Cruel Life for Blacks on a Slave Ship
The experiences of slaves on a slave ship began when the English landed in what is now called Jamestown, Virginia. As the English began to build and work the land, they realized that the work was so enormous that they were unable to finish.
They failed at using an apprenticeship program in which persons would help them for 4 to 7 years. Those whites that were involved in this program grew tired quickly and looked for a different alternative. Their next alternative was to try the Native Indians. Many Indians died from sickness and disease or chose to run away from this form of apprenticeship.
They decided that Black people were perfect for slavery. As in the Jewish Holocaust, it was impossible for Black people to escape or fit into the white culture due to the color of their skin and different cultural expectations. Eventually the apprenticeship turned into indentured servitude and then slavery.
As America began to develop, it was said "to shoot a black person was no more than shooting a pumpkin, after all they are no more than property and not human beings". This growth also necessitated the need for additional laborers.
In 1619, 20 to 25 Blacks were transported to Jamestown. Thirty-five years later there were more than 300 Blacks residing in Jamestown. Between 1540 and 1850, it is estimated that 15 million Africans were transported as slaves to America.
Many ships were built to transport 400 slaves but filled their ships to over capacity of 800. The slaves were chained together by their feet and hands. The conditions were deplorable. Some choose to jump overboard or refused to eat. Many died from diseases such as smallpox, dysentery, and other diseases. It is said that only 50% of the slaves made it to America or were healthy enough to work. During the journey, vents were closed which made breathing impossible. Many slaves became seasick which forced them to lay in human waste and vomit.
Thomas Phillips, a slave noted captain wrote, "I have been informed that some have cut off the legs or arms of the most willful slaves, to terrify the rest, for they believe that, if they lose a member, they cannot return home again ..."