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 Tour & Travel Specialist | Home > TOURS > 
THE FORTRESS AT BUNCE ISLAND
British Slave Castle, (18th Century)' with closer historical links to North America than any other slave castle' (Joseph Opala).

The tour to the Bunce Island Fortress provides not only a lesson in history but a reflection on our links to the past. Be prepared to be suprised by our very knowledgable tour guides.

Bunce Island, located on the Sierra Leone river (part of an area consisting of the  largest natural harbour on the continent) is a tiny finger shaped island just 1600ft/350ft that played a major roll in the Translantic Slave Trade.
                 ------ HISTORY ------
Bunce Island was named for Captain John Bence a wealthy London based merchant and one of the original investor. British traders leased the island from an African king on the north side of the harbour with and agreement to pay rent for the castle and taxes on the exports. Bunce Island offered a wide range of trade goods, including guns and gunpowder, imported cloth, metal goods, alcoholic drinks, and trinkets such as glass beads. The castle purchased slaves, gold, ivory, camwood, beeswax, and cowhides from the local traders.

              ------ SLAVE CASTLE ------

One of about 40 large commercial forts Europeans built on the coast of West Africa to facilitate the Atlantic Slave Trade. BRITISH slave traders operated here from about 1668 to 1807.  During the 140 years of operation, Bunce Island sent over 50,000 men, women & children to slavery on plantations in the West Indies and North America.

The castle was called "Bence Island" but later called Bense, George and Bance Island
Many of the fortifications still exist as does part of the inner and outer walls. Please do not pick up artifacts,climb walls, disturb ruins or leave rubbish.

           USEFUL LINKS & ADDITIONAL INFO
              (courtesy Joseph Opala, leading anthropologist and historian)
http://www.yale.edu/glc/priscilla/
http://www.statehouse-sl.org/pris-homecom-may30.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4460964.stm

http://www.charlestonmag.com/pop_archive1.html
http://www.terra.es/personal/inkoak/entlyci.htm
http://newsreel.org/nav/title.asp?tc=CN0053


Tours will originate from the CAPE AREA.
Duration: 4hrs (Travel to/from island and tour)
Cost: Adult $50-$75/child $30-$45
(service by speed boat-min.4 passg & local vessel-40passg.)
Includes transportation to/from Bunce Island, fully guided tour, tour of surrounding area, snacks & refreshments.
Tickets: MUST BE IN ADVANCE..Afrikasgems Tour/Mt Lion Excursions,8 Beoku Lane, Freetown(Congo Cross) or Harekvin store, 7 Liverpool St.

Tel: SL 22 230478/076 254577-79/033 488310
Tel: US 301-322-2762/fax 301-560-5287
email: agtm@earthlink.net
Date(s): Updated, November 2007. Album by Tour Coordinator. Photos by E.B. at AfrikasGems. 1 - 18 of 18 Total. 2998 Visits.
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-  USEFUL LINKS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION  --

Courtesy Joseph Opala


http://www.yale.edu/glc/priscilla/

http://www.statehouse-sl.org/pris-homecom-may30.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4460964.stm

http://www.charlestonmag.com/pop_archive1.html


http://www.terra.es/personal/inkoak/entlyci.htm

http://newsreel.org/nav/title.asp?tc=CN0053


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Drawing and guide map of Bunce Island.
Courtesy, Sierra Leone National Museum


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Historical drawing of Bence Island
1726


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We try to depart at 10am every Saturday

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7 passenger speedboat, used on our 45minute journey.

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Approach 'NEAR' Bunce Island
Pepel used to be a and export point for Iron Ore.


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A look out to the Sierra Leone river.

(2004) courtesy N.Sagna, ASPIR taken during guided tour with world renound Anthropologist, J.Opala


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Fortress at Bunce Island

A quiet reflection by caretaker Pa Brima. This area was the final loading area before heading out on the Sierra Leone river.

Courtesy, N.Sagna ASPIR


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Fortress at Bunce Island

Part of the inner wall as built 300 years ago, give or take some overgrown vegetation and decaying stonework.


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Fortress at Bunce Island

Outside wall of the fortress.


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Fortress at Bunce Island

This picture represents an ideal 'snapshot' of the entire island with tropical overgrown vegetation.


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Fortress at Bunce Island

The canons that defended the slave fort and other British interests along the mouth of the river.


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Fortress at Bunce Island

There were over 14 large canons listed on the island around the late 1700s


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Afrikasgems Tour guide, returning after a satisfying day.

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Recent article by the Swedish Society of Golf Hitorians,making note of a historic Golf Game played on Bense Island 1773.

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The pictures are beautiful.
 - 
Ed Bunce, Sun, 1 Jul 2007 2:56PM
 
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