The Saltwater Railroad: An Overlooked Chapter in American History
Do you remember learning about the Underground Railroad in U.S. history class? It was a network of people and places that helped enslaved West Africans escape north to freedom. But what about the people who traveled south on the often-overlooked Saltwater Railroad?
If you’re learning this for the first time, that's okay; I’ll provide a quick overview!
The Saltwater Railroad refers to the maritime routes and networks used by Africans to escape slavery via the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. This was a daring undertaking that relied on a complex web of ship captains, sailors, and sympathetic individuals who aided enslaved Africans in their journey to freedom.
Disclaimer: You’re about to get hit with a history lesson, so take a deep breath if you need to.
Aight, so boom…
When Spain claimed Florida in 1513, the rest of the U.S .as we know it did not exist yet. The first southbound runaways on record — we’ll call them freedom seekers — arrived in Florida in 1687 after fleeing Virginia plantations. There were eight men, two women and a 3-year-old child.
It would set the tone for roughly the next two centuries.
In 1689, more enslaved Africans arrived in Spanish Florida after escaping the South Carolina Lowcountry. At the time, Florida had no real wealth from the settler’s point of view; there was no gold or silver and most colonials didn’t have the skills to work the land or deal with the heat and humidity. The territory was also prone to attacks from the original inhabitants who lived there and pirates, as well as natural disasters like hurricanes. It was governable on paper only. In reality, it was just the sort of a place where someone could disappear.
Its location near the Bahamian islands and its strength as a military outpost made it highly valuable to Spain. The complex waterways, swamps and wetlands also made Florida invaluable to enslaved Blacks from the deep south. This created an opportunity for both Black refugees that made it to Florida and the Spanish who promised them freedom in exchange for defending the Spanish settlers at St. Augustine. The Black volunteers formed a militia and their settlement at Fort Mosé was the first legally sanctioned free black town in North America.
By now I’m sure you’re a bit confused because we all grew up hearing “North good, South bad” as it relates to US history. Let's put this in perspective: Canada was over 1,000 miles away from the ”top” of the south (think: Virginia) and even further from places like Georgia. For those not willing to risk traveling through slave state after slave state, the Caribbean seemed like a better option.
Fugitives who escaped Southern plantations took refuge on the beaches of south Florida. Even with hurricanes, rough seas and the threat of recapture by pirates, the Bahamas were an attractive destination. They were close, for starters — just 50 miles from Florida in some places — and the majority of the population was Black, a condition that allowed for resistance movements to more easily take root.
Free Blacks in the Bahamas began to fight for rights not yet acknowledged in slaveholding states in the American South. Black residents of the Bahamas could own land, marry and seek education. This became even more important as Ft. Mosé was destroyed and Spain and France were forced to give up lands east of the Mississippi River to the British. Residents in the Spanish colony moved to Cuba as a result, including many freed Blacks from Fort Mosé.
While no longer Spanish property, British loyalists still offered their territories as a safe haven for those enslaved by “rebellious Americans” as a way to build their army and weaken the economy of the 13 colonies. This would turn into a full evacuation to Florida and the Bahamas when the British lost the American Revolutionary War in the 1780s. The loss of workforce and money that occurred as a result caused the US government to lobby for policy change.
In 1790, Florida ended its official policy of harboring fugitives. However, enslaved people still escaped to Florida where they were harbored by Seminole and Maroon—escaped West African—communities. Those grew even larger after the slave trade officially ended in the British Empire in 1807.
The British Royal Navy cut a deal with the Netherlands, and regiments like the West Africa Squadron would patrol waterways in the Atlantic to prevent the trade in slaves. These (often multiracial) groups of sailors would go on to free around 150,000 enslaved Africans; naturally, that caused some problems with the U.S., as slavery was still legal here.
Enter the War of 1812, and the U.S. and the British started fighting over shipping rights. Explaining it is complex and would take us away from the main plot, but trust me when I say: it was all about money and land. For the sake of staying on topic, It resulted in Andrew Jackson invading Florida via Pensacola in the west.
That sparked the beginning of the Seminole Wars, or an attempt to recapture Black runaways living among the Seminole tribes and ethnically cleanse the indigenous peoples from the Florida territory so whites could settle. This process would take about 40 years, cost thousands of lives and 40-60 million dollars. Black settlements such as Prospect Bluff, Angola and Bowlegs Town were completely destroyed. Black residents fled again — this time to escape war — and later established the Red Bays community on Andros Island in the Bahamas.
Those who made it to the Bahamas assimilated into a community populated by the Bahamian descendants of African slaves and “Black Seminoles”. Remember, those were runaway slaves from the Deep South who first took refuge with the Seminole people in Florida, and later made their way to the Bahamas after the tribe—which had fought back against European colonization over centuries—was forcibly relocated to Indian Territory along the Trail of Tears.
By the 1830s, an estimated 6,000 enslaved people had escaped to the Bahamas. Later, in 1841, their numbers swelled after a revolt on the Creole — a ship transporting slaves from Virginia to Louisiana, led to the liberation of over 100 people. They promptly set sail for Nassau, Bahamas. Their story inspired many other daring escapes, especially from Florida Territory. It is described to this day as “one of the most successful slave revolts in US history”.
Today, the traditions and stories of the people who found freedom along the Saltwater Railroad are kept alive in the Adelaide and Gambier communities in the Bahamas. They are mainly populated by descendants of the early black escapees. What a rich history and cultural legacy!
If you made it this far, pat yourself on the back! Now let's get to the real question: Why should you care about any of this???
Acknowledging the Saltwater Railroad is important for several reasons:
1. Broadening Historical Understanding
The Saltwater Railroad challenges the dominant narrative of the Underground Railroad and broadens our understanding. We now know that escaped Africans sought freedom along many different routes — these aren’t the only two . It highlights the ingenuity, courage, and resourcefulness of those who navigated treacherous waters in search of a better life. It also honors the Indigenous people who sheltered them while engaged in a fight for their own existence.
By recognizing this maritime network, we honor the untold stories and contributions of countless individuals who risked everything for freedom.
2. Celebrating Maritime Heritage
The Saltwater Railroad underscores the significant role of maritime heritage in the African diaspora. Enslaved Africans brought with them extensive knowledge of seafaring, navigation, and maritime trade, which proved instrumental in their escape efforts. Acknowledging this heritage celebrates the skills and expertise that Africans contributed to the maritime world, often under the harshest conditions.
3. Connecting Histories Across Borders
The Saltwater Railroad serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of the African diaspora across the Americas, Caribbean, and beyond. It highlights the shared experiences of resistance and survival that transcend national boundaries. By acknowledging this maritime network, we foster a deeper sense of unity and solidarity among diaspora communities and affirm our collective history.
4. Honoring Ancestral Resilience
Recognizing the Saltwater Railroad pays tribute to the resilience and determination of our ancestors. It acknowledges the immense challenges they faced and the extraordinary lengths they went to secure their freedom. By shining a light on this overlooked chapter, we honor their legacy and ensure that their stories are not forgotten.
Moving Forward
As we continue to uncover and celebrate the multifaceted history of the African diaspora, it is crucial to bring the Saltwater Railroad into the spotlight. Educators, historians, and community leaders should work together to incorporate this narrative into curricula, public discourse, and cultural acknowledgments. By doing so, we not only enrich our understanding of history but also inspire future generations to recognize the power of resilience and the enduring quest for freedom.
Let us honor this chapter with the recognition it rightfully deserves and continue to celebrate the spirit of those who charted their own course to liberty.
Sources:
Spanish Sanctuary: Fugitives in Florida, 1687-1790
ArcGIS Story Map | Saltwater Railroad-Interactive map with Routes
Red Bays Village | The Bahamas
Saltwater Railroad-Slideshow
The Saltwater Railroad (1821-1861) •
The Saltwater Railroad - JSTOR Daily