British naval vessels freed the slaves on an American ship bound for Havana, Cuba. The Illustrated London News, 17 October 1857. Courtesy of University of Missouri Libraries.

Cross sections of the slave ship Abbot Deveroux depicting the limited space assigned for slaves, and the subsequent overcrowding and inhumane conditions slaves endured during transport. The Illustrated London News, 19 September 1857. Courtesy of University of Missouri Libraries.

The H.M.S Teaser was one of many British naval ships responsible for capturing slavers. The Illustrated London News, 19 September 1857. Courtesy of University of Missouri Libraries.

In the 1850s the British Navy was the fastest and most powerful naval force. The Illustrated London News, 27 June 1857. Courtesy of University of Missouri Libraries.

Illustrations of captured slave ships attested to the success of the British Navy in their efforts to suppress the slave trade. The Illustrated London News, 20 June 1857. Courtesy of University of Missouri Libraries.

The H.M.S Linnet was one of the many British naval vessels responsible for capturing slave ships. The Illustrated London News, 18 June 1853. Courtesy of University of Missouri Libraries.

British Naval Vessels such the ‘Teaser’ attempted to pressure African villages that they believed were involved in the slave trade. When efforts at persuasion failed, they were often prepared to use violent force. The Illustrated London News, 14 May 1853. Courtesy of University of Missouri Libraries.

Two slaves ships were destroyed off the coast of the island of Querimba. Two days later, the same British crew attempted to capture another Spanish slaver. After a 42 hour chase, the British ship gave up in its chase. The Illustrated London News, 28 February 1852. Courtesy of University of Missouri Libraries.

The H.M.S Rifleman was one of the many British vessels patrolling the Atlantic Ocean for slave ships. The Illustrated London News, 14 December 1850. Courtesy of University of Missouri Libraries.

British naval vessels chasing slavers in the high seas was a common feature in the suppression period. Sometimes, however, they overstepped their jurisdiction and invaded other nations’ waters. The image shows one such instance, where H.M.S. Cormorant invaded Brazilian waters in pursuit of slaves seeking harbor at the Port of Paranaguá. The Illustrated London News, […]