The True Legend of Blackbeard

There are many stories about the life of Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard, who lived and died doing what he loved best – being a corsair, or pirate.  Many infamous pirates lived during the 1600-1700s, the Golden age of Piracy, but none had a reputation as notorious as his.  His intimating looks would terrorize even the strongest of men.  To make himself appear even more evil, he would place lighted fuses under the brim of his hat, creating an appearance that struck fear into the crew of any ship he attacked.  Very few people wore beards in this period of history, and Teach grew an enormous beard that was braided into pigtails with colorful ribbons tied to it.  Robust and towering over most men, he carried an arsenal of assorted pistols, daggers, and a huge cutlass tucked into his belt.  Teach planned to retire and settle in his favorite stomping ground of Bath, North Carolina, but instead met his fate on November 22, 1718, at Ocracoke Inlet, decapitated at the hands of a contingent of the British Royal Navy, under command of Lt. Robert Maynard.

An Illustration of Blackbeard's Decapitated Head Displayed on the Bowsprit of the Jane, one of Lt. Maynard's Armed Sloops

During his life as a pirate, Teach made numerous voyages to the Caribbean Islands.  Among them was St. Thomas, one of the United States Virgin Islands.  Charlotte Amalie, the capital, and largest city, boasts a watchtower originally called Skytsborg (“protection castle”) that was built in 1679 to protect the harbor.  It was renamed Blackbeard’s Castle since it became part of the lore of the island that Blackbeard used the tower as a lookout for his own purposes of piracy.

Blackbeard's Castle at Charlotte Amalie, St.Thomas, View from the Harbor

Blackbeard's Castle with Statute of Blackbeard

Other islands lay claim to Blackbeard’s presence, such as New Providence, Bahamas, where Nassau, the capital city is located.  Nassau’s main harbor is protected to the north by Paradise Island.

The city was founded by British noblemen in 1670. Its settlers built a fort and named it Charles Town, after King Charles II of England.   In 1684, it was burned to the ground by the Spanish, and rebuilt in 1695 and renamed Nassau.  However, due to ineffective governors, the town fell on hard times and it eventually became known as a pirate refuge during the height of piracy, attracting the likes of Blackbeard, who used the fort as his base.  In 1718, the Bahamas’ first Royal Governor, Woodes Rogers, expelled them and restored order – the same year Blackbeard was killed! Could that be why he returned to Ocracoke?

Today, the fabulous British Colonial Hotel is located on the site of that fort.  A freshwater well, apparently used by Blackbeard and named after the pirate, is still located on the property.

The British Colonial Hilton in Nassau, Bahamas

"Blackbeard's Well" located on the British Colonial Hilton's Property

Another tower named for Blackbeard still stands in Nassau, although it is now a crumbling monastery.  It is off the beaten path and it is unknown if any tour groups visit it.

"Blackbeard's Tower" in Disrepair

There are two known places claiming the grave of Blackbeard.

1. Coco Cay Island in the Caribbean, which is Royal Caribbean’s private island.  There you will find a decorated grave marked “Blackbeard.”



"Blackbeard's Grave" on Coco Cay Island



2. Edward "Blackbeard" Teach’s gravesite and Historical Marker is located at Irvin Garrish Highway (Route 12), Ocracoke, Hyde, North Carolina.

Arial View of Blackbeard's Burial Marker, Ocracoke Island, North Carolina

He was actually buried at sea off the coast of Ocracoke Island, so the second marker would be more accurate.

When you think about it – he was decapitated during the battle in Ocracoke Inlet.  Even though the November weather was cold:  (1) why would the British keep the body to take it to Coco Cay to bury it there?  There was no morgue onboard, and the weather would only get warmer as they traveled further south.  (2) His crew couldn’t bury it because the British took control of the ship and crew. (3) Why would they bury the body in the first place?  He was a notorious pirate!  They just threw it overboard and kept his head to prove he was killed.

The legend of Blackbeard has been portrayed throughout the years in movies, plays, and books, some being more off target than others, and some stories even romanticize him as a hero.  His frigate, Queen Anne’s Revenge, was discovered, fittingly, on November 21, 1996, located offshore of Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, near where he ran it aground at Beaufort Inlet.

The Mainstay, or Anchor, of the Queen Anne's Revenge

One of the 31 Cannons Found Onboard the Queen Anne's Revenge

Eastern North Carolina is known to most everyone living in the region as Pirate Nation, home of East Carolina University.  Blackbeard called its coastal area his home, so it is aptly named.  ECU is directly involved with the excavation, cleaning, and preservation of artifacts from the Queen Anne's Revenge.

East Carolina University's Logo, Home of the Pirates.

ECU is located in Greenville, North Carolina

If you are interested in visiting the historical sites named in this article, we can get you there. Contact us at Travel, Tours & Cruises.