Directory_and_Chronicle_1921 — Page 971

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

CHUNGKING

889

There are signs, however, that the possibilities of largely overcoming present difficul- ties by the increased use of steam traffic, and the harvest to be reaped, are beginning to be grasped by the more conservative steamship companies. With the present accurate surveying of the Upper Yangtsze and the aids to navigation which have been installed, as well as the measures which are now being taken to organise a reliable pilotage service, the voyage from Ichang to this port by steamer is no longer the gambling proposition which it formerly used to be considered. and the difficulties under which the junk traffic now labours appear to have opened the eyes of the steamer companies to the probabilities of successful competition even at much higher rates of freight. Should all the schemes for the construction of steamers for the Upper Yangtsze run, come to fruition, there appears to be a bright future for the port. The great increase in the number of steamers on the Upper Yangtsze during recent years has made aids to navigation through the gorges and rapids between Ichang and Chungking imperative. Captain A. C. Plant, River Inspector of the Upper Yangtsze for the Chinese Maritime Customs, has charge of this work and has erected a system of signals and buoys. With the present aids it is possible with suitable craft and the exercise of sufficient discrimination in the selection of crew and pilots for steamers to navigate the Upper River for eight months of the year.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1921 — Page 971

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