AFRICAN (1) was built in 1872 by John Key at Kinghorn in Fife with a tonnage of 2019grt, a length of 315ft 7in, a beam of 34ft 4in and a service speed of 12 knots.

African was employed as a mail steamer between England and the Cape until 1881, when she was transferred to the South African coasting service.

Four years later she was purchased by F Stumore and Co of London, who retained the original name of the ship.

On February 15th 1887 when bound with a cargo of coals from Cardiff to Jeddah, she ran ashore in the Red Sea at Abu Madaff, 40 miles from Suakim, and became a total wreck.