Battle of Ocracoke Inlet
1718 · Ocracoke Inlet (off the coast of modern North Carolina, United States) · World · Modern
Maynard lured the pirates aboard and fought them hand to hand; Blackbeard died after receiving many wounds
Belligerents
Royal Navy detachment
- Commanders
- Robert Maynard
- Strength
- Two sloops, about 60 men
Blackbeard's pirates
- Commanders
- Blackbeard
- Strength
- c. 20 men
Background
In 1718, after accepting a pardon in North Carolina, Blackbeard returned to piracy, and the Governor of Virginia privately sent naval men to hunt him down.
Course of the battle
- Approach at dawnMaynard's two small vessels entered the shallow waters of Ocracoke Inlet
- BroadsideBlackbeard's sloop badly damaged one of the naval vessels with a broadside
- Luring the enemy aboardMaynard hid his men below deck; thinking they had nearly all been killed or wounded, Blackbeard led his crew onto the deck
- Hand-to-hand fighting on deckThe hidden men burst out; Blackbeard was killed in hand-to-hand fighting, and his head was hung from the bow
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 1718 |
|---|---|
| Place | Ocracoke Inlet (off today's North Carolina, United States) |
| Result | Maynard lured the pirates aboard and fought them hand to hand; Blackbeard died after receiving many wounds |
| Winner | Royal Navy |
| Casualties | Blackbeard and about ten pirates were killed; the navy suffered twenty to thirty killed and wounded |
| Territorial change | The Golden Age of Piracy nears its end |
Impact
The death of Blackbeard was one of the landmark events in the end of the Golden Age of Piracy.
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