Dhow Chasing in Zanzibar Waters - The Search For Mecca

;
APPENDIX.' 325
Majopv-General 0. p. Rigbt; called in and
examined.
560. " Is the profit of the trader who buys
slaves at Zanzibar and on the coast adjoining
Zanzibar, and exports them to the Eed Sea,
very large ?" — " Apparently it is very large, that
is to say, a slave sold in the market at Zanzibar
for, say 20 dollars, would be resold in Muscat
for 60 to 100 dollars, but the
mortality during
the sea passage is so very great that it very
much reduces the profit."
561. " What occasions that very great mortality
? "— " The way they pack the slaves in
those small dhows ; the want of proper food
the state of filth they are in ; the v/ant of water ;
and if they happen to sight an English steamer
at sea the slavers frequently cut the throats of
the whole number of the slaves on board and
throw them overboard."
562. " Then the sufi"erings of the slaves on
board are rather increased "— by our cruisers being
'*
stationed on the coast ? Very much indeed ;
there is no doubt of it. I remember the case of
a dhow that was captured in the harbour of
Zanzibar by the ship ' Lyra.* I had had information
that that dhow had got slaves on board,
and just before she sailed I went with Captain
Oldfield of the ' Lyra,' and boarded the dhow.
There were 112 girls on board her, evidently