J. M. W. Turner, “Slave Ship”- painting
“Slavers throwing overboard the Dead and Dying - Typhoon coming on,” (1840)
Inspired by the voyage of the Zong, 1783

Average mortality rate on slave ships: 15% of slaves

-Also were outbreaks of epidemic diseases (smallpox)

-on the Zong: overthrew live slaves who had contracted smallpox

                        -wanted insurance money (claimed loss at storm)

                        -trial ensued in 1783

Lord Chief Justice Mansfield on the Zong insurance case:

“The matter left to the jury was, whether it was from necessity [to throw the slaves overboard]; for they had no doubt (though it shocks one very much) that the case of the slaves was the same as if horses were thrown overboard.”