Blackbeard's Fight to the Death

On November 22nd 1718 two sloops, the Ranger commanded by Edmund Hyde and the Pearl commanded by Lt. Maynard approached Ocracoke by way of the Pamlico Sound. Blackbeard and 18 others were anchored in the sound at the south end of Ocracoke drinking and playing cards.  On the beach were a few tents under which sat 140 bags of cocoa and some barrels of water and sugar. Lt. Governor Spotswood had promised a 100-pound reward to anyone who killed Blackbeard.