1792-Aug.-27: A violent insurrection erupted on the ship Mermaid while it was anchored in the River Gambia, as approximately seventy male captives attempted …

1792-Aug.-27: A violent insurrection erupted on the ship Mermaid while it was anchored in the River Gambia, as approximately seventy male captives attempted to break through the main gratings and bulkheads. The captives utilized a stolen sledge maul to break their irons and chains, forcing the small crew of only seven white men and boys to resort to desperate measures. The crew fired small arms indiscriminately and eventually used gunpowder to blow up several of the insurgents after a long parley failed to secure a surrender. The conflict resulted in thirty “burnt” or wounded captives, nineteen of whom subsequently died of their injuries within the following month.