Freedom at the Sea

Many runaway slaves did their best to become part of a whaling ship crew.  Although the life of a whaler was hazardous, it was a far better option. The tours of duty on whaling ships were long, lasting three to four years. They were paid poorly and were barely fed. Many seamen ended with little more than a penny a day. Blacks were paid even less in comparison to other crewmembers. In time, black seamen became more prominent. They became known well-respected members of their community such as inventors, businessmen and abolitionists. They were considered knowledgeable men who were often literate and self-confident. “They had fought a creature the size of a building, so they were not likely to think of themselves as inferior to any man.” (Mckissack XXII) After acknowledging the black man’s skills and accomplishments, the rest of the crewmembers came to the realization that when given the opportunity, they could match their sea skills and strengths.