • Jolly Mon • Barnacle • Dying Gull • Silent Mary
Objects
Jack Sparrow's hat • Jack Sparrow's sword • Jack Sparrow's compass • Treasure of Cortés • Elizabeth Swann's gold medallion • Ragetti's wooden eye • Jar of Dirt • Davy Jones' pipe organ • Key to the Dead Man's Chest • Dead Man's Chest • Mao Kun Map • Pirata Codex • Jack Sparrow's Pirate Beads • Sword of Triton • Jack Sparrow Voodoo Doll • Chalices of Cartagena • Dark Magic • Voodoo
Music
"Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)" • Theme park soundtrack • Soundtrack Treasures Collection • Swashbuckling Sea Songs • 1966 soundtrack • The Medallion Calls • He's a Pirate • Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (soundtrack) • Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (soundtrack) • Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (soundtrack) • Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (soundtrack) • Pirates Remixed • Hoist the Colours • My Jolly Sailor Bold
See Also
Pirates of the Caribbean Trading Card Game • Liar's Dice
