How many ships did the West Africa Squadron have by 1831?

By 1831, the West Africa Squadron had seven ships. The squadron was established primarily to enforce the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade and played a critical role in patrolling the waters off West Africa. The presence of these ships was essential for intercepting slave ships and capturing those engaged in the illegal slave trade. The number seven is significant as it represents a period where the squadron was expanding its capability to effectively combat the slave trade, which was a widespread and complex issue at the time. The operations of the West Africa Squadron were instrumental in shifting British naval strategy towards anti-slavery missions, marking an important development in maritime history and humanitarian efforts.