The incredible escape that turned a slave into an American hero - BBC REEL

Charleston Harbour, South Carolina, 1862. A man named Robert Smalls is staging a daring escape from slavery. Smalls had been forced to work as pilot on a prized confederate navy ship called the CSS Plater. That night, all of the white officers on the ship had decided to spend the night on shore with their families. This created an enticing and dangerous opportunity for escape.

This daring plan not only turned Robert Smalls into a Civil War hero, but also set him on a path to becoming one of America's first African American politicians, whose influence can still be felt today.

Video by Dominika Ożyńska & Adrian Hartrick

#bbcreel #bbc #bbcnews

[brandonhernandez]

An American hero who deserves much more recognition! 🇺🇸

[SAM]

Outstanding story of the American spirit on display! An American Hero.

[mikef]

I'm happy to share the fact that this inspiring story has been told before. Among the books in my personal library is one I've had for over a decade - a secondhand book entitled "Our Naval Heroes: In Words of Easy Syllables", written in 1899 by Josephine Pollard, and published by McLoughlin Brothers of New York. In Chapter IV, on pages 56 - 57, it recounts the story of Robert Small and the escape of the steamer Planter, and gives him credit for his skill and service to the nation.

[theHotpointHoodlum]

I can’t wait for the live action movie!

[SuzanneTatham-sojj]

I enjoyed the comments. It’s nice to see people realizing where kids learn most of their history.

[Haseri]

That's a power move, buying your former master's house

[Catwoman]

If they held him against his will on the ship, they should not be surprised, that he decided to free himself, when the opportunity arose.

[susannortham.]

Fascinating story, a real American hero. The Republican Party is always working hard to make voting more difficult. We need the passion of the Civil Rights movement again.

[marydonohoe]

How far down the Republican Party has gone from where it began. Shame on them. Robert Smalls was indeed an American hero, and all of South Carolina can be deeply proud of him. Thank you for this important story during Black History Month!
To the production crew of this video, I’d like to say that it was a brilliant idea to use a dark background. White people as well as Black were shown with dark skin in the drawings! Loved it. (I took it as a confirmation that we’re ALL Africans in the origins of our ancestry as Homo sapiens. 😉🙏🏼)

[cdl]

There is a typo in the video description: the boat was the CSS Planter.

[harrykings]

It's another time to set a goal for the year, one need to set goals and take bold steps in achieving them. Remember success is not obtained overnight, you have to stop procrastinating and try what you have always wanted to improve in you're life and well being. Investment will take you closer to your dreams.

[SuzanneTatham-sojj]

Wow love the white flag ancestor detail. She was thinking ahead.

[robinwhite-gough]

Because of the economic crisis and the rate of unemployment now is the best time to invest and make money 💯