Keith JohnstonKeith Johnston

1844-18791844-1879

Death of a Death of a CartographerCartographer

- in darkest Africa- in darkest Africa

Mike Shand,University of Glasgow

Cartographer; Geographer; Explorer

Born:1844, Edinburgh, Scotland

Died: 1879, Behobeho, East Africa

Aged: 34

Cause of Death: Dysentery

Died while leading the Royal Geographical Society Died while leading the Royal Geographical Society East Africa Expedition from Zanzibar to Lake Nyasa.East Africa Expedition from Zanzibar to Lake Nyasa.

MapsMaps AtlasesAtlasesGlobesGlobes

1860 - Cartographer with Johnston’s, Edinburgh (age 16).

1866 - Superintendant of Maps Stanford’s, London.

1867 - Cartographer with Perthes, Germany (age 23).

1868 - Elected Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

1869 - Head of Geographical Dept., Johnston’s, London.

1872 - Assistant Curator and Draughtsman to the R.G.S.

1874 - Cartographer, Surveyor and Explorer, Paraguay.

1875 - Independent Cartographer/Geographer London.

1878 - Leader of R.G.S. East Africa Expedition (age34).

John Hanning SPEKEJohn Hanning SPEKE

Henry MortonHenry MortonSTANLEYSTANLEY

David LIVINGSTONEDavid LIVINGSTONERichard BURTONRichard BURTON

Slave TradeSlave Trade

Ivory TradeIvory Trade

The cumulative labour involved in mapping is well described by The cumulative labour involved in mapping is well described by StanleyStanley, , referring to his journey to rescue Emin Pasha :referring to his journey to rescue Emin Pasha :

‘Mine (mapping) have cost me more labour than the note-taking, literary work, sketching and photographing combined. In the aggregate, the winding of the three chronometers daily for nearly three years, the 300 sets of observations, the calculation of all these observations, the mapping of the positions, tracing of rivers, and shading of mountain ranges, the number of compass-bearings taken, the boiling of the thermometers, the records of the varying of the aneroids, the computing of the heights, and the notes of temperature, all of which are necessary for a good map, have cost me no less than 780 hours of honest work, which, at 6 hours per day, would make 130 working days’

The general methods of survey employed are succinctly described by Speke thus:

‘ My first occupation was to map the country. This is done by timing the rate of march by watch, taking compass bearings along the road, or on any conspicuous marks - as, for instance hills - and by noting the watershed - in short all topographical objects. On arrival in camp every day ascertaining, by boiling a thermometer, of the altitude of the station above the sea level; of the latitude of the station by the meridian altitude of a star taken with the sextant; and of the compass variation by azimuth. Occasionally there was the fixing of certain crucial stations, at intervals of 60 miles or so, by lunar observations, and distances of the sun from certain stars for determining of the longitude by which the original timed - course can be drawn out with certainty on the map by proportion.’

Map by J H SPEKE 1858Map by J H SPEKE 1858

Among African explorers Keith Johnston was distinguished by being both a trained cartographer and professional geographer of considerable repute, despite his relative youth.

According to David Livingstone in 1872“Keith Johnston knew more about the catchments of Central Africa than the great explorer himself”

RGS president Sir Bartle Frere stated that Keith Johnston “drew most of the fine wall maps in illustration of our Evening Meetings and also some of the best maps in our Journal”

London

SuezCanal

Aden

Zanzibar

Keith Johnston & Joseph Thomson

Depart: London 14 Nov 1878 Arrive: Zanzibar 6 Jan 1879

Zanzibar

Old British ConsulateOld British Consulate

Dhow HarbourDhow Harbour

Plaque onPlaque onOld British ConsulateOld British Consulate

Memorial window and brass plaqueMemorial window and brass plaque in Zanzibar Cathedral dedicated to Keith Johnstonin Zanzibar Cathedral dedicated to Keith Johnston

Zanzibar UMCA Cathedralbuilt by Bishop Steere, 1879

Keith JohnstonKeith Johnston(Leader)(Leader)

Joseph ThomsonJoseph Thomson

ChumaChuma

MakatubuMakatubu

The caravan departed Zanzibar on 18 May 1879 with 150 porters & 5 The caravan departed Zanzibar on 18 May 1879 with 150 porters & 5 donkeysdonkeys

ZanzibarZanzibar

Lake Lake TanganyikaTanganyika

LakeLakeNyasaNyasa

MAIN AIMS OF THE EXPEDITIONMAIN AIMS OF THE EXPEDITION(as instructed by the Royal Geographical Society)

•To establish a Route from Dar es Salaam to Lake Nyasa

(and possibly onwards to Lake Tanganyika)

•To Survey and Map the Route taken

•To examine the mountains NE of Lake Nyasa

•To make observations on geology, meterology, natural

history and ethnology

•To obtain information on the inhabitants and products

•To enquire into the practicability of constructing and

maintaining a telegraph line

ChronometersChronometers SextantSextant

AneroidAneroidBarometerBarometer

PrismaticPrismaticCompassCompass

(Transcribed with explanatory notes by James McCarthy, 2001)

Old Consulate, ZanzibarOld Consulate, Zanzibar

Geog. (Equador). To Bishop Steere’s with Mrs Kirk. Read exercises to end of verbs. Mrs K and girls at Mbweni. To lunch with Dr Robb to meet Mr Wakefield. Dr Robb’s meteorological observations for past 5 years. Rainfall averages about 60 inches greatest in April a second smaller maximum in Nov. Dec.

May 19 Dar-es SalaamMay 19 Dar-es Salaam

Watches set at 10.30 together. 17 m. fast of mean Zanzibar time on 14 May.

After mustering men at 6.30 and serving out ammunition to the 23 carbine men and 20 Enfields were all ready to start. By 12 o’clock the greater part of the caravan was despatched, drum beating and flag flying in front.

May 24 Mkuranga-LiwelaMay 24 Mkuranga-Liwela

Morning dull - heavy rain at 5.0am

Left Makuranga at 7.10 bearing SSE. Passed a marshy stream east. 7.15 delay 10 minutes repacking donkeys. 7.25 go in jungle. 7.40 SbyW grass and trees ……

May 25 LiwelaMay 25 Liwela

No march today …… very heavy rain tent flooded …… Drew out map of route from Dar es Salaam to Liwela at half inch to one mile. No observations possible.

The caravan left Zanzibar on 18 May 1879 with 150 porters & 5 donkeysThe caravan left Zanzibar on 18 May 1879 with 150 porters & 5 donkeys

May 29 MkambaMay 29 Mkamba

NO MARCH TODAY Dull morning, night cloudy with slight rain

OBSERVATIONS Crux for latitude 7d26m30s; lower limb of moon for time

May 30 MkambaMay 30 Mkamba

NO MARCH TODAY More rain. Steamy night

Keith Johnston and Joseph Thomson go on shooting trip for hippo to nearby lake.

Trip involved wading waist and armpit deep in marsh and returning in heavy rain.

MAPPING - travelled 19 miles since last Sunday

May 31 MkambaMay 31 Mkamba

NO MARCH TODAY Very wet morning everything damp

Wet night bad rheumatism in back

This was the beginning of the fatal dysentery that killed Keith Johnston.This was the beginning of the fatal dysentery that killed Keith Johnston.

Not untypical examples of Not untypical examples of camplife andcamplife and

travel as encountered by the travel as encountered by the expeditionexpedition

June 9 Boma in jungleJune 9 Boma in jungle

Unable to move today after very bad night obliged to keep bed

June 10 Boma in jungleJune 10 Boma in jungle

Unable to go on severe dysentery. Night wet and miserable.

June 11 Boma in jungleJune 11 Boma in jungle

Still unable to move. Set a sort of hammock made to carry me tomorrow.

June 12 2nd BomaJune 12 2nd Boma

Still very unwell was carried out by Chuma and Sululu on hammock at 7.30 …WbyS

…… carried at a sort of jog …… in great pain. Turned out more dead than alive.

7.27sw 739sw 7.49sw 8.2wsw 8.7wsw 815w …… (Thomson’s bearings)

June 13June 13 No entries for Friday 13 June

June 14June 14 Last entry in dairy by Keith Johnston “Expect mail”Last entry in dairy by Keith Johnston “Expect mail”

Extracts from RGS report by Joseph ThomsonExtracts from RGS report by Joseph Thomson

June 15 Kimkumbi, River RufijiJune 15 Kimkumbi, River Rufiji

A long weary march brought us to the banks of the Rufiji.

June 20 BehobehoJune 20 Behobeho

From the forest we emerged into glorious Behobeho, a haven of peace and plenty.

Johnston became gradually weaker from that date and was unable to stand.

June 27 BehobehoJune 27 Behobeho

On the night of June 27 On the night of June 27 Keith JohnstonKeith Johnston suffered dreadful pain and suffered dreadful pain and passed into an insensible condition, at passed into an insensible condition, at 4.154.15 on on 28 June28 June he he dieddied..

“…… “…… on the day we arrived at Behobehoon the day we arrived at Behobeho

our leader was moved into a hut constructed for him,our leader was moved into a hut constructed for him,

…………. only too clearly was death stamped on his face”. only too clearly was death stamped on his face”

50 miles

Search based on:Search based on:

Written descriptions of the gravesite

German map showing gravesite location

Recorded latitude and longitude valuesplus values extracted from German map

Joseph Thomson’sJoseph Thomson’s description of gravesite at Behobeho and description of gravesite at Behobeho and his route map from the Rufiji river to Behobeho his route map from the Rufiji river to Behobeho 1879.1879.

“Keith Johnston’s grave lies at the foot of a large tree festooned with graceful creepers, under an arbour of dense evergreen bushes, a few feet to one side rises a sharp conical

ant-mound, about 12 feet high. His name and date of death are carved on the bark of the tree. Bago the chief of the village has undertaken to keep the place clear of vegetation.”

William Beardall’sWilliam Beardall’s description of the gravesite at Behobeho description of the gravesite at Behobeho and his sketches of the grave and Behobeho village, and his sketches of the grave and Behobeho village, 1880.1880.

Keith Johnston’s grave The village of Behobeho

“The grass hut built for Mr Johnston and in which he died, is still standing.

He is buried about 25 yards off, under a big ‘Inkuyu’ tree, which stands just inside the belt of jungle surrounding the village. His initials and the date of death are cut in

the bark of the tree. I have found since that the natives had cleaned the grave. “

The matter of a permanent gravestone was referred to Parliament, the family,the Royal Geographical Society and to British Consul John Kirk in Zanzibar.

As a result, a large desk-shaped slab of Swedish granite was chosen to form the gravestone and engraved as follows:

Keith JohnstonKeith Johnston

Died Here At BehobehoDied Here At Behobeho

28 June 1879. Aged 3428 June 1879. Aged 34

» In Deo «» In Deo «

It is later reported that the slab was too heavy to be carried and was cut into sections.

It then took 100 porters 1 year to carry the gravestone sections to Behobeho

Dr Williem Schmidt,Dr Williem Schmidt, German Commissioner, German Commissioner,visited the Keith Johnston grave in visited the Keith Johnston grave in 18901890 resulting in resulting in

a wooden cross and a fence being erected around the grave.a wooden cross and a fence being erected around the grave.

TRANSLATION“Johnston’s grave is situated on the valley bottom of the Behobeho stream,

some 100 metres west of the route of 22 July,right in the middle of a small open stand of trees, consisting of marvellous old trees”

Bergassor Bornhardt,Bergassor Bornhardt, German explorer and geologist, visited the German explorer and geologist, visited the Keith Johnston grave and Hatambulo (Mt. Johnston) in Keith Johnston grave and Hatambulo (Mt. Johnston) in 18971897

BornhardtBornhardt plucked 2 leaves plucked 2 leaves from the tree next to the from the tree next to the

grave of Keith Johnston in grave of Keith Johnston in 18971897 and they were later and they were later

given to the RGS in a letter given to the RGS in a letter from German cartographer from German cartographer

Richard KiepertRichard Kiepert(also a specialist in mapping Africa (also a specialist in mapping Africa they would have met when Johnston they would have met when Johnston

studied in Germany).studied in Germany).

The letter also recordsThe letter also recordsthe grave atthe grave at

LatitudeLatitude 7 7°° 38’ South 38’ South LongitudeLongitude 3737°° 49’ East 49’ East

Only map which actually shows the gravesite of Keith Johnston.

Scale 1:300,000Scale 1:300,000

Methodolgy:Methodolgy:

1. Plot gravesite location on modern 1:50,000 map using latitude/longitude.

2. Use image processing software to match scanned old and modern maps.

3. Use known points to create similar triangles and graphically fix location.

Problems:Problems:

1. Longitude inaccurate by 9 km.

2. Old maps unable to be scanned flat due to the curved atlas binding.

3. Known points not well enough defined for accurate geo-references.

Solutions:Solutions:

1. Combine all 3 methods to create a‘best fit’ of the location within 2kms

2. Use 1:50,000 map and GPS to locate the search area with transects

3. Look for fig trees and anthills together

1:50,0001:50,00019571957

1:50,0001:50,00019821982

Laptop with Laptop with

ArcView GISArcView GIS

Serial Data Serial Data CableCable

Garmin EtrexGarmin EtrexGPS UnitGPS Unit

BehobehoBehobeho

Rufiji River

Rufiji River

Sand RiversLodgeSand RiversLodge

Travel to Travel to BehobehoBehobeho

Some of our Some of our neighbours at neighbours at

BehobehoBehobeho

Base camp on theBase camp on theBehobeho sand riverBehobeho sand riverand our search areaand our search area

1:50,000 map 1:50,000 map 19821982

Behobeho RiverBehobeho River

1km

500mGPS TracklogGPS Tracklogat Behobehoat Behobeho

GPS WaypointsGPS Waypointsat Behobehoat Behobeho

GRAVESITE :GRAVESITE :

General location of gravesite identified within 2 sq.km.General location of gravesite identified within 2 sq.km.

Location of site transferred to maps and GIS datasets.Location of site transferred to maps and GIS datasets.

GPS co-ordinates established for landmarks at the location.GPS co-ordinates established for landmarks at the location.

The basis for a further search has been established.The basis for a further search has been established.

KEITH JOHNSTON :KEITH JOHNSTON :

The information gathered on Keith Johnston and the The information gathered on Keith Johnston and the references relating to the East Africa Expedition of 1879 has references relating to the East Africa Expedition of 1879 has now been added to the knowledge of the Selous Conservation now been added to the knowledge of the Selous Conservation

Programme and its newly updated BibliographyProgramme and its newly updated Bibliography

PROPOSALS :PROPOSALS :

Conduct new search with game warden & park staff

Search in October during dry season conditions

Consider a controlled burn of undergrowth

FUTURE PLANS :FUTURE PLANS :

Find the grave and record accurate GPS co-ordinates

Photograph gravestone and arrange its restoration

Rename Hatambulo as Hatambulo (Mt Johnston) for use on future maps

Complete route from L. Nyasa - L. Tanganyika - Zanzibar

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