366
tons.
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 30TH APRIL, 1898.
5. The above statement shows an increase of 329 British ships and a decrease of 489,528 British This numerical increase, together with a tonnage decrease, is to be attributed to the number of small vessels which, since the opening of the West River in June last, have been plying on that route, and increasing the number of entries and clearances under the heading of "River Steamers" without a proportionate increase of tonnage. British ocean-going steamers alone for the year show a decrease of 201 entries of 275,360 tons.
Sailing ships show a numerical increase for the year of 209 entries, but a tonnage increase of only 13,460 tons; under this heading are comprised the lorchas and lighters which were towed up the West River, and the remark above, applies in the case of these vessels also.
6. In the case of Foreign Shipping, that under the Japanese flag has been more than doubled, having increased from 146,315 tons to 299,658 tons. German shipping shows a decrease of 41,000 tons, the remainder, generally, show more or less substantial increases.
7. The actual number of ships of European construction-exclusive of River Steamers--which entered the port in 1897, was 593, being 320 British, and 273 Foreign. In the previous year the numbers were 325 British, and 254 Foreign.
STEAMERS.
Ships.
No. of times entered.
Total Tonnage.
Flag.
1896.1897. 1896. 1897. 1896.
1897.
British, Belgiam,
298
281
1,806 |1,605 | 2,665,438
2,390,078
}
T
1,689
American,
3
14
21
37,445
37,886
Austrian,
10
24
27
59,314
66,594
Chinese,
14
211
198
247,981
255,619
Danish,
58
29,684
35,112
Dutch,
10
14,218
3,288
French,
19
120 144
165,680
169,547
German,
R
80
708 669
846,713
805,694
Russian,
Hawaiian, Italian, Japanese,
Norwegian,
Spanish,
2
7,100
13
16,079
18,913
80
146,315
299,658
124 142
122,225
144,175
11,587
14,585
4
8,139
2,166
Swedish,
10
12
9,890
11,868
Total,............ 495
506
| 3,185 | 3,071 | 4,382,397
4,262,283
Flag.
SAILING VESSELS.
Ships.
No. of times entered.
Total Tonuage.
1896. 1897. 1896. 1897. 1896.
1897.
British, American,
27 39
31
36 30 42
Danish,
French,..
German,
Hawaiian,.
Italian.
Norwegian,
Siamese, Spanish, Swedish,
2000-*
240
35,536
48,996
93
50,427
38,981
586
1,235
10,609
12,961
2,497
1,156
1,440
794
3,305
- to co
656
1,621
900
600
350
Total,....
84
86 100 356 105,370
107,280