2nd Annual Blackbeard Pirate Memorial

[LookingGlass]

2nd Annual Blackbeard Pirate Memorial To Be

Observed at Ocracoke, NC, on November 22, 2009

Pirates Return to Ocracoke 291 Years After the Death of Blackbeard to Remember Their Fallen Brethren

For only the 2nd time in 291 years, the historically significant "Battle of Ocracoke" and the death of the notorious pirate Blackbeard will be memorialized on Ocracoke Island at 2 p.m. on Sunday, November 22, 2009. The observance will be conducted on a soundside sandy beach adjacent to Ocracoke's Springer's Point, near the location of the 1718 engagement at Teaches Hole Channel. Pirate living-history reenactors, dressed in period attire replete with cutlasses, flintlock pistols and cannon, will assemble at the site for a 45-minute ceremony featuring an elegy, period music, a specially-composed pirate chanty, the floating of a wreath and military-like honors for the 23 pirates and King's sailors who were killed in the battle.

The annual event was created in 2008 by members of Blackbeard's Crew and by Kevin Duffus, a Raleigh, North Carolina, historian and author of the book, The Last Days of Black Beard the Pirate. Among the many new theories presented in his book, Duffus believes that the 23 bodies belonging to Blackbeard and the others killed at Ocracoke in 1718 were buried in a mass grave near where the 2009 memorial event will be held. The sponsors expect the ceremony to grow in popularity much like Ocracoke's British War Graves memorial which is held each year in May.

The public and media are welcome to observe the Blackbeard Pirate Memorial. A solemn one-mile procession to the event site will begin at 1:30 p.m. from the event's accommodations headquarters at Blackbeard's Lodge in Ocracoke village at 111 Back Rd. Those attending are encouraged to gather at 1 p.m. at Blackbeard's Lodge. Last minute information and contingency plans, if necessary, will be announced at that time. There is no public parking near the ceremony site but some limited shuttle service may be available. Non-pirates are encouraged to ride bicycles.

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, North Carolina. 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. Two hundred ninety-one years later, pirates are returning to North Carolina to remember their fallen brethren.

In 2008, after completing years of research, Kevin Duffus published The Last Days of Black Beard the Pirate, a detailed examination of the famous seafaring rogue's final six months in North Carolina. The controversial book presents stunning contradictions to traditional historical accounts about Black Beard's (also known as Blackbeard) origins, his travels and motivations as a pirate, his death, and the identity and fate of his most trusted crew members.

----So, now ye be forewarned!----

Edited November 3, 2009 by LookingGlass

[Dutchman]

ahoy shipmates. unfortunately I wont be making the pilgrimage this year due to the Foundations involvement with the Whydah exhibit opening the same weekend. However, If any one in pub land is intrested in going I understand there are still rooms available at Blackbeards Lodge. In addition, there will be a gathering of the souls afterwards which was a grand time last year. One of William Howards descendants was on hand. Last year we took the ferry over that followed the most likely path between Bath and Ocracoke as provided by documentation of Black Beards sightings before the battle. A wee bit chilly, but it makes one appreciate being on the water at that time of year and makes you wonder why the crew was still here as opposed to wwarmer climates.

[LookingGlass]

it makes one appreciate being on the water at that time of year and makes you wonder why the crew was still here as opposed to wwarmer climates.

I'll tell you why they were still lingering at 35 North in late-November (early-December on modern calendar): they were awaiting the arrival of the King's extension to his act of mercy. Having it in hand would have made things much safer for them. But alas...

[Dutchman]

hey kevin- long time no see. Sorry I'm not going to be able to make it down- it sounds like its going to be a grand time. any update on Salter?

[captscurvy_nc]

Sad that when I lived in Ocracoke playing Blackbeard I did something similar on my own ever Nov 22 but since it's become a real event I haven't made it down there. Will try again this year

[Dutchman]

hope to see you there. there is talk of a get together at howards. i think the plan is to watch a few blackbeard movies.

[captscurvy_nc]

I love Howards. Doesn't feel like the same plus though since Buffy died but still great place to meet up.