In an early article of this series (see 21-7-33) mention was made of the Colony's early shipbuilding activities. The records show that the first vessel of any size to be launched here was the Celestial, of 80 tons, which took the water in February, 1843, having been built by Lamont at a patent slip he had erected at East Point.
Later, another shipbuilding yard appeared, this being at Wanchai, and being the property of Mr. J. Mc-Donald, who formed McDonald & Co. In 1867 we find him doing a flourishing business there.
WES
This probably accounts for his having taken over another place near West Point that year. It was a patent slip, adjacent to the Gas Works. We find in old records that Mr. McDonald's new slip had two jetties, which projected some 200 feet from the Praya wall, and stood 25 feet apart. Between these jetties an inclined plane was erected, upon which rested a wooden platform. The inclined plane continued from the edge of the water across the Praya for 340 feet, as far as the workshops in McDonald's adjoining shipwright's yard. Apparently the place had belonged to an earlier pioneer at West Point, and had been bought over.
Between 1843 and 1867, however, there had been much other shipbuilding activity, George Frazar having come on the scene, Lamont having extended his work to Aberdeen, J.C. Cowper having opened a yard at Wanchai, and George Harper and later Riach and Co. at West Point. These activities deserve separate comment; particularly as Lamont and Cowper were pioneers of the present Hongkong and Whampoa Dock Co.; but for the present I shall give an extract from an old file which shows how McDonald's business was flourishing towards the close of the Sixties.
In a newspaper comment dated June 10, 1867, appears the following:
"The authorities at Canton appear to be gradually awakening to a sense of the superiority of our gunboats, over the old clumsy 'taimung' half Government cruiser, half pirate, and the wretched little worn-out useless steamers they have been in the habit of purchasing hitherto, and are now going the right way to work to form an effective and highly-useful little fleet.
"In January last, Messrs. McDonald & Co., of Wanchai, received orders to build two steamers on the model of the British gunboats, but of a lighter draught. One of these boats is now ready to be commissioned, the other was launched a few days ago. They are of 180 tons register, and built of the best material. The armament is to consist of four 18 pounders and one twenty-four pound swivel. They are built of teak, are copper fastened, and will be manned by Malays and Manilamen, and officered by Frenchmen, the same plan which has been adopted with one now in commission, built by another firm. They are fully coppered with Muntz's metal of 20 to 24 oz., fastened with copper-bolts, iron knees, hanging knees, breast-hooks, etc., etc., and are schooner-rigged, the sails being made by Wm. Dolan of this town. Each boat carries two boilers, constructed by Messrs. MacDougal & Co., and like the engines, which are of eighty horse power, have all the latest improvements. The bunkers are fitted to carry thirty tons of coal, and when ready for sea the new vessels will only draw five feet forward and six and a half feet aft.
9.
In an early article of this series (see 21-7-33) mention wee made of the Colony's early shipbuilding activities. The records show the t the first vessel of any size to be launched here was the Celestial, of 80 tons, which took the water in February, 1843, having been built by Cepta in Lamont at a patent slip he had erected at East Point.
Later, another shipbuilding yard appeared, this being at Wenchai, end being the property of Mr. J. Mc-Donald, who formed McDonald & Co. In 1867 we find him doing a flourishing business there.
WES
This probably accounts for his heving taken over another. place near West Point that year. It was a patent slip, adjacent to the Gas Works. We find in old records that Mr. McDonald's new clip had two jetties, which projected some 200 feet from the Praya wall, and stook 25 feet apart. Between these jetties en inclined plane was erected, upon which rested a wooden platform. The inclined plane continued from the edge of the water across the Praya for 340 feet, es far ea the work- shops in McDonald's adjoining shipwright's yerd. Apparently the place had belonged to an earlier pioneer at West Point, and had been bought over.
Between 1843 and 1867, however, there had been much other shipbuilding activity, George Frazar having come on the scene, Lamont having extended his work to Aberdeen, J.C. Cowper having opened a yard at Wanchai, and George Harper and leter Riach and Co. at Rest Point. These activities deserve seperate comment; particularly as Lamont and Cowper were pioneers of the present Hongkong and Whampoa Dook Co.; but for the present I shall give an extract from an old file which shows how MoDonald's busines8 was flourishing towards the close of the Sixties.
In a newspaper comment dated June 10, 1867, appears the following:
"The authorities at Centon appear to be gradually awaken- ing to a sense of the superiority of our gunboats, over the old clumsy "taimung" half Government oruiser, half pirate, end the wretched little worn-out useless steamers they have been in the habit of purchasing hitherto, and are now going the right way to work to form en effective end highly-useful little fleet.
"In January last, Messrs. McDonald & Co., of Wanchai, received orders to build two steamers on the model of the British gunboats, but of a lighter draught. One of these boats is now ready to be commissioned, the other was launched a few days ago. They are of 180 tons register, and built of the best material. The armament is to consist of four 18 pounders and one twenty-four pound er swivel. They are built of teek, are copper fastened, and will be manned by Malays and Manilamen, and officered by Frenchmen, the same plan which has been edopted with one now in commission, built by another firm. They are fully coppered with Muntz's metaĺ of 20 to 24 oz., fastened with copper-bolts, iron knees, henging knees, breast-hooks, etc., etc., and are schooner-rigged, the seils being made by Wm. Dolan of this town. Each boat carries two boilers, constructed by Messrs. MaDoual & Co., and like the engines, which are of eighty horse power, have all the latest improvements. The bunkers are fitted to carry thirty tons of coèl, and when ready for sea the new vessels will only draw five feet forward and six and a half feet aft.
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