Directory_and_Chronicle_1923 — Page 723

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 was constructed by the South Manchuria Raily

way Co, which also completed the other works. The combined length of the breakwaters 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 third wharves is 13,395 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 90,665 tsubo (36 sq. 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 feet. At the east end of the shore, an oil pier, 1,134 feet long with 30ft. of water, has been constructed for the purpose of discharging inflam- mable goods and bean oil in bulk. The Railway Co.'s wharf building was completed in October, 1920, and the offices of the Railway wharf, Kwantung Government Marine Bureau, Water Police station, Customs Examination office, etc., were moved into this new six-storied structure. The warehouse area was extended by 43,000 square yards in 1921. 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 and on the island of Sanshantao have also been fixed fog-horns. A wireless telegraph station is established at Takushan, near the entrance of the Bay. A new wireless telegraph station of 35 kw. power at Liushutun would have been completed in 1921 but for the non-arrival of material. 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, with a length of 31 miles, 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 are an excellent hotel here, managed by the South Manchuria Railway Company, and a number of bungalows which may be hired by visitors. Another suburban line runs to Rokotan, a famous summer resort commanding glorious scenery. A motor car road, also, runs to Star Beach, and a tract of land along this, measuring about 85 acres, has been levelled and laid out. The construction of a new road, 21 miles in length, connecting Dairen and Port Arthur was commenced in 1921 on three sections simul- taneously.

The town of Dairen, which has been expanding rapidly owing to business prosperity and increase of population, is lighted by electricity and gas and has ample telephone facilities. The electric power-house, when completed in 1911, had a capa- city of 4,500 kilowatts. This was increased in 1921 to 6,750 kws., and a second house with 6,250 kws, power has been added. The town has macadamized lined roads with