NAVAL YARD
(Contd.)
*731
waterfront, flanked by large commercial houses, vanished finally into thin air.
The main features of the extension consisted of a floating basin for the refitting and repairing of vessels while afloat and a graving dock for under water repairs. There were also deep water quay walls where heavy guns, boilers, etc., might be handled. It was intended that the quay walls should serve as the reclamation wall and form part of the Naval Yard.
The tidal basin was designed to have an area of nine and a half acres and a depth at the lowest spring tides of over thirty feet. It was to be nearly square in shape and surrounded by deep water quay walls, against which battleships and cruisers would be able to lie.
The total area to be occupied by the new works was 39 acres. The walls were to be constructed of concrete blocks and aggregate 4,580 feet in length.
It was pointed out before the ceremony that the walls would have to be completed for over four-fifths of their height before they would show above water, even at the lowest tides. Up to January 14, 1902, about one half of the work of dredging the floating basin, one third of the excavations for the graving dock and four-fifths of the foundation work for the walls had been completed.
In reporting the laying of the foundation block, the Hong Kong Telegraph described the function as "one of the most important events in recent times as far as the Colony of Hong Kong is concerned."
There were present, H.E. Major General Sir W. J. Gascoigne C.M.G. and Lady Gascoigne, H.E. Vice-Admiral Sir Cyprian Bridge, Rear-Admiral H. T. Grenfell, Commodore Powell, Sir Thomas and Miss Jackson, Bishop and Mrs. Hoare, together with the entire strength of naval officers then in Hong Kong.
The guests were met by the Civil Superintending Engineer, Mr. Owen Ordish, and Mr. W. Kidd, the chief Agent for the contractors Messrs Punchard, Lowther and Co.
After Mrs. Powell had laid the foundation stone, the official party proceeded to the shore and inspected the tablet stone which bore the following inscription:
HONG KONG DOCKYARD
EXTENSION.
Commodore F. Powell, C.B., R.N. Superintendent.
This stone was laid by Mrs. Powell in the Reign of King Edward VII, January 15, 1902, to commemorate the setting of the foundation block, 50 feet below coping level, and placed in the sea wall, West of the Dock Entrance.
The stone, containing coins of the realm, local newspapers of the period, an account of the proceedings and a plan of the works, was lowered into position.
A silver mallet and trowel were presented to Mrs. Powell as a memento of the occasion.
The ceremony concluded, officials and guests gathered in the drawing offices where a number of toasts were honoured. After the loyal toast, Mr. Ordish proposed the health of Mrs. Powell.
Page 155
Page 156
NAVAL YARD
(Contd.)
*731
waterfront, flanked by large com ercial houses, vanished finally into thin air.
The main features of the extension consisted of a floating · basin for the refitting and repairing of vessels while afloat and a graving dock for under water repairs. There were also deep water quay walls where heavy guns, boilers, etc., might be handled. It was intended that the quay walls should serve as the reclamation wall and form part of the Naval ard.
The tidal basin was designed to have an area of nine and a half acres and a depth at the lowest spring tides of over. thirty feet. It was to be nearly square in shape and surrounded by deep water quay walls, against which battleships and cruisers would be able to lie.
The total area to be occupied by the new works was 39 acres The walls were to be constructed of concrete blocks and aggregate 4,580 feet in length.
It was pointed out before the ceremony that the walls would have to be completed for over four-fifths of their height before they would show above water, even at the lowest tides. Up to January 14, 1902, about one half of the work of dredging the floating basin, one third of the excavations for the graving dock and four-fifths of the foundation work for the walls had been completed.
*
*
In reporting the laying of the foundation block, the Hong Kong Telegraph described the function as "one of the most important events in recent times as far as the Colony of Hong Kong is concerned."
There were present, H.E. Major General Sir W. J. Gascoigne C.M.G. and Lady Gascoigne, H.E. Vice-Admiral Sir Cyprian Brudge, Rear-Admiral H. T. Grenfell, Commodore Powell, Sir Thomas and Miss Jackson, Bishop and Mrs. Hoare, together with the entire strength of naval officers then in Hong Kong.
The guests were met by the Civil Superintending Engincer, Mr. Owing Ordish, and Mr. W. Kidd, the chief Agent for the contractors Messrs Punchard, Lowther and Co.
After Mrs. Powell had laid the foundation stone, the official party proceeded to the shore and inspected the tablet stone which bore the following inscription:
HONG KONG DOCKYARD
EXTENSION.
Commodore F. Fowell, c.b., r.n. Superintendent.
This stone was laid by Mrs. Powell in the Reign of King Edward VII, January 15, 1902, to commemorate the setting of the foundation block, 50 feet below coping level, and placed in the sea wall, West of the Dock Entrance.
The stone, containing coins of the realm, local newspapers of the period, an account of the proceedings and a plan of the works, was lowered into position.
A silver mallet and trowel were presented to Mrs. Powell as a memento of the occasion.
The ceremony concluded, officials and guests gathered in the drawing offices where a number of toasts were honoured. After the loyal toast, Mr. Ordish proposed the health of Miro.
Page 155Page 156
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