PERILOUS VOYAGE:  THE MANILA GALLEONS

The Spanish were mining silver on the Mexican Pacific coast and getting it back to Spain meant overland travel through desert and jungle till they they reached the Gulf of Mexico.

Ships tried to sail directly from Manila to the New World but were thwarted by the winds 

Finally, a friar navigator (love that) reasoned that Pacific winds may blow in a circular pattern and sailed North to the latitude of Japan, where he caught the Westerly wind and was also aided by the Kuroshio Current. On the return journey, he sailed South and then turned towards home.

The ships, built of Manila teak, were huge. They carried Chinese silks and porcelain and slaves (rebellious Moros, who are still fighting to this day) and the Westward crossing took 4 or 5 months. 

They would make landfall around San Francisco, sail down the coast to Acapulco, load up with silver and return via the Marianas -- which was a quicker trip.

Once in Manila, the silver was shipped to Spain in smaller vessels, occasionally running the gauntlet of Chinese and other pirates 

Provisioning was vital, as a Manila Galleon could get becalmed.  One ship arrived on the American coast after 6 months with 350 of the 400 aboard dead from thirst (can you imagine the struggle for water?). 

The Manila Galleons sailed this route for a couple of centuries.

PIRATE QUEEN

 

She was Chinese.  One account says she was a courtesan.  Another claims that she worked in a floating brothel.  Whatever the truth, Ching Shih certainly came from a humble background – but her beauty caught the attention of a pirate chieftain, Zheng Yi. 

 

She married him in 1801 and took the name Zheng Yi Sao (wife of Zheng Yi) and helped her husband form a confederacy of pirates that terrorized the South China Sea.  The fleet they assembled grew to 400 ships and 40,000 men.  China at the time was ruled by the Quing Dynasty, whose navy fought the pirates often, but without much success.

 

Six years passed and then Zheng Yi was drowned in a terrible storm.  His wife took command of the fleet – no mean feat as she had to be personally brave, politically astute, and ruthless when required.

 

Under her leadership the fleet swelled to 600 plus ships and 70,000 men.  They raided as far as Macau and Portuguese ships were a favourite target.   British merchantmen were few, but they fell victim as well.

 

Zheng Yi Sao also instilled military style discipline amongst her pirate warriors.  Booty was carefully accounted for and shared.  Women captives were protected – and sexual assault was punishable by death.  Stealing from villagers who supported the pirates was also a capital offence.

 

Unlike Western pirates like Black Beard, who had two or three ships flying the Jolly Roger, Zeng Yi Sao conducted fleet actions – like an admiral.  On one occasion she sank 35 warships of the provincial governor. 

 

Another major attack defeated the Quing navy and she gained access to the Pearl River – allowing her to sail deep inland and attack villages and towns.  Soon many towns were paying her tribute to avoid trouble, as were the coastal merchants and fishermen. 

 

The Quing Dynasty, in desperation, made an alliance with the Portuguese.  They were even seeking aid from the Royal Navy.  Zheng Yi Sao was wise leader and saw the writing on the wall.  Western ships were faster and has superior cannons.  So, she made a deal....

 

...negotiating with the Quing authorities, she agreed to lay down arms – provided she could keep all her wealth and that amnesty be granted to 1,433 pirates under her personal command.  She was given land near Canton, where she built a very successful gambling house and lived in comfort for the rest of her life. 

 

Zheng Yi Sao died at the age of 68 in 1844 having outlived her second husband.  She is the most successful pirate in history.