The following extract gives a description of the new dock at Whampoa, known as the Couper Dock (see 29-8-33);
It was 500 feet long by 75 feet wide and could take in vessels drawing up to 17 feet of water. It was closed by a caisson gate and the water was pumped out by a steam engine. Some 4,000 tons of granite was used in the construction of the pier-heads alone. The Dock was computed to have cost about $70,000.
942
In previous articles (see 29-8-33) reference has been made to the history of the Kowloon Docks, and to old-timers connected with that enterprise. One of the best-known of these former residents was Mr. James Liddell, who died in Scotland towards the end of 1929, at a grand old age. He came out to Hongkong in 1865, so that his reminiscences are well worth placing on record. At the time his death became known out here, the South China Morning Post published a narrative which Mr. Liddell had written ten years previously, the circumstances being fully explained at the time. The article is worthy of republication for the purposes of this historical series, so I give it as it appeared then:
"It is doubtful whether many of the 'old timers' in Hongkong can remember Mr. James G. Liddell, who was formerly a Superintendent in the Kowloon Dock, and who passed away, in Ayrshire, Scotland, on November 29 (1929) at the advanced age of 91 years.
Ten years ago, when he was living in the Transvaal, he wrote a letter, addressed to the Chief Manager of the Hongkong and Whampoa Dock, which he requested should not be opened until after his death. This letter he kept among his own papers and after his death in November it was found by his son, who has forwarded it to Mr. R. Dyer. It is an interesting document, full of reminiscences of old Hongkong, ...but primarily, to make a request that on the news of his death being received his name shall be added to that of his wife's on the tombstone in the Old Residents' section of the Happy Valley cemetery.
We have courteously been allowed to give the following extracts from the letter, which is dated April 2, 1920:
I am wondering if you will, please, when my death is announced to you, have my name inscribed on my late wife's tombstone in Happy Valley and have obituary notice of my death inserted in the Hongkong newspapers? In six weeks' time I will have completed my eightieth year. I joined the Dock Company at Whampoa in July, 1865, and was for ten years Superintendent at Kowloon Docks, and was for over 20 years in the Company's service.
I first left the Tail of the Bank (the Clyde) on April 1, 1865, on a pretty little spar decked steamer, built by Denny Brothers, of Dumbarton, my father's cousins. Her principal cargo was a new set of engines for the paddle-steamer Glengyle. Mr. David Gillies was the Chief Engineer. She was a large boat and carried away her main engine framing before she reached the Cape, where it was patched up. She proceeded to Shanghai or Hong-kong perhaps Jardine, Matheson's were the owners. We had a rather eventful voyage. Off Ushant we picked up a derelict barque.