NAVAL YARD
140
717
As to-morrow will be Navy Day in Hong Kong, when the Royal Naval Yard will be thrown open to the public, and an insight into Naval life be given to the civilian population, it is appropriate to consider the history of the Yard.
By courtesy of Commodore F. Elliott, O.B.E., I have been able to look through the local Naval records which are filed in the Commodore's office. These go back to the early days of the Naval Establishments in Hong Kong, the period towards the beginning of the Fifties, when a permanent shore establishment was decided upon, and contain much interesting information which can be gathered from old correspondence and other documents that are on file.
What were termed "store ships" were in use for some time, and the "Minden" was used as the Naval store ship in 1846 onwards, according to an old record, with the "Alligator" as a hospital ship. However, the Navy already had a shore and victualling department in the Forties (certainly by 1847), but these were merely rented premises, and the Yard was not in being until the Fifties.
As will be seen from later references, the original establishment ashore was formed in 1854. However, the first definite reference on file to the acquirement of land for the Naval Yard at Hong Kong is dated July 22, 1856, and mentions a further transfer of land for the Yard at Hong Kong being made to the Admiralty. This property comprised a section near the middle of the present Naval Yard and was subsequently expanded westward by the acquirement of military land and seaward by means of a reclamation.
The first object was evidently a definite survey of property acquired, and there is a reference in November 1859 to Mr. Taffs, Clerk of Works, requesting some allowance for drawing up plans of property and buildings in the Naval Yard, Hong Kong. This was Mr. Charles Taffs, of the Royal Engineers works office. (See 10-7-33 et seq.).
The appointments of various shore officials came gradually. There is a reference in October 1859 to the appointment of Mr. Boxer as Chief Storeman in the Victualling Yard, Hong Kong.
As the harbour's shipping increased, it also became necessary to define a section for naval vessels. The first reference to an anchorage being set apart for men-of-war at Hong Kong is contained in a memo of January 1860.
Just a year later, the increasing importance of the establishment is seen in a further post ashore. Captain Nolloth was appointed Naval Officer in charge of the Naval Establishments, Naval Yard, on July 16, 1861.
Incidentally, the first reference to the appointment of a Civil Secretary to the Naval Yard at Hong Kong is made in 1902. A letter dated September 1 of that year states that a Civilian Secretary had been recently appointed to the Yard.
Within a few years of being founded, the necessity for expansion of the premises arose, and we find that estimates for new buildings in the Hong Kong Naval Yard were called for in November 1862.
The docking facilities also required enlargement, and there is reference in December 1868 to a request for an advance of £6,000 to Mr. Lamont towards building a new dock at Aberdeen. (See 21-7-33). Further correspondence in 1864 shows that this money was advanced and was to be repaid by instalments.
}
NAVAL YARD
140
717
As to-morrow will be Navy Day in Hong Kong, when the Royal Naval Yard will be thrown open to the public, and an insight to Naval life be given to the civilian population, it is appropriate to consider the history of the Yard,
By courtesy of Commodore F. Elliott, 0.B.L. I have been able to look through the local Naval records which are filed in the Commodore's office. These go back to the early days of the Naval Establishments in Hong Kong the period, towards the beginning of the Fifties, when a permanent shore establishment was decided upon and contain much interesting information which can be gathered from old correspondence and other documents that are on file.
What were termed "store ships" were in use for some time and the "Minden" was used as the Naval store ship in 1846 onwards, according to an old record, with the "Alligator" as a hospital ship. However, the Navy already had a shore and victualling department in the Forties (certainly by 1847), but these were merely rented premises, and the Yard was not in being until the Fifties.
As will be seen from later references, the original establishment ashore was formed in 1854. However, the first definite reference on file to the acquirement of land for the Naval Yard at Hong Kong is dated July 22, 1856, and mentions a further transfer of land for the Yard at Hong Kong being made to the Admiralty. This property comprised a section near the middle of the present Naval Yard, and was subsequently expanded westward by acquirement of military land, and seaward by, means of a reclamation.
The first object was evidently a definite survey of property acquired, and there is a reference in November, 1859, .to the Mr. Taffs, Clerk of Works, requesting some allowance for drawing up plans of prope ty and buildings in the Naval Yard, Hong Kong. This was Mr. Charles Taffs, of the Royal Engineers works office. (See 10-7-33 et seq.).
The appointments of various shore officials came gradually. There is a reference in October 1859, to the appointment of Mr. Boxer as Chief Storeman in the Victualling Yard, Hong Kong.
As the harbour's shipping increased, it also became necessary to define a section for naval vessels. The first reference to an anchorage being set apart for men-of-war at Hong Kong is contained in a memo of January, 1860.
Just a year later, the increasing importance of the establishment is een in a further post ashore. Captain Nolloth was appointed Naval Officer in charge of the Naval Establishments, Naval Yard on July 16, 1861.
Incidently, the first reference to the appointment of a Civil Secretary to the Naval Yard at Hong Kong is made in 1902. A letter dated September 1 of that year states that a Civilian Secretary had been recently appointed to the Yard.
*
Within a few years of being founded, the necessity for expansion of the premises arose, and we find that estimates for new buildings in the Hong Kong Naval, Yard were called for in November, 1862.
The docking facilities also required enlargement and there is reference in December, 1868 to a request for an advance of £6,000 to Mr. Lamont towards building a new dock at Aberdeen. (See 21-7-33). Further correspondence in 1864 show that this money was advanced and was to be repaid by instalments.
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