Watched an episode of the TV Show "Drain the Oceans" tonight. They were featuring New York City Harbor.
One of the Stories was from the American Revolution, and it was a horrible eye opener to the actions of the British Navy.
When the British Navy attacked and captured New York City at the beginning of the Revolution, one of the things that they did was to establish a flotilla of Ships in a place called Wallabout Bay just off the coast of Manhattan. They ferried out to these Ships the thousands of men they captured. Conditions on the Ships were horrific! On one Ship alone, the HMS Jersey, 11,000 men were estimated to have died. That is twice as many deaths as occurred in the entire War! That was just ONE SHIP! The flotilla was called "Hell Afloat."
All through American History in High School, and two Semesters of American History in College, never once did I see this taught.
One of the Stories was from the American Revolution, and it was a horrible eye opener to the actions of the British Navy.
When the British Navy attacked and captured New York City at the beginning of the Revolution, one of the things that they did was to establish a flotilla of Ships in a place called Wallabout Bay just off the coast of Manhattan. They ferried out to these Ships the thousands of men they captured. Conditions on the Ships were horrific! On one Ship alone, the HMS Jersey, 11,000 men were estimated to have died. That is twice as many deaths as occurred in the entire War! That was just ONE SHIP! The flotilla was called "Hell Afloat."
All through American History in High School, and two Semesters of American History in College, never once did I see this taught.
-
2
- Show all
However, in this instance, I have to wonder IF our Public School System used "selective events" regarding teaching this. I guess if one had a Masters or Doctorate in American History, they would have learned this, but the average HS Graduate, and possible those with a four year Degree from a College never heard of this.
