While the governor of North Carolina turned a blind eye to Blackbeard's acts of piracy and openly accepted what could only be described as outright bribes, the governor of Virginia, Alexander Spotswood, had precisely the opposite reaction. Although the North Carolina coast was undoubtedly far outside of Spotswood's jurisdiction, the governor was unflinching in his resolve to rid the Americas of piracy. Blackbeard and his legendary seafaring atrocities were too notorious to ignore. Spotswood was also aware that one of Blackbeard's former crewmembers, William Howard, was being held for trial for his association with piracy, and particularly with Blackbeard. In an effort to save his own neck, Howard gladly gave the details of Black-beard's hideout on Ocracoke Island.

Calm Before the Storm

At the behest of Governor Spotswood, Lieutenant Robert Maynard of the Royal Navy was put in command of fifty-five sailors and marines to track down Blackbeard and his gang of pirates. Spotswood sweetened the expedition by putting a £100 bounty on Blackbeard's head. Maynard knew that a British man-of-war ship couldn't possibly sail into the shallows of Ocracoke Island, so he commissioned two small sloops, the Jane and the Ranger, to attack the pirate lair. Records indicate that Blackbeard was aware that he was being hunted, although there's no explanation as to why he would choose to stay and fight.

Damnation for Quarter

On the morning of November 22, 1718, Maynard sailed his sloops into the inlet where Blackbeard lay at anchor in his own sloop, the Adventure. Blackbeard's crew cut the anchor ropes of Adventure as Maynard and the Jane drew within shouting distance. It's said that Blackbeard yelled out, “Damnation seize my soul if I give you quarter or take any from you.” Then the pirates fired a broadside of grapeshot across the bow of the Jane, killing or injuring nearly half of her crew. Maynard immediately ordered his remaining men below decks and into the hold where they were to remain utterly still and at the ready.

As the two ships came closer together, Blackbeard saw that there was no one left alive on the decks of the Jane, and ordered his pirates to board her, thinking that all of the British had been killed in the first volley. As soon as the pirates boarded, Maynard called his remaining troops out of hiding, and a bloody hand-to-hand battle instantly ensued. It was reported that Maynard broke his sword blade against the cartridge box Blackbeard was wearing and then stepped backward, fully expecting to be killed on the spot by the huge pirate. Instead, Blackbeard was cut down by the sword of a Scotsman who was one of Maynard's crew. When Blackbeard finally perished, it seemed a miracle. It's said that he continued fighting despite taking a half dozen or so shots and over twenty cuts to his body. Upon his death, the remaining pirates immediately gave up the fight and were taken into custody.