Teach’s Hole in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, specifically Ocracoke Island, is the name given to a channel and spot where the infamous pirate Blackbeard is said to have anchored and met his demise in battle.
1718 wasn’t a great year if you happened to be a pirate in those days. Stede Bonnet and Teach died roughly a month apart.
On November 22, 1718, Blackbeard met his fate at the hands of Lt. Robert Maynard, giving the name Teach’s Hole to the cove where he was alleged to have died.
Legend says that as proof of defeat, Lt. Maynard beheaded the famous pirate and hung his head from the bow of his ship. It is believed his lifeless body was discarded overboard. Blackbeard’s head was allegedly still screaming after his death, and his body swam around the boat.
There have been stories of a headless body swimming in the cove of Teach’s Hole and a headless Blackbeard searching the grounds for his missing head.
Written By: John G. Clark Jr.
Image Credit: Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, August 17, 2011
