Sarah 
Part 4: A Dangerous Expedition – Into the Unknown Again
David Livingstone became a hero in Britain after he identified Victoria Falls. They listened to him give public lectures. School children learned his name.
But Livingstone was never content. His heart remained in Africa. He believed the rivers of Africa, like the Zambezi, could help facilitate peace and power. He wanted to put an end to the slave trade, open new routes of trade, and provide medicines, maps, and knowledge.
So, he went back to Africa, this time with a larger team, boats, and equipment. The mission was called the Zambezi Expedition. But this expedition would not go as he hoped.
The team Livingstone had now was made up of scientists, engineers, and even his wife Mary. They have a steam-powered boat for the purpose of sailing up the Zambezi.
But they ran into problems right away.
The boat was stuck in a narrow river passage.
The rocks broke the engine on the boat.
The heat and mosquitoes were hotter and worse than ever.
Many people fell sick with malaria.
Livingstone quarreled with some of the men; they were uncomfortable with the risks of this journey. Others took issue with the time the journey was taking.
Even Mary became gravely ill.
A Deep Personal Loss
One day, while they were resting by a river, Mary’s condition worsened. Her fever increased. She was unable to eat. David never left her side, holding her hand. It wasn’t long before she died. David buried her by the river, far from home. This is one of the saddest days in his life. But he did not turn back.
David continued even after mourning the loss of Mary. He wanted to map a river called the Shire, a branch of the Zambezi, and he had heard it flow through prosperous lands and friendly villages. He followed the river far into what is now Malawi and Mozambique. He found Lake Nyasa (what is currently called Lake Malawi), one of the largest lakes in Africa.
He hoped this area was suitable for growing food, creating peaceful villages, and halting the slave trade. He wrote letters to England requesting assistance with building schools and opening missions there. But people back home misunderstood his ambitions. They considered his journey a failure.
The British government withdrew funding. The expedition was terminated.
Despite all the issues with the Zambezi Expedition, David did not regard it as a failure. He had surveyed the rivers and lakes that had never been done previously. Traced new routes through central Africa. Spread the word about slavery, illness, and disease in the area. Motivated other explorers and physicians.
And he did not give up.
To be continued…..
Keep reading dipdives
About The Author
