[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f5efd7″ custom_padding=”||43px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding_tablet=”10px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”10px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”|||on|||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”77px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”1250px” max_width_tablet=”” max_width_phone=”80%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”|auto|106px|auto||” custom_margin_tablet=”0px|auto|22px|auto|false|false” custom_margin_phone=”|auto|25px|auto|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”19px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” header_2_text_align=”right” header_2_font_size=”47px” header_2_letter_spacing=”-0.5px” hover_enabled=”0″ header_2_text_align_tablet=”center” header_2_text_align_phone=”center” header_2_text_align_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.4em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Once on board, the captive people were chained up in the holds of the ships in inhuman conditions. These spaces were often modified to increase capacity and make the journey more profitable, with little change to the ship\u2019s overall appearance. When the trade became illegal, the conditions of the crossing worsened even further. The voyage lasted between two and three months, and it is estimated that around 15% of the captives died during the transatlantic journey. <\/p>\n
When the ships reached the American ports, the traffickers sold the captured people to private individuals, with local merchants acting as intermediaries. From that moment on, they were enslaved and forced to work in domestic service or \u2014 in the case of Cuba and Puerto Rico \u2014 mainly on coffee and sugar plantations. After 1821, when the trade was outlawed, ships had to disembark the African captives in secret, along the beaches and mangroves of Cuba and Puerto Rico. <\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”4″ custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”90%” max_width_tablet=”none” max_width_phone=”80%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|auto|80px|auto|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||20px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1-vaixells-el-viatge.jpg” alt=”La Marie S\u00e9raphique de Nantes” title_text=”1-vaixells-el-viatge” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||30px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_3_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” header_3_font_size=”33px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||95px|||” custom_margin_tablet=”||65px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||55px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_letter_spacing_tablet=”” text_letter_spacing_phone=”” text_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” text_line_height_phone=”1.3em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_3_font_size_tablet=”33px” header_3_font_size_phone=”31px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
La Marie S\u00e9raphique de Nantes, arm\u00e9 par Mr Gruel, pour Angole, sous le commandement de Gaugy, qui a trait\u00e9 \u00e0 Loangue, dont la vue est cy-dessous la quantit\u00e9 de 307 captifs (…)<\/em><\/p>\n (The ship The S\u00e9raphique Marie<\/em> of Nantes, outfitted by Mr Gruel, for Angola, under the command of Gaugy, who dealt in Loango, whose sight is below the quantity of 307 captives (…)). <\/p>\n Reproduction of the watercolor made around 1770 by Ren\u00e9 Lhermitte and preserved in the Ch\u00e2teau des Ducs de Brittany – Mus\u00e9e d’Histoire de Nantes (France).<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2-vaixells-el-viatge.jpg” title_text=”2-vaixells-el-viatge” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||30px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_3_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” header_3_font_size=”33px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin_tablet=”||50px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||30px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_letter_spacing_tablet=”” text_letter_spacing_phone=”” text_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” text_line_height_phone=”1.3em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_3_font_size_tablet=”33px” header_3_font_size_phone=”31px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Vue du Cap Fran\u00e7ais et du Nvr La Marie S\u00e9raphique de Nantes, capitaine Gaugy, le jour de l\u2019ouverture de sa vente, troisi\u00e8me voyage d\u2019Angole, 1772-1773.<\/em><\/p>\n (View of Cap Fran\u00e7ais and the ship La Marie S\u00e9raphique<\/em> de Nantes, by captain Gaugy, on the day of the opening of her sale, third voyage to Angola, 1772-1773).<\/p>\n This watercolor illustrates the third voyage of La Marie-S\u00e9raphique<\/em>, organized by the shipowner Gruel, from February 18, 1772 to April 3, 1773. The document describes the sale of captives on board. It also details the removal of the captives and the result of the operation, as well as a cross-section of the ship, showing the specific characteristics of a slave ship. <\/p>\n Reproduction of the anonymous watercolor made around 1773 and preserved in the Ch\u00e2teau des Ducs de Bretagne \u2013 Mus\u00e9e d\u2019Histoire de Nantes (France).<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/8-vaixells-el-viatge.jpg” alt=”Model of the schooner brig Carmen” title_text=”8-vaixells-el-viatge” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||30px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” header_3_font_size=”33px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||95px|||” custom_margin_tablet=”||65px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||55px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_letter_spacing_tablet=”” text_letter_spacing_phone=”” text_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” text_line_height_phone=”1.3em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_3_font_size_tablet=”33px” header_3_font_size_phone=”31px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Ship model of the schooner brig Carmen<\/em><\/p>\n This type of sailboat, small and light, was used by the Catalans for the trafficking of enslaved people.<\/p>\n Ship model made by Mariano M. Sastre Carreras (1915-1963).<\/p>\n MMB<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/7-vaixells-el-viatge.jpg” alt=”Model of the schooner brig Carmen” title_text=”7-vaixells-el-viatge” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||30px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” header_3_font_size=”33px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||95px|||” custom_margin_tablet=”||65px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||55px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_letter_spacing_tablet=”” text_letter_spacing_phone=”” text_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” text_line_height_phone=”1.3em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_3_font_size_tablet=”33px” header_3_font_size_phone=”31px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Ship model of the schooner with a fore-top sail Eva<\/em><\/p>\n This type of sailboat, small and light, was used by the Catalans for the trafficking of enslaved people.<\/p>\n Ship model made by Mariano M. Sastre Carreras (1915-1963).<\/p>\n MMB<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/5-vaixells-el-viatge.jpg” alt=”The Spanish frigate Primera de Catalu\u00f1a” title_text=”5-vaixells-el-viatge” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||30px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_3_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” header_3_font_size=”33px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||9px|||” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_letter_spacing_tablet=”” text_letter_spacing_phone=”” text_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” text_line_height_phone=”1.3em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_3_font_size_tablet=”33px” header_3_font_size_phone=”31px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n La fragata espa\u00f1ola Primera de Catalu\u00f1a. A\u00f1o de 1846. <\/em><\/p>\n This frigate was built in San Francisco (USA) and registered in Havana in 1846. It was owned by Josep Torrents Serramalera (Moi\u00e0, 1796 \u2013 Barcelona, \u200b\u200b1854), owner of a fleet of sailing ships, some of which, like this one, were used in the slave trade. <\/p>\n Tempera on paper by James Guy Evans (1846)<\/p>\n MMB<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(246,245,232,0.45)” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”108px||40px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”50px||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”30px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”1250px” max_width_tablet=”” max_width_phone=”80%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”|auto|67px|auto||” custom_margin_tablet=”|auto|0px|auto|false|false” custom_margin_phone=”|auto|0px|auto|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Alternate Gothic||||||||” text_font_size=”31px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_3_font=”Alternate Gothic||||||||” header_3_text_align=”right” header_3_text_color=”#321310″ header_3_font_size=”40px” header_3_letter_spacing=”-0.75px” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” text_orientation=”center” custom_margin=”||7px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” header_3_text_align_tablet=”left” header_3_text_align_phone=”left” header_3_text_align_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_3_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The Spanish Crown banned the trade in 1817 through a bilateral treaty with the United Kingdom that made it completely illegal from 1821 onwards.<\/p>\n Despite this, the activity continued because slave labour was not prohibited in the colonies. To combat illegal trafficking, a joint Spanish-British court was established in Freetown, now the capital of Sierra Leone, to try ships captured while engaging in this trade. The other joint Spanish-British court was established in Havana. The British navy became a veritable maritime police force against ships that violated the ban. Thanks to the documents from these two courts, we now know some of the stories. <\/p>\n The Maritime Museum of Barcelona holds a wide variety of maritime ex-votos, including some that recount how certain ships managed to escape pursuit by the British Navy while trafficking enslaved people.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ make_equal=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|tablet” max_width=”90%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”100%” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin=”|auto|45px|auto||” custom_margin_tablet=”|auto|5px|auto|false|false” custom_margin_phone=”|auto|5px|auto|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding_tablet=”||||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”||||false|false” module_alignment_tablet=”” module_alignment_phone=”” module_alignment_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f5efd7″ custom_padding=”|||||true” custom_padding_tablet=”|7%||7%|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”|6%||6%|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” border_width_right=”20px” border_color_right=”#fbfaf5″ border_width_right_tablet=”0px” border_width_right_phone=”0px” border_width_right_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_4_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” header_4_text_align=”left” header_4_font_size=”35px” header_4_letter_spacing=”-0.65px” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” custom_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” custom_margin_tablet=”26px||26px||true|false” custom_margin_phone=”0px||0px||true|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”30px|40px|0px|40px|false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”40px|23px|0px|23px|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”59px|12px||12px|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” header_4_font_size_tablet=”33px” header_4_font_size_phone=”28px” header_4_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/uracan-ok-tablet.jpg” alt=”Falucho Uracan” title_text=”uracan-ok-tablet” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” src_tablet=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/uracan-ok-tablet.jpg” src_phone=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/uracan-ok-tablet.jpg” src_last_edited=”on|phone” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”20px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”24px||||false|true” custom_margin_phone=”18px||||false|true” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|40px||40px|false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”|23px||23px|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”|12px||12px|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” header_3_font_size=”33px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”20px||10px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”20px||20px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”20px||20px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”|40px||40px|false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”|23px||23px|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”|12px||12px|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_letter_spacing_tablet=”” text_letter_spacing_phone=”” text_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” text_line_height_phone=”1.3em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_3_font_size_tablet=”33px” header_3_font_size_phone=”31px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Falucho Uracan perseguido por el vapor ingl\u00e9s Graules en tr\u00e1fico negrero .<\/em><\/p>\n Tempera on paper by Jos\u00e9 Pineda Guerra (1884)<\/p>\n MMB<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][dipl_separator use_with=”icon” seprator_thickness=”1px” separator_color=”#321310″ font_icon=”{||divi||400″ icon_color=”#321310″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||8px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||20px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||20px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px|40px|0px|40px|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|23px|0px|23px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”|12px||12px|true|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/dipl_separator][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”19.5px” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_4_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” header_4_font_size=”31px” header_4_letter_spacing=”-0.5px” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” custom_margin=”||||true” custom_margin_tablet=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”0px|40px|30px|40px|false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”|23px|15px|23px|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”|12px|0px|12px|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” text_font_size_tablet=”19.5px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_4_font_size_tablet=”31px” header_4_font_size_phone=”28px” header_4_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n On November 9, 1841, the barca de mitjana Urac\u00e1n<\/em> was launched from the shipyard of master shipwright Josep Vieta in Blanes. It measured 90 feet in length, 23 in beam, and had a tonnage of 110. Its first captain was Gaspar Roig Llenas, born in Vilassar de Mar and based in Barcelona. The owners were indianos Jaime Batey and Jos\u00e9 Rabasa, both established in the Cuban port of Matanzas.<\/p>\n At the end of 1842, the Urac\u00e1n<\/em> embarked 256 people purchased at a factory in Gallinas, in present- day Sierra Leone. Three months later, it disembarked 186 people in Matabajo, near the Cuban town of Guant\u00e1namo. The rest likely perished during the crossing. Despite complaints from British representatives on the island, Spanish military authorities turned a blind eye\u2014probably in exchange for a bribe. Thus, the Urac\u00e1n<\/em> was able to deliver its human cargo to the buyers.<\/p>\n But the British already had their eye on it. Since 1821, human trafficking had been illegal, and British ships had become a true anti-slavery maritime police force. The Urac\u00e1n<\/em> was one of their primary targets.<\/p>\n On January 12, 1845, while attempting to enter Gallinas once again, the Urac\u00e1n<\/em> encountered the British steamer Growler, tasked with pursuing slave ships along the African coast. Lieutenant Lodwick, who commanded the vessel, launched a boat to inspect the barca de mitjana. Suddenly, when the boat was just 30 yards away, the Urac\u00e1n<\/em> opened fire. However, thanks to a gust of wind that shifted its position, the bullets passed over the British boat. Lieutenant Lodwick responded with 180 shots. During the exchange, two British men were killed, and Lodwick along with two others were seriously wounded. The Urac\u00e1n\u2019s<\/em> volleys left the British boat with six oars destroyed and so few able-bodied men that they had no choice but to retreat.<\/p>\n From that moment on, the Urac\u00e1n became the most sought-after prize for British naval officers. We know of at least six pursuits: once by the ship Waterwitch, commanded by Captain Matson, another by a vessel dependent on that same ship, twice by the Iris, when this ship was commanded by Captain Tucker, once by the steamship Kite, and again by the steamship Growler. Of all these pursuits, the Urac\u00e1n managed to escape.<\/p>\n Finally, on 24 February 1845, when the Urac\u00e1n was captained by Jaume Guardiola, from San F\u00e9lix de Gu\u00edxols, and while it was loading people purchased at a factory in Whydah (now Ouidah, in Benin), the British steamship Hydra stopped and boarded it. There were 70 slaves on board. We know the names of some of these people: Loando, a 24-year-old man; Yangee, a 21-year-old woman; Samoo, a 9-year-old boy; Sambah, a 10-year-old girl; Mosungoo, a 28-year-old wife; Jaree, a 19-year-old young man.<\/p>\n The court in Sierra Leone ordered the ship to be sold at public auction and the kidnapped persons to be released. They were unable to convict the crew because, surprisingly, they had fled on a French ship.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f5efd7″ custom_padding_tablet=”|7%||7%|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”|6%||6%|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” border_width_right=”10px” border_color_right=”#fbfaf5″ border_width_left=”10px” border_color_left=”#fbfaf5″ border_width_right_tablet=”0px” border_width_right_phone=”0px” border_width_right_last_edited=”on|tablet” border_width_left_tablet=”0px” border_width_left_phone=”0px” border_width_left_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_4_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” header_4_text_align=”left” header_4_font_size=”35px” header_4_letter_spacing=”-0.65px” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” custom_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” custom_margin_tablet=”26px||26px||true|false” custom_margin_phone=”0px||0px||true|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”30px|40px|0px|40px|false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”40px|23px|0px|23px|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”59px|12px||12px|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” header_4_font_size_tablet=”33px” header_4_font_size_phone=”28px” header_4_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/conchita-ok-tablet.jpg” alt=”Apresamiento escandaloso de la corbeta espa\u00f1ola Conchita” title_text=”conchita-ok-tablet” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” src_tablet=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/conchita-ok-tablet.jpg” src_phone=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/conchita-ok-tablet.jpg” src_last_edited=”on|tablet” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”20px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”24px||||false|true” custom_margin_phone=”18px||||false|true” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|40px||40px|false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”|23px||23px|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”|12px||12px|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” header_3_font_size=”33px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”20px||10px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”20px||20px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”20px||20px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|40px||40px|false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”|23px||23px|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”|12px||12px|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_letter_spacing_tablet=”” text_letter_spacing_phone=”” text_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” text_line_height_phone=”1.3em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_3_font_size_tablet=”33px” header_3_font_size_phone=”31px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Apresamiento escandaloso de la corbeta espa\u00f1ola Conchita de la propiedad de D. Jos\u00e9 Vidal y Ribas por el vapor crucero ingl\u00e9s <\/em>Firefly de 4 ca\u00f1ones y de la fuerza de 220 caballos en la roda de Wydah a las 6 de la tarde del 27 de agosto de 1857<\/em> Anonymous oil on canvas (1857)<\/p>\n MMB<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][dipl_separator use_with=”icon” seprator_thickness=”1px” separator_color=”#321310″ font_icon=”{||divi||400″ icon_color=”#321310″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||12px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||20px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”0px||20px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”0px|40px|0px|40px|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|23px|0px|23px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”|12px||12px|true|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/dipl_separator][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”19.5px” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_4_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” header_4_font_size=”31px” header_4_letter_spacing=”-0.5px” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” custom_margin=”||||false” custom_margin_tablet=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||0px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px|40px|30px|40px|false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”|23px|0px|23px|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”|12px||12px|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” text_font_size_tablet=”19.5px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_4_font_size_tablet=”31px” header_4_font_size_phone=”28px” header_4_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The legend on the ex-voto reveals the following event:<\/p>\n Apresamiento escandaloso de la corbeta espa\u00f1ola Conchita, propiedad de D. Jos\u00e9 Vidal y Ribas, por el vapor crucero ingl\u00e9s Firefly, de 4 ca\u00f1ones, y de la fuerza de 220 caballos en la roda de Wydah a las 6 de la tarde del 27 de agosto de 1857. The Conchita<\/em> left Barcelona on 23 December 1856, captained by Joaquim Roig and loaded with spirits and empty barrels. The first stop was in Gibraltar, where it took on English goods. It then sailed to Accra (Ghana). From there, following orders from Josep Vidal y Ribas’ representative, it continued on to Aghwey (present-day Benin), where it delivered part of the cargo to Dom\u00e8nec Mustich. From there, it continued on to Bahia, Brazil. The British already suspected that slaves were being transported on this voyage. In Bahia, the Conchita<\/em> took on tobacco and spirits and sailed to Whydah (now Ouidah, Benin), where the cargo was exchanged for palm oil. On 27 August, the ship was captured by the British navy in Aghwey.<\/p>\n According to British reports, the crew stated that \u2018the ship was to take on a cargo of slaves as soon as it had unloaded its holds, and was entirely dependent on not being searched again\u2019. British officers suspected that the ship was expecting to load 400 people to sell them in the American colonies.<\/p>\n The Sierra Leone court condemned the ship and ordered the crew to be sent to the Canary Islands to be tried by the Spanish authorities\u2014but that did not happen: upon arrival on the islands, they were released.<\/p>\n The case received prominent coverage in the Catalan press, especially in the Diario de Barcelona, and in the Spanish press, with a fierce defence of the ship and the activities of Catalan ship owners and a request for a review of the terms of the treaty with the United Kingdom on the prohibition of human trafficking.<\/p>\n The company’s other two ships, Fernando Poo and Mariana, were also captured by the British. At the time of their capture, they were not carrying any kidnapped persons on board, but they were carrying material that suggested they were going to look for slaves.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f5efd7″ custom_padding=”|||||true” custom_padding_tablet=”|7%|58px|7%|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”|6%||6%|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” border_width_left=”20px” border_color_left=”#fbfaf5″ border_width_left_tablet=”0px” border_width_left_phone=”0px” border_width_left_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_4_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” header_4_text_align=”left” header_4_font_size=”35px” header_4_letter_spacing=”-0.65px” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” custom_margin=”0px||0px||true|false” custom_margin_tablet=”26px||26px||true|false” custom_margin_phone=”0px||0px||true|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”30px|40px|0px|40px|false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”40px|23px|0px|23px|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”59px|12px||12px|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” header_4_font_size_tablet=”33px” header_4_font_size_phone=”28px” header_4_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/bayhano-ok-tablet.jpg” alt=”DNVRC Bayhano Ex-voto de Ventura Riera” title_text=”bayhano-ok-tablet” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” src_tablet=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/bayhano-ok-tablet.jpg” src_phone=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/bayhano-ok-tablet.jpg” src_last_edited=”on|tablet” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”20px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”24px||||false|true” custom_margin_phone=”18px||||false|true” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|40px||40px|false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”|23px||23px|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”|12px||12px|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” header_3_font_size=”33px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”21px||12px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”20px||20px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”20px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|40px||40px|false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”|23px||23px|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”|12px||12px|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_letter_spacing_tablet=”” text_letter_spacing_phone=”” text_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” text_line_height_phone=”1.3em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_3_font_size_tablet=”33px” header_3_font_size_phone=”31px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n DNVRC<\/em> Bayhano Ex-voto de Ventura Riera<\/em>. Anonymous tempera on paper (1846)<\/p>\n MMB<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][dipl_separator use_with=”icon” seprator_thickness=”1px” separator_color=”#321310″ font_icon=”{||divi||400″ icon_color=”#321310″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||12px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||20px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”0px||20px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px|40px|0px|40px|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”0px|23px|0px|23px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”|12px||12px|true|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/dipl_separator][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”19.5px” text_line_height=”1.4em” header_4_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” header_4_font_size=”31px” header_4_letter_spacing=”-0.5px” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” custom_margin=”||||true” custom_padding=”0px|40px|30px|40px|false|true” custom_padding_tablet=”|23px||23px|false|true” custom_padding_phone=”|12px||12px|false|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” text_font_size_tablet=”19.5px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_4_font_size_tablet=”31px” header_4_font_size_phone=”28px” header_4_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Another ex-voto that recounts the British navy’s pursuit of a Catalan ship trafficking enslaved people is that of Ventura Riera, whose legend recounts the episode well:<\/p>\n DNVRC Bayhano Ex-voto de Ventura Riera. Hoy d\u00eda 22 de octubre de 1846, estando el falucho Bayhanosu capitan DBVR el 2\u00ba DGV, el 3\u00aa DMS en la latitud 5\u00ba 56\u2019 N y la longitud 10\u00ba 12\u2019 E del meridiano de C\u00e1diz y a las 8 de la ma\u00f1ana se avist\u00f3 un vapor de guerra ingl\u00e9s y d\u00eda de distancia 14 millas, viento NO y conocimos que nos perseguia. Todo el d\u00eda lo tuvimos a la vista, a las 6 de la tarde con poco viento estando dicho vapor a la distancia como dos millas fue cuando quebr\u00f3 la rueda de estribor y al cabo de 1 hora el viento nos favoreci\u00f3 y ayudados de la oscuridad pudimos escapar de tal inven-cible contrario. As in previous cases, this ex-voto is an offering from a crew member, Ventura Riera \u2014possibly the captain, given the partial match of the initials appearing in the inscription\u2014 in gratitude for divine intercession after escaping the pursuit of the British Navy steamer Hydra<\/em>, in the waters of the Gulf of Guinea. The ex-voto comes from the Hermitage of la Cisa, in Vilassar de Mar<\/p>\n Although we do not have as much information as in the case of the other two examples presented in the exhibition, we can still provide some data about the ship and the episode depicted. The Bayhano was a vessel built by the shipwright Francesc Segarra of Vilassar de Mar (Barcelona) in 1846. This chronological coincidence between the construction date of the ship and the episode represented in the ex-voto suggests that the vessel was involved in the trafficking of people from the outset.<\/p>\n The accuracy of the narrative in the ex-voto inscription is quite precise and, moreover, aligns with the account recorded in the logbook of the British steamer Hydra<\/em>, which led the pursuit in compliance with the agreements signed during the first third of the 19th century between Spain and Great Britain for the suppression of the (now illegal) slave trade. British captain H.B. Young recorded the event as having occurred on October 20, 1846\u2014not the 22nd\u2014and corrected the geographical coordinates, placing the episode squarely in the Gulf of Guinea, off the coast of what is now Nigeria.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ module_class=”nav-prev-home-next” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” max_width=”125px” max_width_tablet=”141px” max_width_phone=”111px” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/anterior.png” title_text=”previus” url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjIwIn19@” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _dynamic_attributes=”url” _module_preset=”default” height=”25px” height_tablet=”30px” height_phone=”25px” height_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” filter_opacity__hover_enabled=”on|hover” filter_opacity__hover=”36%”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/home.png” title_text=”home” url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjEwIn19@” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _dynamic_attributes=”url” _module_preset=”default” height=”25px” height_tablet=”30px” height_phone=”25px” height_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” filter_opacity__hover_enabled=”on|hover” filter_opacity__hover=”36%”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/seguent.png” title_text=”next” url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjI0In19@” align=”right” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _dynamic_attributes=”url” _module_preset=”default” height=”25px” height_tablet=”30px” height_phone=”25px” height_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}” filter_opacity__hover_enabled=”on|hover” filter_opacity__hover=”36%”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The JourneyThe crossing in theship holdsOnce on board, the captive people were chained up in the holds of the ships in inhuman conditions. These spaces were often modified to increase capacity and make the journey more profitable, with little change to the ship\u2019s overall appearance. When the trade became illegal, the conditions of the crossing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":4,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-24367","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24367","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24367"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24367\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24378,"href":"https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24367\/revisions\/24378"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24367"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}EX-VOTOS BEARING WITNESS TO THE TRAFFICKING OF ENSLAVED PEOPLE<\/h3>\n
The barca de mitjana Urac\u00e1n<\/em>, <\/span>pursued by the English steamer Graules<\/em><\/h4>\n
The capture of the slaving corvette Conchita<\/span><\/em>by the English cruiser steamship Firefly<\/em><\/h4>\n
(Scandalous seizure of the Spanish corvette Conchita, owned by Jos\u00e9 Vidal y Ribas, by the English cruiser Firefly, armed with four cannons and powered by a 220 horsepower engine, at Wydah at 6 p.m. on 27 August 1857)<\/p>\n
(Scandalous seizure of the Spanish corvette Conchita, owned by Mr. Jos\u00e9 Vidal y Ribas, by the English patrol steamer Firefly, armed with 4 cannons and powered by 220 horsepower, off the coast of Wydah at 6 p.m. on August 27, 1857.)<\/em>
The corvette Conchita, together with the schooners Mariana and Fernando Poo<\/em>, was one of three ships owned by the company Vidal, Mustich & Co., founded in 1846 by Josep Vidal i Ribas (who would become one of Barcelona’s most important merchants and vice-president of the Board of Trade), Dom\u00e8nec Mustich (owner of factories in Popo and Aghwey, in present-day Benin) Torrens i Miralda (businessman who promoted gas lighting in Barcelona) and Esteve Gatell Padrinas (also involved in human trafficking).<\/p>\nThe felucca Bayhano<\/span><\/em>pursued by a British Navy vessel<\/h4>\n
(DNVRC Bayhano Ex-voto by Ventura Riera)<\/p>\n
(DNVRC Bayhano Ex-voto by Ventura Riera. On this day, October 22, 1846, while the felucca Bayhano was under the command of captain DBVR, the second officer DGV, and the third officer DMS, at latitude 5\u00ba 56\u203a N and longitude 10\u00ba 12\u2019 E from the meridian of C\u00e1diz, at 8 in the morning a British war steamer was sighted at a distance of 14 miles, wind from the NW, and we realized it was pursuing us. We had it in sight all day; at 6 in the evening, with little wind and the steamer about two miles away, the starboard wheel broke, and after an hour the wind favoured us and, aided by the darkness, we were able to escape from such an invincible opponent.)<\/em><\/p>\n