KidZone Maritime Stories (Historical Fiction)
The Diary of Thomas: The Last Days of Blackbeard

May 15, 1718

Captain Blackbeard insisted I continue my lessons in reading and writing today. He always said a sharp mind was as crucial as a sharp blade. I never fully understood why he cared so much about my learning.

May 22, 1718

We blockaded Charleston. The Captain's plan was bold. We took hostages and demanded medicine. Watching him, I realized his fearsome appearance and cunning did half the work. The people of Charleston were terrified, and rightfully so.

October 30, 1718

The Captain told me stories of his early days as Edward Teach. He always said, “A man’s past shapes his future, lad.” I saw the respect he commanded, not just from us but even from our enemies. There was something about the way he carried himself that demanded respect.

November 20, 1718

We anchored off Ocracoke Island. The Captain seemed restless. He spoke to me about the importance of telling our story, saying, “Thomas, you’ll be the one to remember us.” I didn’t understand why he insisted so much on my letters and learning, but I listened.

November 21, 1718

Today, the Captain gave me a small leather-bound book. “For your letters, lad,” he said with a smile that was rare to see. He told me to keep it close, as if he knew something was coming. I promised him I would.

November 22, 1718

The day began with an eerie calm. The crew was on edge, sensing the tension in the air. Just after dawn, we spotted sails on the horizon—British naval ships, led by Lieutenant Robert Maynard. The Captain’s eyes narrowed, and he ordered us to prepare for battle.

Cannon fire erupted, the thunderous booms shaking the Queen Anne's Revenge. The smell of gunpowder filled the air as smoke billowed around us. The Captain stood tall, his beard lit with fuses, creating an image of a demon amidst the chaos.

"Hold your ground!" Blackbeard roared, his voice cutting through the noise. I watched in awe and fear as he led the charge, a cutlass in one hand and a pistol in the other. The British ships closed in, and soon, the sound of steel clashing rang out as they boarded us.

The deck became a frenzy of fighting. I saw men I had known for months fall around me, their cries mixing with the shouts of our attackers. Blackbeard fought like a man possessed, taking on multiple foes at once. His strength and fury were unmatched, but the odds were against us.

In the midst of the battle, Blackbeard looked at me. "Thomas, go!" he shouted. "You must survive to tell our tale!" I hesitated, my heart aching to leave him, but I knew he was right. With a heavy heart, I slipped away, finding a small boat and rowing as fast as I could.

From the distance, I watched the battle rage on. Blackbeard continued to fight valiantly, but eventually, he was overwhelmed. I saw him fall, his body riddled with wounds. Tears streamed down my face as I realized the Captain, my mentor and hero, was gone.

November 23, 1718

I escaped in the chaos, rowing away with tears in my eyes. The sounds of cannon fire and clashing swords echoed in my ears. Blackbeard’s death marked the end of an era, but his legend lives on. As I write this, I understand why he insisted I learn to read and write. It was so I could tell the world about Blackbeard, the greatest pirate who ever lived.

Blackbeard, my Captain, my mentor, my hero—he gave me the gift of knowledge and the burden of memory. Now, I carry his story in my heart, a tale of fearlessness, cunning, and an unyielding spirit.

Stories: Lieutenant Robert Maynard >