Madagascar was a 19th-century paddle steamer that served the British Empire as a troop transport in the First Opium War, during which conflict an accidental fire destroyed her.

In preparation for the China campaign, the British Government purchased the Madagascar as part of the Royal Navy's efforts to consolidate and strengthen its forces in the Far East.

The steamer quickly departed Bengal, but due to its high consumption of coal on her voyage to Penang, the crew had to burn her yards and sail booms.

On her return trip to China in September 1841, she caught fire around 80 miles off the coast of the newly acquired British base at Hong Kong.

The lascars and British crew evacuated the ship after it was discovered that the fire had spread to Madagascar's coal stores.