Historic African Vessels

MV Chauncy Maples is a historic ship on Lake Malawi, often cited as the oldest motor vessel in Africa. Launched in 1901 as a missionary steamship, it MV Chauncy Maples is a historic ship on Lake Malawi, often cited as the oldest motor vessel in Africa. Launched in 1901 as a missionary steamship, it served as a floating clinic, church, and passenger vessel for over a century. It was retired in 1992 and efforts to restore it as a medical clinic were eventually abandoned. Learn more

MV Ilala is a historic passenger ferry that has operated on Lake Malawi in East Africa since 1951. Built in 1949 and assembled in Malawi, it makes wee MV Ilala is a historic passenger ferry that has operated on Lake Malawi in East Africa since 1951. Built in 1949 and assembled in Malawi, it makes weekly crossings of the lake carrying passengers and cargo. Ilala remains a vital transport link for lakeside communities. Learn more

HMS Mimi and HMS Toutou were two British Royal Navy motor launches transported overland to Lake Tanganyika in 1915 during World War I. These small arm HMS Mimi and HMS Toutou were two British Royal Navy motor launches transported overland to Lake Tanganyika in 1915 during World War I. These small armed boats played a crucial role in defeating German vessels on the lake, helping secure Allied control of this strategic African waterway. Learn more

The MV Liemba, originally launched as the SS Graf von Götzen in 1915, is a Tanzanian passenger and cargo ferry on Lake Tanganyika. It served in World The MV Liemba, originally launched as the SS Graf von Götzen in 1915, is a Tanzanian passenger and cargo ferry on Lake Tanganyika. It served in World War I for the German Empire and was scuttled in 1916, later being salvaged by the British and returned to service in 1927 as Liemba. Today, Liemba remains in active service, making it one of the world's oldest operational ships. Learn more

HMS Fifi was an armed screw steamer, originally built in 1894 for the German colonial customs service as SMS Kingani. She was captured by British forc HMS Fifi was an armed screw steamer, originally built in 1894 for the German colonial customs service as SMS Kingani. She was captured by British forces on Lake Tanganyika in December 1915 during World War I, becoming the first German warship captured by the Royal Navy. Renamed HMS Fifi, she supported Allied operations on the lake (including helping to sink the Hedwig von Wissmann) and was later scuttled in 1924. Learn more

Hedwig von Wissmann was a German steamship launched around 1900 to operate on Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. It served as a mail and patrol vessel an Hedwig von Wissmann was a German steamship launched around 1900 to operate on Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. It served as a mail and patrol vessel and later as an armed gunboat during World War I, before being sunk in 1916 by an Anglo-Belgian flotilla. Learn more