Israel Hands
Israel Hands | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Basilica Hands |
| Occupation | Pirate |
| Years active | Early 18th century (notably 1717–1719) |
| Known for | Second-in-command to Blackbeard; inspiration for a character in Treasure Island |
Israel Hands, sometimes referred to as Basilica Hands, was an infamous pirate from the 18th century, chiefly recognized as the second-in-command to Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard. His name served as inspiration for the villainous accomplice in Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 novel Treasure Island.
Biography
The earliest documentation of Hands dates back to 1718, when Blackbeard promoted him to captain of the seized vessel Adventure, taken from David Herriot. During the winter spanning 1717 to 1718, Blackbeard targeted maritime traffic near Vera Cruz, Mexico, and the Bay of Honduras. Around April 4 or 5, 1718, at Turneffe Atoll, Blackbeard overtook the ten-gun sloop Adventure, compelling its captain Herriot to join his crew. Subsequently, Blackbeard appointed Hands as captain of the Adventure and set course for North Carolina.
In June 1718, Blackbeard’s main ship, the Queen Anne's Revenge, ran aground at Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina. Hands attempted to assist with the Adventure in freeing the flagship but ended up grounding that vessel as well; both ships were ultimately abandoned. Blackbeard, Hands, and Stede Bonnet took half of their crew and sailed toward Ocracoke, leaving the remainder stranded.
According to Captain Charles Johnson’s account, Hands sustained a knee gunshot inflicted by Blackbeard during a confrontation but survived the injury. Following Blackbeard’s death on November 22, 1718—at the hands of Royal Navy forces led by Lieutenant Robert Maynard—Hands was recovering from his wound in Bath, North Carolina. He was later apprehended during a crackdown on pirates and brought to Williamsburg, Virginia, for trial.
In return for clemency, Hands provided testimony against corrupt North Carolina officials linked to Blackbeard. Documents from May 1719 reveal that Hands gave statements under duress while imprisoned.
What became of Hands afterward remains unclear. Captain Charles Johnson’s 1724 narrative claims he died destitute in London. Some theories propose he assumed the alias "Israel Hynde" and joined Bartholomew Roberts’ crew; Hynde was reportedly executed by hanging in April 1722 at Cape Coast Castle.
In popular culture
Israel Hands appears as a character in Robert Louis Stevenson's novel Treasure Island and its various adaptations, where he serves as the coxswain aboard the Hispaniola and is one of Long John Silver's pirates. Portrayed as Captain Flint's gunner, he engages in an extended fight with Jim Hawkins before being shot by the young protagonist.
Hands also features in Susan Brownrigg’s children’s book Kintana and the Captain's Curse and makes a brief appearance in the 2013 video game Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, where he delivers essential medicine to Nassau’s inhabitants.
Portrayals in film and television
- Mark Noble provides narration as Hands in the 2006 documentary Blackbeard: Terror at Sea.
- Anthony Green portrays Hands in the 2006 television film Blackbeard, where his character dies during combat.
- Irish actor David Wilmot depicts Hands in the fourth season of Starz's series Black Sails.
- Con O'Neill plays a fictionalized version named "Izzy" in the 2022 romantic comedy series Our Flag Means Death.
Adaptations in Treasure Island
- Portrayed by Joseph Singleton in the 1920 silent film adaptation.
- Played by Douglass Dumbrille in the 1934 version.
- Featured as Hands by Geoffrey Keen in 1950 and by Rod Taylor in the 1954 sequel Long John Silver; despite initial claims of his demise, Hands is revealed to be alive.
- Depicted by Aldo Sambrell in the 1972 rendition.
- Acted by Patrick Troughton in the 1977 miniseries.
- Portrayed by Gennadi Yukhtin in the 1982 film adaptation.
- Played by Jean-François Stévenin in the 1985 version.
- Michael Halsey took on the role in 1990.
- Dermot Keaney appeared as Hands in 1999.
- In Disney's 2002 animated feature Treasure Planet, Hands is a minor character—a four-armed pirate voiced by Mike McShane—who meets his end after Dr. Doppler causes their platform to collapse. The main antagonist role is instead assigned to another pirate named Scroop.
- In the 2012 miniseries, Hands was portrayed by Geoff Bell.
External links
- When Blackbeard Scourged the Seas, History.org
- National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service
- Scientists Show Relics From Ship Fit For Pirate, Possibly Blackbeard, Chicago Tribune