The slaves were packed aboard a slave ship then taken across the Atlantic to the Caribbean. This journey took about six to eight weeks. In the West Indies, slaves were either sold through auction or prearranged sales.
Overcrowded conditions were the norm aboard a slave ship, as the captains attempted to maximize the profits. The slaves were kept in crampt condition with little more than a sitting room. Only shelves being about 18" deep were built to accommodate the slaves. Overcrowded conditions were the main cause of the spread of diseases.
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