Directory_and_Chronicle_1909 — Page 613

EASTERN SIBERIA

VLADIVOSTOCK

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. Vladivostock 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 Russian 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; these hills slope sharply down to the water's edge. Once verdant with foliage, they 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 icebound in January and February, but steamers can always find their way in with the assistance of an ice-breaker. There is a floating dock capable of taking in vessels up to 3,000 tons, and a fine graving dock of the following dimensions: Length over all, 625 feet; length at bottom, 555 feet; breadth, 120 feet; breadth at entrance, 90 feet; depth, 30 feet. There are also two large docks especially for purposes of the State war fleet.

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Now that Russia has lost her usufruct of Port Arthur, the port of Vladivostock is again the chief naval station of Russia on the Pacific. The port is commanded by an Admiral appointed from home, who is chief of all the naval forces of Russia in the Pacific and there is also a military Governor residing at Vladi- vostock, 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 Russian civil community. 1899 the Commercial Harbour Office was opened. The town is built on the southern slope of the hills running along the northern shore of the harbour, and handsome brick residences have been erected in recent years, replacing the older wooden structures. The entire area, with the exception of some unoccupied lots intervening here and there, is covered by buildings; and the town is well laid out with wide but ill-kept roads. The sanitary arrangements are bad, though the town is fairly healthy. Most conspicuous among the buildings are the government offices, the post and telegraph-office, municipal house, the barracks, the railway station the museum, the Russian church, the Governor's residence and that of the Admiral Commanding, 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 naval 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 high oriental lyceum with a gymnasium and school for boys, an institute for girls, and military, naval and civil hospitals. There are monuments of Admiral Nevelsay Zavoyco. The town has a population of about 50,000, most of whom are of European extraction. The retail trade is principally in the hands of Germans and Chinese, and the port is one of importance, Russian, British, and German steamers doing most of the carrying trade. A large garrison is maintained, but exact figures are not obtainable. In June, 1891, the present Tsar cut at Vladivostock the first sod of the Siberian Railway, which was completed in 1902. A branch extends to Habarofsk. The accommodation and service are very good, and the fares very reasonable.

During the eighteen months of the war between Russia and Japan, the inhabitants lived in constant expectation of a determined attempt being made by the Japanese to take the town, but the Japanese contented themselves with detach- ing a squadron to watch the port and to gauge the strength of the defences by an