Object Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Ship Bell |
Object ID |
2009.8.2R |
Collection |
SLAVERY, PLANTATION SOCIETY AND EMANCIPATION |
Object Name |
Bell |
Date |
18th century |
Material |
Metal (copper) |
Dimensions |
H-35.5 Dia-34.5 cm |
Description |
Ship bells have been used for signaling, keeping time, and sounding alarms, bells are an important part of a ship's routine and readiness. This ship bell belonged to a British slaver called the African Queen. The African Queen traded in commodities such as arms, oil, hardwoods, ivory and iron along the Guinea Coast. This ship plied the triangular trade for decades and changed owners several times. The African Queen was recorded to have arrived in Jamaica in 1792 in distress, according to one report, having lost 114 of its 225 'African Cargo' during the Middle Passage. As a result the ship's owner, Bristol merchant James Rogers, went bankrupt. The African Queen left Bristol in 1792, with Samuel Stribling as captain, bound for Old Calabar (now Nigeria, West Africa). The ship arrived at Jamaica in the Caribbean in distress and one agent refused to sell its cargo, because the enslaved Africans were in such bad condition. James Rogers ships had a much higher death rate amongst the slavers than other Bristol merchants. Roger's bankruptcy was in part due to his poor management of his voyages. The ship's next slaving voyage in 1794 was under new owners John Anderson & Co. |
Subjects |
Bells Slave ships Slave trade |
Search Terms |
Ship bells African Queen |
Credit line |
Courtesy: The Institute of Jamaica |
Legal Status |
This image can be used for educational purposes without restrictions. A higher quality image may att |
Web Rights |
In Copyrights |