Ketchum was a member of the Cursed crew capitained by Barbossa (prior to the mutiny-by Jack Sparrow). He became cursed along with the rest of the crew upon finding the Chest of Cortés, and spent the following decade hunting down all 882 gold coins to lift the curse. He participated in the batle aboard the HMS Dauntless. At the end of the battle, when the curse was lifted, he was arrested by the navy.