Captain Blackbeard’s Last Stand
Blackbeard’s Skull… alright it’s not but that would have been cool
In a previous article we discussed Blackbeard’s most daring move as a pirate and this week we’re going to talk about his last stand so spoilers, since it’s his last stand, it means he doesn’t make it out.
Today we’re looking at the last battle of Blackbeard’s life and just how much it took to take him down.
Back to Piracy
To pick up where we left off in our last article, Blackbeard had accepted the King’s pardon called the “Act of Grace” in 1718 but just two weeks later he decided he belonged out in the sea being the Captain from Hell all the landlubbers loved.
True to his legends, in August of 1718 he captured two French ships but Blackbeard was smarter than the average pirate. He brought the ships back to North Carolina and told them he had found the ships abandoned at sea which meant if it was declared a wreck, Blackbeard could legally keep its contents. Being a pirate is one thing but a liar? Come on Blackbeard.
But here’s where problems arose, the governor of North Carolina, who had granted Blackbeard the pardon and accepted his claim of the wrecked French vessels, was Governor Charles Eden who wasn’t really respected by the big boys.
Sending the Troops
Up in Virginia, Lieutenant Governor Alexander Spotswood thought Eden was weak and possibly in Blackbeard's corrupted pocket. He feared if the Carolinas were going to let Blackbeard walk all over them that it would only be a matter of time before the pirates were plundering his vessels in Virginia.
Spotswood decided he would authorize a secret land attack on Ocracoke island where Blackbeard was known to be docked. The plan of the attack was kept from Eden and even the Virginian assembly. Spotswood believed getting rid of the legendary pirate who was feared in Virginia would mean he would quickly be absolved from punishment.
Apart from the land attack he also sent a naval attack led by British Navy Captain Robert Maynard along with two smaller ships, The Jane and The Ranger.
Maynard and his ships arrived on November 22nd, 1718 in an attempt to surprise Blackbeard, and not in the good way. But the surprise was ruined when they were spotted by Blackbeard’s men who fired a warning shot toward the ships. When they didn’t stop, Blackbeard knew they were coming for him.
A Battle Starts
Blackbeard turned his ship further into the shallow waters attempting to lure the Jane and Ranger further in. This was a huge advantage to Blackbeard since the Jane and Ranger were too small to carry any cannons. All he would have to do is lure them into the shallow waters and once they ran aground it would be like shooting fish in a barrel.
And that’s exactly what happened. Blackbeard turned his cannons towards the “Jane” and “Ranger” and instantly injured or killed a third of the opposing men, knocking the Ranger out of commission. Blackbeard could see the remaining men huddled towards the front of the “Jane”, including Maynard.
The tide came in freeing up Blackbeard’s ship for extra maneuvering and he decided to end it once and for all. His men launched grappling hooks at the Jane to pull it closer. The rest of his men tossed grenades made of glass bottles onto its deck to clear the way for them to board.
With so few men left, this would be an easy victory for the legendary captain from hell. Maynard’s men were outnumbered and surely would be disposed of quickly. Blackbeard and his men boarded the Jane. But it was a trap.
Springing a Trap
Maynard was smarter than Blackbeard gave him credit for. The Jane and Ranger couldn’t carry cannons so an outright fight between the ships was out of the question. Hand-to-hand combat would be the only way to win.
Maynard knew Blackbeard would only board the ship if he thought he had the advantage and prior to engaging with Blackbeard’s ship, Maynard had ordered most of the crew to hide below deck and not move until they were given the signal.
When Blackbeard boarded the signal was given and now Blackbeard and his men were the ones outnumbered.
But he wouldn’t be a legendary pirate captain if he would lie down without a fight. Blackbeard charged with his men and went after Maynard.
The Last Stand
The entire deck was engaged in combat, blades clashing and pistols firing. Maynard quickly fired a shot to the approaching Blackbeard hitting him in the chest but Blackbeard barely flinched and both men drew their swords.
Maynard damaged his hand and sword while trying to swipe at Blackbeard, hitting one of his cartridge boxes. He drew another pistol and shot at Blackbeard again. This again wouldn’t stop Blackbeard as he went in for the kill.
Around them Maynard’s men were winning and pushing back Blackbeard’s men, one spotted Blackbeard going in for the kill and he jumped slashing at Blackbeard’s face and chest. Others of Maynard’s men joined in, trying to shoot or slash at the pirate captain.
But Blackbeard held his ground, fighting off multiple men until one with a broadsword slashed his neck, and even through the fight for his life, Blackbeard still congratulated the swordsman on his skill.
A moment later he cut Blackbeard’s head off.
Seeing their captain dead, Blackbeard’s men surrendered. In the end, Blackbeard’s body had endured twenty slashes and five direct pistol shots. Each side lost ten men with many injured. Maynard then hung Blackbeard’s head off the bow of his ship, which as I’ve mentioned before, feels unnecessary.
Now if you’re thinking Lieutenant Governor Alexander Spotswood and Captain Robert Maynard were considered heroes after this, remember I did say Spotswood kept the attack secret and never got authorization and Maynard seems like a psycho to hang the head off the ship but that’s a story for another article…. this one, read How a Pirate Party Led to Blackbeard’s Death.
