CO129-330 - Public Offices - 1905 — Page 318

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consider-speaking, of course, as an amateur--screw boats to be preferable to stern. wheelers, at any rate to any type of stern-wheeler that has, so far, appeared on the river. Extreme shallow draught is not required, but steaming power and narrow beam, the trouble on the upper river being not so much want of water as the narrow- ness of the channels between the rocks in many places. The "Moorhen," a vessel 146 feet long and 26 feet in beam, drawing, however, only 2 ft. 10 in., apparently required 8 feet more water to cross the Great Rapid than did the launches, drawing 3 feet, but only 75 feet long and 12 feet beam. Of almost equal importance is the Moorhen," although question of speed; the river gun-boats "Sandpiper" and otherwise well fitted for up-river navigation, are seriously handicapped by their poor steaming power. The " Sandpiper can with difficulty steam at the rate of 2 knots. over the ordinary summer current in the river. Most of the launches at present employed can steam 10 knots-making about 6 over the current-and I should advise, were a boat being specially built for the trade, to make her a knot faster. I think two classes of launches should be employed on the upper river; for the Wuchow-Konghau run, twin screw steel launches, of about 75 tons register, maximum length 100 feet, beam 15 feet; speed at least 10 knots, to carry 150 passengers. For the run from Konghau to Kueilision and Nanning I would suggest wooden launches--of about 40 tons register; length 75 feet, beam 12 feet, draft 4 feet, speed 11 knots, to carry 100 passengers. I mention wood as the material for the second-class, as being less liable to damage than iron or steel, should the vessel come in contact with the rocks.

The numerous rapids strewn with rocks on the river between Wuchow and Nanning undoubtedly form a serious impediment to steam navigation, except during the high water season. They are, as far as I can learn, on a much smaller scale than those of the Upper Yang-tsze, and they are susceptible, if not of removal, at any rate of considerable improvement. It is perhaps unreasonable to hope that the Chinese Government will, under present circumstances, take any steps themselves to survey the upper river and remove some of the principal obstacles to navigation. I venture to suggest that one of His Majesty's light draft gun-boats would render valuable service to British shipping on the river were she to spend the summer months above the Great Rapid. She might go up with the first rise, say about the beginning of May, and make a survey of the rapids as far as Sanning; then at the first oppor- tunity proceed to Lungehow, and afterwards to Posé; on her return she might ascend the Liu River as far as Liuchow. The four summer months of May, June, July and August, would, I think, afford ample time in which to make these journeys. Under present conditions launches of the type I have described can maintain a regular service between Wuchow and Nanning during at least five months in the year, and practically all the year round between Wuchow and Konghau. In winter the Nanning launches can be employed towing on the lower river. That there is money to be made in this trade, if conducted on business lines by a large Company, I have not the slightest doubt whatever.

It has long been the cry of the British shipping Companies in Hong Kong that the restrictions placed on inland water navigation by the Chinese authorities have rendered remunerative trade on the West River impossible. These restrictions have now been to a great extent removed; the river is open to steamers from Hong Kong to Nanning: the trade on the river is increasing every year, and it remains for the shipping Companies to justify their former complaints by showing what they can do when the opportunity is offered them of engaging, on equal terms with the Chinese, in the carrying trade of this great waterway.

Wuchow, August 5, 1904.

(Signed)

Inclosure 2 in No. 1.

Sketch Map of West River Basin.

HARRY H. FOX.

Office or Individual.

1905

& Jaw

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Last previous Paper.

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No. 3162

(Subject.)

Southwest China

Pruits &

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311 DOMESTIC.

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3162

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Bext subsequent Paper.

89