Old Hong Kong-3 — Page 145

Old Hong Kong 昔日香港 All AI Reviewed

NAVAL YARD

(Contd.)

Correspondence in May, 1901, shows that the extension of the Naval Yard at Hong Kong was definitely approved in 1897, at an estimated expense of £575,500. This was increased to £1,275,500 in 1899, indicating that the needs of the Navy required a much larger establishment than at first anticipated, one dock being added, and another being contemplated in 1901.

In connexion with the expansion of the Yard, the North Barracks were acquired from the military authorities, and the military acquired Mount Austin Hotel in lieu of these barracks. A letter dated June 15, 1897, mentions that the military authorities had arranged for the purchase of the Mount Austin Hotel for the purpose of converting it into barracks. In deference to the wishes of the many residents of the hotel, the G.O.C. acceded to the request that it would not be vacated until October 1 of that year.

This year, 721 therefore saw the conclusion of the westward expansion of the Naval Yard up to Murray Road, and the acquirement of the military property in that area. (See old plan published 25-9-33). The present Commodore's and other offices were the former military married quarters.

The question of encroachment on naval property, in connexion with city improvements, continually cropped up, and a letter signed by Commodore W. H. Cuming, dated August 1, 1931, refers to the consent from the Naval Authorities to the undertaking proposed by the Hong Kong & China Tramways Co., which apparently involved an encroachment on a portion of naval property. It was presumably connected with necessary widening of Queen's Road.

In May 1901, the Governor sent the Commodore a copy of a draft ordinance for the construction of a tramway in Hong Kong, with a request for any criticism or observations upon it, so far as it might affect naval interests. In reply, the Commodore suggested that it might be useful if power be retained to construct a branch line into the Naval Yard for the conveyance of patients, stores, etc., to and from the Naval Hospital. This project was dropped; probably when motor transport materialised shortly afterwards.

The old figurehead of H.M.S. Merlin, pictured to-day is a good example of skilled wood carving. It evidently represents the historic Merlin, a Welsh (or British) bard, born about the end of the Fifth Century, who has several ancient poems attributed to him: we see him here in traditional costume, with a scroll of poems in his hand.

The Cadmus figurehead must be intended for the Phoenician warrior of that name, who according to Greek mythology was the son of Agenor, the King of Phoenicia, and was the founder of Thebes. It was Cadmus who sowed the dragon's teeth which turned into armed men: the carver-artist has cleverly given him a fierce warrior-like appearance.

It had an interesting history, and skipper Long Long. Her career, in brief, is forced on the inscription seen in the photograph. Launched at Portsmouth on September 14, 1825, she was considered a "second rate" vessel, of 2,443 tons, and she was used as a receiving ship here from 1857 to 1874, when she was scrapped. For a time in the Sixties she was used also as a hospital hulk. She was followed by the Victor Emanuel (3,087 tons), and later by the Tamar (see yesterday's note).

The Royal coat of arms on H.M.S. Rosario suggests that she was once a Royal yacht: I am unable at the moment to trace her history, and would welcome a note from anyone in the know. history of the Cadmus (which was used, I believe, as a surveying...

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NAVAL YARD (Contd.) Correspondence in May, 1901, shows that the extension of the Naval Yard at Hong Kong was definitely approved in 1897, at an estimated expense of £575,500. This was increased to £1,275,500 in 1899, indicating that the needs of the Navy required a much larger establishment than at first anticipated, one dock being added, and another being contemplated in 1901. In connexion with the expansion of the Yard, the North Barracks were acquired from the military authorities, and the military acquired Mount Austin Hotel in lieu of these barracks. A letter dated June 15, 1897, mentions that the military authorities had arranged for the purchase of the Mount Austin Hotel for the purpose of converting it into barracks. In deference to the wishes of the many residents of the hotel, the G.O.C. acceded to the request that it would not be vacated until October 1 of that year. This year, 721 therefore saw the conclusion of the westward expansion of the Naval Yard up to Murray Road, and the acquirement of the military property in that area. (See old plan published 25-9-33). The present Commodore's and other offices were the former military married quarters. The question of encroachment on naval property, in connexion with city improvements, continually cropped up, and a letter signed by Commodore W. H. Cuming, dated August 1, 1931, refers to the consent from the Naval Authorities to the undertaking proposed by the Hong Kong & China Tramways Co., which apparently involved an encroachment on a portion of naval property. It was presumably connected with necessary widening of Queen's Road. In May 1901, the Governor sent the Commodore a copy of a draft ordinance for the construction of a tramway in Hong Kong, with a request for any criticism or observations upon it, so far as it might affect naval interests. In reply, the Commodore suggested that it might be useful if power be retained to construct a branch line into the Naval Yard for the conveyance of patients, stores, etc., to and from the Naval Hospital. This project was dropped; probably when motor transport materialised shortly afterwards. The old figurehead of H.M.S. Merlin, pictured to-day is a good example of skilled wood carving. It evidently represents the historic Merlin, a Welsh (or British) bard, born about the end of the Fifth Century, who has several ancient poems attributed to him: we see him here in traditional costume, with a scroll of poems in his hand. The Cadmus figurehead must be intended for the Phoenician warrior of that name, who according to Greek mythology was the son of Agenor, the King of Phoenicia, and was the founder of Thebes. It was Cadmus who sowed the dragon's teeth which turned into armed men: the carver-artist has cleverly given him a fierce warrior-like appearance. It had an interesting history, and skipper Long Long. Her career, in brief, is forced on the inscription seen in the photograph. Launched at Portsmouth on September 14, 1825, she was considered a "second rate" vessel, of 2,443 tons, and she was used as a receiving ship here from 1857 to 1874, when she was scrapped. For a time in the Sixties she was used also as a hospital hulk. She was followed by the Victor Emanuel (3,087 tons), and later by the Tamar (see yesterday's note). The Royal coat of arms on H.M.S. Rosario suggests that she was once a Royal yacht: I am unable at the moment to trace her history, and would welcome a note from anyone in the know. history of the Cadmus (which was used, I believe, as a surveying... Page 145 Page 146

Baseline (Original)

NAVAL YAIW (Contd.) Correspondence in May, 1901, shows that the extension of the Naval Yard at Hong Kong was definitely approved in 1897, at an estimated expense of £575,500. This was increased to £1,275,500 in 1899, indicating that the needs of the Navy required a much larger establishment than at first anticipated, one dock being added, and another being contemplated in 1901. In connexion with the expansion of the Yard, the North Barracks were acquired from the military authorities, and the military acquired Mount Austin Hotel in lieu of these barracks. A letter dated June 15, 1897, mentions that the military authorities had arranged for the purchase of the Mount Austin Hotel for the purpose of converting it into barracks. In deference to the whishes of the many residents of the hotel, the G.0.0. acceded to the request that it would not be vacated until Octover 1 of that year. This year, 721 therefore saw the conclusion of the westward expansion of the Naval Yard up to Murray Road, and the acquirement of the military property in that area. (See old plan published 25-9-33). The present Commodore's and other offices were the former military married quarters. The question of encroachment on naval property, in connexión: with city imporvements, continually cropped up, and a letter signed by Commodore W. H. Cuming, dated August 1 1981, refers to the consent from the Naval Authorities to the undertaking proposed by the Hong Kong & China Tramways Co. which apparently involved an encroachment on a portion of naval property. It was presumably connected with necessary widening of Queen's Road. In May 1901, the Governor sent the Commodore a copy of a draft ordinance for the construction of a tramway in Hong Kongų with a request for any criticism or observations upon it, so far as it might affect naval interests. In reply, the Commodore suggested that it might be useful if power be retained to construct a branch line into the Naval Yard for the conveyance of patients, stores, etc., to and from the Naval Hospital. This project was dropped; probably when motor transport materialised shortly afterwards. * * * The old figrehead of H.M.S. Merlin, pictured to-day is a good example of skilled wood carving. It evidently represents the historic Merlin, a Welsh (or British) bard, born about the end of the Fifth Century, who has several ancient poèms attributed to him: we see him here in traditional costume, with a scroll of peems inhis hand. The Cadmus figurehead must be intended for the Phoenician warrior of that name, who according to Greek mythology was the son of Agenor, the King of Phoenicia, and was the founder of Thebes. It was Cadmus who sowed the dragon's teeth which turned into armed men: the carver-artist has cleverly given him a fierce nurzhof-like appearence. At had an interesting history, and skip ₺ long Long. Her career, in brief forced on the insoliption sten in the photograph. Launched Portsmouth on "eptember 14, 1825, she was considered a "second rare" vessel, of 2,443 tons, and she was used to a receiving ship here from 1857 to 1374, when she was scrapped. For a time in the Sixties she was used also as a hospital hul:. She was followed by the Victor Emanual (3,087 tons), and later by the Tamar (see yesterday's note). The Royal coat of arms on H.M.S. Rosario suggests that she was once a Royal yacht: I am unable at the moment to trace her history, and would welcome a note from anyone in the know. history of the Cadmus (which was used, I believe, as a surveving Page 145Page 146

2026-05-02 11:51:56 · Baseline

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NAVAL YAIW

(Contd.)

In connexion with the expansion of the Yard, the North Barracks were acquired from the military authorities, and the military acquired Mount Austin Hotel in lieu of these barracks. A letter dated June 15, 1897, mentions that the military authorities had arranged for the purchase of the Mount Austin Hotel for the purpose of converting it into barracks. In deference to the whishes of the many residents of the hotel, the G.0.0. acceded to the request that it would not be vacated until Octover 1 of that year.

This year,

721

therefore saw the conclusion of the westward expansion of the Naval Yard up to Murray Road, and the acquirement of the military property in that area. (See old plan published 25-9-33). The present Commodore's and other offices were the former military married quarters.

The question of encroachment on naval property, in connexión: with city imporvements, continually cropped up, and a letter signed by Commodore W. H. Cuming, dated August 1 1981, refers to the consent from the Naval Authorities to the undertaking proposed by the Hong Kong & China Tramways Co. which apparently involved an encroachment on a portion of naval property. It was presumably connected with necessary widening of Queen's Road.

In May 1901, the Governor sent the Commodore a copy of a draft ordinance for the construction of a tramway in Hong Kongų with a request for any criticism or observations upon it, so far as it might affect naval interests. In reply, the Commodore suggested that it might be useful if power be retained to construct a branch line into the Naval Yard for the conveyance of patients, stores, etc., to and from the Naval Hospital. This project was dropped; probably when motor transport materialised shortly afterwards.

The old figrehead of H.M.S. Merlin, pictured to-day is a good example of skilled wood carving. It evidently represents the historic Merlin, a Welsh (or British) bard, born about the end of the Fifth Century, who has several ancient poèms attributed to him: we see him here in traditional costume, with a scroll of peems inhis hand.

At had an interesting history, and skip ₺ long Long. Her career, in brief forced on the insoliption sten in the photograph. Launched Portsmouth on "eptember 14, 1825, she was considered a "second rare" vessel, of 2,443 tons, and she was used to a receiving ship here from 1857 to 1374, when she was scrapped. For a time in the Sixties she was used also as a hospital hul:. She was followed by the Victor Emanual (3,087 tons), and later by the Tamar (see yesterday's note).

Old Hong Kong-3 — Page 145

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