Nick Baker and the team answer listeners' historical queries and celebrate the way in which we all 'make' history.
Programme 3
31 October 2006
The Abolition of Slavery 1807
Nick Baker and the actor, writer Kwame Kwei Armah on the second leg of a journey that takes in three places associated with slavery in the UK to see how they will be marking next year’s bi-centenary and, more importantly, establishing just how each places ‘slave history’ informs the present.
Today Nick and Kwame visit the Isle of Man
The Isle of Man’s slave trade history is different to that of Bristol and Liverpool, as no slaving ships ever actually set sail from the IoM. Its connection is that because of its political independence at the time of the slave trade, it was able to dictate the amount of tax on imported goods – the Dukes of Athol, who controlled the island, imposed a low level of tax, making goods cheaper than the East India Company, so slave traders would come to the Isle of Man to buy cheap goods to exchange for slaves in Africa. Some parties from the island did also accompany slave trading missions that set sail from Bristol and Liverpool.
Although the slave connection is indirect, many islanders profited greatly from money earned from the international trade in slaves. The grand houses of local merchants in Peel and Douglas still testify to this. In 1765 the IoM slave trading connection effectively ended as the British government took over control of the island’s custom duties. Yet after 1765 many islanders continued to take part in the trade by moving to Liverpool.
Making History consulted historian Frances Wilkins the author of Manx Slave Traders: A Social History of the Isle of Man's Role in the Atlantic Slave Trade Kidderminster: Wyre Forest Press. ISBN 1897725132. (1999) and Frank Cowin
From January the Manx Museum will be running: A Necessary Evil': Manx connections to the slave trade in the archives.
Using as its title a quote from Captain Hugh Crow, this display explores the role in the slave trade of Manx merchants and mariners, especially on ships which sailed from Liverpool for the African coast. The display is timed to coincide with the 200th anniversary year of the 1807 Abolition of Slavery Act which banned the trade in slaves by British vessels. Follow this link for more information.
Making History wants to hear your views on Abolition 200. What are the lessons for today, how does the slave trade shape the present and what is your community doing to commemorate the bi-centenary?
Making History wants to hear your views on Abolition 200. What are the lessons for today, how does the slave trade shape the present and what is your community doing to commemorate the bi-centenary? Contact the programme by using this link
The SS Waratah
Making History listener Annette Kelly contacted the programme to find out more about her Great Uncle Joe Kelly who she thinks lost his life serving on board the SS Waratah which went down with all hands in July 1909. Described as the Australian or South Atlantic Titanic, the wreck of the vessel has never been discovered and the exact reason for its sinking has never been established.
The Waratah was a luxury steamer, built by Barclay Curle & Co in Whiteinch, Glasgow (Scotland) and destined to be the flagship of the Blue Anchor Line. It was named after the emblem flower of New South Wales, Australia. The ship was supposed to serve as a passenger and cargo liner to Australia. It had 100 first class cabins, eight state rooms and a salon whose panels depicted the Waratah flower. On 5 November 1908, the Waratah set sail on her maiden voyage from England, with 689 passengers in third class accommodation and 67 First class passengers. Her captain was Joshua E. Ilbery, a sailor with 30 years navigational experience. The ship experienced no problems on her journey to Australia. On 27 April 1909, the Waratah set out from Australia on her return maiden voyage. She was bound for the South African ports of Durban and Cape Town and was then to return to London. The Waratah reached Durban, where one passenger, Claude Sawyer, an engineer and experienced sea traveller, got off the ship and sent the following cable to his wife in London: "Thought Waratah top-heavy, landed Durban" The Waratah left Durban on 26 July with 211 passengers and crew. On 27 July , it passed the Clan McIntyre. On the evening of the same day, the Union-Castle Liner Guelph passed a ship and exchanged light signals, but was only able to identify the last three letters of her name (T-A-H).
The Waratah was expected to reach Cape Town on 29 July 1909. It never reached its destination, and no trace of the ship was ever found.
Making History consulted the maritime researcher Hannah Cunliffe who after searching records at the National Maritime Museum, National Archives and Board of Trade Archives was able to place Joe Kelly on the Waratah.
Board of Trade Records are held at the National Maritime Museum and Southampton Central Library -
Special Collections Library
Civic Centre
Southampton
SO14 7LW
Making History also consulted Emlyn Brown, a South African who has spent over 20 years trying to locate the Waratah Find out more about the Waratah.
And the South African writer David Willers, the author of In Search of the Waratah: the Titanic of the South. Published by Highveld ISBN 0 620 33217 4
German war graves
A Making History listener in Belgium contacted the programme to ask where the graves of German airmen who lost their lives over the UK are located.
Making History consulted Richard Howman who runs a project called the British War Memorial Project which is a useful database for people interested in the war graves of all nationalities. Richard advised that most German graves were moved to a cemetery in Staffordshire in the 1960’s but there are some in other locations. Wherever they are the Commonwealth War Graves Commission have responsibility for their care and listeners can search its records on-line.
Vanessa has presented science and current affairs programmes for BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Discovery and has presented for BBC Radio 4 & Five Live and a regular contributor to the Daily Telegraph and the Mail on Sunday, Scotsman and Sunday Herald.
Contact Making History
Send your comments and questions for future programmes to: Making History BBC Radio 4 PO Box 3096 Brighton BN1 1PL
Vanessa has presented science and current affairs programmes for BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Discovery and has presented for BBC Radio 4 & Five Live and a regular contributor to the Daily Telegraph and the Mail on Sunday, Scotsman and Sunday Herald. 