
Mutiny on the Rising Sun: A Tragic Tale of Slavery, Smuggling, and Chocolate
A little-known story of mutiny and murder illustrating the centrality of smuggling and slavery in early American society
On the night of June 1, 1743, terror struck the schooner Rising Sun. After completing a routine smuggling voyage where the crew sold enslaved Africans in exchange for chocolate, sugar, and coffee in the Dutch colony of Suriname, the ship traveled eastward along the South American coast. Believing there was an opportunity to steal the lucrative cargo and make a new life for themselves, three sailors snuck below deck, murdered four people, and seized control of the vessel. […Learn More]