Liberal Democrat Christian Forum - Slave Ship Comes up the Thames

Slave Ship Comes up the Thames

Written by Dr Clifford Hill
Sunday, 05 August 2007
On 29 March 2007 as Tower Bridge opened its majestic portals, The Zong, a replica 18th century wooden square rigger, accompanied by Royal Navy Frigate HMS Northumberland from Greenwich, sailed into Tower Pool to moor next to Tower Pier. It was a powerful moment as a group of African, Afro Caribbean and English singers and musicians, a visual reminder of the slave trade, sang ‘Amazing Grace’ and other Gospel songs as part of the national commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade act. The Zong was at the centre of an infamous court case in 1783, after 133 slaves were thrown overboard in an insurance scam. The public outrage it caused gave impetus to the abolition movement and created a public uproar against slavery. HMS Northumberland supported the bicentenary events during her visit. She berthed alongside HMS Belfast with access to the public for two days so that they could learn about the Royal Navy’s role in helping to enforce the 1807 British Act, eventually helping to bring an end to the international slave trade. They also learnt about some of the Navy’s modern roles in similar humanitarian and Maritime Security Operations to combat piracy and illegal trafficking of arms, narcotics and people. On board The Zong was a “Free at Last?” exhibition of 18th century slavery open to the public for two weeks and continued at All Hallows by the Tower church where people learnt the story of the Abolitionists and their 20 year struggle. The exhibition was opened by Mayor of London Ken Livingstone. The project was the brain-child of Dr Clifford Hill, Director of the Centre for Contemporary Ministries and the ‘Spirit of Wilberforce’ team. They sought to bring a deeper understanding of the profound Christian faith of Wilberforce and the Abolitionists and heroes such as Olaudah Equiano and to confront a largely ignorant British public with the horrors of the transatlantic trade when Africans were sold to Europeans, then transported to the Americas and the Caribbean. The fight the Abolitionists had in the ultimate demise of the Slave Trade was long and hard in such a hostile Parliamentary and societal environment. A further purpose, therefore, for the ‘Free at Last’ project was to provide us with the example to go and do likewise in the arena of our 21st century society and its many overwhelming problems, modern-day slave trade and racism included. Monday 9th April, Easter Monday, saw a climax to the “Free at Last?” exhibition with a wonderful service held at All Hallows by the Tower, before the departure of The Zong from London with promises of a survey to sum up the findings of the project for educational and research purposes and the possibility of a permanent exhibition on slavery…Lest We Forget. “May the time come - at least the speculation to me is pleasing - when the sable people shall gratefully commemorate the auspicious era of extensive freedom: then shall those persons particularly be named with praise and honour, who generously proposed and stood forth in the cause of humanity, liberty, and good policy; and brought to the ear of the legislature designs worthy of royal patronage and adoption. May Heaven make the British senators the dispersers of light, liberty and science, to the uttermost parts of the earth: then will be glory to God on the highest, on earth peace, and good-will to men. - Glory, honour, peace.” Olaudah Equiano Free at Last? is part of the Spirit of Wilberforce project, run by The Centre for Contemporary Ministry (an educational charity based at Moggerhanger Park, Bedford, home of the Thornton family, cousins of William Wilberforce and linked with the ‘Clapham Group’ of Abolitionists). Registered Charity no. 1022698. Contacts: Dr Clifford Hill, Project Director. Tel: 01480 474572

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