The sloop-of-war that hunted slave ships and freed 700+ souls off West Africa

The USS Constellation’s Anti-Slavery Patrols

The USS Constellation splashed into the water at Gosport Navy Yard in Virginia on August 26, 1854. This 199-foot sloop-of-war carried 22 guns and spread over 20,000 square feet of sail.

John Lenthall designed this vessel as the last sail-only warship ever built for the U.S. Navy.

Between 1859 and 1861, USS Constellation served as flagship of America’s African Squadron, hunting slave ships off the Congo River.

The crew captured three vessels and freed 705 people from the bark Cora in September 1860. Two other ships were empty but rigged for human cargo.

Here’s that story, and how you can visit the ship docked in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor today.

Becoming Flagship of the Africa Squadron

The Navy gave Constellation new orders in June 1859 after she finished duties in the Mediterranean Sea. Captain Thomas Aloysius Dornin first commanded her on this mission, with Flag Officer William Inman later taking charge.

Four warships made up the Africa Squadron. They protected American merchant ships and hunted down illegal slavers off the West African coast.

This patrol started because of the Webster-Ashburton Treaty of 1842, which required America to keep ships near Africa to stop the slave trade.

Taking Station at the Congo River

Constellation reached her patrol area on November 21, 1859, anchoring near the Congo River’s mouth. Slave traders favored this spot because they captured many people from Central Africa.

The squadron set up its main base at St. Paul de Loando (now Luanda) in Angola. This location let ships patrol more effectively than from previous island bases far from shore.

From here, Constellation hunted vessels flying American flags or suspected of American ownership that might be carrying human cargo.

First Capture: The Brig Delicia

Success came quickly. During the midnight-to-4am watch on December 21, 1859, lookouts spotted a suspicious ship.

The brig Delicia carried no flags or papers showing what country she belonged to. This missing documentation raised immediate alarm.

Inside, sailors found wooden platforms where captives would be chained, large water casks, and food supplies for a long voyage. Though no slaves were aboard yet, these preparations clearly showed the Delicia’s purpose.

The Dramatic Chase of the Cora

On September 25, 1860, near sunset, Constellation spotted the bark Cora, which immediately changed course. Both ships raced across moonlit waters for three and a half hours.

Every sailor aboard Constellation jumped into action. They climbed rigging to adjust sails and even splashed seawater on the canvas to make it catch more wind.

The captain ordered full sail despite darkness – a dangerous move. At one point, Constellation nearly crashed into the smaller vessel as they closed the gap between ships.

Freeing 705 Enslaved People from the Cora

American sailors boarded Cora and found a horrific scene. Below deck, 705 men, women, and children were packed into the cramped hold like cargo.

Seaman William Ambrose Leonard wrote that captives were “all packed together like so many sheep.” About 200 women and children huddled among the larger group of men.

All had been stripped naked and given no water or food for over 30 hours. Many suffered from thirst, hunger, and disease spread by filthy conditions.

Transport to Freedom in Liberia

After the capture, Constellation arranged transport for the freed captives to Monrovia, Liberia. American policy prevented returning freed Africans to their original homes because they might be recaptured.

Liberia began as a settlement for freed American slaves in the 1820s. By 1860, it had existed as an independent republic for 13 years.

Upon arrival in Monrovia, officials received the 705 freed captives. Many joined communities of previously liberated slaves from America and other captured ships.

Financial Incentives for Stopping Slave Trade

The U.S. government paid rewards to encourage naval crews to catch slave ships. Each freed slave earned a $25 bounty – about $800 in today’s money.

For the 705 people from Cora alone, this totaled $17,625, a huge sum in 1860. The Navy split these rewards among crew members based on rank.

The government also sold captured vessels at auction. Cora brought a good price when sold, with money again shared among Constellation’s crew.

Third Capture: The Brig Triton

Constellation’s third capture happened on May 21, 1861. The crew stopped the brig Triton in waters off Africa.

Unlike Cora, Triton carried no slaves when caught. But the ship held wooden platforms, shackles, extra water barrels, and other equipment made for transporting humans.

The captain had prepared to buy slaves but hadn’t reached a loading point yet. Constellation’s quick action stopped hundreds more from suffering the Middle Passage.

First Naval Capture of the Civil War

Triton’s capture came at a crucial time. Just weeks earlier, Confederate forces had fired on Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861, starting the Civil War.

President Lincoln ordered a blockade of southern ports on April 19. Triton’s seizure on May 21 became one of the first naval captures of the war.

The Navy carried out Lincoln’s blockade while still keeping some international patrols. Within months, most African Squadron ships would return home for war duty.

Overall Impact of the Africa Squadron

From 1859 to 1861, the African Squadron caught 14 slave ships. Constellation alone captured three vessels.

These operations freed about 4,000 enslaved people from terrible conditions. This showed a big improvement in the squadron’s success. From 1844 to 1859, the squadron stopped only 21 slavers.

The final two years saw 15 more captures – nearly tripling their effectiveness. This jump in success came from adding faster steam-powered ships and moving the squadron’s base to mainland Africa.

Visiting USS Constellation

The USS Constellation welcomes visitors daily at Pier 1 in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. The museum offers guided tours every hour focusing on the ship’s anti-slavery missions.

Below deck, a dedicated exhibit displays artifacts from the Africa Squadron period. Visitors can see original logbooks documenting the captures of Delicia, Cora, and Triton.

The museum’s “Freedom Gallery” features maps of patrol routes and stories of the 705 people freed from Cora in 1860.

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