Popular literature and the public’s imagination have long perpetuated the notion that the notorious pirate buried his ill-gotten wealth, perhaps on Ocracoke Island.
Island centenarian and a pirate shared a name, maybe more
William Howard, who purchased Ocracoke Island back in 1759, had the same name as a notorious pirate who, decades earlier, was Capt. Benjamin Hornigold’s quartermaster and sailed with Blackbeard, but was this mere coincidence or were they one and the same?
Historic Lighthouse Lens’ Odyssey Continues
The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse’s lens is now on display at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, but its location was a mystery for more than a century.
Mother Gives Birth During U-Boat Attack
A mother seeking safety in the U.S. from Hitler’s army gives birth to a baby boy born in a lifeboat off Cape Hatteras in 1942, after surviving a torpedo attack.
Burnside’s Miracle Happens in Hatteras Inlet
In the last of a three-part series, author Kevin Duffus writes about the “miracle” that saved Ambrose Burnside and his crew during the January 1862 Hatteras Expedition.
Burnside Faces Maelstrom of Hatteras Inlet
In the second of a three-part series, author Kevin Duffus writes about Ambrose Burnside and crew’s battle against natural forces during the January 1862 Hatteras Expedition.
Burnside Armada Battles Sea at Hatteras Inlet
Ambrose Burnside’s Hatteras Expedition, which took place 159 years ago this month, was a battle fought not with Confederates but the more powerful forces of nature.
History Illuminated: Hatteras Light’s 150 Years
Author, researcher and contributor Kevin Duffus shares his findings that depict the the story of what he calls “America’s lighthouse” and the people connected to it.
Blackbeard, Crew Were Pawns In Failed Coup
Author Kevin Duffus writes that pirate historians have failed to consider Blackbeard and his crew were unwitting pawns caught up in what turned out to be a failed political coup.
Blackbeard’s Final Battle: Sorting Facts, Fiction
The truth about Blackbeard’s Battle at Ocracoke conflicts with popular interpretations and numerous published accounts, according to author Kevin Duffus.
Cape Fear Lifesavers’ Daring 1893 Rescue
The second in a two-part series by author Kevin Duffus takes readers along with the Cape Fear lifesavers to save the crew from the wreckage of the Charles C. Dame on Frying Pan Shoals.
Saving the Crew of the Charles C. Dame
Author Kevin Duffus takes readers to the 1890s in this two-part series that looks at the U.S. Life-Saving Service and the daring rescues during dangerous storms by its crews on the North Carolina coast.
NC’s First Lighthouse Keeper and His Wife
Keeper Henry Long first illuminated Cape Fear Lighthouse on Dec. 23, 1794, historian Kevin Duffus writes, but briefly after his untimely death his widow unofficially assumed duty.
Lost History: Search For Village Abandoned
Archaeologists point to land on the west side of Bath Creek as the likely site of the Native American village Secotan, but despite evidence, study here abruptly ended.
Mapping Pamlico Sound: The Secotan Site
In our continuing series on the July 1585 circumnavigation of Pamlico Sound, historian Kevin Duffus shares his evidence pointing to the Native American village of Secotan’s location.
The 1585 Circumnavigation of Pamlico Sound
Historian Kevin Duffus writes in the first part of his Crossing The Threshold of History series about the 1585 circumnavigation of Pamlico Sound by the English to create a map of the estuary and a visual record of those who lived there.
