Directory_and_Chronicle_1941 — Page 388

A152

SHANGHAI

In December, 1910, with the approval of the Diplomatic Body in Peiping, Mr. H. von Heidenstam, C.E., and Captain in the Royal Swedish Corps of Engineers, was appointed Engineer-in-Chief. He prepared a detailed "Pro- ject for the Continued Whangpoo Regulation" with plans and estimates for a period of ten years involving a total outlay of six million Taels, which was approved by all concerned but could not be started owing to lack of funds. A practical scheme for the carrying out of Mr. von Heidenstam's project was ultimately evolved by the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce. This was based on the levying, of 3 per cent. conservancy tax on all Customs duties and 11 per mille of value on duty-free imported or exported goods, the administration to be carried on by a Board consisting of the Shanghai Commissioner for Foreign Affairs, the Commissioner of Customs and the Harbour Master. After lengthy negotiations during 1911 and 1912, this scheme, with some minor amendments, was approved by the Government in April, 1912. The scheme was put into operation on May 15th, 1912, according to Mr. von Hei- denstam's project. A new parallel jetty on the eastern side of the former Outer Bar, training-works in the Upper River, and the dredging of some 7,000,000 cubic yards, mostly at convexes and in the Astræa Channel, were executed. The former Outer Bar, where only 16 feet of water were available in 1907, was thus finally eliminated, and the shallowest reach in the whole river became over 24 feet deep over a width of 600 feet in the narrowest places. In 1915 and 1916 the narrow reach at the Chinese City at Nantao was widened by dredging, and a new bund was created for the Chinese City. Towards the end of 1916 the Board acquired the first installation of its own dredging plant. At the end of 1921, Mr. von Heidenstam's project, started in 1912, had been practically completed, at a cost of about five million Taels, as against the estimate of six millions. For many years it had been foreseen that the rapid growth of shipping in the port and the increase in the size of the ships would necessitate a general port policy including if possible a regulation of the great bar in the Yangtze below Woosung. After investiga- tions, extending back to 1315, into the state of the Yangtze Estuary and into the possibilities for future harbour development, a Committee of Consulting Engineers was convened in 1921 who reported in favour of a reorganization of the Board into a Port Authority with adequate powers to dredge the Yangtsze bar and to execute harbour works. Their report has not yet been. acted on.

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The Harbour in point of tonnage now ranks 5th among the principal ports of the world. Shanghai serves a hinterland of some 750,000 square miles and is likely to remain the principal entrepot for the trade of North and Central China. The mooring accommodation in the Harbour for steamers having become inaequate owing to the enormous shipping developments of recent years the Customs called a conference, representing Chinese and foreign shipping interests, in December 1925, and a comprehensive re-berthing plan was drawn up, which was en- dorsed by the Consular Body and the Chambers of Commerce concerned.

The present position of Shanghai as a world port is due almost entirely to the activities of the Whangpoo Conservancy Board. In 1905, as stated, the Outer Bar at the mouth of the River had a depth of 15 feet at low water; while three miles up stream the River divided into two channels-one of eight feet depth, and the other of eleven feet depth (the Inner Bar). A channel of at least 25 feet at lowest water now exists! This remarkable progress may be attributed to the able scheme devised by the Dutch Engineer Mr. J. de Rijke. The Board adopted, and has since consistently adhered to, his re- commendations, and results have conclusively proved the soundness and cor- rectness of his views. Mr. von Heidenstam proved a most able successor, and his broad views have been of great value. He retired owing to ill health in 1928, and was succeeded by Dr. H. Chatley, M.INST.C.E.