Sarah Downing

On This Day in Outer Banks History Sarah Downing

The Outer Banks is much more than an idyllic vacation destination. A day at a time through history, it has claimed its place as a colorful region of the Old North State. Author Sarah Downing offers a daily look at the quirky and fascinating stories of bygone OBX . During a fierce hand-to-hand battle off Ocracoke Island on November 22, 1718, Lieutenant Robert Maynard killed the infamous pirate Blackbeard with five pistol shots and twenty sword cuts and slashes. On February 14, 1992, a sick seal caught a ride to safety on a Coast Guard patrol boat. Read a story a day or month at time. Celebrate an entire year of The Outer Banks heritage.