Directory_and_Chronicle_1916 — Page 1496

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NETHERLANDS-INDIA

depth of the Belawan River is more than 7 metres. In the front of the mouth of this river an extended bank has formed, in which there is a channel with a depth of more than 13 feet at high water; this circumstance is the reason that hitherto only smaller vessels have been able to make use of the harbour. For the convenience of commerce there are at Belawan several landing stages and a harbour for lighters having a water area of 2.75 hectares. With the large increase in the volume of traffic the need arose for more loading, discharging and storage space. In order to supply this need as much as possible, the Government, in 1913, took over the harbour works of the Deli Raily

Iway Company, thus facilitating the improvement of existing conditions, and further con- structed a number of temporary and permanent godowns. At the present time the wharves have a total length of 450 metres, 200 metres of which belong to the Govern- ment and 250 metres to private owners. Later, it was decided to try to deepen the chamel at the mouth of the Belawan river sufficiently to render it navigable by ocean steamers. If this attempt should succeed-and the results obtained so far with a powerful suction-dredger warrant the anticipation that such will indeed be the case, for it is already possible now for ships drawing 18 feet of water to enter at high water-Belawan will be developed into a well-equipped port which is bound to have a splendid future as an occan barbour.

Sabang.--The harbour of Sabang is ma spacious bay, accessible from the West, in the island of Poelo Weh, situated a little over 50 kilometres to the north of Kota Radja, the capital of the province of Acheen. The construction of the harbour, which serves principally as a coaling-station, dates from 1898. In the north-western portion of the bay are two coal wharves with a total length of 350 metres, alongside which ships of 9 metres draught can meor for loading and discharging coal. In 1905 electric conveyors were erected. To the south-west of the coal-wharves lies a floating 3,000 tons dry dock accommodating ships of 6 metres draught, while adjoining the dock is a quay specially intended for ships requiring minor repairs. In the northern part of the bay is a general commercial wharf, 90 metres long, with the requisite storage godowns adjacent. Palembang. Palembang, which is situated on the Moesi River 90 kilometres from its mouth in the Banka Straits, is a tidal harbour; larger ships can only cross the bar at the mouth of the river, where the depth at high-water amounts to 6.3 metres, at flood-tide. When there is no room available for ships at wharves, they remain at anchor in the stream, where they do not experience any difficulty from the strong current except during the rainy season (West Monsoon). They can load and discharge there on both siles by means of lighters which come alongside the ships. The first harbour works were constructed in 1894 and extended in 1909, the total cost being more than Fls. 500,000.

Makassar.-The important harbour of Makassar, situated on the south-west point of Celebes, possesses roads well protected by a group of four coral islands. In the years 1902-1908 the building of a screw-pile wharf of 500 metres long and 10 metres broad, running approximately parallel with the shore with six godowns was completed after many troubles due to the bad soil at an expense of 1,500,000 guilders. The trade of Macassar, however, has advanced with such rapid strides that from time to time im- portant extensions have had to be made. In 1910, among other improvements, a sea- wall, 550 metres long, was constructed with reinforced concrete, alongside which ships of 9 metres draught could moor at low water. A year or two later an additional quay, 550 metres long, was built for ships of deep draught. Upon the completion of the further extensions decided upon the total length of the quay wall will be 1,100 metres for ships of 9 metres draught. There will further be available, a length of 525 metres of wharf for ships of 8 metres draught, and 350 metres of quay-wall for lighters, while on the east side of the lighter harbour there will be a wharf för lighters to moor alongside.

Island of Borneo

Pontianak. -Pontianak, which is situated at the junction of the small Kapeas River, is the principal trading centre in the West Coast of Borneo Residency. There is a wharf 150 metres long, behind which there is a space of 800 square metres available for storage purpose. There is further a Customs examination shed with a floor space of about 500 square metres. The export of copra and coconut-oil is very considerable.

Bandjarmasin.— Pandjermasin is also a fairly important commercial centre.

It lies

on the Martaprera River, a few kilometres above the junction of that river with the Barito River in the Residency of South and East Borneo. In addition to the screw-pile wharf, 246 metres long and 11 metres wide, which was completed in 1911, there are several other small landing stages on the right bank of the Martapera river. There are Customs offices and storage godowns adjoining the harbour.