Who Was in Blackbeard’s Crew?

Blackbeard’s crew was not a permanent cast of characters. Like other pirate companies, it changed as prizes were captured, men joined or left, vessels were abandoned, pardons were accepted and suspected pirates were arrested. At the height of his power Blackbeard commanded far more men than he had with him during his final battle at Ocracoke.

How large was Blackbeard’s crew?

The number varied dramatically. When Blackbeard controlled multiple vessels and the heavily armed Queen Anne’s Revenge, his force may have numbered in the hundreds. By the time of his death near Ocracoke in November 1718, he was operating with a much smaller group.

Why did pirate crew sizes change so much?

Pirates captured ships, transferred men between vessels, released unwanted sailors, recruited specialists and sometimes lost crew to disease, desertion or arrest. A successful cruise could rapidly enlarge a company, while a pardon or shipwreck could shrink it just as quickly.

Who was Israel Hands?

Israel Hands is the best-known named member of Blackbeard’s company. He served as an officer and at one point commanded a smaller vessel associated with Blackbeard’s flotilla. Hands survived the period and later appeared in legal proceedings, which helped preserve his name in the historical record.

Was Israel Hands really shot by Blackbeard?

A famous story says Blackbeard deliberately shot Hands in the knee while drinking, supposedly to remind the crew who was in charge. The anecdote comes from early pirate literature and has been repeated for centuries, but it should not be treated with the same confidence as a court record or official report.

Did Benjamin Hornigold sail with Blackbeard?

Blackbeard is strongly associated with Benjamin Hornigold early in his career. Hornigold was an important Nassau-based pirate who later accepted a pardon and became a pirate hunter. Their connection helps place Blackbeard within the network of crews operating from the Bahamas before he became independently notorious.

Did Stede Bonnet sail with Blackbeard?

Yes, for a period the two pirates operated together. Bonnet was an unusual figure—a wealthy landowner who had turned to piracy. Blackbeard effectively took control of Bonnet’s ship and men for a time. Their relationship later deteriorated, especially around the events following the grounding of Queen Anne’s Revenge.

Were all of Blackbeard’s sailors volunteers?

No simple answer fits every man. Pirate crews included experienced volunteers attracted by shares of loot and looser discipline, but they also took sailors from captured vessels. At later trials some defendants claimed they had been forced into service. Courts tried to determine whether those claims matched their behavior aboard the pirate ship.

What kinds of skills did Blackbeard need?

A large sailing vessel required far more than fighters. Pirates needed helmsmen, navigators, carpenters, sailmakers, gunners and men capable of repairing rigging and hull damage. Skilled specialists could be especially valuable after a capture.

What happened when Queen Anne’s Revenge grounded?

The wreck near Beaufort Inlet in 1718 became a turning point. Blackbeard reduced the number of men traveling with him, and some crew members were left behind or otherwise separated from the remaining company. Stede Bonnet later accused Blackbeard of cheating him and his men out of their share.

Who fought with Blackbeard at Ocracoke?

Only a fraction of the larger force associated with his peak was present during the final battle. Several pirates died with him, while survivors were captured and prosecuted. The small number helps explain why Maynard’s heavily manned vessels could overwhelm the pirates once the fighting moved to close quarters.

Why do we not have a complete crew list?

Authorities usually recorded names when a man was arrested, tried, questioned or mentioned in correspondence. Ordinary sailors who disappeared from the record before those moments can be difficult to trace. Different spellings also make identification harder.

PirateLore takeaway

Blackbeard commanded a fluid network of sailors rather than one unchanging crew. Israel Hands, Benjamin Hornigold and Stede Bonnet are among the best-known associates, but most of the men who sailed under Blackbeard remain far less famous than their captain.