Returning from Africa, the Zong-a slave ship-falls prey to disease which spreads quickly through its human cargo. Captain Cunningham orders his crew to seize sick men, women and children and to throw them overboard. One hundred and thirty two slaves are trown to their deaths. The lost are to history, their bodies registered as strokes in the Captains log, their names never set down. On arriving back in London, Captain Cunningham submits an insurance claim for their loss, confident that he will recieve full compensation for the sick slaves. But the claim is challenged. There has been one survivor, a slave called Mintah, who is able to read and write. And Mintah has kept a record of the events on board the Zong, one that challenges the Captain`s version of events. . .