COMMUNICATIONS
Chapter 11.
THE PORT
The Colony possesses one of the most magnificent harbours in the world, having an area of some 17 square miles. It is surrounded by granite hills which rise to heights of 2000 to 3000 ft. and provide scenery reminiscent of the grandeur of the Western Highlands of Scotland. It is amongst the busiest ports of the world as is shown by the fact that 66,815 vessels of 23,040,126 tons entered and cleared during the year ending 31.3.49, which was an increase of 11,471 vessels and 3,070,574 tons over the previous year. Of these 42,983 vessels of 22,287,827 tons were engaged in Foreign Trade and 23,832 junks and steam vessels under 60 net reg. tons, a total of 752,299 tons, were engaged in Local Trade.
A total of 991,308 passengers arrived and 1,072,088 left the port while, in addition, 54,967 were declared as emigrants. Of the passengers 774,470 arrived and 827,481 departed in foreign trade vessels the remainder in local trade vessels.
The port is well equipped with aids to navigation both in the approaches and within the port and all lights have been re-established since the re-occupation. New modern equipment consisting of an electric light, visible for 21 miles, with diaphone fog signal for Waglan Island, an automatic acetylene light, visible for 5 miles, with a powerful electric oscillator fog signal for Tathong Point, and an electric light, visible for 16 miles, for Green Island all arrived towards the end of the year and are now being installed in place of the present temporary equipment. Investigations are also
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