Throughout the annals of Atlantic folklore and maritime history there tells a tale of an illustrious rogue, Captain Pamlico Jack Ferrell, known from the cold waters of New England to the aquamarine depths of the Carribean for his passion for pillaging, and his obsession for the cargo he so desperately sought... spices. Longing for the adventurous life on the open sea, (and having no better options as a poor lad), young Jack Ferrell signed on with none other than Captain John Rackham, better known as "Calico" Jack, a pirate so named for his penchant for colorful cotton garments as opposed to the velvets and silks so popular in that day. Working as a galley assistant under the renowned chef known only as "Frenchy" Miller, Jack soon found the thrill of adventure he was seeking, for Anne Bonny and Mary Read, women as fierce as any male pirates of their day, were also part of Rackham's crew. Those adventurers encountered the infamous William "Captain Kidd", whose ruthlessness appalled the young Jack, and the most notorious pirate in the history of seafaring, "Blackbeard". Jack's contemporaries found him quite clever as well as engaging when socializing with the ladies.
Jack's triumphs at sea soon found the young pirate with his own ship which he named the "Pamlico Pearl" for its ease in navigating the Outer Banks Pamlico Inlet (once located in this very vicinity) which cut through to the safer waters of the Pamlico Sound, separating these Outer Banks from the Carolina mainland. He also acquired a second ship, the "Scurvy Dog," which he turned over to his Pirate Chief, a dastardly sort, in order to double his bounty. The two ships continued to sail the seas engaging in piracy, even as Blackbeard was beheaded by Lt. Maynard in 1718 off Ocracoke Island, and "Calico" Jack was hung in 1720 in Jamaica, fates shared by many pirates of the day. Perhaps Jack's luck was due to his generosity and culinary expertise in the galley which he shared with anyone in need and many who weren't; his collection of fine wines and more spirited libation was a legend itself.
Jack's seafaring days were to end, however, when misgauging the incoming tide during a severe storm in the Great Western Ocean (as the Atlantic was then called), he sailed into what he thought was Pamlico Inlet only to find himself run hard aground, the storm taking down the "Scurvy Dog" and ultimately stranding the "Pamlico Pearl" here beside the restaurant bearing his name. The mounted maidenhead on the bow of the Pearl had failed to protect his ship, as was the belief in those times.
Being the resourceful cavalier he had always proved himself to be, Jack began a life as a "land pirate" and tavern proprietor, excelling in coastal hospitality. He also taught the local citizenry, whose lives were harsh indeed, the art of luring ships onto the shoals by leading a nag with a lantern around its neck, which appeared as a ship resting at safe anchor, and then pillaging the grounded vessels, yet providing ample food and libation to their stranded. He lived out his days in this fashion, beloved by many, revered by most, for his "spice of life" pirate's attitude...
Here's to the Pirate in Us All Which Brought Us All Here.
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