The Wreck of the Henrietta Marie: An African-American's Spiritual Journey to Uncover a Sunken Slave Ship's Past, by Michael H. Cottman (HC, 1999, ex-lib., $1.75)
In 1700 the slave ship Henrietta Marie sank off Key West, having just dropped off its cargo of slaves, 90 men, 60 women, 30 boys and 10 girls. It took until 1973 for her to be found again. The diver, hired and taught by Mel Fisher, would find stacks of iron shackles in various sizes, from 6 pound ones for adult males, to the much smaller ones for children. On a 1983 dive the ship bell was found, giving them the ship's name and date. Over 7000 other artifacts were recovered, making the find the largest source of objects from the early slave trade.
Michael Cottman entered the picture ten years later. Both a diver and the winner of the Pulitzer prize, he traveled to England to research the Henrietta Marie. He would follow the ship, from construction to sailing, from the picking up of cargo to the unloading in Jamaica, and finally to Key West. On the way Cottman would find out truths about humanity, his country and himself. This is the legacy he leaves for his newborn daughter, and for us
Look for this book in the African American section, avail. 12/14..
