The sleepy village of Bath sprang to life whenever the notorious Blackbeard sailed into port. Historic Bath will recreate a pirate encampment July 16, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., to highlight the routines of pirates in a free program. The focus will be on the victorious visit of Royal Navy Lt. Robert Maynard to Bath fresh off the defeat and death of Blackbeard.
Activities start with the arrival of the pirate crew at the state dock at 11 a.m., re-enacted by the Devilmen of Cape Fear and narrated by Stan Atamanchuk, author of "Blackbeard's Fun Pirate Talk." Weapons will roar with demonstrations at the pirate encampment on the Palmer-Marsh grounds. Medical practices and shipboard life also will be shown at that location.
Period sailing ships will be featured as the Periauger and its crew will come from the N.C. Maritime Museum in Beaufort. The colonial ship has two masts and is propelled by oars and sails. This vessel was constructed at the Maritime Museum and is the type of ship commonly used to navigate the sounds and rivers of eastern North Carolina.
A memorial service for the lost British Royal Navy sailors and lost pirate crew members will conclude the day's activities at the state dock at 4 p.m.
For additional information, please call (252) 923-3971. Historic Bath is within the Division of State Historic Sites, part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.