COPY No. 4818.
Enclosure No. 1 to Despatch No.
80th, June, 1902.
2650
the
C.O.
29944
"Glory" at Wei-hai-wei
August, 1901.
425
1.
Sir,
In the correspondence regarding the improvements in the lighting of Hongkong Harbour it was plain that what most concerned the navigator was the existence of shoals and rocks within the harbour itself. I venture to invite the serious attention of Your Excellency to the matter,
3.
The several proposals for installing lights for use in the inner waters, would not probably have been made but for the feeling that it was absolutely necessary to provide arriving and departing ships with the means of avoiding the dangerous obstructions which are still to be found in this fine harbour.
3.
The form taken by the suggestions for lighting the Lyemoon Pass brings this out distinctly. Even on a moderately dark night the navigator would find so great difficulty in bringing his ship through such a straight short pass (of which the channel is clear of dangers and the sides lofty and well marked), were he certain of finding clear water inside it. It is the presence of the rocks and shoals on the inside and not any inherent difficulty in the passing of the Lyemoon that makes additional lights in the harbour desirable.
4.
I would urge upon Your Excellency's consideration the necessity of taking immediate steps to remove some at least of the above-mentioned hindrances to navigation. It is well-known that the size of ships,— especially in draught of water and length – has greatly increased of late years and seems likely to increase further. Water, navigated with ease by ships of a few years ago, is becoming more and more inaccessible to those of recent date. This is fully recognised in the greater dimensions given to docks; and there does seem a certain incongruity in deepening and lengthening docks whilst the water outside is allowed to remain as shallow and as cramped by obstructions as ever.
5.
It is, I believe, becoming a common practice to improve important commercial and war harbours: and in days in which competition is active, omission to take timely measures for the improvement
His Excellency Sir Henry A. Blake, G.C.M.G.
Governor of Hongkong.
*
COPY No. 4818.
Enclosure No. 1 to Despatch No.
80th, June, 1902.
?
2650
the
C.O.
29944
"Glory" at Wei-bai-yei
August, 1901.
425
1.
sir.
In the correspondence regarding the improve- ments in the lighting of Hongkong Harbour it was plain that what most concerned the navigator was the existence of shoals and rooks within the harbour itself. I venture to invite the serious attention of Your Excellency to the matter,
3.
The several proposals for installing lights
for use in the inner waters, would not probably have been made but for the feeling that it was absolutely necessary to providė arriving and departing ships with the means of avoiding the dangerous obstructions which are still to be found in this fine harbour.
3.
The form taken by the suggestions for lighting the Lyenoon Pass brings this out distinctly. Even on a moderately dark ́night the navigator would find so great difficulty in bringing his ship through such a straight short pass (of which the channel is clear of dangers and the sides lofty and well marked), were he certain of finding clear water inside it. It is the presence of the rooks ani shoals on the inside and not any inherent difficulty in the passing of the Lyemoon that makes additional lights in the harbour desirable.
4.
I would urge upon Your Excellency's consider- stion the necessity of taking insediate steps to remove some at least of the above-mentioned hindranoes to navigation. It is well-known that the mise of ships,.- especially in draught of water and length – has greatly increased of late years and seems likely to increase further Water, navigated with ease by ships of a few years ago, is becoming more and sore inaccessible to those of recent date. This is fully „recognised in the greater dimensions given to docks; and there does soon.a.certain incongruity in deepening and lengthening docks whilst the water outside is allowed to remain as shallow and as cramped by obstructions as ever.
5.
It is, I believe, becoming a common practice
to improve important commercial and war harbours: and in days in which competition is active, omission to take timely measures for the in- -provement
His Excellency Bir Henry A. Blake, G. C. X. G.` ̧
Governor of Hongkong.
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