Directory_and_Chronicle_1919 — Page 645

PEI-TAI-HO AND CHINGWANGTAO

The

Chinwangtao, which owes its existence as a seaport to the Chinese Engineering and Mining Company, Ltd. (now amalgamated with a Chinese Mining Company under the title, The Kailan Mining Administration), is situated on the western coast of the Gulf of Liao Tung, and is distant about 10 miles W.S.W. of Shanhaikwan. It is the natural distributing centre for the north-west part of the province of Chihli. breakwater and pier which form the harbour are so constructed that vessels may lie alongside at any state of the tide and in all weathers, and discharge or load direct on to and from railway cars, so that a minimum of handling, and, consequently, of loss, is ensured. There are seven berths-five at the breakwater, and one on each side of the pier-and the railway tracks are so arranged that loading and discharging can be proceeded with independently at each berth. The main berths have 23 feet of water at low tides, but steamers drawing 23 feet 6 inches can as a general rule discharge with perfect safety. The bottom being soft mud, there is really nothing to prevent vessels with a draft of 25 feet from discharging, provided they are prepared to take the mud at low water. The Administration has already commenced a dredging scheme which, when completed, will give a depth of water of 25 feet at low tides. The Administration has at present three steam cranes available for weights up to five tons each, and, generally speaking, it may be said that the loading and discharging facilities are excellent. On one occasion 73,000 bags of flour were taken out of one steamer in 27 consecutive hours, whilst on another 4,000 tons of coal were loaded on to one steamer in 31 consecutive- hours. These facilities, resulting from the liberal expenditure of capital, have caused Chinwangtao to become a formidable rival for the trade hitherto shipped via Taku to Tientsin. The port is accessible throughout the year. It is practically the only port in the Gulfs of Pechili and Liau Tung accessible during the winter, which, on an average, extends from December 10th to March 10th. Good, sheltered anchorage, also, is to be found in the Roads. So important has the port trade become that it has been found necessary to abandon the Administration's branch railway connecting with the Peking-Mukden Railway at Tongho Junction. On and from 1st August, 1916, the Peking-Mukden Railways made direct connection with the Port by means of a deviation of the main trunk line between Peking and Mukden. The Administration own the land in the vicinity of the port, and that portion of the property known as the Bluff, comprising the best residential and building sites, has now been laid out as a township, in which plots may be leased on moderate terms.

As a seaside health resort Chinwangtao is almost without rival in China. It is easily accessible, has a dry and bracing climate, offers safe bathing from a sandy beach, and is situated amidst magnificent scenery; while a hotel under experienced manage- ment and numerous Summer bungalows afford the visitor every comfort. The great increase of trade year by year has induced the Chinese Maritime Customs to erect a fine Customs house at Chinwangtao, with a deputy commissioner in charge, and to open a Hai Kwan Bank for the convenience of local consignees. The total value of the trade for 1917, was Hk. Tls. 10,355,729 as compared with Hk. Tls. 9,429,763 in 1916, Hk. Tls. 10,609,942 in 1915 and Hk. Tls. 12,447,765 in 1914. The total number of steamers entered and cleared during 1917 was 1,215 as compared with 1,024 in 1916, 890 in 1915 and 1,008 in 1914. Chingwangtao was selected on account of its natural geographical advantages as one of the ports of embarkation for coolies emigrating to South Africa, and during 1904 an extensive depôt was established for the accom

modation of five or six thousand men.