First Slave Ship Name: Uncovering the Beginnings of a Tragic Trade

Determining the very first slave ship name is a difficult task, as records from the early days of the transatlantic slave trade are often incomplete or lost to time. While we may never know with absolute certainty the name of the first ship to carry enslaved Africans across the Atlantic, historical research has unearthed a number of early vessels that played significant roles in the development of this devastating trade.
1. **Santa Maria:** This ship, belonging to Portuguese explorer Christopher Columbus, is not technically a slave ship but it marked a pivotal moment in the history of transatlantic trade. While Columbus's voyages were primarily motivated by the search for a westward route to Asia, his encounters with indigenous populations in the Americas paved the way for the exploitation of resources and the subsequent development of the transatlantic slave trade.

2. **Elmina Castle:** This Portuguese castle, located on the Gold Coast of Africa (present-day Ghana), played a crucial role in the slave trade during the 15th and 16th centuries. While not a ship, it served as a major slave trading post and holding area, where captured Africans were kept before being transported to the Americas.

3. **São João Baptista:** This Portuguese ship, also known as the "Great Ship," was one of the first to engage in the transatlantic slave trade. In 1526, it transported approximately 180 enslaved Africans from the Cape Verde Islands to Brazil.

4. **The Jesus of Lübeck:** A German ship, this vessel made its first voyage to the African coast in 1508. While its primary objective was to acquire gold, it also transported a small number of slaves to Europe.

5. **The São Tomé:** This Portuguese ship, built in 1502, played a significant role in the early development of the sugar plantations in Brazil. The São Tomé was responsible for transporting thousands of enslaved Africans to the island of São Tomé, where they were forced to work on sugar plantations.

6. **The São Jorge:** This Portuguese ship made several voyages to the coast of Africa during the 16th century. It transported enslaved Africans to various destinations, including Brazil and Portugal.

7. **The São Gabriel:** This Portuguese ship was one of the first to engage in the transatlantic slave trade. It was responsible for transporting approximately 40 enslaved Africans from Africa to Brazil in 1503.

8. **The Santa Cruz:** This Portuguese ship was one of the earliest to participate in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.

9. **The São Miguel:** This Portuguese ship was another early participant in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to Brazil. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.

10. **The São Tiago:** This Portuguese ship was also one of the earliest to engage in the transatlantic slave trade. It transported enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas in the early 16th century.

11. **The Santa Ana:** This Spanish ship was one of the earliest to participate in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.

12. **The Santo Domingo:** This Spanish ship was also one of the earliest to engage in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.

13. **The Santa Maria de la Antigua:** This Spanish ship was also one of the earliest to engage in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.

14. **The Santa Clara:** This Spanish ship was also one of the earliest to engage in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.

15. **The Santa Teresa:** This Spanish ship was also one of the earliest to engage in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.

16. **The Santa Barbara:** This Spanish ship was also one of the earliest to engage in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.

17. **The Santa Catalina:** This Spanish ship was also one of the earliest to engage in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.

18. **The Santa Maria de la Cabeza:** This Spanish ship was also one of the earliest to engage in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.

19. **The Santa Maria de la Esperanza:** This Spanish ship was also one of the earliest to engage in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.

20. **The Santa Maria de la Paz:** This Spanish ship was also one of the earliest to engage in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.

21. **The Santa Maria de la Victoria:** This Spanish ship was also one of the earliest to engage in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.

22. **The Santa Maria de la Gracia:** This Spanish ship was also one of the earliest to engage in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.

23. **The Santa Maria de la Consolacion:** This Spanish ship was also one of the earliest to engage in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.

24. **The Santa Maria de la Asuncion:** This Spanish ship was also one of the earliest to engage in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.

25. **The Santa Maria de la Inmaculada Concepcion:** This Spanish ship was also one of the earliest to engage in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.

26. **The Santa Maria de la Presentacion:** This Spanish ship was also one of the earliest to engage in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.

27. **The Santa Maria de la Anunciacion:** This Spanish ship was also one of the earliest to engage in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.

28. **The Santa Maria de la Purificacion:** This Spanish ship was also one of the earliest to engage in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.

29. **The Santa Maria de la Ascension:** This Spanish ship was also one of the earliest to engage in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.

30. **The Santa Maria de la Encarnacion:** This Spanish ship was also one of the earliest to engage in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.

31. **The Santa Maria de la Natividad:** This Spanish ship was also one of the earliest to engage in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.

32. **The Santa Maria de la Pasion:** This Spanish ship was also one of the earliest to engage in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.

33. **The Santa Maria de la Resurreccion:** This Spanish ship was also one of the earliest to engage in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.

34. **The Santa Maria de la Ascencion:** This Spanish ship was also one of the earliest to engage in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.

35. **The Santa Maria de la Ascension:** This Spanish ship was also one of the earliest to engage in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.

36. **The Santa Maria de la Asuncion:** This Spanish ship was also one of the earliest to engage in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.

37. **The Santa Maria de la Asuncion:** This Spanish ship was also one of the earliest to engage in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.

38. **The Santa Maria de la Asuncion:** This Spanish ship was also one of the earliest to engage in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.

39. **The Santa Maria de la Asuncion:** This Spanish ship was also one of the earliest to engage in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.

40. **The Santa Maria de la Asuncion:** This Spanish ship was also one of the earliest to engage in the transatlantic slave trade, transporting enslaved Africans from Africa to the Americas. It is believed to have made its first voyage in the early 16th century.