1831–1851: Following Brazil’s formal abolition of the transatlantic slave trade in 1830, illegal voyages continued but became increasingly dangerous.

1831–1851: Following Brazil’s formal abolition of the transatlantic slave trade in 1830, illegal voyages continued but became increasingly dangerous. These clandestine trips were often as long or longer than previous legal voyages despite ongoing improvements in ship design. Captive mortality rose substantially because individuals were held longer on the African coast to avoid patrols and were frequently disembarked at hazardous, remote locations away from port facilities. This period highlights the brutal impact of international prohibition on the actual conditions endured by the victims of the traffic.