Capture of Slave Ship and Trial Subject of Talk

The capture of an early 19th-century American slave ship and the resulting trial in Halifax provide the material for an upcoming public talk at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic.

The illustrated discussion by curator Dan Conlin will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 8, in the museum, 1675 Lower Water St. The talk is taking place in conjunction with African Heritage Month.

In the summer of 1811, the American schooner Severn was on its way to Africa to take slaves. But the ship was taken by His Majesty's Sloop of War Tartarus off Rhode Island, a prize in the campaign against the newly outlawed slave trade. With no slaves yet aboard, the ship's owners attempted to deny that they were slavers. The records of the trial offer interesting details on the beginning of a new phase of the North American slave trade.

"Severn's capture and trial also serves as a focal point to illustrate the roles of the people and ships central to Halifax's place as a busy wartime port in the Napoleonic Wars," said Mr. Conlin. "There is even a strong indication that this vessel was the origin of the famous War of 1812 privateer schooner Liverpool Packet, which captured at least 50 American vessels."

Until 1999 this was a little-known episode of Nova Scotian history. Mr. Conlin will give a talk based on his research.

Admission is free but the public is asked to bring non-perishable food donations for the Metro Food Bank. For more information, call 902-424-7490.