The legendary pirate Blackbeard, whose real name was Edward Teach, terrorized the seas in the early 18th century. He captured over 40 ships in the Caribbean and along the Atlantic coast of North America before being killed in battle in 1718. Since his death, countless treasure hunters have searched for the vast riches that Blackbeard reportedly accumulated throughout his pirating career.
What treasure did Blackbeard have?
During his years of plundering, Blackbeard amassed a huge fortune in gold, silver, jewelry, and other valuables. According to legend, his treasure included:
- Gold and silver coins worth over $2 million in today’s values
- Jewelry stolen from passengers on captured ships
- Ornate silver and gold plate he looted from Caribbean mansions
- Emeralds, rubies, and other precious gems
- Religious artifacts with gold and jewels
- Fine porcelain and silk cloth taken from merchant ships
In total, Blackbeard’s treasure has been valued at around $10 million in modern terms. Some estimates have put it even higher, at over $100 million.
Where could the treasure be hidden?
According to legend and historical accounts, Blackbeard hid his treasure at several locations throughout the Caribbean and along the Atlantic coast.
Some potential hiding spots include:
- Shipwrecks – Blackbeard reportedly sank several of his own ships to serve as underwater “treasure vaults” for his loot.
- Uninhabited islands – Small, deserted islands would have made good hiding places.
- Caves – Natural caves along remote coastlines could have stored valuable items.
- Buried stashes – Accounts suggest Blackbeard buried treasure chests on secluded beaches.
- Ocracoke Island, North Carolina – Blackbeard often visited this island, and some believe he hid his riches there.
- Bath, North Carolina – Blackbeard was killed in this town in 1718. He may have stashed valuables nearby before his death.
Has any of the treasure been found?
Although many have searched for 300 years, remarkably little of Blackbeard’s vast treasure is believed to have been recovered. Some notable finds include:
- In 1996, divers found a shipwreck off the coast of North Carolina that yielded gold dust, coins, and other artifacts. Many believe this was one of Blackbeard’s sunken ships.
- Cannon thought to be from Blackbeard’s flagship were discovered near Atlantic coast shipwrecks in the 1970s.
- A few gold coins and other items found on beaches of Ocracoke Island are alleged to be part of Blackbeard’s stash.
- A small cache of silver plates and jewelry dredged up from a shipwreck in 2011 may have belonged to the notorious pirate.
While these finds are valuable archaeological and historical treasures, they represent only a tiny fraction of Blackbeard’s vast rumored wealth. The vast majority remains undiscovered and untouched for 300 years.
Why has so little treasure been found?
There are several factors that help explain why, after several centuries of intensive searching, so little of Blackbeard’s massive fortune has been recovered:
- Remote hiding spots – Accounts suggest Blackbeard favored remote islands and coves to conceal his loot. These isolated areas have seen little human activity for centuries, keeping the treasure hidden.
- Lack of records – Blackbeard likely kept the locations of his stashes secret, and there are few written records pointing treasure hunters to specific spots.
- Primitive diving technology – Until recent decades, diving gear was too rudimentary to search underwater wreck sites thoroughly.
- Storms and erosion – Severe storms, currents, and tidal erosion likely buried and dispersed some treasure troves over time.
- Booby traps – Blackbeard was notorious for setting traps to protect his valuables, making recovery dangerous.
These obstacles have thwarted treasure hunters for generations, allowing much of Blackbeard’s fortune to remain safely hidden underwater and underground.
Could more treasure still be found today?
With improving technology and more sophisticated research, there is growing optimism among modern-day treasure hunters that more of Blackbeard’s riches can be recovered.
Here are some factors in favor of more treasure being found in the 21st century:
- Better diving capabilities – With scuba gear, submersibles, and underwater drones, divers today can search shipwrecks far more thoroughly.
- Advanced metal detection – Modern metal detectors have greatly improved the ability to find hidden chests and artifacts buried on land.
- Historical research – Academics have uncovered additional documents and maps that provide new clues about where Blackbeard hid his loot.
- Treasure hunting technology – From ground-penetrating radar to magnetometers, specialized tools can zero in on hidden manmade objects.
Thanks to these developments, many believe it is inevitable that more of Blackbeard’s treasure will be unearthed in coming decades. While the vast majority may still be out there, modern technology is better equipped to find it.
Famous searches for Blackbeard’s treasure
Many expeditions over the centuries have aimed to recover Blackbeard’s lost riches. Some of the most famous include:
- Captain Kidd’s early 1800s search – A former pirate, Kidd led salvage missions to North Carolina shipwrecks believed connected to Blackbeard.
- 1929 Broadway production – An investor searched Ocracoke Island that year during a Broadway show about Blackbeard.
- John Amrhein’s expedition – In the 1980s, Amrhein led salvage operations on what he claimed was Blackbeard’s flagship.
- Delmar Vaarkamp’s hunt – Vaarkamp searched for decades along the Atlantic coast and believes he identified Blackbeard’s camp.
- Intersal Inc.’s technology-aided hunt – This company has led high-tech underwater searches for Blackbeard’s treasure for over 25 years.
While none of these searches uncovered huge amounts of treasure, they demonstrate the enduring allure of Blackbeard’s lost fortune.
Legal issues surrounding treasure hunting
There are some legal issues facing modern treasure hunters searching for Blackbeard’s loot:
- According to maritime law, recovered shipwrecks and artifacts become property of the state.
- Salvage companies must secure permits and contracts with the state to conduct commercial treasure recovery.
- There are strict restrictions on using technology like magnetometers and ground-penetrating radar near historical sites.
- Areas around known wrecks are protected from unauthorized diving activity.
- Significant finds belong to the state but companies often get to keep a percentage.
These laws make launching unauthorized private searches for Blackbeard’s treasure far more difficult. Commercial salvage firms tend to have the resources and permits necessary to legally hunt for artifacts from Blackbeard’s exploits.
Conclusion
More than three centuries after Blackbeard’s death, the bulk of his vast pirate treasure remains undiscovered. Long lost to history and shrouded in mystery, its estimated multimillion dollar value continues to tantalize treasure hunters to this day. Technological improvements give modern enthusiasts hope that more of Blackbeard’s lost riches will surface in coming years. However, finding a substantial portion of this legendary fortune likely remains a distant dream. The pirate’s penchant for traps and remote hiding spots means his treasure may still be out there somewhere, waiting to be uncovered by some lucky explorer.