| London - Port Overview |
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| Written by Kevin McLaughlin | |
| Wednesday, 20 June 2007 | |
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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. Hosts: British Government: www.direct.gov.uk Comments
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| Last Updated ( Sunday, 02 September 2007 ) |
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