The Little George Revolt: How Enslaved Africans Revolted and Commandeered a Slave Ship Back To Africa in 1730

During the transatlantic slave trade, revolts aboard ships were relatively common, but the majority of them ended in failure due to the overwhelming odds faced by the captive crews. However, some of these revolts proved to be successful, defying the norm and leading to freedom for the courageous captives. One such remarkable event was the little George revolt which occurred in early 1730 when a group of African captives staged a daring revolt on the sloop “Little George,” captained by George Scott.

In the early 1730s, Captain George Scott embarked on a dangerous voyage from Newport to Africa’s Guinea Coast with the purpose of acquiring slaves. After months on the shores of Guinea, the sloop “Little George” departed with 96 captured Africans. The conditions on board were bleak, with the captives confined in irons and treated as commodities destined for a life of enslavement. The crew, disciplined and well-armed, seemed an insurmountable obstacle to any resistance.

Approximately six days into the voyage, a group of men managed to slip out of their iron restraints. With determination burning in their hearts, they launched a surprise attack on the ship’s crew. Armed with improvised weapons seized from the ship itself, the Africans managed to overpower and kill three of the watchmen who were stationed on the deck. This swift and daring assault caught the crew off guard, setting the stage for a dramatic and unexpected shift in power.

Captain Scott and his crew valiantly attempted to resist the uprising, but their efforts were in vain. Overpowered and outmatched, his crew was subdued and confined to the cabin, effectively imprisoned by their former captives. For several days, the Africans held control of the Little George, demonstrating remarkable navigation skills as they sailed the ship back to the familiar waters of the Sierra Leone River. Leaving the ship behind, they made their way to freedom, leaving the crew barricaded in the cabin but still alive.

Captain George Scott was later rescued by another slave ship. After his rescue, he documented the harrowing revolt in great detail. Through his writings, he immortalized the bravery of those who had dared to rise against insurmountable odds.