Slave ship replica sails up the Thames

From the MoD Defence News:

A replica of the 18th century slave ship the Zong sailed up the River Thames in London today, 29 March 2007, accompanied by Royal Navy frigate HMS Northumberland.

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The events on the Thames are part of the ongoing national commemorations of the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade act.

The Zong, a wooden square rigger, was at the centre of an infamous court case in 1783 after 133 slaves were thrown overboard in an insurance scam. The outrage it caused gave impetus to the abolition movement and created a public uproar against slavery.

After the abolition of the slave trade in 1807 ships like The Zong were captured by the Royal Navy to face trial and possible destruction in Sierra Leone.