BLACK BORODA

On the eve of XVII and XVIII centuries dark bay countless Caribbean islands served as a reliable shelter piracy rings. One of these shelters, on the island of New Providence in the Bahamas team at the beginning of the XVIII century, it was a pirate, whose name was the horror-Blackbeard. Fierce, bloodthirsty villain, Blackbeard many potrudilsya to earn its ugly reputation.

His real name-Edward Tycz. On the early years of life Ticha almost unknown; Controversial even place of birth: one called Port Royal, Jamaica, the other English-Bristol. All, however, agree that Tic not received little education and for the first time declared themselves in 1713, as English korsar- Privateer.

His terrible glory Tic already called Black Borody, acquired in 1715 - 1718 ggodah, ravage settlements in the Bahamas and the American coast. Privatization tirstvo was as a stepping stone to "evolution" as Tic pirate. Based on the island of New Providence, where he met with the captain Hornigoldom, predvoditelem rings thugs. Hornigold apparently Discovered in young people and future colleague took teach his pirate art. Receptive student went to the Mount, so as spryly that Hornigold inspired him fatherly feelings and awards for outstanding practical achievements ship, which Tic dub "Queen Anne's Revenge."

Shortly thereafter Hornigold received so-called royal pardon, amnesty, lies at all English pirates, soglashavshihsya away with the old way of life. Machinery was outside themselves. He accused his mentor of being traitors and vowed that never turn "good pirate craft." Demonstrating to any despicable "proscheniyam" Tic Larissa with anchors, raised his black flag with a white skeletal and cardiac Alogo, which raining blood and went to predatory raid on the Bahamas and the North American coast. Henceforth he became known as Black Boroda.

Nature is not paying Black Boroda physical data. Growth of men at the time rarely exceeds 180, see our hero was as vast and powerful: the growth of 190 cm, he weighed nearly 120 kilograms, and the only one of its kind to inspire any fear. In battle he was not aware of fatigue and easily sow his abordazhnoy swords, which are almost all fell without fighting forces. Pistols were his favorite toys. He usually hit zone for seven or eight pistols and vyhvatyvaya one after another, sending a bullet for bullet in the enemies. Preserved stories about how Blackbeard armed to the teeth, the skirmish okutereka mug Roma ADD there gunpowder, burned this infernal mixture, and then burst vypival it. Flames so he was unbeatable.

Masterful owning weapons, Blackbeard and still have some psychological impact on the way opponents - long black beard, for which he received his nickname. Hard as wire, the legendary beard reaches him to the waist. To make the impact he Zapletal her back and decorated colored ribbons. During the battle, he instead tapes vpletal in beard spark wicks. Simmering wicks okutyvali smoke his piece and thought that the enemy is the devil himself from hell. Daniel Defoe wrote: "This beard, covering all his face, cast terror on America, like the fateful meteor-greatest of God's punishment ever nizvergavshihsya from heaven."

But Blackbeard cause alarm, not only in the battle. Violent, unpredictable and unmanageable, he and his men kept almost the same fear as the enemy. Once, in a more or less calm and even melancholic condition, Blackbeard, invited two of his team at posh. Sitting at the table by candlelight. Suddenly, the captain took two pistols, zadul candles and stood hands under the table lowered side. One of the bullets hit the knee assistant captain Gendsa Israel, and that life remained crippled. They say Blackbeard both explained that his cheek: "If from time to time I will not kill anyone of you, you forget who I am."

Perhaps he was aware that the pirate life offers him an early grave. Perhaps, therefore, as user often propagate suicide fun. Once he nor any of this back to their teammates: "Hey, you, and back together, then arrange Devil hell and see no way we are!" Rinuvshis down from the deck, Blackbeard with three assistants zadraili hatches and burned several large Gorshkov sulphur. Domestic space shuttle napolnilis asphyxiant, poisonous smoke. Three assistants nearly suffocated before been able to get on deck. Blackbeard smoke still remained in a few minutes, dancing and hohocha. No death has not been able to withstand so much time in sulphuric smoke. White as ghost, Blackbeard came on deck.

- captain, as if you are right on gallows! - exclaimed one of his people.

- Excellent idea, friend! - captain replied. - The next time we Playing in viselnikov and see who can proboltatsya longer in the loop is not zadohnuvshis.

Blackbeard was truly pathological type. No one could affect it, including his 14 wives, which he changed almost as often as ships. With wife Blackbeard razvlekalsya no less skilled than their team. Love, for example, look like ordinary his girlfriend was forced to dance with him, while her carefully povelitel allowed bullet for bullet under her feet. When another "wife" nadoedala him, he just locked it where kept their treasures, and the accident victim to die from hunger. Blackbeard meanwhile match following a "bride".

Unpredictability Black Borody as more suited to be his profession. His first independent business in the Bahamas brought him great success: in 1717 it was in a fleet of six ships and four hundreds. The success led to self, and Blackbeard behaved its fleet to the north. There, flying along the west coast of Florida, he has to take the prize for the prize. But soon he felt that he got this cat-and-mouse game of the sea, and decided to change the "style". By that time, as Fleet came to Charleston, in South Carolina, Black Boroda too does a bored ease with which he took the flimsy merchant ships. We had to come up something new. Throwing anchor at the entrance to the harbour, Blackbeard was waiting for the victim herself came to him: he knew that merchant ships in the end will have to try to enter or leave the Charleston Harbor. Indeed, a few days Blackbeard without any major difficulties seized nine boats with people and goods. The mere appearance of razvevayuscheysya, acid beards deprived trade seafarers will to resist. Never piracy is not given so easily.

A few days later, however, the winners hit troubles with a sudden hand: Black people have Borody start sexually transmitted diseases.

The threat hangs over the entire pirate fleet. It was urgent to take any medicine, and Blackbeard send ashore special detachment. Should I say that the pirates are not going to pay for services. Blackbeard Charleston mayor promised that raspravitsya with all its captives and burn all the ships at the port, if something happens to his people on the bank and if the necessary assistance is not delivered on time. To save the lives of innocent people, the mayor granted requirements pirate and sent everything you need to ship it.

Blackbeard immediately release prisoners and to triumph in the boat Both, North Carolina. He was going to stop that podlechit people together and clean the bottom of the ship from shellfish and seaweed. By that time, all the colonies pirate name has become synonymous with evil. But Blackbeard was in secret dealings with the Governor of North Carolina Charles Iden, who promised him a peaceful reception. Ideas publicly announced that Blackbeard took Conditions royal pardon. " The Governor was podkuplen pirate: in exchange for asylum Blackbeard issued its share of production. While residents of North and South Carolina and Virginia perestavali not complain of continued abuses Black Borody, Idei has nothing.

Angry conduct its governor, the people of North Carolina appealed to the governor of Virginia, Alexander Spotsvudu, in the hope that he will take action against the perpetrator. Learning that Blackbeard left the fleet and took refuge in his boat in one of the smaller bays, Okrakouk to send a pirate base, the colonists began to Spotsvudu demanding decisive action. Governor, as the very worst nenavistnikom pirates, vowed to do everything in his power.

At that time in Virginia waters were two warships patrol its Royal Majesties, "Lime" and "Pearl". Their command of Lieutenant Robert Maynard. He knew that as long as Blackbeard Okrakouk is in the Gulf, it did not do: Bay was too shallow for the heavy warships. Then Spotswood, misery will quickly overtaking pirate, snaryadil for Maynard and 58 of his men two light manoeuvrability sloop. He also appointed a reward of 100 pounds for the Black Boroda-dead or alive.

Maynard executed on November 17, 1718 and five days later, the evening approached the Gulf Okrakouk. Fast asleep night, and decided to wait until morning, Lieutenant, because pirate attack in the dark, in the shallow Gulf, it would be too risky. Blackbeard noticed the emergence of Maynard, but this has special significance. He casually ordered prepare for battle, and he took rum and propyanstvoval overnight. This, however, did not prevent him observe how at dawn sloop Maynard cautiously entered the bay. But they go far failed: the two vessels were aground. Conceived attack foiled.

Raising its flag, Blackbeard came close to helpless sloop. Welcome was in his spirit:
- Who are you, you Derhy features, and where up?

While at sloop desperately tried to shoot aground, throwing overboard ballast, Maynard raised the flag of the British Royal Navy and shouted in reply:
For flag can see that we are not pirates!

Having to rabies from a healthy response is a helpless captain, Blackbeard set fire to his famous infernal mixture weeks in the kingdom and Zaoral:
Bud I-cushion if spare you, and you-me! None came, and the ruthless battle began.

Pointing to the four guns each sloop, brutal pirate has directed to put down a sloop, killing 20 people on it. Vessel same Maynard little affected, resulting ability Lt. being asked pirate in the trap. Realizing that Blackbeard could end his ship alone cannons, Maynard skill then pirate to be on board to hand skirmish. He ordered his men to hide at the bottom, and he remained at the helm. Blackbeard, a single Maynard and yet protrezvev night after himself, first moved to the sloop. He had one wish-to rend the very healthy enemy. When Blackbeard and his men were on deck sloop, Maynard filed signal, and his entire team rushed up, attacking outposts by surprise. But the Pirates quickly found themselves in, zavyazalas brutal fight, and soon deck was slippery from the blood-and the attackers and zaschischavshihsya.

The culmination of a battle fixture predvoditeley, soshedshihsya face to face. Both defused their guns, but Blackbeard hitting. The bullet hit Lieutenant same pirate directly in the chest. Considering that are done, Maynard has been ready to celebrate the victory. But his powerful opponent hardly even drew attention to the dangerous wounds. To the horror of Maynard, pirate abordazhnuyu asked its regulator and terrible blow razlomil wait two lieutenant. Unarmed Maynard realized that it end.

Even second - and pirate suicide with the enemy. But at this moment one of the sailors rushed to the Black Boroda behind and cut his throat. Zahlebyvayas blood terrible pirate is struck, but again hitting. Maynard life was saved.

Predvoditelyu pirates, however, remained to live minutes. With four bullets and at least twenty-Dixon deep wounds, he finally collapsed on the deck. By the time Maynard people have clearly taken over by pirates. Seeing that Fearless Captain poverzhen, Pirates dropped their weapons. They placed, and then they all graduated from life on gibbets. Maynard rushed in Bat. Wishing as an opportunity to announce the residents of both states on their victory, cut off the head Black Borody and fixed it to Norway. The famous beard terrible pirate razvevalas now like "Jolly Roger." After stopping at Bata Maynard goes further, in Virginia, where he received an award from Spotsvuda promised.

It is said that secret alliance between the Black Boroda and Governor Iden soon became known. But there were not enough evidence and ideas remained at large. While Blackbeard went demise, the pirates are still in North Carolina.

***

According to press reports, in 1991 the American underwater archaeologists have found at the bottom of a small bay at the mouth of James River, State of North Carolina, the ship of the famous pirate Edward Tycz, the alias Blackbeard, as the prototype of pirate Flint R. Stevenson novel "Island Treasures" . If reliable communication, it is a ship called the Queen Anne's Revenge, "and a tide November 17, 1718 Maynard after hot abordazhnogo battle.

So, through 273 years Ticha ship found almost metre layer of silt. Supervised expedition Wild Remsing. More than half were able to hide from the press to deal: he rightly feared that divers and searchers treasures, as well as a lovers' gift pirated "immediately dispersed not only holds the contents, but the ship itself.

According Remsinga, Ticha ship was severely affected by time, but it is subject to the restoration if it carefully raised to the surface and be careful conservation. This will require large expenditures, but, as the saying goes, the game is worth the candle: the people of our time is not indifferent to history.

Tour 18-metre vessel underwater archaeologists showed that holds there are many different items and utensils of great archaeological value, such as: dishes, a great many bottles from the Roma curves swords, pistols and road nasechkoy, copper Sextant, a lot guns and all the hot-abordazhnogo battle ...

Remsing categorically denied rumours unimaginable treasures plundered insidious Tic, alleged by boat, but he noticed that the ship's exact location is kept secret.

"The historian is well known," said Remsing, that Tic securely hidden stolen jewellery and money to desert Amelia Island, and witnesses remove it for pirate, obladavshego monstrous physical strength is not very difficult. Based on the preserved ancient engravings, Tic always was carrying a good Musket, long U and many guns in the special leather pockets. All this set of weapons he owned excellent, as is likely, once the naemnikom- instructor, as it said first - Tic nickname (from the English, teacher - teachers), and had a real name John.

Participants expedition Remsinga sure when the ship will be raised Ticha, and will be restored to museum exhibit, it will attract many tourists, because the great glory Ticha and literary double Captain Flint.