Clotilda
The story of Africatown and the last known slave ship, the Clotilda, is a powerful testament to resilience, community, and cultural preservation. Today, these stories continue to shape understanding and inspire reflection.
Clotilda
The Clotilda was the last known U.S. slave ship, illegally transporting captive Africans to Alabama in 1860—more than 50 years after the transatlantic slave trade was outlawed. Its arrival and subsequent scuttling mark one of the final chapters of slavery in the United States.
Key facts
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Type: Schooner (two-masted sailing vessel)
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Year built: 1855
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Voyage date: 1860 (illegal slave voyage to Alabama)
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Number of captives: About 110 Africans
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Wreck discovery: Confirmed in 2019, Mobile River, Alabama
Historical background
The Clotilda was commissioned by Mobile shipbuilder Timothy Meaher, who conspired to evade U.S. and international laws banning the slave trade. Captained by William Foster, the schooner sailed to the Bight of Benin (present-day Benin and Nigeria), purchased Africans, and smuggled them into Mobile, Alabama, under cover of night.
Illegal voyage and aftermath
To hide evidence of the crime, the ship was burned and sunk in the Mobile River upon arrival. The Africans—later known as the “Clotilda Africans” or “Africatown founders”—were emancipated after the Civil War and established a self-sustaining community north of Mobile called Africatown, preserving their language and cultural traditions.
Discovery and legacy
Long considered a legend, the wreck of the Clotilda was conclusively identified in 2019 by archaeologists. Its recovery has provided material proof of the final slave voyage to the United States. The ship and the story of its survivors have become focal points for historical reckoning and cultural heritage projects in Alabama and beyond.
Cultural significance
The Clotilda’s story has inspired documentaries, museum exhibits, and renewed scholarly and public attention to the transatlantic slave trade’s human impact. It serves as both a memorial to those enslaved and a symbol of survival and community resilience.
The Story of the Clotilda
The Clotilda represents one of the most significant and sobering chapters in American history. As the last known vessel to bring enslaved Africans to the United States, its story is deeply connected to the founding of Africatown and the enduring legacy of its survivors. Today, ongoing research, preservation efforts, and storytelling continue to bring awareness to this powerful history.