#OnThisDay 1807 the Abolition of Slavery act gains Royal assent making trade of African slaves illegal in the Empire. In the decades that followed the Royal Navy captured over 1600 ships, freeing over 150,000 slaves. The cost was 2% of Government spending or half of RN budget
@OnthisdayRN The difference was that U.K. slaveowners were handsomely compensated. You can get anywhere given enough money, as you well know Ian
@OnthisdayRN A large number of British sailors died over the years in enforcing the abolition of the slave trade. fullfact.org/online/royal-n…
@OnthisdayRN 25 March 1807 King George III gave Royal Assent to the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act banning trading in enslaved people in the British Empire. It was not until 28 August 1833 that the Slavery Abolition Act received Assent, banning slavery completely in the British Colonies
@OnthisdayRN @mattwridley There is a very moving memorial raised in Simonstown cemetery by the surviving crew of a British ship to their captain killed by Somalis in the war against slavery
@OnthisdayRN Meanwhile, USA
@OnthisdayRN Don't forget the 2000+ RN crew who died as part of the West Africa Squadron fighting to end slavery.
@OnthisdayRN UK government took out a loan to recompense the slave owners. Finally paid off in 2015. Very gentlemanly
@OnthisdayRN @AC_NavalHistory What were the revenues from selling the confiscated ships? I bet they paid for everything and then some.