No. 113.
SIR,
Acting Harbour Master to Acting Colonial Secretary,
HARBOUR DEPARTMENT, HONGKONG, 9th March, 1886.
I have the honour to report, for the information of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, that I have received a letter from Captain Maclear, R.N. of H.M.S. Flying Fish (copy enclosed) directing my attention to the want of an outside Lighthouse to the Port. In reply, I have told Captain MACLEAR that I shall bring the matter to the notice of the Government.
The great benefit to be derived from such a light, as is referred to by Captain MACLEAR, to vessels bound to Hongkong, is manifest, and this was fully recognized in the original scheme for lighting the approaches to the Port.
It appears, however, from former Correspondence that a difficulty arose with the Chinese Authorities as to the cession--by leasing or otherwise--of those places in the neighbourhood of the Colony, which had been suggested as the most suitable sites for Lighthouses, amongst which was the Gap Rock,--and the result was that no outside light was established.
The Chinese Customs have done much towards lighting the Coast North of Hongkong, but Breaker Point is the most Southern light at present.
Mr. HENDERSON, Chief Engineer of the Chinese Lighthouse Department in his report dated 20th June, 1872, (C.S.O.1860) estimated the cost of establishing a Light (First Order-revolving) on Gap Rock at £10,000.
The increase in the amount of tonnage entering the port appears a good reason for re-opening this question. A plan by which the Colony should find the money, and the Chinese Government should build and maintain the Lighthouse, though proposed, does not seem ever to have been matured, yet, in view of the difficulty as to territory, and seeing that the other Coast lights are satisfactorily maintained by the Chinese Government, this plan would seem to be worthy of present attention.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
R. MURRAY RUMSEY, Rt. Com. R.N.,
Acting Harbour Master, &c.
The Honourable F. STEWART, LL.D.,
Acting Colonial Secretary,
Page 124
The Light on Cape D'Aguilar does fairly well for vessels from the North, but is no use at all to vessels from the South, and I suggest a Light on Gap Rock as most suitable, though possibly on the examination of the localities might find a better site. The principal sufferers by the present want are the mail steamers and other steamers from Singapore. On former discussions on this subject, it has been urged that the Chinese Government will not grant a site, carrying with it territorial jurisdiction; but surely a lease of a site not carrying jurisdiction could be obtained, or again the Colony might provide the funds and hand the lighthouse over to the Chinese Authorities, who maintain so well the Coast lights. The want is pressing and it will be a long time before the Chinese lighthouse board will erect one on their own account; as they have so many wants to supply, and easy means can be found to meet the lighthouse board. It must be remembered that the cost of every steamer's delay and of the insurance falls indirectly or directly on the Colony, and that the loss of one vessel of any size pressing on at night without a light to guide her, would be more than equivalent to the expense of building the Lighthouse.
(True Copy).
Believe me, &c.,
R. MURRAY RUMSEY, Rt. Com. R.N.,
Acting Harbour Master, &c.
(Signed).
J. P. MACLEAR.
Minute by His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government,
4th April, 1886.
It is impossible to take this into consideration at the present time as there are no funds available and other works are much more urgently required.
(Signed), W. H. MARSH.
(Copy)
Captain Maclear to Acting Harbour Master,
DEAR CAPTAIN RUMSEY,
H. M. S. Flying Fish,
HONGKONG, 5th March, 1886.
Before leaving Hongkong again I wish to bring before you the great want of an outside Lighthouse to the port, in order that you may move the Chamber of Commerce to action in the matter.
The want of an outside Lighthouse is severely felt by those who are unable to make the land before dark, and have therefore to lay off for the night with loss of twelve hours' time at least, or have to proceed in the dark at risk of running ashore.
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