Historic African Vessels

TS General Botha was a South African naval cadet training ship (originally the Royal Navy cruiser HMS Thames, launched 1885). She served as a stationa TS General Botha was a South African naval cadet training ship (originally the Royal Navy cruiser HMS Thames, launched 1885). She served as a stationary training vessel at Simon’s Bay near Cape Town starting in 1922, training over 1,200 cadets over two decades. Following World War II she was deemed beyond repair and was scuttled as a wreck in False Bay in 1947. Learn more

SAS Simon van der Stel was a South African Navy warship named after a 17th-century colonial governor. Originally launched in 1943 as the British W-cla SAS Simon van der Stel was a South African Navy warship named after a 17th-century colonial governor. Originally launched in 1943 as the British W-class destroyer HMS Whelp, she served in the Pacific during World War II and was present at Japan’s surrender. In 1953 she was sold to South Africa and renamed SAS Simon van der Stel. Converted to an anti-submarine frigate in the early 1960s, she served as a training and helicopter-carrying ship, and was decommissioned in 1972 and scrapped in 1976. Learn more

PS Sudan is a historic side-wheel paddle steamer operating on the Nile River in Egypt. Launched in 1921 for Thomas Cook, it later served as a cruise v PS Sudan is a historic side-wheel paddle steamer operating on the Nile River in Egypt. Launched in 1921 for Thomas Cook, it later served as a cruise vessel and even hosted Agatha Christie. After decades of neglect it was acquired and restored by French owners around 2000, and it continues to offer Nile cruises today. Learn more

SAS Assegaai (S99) was a Daphné-class submarine of the South African Navy, launched in 1970 and commissioned in 1971. Originally named SAS Johanna van SAS Assegaai (S99) was a Daphné-class submarine of the South African Navy, launched in 1970 and commissioned in 1971. Originally named SAS Johanna van der Merwe, it served until being decommissioned in 2003. It is now preserved as a museum ship in Simon’s Town, and is the only one of its class retained for exhibition. Learn more

MV Victoria is a historic Lake Victoria ferry. Built in Glasgow in 1959 and assembled in Kisumu, Kenya, it was originally named RMS Victoria and serve MV Victoria is a historic Lake Victoria ferry. Built in Glasgow in 1959 and assembled in Kisumu, Kenya, it was originally named RMS Victoria and served under the Kenyan flag until 1977, when it transferred to Tanzania. The ship can carry over 1,200 passengers and continues to operate under Tanzania's Marine Services Company after periodic refurbishments. Learn more

The Khufu ship is an ancient Egyptian full-sized wooden 'solar barque' built around 2500 BC for Pharaoh Khufu. It was buried near the Great Pyramid of The Khufu ship is an ancient Egyptian full-sized wooden 'solar barque' built around 2500 BC for Pharaoh Khufu. It was buried near the Great Pyramid of Giza as part of Khufu's burial goods, and is one of the world's oldest and best-preserved vessels. Discovered in 1954, it has been reconstructed and is now on display in the Grand Egyptian Museum. Learn more

HMS Gifford was a British Ford-class patrol boat launched in 1954. It was sold to Nigeria in 1968 and renamed NNS Bonny, seeing action in the Nigerian HMS Gifford was a British Ford-class patrol boat launched in 1954. It was sold to Nigeria in 1968 and renamed NNS Bonny, seeing action in the Nigerian Civil War. Decommissioned in 1983, the vessel is now preserved as a museum ship in Nigeria. Learn more

SS Nyanza is a 1907 steamship on Lake Victoria in East Africa, originally built for the Uganda Railway. Assembled from a knock-down kit in Kisumu (Bri SS Nyanza is a 1907 steamship on Lake Victoria in East Africa, originally built for the Uganda Railway. Assembled from a knock-down kit in Kisumu (British Kenya), it served mainly as a cargo steamer in the early 20th century. Long out of service, it remains derelict at Kisumu port. Learn more

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