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The Wanderer: The Last American Slave Ship and the Conspiracy That Set Its Sails
On Nov. 28, 1858, a ship called the slipped silently into a coastal channel and unloaded its cargo of over 400 African slaves onto Jekyll Island, Georgia, thirty eight years after the African slave trade had been made illegal. It was the last ship ever to bring a cargo of African slaves to American soil.
Built in 1856, the began life as a luxury racing yacht, flying the pennant of the New York Yacht Club and cited as the successor to the famous yacht . But within a year of its creation, the Wanderer was secretly converted into a slave ship, and, with the New York Yacht Club pennant still flying above as a diversion, sailed off to Africa. The Wanderer's mission was meant to be more than a slaving venture, however. It was designed by its radical conspirators to defy the federal government and speed the nation's descent into civil war.
The first reported the story as a hoax; however, as groups of Africans began to appear in the small towns surrounding Savannah, the story of the began to leak out; igniting a fire of protest and debate that made headlines throughout the nation and across the Atlantic.
As the story shifts between Savannah, Jekyll Island, the Congo River, London, and New York City, the tale is played out in heated Southern courtrooms, the offices of the The White House, the slave markets of Africa and some of the most charming homes Southern royalty had to offer. In a gripping account of the high seas and the high life in New York and Savannah, Erik Calonius brings to light one of the most important and little remembered stories of the Civil War period.
Built in 1856, the began life as a luxury racing yacht, flying the pennant of the New York Yacht Club and cited as the successor to the famous yacht . But within a year of its creation, the Wanderer was secretly converted into a slave ship, and, with the New York Yacht Club pennant still flying above as a diversion, sailed off to Africa. The Wanderer's mission was meant to be more than a slaving venture, however. It was designed by its radical conspirators to defy the federal government and speed the nation's descent into civil war.
The first reported the story as a hoax; however, as groups of Africans began to appear in the small towns surrounding Savannah, the story of the began to leak out; igniting a fire of protest and debate that made headlines throughout the nation and across the Atlantic.
As the story shifts between Savannah, Jekyll Island, the Congo River, London, and New York City, the tale is played out in heated Southern courtrooms, the offices of the The White House, the slave markets of Africa and some of the most charming homes Southern royalty had to offer. In a gripping account of the high seas and the high life in New York and Savannah, Erik Calonius brings to light one of the most important and little remembered stories of the Civil War period.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
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234 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 4, 2020
I found this book to drag for the first 25% or so. I was eager to get into the actual slave trading experience but was way-laid for awhile by the racing abilities of the yacht that was to be remodelled into a "slaver". Still, I suppose one had to be "primed" to understand that it was indeed a vessel up to the task of crossing the Atlantic without interference by British and American vessles commissioned with the task of stopping the slave trade.
This book also gets into the social and political ideas of the day - those that supported ownership of slaves and their transatlantic importation. It also, shows how men of wealth and power were able to use pro-slavery ideas to cause the South to declare secession from the Union and hence the cause of the Civil War. (It also shows how social position can enable one to manipulate the law and avoid justice.)
I am not normally into Politics as I find it somewhat complex and confusing but having said so, this book is an important contribition to the history of the slave trade and also how it acted as a catalyst for a war where it is said, 600,000 people died.
This book also gets into the social and political ideas of the day - those that supported ownership of slaves and their transatlantic importation. It also, shows how men of wealth and power were able to use pro-slavery ideas to cause the South to declare secession from the Union and hence the cause of the Civil War. (It also shows how social position can enable one to manipulate the law and avoid justice.)
I am not normally into Politics as I find it somewhat complex and confusing but having said so, this book is an important contribition to the history of the slave trade and also how it acted as a catalyst for a war where it is said, 600,000 people died.
October 30, 2013
In the early 1800s Congress outlawed the importation of slaves to America. Yankee captains and businesses continued the slave trade to Cuba. In 1858 the luxury racing yacht Wanderer was built. In 1859 she was converted to a slave ship sand attempted to bring a black cargo to America. This is the story of her voyage as well as the men involved in the planning and execution.
June 14, 2011
I love this book! This book not only exposed wealthy, greedy and racist Americans it also shows how far some would go to get what they want despite the suffering of others. I would suggest this book to anyone that wants to learn more about slavery, racism, and american greed.
Want to read
March 18, 2012This book is about the last slave ship to American. There is an account of my husband's great great grandfather in this book.
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January 24, 2018J Egbert Farnum was raised in Pottsville, PA. and was a noted adventurer. His marriage certificate (to Amanda Ray) lists his birthplace as South Carolina and his parents as Samuel and Mary (Cook) Farnum.
In December of 1858 he landed the Slave Ship Wanderer from Africa with about 420 negros. This was a bold crime and produced great excitement in the South. ( The Wanderer was one of the last slave ships to be brought to this country.) Two of the slaves were exhibited at the South Carolina State Fair in 1859.
John was jailed for six months in 1860 but released by friends. An attempt to rearrest him by the US Marshall was resisted with revolvers.
He mustered into the service of the United States in the War of 1861-1864 and became a Colonel of the 70th Infantry Regiment of New York State Volunteers.
John was wounded in action at Williamsburgh and discharged in June of 1866.
In December of 1858 he landed the Slave Ship Wanderer from Africa with about 420 negros. This was a bold crime and produced great excitement in the South. ( The Wanderer was one of the last slave ships to be brought to this country.) Two of the slaves were exhibited at the South Carolina State Fair in 1859.
John was jailed for six months in 1860 but released by friends. An attempt to rearrest him by the US Marshall was resisted with revolvers.
He mustered into the service of the United States in the War of 1861-1864 and became a Colonel of the 70th Infantry Regiment of New York State Volunteers.
John was wounded in action at Williamsburgh and discharged in June of 1866.
April 1, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. Having lived near Jekyll Island this tidbit of history is often overlooked and not publicized very well. Calonius presented history in a way that told a story and kept my attention.
June 2, 2021
Another story of white men using their power to persuade judges and avoid penalties for breaking the law...in this case the anti-slave international trade laws. It is a detailed account of the activity of the beautiful yacht, The Wanderer, that used for illegal slave-trade.
September 1, 2021
Well researched history of one of the last (1858) ships to arrive in the US with 400+ people. An excellent history of southern politics and power at the time.
January 4, 2022
A slice of history that only a good story teller can tell. Would only get a paragraph in general American history text.
August 22, 2022
Very interesting story about The Wanderer and the Lamar family that owned her. I enjoyed the history lesson especially about how the Civil War was influenced by the fire-eaters.
December 20, 2023
The tactics of the war-hungry Fire Eaters featured in this book are horrifyingly similar to those of the most radical and violent modern day Trump supporters
Want to read
March 4, 2017my copy is library binding with 298 pages.
August 18, 2014
This true story of a yacht that was refitted as a slave ship, was sailed to Africa to pick up captured slaves, and then delivered them to Savannah after the US ban on the importation of slaves is a compelling read. The criminal behavior of its owners and their duplicity was truly breathtaking and an outrage. You may become pretty angry - I did.
I had just been in Savannah when I read this book and wanted to drive back and also to go to NYC and Long Island to see the places that were integral to the illegal slave trade.
A must read.
I had just been in Savannah when I read this book and wanted to drive back and also to go to NYC and Long Island to see the places that were integral to the illegal slave trade.
A must read.
July 31, 2014
This was an excellent book; I learned things about the what led up to the civil war and the slave trade I never knew. I always thought it was all about slavery, but there was much more to it then that. It almost seams like all things in this world it still boils down to Money and power and crooked politicians. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the driving force of this world was the pursuit of knowledge.
September 5, 2016
While John Brown is being tried for the raid on Harper's Ferry, a trial is going on in Carolina. This trial is an attempt to bring charges against Southerners who decided to violate Federal law by new African slaves into the United States. The juxtaposition of these events is interesting. Read about an event that most of us have never heard of before.
May 6, 2008
This book will open your eyes to the horror of slave trade, and opinions of the people involved.
November 4, 2008
For me, this book painted a stunning image of incendiary political forces, and the personalities that could see and feel the tensions in the USA just before the Civil War.
I ate this book up.
I ate this book up.
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August 5, 2011I loved the introduction about Savannah. Makes me feel like I am there.
July 27, 2011
Un episode peu connu de l'avant guerre de secession que l'auteur décrit de facon documentée et objective.
August 27, 2015
Well researched, well written, easy to read, interesting, what more can I say a good read.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews