Blackbeard and the Blockade of Charleston, May 1718.In late May of 1718, Edward Teech, a.k.a Blackbe

Blackbeard and the Blockade of Charleston, May 1718.In late May of 1718, Edward Teech, a.k.a Blackbeard the Pirate, conducted one of the most audacious acts of piracy in the history of pirating.  By 1718 Blackbeard was at the height of his power, commanding a fleet of four ships which he used to raid the high seas.  With his pirate fleet Blackbeard blockaded the port of Charles Town, then the capitol of the colony of Carolina.  Blackbeard allowed no ships to leave or enter the harbor, and over the course of a week ransacked 9 ships that attempted to do so.  One ship that was captured was the Crowley, which had some very important passengers including Samuel Wragg, a member of the Council of the Province of South Carolina.  Blackbeard locked the prisoners up and sent a message to the Governor of Carolina with a list of demands.  If the Governor did not give in to his demands, he threatened to behead the prisoners and burn the 9 ships he had captured.So what did Blackbeard want so badly that he was bold enough to challenge the colonial government of Carolina? Gold? Silver? Jewels?  Blackbeard’s demands were for medicine, and not just any kind of medicine, but venereal disease medicine.After nearly two years of pirating, Blackbeard’s crew had sailed all over the Caribbean.  They made many ports of call, especially at the infamous pirate hideout of Port Royal.  Successful pirates tended to have money, and many ports had prostitutes who sold their services to wealthy pirates.  With success came wealth, and with wealth came sexually transmitted diseases.  Blackbeard’s crew were very successful pirates.The Governor gave into Blackbeard’s demands and the drugs were gathered and quickly delivered.  Blackbeard held up his end of the deal and released the prisoners, minus their valuables. -- source link

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