“Remember, the Black Star Line Steamship Corporation is not a private company. The ships that are owned by this corporation are the property of the Negro race.”
Marcus Garvey
Today in Philadelphia, thousands of Black people go to the waterfront at Penn’s Landing and visit the piers that perch along Columbus Boulevard. Today, families and couples enjoy the serene view, the cultural events, live music, food vendors, and the breeze that accompanies the constant flow of the Delaware River. On April 30, 1920, hundreds of Black people from Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Delaware gathered patiently and enthusiastically to witness a historical world event; right at the Washington avenue pier.
Over a century ago, on that same riverfront, an epic event occurred that stamped a place in the history of the Black Liberation struggle. Over 500 Philadelphia members of the local UNIA-ACL divisions (Garveyites) and other Blacks who were in attendance on this warm sunny day shouted, clapped, and celebrated as the UNIA-ACL Black Star Line Steamship USS Yarmouth docked with cargo and passengers. The joyous roars, clapping, and whistles could be felt and heard throughout the surrounding area. The excited gathering remained at the pier until it became pitch black, dark and slowly dispersed with great disappointment.
The Saturday, May 5, 1920 edition of the Philadelphia Tribune read “BLACK STAR LINER ARRIVES WITH 500 PASSENGERS ABOARD” The ship traveled from Colon, Panama and Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies via Norfolk, Virginia. The ship also had cargo of fruit, cocoa, and linen to export. The Yarmouth’s Captain, a Black man named Joshua Cockburn, helped to assist 53 passengers that were scheduled to be dropped off in Philadelphia.
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