NATIVE CRAFT:
-
- 5
14
railway was caused by a tidal wave which swept inland
from Tolo Harbour, demolishing the granite-pitched banks
on its edge and leaving the rails and sleepers hanging
over the sea. The Manager of the Railway, in his report,
stated that more damage was caused when the wave receded
than when it approached, and that its maximum height was
approximately 30 feet. There were three main banks,
composed of earth pitched with granite, demolished by
the wave. The height of each was 25 feet, and their
length 1200 feet, 500 feet and 300 feet respectively. In all, between Shatin and Taipo Market, a distance of seven miles, there were 21 bank slips, totalling 6,000 lineal
feet.
17. Repair work was started on the morning of September 2nd as soon as the full force of the gale had
ebated. Work proceeded night and day for eight days, and
on the evening of September 10th a ballast train was able
to pass over the damaged section. To effect the se
repairs an average of 1,000 labourers was at work each day
and each night.
18.
Through passenger trains, between Kowloon and
Canton, one in each direction, were allowed to run on
September 11th and 12th. The journeys took only 35
minutes longer than the usual schedule. On September 13th
the normal train service was resumed with speed
restrictions in certain places which increased the time
of the total journey by 11 minutes. It is expected that
these restrictions will be removed early in October.
19.
The destruction on land was relatively small compared with that which befell the vast floating population. The typhoon shelters provided refuge for many junks and
smaller craft. But great numbers were unable to reach
these shelters, and there is evidence that in a few cases