This Month in History, Blackbeard's Death

North Carolina:

Edward Teach aka Blackbeard was one of the most infamous English pirates who operated mostly in the West Indies and Eastern Coast of British North America. He died November 22, 1718, in Ocracoke, North Carolina, British America due to multiple stab wounds and gunshot wounds in battle.

Many described Blackbeard as a "Devil in Battle" and or "enormously daunting" in his appearance. For battle, he always dressed in all black. With many guns strapped to his chest, and his well-known black captain's hat. He had a long black beard that was believed to have reached his waist.

With request from the North Carolina planters, Governor Alexander Spotswood from Virginia sent British naval forces under Lieutenant Robert Maynard to North Carolina with hopes of handling Blackbeard. On November 22, 1718, Blackbeard’s team was faced and defeated, he was killed in bloody battle on Ocracoke Island. Legend says that Blackbeard received five musket-ball wounds and 20 sword lacerations before dying that dreadful day. Some say it was a win, other say a tragedy.

Blackbeards flagPhoto byOcracoke, NC