Enclosure No 3
of
Secret dispatch of
September 19041
486
Copy of
&
Letter from Messrs. A. Hewett & Company
to
His Excellency Sir Matthew Nathan
13th September 1904
In continuation of my conversation with Your Excellency regarding the probable effects upon the trade of Hongkong were the western entrance to the harbour blocked, I have made inquiries of some of the leading British Shipping Agents on the subject.
I find that we are practically agreed that considerable inconvenience to say the least would be caused to the shipping were such a scheme carried out.
I have seen Mr. A'Grefsen, Mr. Law, Mr. Wheatley (of Dodwell & Co.), Mr. Arbuthnot (Hepworth & Co.), Mr. Kingston (2), Mr. Arnold (Canton Steam Boat Co.) (2), and generally Mr. Craddock of the Canadian Pacific Line, but I find the question is not one which concerns them (i.e. the C.P.R.).
It seems to be as well to give a summary of the various objections brought forward against the proposal.
As I have already explained to Your Excellency, it is a convenience for large deep-loaded vessels entering the port to have the choice of either the eastern or western Channel1,2; to enable them on leaving to proceed straight to sea in the direction in which they happen to be heading at the moment, whether a stiff breeze is blowing, or the currents are running strong, which is frequently the case. It is difficult for a steamer to turn in the harbour and swing to the often crowded state of the vessel anchorages; this manoeuvre can only be carried out with considerable risk of collisions. The Lyemoon Pass has its distinct disadvantages and alone is not sufficient for the traffic. Even in its present state it is often crowded with fleets of junks tacking in and out and also at certain times of the year often dangerous to navigation on account of fog.
This pass therefore cannot be considered adequate for the whole traffic of Hongkong.
It is presumed that the blocking to which Your Excellency referred would be by submarine mines.
If this is the case, in view of the fact that ships have frequently drifted through such mines getting adrift or out of position, the result may be to deter vessels from visiting the port. While I think we may safely count on severe premiums for insurance being demanded on ships and their cargoes coming to Hongkong. I am correct in supposing that by "blocking" mines are intended to make a mined port. If I am right, the passage will also presumably be closed to junks. The greater part of the enormous junk traffic of Hongkong passes through this channel of the harbour.
If this traffic be diverted and forced to take the passage round Stone cutters Island, that passage will probably be so choked as to render the navigation extremely difficult for those shallow-draught vessels and the whole of the Canton River and Macao junks, which will have to make "way" for it.
Further, it would be necessary to have the passage round Stone cutters Island properly lighted. This would be more than ever necessary for inward-bound vessels from Canton or the western ports, as in thick weather or at night, unless this were done, they might easily miss their course and thus enter the dangerous waters.
Such a scheme as it was feared that some of the opinions expressed were only advice to the effect that the western entrance to the harbour being blocked not only would this cause inconvenience to shipping, but also would...