NETHERLANDS-INDIA
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a draught of about 10 metres will be completed within a year or two, and then Belawan will be developed into a well-equipped port which is bound to have a splendid future as an ocean harbour.
Sabang. The harbour of Sabang is in a spacious bay, accessible from the west, in the island of Poelo Weh, situated a little over 50 kilometres to the north of Kota Radja, the capital of the province of Acheen. The construction of the harbour, which serves principally as a coaling-station, dates from 1896. Since 1903 the harbour has been rebuilt and equipped with modern appliances. In the north-western portion of the bay are the coal wharves with a total length of 590 metres, alongside which ships of 9 metres' draught can moor for loading and discharging coal. In 1905, electric conveyors- were erected. To the south-west of the coal-wharves lies a floating 3,000-ton dry dock accommodating ships of 6 metres' draught, while adjoining the dock is a quay specially intended for ships requiring repairs. In the northern part of the bay is a general commercial wharf, 200 metres long, with the requisite storage godowns adjacent.
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Palembang. Palembang, which is situated on the Moesi River 90 kilometres from its mouth in the Banka Straits, is a tidal harbour; larger ships can only cross the bar at the inouth of the river, where the depth at high-water amounts to 6.3 metres, at flood-tide, but plans exist to improve the fairway. When there is no room available for ships at wharves, they remain at anchor in the stream, where they do not experience any difficulty from the strong current except during the rainy season (west monsoon). They can load and discharge there on both sides by means of lighters which come alongside. The first harbour works were constructed in 1894 and extended in 1909, the total cost being more than Fls. 500,000. Plans for building a harbour for deep-sea-- going vessels have been prepared.
Island of Celebes
Macassar. The important harbour of Macassar, situated on the south-west point of Celebes, possesses roads well protected by several coral islands and two breakwaters. The latter were constructed in 1920-21. One has a length of 100 metres and the other a length of 560 metres. In the year 1908 the building of a screw-pile wharf, 500 metres long and 10 metres broad, with a depth alongside of 9 metres at low water, was finished. It runs approximately parallel with the shore, and has eleven godowns adjacent to it covering an area of about 9,000 square metres. The trade of Macassar has advanced with such rapid strides that from time to time important extensions have had to be made. In 1917 a quay' with a length of 1,340 metres was. completed, where ships of 9 metres draught can moor even at low tide. A lighter harbour has been made with a quay of about 600 metres and 26 short screw-pile wharves. The extension of godowns and sheds keeps pace with that of the quays, so that the so-called new harbour has 5,500 square metres devoted to sheds in addition to 41,000 metres which can be used for open-air storage. On the north-side of the harbour reclamation works have been executed on a large scale, serving for storing coal, oil and fuel. Plans for further extensions are being made.
Island of Borneo
Pontianak.-Pontianak, which is situated at the junction of the small Kapœas River, is the principal trading centre in the West Coast of Borneo Residency. There is a wharf 150 metres long, behind which there is a space of 800 square metres available for storage purposes. There is further a Customs examination shed with a floor space of about 500 square metres. The export of copra and coconut-oil is very considerable.
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Bandjarmasin.-Bandjermasin is also a fairly important commercial centre. on the Martapora River, a few kilometres above the junction of that river with the Barito River in the Residency of South and East Borneo. In addition to the screw-pile wharf, 246 metres long and 11 metres wide, which was completed in 1911, there are several other small landing stages on the right bank of the Martapora river. are Customs offices and storage godowns adjoining the harbour.
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