Linebeck’s Ship in Phantom Hourglass is a top-notch vehicle capable of bombing boulders, destroying enemies, and hiding people during unprovoked pirate attacks. The first time the ship is mentioned to us is by Oshus, who tells us that there is a port on the eastern side of the island where a sailor named Linebeck should be willing to give out information about the Ghost Ship. Once we make it to the ship, there is a brief moment where the camera pans around it while a citizen marvels at its beauty and integrity. The man daydreaming about the ship announces that he wishes it were his! Even though we made it to the ship, Linebeck is nowhere to be seen. Instead, we are told that he went treasure hunting in the Temple of the Ocean King.
I find it very interesting that we see Linebeck’s Ship before we see Linebeck himself. Linebeck is a very materialistic person who cares only about treasure and fame. Seeing his ship first is perfect because, in my opinion, the scene encapsulates his character. Linebeck loves treasure, and as we find out later in the game, his ship is his greatest treasure. We are aware of Linebeck’s ship before we even know what Linebeck looks like, so in a way, his ship defines him first.
The ship is much smaller than Tetra’s ship in The Wind Waker, but Phantom Hourglass is also a much smaller game by comparison. Unlike Tetra’s ship, Lineback’s ship moves fully under your control with the Nintendo DS stylus. If you command the ship to move in circles, it will move in circles. If you command it to move in a cute heart shape, it will move in a cute heart shape. Once the course is set, your only job is to fend off monsters, pirates, and play around with the occasional, rupee-spewing Squiddy. Warping also becomes possible a little later in the game thanks to the magical Golden Frogs, which come in very handy since the ocean map in this game is actually pretty large.
I think the coolest feature about Linebeck’s Ship is the ability to customize it. While adventuring, it’s possible to find different themed ship parts that you can use to decorate the ship however you please. These different ship part themes are the Tropical Ship, Dignified Ship, Golden Ship, Vintage Ship, Demon Ship, Iron Ship, Stone Ship, Bright Ship, and the S.S. Linebeck ship which is what you start off with. My personal favorite design is the Tropical Ship because it’s like summer vacation and a pint of strawberry ice cream rolled into each other. Having a complete set of one theme doesn’t power up the ship in any way, but it’s still a cool quality.
Let’s analyze the inside of the ship. The interior of the S.S. Linebeck has six barrels (three on each side), a crate where Linebeck hides during Jolene’s attacks, and an engine in the upper left corner. Once you rescue Tetra from the Ghost Ship, her statue-like body also hangs out in that same corner. The walls behind the barrels feature other various boat parts: On the top is the boat’s helm which is surrounded by what appears to be metal machinery, while in the middle appears to be either a pretty rug or a wooden decoration. I should also mention that the floor is hardwood. It’s a fascinating time trying to decipher the inside of a boat from a 2007 DS game.
Of course, Linebeck’s Ship requires Linebeck. Unlike previous games where Link is free to use his means of transportation whenever he wants, in Phantom Hourglass you rely on Linebeck and his ship. Link is only able to use the S.S. Linebeck once Linebeck discovers that treasure is involved and again on the Ghost Ship when Oshu promises Linebeck one wish for letting Link continue to use his ship. Without the promise of treasure, Linebeck and his ship were not possible means of transportation for Link to use — however, the game ends with Link back on Tetra’s ship, so it’s arguably possible that Link’s adventures with Linebeck and his ship were nothing but a dream.
