When a British Protectorate was declared over the region in 1891, three gun boats were brought out, two for duty on the lake and one, the “Dove” to patrol the Upper Shire.
The “Dove” was a side-paddle steamer, built by Yarrow & Co, and began operating in 1893. After 1900 she was employed as a government transport and occasionally made journeys on the lake. In 1946, she was dismantled and her hull used first as a barge and then in 1947 as a ferry at Liwonde.
In 1966 the hull was moved to Monkey Bay where it is still used as a landing stage.
Stamps & Postal Products
1967 Former Ships of Lake Malawi – 9d Dove – Lake Steamer (1892)
