THE SOULZBURRY

 The slave ship Soulzburry quietly came about in the late seventeen hundreds when enslaved Africans were transported from Africa to America. Some in Africa thought that coming to America would be a good thing. While others, like the prisoners of Elmina (the oldest slave trading port in Africa), knew little or nothing of their fate. During this period, slaves of Africa were in high demand, and for an African to be enslaved was a sure Bon Voyage. Yet during this period, only a few knew the story of ‘The Soulzburry.’  

It all began in Africa when the slave ship, "Nordick Gale sailed into Elmina to purchase enslaved people. The chief and ship's Captain gathered in the village to negotiate their trades. Two young kids, one of African descent, Akee (the town Witch Doctor's son), and the other of Norwegian descent, Carland (the Nordick Gale Captain's son), quickly formed a friendship. They played and laughed for weeks while teaching each other's language. Both vowed to be friends, friends forever, they pledged. And before any scheduled departure, the two cleverly devised ways to stay in touch; one pathway was carving a small plughole into the wood below a window at the stern of the ship.  

Inside, they could hide letters from each other. And while the ship traveled back and forth, each could send the other a note to stay in touch; they laughed as they vowed. Because they knew departure would soon arrive. As the night passed, Ardawan, Akee's little brother, had awakened and began shouting. Akee, Akee, Akee, cried Ardawan. They're gone; wake up, I tell you, the ship is gone. As Akee heard the news, his heart began pounding; he ran to the window. Shocked, fear ran through his heart as he cried so hard. Hugging his brother, they both pondered at what they saw. Nothing, Akee spoke softly. My friend is gone, as he and his little brother cried themself’s to sleep.

Two years had passed when Carland wrote Akee of the many horrors he witnessed on his voyage back to America. "They beat them" and starved them," If I cried out, my father would punish me, and he repeatedly told me. Africans are worth nothing; they're savage animals and only enslaved people. And you, my son? You should be ashamed of yourself. Stop it, stop it, I tell you …

And when Carland received his letter. Akee wrote. Yes, my friend, your departure began a new day for our village. It was the screams, I tell you, the cries that baby gazelles make while being killed by lions as their mothers watched helplessly. We, too, have witnessed the horrors and all the cries of people being beaten and terrified of the unknown voyage to America.” And as my father said of me! "Son, soon you too will be of age, and you’ll be sold to the Americans."  


A year later, Akee received a second letter. In it was a detailed plan to free Akee. Now, both boys were old enough to know the differences between them. In the letter, Carland wrote, "There's a ship called ‘The Soulzburry.’ When you see her, you must board her! Just do whatever, my friend! But, board her!  You must wait and watch for the Soulzburry, and when she ports, sneak aboard as we did as kids, hide, do whatever, but get aboard, Akee recalls. 

As time passed, it was years, and still, no ship, no letters.  Though am I to trust my fate to a pen, Akee pondered… Then, one day, a vessel was seen entering the harbor nearing sunset.  As Akee strains to see its name.  As moments seem like hours.  Could this be the ship?  If so, now what?

He stared and cried. Finally, as the boat slowly turned starboard, he could see the name "SOULZBURRY." An excited Akee then fell to the ground and began sobbing himself to sleep at the thought of his friend Carland. 

The following morning, loud noises from the Witch Doctor could be heard for miles, ringing through the village as it was customary to perform this ritual for the visiting ships.  Poor Akee.  He was baffled and unsure what to do as he descended the hill toward the village.  When he arrived, his father stood, who acclaimed, "The time has come, Akee!   You too will be sold and shipped to America".  Indicating that the villagers knew the arrival of a ship meant more enslaved people would be sold.   

And days later, Akee was chained as he waited to be boarded for his voyage.  Again, you could hear prisoners pleading and begging as others resisted.  As Akee thought only of all the letters indicating, "You must board this ship," please Akee, wrote his friend.  Finally, they came for him; he offered no resistance.  Bewildered as his father watched, Akee stared at his father as he was being dragged away.  Papa, Papa, he cried.  And yet, there was no response. 

Later that evening, the ship set sail, and all heard the cries of the enslaved people.  Still trying to pry themselves free, shouting YA MA, YA MA (free me, free me) as the ship slowly crossed the horizon into darkness.  The following morning aboard the boat, the ship's Captain loudly shouted, "Akee, Akee, Speak up, I say.  And all was quiet.  And, as Akee fearfully raised his hand as the Captain approached, he looked and bent down and quietly said, "Akee, I have a letter for you; it's from your friend, Carland.  Akee started shaking and crying so hard he could not read his letter.  So the  Captain himself slowly opened it, and softly read.  "To my friend Akee: YOU ARE FREE.  The Captain stood and shouted, "ALL ABOARD ARE FREE: WE'RE GOING TO AMERICA. UNCHAIN THEM!

Written by: Bill Miller

                                                                                                                 4billmiller@gmail.com