James Kelly

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. A legendary figure in San Francisco history, Kelly was known for 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 saloon and boarding house at No. 33 Pacific between Drumm and Davis streets. His greatest concern – returning from a well-publicized event with a boat devoid of revelers – was alleviated by a stroke of luck, when he learned that the Yankee Blade had struck a rock and was sinking. After rescuing everyone on board, he simply resumed the celebration, and those on the waterfront were none the wiser upon his return.

The Irish music band Gaelic Storm released a song about Kelly, entitled "Shanghai Kelly", on the 2017 album Go Climb a Tree.