n November 1717, Blackbeard—whose real name was Edward Teach—captured a large French merchant vessel named La Concorde, which at the time was operating as a slave ship. Teach refitted and renamed it Queen Anne’s Revenge, transforming it into one of the most formidable pirate vessels of the era.
Although Blackbeard only used the ship for about a year, it became his legendary flagship. He equipped it with nearly 40 cannons, dramatically increasing its firepower as he prowled the Caribbean, capturing ships and amassing wealth with a crew that eventually reached 300 men.
Contemporary accounts describe Blackbeard as tall, imposing, and theatrically frightening. He grew a long, black beard that he braided and tied with ribbons. During attacks, he reportedly wove slow-burning fuses into his beard and hat, surrounding his face with smoke—a psychological weapon meant to terrify opponents into surrendering without resistance.
He also carried three pairs of pistols across his chest, along with cutlasses and knives strapped throughout his clothing
As he went into action, Blackbeard flew a distinctive pirate flag showing a horned skeleton holding an hourglass in one hand while stabbing a bleeding heart with a spear in the other.
The imagery symbolized death, time running out, and the promise that no mercy would be given to those who resisted.
As piracy threatened British trade, the Crown issued a proclamation offering full pardon to any pirate who surrendered and pledged loyalty to the King.
Those who refused would face capture, trial, and execution. Many accepted the offer—Blackbeard did not.
Because digging was so challenging, early builders relied on imported materials.
The famous yellow bricks—seen in the 99 Steps and throughout historic Charlotte Amalie—were originally brought from Denmark as ship ballast. Once cargo was unloaded, these bricks were repurposed, becoming one of the island’s most iconic architectural features.
On November 22, 1718, Lieutenant Robert Maynard of the Royal Navy confronted Blackbeard off Ocracoke Island. A chaotic and bloody battle unfolded as Maynard boarded the pirate’s vessel. Blackbeard fought fiercely in hand-to-hand combat, sustaining 20 cutlass wounds and five gunshot injuries before he was finally killed.
Maynard ordered Blackbeard’s head to be severed and hung from the bowsprit of his ship Jane as proof of victory. His headless body was thrown into the sea.
Twelve pirates were killed alongside Blackbeard. Fourteen survivors were taken to Williamsburg, Virginia, where thirteen were sentenced to death by hanging.
For decades afterward, Blackbeard’s severed head was displayed on a stake at the entrance to Chesapeake Bay. Legend claims that his skull was later lined with silver and used as a drinking cup.
