In May 1718, Charleston found itself under siege — not by an army, but by pirates. Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard, blockaded the city’s harbor with a fleet of ships, halting trade and holding hostages. But unlike most pirate raids, he wasn’t after treasure. What he demanded would shock the entire colony.
Blackbeard Arrives in Charleston
In the spring of 1718, the port of Charleston awoke to an unexpected threat on the horizon. A fleet of pirate ships, commanded by the infamous Edward Teach — better known as Blackbeard — had sailed into the harbor and cut off the city from the sea. Trade ground to a halt, and fear spread quickly through the colonial capital.
At the time, Charleston was one of the wealthiest ports in North America, a tempting target for any raider. But Blackbeard was not after treasure in the way locals expected. His blockade would become one of the boldest and strangest episodes in Charleston’s pirate history.
Hostages Taken at Sea
As Blackbeard’s men tightened their hold on the harbor, they captured nine vessels trying to sail into port. Among them was a ship carrying Samuel Wragg, a prominent member of the South Carolina Executive Council, along with his young son.
The hostages were brought aboard Blackbeard’s flagship and used as leverage against the colony. Residents assumed the pirates would demand gold, silver, or supplies in exchange for their release. Instead, Blackbeard shocked the city with a different request.
A Demand for Medicine
Far from being driven purely by greed, Blackbeard’s crew was suffering. Many of his men were sick and wounded, and some accounts suggest they were battling venereal disease such as syphilis. The pirate captain sent word ashore: unless he was supplied with a chest of medical treatments, the hostages would be executed and the city attacked.
For nearly a week, the people of Charleston lived under siege. The governor and city leaders scrambled to meet the demand, while families of the captives feared the worst. Finally, a large supply of medicine was gathered and delivered to Blackbeard.
Release and Aftermath
True to his word, Blackbeard released the hostages once the medicine was in hand. The captives were returned unharmed, though stripped of valuables, and the pirate fleet sailed north to the coast of North Carolina.
The incident left Charleston shaken but spared from bloodshed. In many ways, it was a psychological attack more than a physical one — a reminder that even the most prosperous city in the colonies could be brought to its knees by a pirate.
Blackbeard’s Legacy in Charleston
Blackbeard’s blockade of Charleston is remembered as one of the most dramatic moments in Charleston’s colonial history. While many pirates sought gold or plunder, his demand for medicine set him apart and revealed the harsh realities of life at sea.
Only months later, Blackbeard would meet his end in a violent battle off the coast of North Carolina. Yet in Charleston, the story of the week the city was held hostage by pirates has endured for more than 300 years.
Even today, visitors strolling along the Battery or gazing across the harbor are reminded of a time when the most feared pirate in the Atlantic turned his gaze on Charleston — and nearly brought the city to its knees.
