Book Worksheet Questions for Black Jacks

    1.) Why was the seafaring occupation, while being one the most difficult occupations, still attractive to Black sailors? 2.) What were some of the advantages to Black sailors who served on sailing ships according to Jeffrey Bolster? 3.) What were some of the work conditions that Black sailors had to deal with? 4.) Describe briefly the West African seafaring tradition according to Jeffrey Bolster. 5.) Can the seafaring occupation, as described by Jeffrey Bolster, be compared to the working conditions of slavery and why? 6.) What were the professional limitations of those Black men who went to sea? 7.) Why did so many free black families send their sons to work the sea? 8.) What is a crimp? 9.) What was the seafaring occupation of choice for Black sailors and why? 10.) What are some of the reasons Jeffrey Bolster gives for the decline of African seafaring?