Publisher Description

North Carolina possesses one of the longest, most treacherous coastlines in the United States, and the waters off its shores have been the scene of some of the most dramatic episodes of piracy and sea warfare in the nation's history. Now, Lindley Butler brings this fascinating aspect of the state's maritime heritage vividly to life. He offers engaging biographical portraits of some of the most famous pirates, privateers, and naval raiders to ply the Carolina waters.

Covering 150 years, from the golden age of piracy in the 1700s to the extraordinary transformation of naval warfare ushered in by the Civil War, Butler sketches the lives of eight intriguing characters: the pirate Blackbeard and his contemporary Stede Bonnet; privateer Otway Burns and naval raider Johnston Blakeley; and Confederate raiders James Cooke, John Maffitt, John Taylor Wood, and James Waddell. Penetrating the myths that have surrounded these legendary figures, he uncovers the compelling true stories of their lives and adventures.

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The real-life adventures of eight famous pirates, privateers, and naval raiders who operated along the treacherous N.C. coast between the early 1700s and the end of the Civil War. Features biographies of pirates Blackbeard and Stede Bonnett; privateer Otway Burns and naval raider Johnston Blakeley; and Confederate raiders James Cooke, John Maffitt, John Taylor Wood, and James Waddell.

Author Biography

Lindley S. Butler, professor emeritus of history at Rockingham Community College, is a volunteer diver with the North Carolina Underwater Archaeology Unit and historical consultant on the Queen Anne's Revenge Shipwreck Project.

Table of Contents

Preface Acknowledgments 1. Introduction: The World of Pirates, Privateers, and Naval Raiders 2. Blackbeard: TheQueen Anne's RevengeScourges the Carolinas 3. Stede Bonnet: The Gentleman Pirate of theRoyal James 4. Otway Burns: TheSnap DragonSweeps the Western Atlantic 5. Johnston Blakeley: TheWaspRavages the English Channel 6. James W. Cooke: TheAlbemarleClears the Roanoke 7. John N. Maffitt: TheFloridaRanges the Atlantic 8. John Taylor Wood: The Night Raider Seizes theUnderwriter 9. James I. Waddell: TheShenandoahMasters the North Pacific Glossary of Nautical Terms Notes Bibliography Index Illustrations The Union fleet at Hatteras Inlet, 1862 Beaufort, North Carolina Naval action at Roanoke Island, 1862 Wilmington, North Carolina Edward Teatch, Blackbeard The battle at Ocracoke, 1718 Lieutenant Maynard's trophy Stede Bonnet Stede Bonnet's execution Otway Burns TheSnap Dragonand the HMSMartin Johnston Blakeley The USSWaspand the HMSReindeerand HMSAvon Udney Maria Blakeley Blakeley silver service Plymouth, North Carolina James W. Cooke Construction of the CSSAlbemarle The CSSAlbemarleand USSSassacus Interior of theAlbemarleduring battle John N. Maffitt The CSSFloridaat Brest The CSSFloridaand theJacob Bell TheLilianrunning the blockade John Taylor Wood Destruction of the USSUnderwriter The CSSTallahassee Confederate escape party James I. Waddell, USN Anne S. Waddell James I. Waddell, CSN The CSSShenandoahentering Melbourne, 1865 Maps North Carolina coastal waters The Caribbean and the Spanish Main The western Atlantic The eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean The Chesapeake The voyage of the CSSShenandoah

Review

This is an informative and enjoyable work of regional history."Booklist" Butler provides an eminently readable and accurate tale of the region's rascals."Publishers Weekly" "This book will surely appeal to many general readers, especially those who already have an interest in its place, people, and topics."Journal of Southern History"" "Not only are the subjects intriguing, but Butler writes felicitously, turning the right phrase."American Neptune"" "Lindley Butler plots an accurate portrayal of early warfare on North Carolina waters.George Ward Shannon Jr., Director, North Carolina Maritime Museum" This book will surely appeal to many general readers, especially those who already have an interest in its place, people, and topics."Journal of Southern History" Not only are the subjects intriguing, but Butler writes felicitously, turning the right phrase."American Neptune" Lindley Butler plots an accurate portrayal of early warfare on North Carolina waters.George Ward Shannon Jr., Director, North Carolina Maritime Museum

Long Description

North Carolina possesses one of the longest, most treacherous coastlines in the United States, and the waters off its shores have been the scene of some of the most dramatic episodes of piracy and sea warfare in the nation's history. Now, Lindley Butler brings this fascinating aspect of the state's maritime heritage vividly to life. He offers engaging biographical portraits of some of the most famous pirates, privateers, and naval raiders to ply the Carolina waters.Covering 150 years, from the golden age of piracy in the 1700s to the extraordinary transformation of naval warfare ushered in by the Civil War, Butler sketches the lives of eight intriguing characters: the pirate Blackbeard and his contemporary Stede Bonnet; privateer Otway Burns and naval raider Johnston Blakeley; and Confederate raiders James Cooke, John Maffitt, John Taylor Wood, and James Waddell. Penetrating the myths that have surrounded these legendary figures, he uncovers the compelling true stories of their lives and adventures.

Review Quote

This is an informative and enjoyable work of regional history.Booklist

Promotional "Headline"

"Butler vividly recounts the deeds of this group of men, chronicles their lives and ultimate fates and, in general, provides an eminently readable and accurate tale of the region's rascals."-- Publishers Weekly

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