Historic African Vessels

Explore Africa’s maritime past and present through the vessels that shaped it. From lake ferries and royal barges to warships and working cargo ships. Each one tells a story of movement, memory, and resilience across the continent’s waters.

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Historic Vessels

African Countries

Water Bodies

Ferry

Cargo Ship

Passenger Vessel

14 vessels found

Wrecked

HMS Fifi (ex-SMS Kingani)

Tanzania

Type Gunboat

Waters Lake Tanganyika

Launched 1894

Service 1894 - 1924

Service Timeline 1894 - 1924

1900 1980

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

17.8m 8 crew

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Wrecked

Hedwig von Wissmann

Tanzania

Type Steamship

Waters Lake Tanganyika

Launched 1900

Service 1900 - 1916

Service Timeline 1900 - 1916

1900 1980

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

20.0m 12 crew

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