Pirates

On December 10, 1718, Stede Bonnet, the “Gentleman Pirate,” was hanged in South Carolina. An unlikely buccaneer, Bonnet was born in 1688 in Barbados, orphaned at a young age and inherited a sizable plantation. By 1715, Bonnet was married and held the rank of major in the militia. In 1717, he gave up his life among the Barbadian planter elite, deserting his family to become a pirate. Full story...

Researchers have raised a 2,000-pound cannon from the wreck of the pirate Blackbeard's ship, which has been on the ocean floor off the North Carolina coast for nearly 300 years. Full story...

Bells, cannon and lead shot are among the items that will be on display when the North Carolina Maritime Museum opens the largest exhibit to date of artifacts from the wreck presumed to be the remains of Blackbeard's flagship. Full story...

Singer Dolly Parton is hoisting the Jolly Roger in Myrtle Beach as she opens her new dinner theater this weekend. Cacky talked exclusively with Parton this afternoon and will share that interview with you coming up on WWAY NewsChannel 3 at 5:30 p.m. Full story...

A piece of history has been raised from the pits of the ocean, and it’s the largest artifact that's ever been recovered from perhaps the most infamous pirate's flagship. Full story...

Pirates and their folklore have international appeal. Now a local group of archaeologists is partnering with UNCW and CFCC to dig into a wreck close to home. Full story...

New booty is going on display after it was collected from the shipwreck believed to be Blackbeard's pirate flagship. Full story...