NPR's Book of the Day 'Freedom on the Sea' is a biography of Robert Smalls – by his great-great-grandson
Jan 15, 2026
Michael Boulware Moore, the great-great-grandson of Robert Smalls and author of *Freedom on the Sea*, shares his ancestor's remarkable journey from slavery to freedom. He details how Smalls commandeered the Planter to escape and later served in the Civil War, engaging with Lincoln and advocating for the enlistment of formerly enslaved men. Moore reflects on Smalls' political achievements, including contributions to public education, and highlights the importance of empathy and unity in today's divided society.
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Daring Escape Aboard The Planter
- Robert Smalls, enslaved and serving as pilot, seized the Confederate steamer Planter on May 12–13, 1862 and steered it past Confederate forts to Charleston Harbor.
- He coordinated with other enslaved crew members and used his knowledge of passcodes and waterways to sail the ship to Union lines and freedom.
Escape Shaped Union Military Policy
- Smalls' delivery of the Planter and his advocacy helped persuade Lincoln to enlist formerly enslaved men, enabling about 200,000 Black soldiers to serve.
- Some historians argue that this influx was crucial to the Union's victory in the Civil War.
From Slave To Education Reformer
- After the war, Smalls served in the South Carolina legislature and U.S. Congress and authored legislation to create the nation's first statewide free public school system.
- His personal inability to read as a child motivated him to expand educational access for all South Carolinians.
