Black salt : seafarers of African descent on British ships / Ray Costello.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Costello, R., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Merchant marine--Great Britain--History.

Merchant marine.

Sailors, Black--Great Britain--History.

Sailors, Black.

Freed persons--Social conditions--19th century.

Freed persons.

Great Britain--History, Naval--19th century.

Great Britain.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xxiii, 248 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Place of Publication:

Liverpool : Liverpool University Press, 2012.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

During the Age of Sail, black seamen could be found in many shipboard roles in the Royal Navy, such as gunners, deck-hands and 'top men', working at heights in the rigging. In the later Age of Steam, black seamen were more likely to be found on merchantmen below deck; as cooks, stewards and stokers. Nevertheless, the navy was possibly a unique institution in that black and white could work alongside each other more than in any other occupation. In this fascinating work, Dr. Ray Costello examines the work and experience of seamen of African descent in Britain's navy, from impressed slaves to free Africans, British West Indians, and British-born Black sailors. Seamen from the Caribbean and directly from Africa have contributed to both the British Royal Navy and Merchant Marine from at least the Tudor period and by the end of the period of the British Slave Trade at least three percent of all crewmen were black mariners.Black sailors signed off in British ports helped the steady growth of a black population. In spite of racial prejudice in port, relationships were forged between sailors of different races which frequently ignored expected norms when working and living together in the isolated world of the ship.Black seamen on British ships have served as by no means a peripheral force within the British Royal and Mercantile navies and were not only to be found working in both the foreground and background of naval engagements throughout their long history, but helping to ensure the supply of foodstuffs and the necessities of life to Britain. Their experiences span the gamut of sorrow and tragedy, heroism, victory and triumph.

Contents:

Worlds collide

Destination uncertain

A tar's life

War under sail

Blighty

A question of rank

From sail to steam

Global conflict

Sailortown under attack

The Second World War

After empire

Epilogue.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Jun 2017).

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

9781781380147 (pbk.)

9781781386200

178138620X

9781781380147

1781380147

9781781388945

1781388946

9781846317675

1846317673

OCLC:

801365216