The Duc du Maine (along with the Aurore) was a cargo slave ship 101.71 feet (31 metres) long and 29.86 feet (9.1 metres) wide which brought the first African slaves to Louisiana on June 6, 1719 from Senegambia. [1][2] The ship could carry 500 to 600 slaves. After three months at sea, the first landing occurred at Dauphin Island with 250 slaves. The second shipment contained 349 slaves in March, 1721.