3-078-209 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Germans in East Africa - the Carola and Schwalbe bombarding Kilwa, May 3., 1890. '...a place called Kilwa Kivinje...was the scene of the murder of two representatives of the German Imperial East Africa Company...the Schwalbe, Captain Hirschberg, arrived, convoying Major Wissmann's troops, who landed [at]...Kilwa Kisiwani. The Schwalbe returned to Kilwa Kivinje, and both ships commenced pouring their shell into the town with wonderful accuracy. In a very short time, the Carola pitching two shells into the same house, they set it on fire: this quickly spread, and the town was soon enveloped in flames...troops (about 1200, mostly Soudanese) advanced on the town, taking its right flank. The seafront was very well stockaded, and had four howitzer guns placed at intervals along it. It was then discovered that the natives, amazed by their enemy advancing on their undefended flank, had quitted the town...Kilwa Kivinje...was formerly considered the principal port on this coast for the exportation of slaves from Central Africa. As soon as Major Wissmann had got possession of the town, H.M.S. Turquoise embarked 150 Indians, and arrived with them on May 7 at Zanzibar'. Engraving from a sketch by Mr. E. H. Edwards, midshipman on board the Turquoise. From "Illustrated London News", 1890.