Directory_and_Chronicle_1899 — Page 820

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

HAIPHONG

This is the shipping port for Hanoi, Hai-duong, and Namdinh, the commercial centres of Tonkin. It is situated in lat. 20 deg. 51 min. N., and long. 106 deg. 42 min. E. on the river Cua Cam, which is connected by two or more channels or creeks with that great river connecting Yunnan with the Tonkin Gulf, called the Song-koi. The town of Haiphong is about sixteen and a half miles from the lighthouse. The light- house at the entrance of the river, on the island of Hon-Do, is visible at a distance of about six miles. The entrance to the port is obstructed by two bars; the outer one sand, the inner one mud. Haiphong is accessible, however, by vessels drawing from 17 to 18 feet. There is plenty of water in the river. Vessels anchor about a quarter of a mile from the shore in from 40 to 60 feet of water abreast of a creek communicating with the Song-koi. The banks of the river are low and consist of alluvial mud, from which the present town has with great labour and expense been reclaimed.

Haiphong proper is situated on both sides of the creek above referred to, and is in the midst of an extensive rice swamp with low lying swampy land all around it for miles, having in the distance the monotony relieved by rugged ranges of low limestone hills, and beyond these to the northward, at a distance of some sixteen miles, is a range of mountains, the loftiest, known as the Grand Summit, being about 5,000 feet high. Most of the native buildings are wretchedly constructed of mud, bamboo, and matting, but a well built European town with broad boulevards, lighted by electricity, has sprung up and is fast assuming the aspect of a prosperous city. The Hôtel du Commerce is a large and handsome structure, its lofty mansar.l roof dominating every building in the town. There is a church attached to the Roman Catholic Mission. A small dock and some fine wharves and godowns have been made. A Public Garden of rather limited area with a band stand in the centre has been neatly laid out at the end of the Boulevard Paul Bert. The Cercle du Commerce, which is a well managed Club, has its domicile in the Boulevard Paul Bert, where is also situated the Cercle Banian, another prosperous Club. The Race Course is about a mile from the town on the Do Son road. There are several newspapers published in the town. The population of Haiphong in 1897 was 18,480, of whom 900 were Europeans, 5,500 Chinese, 12,000 Annamites, 35 Japanese, and 45 Indians. A regular service of river steamers is maintained between Hanoi and Haiphong by the Messageries Fluviales. Haiphong is connected by submarine cable with Saigon and Hongkong. The town has electric light.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1899 — Page 820

Comments

Private Research Note