Spanish Invasion 1747

Illustration by Ann H. Hauman from Beaufort North Carolina by Mamré Wilson

During the 18th century Beaufort and the North Carolina coast were very vulnerable to attack. Blackbeard and other pirates passed through Beaufort Inlet at will.

Local historian Mamré Wilson wrote, “In the 1740s, Spanish privateers began roaming the coastal waters of North Carolina. At one point in 1741 they took possession of Ocracoke Inlet, seized ships coming into port, and were even so bold as to go ashore and take cattle from the inhabitants. They were eventually driven away, but the alarm was out to the government. The coastal towns were not set up to defend themselves. Yet nothing was done to fortify the various entrances to the state until later, after more incidents.”

On June 14 of 1747 several Spanish privateers from St. Augustine entered Beaufort harbor and made off with several small ships. At the time a militia of only thirteen men was posted in the town to protect the area.

Led by Major Enoch Ward, the militia held them off until August 26 when the Spanish took possession of the town. In early September Colonel Thomas Lovick and Captain Charles Cogdell gathered more men to finally rid the town of these invaders. It is said that without the help of close to 100 farmers and locals, the militia may not have prevailed.

48 Years Ago...Beaufort firemen play pirate in a reenactment - July 9, 1960. Jesse Chaplain sent names of men in this photo taken by Roy Eubanks.
First row: L to R - Norwood Gaskin, Bud Taylor, Gerald Woolard, Freddy Snooks, Bobby Hudgins and Elmond Rhue. Second row: L to R - Bud Smith, Jackie Chaplain (Jesse's fahter), Neal Willis (Linda Sadler's father), Allen Willis, Bryan Loftin, Joe Long and Frank Langdale. Click image to enlarge.