Before 1807, which group was primarily recruited into the Royal Navy due to the slave trade?

The primary recruitment into the Royal Navy before 1807 was largely from seamen who had experience in the slave trade. This is because many sailors working on slave ships were typically skilled seafarers who possessed the necessary maritime knowledge and experience. The Royal Navy actively sought out these individuals due to their familiarity with navigation, ship handling, and life at sea.

The context of this recruitment is important, as the Royal Navy required a substantial number of trained sailors to maintain its operations, particularly during periods of conflict and expansion, such as the Napoleonic Wars. As the abolition of the slave trade progressed, the pool of available seamen from this source became limited.

While pirates, shipowners, and merchants played various roles in maritime activities, their direct recruitment into the Royal Navy was not as significant as that of the experienced seamen from slave ships. The skill set and experience of those who had worked aboard slave ships made them ideal candidates for the Royal Navy's needs at the time.