Shap-ng-tsai facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shap-ng-tsai
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Reputed flag of Shap-ng-tsai, c. 1849
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| Piratical career | |
| Years active | 1845–1859 |
| Base of operations | Dianbai, China |
| Later work | Officer in Chinese military |
Shap-ng-tsai (Chinese: 十五仔) was a Chinese pirate who sailed the South China Sea from about 1845 to 1859. He was one of the most well-known pirates of his time, alongside Chui A-poo. Shap-ng-tsai led a fleet of about 70 junks, which are traditional Chinese sailing ships. His main base was in Dianbai, a place about 180 miles west of Hong Kong.
Villages along the coast and traders often paid Shap-ng-tsai to keep their ships and towns safe from attacks. If Chinese navy ships chased him, he sometimes captured them. The Chinese government offered him a chance to stop being a pirate and become an officer in their military. At first, he said no, but he later accepted the offer. This helped him avoid trouble with the law.
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Shap-ng-tsai's Pirate Career Ends
Shap-ng-tsai was believed to be responsible for sinking one American ship and three British merchant ships in the spring of 1849. These events led to a major effort to stop his pirate activities.
The Hunt for Shap-ng-tsai's Fleet
In September of that year, a group of Royal Navy ships sailed to Dianbai. They found about 100 ships that Shap-ng-tsai's pirates had captured and were holding. However, the main pirate fleet was not there.
The Battle of Tonkin River
The chase continued into October. Three British ships and eight Chinese navy junks followed the pirates to the islands and waterways near Haiphong, Vietnam. They fought the pirates for three days in what is known as the Battle of Tonkin River.
After this long battle, reports said that fifty-eight pirate junks were destroyed. These pirate ships were carrying 1,200 cannons and had 3,000 crew members. Shap-ng-tsai managed to escape the battle with six smaller junks and about 400 of his men.
Becoming a Government Officer
Eventually, Shap-ng-tsai gave up his life as a pirate. He surrendered to the Chinese government. He then accepted the military position they had offered him earlier. This marked the end of his time as a pirate.
See also
