Opposing the Slavers ─ The Royal Navy Campaign of Suppression

Much is known about Britain’s role in the Atlantic slave trade during the eighteenth century but few are aware of the sustained campaign against slaving conducted by the Royal Navy after the passing of the Slave Trade Abolition Act of 1807. Peter Grindal provides the definitive account of this little known yet important part of the British, European and American history. Drawing on original sources to provide a comprehensive and engaging narrative of the naval operations against slavers of all nations—in particular Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands and Brazil, he describes how illegal traders sought to evade treaty obligations, reveals the obduracy of the USA that prolonged the slave trade, and shows how, despite inadequate resources, the Royal navy’s sixty–year campaign forced slavers to expend ever greater sums top conduct their business and confront the losses inflicted by capture and condemnation. A work that will transform our understanding of the Royal Navy’s campaign against the Atlantic slave trade.

Peter Grindal enjoyed a successful career with the Royal Navy before retiring in 1992. He held positions at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth and the Royal Naval College Greenwich and during his early career took part in suppressing the 1962-3 Brunei rebellion in Borneo. His experience includes minesweepers, fast patrol boats, frigates, amphibious assault ships and guided-missile destroyers in the Atlantic, Middle East, Far East and home waters. He was Training Offcier to Sub-Lieutenant The Prince of Wales, commanded the Royal Navy Task Group protecting shipping in the Arabian Gulf during the Iran-Iraq war and was Assistant Director Naval Warfare on the Naval Staff. His final role was Commander of the United Kingdom and Netherlands Amphibious Task Group for NATO. He was awarded the CBE in 1982.