The Gateway to the Old King’s Yard

After the Abolition Act went into force and Sierra Leone became a British colony, the Navy was primarily involved in attempting to intercept the still-existent Slave Traffic. The Black Joke, formerly known as the Henriquita, was one of the most effective vessels assigned with this task, despite being a former slave vessel. Captured vessels were taken to Sierra Leone, where an Admiralty Court was established to deal with legal matters such as slave freedom and vessel condemnation.

The rescued slaves were brought to King Jimmy Wharf and taken to a compound built for them. This location was known as the King's Yard, and it was where they could be accessed and housed while preparations for their relocation were finalized. Because many of them required medical attention, it was also known as an asylum. Samuel Adjai Crowther and John Ezzidio are two well-known people who have passed through The Asylum. The Gateway to the Old King’s Yard presently leads to a section of the Connaught Hospital and Sight Savers.