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624
Whampoa Company have at present rive Dry Docks besides three
Slips. In one of these Docks His Majesty's Ship Powerful"
has been docked. The Company is prepared if the Naval Authori-
ties desire it to construct another Dock capable of accommoda-
ting the largest vessel afloat. They are prepared to supply
the Dock with the latest improvements in machinery and to
lay down a plant capable of dealing with any repairs that
could be required for His Majesty's Ships and to give to the
Naval Authorities perpetual right of priority. Messrs. Eutter-
field and Swire are also at present constructing a Dock of
the largest size. I venture to say that with such docking
facilities existing and prospective the repairs of His Majesty's
Ships would be executed in an entirely satisfactory manner
and at a very substantial saving to the Imperial Government.
The Dock Company have a thoroughly efficient staff with the
best appliances and there is constant work, while a Naval
Dockyard must have an expensive establishment always at full
strength while it is improbable that the work required for
the fleet on the China Station will keep the Dock fully
occupied all the year round. The Annual Expenditure involved
is very considerable and I would urge upon the Lords Commis-
sioners of the Admiralty the advisability of sending out a
Commission to inquire on the spot into the important questions
involved. There is in Hongkong capital and enterprise suffi-
cient to carry out any scheme of Docks that His Majesty's
Government may decide to be necessary.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your most obedient Humble servant,
Hung Amat
Governor, &c...
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