Dr Livingstone's Steam Launch Ma Robert, Samuel Walters, April 1858

Dr livingstone's steam launch ma robert built for exploring the river zambesi by john laird esqr of birkenhead. David livingstone employed the steam launch 'ma robert' on his zambesi expedition of 1858-62. 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. This forced livingstone to trek overland to lake nyasa. Date: April 1858.