"Under a salute of two guns from the hulk and crackers ad libitum most of the visitors landed, and at two o'clock precisely the Governor opened the lower valve-door of the caisson and started the flow of water into the dock. The other valves were opened immediately afterwards, and very soon the water was rushing in through five great orifices, two of them in particular pouring in huge floods, or what seemed, from their square section which they preserved in a very regular manner as they fell, huge curved beams of water, looking in the brilliant sunlight solid and transparent like glass, though just roughened on the surfaces enough to glitter in an extremely beautiful manner.
"Leaving the dock to fill itself at leisure, the visitors re-embarked on board the Fire Dart, and stood out for a cruise during tiffin, which was provided in great abundance and laid out on three or four tables in different parts of the vessel. In the upper saloon forward the speeches were made. After the health of the Queen had been treated with due respect, Mr. Whittall, who presided, proposed the health of the Governor. The Governor, in his reply, paid a handsome tribute to the memory of Mr. Lamont (who had passed away), and proposed the health of Mr. Whittall. Mr. Caleb Smith then proposed the health of Mr. Douglas Lapraid and Mr. Thomas Sutherland.
Mr. Sutherland replied, of course, in a telling and agreeable manner, and then proposed the health of Mr. Duncan, the superintendent of the works at the new dock. This toast was also honoured with much cordiality and duly acknowledged, and then Mr. J.C. Whyte proposed Commodore Jones. The Commodore replied in a few words, and this brought the speech-making to a close.
Shortly afterwards the steamer reached the dock a second time, and found it full. The caisson was removed and from the bows of the Fire Dart, which were advanced about half way up the dock, the Governor christened it, in accordance with the wish of the directors, the Hope Dock, in honour of Admiral Sir James Hope. Having thus had the satisfaction of accomplishing something beyond the enjoyment of a very pleasant day, the party returned, and reached the wharf from which the steamer started at exactly six p.m.
It might be noted that this dock also became the property of the H.K. and Whampoa Dock Co., who had in 1865 concluded negotiations to purchase the Aberdeen yards, while the new dock was still under construction.
The reference to the old Sunee Maru (originally named the Sual) in yesterday's article, has moved a reader to write and clear up some old history, and for this I am indeed grateful. It appears that the old ship is still in commission, under Chinese ownership, and my correspondent — writing with first-hand information, as he served as an engineer aboard the vessel for some years — gives interesting details about her previous career, and owners. The subsequent departure from the Colony of her builder, Mr. Jno. Riach, is also explained.
My informant served as third and later as second engineer aboard the Sual for some years, joining her in 1888, and states: "The Sual was bought towards the close of the Seventies by George McBain of Shanghai, and was sent up there from Hongkong. She was put on the Shanghai-Hankow service and maintained that run right up to 1910 under Mr. McBain's ownership. It is interesting to note that Jno. Riach left Hongkong in the middle Seventies, or thereabouts, and found employment with Boyd and Co. (now the Shanghai Engineering Works) at Shanghai, and it is likely that when McBain wanted a vessel it was Riach who mentioned the Sual to him. The vessel did good service on the Yangtsze, and in 1885-86 she was put in the hands of Boyd and Co. to be lengthened, so that Riach had again under his care the vessel he had built in 1873 at Hongkong. She was lengthened altogether some 27 feet, and
16.
"Under a salute of two guns from the hulk and orakcers ad libitum most of the visitors landed, and at two o'clock precisely the Governor opened the lower valve-door of the oalsson and started the flow of water into the dock. The other valves were opened immediately afterwards, and very soon the water was rushing in through five great orifices, two of them in particular pouring in huge floods, or what seemed, from their square section which they preserved in a very regular manner as they fell, huge curved beams of water, looking in the brilliant sunlight solid and transparent like glass, though just roughened on the surfaces enough to glitter in an extremely beautiful manner.
!
"Leaving the dook to fill itself at leisure, the visitors re-embarked on board the Fire Dart, and stood out for a cruise during tiffin, which was provided in great abundance and laid out on three or four tables in different parts of the vessel. In the upper saloon forward the speeches were made. After the health of the Queen hed been treated with due respect, Mr. Whittall, who presided, proposed the health of the Governor. The Governor, in his reply, paid a handsome tribute to the memory of Mr. Lamont (who had passed away), and proposed the health of Mr. Whittall. Mr. Caleb Smith then proposed the health of Mr. Douglas Lapraid and Mr. Thomas Sutherland.
Mr. Sutherland replied, of course, in a telling and agreeable manner, and then proposed the health of Mr. Dunoan, the superintendent of the works at the new dock. This toast was also honoured with much cordiality and duly acknowl edged, and then Mr.J.C.Whyte proposed Commodore Jones. The Commodore replied in a few words, and this brought the speech-making to a close.
1
TH
*Shortly afterwards the steamer reached the dook a second
1 time, and found it full. The caisson was removed and from the bows of the Fire Dert which were advanced about half way up the dock, the Governor christened it, in accordance with the wish of the directors, the Hope Dock, in honour of Admiral Sir James Hope. Having thus had the satisfaction of accomplishing something beyond the enjoyment of a very pleasent day, the party returned, and reached the 'wharf from which the steamer started at exactly six p.m.*
!
It might be noted that this dock also be game the property of the H.K. and Whampoa Dook Co., who had in 1865 concluded negotiations to purchase the Aberdeen yerds, while the new dock was still under construction.
The reference to the old Sunee Maru (originally named the Sual) in yesterday's article, has moved a reader to write and clear up some old history, end for this I am indeed grate- ful. It appears that the old ship is still in commission, under Chinese ownership, and my correspondent - writing with first- hand information, as he served as an engineer aboard the vessel for some years gives interesting details about her previous career, and owners. The subsequent departure from the Colony of her builder, Mr. Jno. Riach, is also explained.
My informent served as third and later as second engineer eboard the Sual for some yeers, joining her in 1888, and states: "The Sual was bought towards the close of the Seventies by George McBain of Shanghai, and was sent up there from Hongkong. She was put on the Shanghai-Hankow service and maintained that run right up to 1910 under Mr. McBain's ownership. It is interesting to note that Jno. Riach left Hongkong in the middle Sevent les, orthereabouts, and found employment with Boyd and Co. (now the Shanghai Engineering Works) at Shanghai, end it is likely thet when McBain wanted a vessel it was Riach who mentioned the Sual to him. The vessel did good service on the Yangtsze, and in 1885- 86 she was put in the hands of Boyd and Co. to be lengthened, so that Riach had again under his care the vessel he had built in 1873 et Hongkong. She was lengthened altogether some 27 feet, and
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