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The slave ship that changed history

The slave ship that changed history

Siddharth Kara tells the horrifying story of events on a slave ship – long mistakenly known as the Zong – which were to have consequences far beyond its murderous voyage

Elinor Evans

Published: September 23, 2026 at 9:47 AM

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In 1781, more than 130 enslaved Africans were deliberately thrown from a ship called the Zorg into the Atlantic. The horrifying story of this slave ship – long mistakenly known as the Zong – was to have consequences far beyond its murderous voyage.

In this episode, historian and author Siddharth Kara speaks to Elinor Evans about the brutal economics of the Atlantic slave trade, the extraordinary court case that followed the massacre, and how the Zorg helped galvanise the abolitionist cause.

Authors

Elinor EvansHead of digital (web and video)

Elinor Evans is head of digital (web and video)

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