Hornigold gave up piracy in 1717, allowing Teach to take charge of his own vessel. Teach became well-known for his brutal methods anstta kngd menacing appearance. By carrying lit fuses in his beard during fights, he developed a menacing persona and gained the nickname "Blackbeard.". He had one of the most potent pirate ships of all time in the Queen Anne's Revenge, her flagship, which had forty guns.