The Man in the Margins – The Black Sailor’s Voyage to Nelson’s Column (I)

The Man in the Margins – The Black Sailor’s Voyage to Nelson’s Column (I)

15 Mar 23
Posted by: CDRE DAVID BURNS RN (RTD)
25 minutes, 53 seconds read
Message from the Editor

The first of a two-part series, as a diversity and inclusion resource for Black History Month, the author examines the role of black labour in the Atlantic maritime system, from which the Royal Navy’s black sailors were drawn during the 18th century. This instalment focuses on the tragedy of black slavery as a component of the Atlantic system, and the remarkable achievements of those slaves who nevertheless became Royal Navy sailors. A 30 minute read.

History Overlooked At the base of Nelson’s column, on the left-hand side of the bronze bas-relief which faces Whitehall and depicts the Battle of Trafalgar, there is depicted a black sailor armed with a musket. Along with a neighbouring Royal Marine who is taking aim, and another sharp-eyed sailor pointing aloft, he appears focussed on returning fire at the unseen sniper who has just felled Nelson (Fig. 1). Naval Review readers may be familiar with this figure, but the general public is probably not. He was highlighted as part of our nation’s ‘forgotten history’ by the historian David Olusoga…

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