The term "Slave Ship" refers to vessels specifically designed for transporting enslaved people, primarily during the transatlantic slave trade from the 16th to the 19th centuries. These ships were often overcrowded and unsanitary, leading to high mortality rates among the captives. The journey, known as the Middle Passage, was marked by extreme suffering and inhumane conditions. Many slave ships were owned by European traders and operated under the triangular trade system, which involved the exchange of goods, enslaved individuals, and raw materials between Europe, Africa, and the Americas. The legacy of these ships is a significant part of the history of slavery and its lasting impact on society.