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establishment of regular steam communication between Ichang and Chungking would thus once more be indefinitely postponed.
While fully sympathizing with Captain Plant's point of view, I felt convinced that the Chinese, once they had made up their minds to carry the project through, would never consent to wait two years for its fulfilment, and I felt sure that if we refused our assistance they would apply elsewhere, to Japan or Germany most probably, for what they wanted.
It seemed to me of the utmost importance that this undertaking, small at present, but big with possibilities in the future, should be started under British auspices. I therefore called on Mr. Chou, explained to him Captain Plant's position, and suggested that, if he were disinclined to postpone operations as Captain Plant proposed, he should at once secure that gentleman's co-operation by offering him the post of Marine Superintendent of the Company as soon as his services became available, and in the meantime arrange with Messrs. Yarrow and Co. for the construction of the vessels. I said Captain Plant's employment on the French gun-boat was of an intermittent nature—he sometimes remained four months at a time in Chungking—and that the French authorities would doubtless be willing to lend him to the new Company when the time came for the first tug-boat to proceed up river; if they demurred, well, perhaps the Viceroy might use his influence in the matter.
Mr. Chou accepted the suggestion with alacrity, and said he would at once instruct the Company to draw up a contract with Captain Plant. The latter, agreeing to this arrangement, sent up his plans and specifications on the 28th November.
The tug-boat is to be built of galvanized steel, the hull divided into ten water-tight compartments. She will have twin screws working in raised tunnels, Yarrow's patent. Length over all, 100 feet; beam, 14 feet; draught with steam up and twenty-four hours' coal on board, 2 ft. 6 in. The engines will be triple expansion with water-tube boilers developing 400-H.P., giving a speed of 14 knots in smooth water; towing flat, with 60 tons dead weight against a 6-knot current; speed, 11 knots, i.e., 5 knots over the ground. She will be fitted with powerful steam capstan and steel hausers for hauling over rapids, and will have two steel derrick masts and improved towing gear. Price, complete, £5,750 approximately.
The flat will also be of steel, 100 feet in length, 16 feet beam; carrying capacity, 60 tons dead weight, 150 tons measurement. She will have accommodation for twelve saloon passengers and fifty-two in steerage. Cost, complete, £2,500 approximately.
I made a rough Chinese translation of the specifications and, with the plans, sent them into the Viceroy. On the 14th December Mr. Chou called on me and said the Viceroy approved of the plans, and desired that I would at once forward them to Messrs. Yarrow and Co., asking them if they would undertake the order on certain conditions, a list of which Mr. Chou handed to me. If they agreed, he was anxious, in order to save time, to have a reply by wire; and if the reply was satisfactory, Mr. Chou, acting on behalf of the Company, would confirm the order by cable.
I have the honour to inclose copy of my letter to Messrs Yarrow, together with a Memorandum by Captain Plant on steam navigation on the Upper Yang-tsze, which I have forwarded to the firm.
The only condition that seems likely to present any difficulty is that providing for the handing over of the vessels in Shanghai. It is a point to which the Chinese attach some importance—their experience with the deputies appointed to take over the machinery for the Chungking Mint and the new Chengtu Arsenal having been particularly unfortunate—and I am in hopes Messrs. Yarrow will see their way to obliging them in the matter.
The question of gun-boats is for the moment in abeyance, but I have reason to believe that the Chinese authorities will order one or more of these vessels if the tug-boat proves a success, and in that case we may hope with some confidence that the order will go to England.
I sent duplicates of the plans received in reply to my application to Mr. H. H. Fox, British Acting Consul-General at Chengtu, who succeeded in interesting the Provincial Government to such purpose that a special officer was deputed to take a trip on one of His Majesty's gun-boats.
In the meantime, by circulating the plans among the merchants of this port, I had succeeded in bringing about the discussion of a scheme for establishing a system of tug-boats between Ichang and Chungking. On the arrival of the above-mentioned officer, therefore, matters were ripe for a successful issue. This is described in the inclosure herewith. It only remains now to secure the Viceroy's approval both for the tug-boat scheme and the purchase of gun-boats.
Chou Taotai, the above-mentioned officer, will, if the scheme is sanctioned, place the order for tugs with Messrs. Yarrow and Co. through Mr. S. C. Plant of this port, who should be authorized to act for the firm. The order for gun-boats will in all probability be placed with the same firm, the type approved being Yarrow's No. 531A, but with speed of 15 knots. His Majesty's ship "Widgeon's" recent successful navigation of the gorges at high water has largely conduced to the favourable attitude of the Chinese officials and merchants.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
H. H. BRISTOW.
Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
Steam Navigation on the Upper Yang-tsze.
AT the Chungking Chamber of Commerce on the 24th October, 1907, Chou Taotai, appointed by the Viceroy of Szechuan to inquire into the practicability of a steam navigation on the Upper Yang-tsze, addressed the meeting as follows: He alluded to the wreck of the "Suisiang" above Ichang and the check thereby given to mercantile enterprise in this direction; but now that three British gun-boats, one French, and one German had passed up and down many times without accident, it was time that the matter was reconsidered. If strangers dared these dangers, should our own people be backward? Besides a French Company was seeking a Concession for establishing tugs on the Upper Yang-tsze. Should not the Szechuanese be first in the field and secure the profits for themselves? In order to assist them the Provincial Government was willing to advance a sum equal to that raised by shares. Germany and England were both anxious to lend their assistance, as their trade would ultimately benefit by improved means of communication. The Taotai had himself been taken for a trip on His Majesty's ship "Woodlark" in company with the British Consul, and had seen for himself that steam navigation in these waters was not very different from that on the lower river. Mr. Yang Chun Ching, who had accompanied him on the trip, would give them further details.
Messrs. Chang and Chao opposed the idea of official aid. Chou Taotai said that he did not wish to force assistance upon them, but it would be at their disposal when required.
Mr. Yang Chun Ching then explained details of engines and expenses. Merchant-ships would naturally be less expense than gun-boats.
Mr. Li, a banker, then proposed that those now present who refused to buy shares should never be permitted to do so; that the shareholders should have preference in shipping goods according to the amount of their shares. It was finally decided to consult the various guilds and lay their opinions before Chou Taotai. Capital of Company was fixed at 100,000 dollars in 10,000 shares of 10 taels each, 10 taels paid up.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
HARRY H. FOX,
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Vice-Consul Bristow to Board of Trade,
Chungking, October 25, 1907.
IT will be remembered that my despatch of the 19th November, 1906, called for estimates for river gun-boats suitable for these waters.
Gentlemen,
Inclosure 4 in No. 1.
Acting Consul-General Fox to Messrs. Yarrow and Co.
Chengtu, December 17, 1907.
THE Commercial Intelligence Department of the Board of Trade have doubtless communicated to you a letter from His Majesty's Consul in Chungking reporting the formation of a semi-official Chinese Company with the object of placing shallow-draft steam tugs and lighters on the Upper Yang-tsze between Ichang and Chungking.
[2895 g-2]
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establishment of regular steam communication between Ichang and Chungking would thus once more be indefinitely postponed.
While fully sympathizing with Captain Plant's point of view, I felt convinced that the Chinese, once they had made up their minds to carry the project through, would never consent to wait two years for its fulfilment, and I felt sure that if we refused our assistance they would apply elsewhere, to Japan or Germany most probably, for what they wanted.
It seemed to me of the utmost importance that this undertaking, small at present, but big with possibilities in the future, should be started under British auspices. I therefore called on Mr. Chou, explained to him Captain Plant's position, and suggested that, if he were disinclined to postpone operations as Captain Plant proposed, he should at once secure that gentleman's co-operation by offering him the post of Marine Superintendent of the Company as soon as his services became available, and in the meantime arrange with Messrs. Yarrow and Co. for the construction of the vessels. I said Captain Plant's employment on the French gun-boat was of an inter- mittent nature-he sometimes remained four months at a time in Chungking--and that the French authorities would doubtless be willing to lend him to the new Company when the time came for the first tug-boat to proceed up river; if they demurred, well, perhaps the Viceroy might use bis influence in the matter.
Mr. Chou accepted the suggestion with alacrity, and said he would at once instruct the Company to draw up a contract with Captain Plant. The latter, agreeing to this arrangement, sent up his plans and specifications on the 28th November.
The tug-boat is to be built of galvanized steel, the hull divided into ten water-tight compartments. She will have twin screws working in raised tunnels, Yarrow's patent. Length over all, 100 feet; beam, 14 feet; draught with steain up and twenty-four hours' coal on roard, 2 ft. 6 in. The engines will be triple expansion with water-tube boilers developing 400-H.P., giving a speed of 14 knots in smooth water; towing flat, with 60 tons dead weight against a 6-knot current; speed, 11 knots, i.e., 5 knots over the ground. She will be fitted with powerful steam capstan and steel hausers for hauling over rapids, and will have two steel derrick masts and improved towing gear. Price, complete, 5,7501, approximately.
The flat will also be of steel, 100 feet in length, capacity, 60 tons dead weight, 150 tons measurement. for twelve saloon passengers and fifty-two in steerage. mately.
with 16 feet beam; carrying She will have accommodation Cost, complete, 2,5001. approxi-
I made a rough Chinese translation of the specifications and, with the plans, sent them into the Viceroy. On the 14th December Mr. Chou called on me and said the Viceroy approved of the plans, and desired that I would at once forward them to Messrs. Yarrow and Co., asking them if they would undertake the order on certain conditions, a list of which Mr. Chou handed to me. If they agreed, he was anxious, in order to save time, to have a reply by wire; and if the reply was satisfactory, Mr. Chou, acting on behalf of the Company, would confirm the order by cable.
I have the honour to inclose copy of my letter to Messrs Yarrow, together with a Memorandum by Captain Plant on steam navigation on the Upper Yang-tsze, which I have forwarded to the firm.
The only condition that seems likely to present any difficulty is that providing for the handing over of the vessels in Shanghae. It is a point to which the Chinese attach some importance-their experience with the deputies appointed to take over the machinery for the Chungking Mint and the new Chengtu Arsenal having been particularly unfortunate-and I am in hopes Messrs. Yarrow will see their way to obliging them in the matter.
The question of gun-boats is for the moment in abeyance, but I have reason to believe that the Chinese authorities will order one or more of these vessels if the tug- boat proves a success, and in that case we may hope with some confidence that the order will go to England.
I sent duplicates of the plans received in reply to my application to Mr. H. H. Fox, British Acting Consul-General at Chengtu, who succeeded in interesting the Provincial Government to such purpose that a special officer was deputed to take a trip on one of His Majesty's gun-boats.
the among In the meantime, by circulating the plans of small steam craft merchants of this port, I had succeeded in bringing about the discussion of a scheme for establishing a system of tug-boats between Ichang and Chungking. On the arrival of the above-mentioned officer, therefore, matters were ripe for a successful issue. This is described in the inclosure herewith. It only remains now to secure the Viceroy's approval both for the tug-boat scheme and the purchase of gun-boats.
Chou Taotai, the above-mentioned officer, will, if the scheme is sanctioned, place the order for tugs with Messrs. Yarrow and Co. through Mr. S. C. Plant of this port, who should be authorized to act for the firm. The order for gun-boats will in all probability be placed with the same firm, the type approved being Yarrow's No. 531A, but with speed of 15 knots. His Majesty's ship "Widgeon's" recent successful naviga- tion of the gorges at high water has largely conduced to the favourable attitude of the Chinese officials and merchants.
I have, &c.
(Signed)
Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
Steam Navigation on the Upper Yang-tsze.
H. H. BRISTOW.
AT the Chungking Chamber of Commerce on the 24th October, 1907, Chou Taotai, appointed by the Viceroy of Szechuan to inquire into the practicability of a steam as follows: He alluded to the navigation on the Upper Yang-tsze, addressed the meeting wreck of the "Suisiang "abore Ichang and the check thereby given to mercantile enterprise in this direction; but now that three British gun-boats, one French, and one- German had passed up and down many times without accident, it was time that the matter was reconsidered. If strangers dared these dangers, should our own people be backward? Besides a French Company was seeking a Concession for establishings tugs on the Upper Yang-tsze. Should not the Szechuanese be first in the field and secure the profits for themselves? In order to assist them the Provincial Government was willing to advance a sum equal to that raised by shares. Germany and England were both anxious to lend their assistance, as their trade would ultimately benefit by improved means of communication. The Taotai had himself been taken for a trip on His Majesty's ship" Woodlark" in company with the British Consul, and had seen for himself that steam navigation in these waters was not very different from that on the lower river. Mr. Yang Chun Ching, who had accompanied him on the trip, would give them further details.
Messrs. Chang and Chao opposed the idea of official aid. Chou Taotai said that he did not wish to force assistance upon them, but it would be at their disposal when required.
Merchant-
Mr. Yang Chun Ching then explained details of engines and expenses. ships would naturally be less expense than gun-boats.
Mr. Li, a banker, then proposed that those now present who refused to buy shares should never be permitted to do so; that the shareholders should have preference in shipping goods according to the amount of their shares. It was finally decided to consult the various guilds and lay their opinions before Chou Taotai. Capital of Company was fixed at 100,000 dollars in 10,000 shares of 20 taels each, 10 taels paid up.
Sir,
I have, &c.
(Signed)
HARRY H. FOX,
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
Vice-Consul Bristow to Board of Trade,
Chungking, October 25, 1907.
IT will be remembered that my despatch of the 19th November, 1906, called for estimates for river gun-boats suitable for these waters.
Gentlemen,
Inclosure 4 in No. 1.
Acting Consul-General Fox to Messrs. Yarrow and Co.
Chengtu, December 17, 1907. THE Commercial Intelligence Department of the Board of Trade have doubtless communicated to you a letter from His Majesty's Consul in Chungking reporting the formation of a semi-official Chinese Company with the object of placing shallow-draft steam tugs and lighters on the Upper Yang-tsze between Ichang and Chungking.
[2895 g-2]
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