mozambique

Delagoa Bay

Chiromo (top centre) is on the Shire River in southern Malawi (Nyasaland). My guess is that the photographer was on his, or her, way up to Nyasaland - possibly it's the same person who took those photos in Zomba.

Where is Delagoa Bay?

Delagoa Bay became Lourenco Marques and then, I think, Maputo. It's in southern Mocambique.

At Chinde, on the northernmost mouth of the Zambezi, in the 1890s was a British Concession (see photo 105-8) and a Post Office of Exchange where mail and other material was sorted for B.C.A. districts, German territory and the Congo Free State before being shipped upriver to Chiromo and beyond.

From John Kemp via email: These photographs were not taken in northwestern Zambia, but on the lower Zambezi in what is now Mozambique, below the confluence with the Shire river. Mrs. Livingstone was buried at Shupanga, below Sena, on 22nd April, 1862. The "Mosquito" was one of two rear-wheeled paddle steamers of the Royal Navy assembled at Chinde, at the mouth of the Zambezi, in 1890. Her sister ship was called the "Herald". For the grave, see Tim Jeal, "Livingstone", Penguin, p257,8. For the steamers, see H.H. Johnston, "British Central Africa", Edward Arnold, New York, 1897, p98.

The bottom photograph intrigues me for it shows a quarter wheel steamer. Although quarter wheel steamers were used on several African lakes and rivers this is the first one I've seen on the Zambesi/ Shire. What a pity there is no caption!

I remember spending part of my Mozambique holiday here in 1960 and GRAND it was with the finest of architecture, sweeping staircases, fine carpets and antiques. It also had very fine dining. It had an Olympic size swimming pool and was situated close to the beach. I believe that after independence from Portugal it was converted into army barracks. I could look up my mother's diary if you would like more information