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Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841-1941
COLONIAL REPORTS—ANNUAL.
The average tonnage of individual ocean vessels entering the port has decreased from 1,528.7 tons to 1,459.2 tons. That of British ships has decreased from 1,720.3 tons to 1,482.6 tons, while that of foreign ships has increased from 1,414.5 tons to 1,445.7 tons.
The average tonnage of individual river steamers entering during the year has increased from 310.2 tons to 470.0 tons.
That of British river steamers has decreased from 503.3 tons to 135.9 tons, and that of foreign river steamers has increased from 393.2 tons to 439.9 tons.
British river steamers have decreased by 858 ships and 555,092 tons, or 14.8 per cent. in numbers and 16.1 per cent. in tonnage. This is due to the Tai Lee and Wing On being taken over by the Government and employed in other waters, the Nam Hoi changing from British to Chinese flag, the Taisham being sold and trading in other waters, and the San Ui and Lintan changing their flag.
Foreign river steamers show a decrease of 109 ships of 230,382 tons or 7.2 per cent. in numbers and 37.6 per cent. in tonnage. This is due to the Charles Hardouin, Paul Beau, and Licorne being taken off the run and sold.
In steamships not exceeding 60 tons employed in foreign trade there is a decrease of 529 ships and a decrease of 17,322 tons or 8.8 per cent. in numbers and 9.0 per cent. in tonnage. This is due to a great number of launches being laid up through coal being too expensive to run them with any margin of profit.
Junks in foreign trade show a decrease of 2,628 vessels of 244,712 tons or 11.2 per cent. in numbers and 8.2 per cent. in tonnage. This is due to the unsettled state of South China and the greater prevalence of piracy in the Canton Delta during the year.
In local trade (i.e., trade between places within the waters of the Colony), there is a decrease in steam launches of 49,434 vessels with a decrease in tonnage of 1,689,078 tons or 9.9 per cent. in numbers and 15.7 per cent. in tonnage. This is also due to the number of launches being laid up through the high cost of coal.
Junks in local trade show an increase of 487 vessels and 306,181 tons or 1.3 per cent. in numbers and 16 per cent. in tonnage. This is chiefly due to reclamation of foreshores in the Colony being carried out on which to a great extent this trade depends.
The actual number of individual ocean-going vessels of European construction during 1918 was 675 of which 162 were British and 513 foreign. In 1917 the corresponding figures were 750—259 British and 491 foreign.
These 675 ships measured 1,476,594 tons. They entered 3,343 times and gave a collective tonnage of 4,878,119 tons.
TRADE.
As pointed out in previous years the figures which are given are meagre, and of little value, being derived from reports of ship masters which are given in round figures and several items of cargo are only entered under the heading "General."
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