Israel Hands showed a crate of medicine needed for the population of Nassau to Blackbeard, leading him to hold hostages at Charleston. Israel Hands Israel Hands was an 18th-century pirate, also known as Basilica Hands. He is best known for being second in command to the infamous pirate Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard. Hands' first historical mention was in 1718, when Blackbeard gave him command of David Herriot's ship "Adventure" after Herriot was captured by Teach in March 1718. During the winter of 1717–1718 Blackbeard harassed shipping sailing to and from the port of Vera Cruz, Mexico and traversing the Bay
Edmund Cooke (pirate) Edmund Cooke (pirate) Edmund Cooke (fl. 1673–1683, also named Edward / Edmond or Cook) was a merchant captain, buccaneer, and pirate. He is best known for sailing against the Spanish alongside Bartholomew Sharp, John Coxon, Basil Ringrose, Lionel Wafer, and other famous buccaneers. Cooke’s flag was red-and-yellow striped and featured a hand holding a sword. Cooke’s 130-ton merchant vessel "Virgin" was bound to Jamaica from London when Irish pirate Philip Fitzgerald, who was serving the Spanish in the Caribbean, seized it in May 1673. Fitzgerald accused Cooke of transporting logwood – which the Spanish considered contraband – and took the