Slave ships were large cargo ships specially converted for the purpose of transporting
Slave ships were large cargo ships specially converted for the purpose of transporting

slaves, especially newly purchased African slaves to the Americas.
slaves, especially newly purchased African slaves to the Americas.

Atlantic slave trade Only a few decades after the discovery of
Atlantic slave trade Only a few decades after the discovery of

America by Europeans, demand for cheap labor to work plantations made slave-trading a profitable
America by Europeans, demand for cheap labor to work plantations made slave-trading a profitable

business. The peak time of slave ships to the Atlantic passage was between the 18th
business. The peak time of slave ships to the Atlantic passage was between the 18th

and 19th centuries, when large plantations developed in the British colonies of North
and 19th centuries, when large plantations developed in the British colonies of North

America. In order to achieve profit, the owners of
America. In order to achieve profit, the owners of

the ships divided their hulls into holds with little headroom, so they could transport as
the ships divided their hulls into holds with little headroom, so they could transport as

many slaves as possible. Unhygienic conditions, dehydration, dysentery and scurvy led to a
many slaves as possible. Unhygienic conditions, dehydration, dysentery and scurvy led to a

high mortality rate, on average 15% and up to a third of captives. Often the ships, also
high mortality rate, on average 15% and up to a third of captives. Often the ships, also

known as Guineamen, transported hundreds of slaves, who were chained tightly to plank
known as Guineamen, transported hundreds of slaves, who were chained tightly to plank

beds. For example, the slave ship Henrietta Marie carried about 200 slaves on the long
beds. For example, the slave ship Henrietta Marie carried about 200 slaves on the long

Middle Passage. They were confined to cargo holds with each slave chained with little
Middle Passage. They were confined to cargo holds with each slave chained with little

room to move. The most significant routes of the slave ships
room to move. The most significant routes of the slave ships

led from the north-western and western coasts of Africa to South America and the south-east
led from the north-western and western coasts of Africa to South America and the south-east

coast of what is today the United States, and the Caribbean. As many as 20 million Africans
coast of what is today the United States, and the Caribbean. As many as 20 million Africans

were transported by ship. The transportation of slaves from Africa to America was known
were transported by ship. The transportation of slaves from Africa to America was known

as the Middle Passage. Abolition of the slave trade
as the Middle Passage. Abolition of the slave trade

The African slave trade was outlawed by the United States of America and the United Kingdom
The African slave trade was outlawed by the United States of America and the United Kingdom

in 1807. The applicable UK act was the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act and outlawed the slave
in 1807. The applicable UK act was the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act and outlawed the slave

trade throughout the British Empire. The US law took effect on January 1, 1808. After
trade throughout the British Empire. The US law took effect on January 1, 1808. After

that date all US and British slave ships leaving Africa were legally pirate vessels subject
that date all US and British slave ships leaving Africa were legally pirate vessels subject

to capture by the United States Navy or Royal Navy. In 1815, at the Council of Vienna, Spain,
to capture by the United States Navy or Royal Navy. In 1815, at the Council of Vienna, Spain,

Portugal, France, and the Netherlands also agreed to abolish their slave trade.
Portugal, France, and the Netherlands also agreed to abolish their slave trade.

After abolition, slave ships adopted quicker, more maneuverable forms to evade capture by
After abolition, slave ships adopted quicker, more maneuverable forms to evade capture by

naval warships, one favorite form being the Baltimore Clipper. Some had hulls fitted with
naval warships, one favorite form being the Baltimore Clipper. Some had hulls fitted with

Copper sheathing. This was very expensive work that at this time was only commonly done
Copper sheathing. This was very expensive work that at this time was only commonly done

to Royal Navy vessels. However it increased speed by preventing the growth of marine weed
to Royal Navy vessels. However it increased speed by preventing the growth of marine weed

on the hull, which would otherwise cause drag. The speed of slave ships made them attractive
on the hull, which would otherwise cause drag. The speed of slave ships made them attractive

ships to repurpose for piracy, and also made them attractive for naval use after capture;
ships to repurpose for piracy, and also made them attractive for naval use after capture;

the USS Nightingale (1851) and HMS Black Joke (1827) were examples of such vessels.
the USS Nightingale (1851) and HMS Black Joke (1827) were examples of such vessels.

The size of slave ships also allowed for many cannons and other guns to be placed on them.
The size of slave ships also allowed for many cannons and other guns to be placed on them.

List of slave ships
List of slave ships

Adelaide, French slave ship, sank 1714 near Cuba.
Adelaide, French slave ship, sank 1714 near Cuba.

Antelope, Spanish slave ship captured near Florida in 1820 with 283 slaves aboard, leading
Antelope, Spanish slave ship captured near Florida in 1820 with 283 slaves aboard, leading

to The Antelope case. Aurore, along with the Duc du Maine, the first
to The Antelope case. Aurore, along with the Duc du Maine, the first

French slave ships that brought the first slaves to Louisiana.
French slave ships that brought the first slaves to Louisiana.

La Amistad, cargo ship that sometimes carried slaves.
La Amistad, cargo ship that sometimes carried slaves.

Braunfisch, a Brandenburgian slave ship lost in 1688 in a revolt.
Braunfisch, a Brandenburgian slave ship lost in 1688 in a revolt.

Brookes, sailing in the 1780s. City of Norfolk, fitted out in New York City
Brookes, sailing in the 1780s. City of Norfolk, fitted out in New York City

by Albert Horn. Clotilde, burned and sunk at Mobile, in autumn
by Albert Horn. Clotilde, burned and sunk at Mobile, in autumn

1859. Cora, captured by the USS Constellation in
1859. Cora, captured by the USS Constellation in

1860. Creole, involved in the United States coastwise
1860. Creole, involved in the United States coastwise

slave trade and the scene of a slave rebellion in 1841, leading to the Creole case.
slave trade and the scene of a slave rebellion in 1841, leading to the Creole case.

Desire, first American slave ship. Elisabeth, sailing from Jamaica for West Africa.
Desire, first American slave ship. Elisabeth, sailing from Jamaica for West Africa.

Duc du Maine, along with the Aurore, the first French slave ships that brought the first
Duc du Maine, along with the Aurore, the first French slave ships that brought the first

slaves to Louisiana. Fredensborg, Danish slave ship, sank in 1768
slaves to Louisiana. Fredensborg, Danish slave ship, sank in 1768

off Tromøy in Norway, after a journey in the triangular trade. Leif Svalesen (da)
off Tromøy in Norway, after a journey in the triangular trade. Leif Svalesen (da)

has written a book about the journey. Guerrero, Spanish slave ship wrecked in the
has written a book about the journey. Guerrero, Spanish slave ship wrecked in the

Florida Keys in 1827 carrying 561 Africans. Hannibal. An English slaver of the Atlantic
Florida Keys in 1827 carrying 561 Africans. Hannibal. An English slaver of the Atlantic

slave trade. Henrietta Marie. Sank 1700 near Marquesas
slave trade. Henrietta Marie. Sank 1700 near Marquesas

Keys, Florida, excavated in 1980s. Hope, American brig that brought slaves to
Keys, Florida, excavated in 1980s. Hope, American brig that brought slaves to

Rhode Island Jesus of Lübeck (de) 700-ton ship used on
Rhode Island Jesus of Lübeck (de) 700-ton ship used on

the second voyage of John Hawkins to transport 400 captured Africans in 1564. Queen Elizabeth
the second voyage of John Hawkins to transport 400 captured Africans in 1564. Queen Elizabeth

I was his partner and rented him the vessel. Kron-Printzen, Danish slave ship, sank in
I was his partner and rented him the vessel. Kron-Printzen, Danish slave ship, sank in

1706 with 820 slaves on board. Le Concord. Slave ship turned pirate ship
1706 with 820 slaves on board. Le Concord. Slave ship turned pirate ship

aka Queen Anne's Revenge. Sank 1717. Lord Ligonier. See Roots: The Saga of an American
aka Queen Anne's Revenge. Sank 1717. Lord Ligonier. See Roots: The Saga of an American

Family by Alex Haley. Don Francisco. Slave ship captured in 1837.
Family by Alex Haley. Don Francisco. Slave ship captured in 1837.

Sold as a colonial trader renamed James Matthews. Excavated by Western Australian Museum in
Sold as a colonial trader renamed James Matthews. Excavated by Western Australian Museum in

1974 Madre de Deus, 1567. John Hawkins captured
1974 Madre de Deus, 1567. John Hawkins captured

this ship and transported 400 Africans. Manuela, built as clipper ship Sunny South,
this ship and transported 400 Africans. Manuela, built as clipper ship Sunny South,

captured by HMS Brisk in Mozambique Channel with over 800 slaves aboard.
captured by HMS Brisk in Mozambique Channel with over 800 slaves aboard.

Margaret Scott confiscated and sunk as part of the Stone fleet in 1862
Margaret Scott confiscated and sunk as part of the Stone fleet in 1862

Meermin, a Dutch East India Company ship active between southern Africa and Madagascar, whose
Meermin, a Dutch East India Company ship active between southern Africa and Madagascar, whose

final voyage in 1766 ended in mutiny by the slaves: around half the crew and nearly 30
final voyage in 1766 ended in mutiny by the slaves: around half the crew and nearly 30

Malagasy died, and the ship was destroyed. Nightingale, clipper ship captured by Saratoga
Malagasy died, and the ship was destroyed. Nightingale, clipper ship captured by Saratoga

near Cabinda, Angola in 1861 with 961 slaves aboard.
near Cabinda, Angola in 1861 with 961 slaves aboard.

Pons, American-built barque captured by the USS Yorktown 1 December 1845 with 850-900
Pons, American-built barque captured by the USS Yorktown 1 December 1845 with 850-900

slaves. Salamander, Brandenburgian slave ship.
slaves. Salamander, Brandenburgian slave ship.

Sally, of Newport, Rhode Island - reviewed in the Report of the Brown University Steering
Sally, of Newport, Rhode Island - reviewed in the Report of the Brown University Steering

Committee on Slavery and Justice. Tecora, Portuguese slave ship that transported
Committee on Slavery and Justice. Tecora, Portuguese slave ship that transported

the slaves who would later revolt aboard La Amistad.
the slaves who would later revolt aboard La Amistad.

Triton captured by the USS Constellation 1861. Trouvadore, wrecked in Turks and Caicos 1841.
Triton captured by the USS Constellation 1861. Trouvadore, wrecked in Turks and Caicos 1841.

193 slaves survived. Project commenced in 2004 to locate the ship.
193 slaves survived. Project commenced in 2004 to locate the ship.

Wanderer, formerly last slave ship to the U.S. until Clotilde reported in 1859 or 1860.
Wanderer, formerly last slave ship to the U.S. until Clotilde reported in 1859 or 1860.

Wildfire, a barque, arrested off the Florida coast by the US Navy in 1860; carrying 450
Wildfire, a barque, arrested off the Florida coast by the US Navy in 1860; carrying 450

slaves. Whydah Gally, slave ship turned into pirate
slaves. Whydah Gally, slave ship turned into pirate

ship, sank 1717. Zong, a British slave ship infamous for the
ship, sank 1717. Zong, a British slave ship infamous for the

1781 massacre of 132 sick and dying slaves who were thrown overboard in an attempt to
1781 massacre of 132 sick and dying slaves who were thrown overboard in an attempt to

guarantee that the ship's owners could collect on their cargo insurance.
guarantee that the ship's owners could collect on their cargo insurance.

Note: While La Amistad is often called a slave ship, it was in fact a general-purpose cargo
Note: While La Amistad is often called a slave ship, it was in fact a general-purpose cargo

ship that occasionally carried slaves. See the article about the ship, and the resulting
ship that occasionally carried slaves. See the article about the ship, and the resulting

court case, for more information. See also
court case, for more information. See also

Slave ship revolts Slave trade
Slave ship revolts Slave trade

Slave Trade Acts Slave Coast, Gorée
Slave Trade Acts Slave Coast, Gorée

Hell ship References
Hell ship References

Further reading Baroja, Pio. Los pilotos de altura. Madrid:
Further reading Baroja, Pio. Los pilotos de altura. Madrid:

Anaya. ISBN 84-667-1681-5.  Rediker, Marcus. The Slave Ship: A Human History.
Anaya. ISBN 84-667-1681-5.  Rediker, Marcus. The Slave Ship: A Human History.

New York: Viking. ISBN 978-0-670-01823-9.  James Walvin: The Zong. A Massacre, the Law
New York: Viking. ISBN 978-0-670-01823-9.  James Walvin: The Zong. A Massacre, the Law

and the End of Slavery. Yale University Press, New Haven/London 2011. ISBN 978-0-300-12555-9
and the End of Slavery. Yale University Press, New Haven/London 2011. ISBN 978-0-300-12555-9

External links Paper on German Transatlantic trade, including
External links Paper on German Transatlantic trade, including

list of slave ships Report of the Brown University Steering Committee
list of slave ships Report of the Brown University Steering Committee

on Slavery and Justice UNESCO — The Slave Route
on Slavery and Justice UNESCO — The Slave Route

Voyages — The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database
Voyages — The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database