The Survivors of the Clotilda

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An immersive history of the Clotilda, the last slave ship to reach U.S. soil, reveals the profound stories of its survivors, the final documented witnesses to this dark chapter in history. Arriving in Mobile Bay, Alabama, in July 1860—over fifty years after the U.S. banned the importation of enslaved Africans—the Clotilda's captives endured a harrowing journey and lived well into the twentieth century, bearing witness to the legacy of slavery. Dr. Hannah Durkin meticulously chronicles the lives of the ship’s 110 captives, from their abduction in modern-day Nigeria to a grueling 45-day voyage across the Middle Passage. The narrative follows their experiences as they were sold into slavery in Alabama, their contributions to the foundation of Africatown, an all-Black community that inspired Harlem Renaissance writers, and the emergence of the quilting community of Gee’s Bend, known for its significant cultural impact. This compelling tapestry of history, biography, and social commentary enriches our understanding of the Black experience and America’s tragic past. The work is complemented by 30 artworks and photographs, enhancing its depth and resonance.