# Perth — Moby-Dick character guide

> Perth in Moby-Dick by Herman Melville.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** old Perth

**First appearance:** 0115-cxii-the-blacksmith

## Who they are

The blacksmith aboard the Pequod, a broken man who forges Ahab's special harpoon for hunting Moby Dick.

## Relationships

### [Captain Ahab](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/characters/captain_ahab)

_professional_

Ahab is the captain and Perth is the ship's blacksmith, whom Ahab tasks with forging a special harpoon for his quest.

### [Captain Ahab](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/characters/captain_ahab)

_professional_

Ahab is the captain and Perth is the ship's blacksmith, whom Ahab tasks with forging a special harpoon for his quest.

### [Captain Ahab](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/characters/captain_ahab)

_professional_

Ahab is the captain and Perth is the ship's blacksmith, whom Ahab tasks with forging a special harpoon for his quest.

## In the story

### [CXII: The Blacksmith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/chapters/cxii-the-blacksmith)

The broken, patient old blacksmith whose tragic life story of ruin through alcoholism is revealed. He sees whaling as an escape from his land-bound misery.

### [CXIII: The Forge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/chapters/cxiii-the-forge)

The resigned, scarred blacksmith who forges Ahab's harpoon, expressing fear about its purpose but carrying out the captain's orders.

### [CXXV: The Log and Line](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/chapters/cxxv-the-log-and-line)

Invoked by Pip in his delirium, wishing the blacksmith could rivet his hand to Ahab's.

### [The Pequod Meets the Delight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/chapters/cxxxi-the-pequod-meets-the-delight)

His forged harpoon is the instrument Ahab brandishes as the destined killer of the White Whale.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/characters/perth
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moby_dick_se/characters