The Slave Ship Whydah
Slave ships, like the Whydah, were large cargo ships specially designed for the purpose of transporting slaves, especially newly purchased African slaves.
The name Whydah came from the West African trading town of Ouidah (pronounced WIH-dah).
Jennifer Oram and Joan Pope
The Whydah, launched in 1715 from London, England, was a three-masted galley ship measuring 31 meters in length. She could carry 300 tons of cargo and travel at an amazing speed of 13 knots. The Whydah was originally equipped as a fully-armed trade and transport ship to be used in the Atlantic slave trade, transporting goods from Europe to trade for slaves in Africa. Equipped with a standard arsenal of 18 six-pound cannons, that could be expanded to 28 in periods of battle, the Whydah was one of the most advanced weapons systems of her day.
Lawrence Prince, Dutch buccaneer and officer under Captain Sir Henry Morgan, was assigned to the Whydah as captain. After filling the cargo hold of the Whydah with slaves, he set sail for the Caribbean Islands. The Whydah, having completed the second leg of the Atlantic slave trade, was loaded with a fortune in gold and trade goods.
~~ Atlantic Slave Trade ~~
