Biography:
Lo Hon-cho or Lo Honcho was a 20th-century Chinese pirate who left a lasting mark on the history of piracy. Her life and exploits continue to captivate historians and enthusiasts alike. Lo’s story begins with her marriage to a powerful pirate leader, whose fleet she would eventually command after his death in 1921.
Born around the turn of the century, Lo Hon-cho inherited her husband’s mantle and took charge of his fleet, much like the legendary Chinese woman pirate leader Zheng Yi Sao had done in the past. In her mid-20s at the time, Lo demonstrated remarkable leadership skills as she navigated the treacherous waters of piracy. Under her command, the fleet grew to an impressive 64 junks, surpassing even her husband’s previous achievements.
Lo’s raids primarily targeted the southern region of China, with a particular focus on the vicinity of Beihai. It was here that she earned a terrifying reputation for her ruthlessness. Surviving sources describe her as young, beautiful, and utterly ruthless. A news report from 1922 went as far as to label her as the most murderous and ruthless of all China’s assortment of banditti.
During her raids, Lo targeted villages and plundered them mercilessly, often capturing groups of 50 to 60 girls to be sold into sexual slavery. Such actions only added to her fearsome reputation as a pirate leader. However, it is worth noting that she did briefly ally herself with the Chinese military during the uprisings of the early 1920s. She joined forces with General Wong Min-Tong, who commanded 50 junks. Together, Lo and Wong collected a ransom from Beihai to prevent the city from being looted, showcasing Lo’s tactical prowess and ability to adapt.
Lo’s significance as a pirate leader went beyond her reputation and raiding skills. She received the unique distinction of being bestowed the rank of colonel, a testament to her influence and power within the piratical world. However, Lo’s career came to an abrupt end in October 1922, having commanded her fleet for less than a year. While feasting at a coastal village, she was caught off guard by a Chinese warship. In a valiant but unsuccessful battle, Lo lost 40 of her junks and was forced to flee.
With a promise of pardon for her capture, one of Lo’s own followers betrayed her, resulting in her apprehension. The exact fate of Lo Hon-cho remains a mystery, as surviving sources provide conflicting information. Some suggest that she may have been killed during her capture, with Richard Gordon McCloskey, a visitor to southern China in the 1930s, recounting that locals told him Lo was killed on a piratical expedition.
Regardless of her ultimate fate, Lo Hon-cho’s legacy and impact on piracy have endured. Some modern authors speculate that another pirate woman named Lai Choi San rose to power by seizing command of portions of Lo’s former fleet after her capture. This suggests that Lo’s influence extended beyond her time as a pirate leader, inspiring other women to take up the mantle and continue her legacy.