A view of the ‘Ma Robert’ on the River Zambesi, surrounded by trees and greenery whilst the passengers converse onboard. Mountains can be seen in the distance. A piece of driftwood lies in the left foreground.
David Livingstone employed the steam launch 'Ma Robert' on his Zambesi expedition of 1858-62. She was assembled there but was not a success. While the vessel allowed the expedition to carry more equipment than could easily be transported by land, it was unable to negotiate the cataracts on the Shire River. In practice, her engine was not sufficiently powerful to push her against the current. This forced Livingstone to trek overland to Lake Nyasa, leaving the vessel wrecked on a sand bank. Although named after Mrs Livingstone, she was generally known as the ‘Asthmatic’.
Details and dimensions listed on either side of the inscription.