Did they really have chinamen in the carribean? This is the second chinese klicky - i think - in the pirates theme.
Yes, there were peoples of Chinese heritage in the Caribbean beginning in the mid 19th century when chinese laborers emmigrated to the Caribbean to work on sugar plantations.
From a piratical standpoint, Chinese pirates existed since the 13th century, sailing junks well on into the 19th century and beyond. (Remember, China's mastery of the sea predates that of traditional western/british naval exploits which came to a head in the 17th century).
I suspect Playmobil's inclusion of chinese pirates in their pirate theme is an unspoken piggyback allusion to the current Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean lore. In the movie series, chinese pirates (from Singapore) are seen interacting with what appears to be caribbean pirates and british naval/infantrymen of the 18th century. However, the british presence in Singapore would not have happened until later in the 19th century, around the same time chinese laborers began emmigrating to the Caribbean.
The golden age of piracy stems from about mid 17th century to early 18th century. Chinese pirates did exist at this time as well--but only in Asia. And 18th century britishmen would not have been seen engaging with chinese pirates from Singapore until the 19th century, by which time the Golden Age of (western) Piracy would have been over.
So including chinese pirates alongside caribbean pirates would be inaccurate, historically. But who's to say a stray chinese pirate/explorere/adventurer or two didnt somehow find their way accross the pacific (and around the horn) and end up drinking coconut juice on the lazy sandy shores of the Caribbean? It could happen!
I'm not fond of bare feet in klickys...
Deckhands on any ship (pirate or other) would have to be barefoot for better footing on wet decks and for mitigating the rigging and footropes aloft (up in the masts and sails). Plus they were probably too poor to afford shoes, which weren't practical aboard a pirateship anyway.
