Robert Smalls, an enslaved crew member of The Planter came up with a complex plan and led a crew of African American slaves to freedom. At the young age of 23, Smalls came up with a well thought out plan to free himself, his family, and other fellow slaves from slavery and escape. His first plan was to free his family from slavery with the money he earned from his job on the docks, but when he realized he didn't have enough time and money to pay for their freedom, Smalls came up with a faster and more achievable plan. On May 13, 1862, with a years worth of hard work and determination in the process, Smalls and the crew of working slaves took over The Planter. With Smalls as the “captain” of the ship, and the African American slaves as his crew, they set sail to find the Union. Because of this, Smalls became an inspiration for slaves and sailed to his freedom.