Concord (1784 ship) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids History
Great Britain
Name	Concord
Launched	1784, Gravesend
Fate	Foundered 1807
General characteristics
Tons burthen	130, or 140, or 143 (bm)
Armament	4 × 6-pounder + 2 × 4-pounder guns

The ship Concord was built in Gravesend, England, in 1784. At first, she carried goods between England and Ireland, and then to the West Indies. From 1786 to 1806, Concord made 11 journeys as a slave ship. This means she was used in the triangular trade, a system where ships transported enslaved people across the Atlantic Ocean. After her last journey carrying enslaved people, new owners used Concord to sail between the United Kingdom and Newfoundland. Sadly, she sank in 1807 while traveling from Portugal to Newfoundland.

The Ship's Journeys

Concord first appeared in a shipping record book called Lloyd's Register in 1786. This book listed details about ships.

However, another record, Lloyd's List, showed Concord sailing earlier in 1784. For example, she arrived in Cork, Ireland, from London in November 1784. She then sailed from Cork in May 1785 and returned to Gravesend in October 1785, after visiting Antigua.

In 1786, Concord was bought by new owners and began her role as a slave ship.

Enslaving Voyages (1786–1806)

Concord made many difficult journeys, transporting enslaved people from Africa to the Americas. These voyages were part of the cruel transatlantic slave trade.

First Voyage (1786–1787)

Captain Michael Dove began this journey from London on September 12, 1786. He went to Bunce Island (also called Bance Island) in Africa, where 260 people were forced onto the ship. Concord arrived in March 1787 with 255 enslaved people, landing 253. The ship returned to London on May 25, 1787.

Second Voyage (1787–1788)

Captain Dove sailed again from London on July 18, 1787. He took on enslaved people from the Sierra Leone Estuary and Bance Island. Concord reached Grenada on March 18, 1788. Records show conflicting numbers, but it's reported that 231 people were taken from Africa, and 298 were landed. The ship, now with a Captain Smith, returned to London on June 8.

In August, Lloyd's List reported Concord arriving in Jamaica. She returned to Gravesend on September 25.

Dolben's Act (1788)

In 1788, the Slave Trade Act 1788 (also known as Dolben's Act) was passed. This was the first British law to try and control the slave trade. It set limits on how many enslaved people a ship could carry based on its size. For Concord, which was 130 tons, the limit would have been 217 enslaved people. The law also offered bonuses to captains and surgeons if very few enslaved people died during the journey. This was meant to encourage better conditions, but the trade itself remained horrific.

Third Voyage (1788–1790)

Captain Josiah Smith left London on November 11, 1788. He acquired enslaved people at Bance Island and arrived at Kingston, Jamaica, on December 5, 1789, with 208 people. Concord returned to London on June 9, 1790.

Fourth Voyage (1790–1791)

Captain Josiah Smith sailed from London on August 5, 1790. He took on enslaved people at Bance Island and arrived at Kingston on January 21, 1791, with 237 people. Concord returned to London on July 3.

Fifth Voyage (1791–1792)

Captain Josiah Smith left London on August 24, 1791. He acquired enslaved people in the Sierra Leone estuary and arrived at Port Maria, Jamaica, on March 9, 1792, with 195 people. Concord returned to England on July 20.

Sixth Voyage (1792–1793)

Captain Josiah Smith sailed from London on November 5, 1792. He took on enslaved people at Bance Island and arrived at Kingston on April 21, 1793, with 240 people. Concord returned to England on September 10, 1793.

Seventh Voyage (1794–1795)

Captain B. Merrick sailed from London on November 21, 1794. He acquired enslaved people at Bance Island and left Africa on June 4, 1795. Concord arrived at St Croix in July and returned to London on October 12.

Eighth Voyage (1796–1797)

Captain John Olderman left London on April 19, 1796. He acquired enslaved people first in the Sierra Leone estuary and then at Bance Island. Concord arrived at Zion Hill on April 6, 1797, with 236 people. She returned to London on July 16.

Ninth Voyage (1799–1800)

Captain John McLean left London on September 9, 1799. He acquired enslaved people at Bance Island and arrived at Demerara on April 8, 1800, with 211 people.

On September 22, 1801, Concord, with Captain Welch, sailed for Africa. On August 4, 1802, she returned to Gravesend from Sierra Leone.

Tenth Voyage (1803–1804)

Captain John Dowding sailed from London on April 10, 1803. He reached Madeira on May 3. He acquired enslaved people at the Sierra Leone estuary. Concord arrived at Grenada on December 30, 1803, with 159 people. She returned to London on August 11, 1804.

Eleventh Voyage (1803–1804)

Captain Dowding sailed from London on November 8, 1804. Concord arrived at Berbice in October 1805. She returned to London on February 16, 1806, with Captain Welch.

In January 1807, Lloyd's List reported that Concord, with Captain Balls, had arrived in Newfoundland with some damage. On March 6, Concord, with Captain Ball, arrived at Gibraltar from Newfoundland.

The Ship's End

In September 1807, Lloyd's List reported that Concord, with Captain Ball, had sunk. She was sailing from St Ubes (in Portugal) to Newfoundland when she foundered. Luckily, her crew managed to reach Fayal.