1831–1864: The fastest transatlantic crossings to the Caribbean occurred during the final decades of the slave trade, driven by the use of yacht-type vessels…

1831–1864: The fastest transatlantic crossings to the Caribbean occurred during the final decades of the slave trade, driven by the use of yacht-type vessels and a few steamships. These faster ships were employed by traders to outrun the naval cruisers assigned to suppress the now-illegal traffic. Paradoxically, shipboard mortality increased during this period despite the shorter voyage times. This rise in deaths was caused by naval blockades of African embarkation points, which led to food shortages and prolonged, unhealthy periods of confinement on the shore.