Today is a mark in history that many know nothing about. The day a group of enslaved peoples overthrew their captors and gained their freedom, they literally sailed into freedom. An amazing story of will, courage, brains and bravery by people under tremendous hardship and stress. Their freedom deserves to be celebrated and not forgotten.

On 7th November 1841 the ship named Creole was traveling from Virginia to Louisiana. On board were 160 people. 135 of those were enslaved peoples, being sold.

One man, Madison Washington, had been enslaved after an initial escape to Canada but a return to Virginia trying to rescue his wife. He was the ship cook.

Washington and 17 other men rushed out of the place they were being held in when the grate was lifted.

They overtook the deck. They killed a trader with a knife, injured the captain, who hid inside the rigging and lived to tell of the overthrow.

The men demanded to sail towards Liberia, a country known for allowing freedom to former slaves.

However, one man suggested to the British run West indies, where slaves had been freed the year before.

They made their way to Nassau, Bahamas arriving on Novemeber 9th!

I can’t imagine how much elation these men felt as their ship was boarded by black Bahama residents who declared them free under British Colonial Law!

Sadly because of the Trader’s death Washington and his compatriots were detained.

However the rest were free to go and live their life, 128 freed peoples got their live back.

Three woman and two children (a girl and boy) stayed with the ship and chose to return to slavery. It must not be forgotten how mentally injured being enslaved made many people.

Tensions mounted between the Brits and Americans due to this event, one of the most successful revolts in the history of enslaved peoples.