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She belongs to Colonial Government in Natal. She was built in 1859 in Marshall Bros., Shields shipyard. Gt. 95, nt. 51; diamentions; 89'4" x 18'5" x 9'3"; steam engine of 40Hp.


She was Port Natal's first tugboat. In 1877, she was sold to Port Shepstone Shipping Co. and used as a coaster. She was wrecked at Port St. Johns on 11 Jun 1902.

On the stamp, she is shown around 1870.

The stamp set was designed by Sheila Nowers and printed by the Government Printer, Pretoria.

South Africa 1994 1.35 R, S.G.? Scott: 890.

Source: D. Rodlie; Lloyd's Lists 1863-64.

Launched as the PIONEER..
06 July 1859 she sailed from the River Thames bound for South Africa and on 15 November at least she arrived off Durban after a passage of 5 months. During the voyage she had much trouble with her boiler, even a boiler explosion.

She was Port Natal's first tugboat, and most probably the first steamship in South Africa.
She was not a success for her work in the port and in January 1876 her steam engine was removed, and she was rigged as a topsail schooner.

In 05 April 1877 during a public auction was she sold to the Port Shepstone Shipping Co. where after rebuild in a cargo vessel, used as a coaster in the service from Port Shepstone to Durban.
When the railway was extended from Durban to Port Shepstone the PIONEER was not more needed, she was used for tramping along the South African coast.

She was driven out to sea from the Umzimvubu River during high water and the anchor started to drag or broke at Port St. Johns on 11 Jun 1902. The PIONEER was never found again.