Slave Purchasing Strategies

Map of the Atlantic Slave Trade

Author: Jessica Han

The demand for slaves for the mid-to-late eighteenth century varied on a number of factors. However, with the demand for slaves skyrocketing within that time period also came with it a number of dangers and risks that were posed to the health of the slaves. This study provides information about 39 slave ships and their journey from Africa to America. This study also reports some suspected causes of death among slaves who were on these ships traveling to America. In total, 9,880 slaves occupied those 39 ships (Hogerzill, 163). These 39 ships would then travel to different slave ports throughout Africa. Although slave purchasing strategies differed per ship, there was one common strategy that slave ships used (Hogerzill, 168). While slave ships would try to purchase small amounts of slaves, the risk of these slaves dying while onboard was a grim reality. However, slaves that were bought from Sierra Leone seemed to avoid that fate (Hogerzill, 178). However, even as the slaves that left Sierra Leone had survived the journey, it did not mean that they were not exposed to deadly diseases and life threatening conditions. According to an overall study of slave ships that arrived in Africa, approximately 41% of slaves died either while being loaded onto the ships, or during the passage to America (Hogerzill, 175). Although 41% may not seem like a huge percentage, according to the author, that percentage was much higher than slaves who were being held captive near the Coast of Africa (Hogerzill,176). The author also notes that, “Four of the 39 voyages, however, experienced slave losses in transit of over 30 percent” (Hogerzill, 176). However, even if slave mortality rates seemed relatively high, it was a small percentage compared to the actual percentages of slave purchases during this time. 

Hogerzeil, Simon J. and Richardson, David. "Slave Purchasing Strategies and Shipboard Mortality:

Day-to-Day Evidence from the Dutch African Trade, 1751-1797." The Journal of Economic History 67, no. 1 (2007):p. 163. Accessed April 17, 2021. http://www.jstor.org/stable/4501137.