Directory_and_Chronicle_1941 — Page 214

TAMSUI AND KEELUNG

The port of Tamsui lies in lat. 25 deg. 10 min. N., and long. 101 deg. 26 min. E., on the north-western side of the fertile island of Formosa. The harbour has a troublesome bar, which has retarded the growth of the port and has necessitated the transfer to Keelung of the steamship agencies that formerly made it their headquarters. None but vessels of small size trade there. The town formerly known as Hobé, is situated on the north side of the river, about two miles from the bar. In October, 1884, the French ships under Admiral Courbet bombarded Tamsui, but were unable to take the place. The Japanese took possession on the 7th June, 1895. The port of Keelung lies to the north-east of Tamsui, in latitude 25 deg. 6 min. N. and longitude 121 deg. 47 min. E. It is situated on the shores of a bay between the capes of Foki and Peton, some 20 miles apart, amidst bold and striking scenery, backed by a range of mountains. It was once a Spanish- Settlement, but was subsequently captured and held by the Dutch until they in turn gave place to the Chinese under Koxinga, formerly a pirate chief, who caused himself to be proclaimed King of Formosa. Though but a mere village, it had long carried on a considerable native trade with Amoy, Chin- chew, and Foochow. Keelung was opened to foreign trade at the same time as the other Formosan ports. The limits of the port are defined to be within a straight line drawn from Image Point to Bush Island. On the 5th August, 1884, the port was bombarded by the French under Admiral Lespes, when the forts above the town were reduced to ruins. and the place captured. It was then garrisoned by the French, who held it until after the Treaty of Peace had been signed at Tientsin in June, 1885. The place was occupied by the Japanese on the 3rd, June, 1895.

At Keelung harbour improvements were completed in 1934 at a cost of over 33 million Yen, and have largely increased the accommodation available. The present harbour is however too small for the increased number of vessels which enter and clear, and an extension work, which was started in 1935 under a 9-year programme at a total cost of Y7,795,440, is now in pro- gress. The main work under the new programme is the construction of a breakwater in the outer harbour. At present about 30 vessels of under 20,000 tons and above 3,000 tons can be accommodated in the inner harbour. During 1900 a lighthouse was completed on Pak-sa Point, a low headland on the west coast, some 20 miles south-west of Tamsui, and one has been erected on Agincourt Island. At Keelung there are stone quays in connection' with the railway, alongside of which the regular mail steamers of the 10,000 tons class are berthed, the depth of water alongside being 28-30 feet. It is now possible to accommodate at the quays about 10 steamers each of 10,000 tons capacity, and admit ten steamers below this tonnage at the buoys.

The railway line between Tansui and Taipeh was opened in August, 1901, and has been of great benefit to the people of the district. Keelung is the northern terminus of the trans-Formosan Government Railway. The capital city is known by the Chinese name of Taipeh, and also under the Japanese nomenclature of Taihoku, which is now applicable, also, to the whole province, the former names of Manka, Daitotei, etc., being urban districts and not applicable to the city as a whole.