Directory_and_Chronicle_1927 — Page 537

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

HAKODATE-OTARU

48F

Hakodate is reached in 24 hours from Tokyo, via Aomori, between which place and Hakodate there is a very good steamship service, maintained by the Government Railways. From Hakodate all the principal points in Yezo can now be reached by rail, and there is also a Government Railway steamship service to Odomari, in Karafuto (Japanese Saghalien). The Hakodate Harbour Improvement Works were completed in 1900, and a patent slip capable of taking vessels up to 1,500 tons was also finished. There is a dry dock to accommodate ships up to 10,000 tons at. ordinary spring tides, and at highest spring tides the dock is capable of receiving the largest battleships in the Japanese Navy. At Otaru a massive breakwater, about

3,500 feet long, has been constructed

In August, 1907, half the city of Hakodate was destroyed by a fire. The number of houses destroyed in the conflagration was ascertained to be 8,977, rendering about 60,000 persons homeless. All the foreign residents with the exception of the American Consular Agent were burnt out, saving nothing, and the total loss was estimated at not less than 50,000,000 yen. Another severe conflagration occurred. in April, 1921, when some 2,000 houses were destroyed. A scheme is now in force by which a municipal subsidy is granted to encourage building with fireproofmaterials.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1927 — Page 537

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