![]() ![]() One of the most famous African American seaman from this era was James Forten, who enlisted on a privateer as a powder boy, and spent time on a British prison barge. Black sailors usually performed menial tasks on ships but some served in other roles, including carpenters and even pilots. ![]() The Continental Navy recruited both free and enslaved Blacks, partly out of a need for laborers and partly because many African Americans were experienced seafarers, having sailed before with the Royal Navy, state navies, and merchantmen. Even greater numbers of African Americans served aboard state naval vessels and privateers. ![]() 1775-1783: African American Naval Participation in the American Revolution: Over 10% of the Continental Navy was African American during the American Revolution-a higher percentage than in the ground services. ![]()
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