The Vandau of Sofala

Abstract

Opening ParagraphSofala, Portuguese East Africa, is not very easy of access. The journey has to be made from Beira, in a small hired motor-boat, and takes about six hours in favourable weather, but the Indian Ocean in the vicinity of Beira is often notoriously rough. In the dry season, part of the journey may be made overland, in a machila or travellinghammock. On our forward voyage in January 1930, the engine of the motor-boat was put out of action by the amount of water shipped. This caused a delay of about half an hour while bailing was done by the natives who managed the boat, and we were glad to enter the calm waters of Sofala Bay about 1.30 p.m., having left Beira at 7.30 a.m.