Directory_and_Chronicle_1891 — Page 393

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

WLADIVOSTOCK.

This port, on some charts still called Port May, lies in latitude 43 deg. 7 min. N. and longitude 131 deg. 54 min. E., at the southern end of a long peninsula reaching into Peter the Great Bay. Of the ports in East Siberia, it is by far the most important, both as a military and commercial centre. It is a free port except that duties have to be paid on the following articles:-Alcoholic liquors, tobacco, matches, kerosine oil, varnishes, sugar, sweatmeats, and canned fruits. Wladivostock is one of the most magnificent harbours in the East. From its peculiar long and narrow shape and the once supposed hidden treasures in the slightly auriferous soil of its surrounding hills, it has not inappropriately been called the Golden Horn. The entrances to the harbour are hidden by Dundas Island, which divides the fairway into two narrow passages. This fine sheet of water first runs for about half a mile in a northern direction and then suddenly bends to the east for a distance of about one mile. On all sides it is surrounded by hills, low on the southern and higher on the northern shore, and which slope sharply down to the water's edge. These hills, once verdant with foliage, have been completely denuded of trees by reckless felling. The harbour, capable of accommodating an almost unlimited number of vessels of deep draught and large capacity, affords a safe anchorage. It is usually closed by ice from about Christmas till the beginning of April, but even then ships may safely approach the entrance by making either for Diomed Bay or some of the numerous sheltered anchorages along the eastern shore of Dundas Island. The 4ransit of cargo is then effected to Wladivostock over the ice. There is a floating dock capable of taking on vessels up to 3,000 tons, and a graving dock is shortly to be con- structed.

The port, the chief naval station of Russia on the Pacific, is commanded by an Admiral appointed from home, and there is also a military Governor, residing at Wladivostock, who is in command of the forces spread over the South Ussuri district. The municipal affairs of the town are managed by a Mayor and Town Council elected by and from among the Russsian civil community. The town is built on the southern slope of the hills running along the northern shore of the harbour. The entire area, with the exception of many unoccupied lots intervening here and there, is covered by buildings; and the town is well laid out with good roads. Most conspicuous among the buildings are the Government Offices, the Barracks, the Russian Church, and the Governor's residence, which is surrounded by a Public Garden, while the houses of the more affluent merchants are well and substantially built. In the Public Garden the town band plays twice a week during the summer. There is a Naval Club, to which civilians are admitted as non-voting members; two or three hotels; a Gymnasium, or School for boys; an Institute for girls; and military and naval hospitals. The town has a population of upwards of 12,000, most of whom are of European extraction. The Garrison numbers in all about 8,000 men, consisting of 2,000 marines and 6,000 infantry of the line, artillery, and engineers, and is partly accom- modated on Dundas Island. There are also about 6,000 troops in other parts of the province and in Saghalien. The value of the import trade of Wladivostock in 1888 was 5,978,587 roubles; the exports have been very trifling hitherto, but the prohibition of the export of timber having been removed, they are likely to show an increased value.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1891 — Page 393

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