The Escape Vessel Of Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass was an escaped slave, abolitionist, orator, and statesman who became the most influential African-American of the 19th century. His life was intertwined with boats and sailing. As a young man, he worked as a caulker in a Baltimore shipyard, pounding oakum into the seams of wooden ships to make them waterproof. This work was tedious and difficult, but it helped Douglass escape slavery in two ways. Firstly, it gave him the intimate knowledge of ships and sailing that would help him reach New York and freedom. Secondly, his wages from this work, which he had to hand over to his owner, drove him to try to escape. In 1838, Douglass boarded a train to New York, dressed as a sailor and carrying borrowed papers from a free African-American sailor.

Frederick Douglass's knowledge of boats

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." He understood the intricacies of ships, from their construction to their operation, and this knowledge proved invaluable when he decided to escape.

In September 1838, Douglass boarded a train to New York, dressed in mariners' clothing and carrying borrowed papers from a free African-American sailor. His familiarity with maritime language and culture allowed him to blend in and avoid raising suspicions during his journey. He even managed to deceive a train conductor who only briefly glanced at his papers before pronouncing him "all right."

Douglass's knowledge of boats extended beyond just sailing. He also understood the broader maritime landscape, particularly the role of free African-American mariners. He knew that they carried documentation to verify their freedom and that they enjoyed a certain level of respect and kindness from those around them. This understanding informed his decision to pose as a sailor during his escape, relying on the protection that this identity afforded.

Furthermore, Douglass's time working in the shipyards exposed him to free sailors, providing him with the opportunity to learn about life outside of slavery and the possibility of freedom. This exposure, combined with the skills he acquired, gave him the courage and means to escape his captors and seek a better life.

In conclusion, Frederick Douglass's knowledge of boats was not just theoretical but deeply practical and strategic. It empowered him to take control of his destiny, escape slavery, and eventually become a prominent figure in the abolitionist movement and civil rights activism. His maritime experience not only facilitated his physical escape but also shaped his perspective and fueled his determination to fight for freedom and equality for African-Americans.

His work as a caulker

Frederick Douglass's work as a caulker was instrumental in his escape from slavery and his journey towards freedom. In 1838, at around 20 years of age, Douglass worked as a caulker in the Baltimore shipyards. This job involved pounding hemp or oakum (hempen fibres) into the seams of wooden ships and pouring hot pitch to make them waterproof. It was tedious, uncomfortable, and difficult work, but it was a skilled trade that was in demand in port towns.

The work was also significant for Douglass in two ways. Firstly, having to hand over his wages to his owner fuelled his desire to escape to freedom. Secondly, his intimate knowledge of ships and sailing, gained through his work as a caulker, would ultimately help him in his 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."

In the summer of 1838, Douglass was working as a caulker for $9 a week at Butler's Shipyard in Baltimore, but he only got to keep 25 cents for himself, with the rest going to his master. This experience of enslavement and having to give up his hard-earned money cemented his determination to escape.

On September 3, 1838, Douglass put his plan into action. Dressed in a sailor's uniform made by his partner, Anna Murray, and carrying identification papers borrowed from a free black seaman, he boarded a train heading to New York. His knowledge of ships and sailing, honed through his work as a caulker, helped him assume the identity of a sailor and evade detection during his escape.

Thus, Douglass's work as a caulker played a crucial role in his escape from slavery, providing him with the skills, knowledge, and opportunity to pose as a free seaman and make his way towards freedom.

The Underground Railroad

In 1838, Frederick Douglass escaped slavery in Baltimore, Maryland, by posing as a sailor. He had worked as a caulker in the Baltimore shipyards, pounding hemp into the seams of wooden ships to make them waterproof. This work gave him knowledge of ships and sailing, which would help him in his escape.

On September 3, 1838, Douglass boarded a train to New York, wearing mariners' clothing and carrying the borrowed papers of a free African-American sailor. His intimate knowledge of ships and sailing helped him to talk like a sailor, and he was able to pass as a free man. He reached New York and freedom the next day.

Douglass's escape route took him from Baltimore to Havre de Grace, where he boarded a ferry to cross the Susquehanna River. He then travelled to Wilmington, Philadelphia, and finally New York. In New York, he was helped by David Ruggles, a black journalist who assisted runaway slaves. With Ruggles' help, Douglass was reunited with his partner, Anna Murray, and they travelled to New Bedford, Massachusetts, where they married. New Bedford was a whaling port and a centre of abolitionist activity, with many African-Americans living there, some of whom had escaped slavery.

Disguise as a sailor

In 1838, Frederick Douglass was working as a caulker in the Baltimore shipyards, pounding hemp into the seams of wooden ships and making them waterproof. This work was tedious and difficult, but it helped Douglass in two ways: firstly, having to hand over his wages to his owner drove him to try for a final, successful escape to freedom, and secondly, his intimate knowledge of ships and sailing would help him in that escape.

On 3 September 1838, Douglass boarded a train to New York, dressed in mariners' clothing and carrying borrowed papers from a free African-American sailor. He had arranged for his baggage, including the sailor's papers, to be brought to the train just as it was leaving the station, so that he could avoid careful examination at the ticket window. He also relied on his knowledge of ships and sailors' talk to pass as a sailor. He wore a red shirt, a tarpaulin hat, and a black cravat tied in a sailor's knot.

Douglass's disguise was a strategic choice. He knew that seamen in Baltimore were treated with warmth and respect, and that sailors' documents were not closely scrutinised. He also knew that free African-American mariners were not uncommon and that they carried documentation to verify that they were not escaped slaves.

When the train conductor came to collect tickets and examine the papers of his black passengers, Douglass's heart was pounding with terror. But, to his surprise and relief, the conductor's whole manner changed when he reached Douglass. Seeing that Douglass did not readily produce his free papers, the conductor asked him gently: "I suppose you have your free papers?" Douglass replied: "No, sir; I never carry my free papers to sea with me." "But you have something to show that you are a free man, have you not?" the conductor asked. "Yes, sir," Douglass answered; "I have a paper with the American eagle on it, and that will carry me round the world." Douglass showed the conductor his seaman's protection papers, which the conductor barely glanced at before taking his fare and moving on.

Douglass's disguise as a sailor, along with some strategy, luck, and the kindness of strangers, helped him reach New York—and freedom—a day later.

Escape to New York

In 1838, Frederick Douglass was working as a caulker in the Baltimore shipyards, pounding hemp into the seams of wooden ships and making them waterproof. This was tedious and difficult work, but it would help him in two ways: first, handing over his wages to his owner would drive him to try for a last, successful escape to freedom, and second, his intimate knowledge of ships and sailing would help him in that escape.

On September 3, 1838, Douglass successfully escaped by boarding a northbound train of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad in Baltimore. Dressed in mariners' clothing and carrying the identification and protection papers of a free black seaman, he posed as a sailor. He had obtained the papers from a free African American sailor.

In his 1882 memoir, 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.

Some strategy, luck, and "kind feelings…towards those who go down to the sea in ships" helped him reach New York—and freedom—a day later.

He would make his way to New Bedford, Massachusetts, then a busy whaling port. It was also home to a group of anti-slavery activists, who helped him get started in his new life and who encouraged him to join them in their efforts to eradicate slavery in the United States.

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