The Pirates of the South China Sea

It’s November 28th, 1809. The Imperial fleet in Tung Chung Bay is aflame. But the crew of Zheng I Sao’s ship watch on and cheer. This is the greatest victory of the Pirate Queen, scourge of the South China Sea. At its peak, her fleet was more than twice the size of the Spanish Armada. But who was Zheng I Sao? How did she become one of the most successful pirates of all time? And why did she go under the radar for so long?

This is a Short History of The Pirate Queen.

Written by Joel Duddell. With thanks to Dian Murray, historian, and author of Pirates of the South China Coast.

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