CARNARVON was built in 1883 by Day, Summers & Co. at Northam, Southampton with a tonnage of 104grt, a length of 90ft 1in, and a beam of 17ft 1in.

Built for service as a coaster for the smaller river ports of South Africa. She completed her delivery voyage rigged as a schooner with coal being carried in wooden bunkers.

She was transferred to Lourenço Marques (Maputu) in 1894 and remained there until 1896 when she was sold to a local company, Silva Vianna & Co.

She was posted as missing in November 1902.