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CHAPTER VII (L).
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17. The Eastern Junk Examination Anchorage. The eastern junk examination anchorage is in that portion of Chung Kwang O (Junk Bay) north of a line drawn from Maun Chau N. 87° E. (true) to Bak Sin Kok.
18. Shipping to make for Examination Anchorage. It is to be distinctly understood that all merchant vessels desiring to enter the port of Hong Kong, unless previously passed by the Chief Examining Officer, must make for their respective examination anchorages and be prepared to anchor therein as directed by him.
19. Closing of the Port and Signals indicating the same. The port of Hong Kong at night, i.e., from sunset to sunrise, or during a fog will be closed to the entry of all vessels other than H.M. ships of war (torpedo craft excepted), and during these times no merchant vessel or junk will be allowed to be under way within the harbour.
Merchant vessels making for Hong Kong at night or in foggy weather must proceed to one of the examination anchorages as described above and anchor there.
In accordance with the "Notice to Mariners," published annually on the Ist January by the Hydrographic Department of the Admiralty, when the port of Hong Kong is closed, three red vertical lights by night (or in foggy weather) and three red balls by day will be exhibited at:-
(a.) Eastern Entrance-Cape D'Aguilar.
(b.) Western Entrance-Ma Wan Customs Station, Green Island.
20. H.M. ships may enter the port by any entrance by day or night by means of the secret signal (see Section II), but scouts, destroyers, and torpedo-boats are not to enter at night or during a fog.
21. Examination Batteries.-The examination batteries are the following
Eastern Anchorage.-6-inch B.L. guns, Pak-sha-wan Battery.
Western Anchorage.—
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Belcher Battery. Stonecutters West Battery.
22. Definition of " Night."—In order to clearly define the term "night," it is to be taken to mean the period from sunset to sunrise.
23. Vessels carrying Powder or other Explosive.-No vessel carrying powder or other explosive is to be allowed into the port of Hong Kong in time of war unless such vessel be on Government charter.
24. Merchant Vessels leaving the Port.-No merchant vessel is to be allowed to leave the port of Hong Kong in war time until she has received a written pass signed by the Chief Examining Officer and has a pilot on board, who will cause the special signal of the day to be displayed, to signify that a written pass has been given.
All merchant vessels on entering the port are to be warned that any infringement of this rule will render them liable to be fired on by the shore batteries.
25. Notice of Arrival of Shipping.-Local shipowners and agents will be advised that in time of war or of national emergency they should, as a general rule, time the arrival of their vessels at all defended ports for daylight, and also that delays will be avoided by giving due notice to the Colonial Harbour Master, Hong Kong, of the expected dates of arrival of their ships, with particulars of appearance, tonnage, &c., so as to facilitate recognition by the Examining Officers.
When the examination service is established, the King's Harbour Master will call upon all local shipping agents to furnish the required information.
26. Custody of Stores, &c.-The commander of H.M.S. "Tamar" is responsible that all stores, offices, &c., mentioned in these instructions will be available when required, and on the examination service being put into force he will hand them over to the Chief Examining Officer.
*
* NOTE. The naval stores included in the Examination Service equipment are to be retained on the Naval Store Officer's charge until actually required for service. The naval ordnance stores will be in the custody of the Naval Ordnance Officer at Hong Kong until required for service.
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