Q 87
P.W.E. Kowloon.
Without waiting for the final adjustment of all questions, the dredging of a large trench in order to form a foundation for the breakwater had been begun on the 2nd September, 1908, the hopper-dredger "St. Enoch" having been purchased for the purpose by the Government from Messrs. Punchard, Lowther & Co., who were the Contractors for the Naval Yard Extension Works. Dredging operations were not completed until the end of January, 1910.
The modifications in the design, resulting from the conference of Mr. Boulton with the Consulting Engineers, were made and, as the final approval of the Secretary of State, including the approval of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, was received on the 28th January, 1909, the preparation of the detailed drawings and other documents required in connection with the construction of the breakwater and contingent works was proceeded with, an ordinance authorizing the construction of such works being passed by the Legislative Council in November, 1909. The unfortunate illness of Mr. Boulton, which led to his retirement from the Service in April, 1910, and ended ultimately in his death, delayed matters considerably, as did also certain negotiations with the lessees of Kowloon Marine Lot 32, with whom it was considered advisable to effect a settlement before the Contract was let.
To
In June, 1910, tenders for the construction of the works were called for and, as the project was one of very considerable magnitude and several English firms had expressed a desire to tender for its execution, arrangements were made to enable them to do so. To admit of this, a much longer period had to be allowed for the preparation of tenders than would otherwise have been necessary and consequently it was not until the 27th October, 1910, that a Contract was entered into with Messrs. Him Tai, whose tender was the lowest. As already stated, the work was completed in August, 1915, or two months before the expiry of the period of 5 years allowed under the Contract.
The Contract comprised the construction of an island breakwater; a reclamation, from which a short pier-head projects and a concrete and masonry pier. The breakwater, reclamation and pier-head enclose the harbour on the west whilst the concrete and masonry pier encloses it on the south. On the north and east sides, the harbour is enclosed by the land. The reclamation extends over a rocky shoal adjoining the northern entrance, which would otherwise have formed a source of danger to floating craft.
The breakwater is 3,325 feet (⅝ mile) in length, 192 feet in width at the base, 20 feet in width at the top and 44 feet in height. It is composed of a rubble mound, faced above L.W.O.S.T. with concrete blocks on the outer side and with coursed granite rubble pitching on the inner side, whilst the top is paved with concrete blocks. A trench of an average depth of 9 feet was dredged in the harbour-bottom for the entire length and width of the breakwater prior to the deposition of rubble. The rubble mound is composed of stone varying in weight from ½ cwt. to 5 tons, the total quantity deposited being about 850,000 tons.