Directory_and_Chronicle_1919 — Page 665

DAIREN

Dairen (Dalny), the Southern terminus of the South Manchuria Railway, is a commercial port in the Southern corner of the Liaotung Peninsula, Lat 38° 55′ 44′′ N. and Long. 121° 37′ 7′′ E. When Russia leased the place in 1898, it was only a small village. With remarkable push and energy the Russians laid out and built up, in less than three years, one of the finest towns in the Far East, with cathedrals and mansions, parks and roads, wharves and warehouses. Almost at the outset of the war in 1904 the town was occupied by the Japanese Army and served as the principal base of supply. The health of the locality is exceptionally good. The hottest temperature registered in summer is 30° C. (86°F.), and the cold winter season is short and invigorating. The harbour works, which were planned and partially completed by the Russians, are designed on a fairly extensive scale. They comprise, the first and second wharf, the “A” and "B" wharf, the north breakwater, the north-west breakwater, and the east breakwater. The third wharf is now under construction and is expected to be completed in March, 1920. It will have a sea-frontage of about 5,300 feet. The combined length of the break- waters is 13,121 feet, and they are 3 or 5 feet above the highest tide. The deep water area inside the breakwater is 768 acres. The entrance being very open, viz., 1,200 ft. wide, the harbour is accessible to vessels of deep draught at any time of day or state of tide. The total sea-frontage of the first, second and "A," "B" wharves is 8,954 feet, which at the sea end has a depth of 36ft. at low water, and on the shore end 23ft. The wharves are lighted by electricity and are furnished with extensive closed sheds of 50,009 tsubo (36 s. ft.) and railway sidings, together with every up-to-date appliance for the handling of cargo. In view of the phenomenal develop- ment of the import and export trade of the port, plans are in course of execution for the further improvement and extension of the existing harbour, so as to give more effective protection and facilities to the wharves, when the water will be deepened to 40 ft. At the east end of the shore, an iron pier, 1,700 ft. long with 30ft. of water has been constructed for the purpose of discharging infiam- mable goods. On the island of Sanshantao, at the entrance to Dairen Bay, stands. a lighthouse, and two other lighthouses have been erected at the northern extremity of the east breakwater and at the eastern extremity of the north breakwater respectively. On the signal tower of the former position has also been fixed a fog-horn, worked by electric motor. A wireless telephone station is established at Takushan, near the entrance of the Bay. There is a granite dry dock 430ft. long and 51ft. wide at entrance, with extensive repair shops attached, leased and managed by the Dairen branch of the Kawasaki Dock Yard Co., Ltd., of Kobe A marine quarantine station, built at a cost of Yen 430,000, was opened in November, 1913. It is scientifically designed and equipped on the latest and most approved lines with accommodation for both foreign and Chinese passengers.

An electric tramway runs along the principal streets and out by the suburban line to Shahokou, (where the South Manchuria Railway workshops are established, over four miles westward from Dairen), and extends two miles farther to Hoshigaura (Star Beach), the finest watering place in Manchuria. There is an excellent hotel here manag- ed by the South Manchuria Railway Company, and also a number of bungalows which may be hired by visitors. The town of Dairen is lighted by electricity and gas and has ample telephone facilities. The electric power-house, which was completed in 1911, has a capacity of 4,500 kilowatts. The town has macadamized roads lined with rows of shady trees, and is well equipped with waterworks, drainage and sewage systems. With the growth of trade, more particularly in Manchurian beans, a number of influential business houses, Japanese, Chinese and foreign, have established them- selves at the port. The foreign and Japanese communities in April, 1909, organized and opened the Dairen Club. A Gun Club, Golf Club, and Marine Association are among the other institutions of the port. Of places for public amusement, the so-called Electric Park, designed on an up-to-date plan and containing all devices for recreation, forms the chief attraction. The Chinese quarter, situated on the western fringe of the city, has also grown considerably. There is a Railway Hospital equipped with every modern appointment and affording accommodation for 200 patients. It is