Although the freedom seekers sometimes traveled on boat or train,Bordewich, Fergus, 2005, p. 236 they usually traveled on foot or by wagon, sometimes lying down, covered with hay or similar products, in groups of one to three escapees. Some groups were considerably larger. Abolitionist Charles Turner Torrey and his colleagues rented horses and wagons and often transported as many as 15 or 20 people at a time. Free and enslaved black men occupied as mariners (sailors) helped enslaved people escape from slavery by providing a ride on their ship, providing information on the safest and best escape routes, and safe locations on land, and locations of trusted people for assistance. Enslaved African-American mariners had information about slave revolts occurring in the Caribbean, and relayed this news to enslaved people they had contact with in American ports. Free and enslaved African-American mariners assisted Harriet Tubman in her rescue missions. Black mariners provided to her information about the best escape routes and helped her on her rescue missions. In New Bedford, Massachusetts, freedom seekers stowed away on ships leaving the docks with the assistance of Black and white crewmembers and hid in the ships' cargoes during their journey to freedom.
Although the freedom seekers sometimes traveled on boat or trainBordewich Fergus 2005 p 236 they usually traveled on foot or by wagon sometimes lying down covered with hay or similar products in groups of one to three escapees Some groups were considerably larger Abolitionist Charles Turner Torrey and his colleagues rented horses and wagons and often transported as many as 15 or 20 people at a time Free and enslaved black men occupied as mariners (sailors) helped enslaved people escape from slavery by providing a ride on their ship providing information on the safest and best escape routes and safe locations on land and locations of trusted people for assistance Enslaved African-American mariners had information about slave revolts occurring in the Caribbean and relayed this news to enslaved people they had contact with in American ports Free and enslaved African-American mariners assisted Harriet Tubman in her rescue missions Black mariners provided to her information about the best escape routes and helped her on her rescue missions In New Bedford Massachusetts freedom seekers stowed away on ships leaving the docks with the assistance of Black and white crewmembers and hid in the ships' cargoes during their journey to freedom