Blackbeard was the boldest and most well known pirate in the waters of England's southern colonies in the early 1700's. Blackbeard's original name was Edward Teach, but he received his nickname because of his long, thick, dark hair. He was born around 1680 into an intelligent family. Blackbeard served in Queen Anne's War, which lasted from 1702-1713. After the war, Blackbeard signed on with the pirate crew of Captain Benjamin Hornigold. Blackbeard requested that he be given command of the captured French ship, the Concorde.
Captain Hornigold agreed. Blackbeard became captain of the ship in 1717 and renamed her the Queen Anne's Revenge. The Concorde already had 20 guns but Blackbeard increased it to 40 guns adding small cannons. His reputation began with his first attack as captain. This battle was with a large merchant ship, the Great Allen. After a long battle, Blackbeard took the ship, burned it, and sank it. Legend says that he may have also defeated the Scarborough, a British ship armed with 30 guns.
Blackbeard was tall and had a long black beard. Before any battle, he would braid his beard into little ponytails and tie them with colored ribbons. After that, he would light several matched and tuck them under his hat, allowing a little amount of smoke to curl up around his face. He wore pistols and daggers in a belt around the waist. Some people say that Blackbeard had as many as 13 wives. Blackbeard used several hideouts in North Carolina and Ocracoke Inlet was his favorite. A place inside Ocracoke Inlet is still known as "Teach's Hole.".
In May 1718, Blackbeard's most outrageous attack was upon the city of Charleston, North Carolina. Charleston was the busiest and most important port in the south. Blackbeard's ship settled outside the entrance to the harbor and took several merchant ships, gold, slaves, and other valuables. The city also provided Blackbeard with medicine valued between 200 and 300 pounds.
