Historic African Vessels

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

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

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