Overview

The Slave Ship Zorg traces the full trajectory of a Dutch slave ship launched in the late 18th century, beginning with its construction in Middelburg and extending through its role in the transatlantic slave trade. From the ship's initial commissioning under the Middelburgsche Commercie Compagnie to its preparations in the Netherlands, the book examines the crew's recruitment, cargo loading, and departure from Flushing. As the vessel crossed the Atlantic toward Africa's Windward and Gold Coasts, it engaged in trading alliances, slave procurement through barter systems, and the accumulation of captives amid overcrowding. The account details the interruptions caused by Anglo-Dutch conflicts, including naval engagements that led to the ship's capture by HMS Alert and its transfer to Cape Coast. Renamed the Zong after purchase by a Liverpool syndicate, the vessel resumed its voyage from Accra, provisioning at São Tomé before facing the harsh realities of the Middle Passage, marked by disease outbreaks and navigational errors that misidentified Jamaica. Deliberations over water shortages culminated in the decision to jettison captives, unfolding in a series of executions and suicides on November 29 and beyond. Upon arrival in Jamaica's Black River, survivors were sold, and the crew disbanded, setting the stage for insurance litigation in Liverpool and London, where judicial rulings exposed the trade's brutal economics. Abolitionist interventions by figures like Granville Sharp brought public exposure and spurred legislative reforms, framing the ship's legacy within historical corrections and implications for the Atlantic slave trade. Gain precise insights into the operational mechanics of Dutch maritime involvement in slavery, from shipbuilding specifics to trade negotiations on African coasts, revealing how economic ambitions were tied to human exploitation. Through archival details and a chronological account, the book connects individual voyages to geopolitical tensions, such as wartime seizures that altered ownership and trajectories. Examinations of onboard conditions during the Middle Passage expose the physical and psychological toll on captives and crew, while legal proceedings illustrate how insurance claims commodified lives, influencing abolitionist movements. The progression from capture to courtroom describes shifts in public perception and policy, offering insight into how one ship's fate mirrored the era's moral and economic reckonings.

Full Product Details

9798242073470

Table of Contents

Reviews

Author Information

Tab Content 6

Countries Available