On March 16, 1807, the British Parliament passed The Abolition of the Slave Trade Act. In the following year the Royal Navy's African Squadron was formed, its mission to stop and search ships at sea suspected of carrying slaves from Africa to the Americas and the Middle East. With typical thoroughness, the Royal Navy went further, and took the fight to the enemy, sailing boldly up uncharted rivers and creeks to attack the barracoons where the slaves were assembled ready for shipment. For much of its long campaign against the evil of slavery Britain's Navy fought alone and unrecognised. Its enemies were many and formidable. Ranged against it were the African Chiefs, who sold their own people into slavery, the Arabs, who rode shotgun on the slave caravans to the coast, and the slave ships of the rest of the world, heavily armed, and prepared to do battle to protect their right to trafic in the forbidden 'balck ivory'. The war was long and bitter and the cost to the Royal Navy in ships and men heavy, but the result was worthy of the sacrifices made. The abolition of the slave trade led to a scramble for empires and, in place of slaves, Africa began to export coca, coffee, timber, palm oil, cotton and ores, all very much u=in demand in the West. As well as describing thrilling naval action in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans against a ruthless enemy, Royal Navy versus The Slave Traders is proof that Great britain took its responsibilities regarding the suppression of the Slave Trade seriously. AUTHOR:Bernard Edwards began his sea going career as an officer cadet in merchant ships towards the end of the Second World War. He went on to command ships trading in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. After nearly forty years afloat Captain Edwards settled in a tiny village in rural South Wales, far from the sound of waves, to pursue his second career as a writer. His exrensive knowledge of the sea and ships has enabled him to produce a series of authentic and eminently readable books which have received recognition. 8 pages of b/w illustrations
