London played a central role in the transatlantic slave trade as its financial institutions provided the capital to invest in the practice. In 1807 Parliament abolished the slave trade. The historic document is on display in Westminster Hall. The British Government officially supports the tour and will welcome Amistad into the country.
Amistad left her birth in London Docklands in the morning today - after sailing through the locks Captain Stephen Olson must coordinate many factors to ensure a smooth passage down the river Thames, through the Dover Strait , English Channel and across the infamous Biscay Bay. The weather was not cooperating lately resulting with a three day delay in departing London.
Early in the morning Amistad moved for a few hours to a lock closing the entrance to Docklands from Thames River. The ship and the crew is getting ready for a long passage to Lisbon in Portugal. Amistad needed a visit to a gas station or, as they say in England a petrol station... Actually Amistad's two trustworthy Caterpillar engines are using diesel as fuel. It was delivered by a truck straight to the wharf. For safety reasons this operation could not be done on a posh wharf where Amistad moors in London. After refuelling the ship get back to her birth and the students departed to Greenwich Museum under the guidance of Amistad's Director of Education - Dwayne Williams.
Second day of Amistad's visit to London has been dedicated to the local African Diaspora communities. For most of the day the South Quay in London Docklands was filled by colorful crowd of Sierra Leoneans visiting the Amistad.
After an exciting day including parading along the River Thames and sailing under Tower bridged the Amistad moored at South Quay in London Docklands to rest before the next long leg of the Atlantic Freedom Tour - sailing to Lisbon in Portugal. While days in London will be full of exciting events the nights are time for the ship and her crew to get some well deserved rest.
Today at 2:30 p.m. traffic stopped in the heart of London because of the Amistad. The famous London landmark - The Tower Bridge opened to let the Freedom Schooner sail through, The Amistad paraded in in front of The Tower and HMS Belfast flying her colors above the city skyline. It is as far up the Thames as a tall ship of the Amistad's size can sail. The next bridge up the river - the London Bridge is too low to sail under. Thousands of people were touched today by the Amistad. There were probably as many motorists stopped in traffic as curious spectators on both sides of the River Thames embankments. Both sides of the river in this area are also the most popular place for the tourists from all over the world - what a great way to start a visit in the United Kingdom capital!
Freedom Schooner Amistad will be sailing up the Thames to London and docking at South Quay near Canary Wharf.
September 15-17
Open House. Amistad will be open from 10-5 each day for guided tours of the ship along with crew docents who will narrate the Amistad story and lead the guests on their own voyage of discovery.
September 15
Sierra Leone Day. This day has been dedicated to the African Diaspora communities for private tours of the ship. The crew and staff of Amistad America will be available to provide the narrative of the Amistad story as well as discuss the many aspects of the Atlantic Freedom Tour with particular emphasis on the elements pertaining to West Africa and Sierra Leone.
September 15
Amistad lecture at the Museum in Docklands by Professor Tunde Zack-Williams (Professor of Sociology University of Central Lancashire and President, African Studies Association of the United Kingdom) on The Spirit of Amistad and the African Renaissance followed by a dessert reception.
September 17
Farewell ceremonies, including a traditional libation ceremony, African drumming and singing.
September 19
Departure of Amistad for Portugal. This is the ship’s farewell from Britain, and Britain’s farewell to her students.
To reserve a place for the UK Lecture Series or for group tours of the Amistad,
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. Please indicate which port lecture you will be attending, or date for a group tour. Space is limited, so please indicate your interest as soon as possible.
Amistad's Partner - London Museum in Docklands is working on a new exhibit - London, Sugar and Slavery Gallery, the only permanent museum gallery to explore London’s relationship with the transatlantic slave trade, which will open in November.
The new gallery, called London, Sugar and Slavery, will reveal how London’s involvement in slaving has shaped the capital since the 17th century, and will challenge what people think they know about the transatlantic slave trade. It will debunk the myth that London was a minor player in the trade by showing that it funded much of the city’s industrial and financial success. From Jamaica Road to the Bank of England, from the merchant houses of Blackheath to the nation’s art collections, profits from this most lucrative trade shaped the metropolis.
While visiting Museum in Docklands pages do not miss a present exhibition:
England first took part in the African slave trade during the reign of Elizabeth I. In 1652, under the guidance of John Hawkins, three ships set sail from London for what is today Sierra Leone. On arrival Hawkins and his men took over 300 natives as captives. Hawkins and his ships then sailed to the Spanish West Indies to sell their cargo. London was the center of the English slave trade for most of the 17th and 18th centuries, before being eclisped by Bristol and Liverpool. Still, London continued to play a major role in the trade as its financial institutions provided the insurance for the slave cargos. London merchants also traded heavily in plantation goods. At its peak London was sending nearly 50 ships per year to Africa for the purpose of slave trading. Between 1710 and 1730 over 200,000 African slaves were transported on ships launched from London.
Port Visits 
Amistad's Partner - London Museum in Docklands is working on a new exhibit - London, Sugar and Slavery Gallery, the only permanent museum gallery to explore London’s relationship with the transatlantic slave trade, which will open in November. 
