Replica ship of shame on course for Liverpool

Aug 7 2007 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

The replica of the slave ship, Amistad _320

LIVERPOOL will play host to the replica slave ship Amistad as she arrives in the city as part of a voyage to retrace the infamous slave triangle.

The Amistad will arrive at Liverpool’s Albert Dock on Sunday, August 19 and depart a week later.

She is a replica of the Spanish slave schooner La Amistad, commandeered by slaves in 1839 in an event which helped hasten the end of slavery in the USA.

Her stop in the city will coincide with the opening of the International Slavery Museum on Thursday, August 23.

Michael Simon, 19, of Toxteth, is one of a total 50 students from countries around the Atlantic Basin that will serve as crew during the journey.

He and the ship are currently south of the UK in the Atlantic Ocean and will arrive in Falmouth, Cornwall tomorrow.

In addition to sailing duties, the students have been responsible for class study on maritime and environmental studies, as well as the social and economic history of port cities and the legacy of the slave trade.

Through live webcasts, blogs, and email correspondence to participating schools and museums across the globe, students aboard the ship will share their learning experiences with other students of all ages.

Michael, who is studying Art, English, IT at Liverpool Community College said he jumped at the chance to go on the trip.

He said: “My family come from Sierra Leone, Guyana, Antigua and Trinidad, many various locations in which the Africa diaspora was spread and my original western roots were laid. I have enjoyed it but being on this voyage has opened my eyes up to the world giving me a burning desire to go out and explore to meet all sorts of people and see things that others can only dream of.

“But as much as I would like that kind of life like anybody, I like my normal routine with my job.”

While in the UK he works as a carer for Fusion, which involves him working with young children with severe autism and accompanying severely disabled youngsters on day trips and holidays.

He has also worked with young people from the Somali community of Liverpool in assisting them with language needs.

On his return, he plans to start a degree in September at the University of Liverpool.

After visiting Liverpool, the Amistad will make its way to Bristol and London, before resuming its world-wide tour, stopping at Portugal, Senegal, Sierra Leone, the Caribbean and the US.

The ship set sail from New Haven, Connecticut, USA on June 21, and will complete its voyage in August 2008.

In December, Amistad will sail into the harbour of Freetown, Sierra Leone, the original West African homeland of many of the Amistad captives.

Amistad America which is running the voyage is a non-profit educational organisation that promotes improved relationships between races and culture.

davidbartlett@dailypost.co.uk