3-008-738 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Visit of H.M.S. Gorgon to the Zambesi River: The Pioneer passing Mozambala with boats in tow laden with parts of the steamer for Dr. Livingstone, 1862. Engraving from a sketch by Mr. Sewall, of her Majesty's ship Gorgon. 'In consequence of Dr. Livingstone representing that it was most desirable to get his new steamer the Lady Nyassa up to the Murchison Falls before the Zambesi began to subside, and thereby save twelve months' delay, Commander Wilson decided on rendering every assistance in his power in furtherance of the object in view. Fifty men and officers were told off, armed, and provisioned for a month, with the intention of their being employed in discharging the sections of the steamer into the Pioneer and accompanying the latter vessel up to the falls...when all was ready, the Pioneer took the brig and two of the Gorgon's paddle-box boats in tow and steamed over the Congony bar, and anchored in a little way inside the river, when all hands immediately set to work to clear the Hetty Ellen. Placing the sections of the Lady Nyassa on the deck of the Pioneer, they took up every inch of room and reached halfway up her masts. The work was expeditiously and cleverly performed'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.