Pirate Battles and Attacks
Pirate Battles and Attacks
Pirates typically stayed close to shore and rarely attacked vessels far out to sea. Preferring a guaranteed success, they often would attack smaller vessels, even if that meant less plunder. Lying in wait behind crags and among fishing fleets allowed them to ambush stationary targets, which were much easier prey than moving ones. Pirates usually used smaller vessels such as rowboats or sampans to launch attacks on anchored or becalmed vessels. They also used sampans for raids on coastal villages and for expeditions along inland rivers.
The most tempting targets were the large trading junks of the Southern Ocean. These are most likely the famed junks developed under the Ming Dynasty. These ships could reach up to 1,500 tons and appear to be colossally scaled up versions of typical junks. These were trading junks that were sent on trade and political expeditions around the Indian Ocean and to the eastern coast of Africa. Pirates situated around the south coast of China would have reveled in the plunder from these huge trading vessels. However, these were usually very well defended. One such vessel was called the cao chuan [trough junk]. It had two or three masts with crews of around 80 sailors. These ships sat high in the water and made boarding them difficult. The hulls were also shielded with layers of ox hides and fishing nets in order to deflect cannon shot. These trading vessels were armed with cannon and various other weaponry and frequently exceed Qing regulations.
In order to overtake such large and well-defended vessels, pirates often had to resort to deception such as sending two or three decoy ships. Records tell of pirates who disguised themselves as ferrymen or fisherman. Sometimes pirates would hire out local fishing junks to scout out victims. Another well practiced tactic was to run their boats alongside the victim's ship, fire a volley of cannon or musket shot, then shower the ship with 'a great quantity of stink-pots' to set the sails on fire. Once the victim's ship was disabled, the pirates would jump aboard with their knives and spears to take command. More often though, it was the mundane coasting and fishing vessels that pirates attacked. Generally tiny vessels with crews of fewer than ten men, often with only two or three. These were generally poorly armed, if at all. Making these easy target even for small gangs of pirates.
Cannons were rarely used on victims unless they were within close range. In order to coordinate their movements during battle, pirates established some basic signals, such as recall and chase, but their small rowboats could deliver messages so quickly that a more elaborate system was unnecessary. To signal for the fleet to get underway, one hoisted the mainsail. Whenever the flagship was attacked or retreated, the rest of the fleet followed suit.18
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