Life on a Slave Ship

In the year 1694, the British slave ship "The Hannibal" embarked on a perilous voyage across the vast Atlantic Ocean, carrying 692 enslaved individuals who had been acquired from African slave owners. These unfortunate souls were destined for the New World, where they would be subjected to brutal labor under oppressive conditions. The journey was marked by tragedy as scores of slaves succumbed to dysentery, some chose deliberate starvation, and others sought escape through desperate acts like jumping overboard. The loss of human lives during the voyage was not merely a tragedy but also a financial setback for the British, who intended to sell the slaves upon reaching the Americas. In response, some slaves faced beatings and forceful restraint.

Upon the ship's arrival in the New World, only 372 of the initially enslaved men, women, and children managed to survive. The arduous journey also claimed the lives of 18 out of the 70 crew members. This harrowing account serves as a stark reminder of the Atlantic slave trade, a horrific chapter in history where European nations, including England, The Netherlands, France, Spain, and Portugal, sailed to Africa to procure slaves for the Americas.

The Atlantic slave trade gained momentum during the 15th and 16th centuries, coinciding with the "Age of Discovery." European ships, equipped to travel greater distances, played a pivotal role in this abhorrent trade. West Africa, particularly regions between the Senegal River and the Gambia River, witnessed a significant portion of its population enslaved, with some individuals already in bondage under African owners. This period, marked by trade and colonialism, saw Europeans surpassing the Arab world in the export of African slaves.

The European quest for slaves in Africa often involved encounters with "middlemen" who conducted raids on settlements, capturing and enslaving ethnic minorities. "Slave Castles" built on the coast served as holding facilities for the captives before their transport. Initial European explorations were limited to coastal areas due to fear and concerns about diseases. It wasn't until later, after the British abolished slavery in 1833, that more comprehensive explorations of Africa's interior occurred, led by explorers like Henry Morton Stanley and Dr. David Livingstone.

Returning to the tragic voyage of "The Hannibal," owned by the Royal African Company, it set sail from London, making slave purchases in Ouidah, Benin, and along the Gold Coast. The ship delivered survivors to the British agricultural export colony of Barbados before returning to London. The vessel embarked on a second journey to Africa, picking up more slaves and making another trip to Barbados before returning to London, completing two round-trips in 375 days. The ship, a 450-ton vessel, faced numerous challenges during the journey, including the death of 18 crew members.

The enslaved individuals on "The Hannibal" endured appalling conditions in the ship's hold, confined to specially-made shelves where they couldn't even sit up during the long journey. Living quarters were a torment, witnessing frequent deaths in the cramped space. Despite being provided with meager rations of cornmeal, beans, and limited water, slaves were only allowed brief daily exercise, not out of humanitarian concern but to maintain their value as commodities.

Captain Thomas Phillips, in his book "A Journal of a Voyage Made in the Hannibal of London," provided insights into why so many slaves perished. Some succumbed to dysentery, while others, in a desperate bid to escape their fate, leaped into the sea or refused to eat, believing death would reunite them with their homeland. The psychological torment experienced by these enslaved individuals was unimaginable.

The cruelty extended to the branding of slaves with an "H" to mark them as Hannibal occupants. Captain Phillips, in his account, mentioned the branding caused "little pain" due to the application of palm oil. However, this attempt at justifying the brutality reflected the dehumanizing nature of the slave trade.

Despite the grim circumstances, historical accounts reveal instances of individuals like Olaudah Equiano, who later gained freedom and became an outspoken abolitionist. Equiano's writings detailed the unbearable conditions on the ship, from the stench to merciless floggings, providing a firsthand account of the nadir of human depravity.

In the broader context of the Atlantic slave trade, individuals like Edward Rushton stood out for their compassion. Rushton, repulsed by the brutality he witnessed on a slave ship in 1773, spent his life as an abolitionist and disability rights campaigner, emphasizing the need to end the madness of the slave trade.

Despite occasional glimmers of humanity within this dark chapter, the Atlantic slave trade persisted until the mid-19th century, leaving an indelible mark of suffering on millions of African people. Acknowledging this historical atrocity is crucial for understanding the roots of systemic injustice and fostering a commitment to human rights and equality. The horrors of the Atlantic slave trade echo through time, reminding us of the collective responsibility to confront and learn from the darkest chapters of human history.