3 320
A considerable number of the junk population of this colony was destroyed in a few hours in 1874. Captain Superintendent of Police reported that the destruction of Chinese junks and small boats was impossible to estimate.
The Harbour Master in his report says :-
"I append a report of the losses sustained by Chinese Junks as far as they could be ascertained, (sunk and total loss 185 junks. Repairable 455) but this does not by any means show the terrible havoc which the typhoon has made with this description of vessel. I have only been enabled to count vessels stranded; and those sunk, having their masts above water. Hundreds of smaller junks and boats must have been driven out to sea, or gone down in the Harbour of which nothing is Known".
Of the bodies of Chinese found drowned and duly registered, there were 419 adult males, 152 adult females and 141 children. The fact that many families reside permanently in these junks accounts for the deaths of the women and children. In forwarding those figures to the Colonial Secretary, the Registrar General reported that the return ...