Outer Banks to represent clear water and a ship ahead; the unsuspecting captain would then drive his ship ashore following this false light. The islands are home to herds of feral horses, sometimes called "banker ponies," which according to local legend are descended from Spanish Mustangs washed ashore centuries ago in shipwrecks. Populations are found on Ocracoke Island, Shackleford Banks, Currituck Banks, and in the Rachel Carson Estuarine Sanctuary. Ocracoke was the last refuge of pirate Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard. It is also where the infamous pirate was killed November 22, 1718 in a fierce battle with troops from Virginia.
Charles Harris (pirate) Charles Harris (pirate) Charles Harris (1698-1723) was an English pirate active in the 1720s. He is best known for his association with George Lowther and Edward Low. Harris was ship's mate and navigator aboard the logwood hauler "Greyhound" in January 1722 when it was seized by pirate George Lowther aboard the "Happy Delivery" between Honduras and Boston. The "Greyhound’s" captain Benjamin Edward fought Lowther for a time but eventually surrendered. In retaliation for their resistance the pirates killed many of the "Greyhound’s" crew; the remainder were forced aboard the "Happy Delivery". Unlike most of the crew, Charles Harris willingly signed