Shanghaiing


Shanghaiing is the act of kidnapping or coercing individuals to work as sailors on a ship, often through the use of drugs or alcohol. This practice was common in the 19th century and was particularly prevalent in port cities such as Shanghai, China. The kidnapped individuals, known as 'shanghaied', were often forced to work long hours under harsh conditions and were not paid for their labor. Shanghaiing was illegal, but it was difficult to prosecute those involved due to the transient nature of the sailors and the complicity of some ship captains and crew members. The practice eventually declined with the advent of steamships and the increased use of professional sailors.


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