DAIREN
Dairen (Dalny), the Southern terminus of the South Manchuria Railway, is a commercial port in the Southern corner of Liaotung Peninsula, Lat 38° 55′ 44′′ N. and Long. 121° 37' 7" E. When Russia leased the place in 1898, it was only a small village. With remarkable push and energy the Russians laid out and built up, in less than three years, one of the finest towns in the Far East, with cathedrals and mansions, parks and roads, wharves and warehouses. Almost at the outset of the late war, the town was occupied by the Japanese Army and served as the principal base of supply. The health of the locality is exceptionally good. The hottest temperature registered in summer is 30° C. (86°F.), and the cold winter season is short and invigorating. The harbour works, which were planned and partially completed by the Russians, are designed on a fairly extensive scale. They comprise, the main wharf, the east wharf, the north breakwater and the east breakwater. The combined length of the breakwaters is 11,200 ft., and they are 4 ft. above the highest tide. The deep water area inside the breakwater is about 800 acres. The entrance being very open, viz., 1,200 ft. wide, the harbour is accessible to vessels of deep draught at any time of day or state of tide. The total sea frontage of the two wharves is 6,957 ft., which at the sea end has a depth of 30ft. at low water and on the shore end 23ft. The wharves are lighted by electricity and are furnished with extensive closed sheds and railway sidings, together with every up-to-date appliance for the handling of cargo. In view of the phenomenal development of the import and export trade of the port, plans are in course of execution for the further improvement and extension of the existing harbour, including the north breakwater, so as to give more effective protection to the wharves, when the water will be deepened to 30 ft. At the East end of the shore, a new pier, 1,750 ft. long with 30ft. of water and intended for the discharging of inflammable goods, was completed last year. On the island of San- shantao at the entrance to Dairen Bay stands a lighthouse and another lighthouse has been erected at the northern extremity of the north breakwater. A wireless telegraph station is established on the hill at the east of the wharves. There is a granite dry dock 430ft. long, and 51ft. wide at entrance with extensive repair shops attached to and leased and managed by the Dairen branch of the Kawasaki Dock Yard Co., Ltd., of Kobe Marine quarantine station, built at a cost of Yen 430,000, was opened in November, 1912. It is scientifically designed and equipped on the latest and most approved lines with accommodation for both foreign and Chinese passengers.
A
An electric tramway runs along the principal streets and out by the suburban line to Shahokou, where the South Manchuria Railway workshops are established, over four miles westward from Dairen, and extends two miles farther to Hoshigaura (Star Beach), the finest watering place in Manchuria. There is an excellent hotel here manag- ed by the South Manchuria Railway Company, and also a number of bungalows which may be hired by visitors. The town of Dairen is lighted by electricity and gas and has ample telephone facilities. The clectric power-house, which was completed in 1911, has the capacity of 4,500 kilowatts. The town has macadamized roads lined up with rows of shady trees, and is well equipped with waterworks, drainage and sewage systems. With the growth of trade, more particularly in Manchurian beans, a number of influential business houses, Japanese, Chinese and foreign, have established themselves at the port. The foreign and Japanese communities in April, 1909, organized and opened the Dairen Club. A Gun Club, Golfing Association, and Marine Association are among the other institutions of the port. Of places for public amusement, the so-called Electric Park, designed on an up-to-date plan and containing all devices for recreation, forms the chief attraction. The Chinese quarter, situated on the western fringe of the city, has also grown considerably. There is a Railway Hospital equipped with every modern appointment and affording accommodation for 200 patients. It is ably con- ducted by a competent staff of medical officers.
A direct steamship service twice weekly is regularly maintained between Dairen and Shanghai by the South Manchuria Railway Company, making connection with the express train service (three times a week) and the Trans-Siberian route, whereby it is possible to travel from Shanghai to London in 135 days. Regular steamship services are