Freedom Schooner Amistad to Visit Halifax
The Freedom Schooner Amistad, a re-creation of the 19th century schooner, La Amistad, will visit Halifax from July 30 to Aug. 7 this year.
The ship's visit was announced today, June 28, by the Amistad Freedom Society of Nova Scotia, and representatives of Amistad America Inc.
"Freedom Schooner Amistad's visit to Halifax is one of the most significant events in our community in many years," said Wayne Adams, co-chair of the Amistad Freedom Society of Nova Scotia. "This ship represents a monumental historical event."
In 1839, 53 Africans were kidnapped from West Africa and transported to Havana, Cuba. They were fraudulently classified as Cuban-born slaves and illegally purchased by Spaniards.
The captive Africans were transferred to La Amistad to be transported to another part of the island. Three days into the journey, a 25-year-old Mende rice farmer named Sengbe Pieh, or "Cinque," led a revolt and assumed control of the vessel.
After 63 days at sea, La Amistad and its African "cargo" were seized as salvage by the United States and towed to Connecticut's New London harbour.
The Africans were held in a jail in New Haven on charges of mutiny and murder. The case took on historic proportions when former president John Quincy Adams successfully argued before the United States Supreme Court on behalf of the captives. In 1841 the 35 surviving Africans were returned to Africa.
"The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is thrilled to be involved in the Amistad's visit," said the museum's general manager, John Hennigar-Shuh. "There are some very interesting connections between this province and the Amistad story, and exploring those connections is important for all Nova Scotians."
During its week-long visit, a series of events will include a welcome gala, a freedom festival featuring local musicians, a youth diversity sail and daily public tours of the ship. Rounding out the week will be a harbour cruise in conjunction with the Halifax Natal Day celebrations and fireworks.
The Amistad Freedom Society of Nova Scotia is made up of members from the African Nova Scotian community, government and private sector partners.
The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is located at 1675 Lower Water St. in Halifax, and is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.