Liverpool and the Slave Trade Liverpool During the

Liverpool and the Slave Trade

Liverpool During the 1780 s, Liverpool became the largest shipbuilding site in the UK. Due to this, many jobs were created such as: -Carpentry -Rope Making 40% of British ships were built in Liverpool.

How They Got Involved Liverpool was late in entering the Slave Trade, but she quickly surpassed London and Bristol to become the number one slave port in the whole of Europe by the 1740 s. Liverpool’s docks were easier to access as apposed to London and Bristol’s. Liverpool’s waterfront was deep therefore tides did not affect it, also making it no problem for large ships to dock at Liverpool.

The First Ship The first recorded slave sailing from voyage from Liverpool was by a ship called ‘The Liverpool Merchant’ in 1700. They sold 220 African slaves in Barbados. Due to the great success of the vessel, many other merchants decided to get involved in the Slave Trade.

Goods In Liverpool, ships were loaded with: -Cottons and Woolens -Guns -Iron -Alcohol -Tobacco

During… In 1726, the Slave Trade took flight and 21 ships left Liverpool’s docks. Following this, by 1757 a total of 176 ships left the docks on the slave voyage to Africa. In 1792, 131 slave ships left from Liverpool’s docks. It is estimated that over 40, 000 slaves were transported by Liverpool’s ships.

Effect On Liverpool The Slave Trade caused Liverpool to become one of the richest and robust trading centres in the world. For example, around £ 300, 000 was made yearly in Liverpool due to the Slave Trade.