The date of these shackles makes it likely that they were used to control an enslaved African on board a slave ship. Leg irons could be used to control one enslaved person, or shackle two together to make movement (that is, revolt or escape) difficult. On board ship, the captain usually kept the enslaved men in chains to keep them under control. A toilet bucket was placed in the hold, but if the men were chained together then getting to the toilet bucket was not possible. It was always said that a slave ship could be smelled miles off, because of the overpowering stench of faeces, urine, vomit and sweat.