French ship Amitié explained
The
Amitié (French:
"Friendship") was a three-masted
frigate of approximately 400 tons displacement in the late 18th century. The majority of records regarding the ship come from its transportation of the people who were to become known as
Cajuns.
Amitié was the fifth of seven ships that took part in the exodus of
Acadians from France to
Louisiana in 1785. On August 20 of that year, under the command of Captain Joseph Beltrémieux, it departed from the French port of
Nantes carrying 78 families, a total of 270
Acadians, to Louisiana. They arrived at
Lafourche on November 8, 1785. Six passengers died during the 80-day voyage after sickness spread through the ship. Additionally 19 individuals appear on the debarkation list who were not recorded at the embarkation at Nantes.
The ship was called Amitié when it departed from France, but was referred to as Amistad when it arrived in Louisiana, which was then a Spanish colony.
See also
References
- Braud, Gérard-Marc From Nantes to Louisiana, La Rainette Inc; English edition, 2001, .
External links
