Skeletons on the Zahara

Archival Summary & Scope

Skeletons on the Zahara chronicles the harrowing true story of twelve American sailors, shipwrecked off the coast of Africa in 1815. Following the loss of the US brig Commerce, Captain James Riley and his crew were captured by desert nomads, sold into slavery, and thrust into a desperate two-month battle for survival across the perilous heart of the Sahara. Facing starvation, dehydration, and brutal human hostility, the enslaved men endured unimaginable suffering—reduced to drinking urine and struggling to maintain their sanity and humanity amidst the scorching sands. This gripping account details their extraordinary odyssey against both the unforgiving desert and the greed of their captors, showcasing immense courage, brotherhood, and the indomitable will to survive.