Watch Clotilda: Last American Slave Ship

Clotilda: Last American Slave Ship is a documentary series produced by National Geographic Channel that explores the story of Clotilda, the last-known slave ship from America. The series documents the personal journeys of descendants of the Clotilda, historians, and scientists as they embark on a journey to uncover the truth behind this ominous chapter of American history.

The story begins in 1860 when Timothy Meaher, a wealthy plantation owner, smuggled in more than 100 men, women, and children from West Africa on the Clotilda, which he then burned to hide the evidence. The African slaves were sold to Meaher and other wealthy businessmen in Mobile, Alabama, where they were forced into slavery and subjected to brutal and inhumane treatment.

The documentary delves into the complicity of local officials and the unprecedented efforts of the enslaved individuals to resist their captivity. With the help of historians, the descendants of Clotilda’s survivors lead the expedition to the ship’s wreckage and burial ground of the enslaved.

The series also explores the impact that this dark period in American history has had on the descendants of the survivors, who still carry the scars of their ancestors’ trauma. They share the stories passed down by their elders, which document the yearning for their homeland, the will to survive, and the triumph of their resilience.

The search for the Clotilda is an exhilarating and emotional journey of discovery that reveals the horrors and brutality of America's past while also highlighting the strength and resilience of the human spirit. From the questioning of contemporary race relations in the United States to the efforts the descendants of the survivors are taking to validate their connection to their past, the series explores the poignant and multifaceted story of the Clotilda.

Clotilda: Last American Slave Ship is a testament to the unbreakable bond between humans' distinct experiences of resilience and the power of remembrance. With a sensitive and nuanced approach, the series deftly captures the legacy of the last of the American slave ships and the many ways it shapes contemporary American society.

The series comprises four episodes, and each episode is around an hour long. The first episode explores the backstory of the Clotilda and the captives, the second, the conditions under which the enslaved Africans were transported, while the third focuses on the survivors' struggle in bondage. The fourth and final episode documents the present-day descendants' search for traceable evidence to validate their family, cultural, and racial heritage and solidify their narrative within the broader American story.

With compelling storytelling, deep analysis, stunning animations, and engaging cinematography, Clotilda: Last American Slave Ship is a captivating and thought-provoking series that raises critical questions about the socioeconomic and racial problems rampant in America's past and present-day.

Clotilda: Last American Slave Ship is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (1 episodes). The series first aired on February 8, 2022.