In the early days of the eighteenth century hardy mariners put out in little craft, the size of a Hudson River brick-sloop or a harbor lighter, and made the long voyage to the Canaries and the African West Coast, withstood the perils of a prolonged anchorage on a dangerous shore, went thence heavy laden with slaves to the West Indies, and so home.

To cross the Atlantic was a matter of eight or ten weeks; the whole voyage would commonly take five or six months.

Nor did the vessels always make up in stanchness for their diminutive proportions.

Almost any weather-beaten old hulk was thought good enough for a slaver.

Captain Linsday, of Newport, who wrote home from Aumboe, said: "I should be glad I cood come rite home with my slaves, for my vessel will not last to proceed far.