Directory_and_Chronicle_1926 — Page 643

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TIENTSIN

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outer dyke, Haikuanssu dyke and Weitze Creek dyke; but from the north-west of the Chinese City. Tientsin, being situated at the confluence of the Peiho, Yungtingho, Hsiho and Yünho or Grand Canal, was in an awkward position as the flood water, unable to escape through Mach'ang on the Yünho, and so along the south of Tientsin to the sea, filled in the depression between the rivers above-named and endeavoured later to force an outlet over the banks of the Yünho into Tientsin fron the west. Meanwhile, the discharging capacity of the Haiho or lower Peiho was being strained to its utmost by the immense volume of water from the Hsiho, Yungtingho and Yunho debouching into it just above Tientsin. At times the volume of water discharged from the Haiho was 55,000 cubic feet per second and the speed of the current over 5 feet per second. The river naturally rose to abnormal heights and at one time topped its banks in the German Concession but caused no damage. On Saturday, August 2nd, the Red Bridge which stood at the north-west corner of Tientsin, collapsed as a result of the water encroaching on the banks behind the abutments. It was feared that this bridge lying on the river bed might cause a silting up and a consequent raising of the river level at this point. So far, however, no such effect has been noticeable. On Tuesday, August 5th, the Bridge of Boats collapsed and was swept down by the current on to the Austrian Bridge, and, as the water was too high to allow the released boats' passage under this bridge, they had to be destroyed with all possible speed to prevent destruction of the Austrian Bridge. On August 14th, a portion of the stone bunding outside the Imperial Hotel just above the International Bridge collapsed and caused the authorities anxious moments until the gap was filled in with rubble and bags filled with sand. A few days later a hole appeared in the road at the southern extremity of the International Bridge into which thousands of bags of sand and rubble had to be thrown before the cavity was finally filled. This, too, caused no little apprehension, as it was feared that the current had washed round the foundations of the abutments of this bridge. There were anxious moments when the water in the Grand Canal_reached the level of its banks, and frantic efforts were made to raise the dykes. It was found, also, that seepage had occurred in the banks of the Yünho, near the Pei Yang Match Factory, which, were it allowed to continue, would cause their undermining and consequent destruction. They had to be strengthened and pumps were brought into action to force back the water into the canal. During the flood the Peking-Tientsin Railway Service was not interrupted, although the water was in some places scveral feet deep against the railway track.

The question of conserving the waterways of the Chihli province, with a view to preventing a recurrence of the disasters experienced in the past and safeguarding the trade and shipping interests of Tientsin, has occupied attention for some years past, and various conservancy engineers have individually issued reports on the subject; but no co-ordinated scheme on broad lines and acceptable to all interests has so far been adopted. A proposal was brought forward in the autumn of 1917 by the Commissioner of Customs in connection with the appointment of a "joint-commission" composed of representatives of the Chinese Government and of the Hailio Conservancy Board, etc., to study the general question and submit recommendations for the considera- tion and acceptance of the Government. The following extract from the Board's Annual Report for 1917 outlines the nature of the action thus taken, which, it is hoped, will prove effective :-"In view of the conflict of opinion between the Board's technical advisers and the National Conservancy Bureau on the general question of the prevention of floods in the Chilli province, the conservation of the waterways of the hinterland, and more especially the measures which should be adopted in regard to the Peiyünho and the Yungtingho (better known as the Hunho), Mr. Maze urged the necessity of appointing, without further delay, a joint Commission composed of three representatives of the Chinese Government and three persons nominated by the Board-viz., Mr. T. Pincione, Mr. H. von Heidenstam (Engineer in Chief, Whangpoo Conservancy Board), and Mr. W. F. Tyler (Coast Inspector) to study the important and far reaching questions involved, which are of vital importance to the vast and growing trade of North China, the shipping interests of Tientsin, and the welfare and prosperity of the agricultural communities in the plains, and, ultimately, to submit recommendations for the information and acceptance of the Chinese Government. The Board, at a meeting on the 14th September, agreed to this proposal. The senior Consul, therefore, was addressed accordingly and requested to make representations on the subject to the Diplomatic Body with a view to obtaining the acquiescence of the Chinese Government. Early in October the Board realised that it was essential in