How Blackbeard Lost His Head in a Fierce Battle at Sea

In 1718, Blackbeard, one of history’s most feared pirates, met a brutal death. His severed head became a grim trophy, displayed on a British ship as a warning to other pirates.

The story starts when British Lieutenant Robert Maynard returned to Virginia after a daring mission. His ship carried the gruesome proof of success: Blackbeard’s decomposing head hung from the bow. This victory over the infamous Edward Teach, known as Blackbeard, marked the end of a pirate legend.

Blackbeard’s Attempt at Reform

Just months earlier, Blackbeard promised to leave his life of crime. After blockading Charleston, South Carolina, with his pirate fleet, he sailed to Bath, North Carolina. There, he sought forgiveness from Governor Charles Eden, hoping for a King’s Pardon.

But Blackbeard’s promise didn’t last. In August 1718, near Bermuda, he and his crew captured two French ships filled with cocoa and sugar. Back in North Carolina, Blackbeard claimed he found one of these ships abandoned. Governor Eden declared it a “wreck,” allowing Blackbeard to keep the loot. This deal raised suspicions among neighboring leaders.

Virginia’s Response: An Illegal Mission

Alexander Spotswood, the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, wasn’t fooled. He saw North Carolina as weak and feared Blackbeard would threaten Virginia’s trade. Pirates like Blackbeard could disrupt the tobacco industry, a key part of Virginia’s economy.

Without legal permission, Spotswood launched a secret raid into North Carolina. He organized a naval force under Robert Maynard’s command, hiring two ships that could navigate shallow waters but lacked cannons. To avoid leaks, Spotswood kept the mission secret, even from his own government.

The Trap at Ocracoke Island

On November 22, 1718, Maynard’s ships, the *Ranger* and the *Jane*, approached Blackbeard’s hideout on Ocracoke Island. But the mission nearly failed when both ships ran aground. Blackbeard tried to escape but couldn’t outrun the British.

A fierce battle began. Blackbeard fired a deadly cannon blast, killing many of Maynard’s men. Seeing the British ship’s deck empty, Blackbeard and his crew boarded the *Jane*. But Maynard had set a trap: his men were hidden below deck.

As soon as the pirates climbed aboard, Maynard’s men rushed up to fight. The battle turned into brutal hand-to-hand combat. In just six minutes, swords clashed, guns fired, and Blackbeard was overwhelmed.

Blackbeard’s Final Stand

Blackbeard fought fiercely but was outnumbered. According to reports, he was shot five times and received 20 severe cuts before he fell. His death marked the end of a brief but notorious career.

The Rise of Blackbeard’s Legend

Blackbeard wasn’t the most successful pirate, but he became the most famous. His terrifying reputation grew after his death. Captain Charles Johnson’s 1724 book, *A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pyrates*, transformed him into a legendary figure. Johnson described Blackbeard with a fearsome image, tying black ribbons in his long beard and appearing like a “Fury from Hell.”

Many stories, like Blackbeard setting his beard on fire during battles, are likely myths. No eyewitness accounts support these claims. However, they add to his fearsome legend.

Myth vs. Reality

Even Blackbeard’s death became surrounded by myths. One story says that after his beheading, his body swam around the ship before sinking. In reality, the British sailors displayed his head as a warning to others, ending an era of fear and piracy in the Atlantic.