A rare object revealing the little-known role played by black Africans in the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade has gone on show at the Royal Naval Museum at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard in time for Black History Month (October).
The scrimshaw, which is a type of inscribed keepsake usually made from whale or walrus ivory by sailors on board ship, belonged to a sailor called James Freeman, an African from the Krou tribe of
Made from baby elephant ivory, it is inscribed with the names of the two flagships he served on between 1823 and 1827 together with the names of the Commodores who sailed on them. The inscription reads: "Jim Freeman, Head Krouman of HMS Sybille Comdre Collier 1827. Jim Freeman Head Krouman, HMS Owen Glenwdower Sir Roberts Mends Comdre 1823."
The Royal Navy would have given Freeman his symbolic working name when he joined the crew. In return he would have offered local knowledge and expertise as they fought to suppress the slave trade off the West African coast during the 1820s.
"The Royal Navy would enlist and pay Africans who were literally taking part in the fight against slavery, and Jim Freeman was one of them," said Matthew Sheldon, Head of Research Collections at the
"You just need to think of the practicalities. If you''re trying to operate there you don''t know the local coastline, the environment, you don''t know the languages. There are lots of different things only local people can help with."
In this instance the Navy enlisted members of the Krou tribe of
"He probably had responsibility for the other Kroumen on board and for organising them," added Matthew. "We also know he was rated as a Quartermaster, which meant he helped with steering and navigation. So he had a high status on the ship."
The Museum has now placed the scrimshaw, which has been given to them on long-term loan, on display as part of an existing exhibition based on the remarkable diaries of CH Binstead, a 19-year-old midshipman serving on the Owen Glendower at the same time as Freeman.
Binstead''s diaries offer a vivid picture of what Freeman''s ship was doing and the kind of conditions people were suffering and, although they don''t mention Jim Freeman by name, they describe some of the dangerous missions the crew undertook off the coast of
"Since the exhibition is based on this account, to be able to put the scrimshaw on display alongside it is great," reflected Matthew. "I think the fact that you had Africans involved in suppressing the slave trade is something a lot of people don''t realise."
Jim Freeman''s scrimshaw is on display now at the
The collection is free to view on purchase of a valid attraction ticket to enter the
The Historic Dockyard opens at 10am daily and further information can be found at www.historicdockyard.co.uk or by calling 02392 839 766.
Notes for Editors
[*] 'Chasing Freedom - The Royal Navy and the suppression of the Transatlantic Slave Trade’ at the Royal Naval Museum, has not only attracted thousands of visitors, but has brought to light previously unseen images and unheard stories highlighting the role of the Royal Navy in suppressing the Transatlantic Slave Trade, adding a new perspective to the 2007 bicentenary celebrations.
The collection also contains a nationally important collection of unique photographs donated by the family of Able Seaman Joseph John Chidwick during his service on the Persian Gulf Station where the crew of HMS Sphinx were engaged in subduing the slave trade. The collection comprises a fascinating and an important ‘snapshot’ of life on anti-slavery duties off the coast of Africa, including a never before seen image of a sailor in HMS Sphinx removing the manacles of a newly freed African and the ship’s Marines escorting captured slavers.
