VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – A mysterious man-made island with a possible pirate connection in Virginia Beach’s Lake Joyce has piqued the interest of a local real estate attorney who recently bought the land to preserve it.
Hayden DuBay is determined to uncover the origins of “Blackbeard’s Island,” as it is referred to in its legal description, by digging up any possible artifacts it may contain through a self-funded archeological undertaking. But he faces an uphill battle as there are sparse clues to back up local pirate legends and healthy speculation among some historians who have yet to fully explore the island.
The Hampton Roads region has a rich pirate history. Cape Henry, at the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay, was known as a spot where pirates would lay in wait for merchant vessels laden with valuable cargo. Determining whether the island existed during the golden age of piracy from 1660 to 1730 is one of DuBay’s goals…