Question of the month: Who is Edward Teach?
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Blackbeard's Ghost
When Lieutenant Robert Maynard came face to face with Blackbeard a bloody battle pursued. Blackbeard was overtaken by Maynard and his men. His throat was cut and his body had several gunshot and knife wound.
Just to make sure the pirate was really dead Lieutenant Maynard ordered Blackbeard's head to be cut off and hung from the front of the boat and his body was thrown overboard. It is said that when his body hit the water the head hanging from the front of the boat yelled, "Come on Edward" and the headless body swam around the boat three times before disappearing under water. Every now and then Blackbeard's ghost is seen in the area searching for his head.
Life on the Briny
 The only person that had a good nights sleep on the ship was the captain. He was the only one that had a bunk or a bed. The crew had to search for a dry spot to sleep. If they were lucky they might find a sack of grain to sleep on.
Pirates were allowed one quart of water a day. It did not take long for water to go bad on a voyage. That is why so much beer and rum were put on board. Rum was added to water making it taste better and it helped kill disease.
A pirates food consisted on dried meat and hard tack, which was a hard cracker, made of flour, water and lard.
Pirate Talk
What do these phrases mean: "Ahoy me Matey." "Gangway Matey." "Fairwinds Bucko." "Handsomely lad get to the crow's nest."
- Ahoy - Hello
- Briny - deep-the ocean
- Shanty - a sea song
- Me - my
- Prow - nose or bow of the boat
- Gangway - Get out of my way
- Bucko - friend
- Shiver me timbers - expression of surprise
- Fairwinds - goodbye
- Good luck Matey - cheerful address to a friend
- Avast - hey or stop and pay attention
- Crows nest - small platform at the top of the mast
- Lad, Lass, Lassie - way to address someone younger than you.
Pirate Superstitions
- Porpoises swimming around a ship is good luck.
- Never put your left foot down first when boarding a ship.
- Black cats are lucky and bring sailors safely home from the sea.
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