Slave fund

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So-called slave funds were set up to buy free European seamen who had been kidnapped into slavery by pirates (mainly in the Mediterranean region ) . Such facilities existed until the 19th century, depending on the location. As early as the 17th century, so-called slave funds were introduced into the Hanseatic League of Cities . In the middle of the 18th century, seafarers and shipowners in Denmark had to sign up for a kind of ransom insurance. The insurance premiums were based on the rank and income of the seafarers.

Hamburg slave fund

Grave field "Casse of the pieces of eight", Ohlsdorf cemetery

The Hamburger Sklavenkasse was founded in 1624 by the Hamburg Admiralty in order to buy out Hamburg seamen who had fallen into slavery by North African barbarian corsairs . A certain amount was deducted from the wages of the crew depending on their rank . The fortunes of the Hamburg slavery fund were supplemented by regular collections in the city's churches.

The Hamburger Sklavenkasse was based on the casse of the pieces of eight built in 1622 for Hamburg captains and helmsmen, into which the members had to pay an amount before starting a journey. However, this contribution was prohibitive for ordinary seafarers. The Hamburg slavery fund thus became an early form of social insurance.

From 1719 to 1747 alone, 1.8 million " Mark Banco " were paid for the release of 633 sailors . Since the income was not enough, the fund was also dependent on donations.

Lübeck slave fund

The Lübeck slave fund was ordered by the city council in 1627 and set up on May 8, 1629. It lasted until the 19th century. Because of the decline in shipping in Lübeck in the Mediterranean area, the slave fund was highly liquid from the 18th century. The last ransom payment was made in 1805. Your remaining assets were used to replace the Sundzolls (1857) and the Stader Elbzolls (1861) before it was dissolved on July 24, 1861.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Hauke ​​Friederichs: Slave trade: On manhunt in the Mediterranean, Die Zeit , May 16, 2012
  2. ^ Franklin Kopitzsch , Daniel Tilgner (ed.): Hamburg Lexikon. Ellert and Richter Verlag, Hamburg 2010, ISBN 978-3-8319-0373-3 , p. 631.
  3. ↑ Geert Schmelzer: Pesos for the Slavenjäger. In: marereise. Special issue HAMBURG, summer / autumn 2012, p. 106 ff.