Steering to Freedom

In "Steering to Freedom," set in May 1862, Robert Smalls, a slave and ship’s pilot in Charleston, South Carolina, embarks on a perilous mission to steal the steamship Planter and deliver it to the Union blockade, along with the crew and their families. As he bravely escapes slavery, he faces the additional challenge of persuading Abraham Lincoln to enlist black troops. This inspiring tale, based on true events, illustrates Smalls' journey to become the first black captain of a US military ship while striving for freedom for himself, his family, and his community.