The Legend of Blackbeak

Born: Featherward Beach (1680) (presumed) Bristol, England

Nickname: Blackbeak

Species: Great black-backed (Larus marinus)

Years active: 1716 – to this day..

Rank: Gull Captain

Base of Operations: Atlantic, West Indies, A beach near you..

Commands: The Gull’s Revenge

 

In the early 1800’s, during the Golden Age of Piracy, buccaneers, privateers, and sailors of all kinds ruled the seas as precious cargo shipped across the ocean. As many men rose to great strength and power amidst the pirate warfare that resulted, another ruler of the sea also grew to great strength. Not man, nor colony, but a great entity of the sky…The seagull. 

At the time the sea was a way of life for many a man, as a result seagulls became one of man’s only friends. But as tension at sea arose, the seagull became man’s enemy. As the ocean traffic introduced a new diet to the animals of the sea, the gull grew from peaceful seafarer of the sky to pesky predator of the fry. As the Jolly Roger rose high above the mast of many ships before intense battle between great galleons and schooners, another form of warfare arose as battles between man and seagull soon followed.

Among the many great gulls and famous flocks in this time of history flew a notorious seagull so bold, so brazen, and so feared by man. A monstrous, battle-scarred behemoth of a gull, his wingspan is said to block out the sun, his screech is rumored to deafen any foe in his vicinity, and his beak razor sharp and accurate. This seagull, though many won’t dare to even whisper his name, was Featherward Beach, but most remember him simply as “Blackbeak”. 

As a pirate-gull, Blackbeak settled in New Providence, where he joined a flock, The Gull’s Revenge, and flew under the command of the famous Featherjam Hornigull. Together they dominated the seas as Blackbeak’s reputation preceded him. The rest is history.

Today, though no longer in pursuit of battle, ol’ Blackbeak is said to still be out there, soaring the seas. From the shores of New Providence to the beaches of the Jersey Shore, many still whisper his name in the shadowy corners of pubs or in the dark alleyways behind the boardwalk. Some claim to have caught a glimpse of him- perched tall over the awning of a Seaside Heights boardwalk Zeppole stand. Standing bold upon an Outer Banks sand dune. A swift beak seizing a Pringle as loot from a family picnic in the Key Largo sand. Soaring fast over the heads of crowded Wildwood beachgoers to beyond the sea. 

Many have tried to capture him, and many have died in their pursuit. Many claim he simply cannot be gaffed. Some say he is merely a myth..a fable used to strike fear in young brigantine deckhands..or your grandchildren when on vacation. We know he is out there, and we will never stop our pursuit of him. With our nets wound tight and our gaffs sharp, we will persevere. The Legend of Blackbeak lives on! Gaffs up for Blackbeak!