Directory_and_Chronicle_1928 — Page 789

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

CHUNGKING

785

The Yangtsze is navigable for steamers from Ichang, not only to Chungking, but as far as Sui-fu, where the Min river joins the Yangtsze, and during high water in summer the Min river is also navigable as far as Kiating. By the Japanese Treaty of 1894, the right of steam navigation to Chungking was secured, and in the spring of 1898 the voyage was successfully accomplished by Mr. A. Little, with the small steamer Leechuen, which, however, being of limited power, had to be tracked up the rapids in the same way as junks. On 6th May, 1900, the two light-draught British gunboats Woodcock and Woodlark arrived from Ichang, having left that port on 5th April. The return journey occupied 25 steaming hours. On 12th June, the Yangtze Trading Company's steamer, the Pioneer, commenced her maiden voyage and arrived at Chungking on 20th June. This steamer was afterwards purchased by the British Government. Freight rates by junk have enormously increased in recent years. The s.s. Loongmow, of about 1,000 tons gross tonnage, specially built for the Ichang- Chungking run, made her appearance in June, 1920, and on more than one occasion, steaming by daylight only, has completed in less than six days the round trip to Ichang. 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. It is now possible with suitable craft and the exercise of sufficient dis- crimination in the selection of crew and pilots for steamers to navigate the Upper River for eight months of the year. Fifty-four steamers and motor vessels ply above Ichang.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1928 — Page 789

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