Ching Shih

Ching Shih

Ching Shih Ruled the South China Sea

Upon the remains of his tattered ship, a young Chinese sailor blinked in disbelief. Once a member of the decorated Chinese Navy, he now remained the defeated sole survivor of a dastardly battle with the Red Flag Fleet. But how could it be? The Red Flag were a group of pirates, led by the female madame Ching Shih!

Little did this young sailor know that Ching was a master of strategy and the art of war. But she wasn’t always an infamous outlaw– as a matter of fact, Ching once worked as a nameless face aboard a floating brothel that serviced other pirates traveling through the South China sea. It was here that Ching Shih learned the art of deception and negotiation, something that aided her later in her pirate career.

Ching was noticed one day by a famed Chinese pirate named Zheng Yi. Ching had garnished a reputation as a shrewd businesswoman, a desirable trait to a wealthy pirate like Zheng Yi. But Zheng found himself falling for more than just her financial savvy, for her charm and silver tongue entranced him into immediately offering her his hand in marriage! Ching gladly accepted, on one condition: that she would be granted co-captain of his massive fleet. Ching explained that due to her trade, she had learned secrets about her most wealthy and politically connected clients, giving Zheng significant leverage. He agreed without question. The two were destined to become pirate legends, ruling over the Red Flag Fleet with power and glory!

Or were they? For only six years into the marriage, Zheng passed under mysterious circumstances. His death was devastating to Ching, who had never dealt with such loss before. But despite her pain, Ching remained strong and stony-faced to the rest of the world. With her husband being gone, it meant that all of his assets were in limbo. But Ching was determined to never again be a nameless girl in a brothel. She gathered up all her might and declared herself the official captain of the Red Flag Fleet, now in control of thousands of vessels and the men that manned them. It was taboo for female pirates to be captains back in Ching’s time, but she was quick to garner the respect she needed — and became one of the most powerful pirate rulers of her time.

Ching demanded all the pirates underneath her command follow a strict code of conduct to keep them in line. Most pirates obeyed without question; the ones who disrespected their superiors ended up brutally beheaded! Ching also stated that taking women captive was strictly forbidden and would be met with death. Although she had a great deal of wealth and power, she could never forget the days working alongside her other girls. Under Ching’s rule, The Red Flag Fleet became undefeated. Not even the Chinese Navy could match her strength, with their own boats ripped to shreds. Her notoriety and capability as a ruler became legendary, even permeating popular culture today.

Logan Thompson

Logan Thompson

Author

Logan Thompson is a writer based in Atlanta, GA. Her credits include numerous films and award-winning games. She loves the excitement of video games and being able to choose your own destiny! When she isn’t writing, you can find her curled up on the couch with her cat (and best friend) Juliet.

Launched on Kickstarter!

box for pirate party women of the high seas card game. 2-4 players ages 10+
Pirate Party: Women of the High Seas

Ching Shih is one of six vibrant, diverse, historic women pirate captains with special powers in this new pirate card game for 2-4 players.

Race to collect sets of cards by suit that include a captain and crew or sets of 3-of-a-kind. Plunder, pillage and raid from other players to take the most pirate booty to win. There’s plenty of adventure, period ships, tresure and mermaid wild cards.  Just beware the Kraken!

 

Did you enjoy this sea story about a legendary women pirate captain? Which pirate captains would you like to hear about?  Let us know.

Pirate Party: Women of the High Seas has launched on Kickstarter!  Get exclusive first access to the game, game news, sea stories and more.  Subscribe today.

 

Pirate of the Caribbean

Pirate of the Caribbean

Ann Bonny pirates of the Caribbean pirate party card game women of the high seas famous female pirates

Anne Bonny – Pirate of the Caribbean

Anne Bonny was never “ladylike.” In fact, many fellows at their first glance wouldn’t have thought her to be a lady at all. With a loose tunic and men’s cap perched atop a thicket of fiery red hair, Anne sailed the high seas as one of the most ruthless female pirates in maritime history — all while disguised as a man!

Anne was no stranger to cross-dressing, for even as a child she wore boyish clothing; she had been posed as her father’s nephew to avoid the scandal of being born out of wedlock. But, in spite of these early hardships, Anne grew up to have a fierce and courageous temper. She would often find herself in fights as a teenaged girl, even beating up a suitor of hers! All of this disappointed her father deeply, but she knew that her own freedom and independence as a woman was paramount. She couldn’t be bothered with what others thought of her.

Eventually, Anne was whisked away to the Caribbean by a young sailor named James Bonny. They married without her father’s approval and Anne said her somber goodbyes to her childhood home. But her spirits were soon lifted — James introduced her to the twinkling blue seas and the warm, hearty glow of the pirate bars that dotted the coast. It was in those very bars that Anne found her true calling as a swashbuckling swindler, swapping stories and making merry with the men. But it was on one starry night in the Bahamas that Anne met a man who was different from the rest… that was the night Anne was introduced to a flamboyant pirate captain by the name of John Rackham, aka Calico Jack.

Jack, with his colorful fine fabrics and silver tongue, was unlike any pirate she had ever met before. Anne had never felt love for anyone before — but just looking at Jack’s smile made her heart flutter. The two instantly connected. Jack himself was attracted to Anne’s capability and strength as a woman, and Anne couldn’t help but to fall for his confident charm. It wasn’t long before rumors of their torrid affair spread throughout New Providence, but before poor sailor James could confront his wife about her relations to Jack, the two had set sail. Anne, determined to finally make a life of her own, became a member of Calico Jack’s crew and his right-hand woman!

Within no time, Anne was able to prove herself as a valuable member of the pirate crew. When a puny deckhand on Jack’s ship began to jabber about a female being aboard, Anne silenced him herself: by stabbing him through the heart with her blade. Afterwards, every member aboard The Ranger treated Anne with the utmost respect. It wasn’t long until Anne introduced another female crew member aboard, a young woman named Mary Read whose grit and ability to disguise herself as a man made her the perfect companion to Anne. Together, the two became pirate legends, and their names would go down in history!

Logan Thompson

Logan Thompson

Author

Logan Thompson is a writer based in Atlanta, GA. Her credits include numerous films and award-winning games. She loves the excitement of video games and being able to choose your own destiny! When she isn’t writing, you can find her curled up on the couch with her cat (and best friend) Juliet.

Coming to Kickstarter!

box for pirate party women of the high seas card game. 2-4 players ages 10+
Pirate Party: Women of the High Seas

Anne Bonny is one of six vibrant, diverse, historic women pirate captains with special powers in this twist on pirate card games.

Race to collect sets of cards by suit that include a captain and crew or sets of 3-of-a-kind. Plunder, pillage and raid from other players to take the largest pirate booty. If you are lucky, a mermaid may help you. Just beware the Kraken!

 

Did you enjoy this sea story about a legendary women pirate captains? Which pirate captain would you like to hear about?

Pirate Party: Women of the High Seas is coming to Kickstarter soon!  Follow along and get first access to the game and game news.