The Guerrero Project blends the historic story of the only known slave ship to sink in U.S. waters with prisoners on board, with modern-day marine expeditions, heated archaeological debate, gritty emotions concerning today’s race relations in America, and ultimate hope.

In 1827 the pirate Spanish slave ship Guerrero sank off the coast of Florida while being pursued by a British warship. Through rough weather, cannon fire and deception began a three-year saga involving 561 captive Africans that included five nations. Now as expeditions compete to locate the ship’s remains, The Guerrero Project dives headfirst into this lost piece of history and explores why anyone wants to find this ship and what implications it has on all of us today.

For almost two centuries the engaging stories of those aboard the Guerrero never reached beyond a few pages in obscure historical accounts — until now. This feature-length documentary fuses history, intense emotions, natural beauty and high-seas adventure to make the significance of the story accessible to a broad audience.

Narrated by James Avery.

“The Guerrero will help fill in another blank in the whole story of Atlantic slavery. This story must be told and become a part of the lexicon of American history.”

        — William D. Pinkney, Former Master Amistad Freedom Schooner

“This is a truly momentous exploration and educational endeavor.”

        — Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Harvard University

“The cultural and historic significance of this find is inestimable. The story of the Guerrero is one that needs to be told.”

        — Kweisi Mfume, Past President and CEO NAACP

“We believe that respectfully preserving and accessing history opens the doors to the annals of time, which helps us all to appreciate the story, sacrifices and challenges of the human race.”

        — William A. Murrain, Past President, National Association of Black SCUBA Divers

Documentary Personalities & Links:

Gail Swanson, Guerrero and Florida Historian

Capt. William “Bill” Pinkney, Former Master Amistad

Dinizulu Gene Tinnie, artist, Dos Amigos/Fair Rosamond Project

National Association of Black SCUBA Divers

Tennessee Aquatic Project and Kenneth Stewart

Capt. Carl “Fizz” Fismer, Expedition Leader

Brenda Lazendorf, Biscayne National Park

Diving with a Purpose

Denis Trelewicz, Expedition Leader

David Score, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Jerry Wilkensen, President Florida Keys Historical Society

Dr. R. Duncan Mathewson III, Nat’l Center for Shipwreck Research

Jack Haskins, Leading Maritime Historian

Gene Lyon, Ph.D., Leading Maritime Historian