Pirate battle
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Famous Pirate Battles

The most famous pirate battle is that of Ocracoke inlet. In battle, Blackbeard was a savage butcher with almost inhuman strength. Feared by everyone sailing the seas, including his peers, he was without conscience. “Kin to the devil,” he showed no mercy as he stole from and often murdered those unfortunate enough to cross his path.

Pirate battle
Pirate battle

He made a deal with the governor of North Carolina in 1718 and for a time operated out of the many inlets and bays of the Carolina coast. Locals soon tired of his predations, however, and an expedition launched by the Governor of Virginia caught up with him in Ocracoke Inlet. After a furious battle, Blackbeard was killed on November 22, 1718.

Golden Age of Piracy Timeline

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Piracy was prevalent in North Carolina since the Colonial Governor, Charles Eden, had been bribed by Blackbeard to ignore the criminal activities. With commercial ships using Ocracoke Inlet to access inland ports, Blackbeard and several other pirates found the coastal waterway ripe for easy pickings.

Famous Pirate Battles

Though pirates anchored in the deep inlet channels and came ashore occasionally on the southern tip of Ocracoke Island, there is no evidence that they built homes or buried treasure here.

Famous Pirate Battles
Pirate flags

Blackbeard

Blackbeard’s pirate career was short-lived. In 1718, the governor of Virginia commissioned Lieutenant Robert Maynard to bring him back dead or alive. Maynard tracked Blackbeard down and found him in the Ocracoke Inlet in North Carolina. After a bloody battle, Blackbeard collapsed in a pool of blood and his pirate crew surrendered.

In 1669 Morgan ventured through the tight inlets of the Maracaibo lagoon with four hundred men and a few small ships. He sacked Maracaibo, which the Spaniards had hastily abandoned upon seeing his approach.

At dawn on April 31st, Del Campo awoke to find a half dozen small English ships sailing towards his fleet. He ordered the galleons manoeuvres into position and fire a broadside. The Magdalena had barely discharged her first barrage when a small English ship, laden with explosives, crashed into the side of the galleon.

Pirate Blackbeard
Pirate Blackbeard

In the euphoria of victory, Morgan ordered an immediate frontal assault against the Spanish fortifications on the island. Here, however, the Spanish held and the buccaneers were beaten back with over 30 dead and many wounded.

Famous Pirate Battles

The Spaniards, fearing a land assault from behind, turned their heavy guns away from the inlet and towards the vulnerable side of their fortifications. While the Spaniards were busily shifting their cannons and preparing themselves for infantry attack, Morgan raised anchor and sailed through the inlet unscathed.

Located just north of a slice of land jutting out towards Booby Cay is Bloody Bay – one of Negril’s most picturesque beaches. There is some debate about how the beach claimed its name. Some argue it was the site of a vicious pirate battle, but most believe hunters used to massacre whales there, turning the sea blood-red. Shrouded by this seemingly dark past, Bloody Bay still mystifies and intrigues beachgoers with its beauty.

Famous Pirate ships

The strategically made, beautiful ships were as famous as the pirates themselves. The ships were also the sites of many interesting, mail-biting tales where the pirates resided and engaged in terrible acts. Some of the most famous pirate ships are  Whydah Gally, Queen Anne’s Revenge, Fancy, Golden Hinde etc.

Pirate ship
Pirate ship

Famous Pirates

Some famous pirates in history were Sir Francis Drake, The Barbarossa Brothers, Henry Morgan,  Captain Kidd and Blackbeard. To read more about famous pirates click here.

Some female pirates also operated in the past such as Anne Bonny and Mary Read. To read more on female pirates click here.

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