A panel discussion led by Timothy Dodson with the Army Corps of Engineers, Lisa Jones/Clara Nobles & Stacye Hathorn with The Alabama Historical Commission and James Delgado with Search Inc. did a very good job of explaining where they are in determining what to do with The Clotilda. What they had to say was not what everyone wanted to hear but at the same time it gave everyone hope for optimism. Their reports explained how, at this time, The Clotilda should remain submerged at the bottom of the Mobile River. An estimate to bring up The Clotilda at todays cost is about $30 Million. In addition, it is a very delicate 2 year process to try to prevent the remains from deterioration once it is taken from the water after being submerged for 165 years. There will be pilings placed around the site to prevent another vessel from accidentally hitting The Clotilda and causing further damage to the vessel. In addition, more cameras will be placed in the area to help with security. They also talked about having a memorial to The Clotilda constructed in the area that could help with tourism that would benefit Africatown as well as Downtown and how expanding The Africatown Heritage House would be necessary as they bring up more pieces of the ship as well as the possible construction of a replica of The Clotilda in Africatown.
AFRICATOWN’s Clotilda to remain underwater – “for now”
AFRICATOWN’s Clotilda to remain underwater – “for now”
On August 8th, 2024, Africatown’s Robert Hope Community Center’s Multi-Purpose room was packed with Africatown Descendants, Natives, Residents & Supporters all waiting to hear the latest update on the status of the sunken slave ship, The Clotilda, the last known slave ship to bring enslaved Africans to America via The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Route.
Some comments from the audience included: Would a memorial at the site be a barge on the water that held the memorial or a memorial on the land near the ship which would be land owned by The Meaher Family? How would you secure a memorial in the water when locals have already been spotted having “boat parties” near the site. Why is there a sign that says “Comfort Inn” near the Cabin owned by The Meahers where The Clotilda is located.
One thing I took away from the meeting was that most residents would like to see the ship raised and placed in Africatown. $30 Million is a lot of money but in December 2020, I saw Gov. Kay Ivy give a $35 Million check to develop land on Brookley Field for tourism and hundreds of millions of dollars have been given to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach for tourism with funds coming from the BP oil spill in the gulf of Mexico. There is more than enough money going around that would allow for The Alabama Historical Commission to receive its fair share to raise this historic treasure that is so important to the entire United States of America. Let’s not try to “erase” this piece of history by “hiding” it beneath The Muddy Mobile River. I urge the State of Alabama to dedicate its share of funds coming from The BP Oil Spill Funding and The America Rescue Plan to its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program to RAISE THE CLOTILDA.
Dr. Major Joe Womack USMCR(ret)
Executive Director of africatown-chess.org
251-404-9558 & jnwomack1@yahoo.com