11 sept. 1781 - The Zong Massacare

Description:

Ship leaving Liverpool from Ghana that was intended to deliver ~400 slaves the to Caribbean was overtaken by disease which effected ~200 of the slaves. The captain, prior to leaving the port, took out insurance on his "cargo" (30 pounds a head which is 1/2 of what he would have gotten for delivering sick slaves) and when he noticed how rapidly the disease was spreading he had his crew throw the ~200 ill slaves over the boat, into the ocean drown. His crew in the end turned against him and told the truth about what happened on the boat and the captain's business was ruined (but he received o further punishment).

The movie "Belle" is based around this incident.

Ajouté au bande de temps:

Date: