In 1781, The Zong massacre was carried out by the crew of a British slave ship called ‘zong’, who threw 133 Africans overboard into the sea to drown so they could cash in on the insurance of those enslaved. 
During the voyage, the water supply was short and would prove insufficient for the numbers on board so they decided to reduce the number.
If the slaves died a natural death the loss would fall on their owners, but if thrown over board, the loss would be covered by insurance
If the slaves died a natural death the loss would fall on their owners, but if thrown over board, the loss would be covered by insurance
so 133 slaves were cast into the sea to drown, and the underwriters were compelled by the courts to pay to the owners £30 for each slave lost.
some people suggested that the owners should be prosecuted for murder, but this was ridiculed because the “blacks were property”.
some people suggested that the owners should be prosecuted for murder, but this was ridiculed because the “blacks were property”.
