Pirates Have Returned to the Outer Banks

Posted on December 11, 2008

pirate-skull-crossbones November 22, 2008 was the 290^th anniversary of the Battle of Ocracoke, which took the life of the fabled Blackbeard the Pirate.

This anniversary was commemorated for the first time with a ceremony organized by Blackbeard’s Crew, a living history troupe based in Hampton, VA, and Blackbeard historian, Kevin Duffus.

Fifty eight people dressed in pirate costumes marched through Ocracoke to the sound of a monotonous drum beat that that helped build the solemn mood of a funeral march. Followed by an interested crowd of residents and visitors, the marching concluded at Teach’s Hole, named after Edward Teach, Blackbeard’s believed name. Today this historic spot is a thriving fishing hole, but on November 22, 1718, this was the site of a bloody battle that cost 23 men their lives.

Known as The Battle of Ocracoke, it is believed that Blackbeard, 11 of his crew, and 11 sailors of the British Navy were killed. This ceremony was held to honor the memory of the fallen men and to educate people about the fascinating history of pirates on the Outer Banks.

For more information on the event and a great slide show, take a look at Sundae Horn’s recent article in the Island Free Press.

Outer Banks Pirate Memorial – Remembering Blackbeard & the “Battle of Ocracoke”

Posted on November 21, 2008

Pirates will return to Ocracoke to remember the battle that ended in Blackbeard’s death

On November 22, 1718, two hired merchant sloops manned by 60 Royal Navy sailors from Virginia engaged the notorious pirate Edward Thatch, aka Blackbeard, and his 20 shipmates near Ocracoke Inlet. Following a brief gun battle and hand-to-hand combat lasting fewer than six minutes, 12 pirates were killed, including Blackbeard, and nine men were captured. Eleven of the King’s men were killed…the “Battle of Ocracoke” was born.

The “Battle of Ocracoke” and the death of the notorious pirate Blackbeard will be memorialized on Ocracoke Island at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22.

The memorial event will be held on a soundside sandy beach adjacent to Ocracoke’s Springer’s Point, near the location of the 1718 engagement at Teaches Hole Channel.

More than 50 pirate reenactors, dressed in period attire will assemble at the site for a 45-minute ceremony featuring period music, a newly-composed pirate chantey, an elegy, the floating of a wreath and a 23-gun salute for each of the 23 pirates and King’s sailors who were killed in the battle.

The event has been coordinated and sponsored by Blackbeard’s Crew, a Virginia-based living history performance group, and by Kevin Duffus, a Raleigh, N.C., historian and author of the book, “The Last Days of Black Beard the Pirate.”

The public and media are welcome to observe the inaugural Blackbeard Pirate Memorial. Those attending are encouraged to gather at 1 p.m. at Blackbeard’s Lodge in Ocracoke village at 111 Back Road.

Arrrggghhh…It’s Pirate Week on the Outer Banks!

Posted on September 15, 2008

September brings the end of summer, the start of school, gorgeous fall weather, and hopefully some surf to the Outer Banks. It also marks the start of a week long celebration of a short, but culturally and historically significant, period in Outer Banks history…the Pirate!

The Outer Banks enjoys a rich history, and was once a favorite haunt for pirates. The period from 1710 – 1718 was ruled by pirates on the Outer Banks, including the infamous Blackbeard. During his career as a pirate, Blackbeard captured over 40 ships and was killed in battle at Oregon Inlet in 1718.

Blackbeard’s Pirate Festival – This week-long event kicks off on Monday September 15^th and continues through Saturday September 20^th. The headquarters for the festival is Kitty Hawk Kites (MP 12.5, Nags Head), and community events are scheduled all week throughout the Outer Banks.

Enjoy Pirate history, storytelling, reenactments, shows. The culmination of a fun filled week of events will be on Saturday September 20th at the Kitty Hawk Kites Store, MP 12.5, Nags Head. Enjoy everything Pirate; entertainment, reenactments, get your picture taken with a Pirate, etc

Monday
Jack Sparrow visits Kitty Hawk Kites in Nags Head for a Treasure Hunt.
3pm-5pm

Tuesday
Sparrow travels south to Hatteras Island to visit Kitty Hawk Kites in Waves, Avon, and Hatteras Village. 10am – 3pm

Wednesday
Sparrow travels north the visit Kitty Hawk Kites in Corolla for a Treasure Hunt
2pm-4pm

Thursday
Pirate Invasion at the Jolly Roger – 6pm-8pm

Friday – “National Talk Like a Pirate Day”
12pm – Pirates invade Big Al’s in Manteo
2pm-5pm – Pirate Invasion at Roanoke Island Festival Park
8pm – Movie Night at Jockey’s Ridge Crossing in Nags Head – “Pirates of the Caribbean”

Saturday
10am-4pm – Pirate Invasion at Jockey’s Ridge Crossing in Nags Head
Blackbeard’s Crew, Captain Jack Sparrow and Blackburn perform impromptu skirmishes, games, amusement, and more!

Arrrggghhh….It’s Pirate Week on the Outer Banks!

Posted on September 15, 2008

Blackbeard’s Pirate Festival – Kitty Hawk Kites (mp 12.5), Nags Head. This week-long event kicks off on Monday, with community events happening all week, all over the Outer Banks. Enjoy Pirate history, storytelling, reenactments, shows. The culmination of a fun filled week of events will be on Saturday September 20th at the Kitty Hawk Kites Store, MP 12.5, Nags Head. Enjoy everything Pirate; entertainment, reenactments, get your picture taken with a Pirate, etc.

Monday
Jack Sparrow visits Kitty Hawk Kites in Nags Head for a Treasure Hunt.
3pm-5pm

Tuesday
Sparrow travels south to Hatteras Island to visit Kitty Hawk Kites in Waves, Avon, and Hatteras Village. 10am – 3pm

Wednesday
Sparrow travels north the visit Kitty Hawk Kites in Corolla for a Treasure Hunt
2pm-4pm

Thursday
Pirate Invasion at the Jolly Roger – 6pm-8pm

Saturday
10am-4pm – Pirate Invasion at Jockey’s Ridge Crossing in Nags Head
Blackbeard’s Crew, Captain Jack Sparrow and Blackburn perform inpromptu skirmishes, games, amusement, and more!