Local Government Steamers
Beginning in 1894, small government steamers provided regular passenger and cargo service between coastal settlements.
These ships were authorized to receive mail, noting receipt with a manuscript notation of the ship’s name and date, or later a handstamp bearing the ship’s name. This mail then typically received a postal cancellation at the next postal facility en route.
Route notations are also known for one of the steamers, Rovuma. These notations are typically handwritten notations on the cover or postcard to indicate that they were transported via Rovuma.
Postmark Information
Catalog:
- Friedemann Sch. E. 1
- ArGe Kolonien Rovuma (handwritten)
Deutsch-Ostafrika Government
Postmark Information
Period of Use on this Ship:
- Mid-1894 to c. 1903
Notes:
- Handwritten cancellation
Postmark Information
Catalog:
- Friedemann Unlisted
- ArGe Kolonien Rovuma (handstamp)
Undated
Deutsch-Ostafrika Government
Rovuma
Postmark Information
Period of Use on this Ship:
- c. 1903 to c. 1914
Notes:
- Rubber handstamp with violet ink
Postmark Information
Catalog:
- Friedemann Sch. E. 2
- ArGe Kolonien Rufiyi (handwritten)
12 September 1902
Deutsch-Ostafrika Government
Rovuma, sister ship of Rufiji (no photo available)
Postmark Information
Period of Use on this Ship:
- Mid-1894 to c. 1903
Notes:
- Handwritten cancellation
- Ship name spelled “Rufiyi” instead of “Rufiji”
Postmark Information
Catalog:
- Friedemann Sch. E. 3
- ArGe Kolonien Rufiji (handstamp)
Undated
Deutsch-Ostafrika Government
Rovuma, sister ship of Rufiji (no photo available)
Postmark Information
Period of Use on this Ship:
- c. 1903 to c. 1914
Notes:
- Rubber handstamp with violet ink
Postmark Information
Catalog:
- Friedemann Unlisted
- ArGe Kolonien Kassa
Deutsch-Ostafrika Government
Kassa
Postmark Information
Period of Use on this Ship:
- Unknown
Notes:
- Rubber handstamp with violet ink or letter-case handstamp with blue ink
Postmark Information
Catalog:
- Friedemann Unlisted
- ArGe Kolonien Rovuma (routing marking)
Deutsch-Ostafrika Government
Rovuma
Postmark Information
Period of Use on this Ship:
- Mid-1894 to c. 1903
Notes:
- Handwritten routing markings
Local Government Steamers
Beginning in 1894, small government steamers provided regular passenger and cargo service between coastal settlements.
These ships were authorized to receive mail, noting receipt with a manuscript notation of the ship’s name and date, or later a handstamp bearing the ship’s name. This mail then typically received a postal cancellation at the next postal facility en route.
Route notations are also known for one of the steamers, Rovuma. These notations are typically handwritten notations on the cover or postcard to indicate that they were transported via Rovuma.
Postmark Information
Catalog:
- Friedemann Sch. E. 1
- ArGe Kolonien Rovuma (handwritten)
Postmark Information
Period of Use on this Ship:
- Mid-1894 to c. 1903
Notes:
- Handwritten cancellation
Postmark Information
Catalog:
- Friedemann Unlisted
- ArGe Kolonien Rovuma (handstamp)
Undated
Rovuma
Postmark Information
Period of Use on this Ship:
- c. 1903 to c. 1914
Notes:
- Rubber handstamp with violet ink
Postmark Information
Catalog:
- Friedemann Sch. E. 2
- ArGe Kolonien Rufiyi (handwritten)
12 September 1902
Rovuma, sister ship of Rufiji (no photo available)
Postmark Information
Period of Use on this Ship:
- Mid-1894 to c. 1903
Notes:
- Handwritten cancellation
- Ship name spelled “Rufiyi” instead of “Rufiji”
Postmark Information
Catalog:
- Friedemann Sch. E. 3
- ArGe Kolonien Rufiji (handstamp)
Undated
Rovuma, sister ship of Rufiji (no photo available)
Postmark Information
Period of Use on this Ship:
- c. 1903 to c. 1914
Notes:
- Rubber handstamp with violet ink
Postmark Information
Catalog:
- Friedemann Unlisted
- ArGe Kolonien Kassa
Kassa
Postmark Information
Period of Use on this Ship:
- Unknown
Notes:
- Rubber handstamp with violet ink or letter-case handstamp with blue ink
Postmark Information
Catalog:
- Friedemann Unlisted
- ArGe Kolonien Rovuma (routing marking)
Rovuma
Postmark Information
Period of Use on this Ship:
- Mid-1894 to c. 1903
Notes:
- Handwritten routing markings
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