When 19th-century gangs called 'crimps' kidnapped men to work on board ships, what city was their most frequent destination?
James Kelly (crimper) James Kelly (crimper) James Kelly, better known as "Shanghai" Kelly, was an American crimp of the 19th century who kidnapped men and forced them to work on ships. The terms "crimping" and "shanghaiing" are used to describe this type of work. Kelly wore a red beard and had a fiery temper to match. A legendary figure in San Francisco history, Kelly was known for his gift of supplying or shanghaiing men to understaffed ships. Kelly kept a boarding house in San Francisco, variously reported to be on Pacific or Broadway. He also ran a number of bars including the Boston
Joseph Kelly (crimper) Joseph Kelly (crimper) Joseph "Bunko" Kelly was a Liverpudlian hotelier of the 19th century who kidnapped men and sold them to work on ships. The terms "Shanghaiing" and "crimping" are used to describe this type of activity. By his own account, he Shanghaied about 2,000 men and women during his 15-year career, beginning in 1879. Kelly, later called "The King of the Crimps", received his "Bunko" nickname in 1885 by providing a crewman that turned out to be a cigar store Indian. Kelly made $50 on the deal. In one infamous deal in 1893, he delivered 22 men who had