Beaufort repels pyrates

BEAUFORT - In August 1747, Beaufort's population was hardly the size it is today, but when Spanish privateers invaded the harbor, a local militia, joined by townsfolk and farmers, was there to fight them off.

"When the (pirates) came back, they were ready," said Beaufort resident Helen Mason, recalling the history of her hometown.

A reenactment of that day was resurrected Saturday in downtown Beaufort, with a warmer welcome for the pirates that took over the town.

The Beaufort Pyrate Invasion, an event last held in 1983, returned with a pirate invasion on water that drew a crowd to the shoreline along Taylors Creek and a pirate encampment at the Beaufort Historic Site that put the pirates on display.

While a few pirates were captured as the town again held off its invaders by water, most wandered freely around town as they posed for pictures with visitors to the event and gave demonstrations for the public.

And the townsfolk and visitors joined in, with kids and adults donning pirate costumes, from the basic eye patch and sword to the complete head-to-toe look.

The Age of Piracy had a real place in Beaufort's history and the Pyrate Invasion was a chance to showcase that past, Mason said.

"There were pirates here many, many years ago. They traveled this area and it's just fascinating," she said during a stop by the pirate encampment.

Mason attended the Pyrate Invasions that were held in the town 25 years ago and recalls the excitement they generated then.

"I'm so glad they decided to bring it back. I think it is something that will continue," she said.

The pirate encampment included living history groups such as Blackbeard's Crew from Hampton, Va., whose members gave the public a glimpse at a how pirates lived and looked.

"We're not Hollywood," said Ben Cortez, known as Don Juan Cortez. "This is the way we dress; this is the way we live."

There were displays of everyday life, such as the open-fire cooking required in camp and the tents that were home, as well as sword-fight demonstrations and weapon displays, including an example of the swiveling rail gun that could be heard firing from the Beaufort-based Meka II as it led the invasion of the harbor.

But the image of murder and mayhem that can be associated with pirates isn't necessarily an accurate one, according to Hatchet Meg, a member of Blackbeard's Crew.

"Most of them took what they needed from a ship; they were trying to make a living the best they could," she said.

While she was dressed as a Colonial civilian on this day, it's a pirate's life she prefers, and hanging from the holster around her waist was the weapon from which she gets her name.

"I don't go anywhere without me hatchet," she said.

A pirate's life seemed appealing to many of the youngest visitors to the event.

Krystie Webb, 6, of Harlowe, ranked pirates right up with Hannah Montana, whom was depicted on the T-shirt she wore along with a pirate bandana on her head and sword at her side.

"I like everything," when asked what she liked most about pirates.

Her cousin, Brittan Joyner, 7, of Rocky Mount, who came dressed complete with pirate hat and braids, didn't answer right away but apparently had given the pirates close observation.

"I like the way they walk," he said, referring to their confident swagger.