38
from this Department, dated 28th ultimo, M. 14091, on the subject of maintaining the lights at the harbour entrance, to which no reply has yet been received.
The Under Secretary of State,
War Office.
I am, &c..
EVAN MACGREGOR.
1.
2.
SCHEDULE OF ENCLOSURES.
13th July, 1898. From Commander-in-Chief, China, to Admiralty. 25th August, 1898. From Admiralty to Commander-in-Chief, China.
3. 17th September, 1888. From Commander-in-Chief, China, to Admiralty. From Commander-in-Chief, China (1 enclosure), to
4.
5.
9th October, 1898.
Admiralty.
27th December, 1898.
6. 25th January, 1899.
7. 30th March 1899.
China.
9.
From Admiralty to Commander-in-Chief, China. From Admiralty to Commander-in-Chief, China. From Custom House, Chefoo, to Commander-in-Chief,
8. 20th June, 1899. From Admiralty to Commander-in-Chief, China.
28th August, 1899. From Commissioner of Customs, Chefoo (and 1 en- closure), to Commander-in-Chief, China. (Enclosed in letter from Commander-in-Chief, China to Admiralty, 6th October, 1899, No. 750/1699.)
SIR,
(No. 480.)
39
Sub-enclosure (3).
"Centurion," at Shanhaikuan, September 17, 1898. WITH reference to my letter, No. 340, of 13th July, I have the honour to report that, after consulting with the Rear-Admiral, Commander Tuke (the Navigating Officer my Flagship), Lieutenant Pudsey Dawson, in charge of the survey at Wei-hai-wei, and the Engineer-in-Chief of the Chinese lighthouses, I have decided on the following arrangement for the lighting of Wei-hai-wei.
of
1st.-Chao Pei Tsui Light will be re-established. Lamps are now being made
in Shanghai, and should be ready shortly.
2nd.-A sixth order occulting lens lantern, hoisted on a mast or iron pole, will be placed on the small promontory off the end of Flagstaff Point. This light will show white sectors over the safe passages through both western and eastern entrances, with red elsewhere, the red cuts being arranged to clear outer rock and the rocks off Observatory Island by 14 cables, and the rocks off the eastern end of Leukungtau and Channel Island by about 2 cables. The white sectors will be visible 10 miles in clear weather and the red sectors 5 miles.
This light can be further improved by the establishment of a white range light inland, behind it, the two lights to be so placed as to be in transit over the fairway, but this will not be done unless found desirable after experience. 3rd.-Pier Head light.-The customary red fixed light will be shown at the end of the coaling pier, and will be useful for ships rounding Observatory Island after coming in through the western channel. A seventh order lens lantern will be used. The work is well in hand, and I hope the lights will be showing next month.
I have, &c.,
E. H. SEYMOUR,
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
ساسان
Reference :-
C.O. 882
J
SIR,
Sub-enclosure (1).
"Centurion," at Wei-hai-wei, July 13, 1898.
I HAVE the honour to report that I have arranged with Sir Robert Hart, the Director-General of Chinese Customs, with whom the control of the lights on the coast of China is vested, that he shall re-establish the light at Chao Pei Tsin, the eastern entrance to the harbour, and also the one that formerly existed on Observatory Island at the western entrance, which is always used by Her Majesty's ships.
2. The lighthouse at Chao Pei Tsin is complete, and a lantern only is required, but that on Observatory Island has been completely demolished, and must be rebuilt.
3. As the Chinese Customs Department have a staff, with means and appliances at hand for carrying out works of this kind, I thought it advisable to make an arrange- ment for them to undertake this for us, and to recover the cost eventually from Her Majesty's Government. This Sir Robert Hart has kindly consented to do, and much time will, I hope, be saved thereby.
4. As ships cannot enter the harbour at night until the light on Observatory Island is exhibited, I am anxious that it should be at work before the short winter days com-
I have, &c.,
mence.
The Secretary of the Admiralty.
E. H. SEYMOUR.
Vice-Admiral.
The Secretary of the Admiralty.
SIR,
(No. 542.)
Sub-enclosure (4).
Vice-Admiral.
"Centurion," at Wei-hai-wei, October 9, 1898.
WITH reference to their Lordships' letter, M. 9611, of 25th August last, approv ing my action in regard to the re-establishment of lights at the entrance to Wei-hai-wei Harbour, I have the honour to request instruction as to whether the present system, which I have adopted as a tentative measure, under which the Chinese Customs' Light- house Board look after the care, maintenance, and inspection of these lights, recovering expenses from the Admiralty, is to be continued.
2. I enclose a copy of the Hydrographical Notice of the establishment of the lights, issued to the fleet. The light now on Flagstaff Point is of the sixth order, but should the Government decide to develop the place as a Naval station, I am of opinion that one of the fourth order will be required, and should be sent out from England.
I have, &c.,
E. H. SEYMOUR,
6 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH——NOT TO
(M. 9611. No. 332.)
SIR,
Sub-enclosure (2).
Admiralty, August 25, 1898. IN confirmation of Admiralty telegram of this day's date, No. 138, I am com- manded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you that they approve of the action taken by you relative to the re-establishment of lights at the entrance to Wei-hai-wei Harbour, as reported in your letter of the 13th ultimo, No. 340/455.
I am, &c.,
Evan MacGREGOR.
The Commander-in-Chief,
Her Majesty's Ships and Vessels, China.
The Secretary of the Admiralty.
(Hydrographical Memorandum No. 5.)
24
Vice-Admiral.
Centurion," at Wei-hai-wei, October 4, 1898, WEI-HAI-WEI.
I.-Light on Flagsta Point.
A light was exhibited from Flagstaff Point on the 29th September. It is a group occulting red and white light, showing three eclipses every 30 seconds.
The light will show white over the western entrance between the bearings S. 44 W.,
and S. 52 W., and over the castern entrance between N. 84 W., and N. 75 W., and red in all other directions.