Ng Akew facts for kids

Ng Akew (Chinese: 吳亞嬌) was a remarkable woman from Hong Kong who lived in the 1800s. She was known for her business skills and became a wealthy property owner. Ng Akew was also involved in a famous mystery in 1849 that made her well-known at the time.

Ng Akew was a member of the Tanka people, who traditionally lived on boats. She worked with an American businessman named James Bridges Endicott. In 1849, Ng Akew started her own trading business, selling goods from her boats along the coast.

The 1849 Mystery

One day, Ng Akew's boat and its valuable goods were taken by pirates. Instead of giving up, she bravely traveled to the pirates' base to talk with them. She managed to negotiate with them to get some form of compensation for her lost goods.

Soon after this, an American ship was attacked by pirates, and its cargo was taken. Ng Akew was present during this event. Later, some of the goods from the attacked ship were found on Ng Akew's own boat. People wondered if she had arranged with the pirates to receive these goods as payment for what they had taken from her earlier.

The situation was very unusual, and it became a famous mystery in Hong Kong. Even though the events were puzzling, Ng Akew was not found guilty of any wrongdoing in court, and she was set free. The case showed her cleverness and ability to handle difficult situations.

Life as a Property Owner

After these events, James Bridges Endicott moved to Macao. He helped Ng Akew by giving her land in Hong Kong. With this land, she became a successful and wealthy owner of houses. Ng Akew passed away in 1880. Her story is an interesting example of a strong woman making her way in 19th-century Hong Kong.