Disclaimer: I do not own Deadliest Warrior
NARRATOR: Blackbeard. Legendary pirate, that terrorized the Caribbean and colonies, collecting riches and taking names for 2 years.
(Blackbeard and his crew boarding a ship, sounds of yelling, swords clashing, and guns being fired)
Ching Shih. Prostitute turned pirate, ruling the Red Flag Fleet and the Chinese seas, defeating all foes that came her way.
(Red Flag Fleet, 300 strong, approaching a smaller fleet, cuts to firey balls being flung into ships, and pirates fighting with traditional Chinese weapons)
WHO...IS...DEADLIEST?!
To find out, our world class fighters are testing history's most lethal weapons. Using 21st century science, we'll see what happens when two warriors go toe-to-toe. No rules, no safety, no mercy. It's a duel to the death to decide who is… THE DEADLIEST WARRIOR!
Here at the fight club, we've gathered a team of scientists, doctors, and military operatives, to test 2 of the most notorious pirates to sail the seven seas:
BLACKBEARD:
1716-18 A.D
Age: 37
Height: 6'5''
Weight: 220 lbs
CHING SHIH:
1807-10 A.D
Age: 34
Height: 5'2''
Weight: 125 lbs
DESMOULIN: I'm so excited for this battle! For the first time, we're gonna be bringing naval ships into this! Were gonna be comparing the legendary Queen Anne's Revenge against the war junks Ching Shih used.
DR. DORIAN: I'm gonna give my edge to Blackbeard, if only because of the man himself. He's HUGE, especially for the day, and before he was a pirate, he was in the the Navy. Ching Shih is a very petite woman, and she was a prostitute before she rose to power.
DESMOULIN: I'd have to disagree with you. Ching was cunning. Sure, she was a prostitute, but she was extremely cunning. Within a couple years, she was one of the most powerful people in China, and not even the British Navy could subdue her. While Blackbeard was killed after 2 years of pirating, Ching Shih retired and became a successful business woman.
GIEGER: Ching Shih was around about 90 years after Blackbeard was, but she was in a poor environment, and her crew usually used traditional weapons. However, she was excellent at what she did. Ching had a very strict code, whereas Blackbeard was a bit more disorganized, and only had a small crew. I think it's a tossup.
NARRATOR: Representing Blackbeard are Michael Triplett and David Hernandez, the same two who were one the Pirate team in season one.
And representing Ching Shih is Phillip Dang, a competitive Wushu champion, and Da-Xia Lin, a Ching Shih expert.
For the first test, the 2 pirates bring their close range weapons of choice. Ching Shih brings to the table 2 swords: the Jian and the Dao.
JIAN:
Length: 28 inches
Weight: 2 lbs
Double-edged
Steel
DAO:
Length: 36 inches
Weight: 2.5 lbs
Single edged
Curved blade
DA-XIA: Ching Shih and her pirates used 2 types of swords. The Jian was a shorter, more graceful sword, that was used by people with power. The Jian took skill to wield, and was an excellent trusting weapon.
PHILLIP: The Dao was more like a sabre. It was longer, and great at slashing. It was a bit easier to wield, since it was longer and did more damage.
NARRATOR: Blackbeard strikes back with…
CUTLASS:
Length: 26 inches
Weight: 2 lbs
Single-edged
Steel
MICHAEL: The cutlass was the tried and true weapon of the seas. It was robust, so you could cut ropes, canvas, and whatever else you would need to cut, but it was also compact enough to use in a crowded or confined space. Perfect for a ship raid.
NARRATOR: To test these swords, the experts will have to go through a gauntlet of carcasses. First, they will have to slash into a pig, then go into a narrow hallway, where they will have to stab a side of beef, and slash another pig in the confined space, to simulate the cramped environment of a ship.
First up is Michael, confidently wielding the cutlass.
DESMOULIN: 3… 2… 1… HACK EM' UP!
Michael winds up and slashes the pig carcass one handed, cutting it clean in half. He then hustles into the hallway and carries his momentum into the side of beef, plunging the blade hilt-deep into it. However, when he has to back up to pull the blade out. He then approaches the last pig with the same vigor, and slashes diagonally across the chest, leaving a wide gash across it.
DORIAN: So let's look at this first slash (as everyone chuckles). So obviously you cut him in half. His spine, guts, and aorta are all cut in half.
This thrust is a kill, it would go right through anyone you stabbed, especially someone as small as Ching Shih. I did notice how you struggled to take the blade out though. That could hurt you if one of their friends was around.
This last slash is surprisingly deep for the short windup you had. This wound broke the rib cage, cut deep into the lung, and nicked the aorta. This person may not die right away, but they would be completely incapacitated, so they're as good as dead.
NARRATOR: Up next is Phillip with the Dao.
DESMOULIN: 3… 2… 1… KILL EM'!
Phillip skillfully approaches the first pig and yells as he slashes, cutting the pig clean in half. He then advances into the hallway, where he stops short of the pig carcass and trusts. The blade goes a few inches into the meat, and Phillip pulls the blade out with ease. When he get to the last carcass, he awkwardly raises the Dao and lets out a roar as he swings down onto the pig's shoulder, disconnecting the leg and causing the head to slump to the side.
DORIAN: Like the cutlass,your full swing cut the pig in half. This is an overkill.
Your thrust was good. You definitely went deep enough to kill, but still made it easy to draw your blade out.
The last strike is where we start to see trouble. You seemed a little awkward with your windup in the confined space. Your blow was still plenty lethal, severing this arm and cutting into the top of the heart.
NARRATOR: To test the Jian, Da-Xia will demonstrate its capabilities on a ballistics gel torso.
Da-Xia calmly raises the Jian and slashes the neck of the gel, cutting deep into it, turning the yellow gel red. As the crew cheers, she trusts the blade deep into its chest, and effortlessly draws it out. For a final strike, Da-Xia cuts into the right side of the gel.
DORIAN: Your first slash cuts deep into the neck, severing the carotid artery. All his blood would be on the floor in a minute.
This stab was perfectly placed. It went right in between the ribs, and hits the heart and lung. This guy's blood can't pump, and his lung is collapsed. Another kill shot.
The slash into his side is not as devastating as the last. You nicked the kidney, and got some of the intestine. However, it doesn't seem like this is a killshot. This person would still be able to fight.
(Guys go to determine the edge)
DESMOULIN: I think Ching Shih gets the edge here. While the cutlass seemed better in a confined environment, you get reach with the Dao and precision with the Jian.
DORIAN: I agree. Da-Xia's precision with the Jian was very impressive. The Dao was a bit more awkward than the cutlass, but had the reach advantage, and was equally as deadly. Edge, Ching Shih.
NARRATOR: For close range, Ching Shih's Dao and Jian combination has the edge over Blackbeard's Cutlass.
EDGE: CHING SHIH
NARRATOR: Next, we will test the long range weapons of these pirates.
Ching Shih's long range death-dealer is the Ban Jiu Jiao Chong Musket.
BAN JIU JIAO CHONG:
Length: 39 inches
Weight: 9 lbs
Caliber: .53
Matchlock
DA-XIA: The Ban Jiu Jiao Chong was a short matchlock musket commonly used by Chinese pirates. Ban Jiu Jiao Chong is Chinese for "Wild pigeon leg musket", since it looks like a pigeon sleeping on one leg when it's on a stand. Since it lacks a stock, it was usually used with a stand.
DAVID: That pigeon gun has nothing on the tried and true musket of the world.
BROWN BESS MUSKET:
Length: 58
Weight: 10.5 lbs
Caliber: .75
Flintlock
NARRATOR: To test these 2 early firearms, the team has devised a test to determine the accuracy and rate of fire of the 2 muskets.
DESMOULIN: Alright! To see which of these guns is better, you have 4 targets 100 feet away, 2 moving, to standing still. The clock starts when you get your first shot off. This test will determine how fast you can reload your gun, and how accurate you are.
NARRATOR: up first is Phillip with the Ban Jiu Jiao Chong.
DESMOULIN: Whenever you're ready, Phillip!
Phillip takes aim at a stationary target, musket on a firing stand, and fires, starting the clock. The bullet connects, striking the dummy in the chest, causing red liquid to spill out of the hole. Phillip takes gun off the stand, letting it fall to the ground, as he tries to quickly reload the musket. After 51.3 seconds, he finishes reloading, sets up the stand, and fires, hitting a moving target. He repeats this 2 more times, his reloading averaging 48.5 seconds, and stops the clock with a shot into another dummies chest.
(Guys go to determine the damage)
DORIAN: Your first shot is perfect, right into the aorta. This would put him down, and he's dead in about 1 minute.
Your shot on the moving target his right next to the shoulder. This may not be a kill shot, as you missed any vital organs, but you incapacitated his right arm.
NARRATOR: The other 2 shots are kill shots into the chest.
Up next is David, using the Brown Bess Musket.
DESMOULIN: Clock starts on you, David!
David aims, and quickly fires, hitting a stationary dummy in the mid-section. His reload is faster and more confident than Phillip's, finishing in 43.8 seconds. He aims, and fires at a moving dummy, hitting square in the chest. He repeats this 2 more times, and finishes with a shot into the head of the last dummy.
(Guys go to determine the damage)
DORAIN: Your shot is very similar to Phillip's, right into the aorta.
Your headshot was quite impressive, right under the nose, and came out the back of his neck. This guy is dead before he hits the ground.
NARRATOR: Like Phillip, the other 2 shots are kill shots into the chest.
DESMOULIN: Alright you two. Phillip, you killed 3 of the targets in 4:47.7. Your average reload time was 48.5 seconds.
David, you killed all 4 of the targets in 3:58.2. Your reload time was 41.3 seconds. Which means that the Brown Bess was faster and more accurate.
DAVID: Pirates were used to using muskets, and most could reload much faster than I could. To my knowledge, Chinese pirates were not as skillful with their weapons.
NARRATOR: But there's more to a gun than accuracy and speed. Being in the ocean, weapons will often be exposed to wet environments. In this next test, the team will determine how effective these guns are at staying functional when wet.
DESMOULIN: Obviously, if we get the gun wet when you're reloading it, it's not going to work. So we're gonna mist you when the gun is fully loaded and primed. David, you're going first.
After loading the gun, Desmoulin mists David with a hose, as everyone laughs at his obvious discomfort at getting wet.
When Desmoulin gives the word, David pulls the trigger, and the gun goes off.
DAVID: The reason that this gun actually worked is that all the powder is covered, so as long as it's loaded before it gets wet, you're good.
NARRATOR: Up next Phillip will use the Matchlock.
When Phillip loads the gun, Desmoulin mists him with a hose.
Phillip aims, pulls the trigger, and nothing but an audible click happens. To fix the problem, he relights the wick, dumps out the powder in the pan, then puts more dry powder in. He pulls the trigger again, and after a short delay, the gun goes off.
(Back at the studio)
DESMOULIN: So the reason that the flintlock worked and the matchlock didn't is back here.
(Holds up the Brown Bess)
The pan is covered up, and the spark is created by friction when you pull the trigger, so the spark isn't put out.
(Holds up the matchlock)
On this one, there has to be a lit wick, and the pan isn't covered up. When the gun gets wet, the wick will be extinguished, and the powder gets wet.
(Guys go to determine the edge)
DESMOULIN: The edge obviously goes to the Brown Bess. It's more accurate, on account of the longer barrel and butt stock. It has a bigger caliber. And, it's better suited for a wet environment, which is very common on a ship. Edge: Brown Bess.
NARRATOR: For long range weapons, the edge goes to blackbeard for the Brown Bess musket.
EDGE: BLACKBEARD
NARRATOR: For the first time on deadliest warrior, we will be looking at the naval vessels that these two notorious pirates of the seven seas commanded.
Blackbeard brings his signature ship, the Queen Anne's Revenge.
QUEEN ANNE'S REVENGE:
Frigate
103 feet long
40 cannons
10 knots
MICHAEL: The QAR is the most famous pirate ship ever. It was originally a ship for the Royal Navy, then the French captured it and turned it into a slave ship. Then Blackbeard captured it and renamed it as a nod to his service under Queen Anne in the Navy. He retrofitted it with 40 cannons, of various sizes.
(Gestures to table, where a variety of cannonballs and shots are)
DAVID: The heaviest of the bunch were a few 18-pound cannons, meant for taking down ships. Most of the cannons were anywhere between 6-pounders to ½- pounders. However, what Blackbeard would do is aim the cannons right above the deck, and load the cannons with various, nasty stuff, like broken glass, nails, and chains. That way he could raid the ship, but kill a lot of the crew and make it easier.
NARRATOR: Ching Shih used a special vessel unique to China: The War Junk.
WAR JUNK:
5 mast Junk
165 feet long
12 carronades
Wind Channeling Sails
DA-XIA: The junk was a very unique, effective ship, despite its name. They tended to be larger than most ships, and they had very special sails. The way they are shaped, it allows the sails to catch wind and direct it into other sails in the direction you want to go. This allows you to keep good speed no matter what direction the wind is blowing. Most war junks had carronades, which were essentially short, powerful cannons.
DESMOULIN: Unfortunately, we can't get ships this size, equip them with cannons, and have a big naval battle. So we have to leave a lot to the imagination and historical documents. BUT, we do have some cannons, and we can see what they do against flesh and the hull of a ship.
NARRATOR: First we're testing a 6-pound cannon that was found on the Queen Anne's Revenge. We have a panel of what a junk hull would be like.
DESMOULIN: So junk hulls were usually made from softwoods, like pine. However if we come over here:
(goes to the side of the hull, revealing multiple layers)
The hull is built similarly to bamboo, with many cross beams and layers, but we'll see how it fairs against a cannonball.
NARRATOR: The crew sets up a 6-pound cannon, like what would be found on the Queen Anne's Revenge. After loading the artillery, Michael stands ready to light.
DESMOULIN: RANGE IS HOT! 3… 2... 1... FIRE IN THE HOLE!
Michael lights the fuse, and a deafening BOOM! resounds, followed by a thick cloud of smoke.
(Guys go check the damage)
DESMOULIN: I can see right through that hole, so it seems like the hull didn't do much to stop the cannonball.
DORIAN: If you come to the back here, there's a lot of wood missing around the exit, so this actually damaged the area substantially around the hole itself.
NARRATOR: But Blackbeard's signature was loading the cannons with shrapnel, then aiming them at the crew, rather than the ship. To test this scatter-shot, we have 6 dummies, arranged in 2 rows, 50 feet away. This will test the penetration and spread, as well as the lethality of this tactic.
(David demonstrates the different shrapnel)
DAVID: Broken glass, musket balls, broken chains, nails, anything they could find.
David puts the assorted shrapnel in a burlap bag, then the crew loads the cannon, inserting the bundle into the barrel.
DESMOULIN: RANGE IS HOT! 3… 2... 1... FIRE IN THE HOLE!
David sets off the cannon, and another loud BOOM! Sounds off, followed by the accompanying smoke cloud. When it clears, some of the dummies are knocked over, some with blood streaming down them.
(Guys go to determine the damage)
DORIAN: 2 of these guys were knocked over but the force of being hit, and you can see why. They have chains and glass shards all inside them.
This guy caught a few nails in the face. This is another kill.
So you killed 3 of the 6, but all of these guys are ruined, and the survivors would probably lose use of some limbs, or get blinded, and are gonna die of infection eventually.
NARRATOR: Blackbeard's cannon was very effective at killing enemy sailors, and the 6-pound ball punched right through the War Junk's hull.
Now to test Ching Shih's carronades.
DA-XIA: These carronades were shorter than cannons, but had a heavier ball. This particular one:
(Puts hand on carronade next to her)
Fires an 18-pound ball, more than twice the size of the Blackbeard cannon.
NARRATOR: The Queen Anne's Revenge's hull was built differently than Ching Shih's junk. It was made of oak wood, a denser material, and had a more conventional bulkhead layout. The hull is marginally thinner than that of the War Junk, as the boat was much smaller.
The crew sets up the carronade, and loads it with an 18-lb ball, aiming it at the makeshift hull. 10 feet behind the hull is a dummy to test the shrapnel damage and impact of a direct hit.
DESMOULIN: IN 3,2,1, FIRE!
Da-Xia lights the cannon and the loudest BOOM! yet resonates, followed by a large smoke cloud.
(Guys go to check the damage)
DESMOULIN: Whoa! That is a big hole! And look back here! This is a massive exit hole. There's splinters everywhere, and the exit hole is about a foot in diameter.
DORIAN: Look at this target! The ball went right through his stomach! He's ripped in half, not to mention he's got some nasty splinters, but none of those are serious.
(Guys go back to the fight club to look at the specifications of the actual ships)
DESMOULIN: So let's look first at the ships themselves. The War Junk has a pine hull, so it's more vulnerable to cannonballs. On the other hand, the Queen Anne's has an oak hull, which a hardwood.
GIEGER: Let's look at the size of that hull. The junk is 165 feet long, and has 5 masts, where as the Queen Anne's Revenge is only 103 feet long, with 3 masts. That means the junk can inflict damage across the whole ship.
DORIAN: That's not too impressive though. The junk only has 6 carronades on each side, the Queen Anne's has 20. Remember that it also has some 18-pounders as well, so it can do a lot of damage to the weaker pine hull.
DESMOULIN: Let's talk movement. The Queen Anne's is capable of going 10 knots, and since it's smaller it can maneuver better than the War Junk. That being said, the junk is able to harness wind not matter what direction it's blowing. So the junk is better in unfavorable conditions, but the smaller frigate is faster and more maneuverable.
(Guys go to determine the edge)
I think this goes to the Queen Anne's Revenge. It has better armament, it's faster, and the hull is better. Edge: Blackbeard.
NARRATOR: For vessels, the edge goes to Blackbeard for the Queen Anne's Revenge.
EDGE: BLACKBEARD
NARRATOR: Each of these innovative pirates brings a special weapon to the table.
For Ching Shih, the stinkpot is the chemical weapon of choice.
STINKPOT:
Diameter: 4-6 inches
Sulfur
Cotton fuse
Clay shell
DA-XIA: The stink pot was an early chemical weapon, kind of like mace. It's shaped sort of like a grenade, but it's filled with sulfur and other chemicals. You would light the fuse, then throw it onto an enemy ship. When the clay shell breaks on impact, the sulfur lights, and emits a noxious gas that can be poisonous.
PHILLIP: When they would use this, they would send someone to the top of the mast, along with a basket of 10 or so of these. He was supposed to throw them onto any ships that were trying to board.
NARRATOR: To test the stinkpot, a volunteer will light a stinkpot, then throw it on the ground at his feet.
Paramedics are on standby, in case of an emergency.
DESMOULIN: Whenever you're ready, Dave.
Dave light the fuse, then throws down the stinkpot a few feet away from his feet. After a few seconds, he starts to cough and become nauseous, his eyes watering profusely. About 15 seconds after the pot first broke, Dave doubles over and vomits at the stench.
Immediately paramedics rush to his side and help him out of the room, they too almost vomiting.
Another man rushes in with a fire extinguisher, putting out the flame, ending the emission of the noxious gas.
(A few minutes later, after Dave recovers)
DESMOULIN: So David, what was it like being hit with a stinkpot?
(After a quick laugh)
DAVE: Well, it sucked. After a couple seconds, when the fumes hit me, it was like mace. My eyes were watering, I almost couldn't breathe, and the stench was like you couldn't believe. I was completely incapacitated.
NARRATOR: When the stink bomb goes off, a gas called sulfur dioxide is emitted. If someone breathes that in for too long, it can cause severe lung damage, and even death. However, Dave seems to be doing fine, and the paramedics give him the all-clear.
The crew and the Ching Shih team thank Dave for volunteering, before he goes back to work.
NARRATOR: Blackbeard's special weapon of choice is more lethal than any gass.
BLUNDERBUSS:
Shotgun
Length: 26.5 inch barrel
Weight: 12 lbs
Flintlock
DAVID: The blunderbuss was an early shotgun. It's barrel is like a trumpet, so you could load it easier. Instead of a single musket ball, you could load this with 5 or 6, or any shrapnel you might find, like nails and rocks.
NARRATOR: To test the lethality of the blunderbuss, David will shot a pig carcass 15 feet away.
DESMOULIN: 3… 2… 1… FIRE!
David fires the blunderbuss from the hip, ripping a sizable hole in the pig's midsection, and many smaller holes from stray shrapnel.
(Guys go to check the damage)
DORIAN: So it looks like the musket balls all stayed in the same area, and as you can see, it made a big hole, about the size of my fist. Any organs or arteries here are shredded. There's no way this guy is surviving.
It seems like some of the shrapnel spread out a little more, since it's light than the normal shot.
We have a nail buried deep here, and lots of of other punctures, which aren't that lethal, but would hurt a lot and cause infection.
NARRATOR: So who's special weapons gets the edge?
(Guys go to determine the edge)
DORIAN: My edge goes to the blunderbuss, the stinkpot hurts, but it's not lethal. The blunderbuss is VERY lethal.
DESMOULIN: I say the stinkbomb, since they were used in mass, you could incapacitate a whole crew. The blunderbuss may be a killer, but the stinkpot can affect multiple people, and incapacitate them for a kill. Edge: Stinkpot.
NARRATOR: For special weapons, the edge goes to Ching Shih for the Stinkpot.
EDGE: CHING SHIH
NARRATOR: Next, we will test the medium weapons of these two warriors.
Blackbeard takes aim with flintlock pistols.
FLINTLOCK PISTOL:
Length: 7.3 inch barrel
Weight: 1.5 lbs
Various calibers
1-3 barrels
MICHAEL: Blackbeard was very fond of pistols. He carried no less than 3 pairs, along with as many as 4 in his belt. On top of that, he carried a double-barreled pocket pistol, similar to a derringer. Most of his pistols were conventional French or English single barrels, but he had a couple multi barrel pistols as well.
NARRATOR: Ching Shih brings a more traditional weapon to the fight.
QIANG:
Length: 7 feet
Weight: 2 lbs
10 inch Steel head
Wax wood or bamboo shaft
PHILLIP: In Chinese, Qiang simply means spear. There were different types, and this is actually considered a pointed staff, since it is less than 9 feet in length. Since it was also used as a staff, it's made of a softer wood, like wax wood or bamboo.
NARRATOR: To test the Qiang spear, we've set up a ballistics gel torso, complete with a lifelike skull.
DESMOULIN: This special skull we have in here will allow us to see if the staff part of the Qiang is capable of breaking bone. If it can fracture the skull, it can break any other bone in the body.
Phillip holds the Qiang like a spear, and waits for the signal.
DESMOULIN: 3… 2… 1… GO!
Phillip steps forward and thrusts the spearhead deep into the ribcage. He draws it out, then stabs again into the gut, this time twisting the blade before withdrawing it. For his next strike, he spins a circle to build up momentum, using the spearhead like a blade, and cuts into the neck of the dummy. Phillip flips the spear around, using it as a staff, then raises it and brings the wax wood shaft down hard on the skull.
DR. DORIAN: This first stab was excellent. You went right into the ribs, and punctured a lung. This may not be an instantaneous kill, but he couldn't fight back.
This next stab, you twisted before you pulled it out. That would cause extreme pain to this person, and does even more damage to the area.
Your slash into the neck went deep enough to kill, but you missed the artery, so this person could keep fighting after that.
Your hit to the skull didn't fracture, but based on the reading we got from the spear's speed it was definitely enough to give them a good concussion. This hit alone wouldn't kill, but it could stun someone long enough to get a kill strike in.
NARRATOR: Next, Michael will demonstrate the various pistols used by Blackbeard on our indoor range.
First, a conventional French naval musket.
DESMOULIN: SHOOT EM' UP!
Michael takes aim, and fires, hitting the dummy square in the chest.
DORIAN: This is a kill. The shot went right into his aorta, and came out with a nasty exit wound.
I think we can say that one shot from this pistol is enough to kill or seriously injure someone.
NARRATOR: Next, Michael demonstrates a 3 barreled volley pistol.
Michael aims, holding the pistol with 2 hands this time, and fires. All 3 shots go off and leave a large hole in the dummy.
DORIAN: Wow. This is essentially 3 shots in one. Instead of 3 neat holes, like you would expect, they just tore this whole part out of him. This shot would be lethal pretty much anywhere in the torso.
Michael then fires a 3 barrel pistol with rotating barrels, and a derringer pocket pistol that fires 2 shots at once.
(Guys go to determine the edge)
DESMOULIN: Personally, I give my edge to the Qiang. It may not have the range of the pistol, but it's more versatile, and you can use it over and over. With the pistol, you get one shot and you're done, not to mention they can misfire quite often.
DORIAN: I think the edge goes to the pistols. They have better range, you have a lot of them on you at one time, and they do way more damage than the spear.
GIEGER: I agree with the doc. Edge: Pistols.
NARRATOR: For mid range weapons, the edge goes to Blackbeard for the flintlock pistols.
EDGE: BLACKBEARD
NARRATOR: Now with the testing complete, we will enter the data into the battle, developed by slitherine studios, to simulate a battle to the death between these 2 warriors. To make sure victory isn't snagged by a single blow, the battle will be simulated 1,000 times. Who will win this battle on the Seven Seas? The notorious Blackbeard, or the ruthless Ching Shih?
For close range weapons, Ching Shih's Dao and Jian combination cut down Blackbeard's Cutlass.
EDGE: CHING SHIH
For mid range weapons, Blackbeard's Flintlock Pistols shot down Ching Shih's Qiang spear.
EDGE: BLACKBEARD
For long range weapons, Blackbeard's Brown Bess musket out shot Ching Shih's Ban Jiu Jiao Chong musket.
EDGE: BLACKBEARD
For special weapons, Ching Shih's stinkpot smoked out Blackbeard's Blunderbuss shotgun.
EDGE: CHING SHIH
And for Vessels, Blackbeard's Queen Anne's Revenge sank Ching Shih's War Junk.
EDGE: BLACKBEARD
Max hits the button and the simulation begins.
The simulation begins on an overcast day at sea. Aboard the Queen Anne's Revenge, Blackbeard and his buccaneers celebrate their good fortune defeating the knight, dividing up the gold between the 5 of them. Their celebration is interrupted when the lookout shouts a warning and points to the horizon. Blackbeard looks through the telescope and spots a large ship with red sails. After a moment of thought, he orders his crew to prepare for battle, and heads to the helm to pilot the ship towards his target.
Ching Shih is sparing on the deck with her 1st mate, when her lookout runs to her side, yelling her name. After a quick bow, he hands her a telescope. She looks through it seeing an advancing frigate, with an East India Company flag flying over the mast. Figuring the ship has many riches, she orders the ship to slow down, and to prepare for battle.
CHING SHIH: 5 BLACKBEARD: 5
(NOTE: Crews that manage the ships, like cannon crews and rigging crews do not count in the battle, but are simply there to allow the ships to function.)
The small frigate closes the distance to the War Junk surprisingly fast. The ship goes parallel to the junk, about 100 yards away. Ching Shih grows puzzled when the East India Company flag starts lowering. Ignoring this, she turns around and orders her crew to assemble on the main deck. When Ching looks back at the ship, she is surprised to see a flag depicting a skeleton with a spear stabbing a heart.
Recognizing the ominous symbol, she quickly yells for her crew to duck. Right as she does this, the cannons on the Queen Anne's Revenge go off, sending cannonballs all through the War Junk's soft hull. Recovering quickly, 2 of Ching Shih's men stand up and continue towards their captain, falling right into Blackbeard's trap.
When he spots the sailors stand up, he fires the rest of his cannons, loaded with shrapnel, aimed at the deck. One of the Chinese sailors is ripped to shreds by broken chains and metal scraps, dying almost instantly. The other catches nails and glass shards in the chest and face, falling to the ground, screaming in pain.
CHING SHIH: 4 BLACKBEARD: 5
Angered by her casualties, she orders her War Junk to unload onto the attacking ship. 3 of the 18-pound carronade balls strike the hull of the Queen Anne's. Not expecting such swift retaliation, Blackbeard's crew is knocked to the floor by the sudden impact. Not one to be caught off guard, Blackbeard orders his cannons reloaded, and steers the frigate closer to his adversary.
One of the other orientals runs to the aid of the wounded sailor, checking his wounds. In an attempt to help the wounded man, he removes various nails and other shrapnel from his upper body.
Ching Shih orders the carronades to reload, but this time has the last 2 of the 6 pieces elevated to deck level, learning from her opponent. Once loaded, she orders the other 4 carronades to fire. Once more, 3 of the missiles rip through the hull of the Queen Anne's Revenge, knocking her crew to the ground. The buccaneers get up, and scurry about the the deck once more. After a couple seconds, she fires the last 2 carronades. One flies low, hitting the hull just below deck level, then coming up through the floor, leaving a long gash in the deck. The other 18-pound ball flies true, striking a pirate in the waist, ripping him in half.
CHING SHIH: 4 BLACKBEARD: 4
By now, the Queen Anne's has halved the distance to the War Junk. His cannons more accurate at closer range, he slows down just enough to fire 20 cannons at the junk, most ripping through the hull, some shrapnel imbedding itself in the masts of the ship, missing the crew.
One of Ching Shih's men climbs up the mast, while another sends a basket full of stinkpots up to him via pulley.
The Queen Anne's Revenge is now no more than 20 yards from the War Junk. Looking over, Blackbeard sees Ching Shih at the helm of the war junk, and the 2 notorious pirates make eye contact for the first time. Deciding to make them pay for his friend's death, Blackbeard unloads another volley right into the broadside of the opposing, larger ship. Not expecting an attack so close, the carronades are disabled, and the junk is immobile.
The crew of the junk is knocked off its feet, Ching included. Realizing the boat is useless, she orders them to drop anchor. Ching Shih looks up at her man on the mast, and gives him the signal, as she runs to the main deck.
Once the 2 vessels are about 30 feet apart, Blackbeard drops anchor and orders his crew to assemble at mid-deck. Just as the buccaneers assemble, the Chinese pirate hurls a stinkpot at them, and it explodes at their feet. The pirates are caught off guard, and began to wretch, some vomit, at the stink.
Taking advantage of this Ching Shih takes aim at the crowd with her Ban Jiu Jiao Chong. She fires, and one of the enemy pirates goes down.
CHING SHIH: 4 BLACKBEARD: 3
Finally realizing what was going on, Blackbeard's crew spreads out, fleeing the stinkpots being flung at them. After taking a few seconds to wipe his eyes, Blackbeard's 1st mate spots the man on top of the mast, aims with his musket, and fires. The man clutches his chest, then falls to the deck below.
CHING SHIH: 3 BLACKBEARD: 3
The 2 crews exchange fire, Blackbeard with his pistols, the rest with muskets. A few seconds later, realizing they were outgunned, Ching Shih orders her 1st mate to run to the stern, while she runs to the bow. Before she goes, she hands her fully loaded matchlock to her wounded sailor, still laying on the deck.
When a few seconds of stillness run by, Blackbeard and his men rally at the main deck, throwing grappling hooks onto the larger ship, pulling the Queen Anne's closer. When the ship was no more than 10 feet away, the buccaneers deployed the boarding plank. Before boarding, Blackbeard discarded his empty pistols, only 4 left. He then picked up his 3 pirates walked across the short bridge onto the enemy vessel, Blackbeard's men splitting up to search the ship. No sooner had the notorious villain stepped onto the junk then a shot rang out, and a musket ball whizzed past his head. Looking who fired the shot, Blackbeard grinned evilly. It was the wounded sailor, now attempting to reload the weapon. Realizing he had no time, the wounded oriental crawled away from the approaching pirate. His back hit the railing: nowhere to run. Out of options, he begged for his life. Blackbeard simply laughed, raised his Blunderbuss, and fired into the man's face, point blank.
CHING SHIH: 2 BLACKBEARD: 3
The buccaneer that went to search the stern put down his musket, and drew his cutlass. He opened the door to the captain's quarters, and saw no one there.. Just when he turned around to leave, a man burst out of the closet, yelling in mandarin, and charged him with a Dao. The pirate barely had had time to block the strike. The buccaneer blocked a few strikes, but he was no match for the oriental. After a couple more strikes, Ching Shih's 1st mate performed a disarming maneuver, and cut deep into the englishman's arm. He yelled in pain, and the Red Flag pirate stepped back, then swung his Dao, decapitating his foe.
CHING SHIH: 2 BLACKBEARD: 2
Just then Blackbeard entered the room, and the two stared each other down for a second. Seeing Blackbeard had no sword in his hand, the Red Flag pirate foolishly charged at him. Blackbeard drew his 3-barrel volley pistol and wasted the man, dropping him mid-stride.
CHING SHIH: 1 BLACKBEARD: 2
Meanwhile, Ching Shih was hiding behind a mast near the bow, holding a qiang. When she heard footsteps coming towards her, she shuffled around the mast to avoid being spotted. Once the man had passed, Ching Shih swung the staff end of the weapon down onto the buccaneer's head, hard. He dropped to his knees, and the musket fell from his hand. Ching Shih quickly flipped the spear around, and drove it through his heart.
CHING SHIH: 1 BLACKBEARD: 1
Hearing the gunshot across the ship, Ching Shih left the spear embedded in the man, and ran towards the shot. At the same time, Blackbeard walked out of the captain's quarters, throwing his now empty pistol aside. When Blackbeard saw her approaching, he laughed at the sight of a woman.
"This is no place for a lady", Blackbeard said with a grin.
Ching Shih drew her Jian from her belt, and approached the giant of a man. Rolling his eyes, Blackbeard drew his 2 cutlasses, and advanced. When she was in striking distance, he yelled and swing the 2 swords in a frenzy, forcing Ching Shih to jump back to avoid the wild strikes. Blackbeard kept coming, and nearly backed her up to the railing before she regained her footing. Identifying Blackbeard's predictable pattern, she parried his strike for the first time, this time going on the offensive. Blackbeard blocked and avoided the quick jabs and slashes, grinning at this woman's skill with a sword. Once again, he swung his swords, causing her to halt the onslaught. This time, Ching Shih was ready. When his right cutlass came down, she sidestepped instead of blocking, the sword going into the wood. Capitalizing on the situation, she stepped on the blade, driving it deeper into the wood. Blackbeard swung with his left sword, but Ching blocked it effortlessly. Realizing his mistake, Blackbeard let go of his entrenched sword and jumped back just as Ching Shih slashed, opening a long gash in his chest. He winced in pain, but Ching Shih wouldn't let up. She charged him, but before she could make it, Blackbeard drew a pistol and fired into her chest. Ching Shih stopped, stunned, and the Jian fell from her hand. Blackbeard quickly stepped in, running her through with his cutlass, the blade going hilt deep. Ching Shih went limp, and Blackbeard drew his sword from her torso, letting her body fall to the ground. He let out a loud cackle, before drawing another pistol and going off to plunder the ship.
CHING SHIH: 0 BLACKBEARD: 1
WINNER: BLACKBEARD
BLACKBEARD: 568
Queen Anne's Revenge: 145
Flintlock Pistols: 122
Brown Bess Musket: 114
Cutlass: 105
Blunderbuss: 82
CHING SHIH: 432
Ban Jiu Jiao Chong: 156
War Junk: 109
Qiang: 64
Dao: 57
Jian: 44
Stinkpot: 2
NARRATOR: In this battle on the 7 seas, the notorious Blackbeard came out on top, with a 136 kill difference.
DESMOULIN: Definitely the deciding factor was the lack of firearms in Ching Shih's arsenal. She had a heavily outdated musket, even for the time, whereas Blackbeard had 3, very effective firearms at his disposal. On top of that, the Queen Anne's Revenge was heavily armed, and had ways to specifically target people, not just the ship. Ching Shih may have been a great strategist, but having weapons THAT out of date, even when your opponent lived 100 years before you did is no way to go to battle.
We see other ships of Blackbeard's approaching, as he loads chests of gold coins onto the Queen Anne's Revenge.
THE END
Next time on deadliest warrior, the resourceful Polish Resistance of the Warsaw Uprising take on the Japanese Imperial Army of World War II.