1841-1886
HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
239
Colony. One of the reports he enclosed said: "The losses sustained by Chinese junks as far as they could be ascertained are: sunk and total loss, 185 junks; repairable, 455, but this does not by any means show the terrible havoc which the typhoon has made with this description of vessel. I have only been enabled to count vessels stranded and those sunk, having their masts above water, Hundreds of smaller junks and boats must have been driven out to sea, or gone down in the harbour, of which nothing can ever be known.
15. Of the bodies of Chinese found drowned and duly registered there were 419 adult males, 152 adult females, and 141 children. The fact that many families reside permanently in these junks accounts for the deaths of the women and children. In forwarding those figures to the Colonial Secretary, the Registrar-General reported that the returns did not show the actual loss of life, which he thought might be roughly estimated at thrice that recorded. Two other members of the Executive Council estimated the loss of life amongst the junk population of the Colony as between 4,000 and 5,000. The probability is that all these people were drowned in about 50 minutes when the force of the typhoon was at its maximum.
615
16. Soon after my arrival in Hong Kong, my attention was drawn to the subject by some of the Chinese merchants who had presented memorials in 1874 and 1875 to the Government, praying that steps might be taken to protect the boat population from similar calamities in future. I read Lord Carnarvon's Despatch of the 18th of November 1874, describing the deep personal interest the Queen had manifested in the calamity of 1874; and on inquiry, I ascertained that competent authorities were of opinion that it was possible to prevent this lamentable loss of life in future.
17. Therefore at the first Executive Council I held in this Colony, I pointed out that the construction of breakwaters at certain points in the harbour might save the lives of the floating population during a typhoon, and I proposed to instruct the Public Works Department to prepare an estimate of the probable cost of such places of refuge. The Council agreed with me, and the necessary instructions were given to the Surveyor-General.
18. From Admiral Watson, then the Commodore on this station, and Captain Bonham Bax, of Her Majesty's ship "Sylvia," I received valuable suggestions as to the best sites for the breakwaters. Admiral Ryder also approved of the scheme, and gave me his best assistance in maturing it.
19. Some of the leading Chinese merchants who were good enough to thank the Government for moving in the matter, assured me that they regarded the protection of the junk population as being of such vital importance to the Colony that they had contemplated raising a subscription amongst themselves to defray the cost of the necessary works.
20. Remembering, however, on the one hand, what a considerable sum the Treasury obtains from the Opium Farm and other taxes to which the Chinese contribute so largely, and on
1841-1886
HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
239
Colony. One of the reports he enclosed said: "The losses "sustained by Chinese junks as far as they could be ascertained
are: sunk and total loss, 185 junks; repairable, 455, but this "does not by any means show the terrible havoc which the typhoon has made with this description of vessel. I have only " been enabled to count vessels stranded and those sunk, having "their masts above water, Hundreds of smaller junks and boats "must have been driven out to sea, or gone down in the harbour, "of which nothing can ever be known.
15. Of the bodies of Chinese found drowned and duly registered there were 419 adult males, 152 adult females, and 141 children. The fact that many families reside permanently in these junks accounts for the deaths of the women and children. In forwarding those figures to the Colonial Secretary, the Registrar-General reported that the returns did not show the actual loss of life, which he thought might be roughly estimated at thrice that recorded. Two other members of the Executive Council estimated the loss of life amongst the junk population of the Colony as between 4,000 and 5,000. The probability is that all these people were drowned in about 50 minutes when the force of the typhoon was at its maximum.
615
16. Soon after my arrival in Hong Kong, my attention was drawn to the subject by some of the Chinese merchants who had presented memorials in 1874 and 1875 to the Government, praying that steps might be taken to protect the boat population from similar calamities in future. I read Lord Carnarvon's Despatch of the 18th of November 1874, describing the deep personal interest the Queen had manifested in the calamity of 1874; and on inquiry, I ascertained that competent authorities were of opinion that it was possible to prevent this lamentable loss of life in future.
17. Therefore at the first Executive Council I held in this Colony, I pointed out that the construction of breakwaters at certain points in the harbour might save the lives of the floating population during a typhoon, and I proposed to instruct the Public Works Department to prepare an estimate of the probable cost of such places of refuge. The Council agreed with me, and the necessary instructions were given to the Surveyor-General.
18. From Admiral Watson, then the Commodore on this station, and Captain Bonham Bax, of Her Majesty's ship " Sylvia, I received valuable suggestions as to the best sites for the break- waters. Admiral Ryder also approved of the scheme, and grave me his best assistance in maturing it.
19. Some of the leading Chinese merchants who were good enough to thank the Government for moving in the matter, assured me that they regarded the protection of the junk popula- lation as being of such vital importance to the Colony that they had contemplated raising a subscription amongst themselves to defray the cost of the necessary works.
20. Remembering, however, on the one hand, what a con- siderable sum the Treasury obtains from the Opium Farın and other taxes to which the Chinese contribute so largely, and on
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