← Back to the 365 Library
Contribution #77 of 365
Robert Smalls
Maritime Leader and First Black Captain of a U.S. Vessel
1862–1863
The contribution
How this work helped shape America
Robert Smalls led the daring 1862 escape of the Confederate transport Planter and delivered the vessel, its passengers, and valuable military information to Union forces. He subsequently served in Union maritime operations and became the first Black captain of a United States vessel before building a postwar career in business and public service.