Directory_and_Chronicle_1871 — Page 675

Page 675 Page 675

Page 675 Page 675

GEOGRAPHICAL AND STATISTICAL.

351

It will be seen that the British trade with Hongkong underwent great fluctuations in the twenty years from 1848 to 1867, but which corresponded throughout with the general Chinese commerce, differing only in so far as showing a trebling in the value of the Exports sent direct to China during this period, and little progress in those sent by way of Hongkong.

(From the China Pilot.)

Hongkong Island.-About 9 miles long, N. W. by W. and S.E. by E., 2 to 5 miles broad, and with an area of about 29 square miles, lies between Lamma Island and the main, from which it is separated by a narrow channel a quarter of a mile wide, named Ly-ee-moon pass. The appearance of the island is somewhat picturesque, but on the whole it is generally barren and unprepossessing. It consists for the most part of rocky ranges, on the highest summit of which, Victoria Peak, 1,825 feet above the sea level, at the north-west part of the island, is a signal station, which communicates with the town of Victoria on the north and the ocean on the south. The island was first ceded to Great Britain by the treaty of Canton, in January, 1841, and again by the treaty of Nanking in August, 1842. The British settlement of Victoria is on its north side, nearly abreast of Kowloon point, the extreme of the peninsular of the mainland which forms the west side of Kowloon bay and which was ceded to Great Britain by the treaty of 1860. Water abounds everywhere, and is supplied to shipping by tanks: each valley of the least pretension sends its stream to the cultivated grounds near the shore, where a portion is retained for irrigation and the remainder is permitted to find its way to the sea.

The population of Hongkong, in 1841, was only 5,000, but in 1861 it amounted to 119,321, of whom only 1,557 were European, and the remainder Chinese. In 1860, the total number of vessels entered was 1,534, amounting to 875,199 tons, of which 272 vessels, 160,410 tons, were in ballast. The native boats frequenting the island import sugar, alum, sulphur, nut-oil, provisions, &c.; taking in exchange opium, manufactured goods, and saltpetre.

The shores of Hongkong, are indented by numerous bays, of which the most con- siderable are on its south-east shore. There is good anchorage throughout the entire channel between the island and the main, except in the Ly-ee-moou pass, where the water is deep: but the best anchorage is in Hongkong roads, in front of the settlement, where the depth is from 5 to 9 fathoms over good holding grouud. During the Typhoon months the anchorage in the northern part of the roads is considered preferable, in consequence of the shelter afforded by Kowloon peninsular to the north-east, the point from which the wind blows hardest. The inner anchorage in Victoria bay is in 6 and 7 fathoms water, about half a mile off shore, abreast the ordnance jetty, where a vessel will be sheltered from the eastward by Kellett's Island and the rocks off east of Matheson point, and be out of the strength of the tide.

Aberdeen Dock.--Aberdeen or Shekpy wan harbour is a narrow inlet formed between the south-westshore of Hongkongand a small island off it named Aberdeen or Taplichau. On the Hongkong shore of the harbour is a private graning granite dock, with caisson gate 60 feet wide. The dock is 310 feet long on blocks, and 334 feet at top, 42 feet wide at bottom, and 71 feet at top, and depth on sill is 18 to 18 feet at springs, and 15 to 16 feet at neaps.

From October to January inclusive the average is 183 feet at springs, and about 17 feet for the remainder of the year.

A new granite dock called the "Hope Dock," in honour of Admiral Sir James Hope, was opened on the 15th June, 1867, by H. E. the Governor, Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell. The length is 425 feet, breadth 90 feet, caisson gate 70 feet wide, depth over sill 21 to 24 feet.

The patent slip laid down in 1847 at East or Matheson point, on the northern shore of Hongkong, was at that time capable of taking vessels of 600 tons, but now only those of 400 tons.

Tides. It is high water, full and change, in Hongkong roads at 10h. 15m., and springs rise about 4 feet. The tides around the island are irregular, flowing and ebbing without any apparent change of direction at the surface, and sometimes there appears to be only one tide in 24 hours.