The Clotilda arrived in Mobile in 1860 and was quickly burned and scuttled in delta waters north of Mobile Bay. “They resolved they would build their Africa in America,” said Robertson, who wrote the 2008 book “The Slave Ship Clotilda and the Making of AfricaTown, USA; Spirit of Our Ancestors.” She will speak at the gathering of descendants. Displaying the Clotilda at Africatown could be a boost, but the burned remains of the ship haven’t been located. Investigators in December scoured another, smaller wreck but said they haven’t determined whether it is the last slave ship. The continuing search for the ship and plans for the upcoming gathering have created new interest among Africatown descendants, and area native Anderson Flen hopes something good will come of it all.

Source: National Post February 08, 2019 06:00 UTC