300th Anniversary of the Demise of Blackbeard
Yesterday, Thanksgiving Day, just happened to mark the 300th anniversary of one of the most historical “battles” to have ever occurred in North Carolina. While certainly not of the same magnitude of Guilford Courthouse or Bentonville, the ultimate demise of Blackbeard the Pirate came to pass in Ocracoke Inlet on November 22nd of 1718.
Given the perpetual interest regarding pirates in general (and Blackbeard in particular), the Richmond Observer offers a series of articles chronicling the life and times of arguably the most recognized (if not indeed the most nefarious) pirate of all time. This is the eighth segment.
Blackbeard Part VIII: Let’s Go Pirate Hunting
Virginia Governor Alexander Spotswood was quick to react to the request to address the Blackbeard problem in North Carolina. Citing allegations that Teach had pirated vessels in Virginia waters, Spotswood had issued orders for this arrest. Upon obtaining information regarding the exact location of the pirate’s encampment at Ocracoke, Spotswood decided to not only invoke his powers as governor in the pursuit of the criminal, but to also personally finance the operation.
Assembling an able group of professionals, the governor ordered Captains Gordon and Brand of the HMS Pearl and HMS Lyme, respectively, to travel overland to Bath while Lieutenant Robert Maynard of the Pearl would take two commandeered sloops to cut off any seaward escape. The ships set sail from Kecoughtan, Virginia along the James River on 17 November and moved slowly down the coast.
Ocracoke Inlet had always been Blackbeard’s favorite port of refuge and, as reported to Spotswood, he was firmly encamped there. It was a perfect area from which to monitor ship traffic and entertain guests such as fellow pirates Charles Vane, Robert Deal, and Calico Jack Rackham while enjoying the spoils of his captures.
Maynard soon located his prey. Anchored on the leeward side of Ocracoke Island, Blackbeard’s Adventure and his other ships were spotted on the evening of November 21. However, being unfamiliar with the channels and shoals, Maynard effectively blockaded the inlet and waited for the next morning while Teach continued entertaining, so unconcerned as to have not even bothered to post lookouts. Further, half of his usual crew members were actually in Bath itself, enjoying their version of “shore leave” while all of this was developing. Consequently, Blackbeard was both undermanned and oblivious to what was about to transpire.
