SQUADRON: ENDING THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE

A tale of unsung heroes

Author John Broich Publisher Duckworth Overlook Price £20 Released Out now

Leopold Heath, George Sulivan, Edward Meara and Philip Colomb. Four Royal Naval officers who were determined to end the East African slave trade, despite the opposition they faced from the merchant class and the British government. Their story has been largely forgotten but historian John Broich has made a brilliant attempt at bringing these men back into the fold.

Laid out chronologically, Broich entwines their stories with their battles against the slavers, seizing their ships and freeing the slaves trapped on board. He includes the impact their campaign had back home — it is interesting to discover how the abolition movement, which at this point was lulling in 19th-century Britain, was hit with renewed zeal as abolitionists seized on the actions of the officers and their squadron. The little personal stories that pop up provide insight into the real experiences of these men. For example, the tale of Sabourri, a young East African boy and slavery refugee who falls gravely ill with cholera on Colomb’s ship, HMS Dryad, exposes the real fear of disease at sea — and Colomb’s fear that it would decimate his crew.

It is clear to see how much time Broich has spent delving into archives for this book, and that’s before the hefty notes section at the back, detailing his numerous sources. He successfully incorporates this research throughout without it becoming too dry and academic, which is no mean feat for a historically accurate book! The glossaries at the beginning are great additions for those who know nothing about this area of history.

Captivating, insightful and concise this book serves as reminder that out there are true stories that have been swept aside and deserve to be told. It is a great read for those who want to try something a little bit different.