The article discusses an exhibition at the Postal Museum that uncovers the untold story of enslaved individuals working on Britain's 19th-century postal ships. While the UK abolished slavery within its colonies, it continued to allow trade with nations using slave labor. The exhibition focuses on the lives of enslaved women who carried heavy coal for the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company and highlights significant events, such as the 1892 strike led by Queen Coziah. It also addresses the challenge of documenting slavery history due to scarce records, shedding light on the often overlooked contributions of these individuals.
A small photo of a woman carrying two lumps of coal is unlike any image of a woman carrying two lumps of coal you could imagine. It's also the image that triggered an exploration of the little-known story of slaves on Britain's 19th-century postal ships at the Postal Museum.
Although the UK had abolished slavery in stages between 1807 and 1838, it didn't apply to other countries, and didn't stop British firms trading with countries that used slave labour.
The exhibition tells the story of the enslaved people, predominantly women, who were forced to carry heavy baskets laden with coal to fuel the RMSPC's ships. In a single day, coal workers could be expected to carry as much as 800 tonnes of coal, as heavy as five cars.
However, hints and glimpses can be found, often indirectly in letters sent to and from slave owners, of which some telling examples are on display.
Collection
[
|
...
]