632716-1898-Report-of-the-Harbour-Master-for-1897 — Page 3

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tons.

THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 30TH APRIL, 1898.

5. The above statement shows an increase of 329 British ships and a decrease of 489,528 British This numerical increase, together with a tonnage decrease, is to be attributed to the number of small vessels which, since the opening of the West River in June last, have been plying on that route, and increasing the number of entries and clearances under the heading of "River Steamers" without a proportionate increase of tonnage. British ocean-going steamers alone for the year show a decrease of 201 entries of 275,360 tons.

Sailing ships show a numerical increase for the year of 209 entries, but a tonnage increase of only 13,460 tons; under this heading are comprised the lorchas and lighters which were towed up the West River, and the remark above, applies in the case of these vessels also.

6. In the case of Foreign Shipping, that under the Japanese flag has been more than doubled, having increased from 146,315 tons to 299,658 tons. German shipping shows a decrease of 41,000 tons, the remainder, generally, show more or less substantial increases.

7. The actual number of ships of European construction-exclusive of River Steamers--which entered the port in 1897, was 593, being 320 British, and 273 Foreign. In the previous year the numbers were 325 British, and 254 Foreign.

STEAMERS.

Ships.

No. of times entered.

Total Tonnage.

Flag.

1896.1897. 1896. 1897. 1896.

1897.

British, Belgiam,

298

281

1,806 |1,605 | 2,665,438

2,390,078

}

T

1,689

American,

3

14

21

37,445

37,886

Austrian,

10

24

27

59,314

66,594

Chinese,

14

211

198

247,981

255,619

Danish,

58

29,684

35,112

Dutch,

10

14,218

3,288

French,

19

120 144

165,680

169,547

German,

R

80

708 669

846,713

805,694

Russian,

Hawaiian, Italian, Japanese,

Norwegian,

Spanish,

2

7,100

13

16,079

18,913

80

146,315

299,658

124 142

122,225

144,175

11,587

14,585

4

8,139

2,166

Swedish,

10

12

9,890

11,868

Total,............ 495

506

| 3,185 | 3,071 | 4,382,397

4,262,283

Flag.

SAILING VESSELS.

Ships.

No. of times entered.

Total Tonuage.

1896. 1897. 1896. 1897. 1896.

1897.

British, American,

27 39

31

36 30 42

Danish,

French,..

German,

Hawaiian,.

Italian.

Norwegian,

Siamese, Spanish, Swedish,

2000-*

240

35,536

48,996

93

50,427

38,981

586

1,235

10,609

12,961

2,497

1,156

1,440

794

3,305

- to co

656

1,621

900

600

350

Total,....

84

86 100 356 105,370

107,280