Andrew Pace
Frederick Douglass worked as a caulker in the Baltimore shipyards, pounding hemp into the seams of wooden ships and pouring hot pitch to make them waterproof. This gave him the opportunity to escape slavery by posing as a free sailor. In 1838, he boarded a train to New York, dressed in mariners' clothing and carrying borrowed papers from a free African-American sailor. He later wrote in his memoirs: My knowledge of ships and sailor’s talk came much to my assistance, for I knew a ship from stem to stern, and from keelson to cross-trees, and could talk sailor like an old salt.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Worked on a boat | No |
| Worked in a shipyard | Yes |
| Worked as a caulker | Yes |
| Posed as a free seaman to escape | Yes |
| Worked alongside free sailors | Yes |
| Knowledge of ships and sailing | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Frederick Douglass worked as a caulker in the Baltimore shipyards
Douglass's knowledge of ships and sailing was invaluable to his escape. He had learned the skills of caulking while enslaved, and this work gave him the opportunity to familiarise himself with ships and sailing talk. This knowledge helped him to reach New York and freedom.
After his escape, Douglass tried to find work as a caulker in New Bedford, but racial prejudice prevented him from doing so. White caulkers refused to work with Black caulkers, and so Douglass was forced to find other work.
Despite the challenges he faced, Douglass's experience as a caulker played a crucial role in his journey to freedom. It provided him with the skills and knowledge he needed to escape enslavement and start a new life.
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He posed as a free black seaman to escape slavery
Frederick Douglass worked as a caulker in the Baltimore shipyards, pounding hemp into the seams of wooden ships and pouring hot pitch to make them waterproof. This work gave him an intimate knowledge of ships and sailing, which would later help him escape slavery.
In 1838, at about 20 years of age, Douglass boarded a train to New York, posing as a free black seaman. He wore typical mariners' clothing and carried documents borrowed from a free African American sailor that would allow him freedom to travel. In his 1882 memoirs, Douglass wrote:
> My knowledge of ships and sailor’s talk came much to my assistance, for I knew a ship from stem to stern, and from keelson to cross-trees, and could talk sailor like an old salt.
Douglass's work in the shipyards also meant he worked side by side with free sailors, so when he saw his chance to pose as one and escape to freedom, he took it.
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He dressed as a sailor and carried borrowed documents
Frederick Douglass worked as a caulker in the Baltimore shipyards, pounding hemp into the seams of wooden ships and pouring hot pitch to make them waterproof. This work gave him an intimate knowledge of ships and sailing, which would later help him escape slavery.
In 1838, Douglass boarded a train to New York, dressed as a sailor and carrying borrowed documents from a free African-American sailor. This disguise allowed him to pose as a free black seaman and escape to freedom in the north.
Douglass's knowledge of ships and sailing, as well as his ability to talk like a sailor, were crucial to his successful escape. In his memoirs, published in 1882, Douglass wrote, "My knowledge of ships and sailor's talk came much to my assistance, for I knew a ship from stem to stern, and from keelson to cross-trees, and could talk sailor like an old salt".
Sailing and maritime trades provided steady employment for African Americans, both enslaved and free, and those who escaped slavery could often find work in port towns and cities in the north. Douglass's escape and subsequent work as a free man demonstrate the important role that sailing and maritime industries played in the lives of African Americans during this time.
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He boarded a train to New York
Frederick Douglass worked as a caulker in the Baltimore shipyards, pounding hemp into the seams of wooden ships and pouring hot pitch to make them waterproof. This gave him an intimate knowledge of ships and sailing, which would later help him escape to freedom. In 1838, he boarded a train to New York, dressed in mariners' clothing and carrying borrowed papers from a free African-American sailor. He posed as a free black seaman, and his knowledge of ships and sailors' talk helped him reach New York and freedom.
Douglass's work in the shipyards was tedious and difficult, but it provided him with the means to escape his bondage. He earned money for the first time as a free man, but racial prejudice in New Bedford prevented him from working as a ship caulker, as white caulkers refused to work with Black caulkers. Despite this, Douglass's maritime skills allowed him to find work in port towns and cities in the north.
Sailing played a significant role in Douglass's life, as it helped him escape slavery and find freedom. His relationship with the Chesapeake Bay Region and his sailing experiences are often overlooked in favour of his work in civil rights. However, sailing was a means of survival for Douglass, and his knowledge of ships and sailing contributed to his successful escape.
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He wrote about his escape in his 1882 memoirs
Frederick Douglass worked as a caulker in the Baltimore shipyards, pounding hemp into the seams of wooden ships and pouring hot pitch to make them waterproof. This gave him an intimate knowledge of ships and sailing, which helped him escape slavery. In 1838, he boarded a train to New York, dressed in mariners' clothing and carrying borrowed papers from a free African-American sailor. He wrote about his escape in his 1882 memoirs:
> My knowledge of ships and sailor’s talk came much to my assistance, for I knew a ship from stem to stern, and from keelson to cross-trees, and could talk sailor like an old salt.
Douglass's escape was aided by some strategy, luck, and the "kind feelings…towards those who go down to the sea in ships" of the people he encountered. He reached New York—and freedom—a day later.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Frederick Douglass worked in a shipyard as a caulker, pounding hemp into the seams of wooden ships and pouring hot pitch to make them waterproof.
No, Frederick Douglass escaped by train, posing as a free sailor. He dressed in mariners' clothing and carried documents borrowed from a free African American sailor.
No, Frederick Douglass was prevented from working as a ship caulker by racial prejudice in New Bedford.
