Directory_and_Chronicle_1927 — Page 703

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 highest 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 Railway Co., which also completed the other works. The combined length of the breakwaters is 14,605 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 feet 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 13,393 feet. The wharves are lighted by electricity and are furnished with extensive closed sheds measuring 391 sq. m., and railway sidings, together with every up-to-date appliance for the handling of cargo. At the east end of the shore, an oil pier, 1,132 feet long with 30 feet 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 152 acres in 1924. 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 was completed in 1922. There is a granite dry dock 430 feet long and 51 feet wide at entrance, with extensive repair shops attached, leased and managed by the Manchuria Dock Yard Co., Ltd. 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 37 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 is an excellent hotel here, managed by the South Manchuria Railway Company, and also 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, 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, and was completed in July, 1924.

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 5,000 kws. power was added in June, 1923, the total now being 11,750 kws. The town has macadamized lined roads with rows of shady trees, and is well equipped with waterworks, drainage and sewage systems. With the growth of trade, more-