Black and Asian Seafarers : A Visual History

A probing exploration of Black seafarers, lascars and Chinese seafarers in British maritime history from the French Revolutionary War to the Second World War.

For centuries, these men supplied essential labour for Britain’s trade, warfare, exploration, transport and colonial expansion - yet their interconnected stories have rarely been told together. Black and Asian Seafarers brings these histories into focus through a striking visual record that reveals both life at sea and the lasting cultural impact these communities had on Britain.

The book shows how images - illustrations, prints, paintings and photographs - are crucial to understanding the experiences of these seafarers, as much through what is depicted as through what is omitted. Many of these newly discovered visuals, all from the world-leading holdings of Royal Museums Greenwich, highlight the complexity and significance of their contributions, while also illuminating broader histories of colonialism and migration.

Although often overlooked in maritime collections, the presence of Black and Asian seafarers is unmistakable. Their stories remind us that maritime history is, and always has been, everyone’s history.