Rebellious Passage: The Creole Revolt and America's Coastal Slave Trade

In late October 1841, the Creole left Richmond with 137 slaves bound for New Orleans, but arrived five weeks later minus the Captain, one passenger, and most of the captives. Nineteen rebels seized the US slave ship and steered it to the British Bahamas, where the slaves gained their liberty. Rebellious Passage is the first comprehensive history of the ship revolt, its consequences, and its relevance to global modern slavery, focusing on south-to-south self-emancipators at sea and a broader hemispheric framework of clashing slavery and antislavery empires.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 372 pages
Publication date: 07 February 2019
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

In late October 1841, the Creole embarked on a journey from Richmond, carrying a cargo of 137 enslaved individuals bound for New Orleans. However, upon its arrival five weeks later, the Captain, one passenger, and a significant portion of the captives were missing. Nineteen rebels had taken control of the US slave ship during its voyage and guided it to the British Bahamas, where the slaves were granted their freedom.

Drawing upon a vast array of previously unexamined state, federal, and British colonial sources, Rebellious Passage delves into the overlooked maritime aspects of the extensive US slave trade and slave revolt. This study focuses on the experiences of south-to-south self-emancipators at sea, deviating from the conventional narrative of south-to-north fugitive slaves over land. Moreover, a broader hemispheric framework of clashing slavery and antislavery empires replaces the emphasis on US antebellum sectional rivalry. Written with passion and dedication, Rebellious Passage presents the first comprehensive account of the ship revolt, its ramifications, and its significance in the context of global modern slavery.

Weight: 530g
Dimension: 155 x 228 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108700009