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Legends such as Blackbeard and Bartholomew Roberts operated out of the port, high-jacking the booty of boats returning along the prosperous trade routes across the Atlantic during the 18th Century.
Considered one of the most fearsome pirates in history, Blackbeard, whose real name was Edward Teach, is perhaps Bristol’s most bloodthirsty ex-resident.
With a reputation that would strike terror into the hearts of his victims, he would weave wicks laced with gunpowder into his hair, lighting them during battle. Despite the legends, his career in piracy was relatively short. He began around 1713 as a crewman aboard a sloop commanded by the pirate Benjamin Hornigold. Three years later Hornigold appointed Blackbeard to captain a captured vessel, which he renamed Queen Anne's Revenge, and soon the two of them were among the most feared pirates of their day.
By 1718, Blackbeard commanded four vessels and over 300 pirates. But his notoriety became his undoing and he was eventually tracked down by the Royal Navy and killed in a brief but bloody battle on November 22, 1718.
Another pirate with links to Bristol was Bartholomew Roberts, who became the most successful pirate in history capturing 456 vessels in four years.
Now the Most Haunted team are heading for the West Country to reveal the ghostly pirates of its hidden past as they hope to uncover a treasure trove of paranormal activity.
27th April 2007
