One of Umbilo’s most distinguished passengers was Dinizulu, the rebel chieftain, who was banished to St Helena in 1887.

In January 1898 Dinizulu was allowed to return to Natal and Umbilo was chartered to fetch him as his entourage back from the Island.

The whole of the First Class saloon was reserved for the party but Dinizulus two wives spent most of their time on the hatch feeding and sleeping.

The royal passenger also brought on board with him six donkeys, 10 dogs, some rabbits, a piano and a harmonium.

His entourage numbered 31 persons and there were no other passengers on board except Miss Colenso, daughter of the famous Bishop, who was accompanying the distinguished travellers.

This is her sister ship Umkuzi

1909 Sold to Ellerman Lines renamed Castilian

John Paterson a wooden British steam powered paddle-tug ran out of coal in False Bay in the Western Cape.

On the 15 June it rammed and sank the Boela and Sea Star as it was adrift on the eastern side of the bay.

On this day, the Umbilo stumbled upon the John Paterson near Danger Point and the crew of the Boela and Sea Star boarded it with the John Paterson in tow. Within an hour the tow cable snapped owing to the rough seas.

Its master, D.C. Wilbur, asked the Umbilo to take on the rest of the crew and he remained on board, never to be heard or seen from again.

It is assumed that the John Paterson foundered shortly after with its master as the seas were rough.

Umbilo was sold to the Ellerman Lines in 1909 and renamed Castilian.

She was torpedoed on April 18th, 1917, 110 miles north west of Tory Island, off the Irish coast