War · 1767
The Old Calabar massacre
In 1767 six British slave ships reached Calabar while Duke Town and Old Town were feuding.
Overview
In 1767 six British slave ships reached Calabar while Duke Town and Old Town were feuding. Duke Town's leaders secretly arranged with the captains that Old Town's leaders would be invited aboard to settle the dispute, under guarantees of safety. When they came, they were seized: some were kept and carried off as slaves, others handed to Duke Town's leaders and executed. Duke Town's grip on the river trade tightened, and exports of captives soared in the years that followed.[1]High confidence
Who took part
- Duke Town (Atakpa)· Attacked
- Old Town (Obutong)· Defended
- British slave ships· Came by sea
What happened
- 1767 · Calabar river
Seized under a flag of truce
Old Town's leaders are taken aboard the ships.[1]High confidence
Kingdoms involved
Sources
Every claim carries a confidence level: high (well attested), medium (one source or approximate) or disputed (sources disagree).