In the twilight of autumn it sailed out of Mithlond, until the seas of the Bent World fell away beneath it…
The White Ship was the ship that sailed from the Grey Havens into the Uttermost West, carrying the Ring-bearers to Aman. Its departure on 29 September T.A. 3021 marked the end of the Third Age.[1] Along with Frodo Baggins the Ring-bearer and Bilbo Baggins the Ring-finder the ship also carried Elrond, Galadriel, and Gandalf, who had been the Keepers of the Three Rings. They were accompanied to the Grey Havens by Gildor Inglorion and many other Elves besides, but whether any of these others went aboard the ship with them is not told.[2] It does seem, though, that Gandalf's horse Shadowfax did make the journey for he was waiting at the quayside.[3] The White Ship was one of the last ships to have set sail from the Grey Havens.
Portrayal in adaptations
The White Ship in adaptations
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1980: The Return of the King (1980 film):
- In the Tower of Cirith Ungol, Frodo remarks "We can't escape, for evil is everywhere". He explains that only Elves can escape Middle-earth by boarding the "White Ships" at the Grey Havens and sailing to "the lands beyond". Frodo has a vision of himself, Elrond and Gandalf setting sail. At Bilbo's 129th birthday, he tells Frodo that he will depart from the Grey Havens on the White Ship tomorrow. Gandalf explains that they are old and have completed their job; The Third Age is over and the Age of Man has begun. Bilbo asks why Bilbo can join him, believing only Elves can board the ships. Elrond explains he has served them well and there is "always room for a friend". Frodo asks whether he can join and Gandalf obliges. The next day, Pippin, Sam and Merry watch as the ship departs from the Havens.
2003: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King:
- In the film, Frodo's narration claims that the White Ship is "the last ship to leave Middle-earth," despite it being separate from the later Last Ship in the book.
See also
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "Later Events Concerning the Members of the Fellowship of the Ring"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Grey Havens"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 268, (dated 19 January 1965)