AMERICAN FORESTRY 



353 



"HALL OF FAME" FOR TREES 



Here is a tree that goes back to the days of pirates bad 

 and bold, according to the data submitted by A. D. Dart, of 

 Oriental, North Carolina. "Teach's Oak" is the name of 

 this tree and Teach was a bad, bad man so much so that 

 even now the boys dig about the neighborhood of the tree 

 for treasure. 



In the early Colonial days, long before beacon lights were 

 placed at the entrance of harbors to make the channels, promi- 

 nent objects like big trees, had to serve for that purpose, 

 and even now, as then, this old tree is a landmark and guide 

 for sailors frequenting these waters. 



Edward Teach, the notorious pirate called "Blackbeard," 

 because of the bushy black whiskers that covered his face, 

 was born in Bristol, England, about 1690. Early in life he 

 was a private sailor on a vessel commanded by one Komagold, 



vessels he is known to have captured and sunk. If there 

 are sermons in stones, and books in the running brooks, there 

 certainly must be history in the old Water Oak shown in the 

 accompanying picture, for it is a well established fact that 

 "Blackbeard" and his villainous crew often frequented this 

 point, and sought refuge and rest under the spreading 

 branches of this famous tree, which for generations has 

 been known as "Teach's Oak." So strong is the belief that 

 much of his booty was buried under the tree, that great 

 holes have been dug in many places around it, but as far as 

 known no treasure has ever been found. 



Finding it a hopeless task to -capture the pirates who were 

 committing so many depredations along the coast, the English 

 king offered a pardon to all who would surrender and lead 

 honest lives. Teach accepted the proposal and settled in 



TEACH'S OAK 



a noted sea rover in European ruaters. The latter having 

 captured a large merchant vessel in 1718, put Teach in 

 charge, and he seeking pastures new, started for the Ameri- 

 can coast, making captures on his way of many defenseless 

 merchantmen. His favorite cruising ground was along the 

 coasts of Virginia and North Carolina, seeking refuge, as 

 occasion demanded, in the quiet waters of Albemarle and 

 Pamlico Sounds and their tributaries, either to avoid severe 

 storms or when pursued by war vessels. The latter were few 

 in number during those days, and were generally of such 

 deep draught that it was impossible for them to follow the 

 piratical craft into shallow waters. 



While the Pirate Teach has left no record of his exploits, 

 it is only fair to assume that he must have obtained a 

 great quantity of valuables of all kinds, from the many 



Bath, a small town in Beaufort County, but the lure of 

 the sea was so strong, and, becoming tired of such a quiet 

 life, he very soon raised his black flag, and sailed away to 

 once more become the terror of the seas. 



Learning that his vessel was anchored in Ocracoke Inlet, 

 near a small island of that name, on the North Carolina 

 coast, Governor Spotswood, of Virginia, sent Lieutenant 

 Maynard in search of the pirate. 



The two met, and, after a desperate sea fight, Teach was 

 killed, his head cut off and tied to the bowsprit of Maynard's 

 vessel. 



The body was thrown overboard, and according to the 

 tradition of the Island, his muscular strength was so great 

 that the headless body swam entirely around the Island!! 

 Presumably searching for his crew and vessel. 



