To the extreme right is Kellet Island, faithfully drawn. It might be noted that this little island, now used as a gunpowder depot, was at one time a small fort, mounting a battery of guns.
This was certainly the case at the time Mr. Bruce made his sketch. It is recorded that in 1841 Colonel Burrell constructed a fort on Kellet Island for the protection of the eastern section of the harbour. Incidentally, it might be noted that the name was not adopted until some time later, when the islet was called after Vice-Admiral Sir H. Kellet, who was Commander-in-Chief in the late Sixties.
In the foreground we can note the greatest changes. Seaside track running amid outcrops of granite rock, just below a high cliff, is now, of course, levelled and metalled, with a set of double tramlines and a seawall, while the cliff has been cut right back and the land built upon. The area a little further away from the observer is now the recreation ground where the Polo Club has been for some years, and where the Chinese Recreation Club and Queen's College have their sports grounds.
The greatest change of all, however, is the almost complete enclosure of this small bay by a breakwater, so that it is now a typhoon shelter, where a large number of sampans and junks are moored. It might be noted that part of the shore seen in this old sketch has since been set further outward, for an area of 23 acres was reclaimed in 1884, between Taihang Village and Causeway Bay. The breakwater, which is 1,400 feet long, was constructed in 1883, and encloses approximately 100 acres of sheltered water for small craft.
We might also recall that on several occasions during the Seventies and beyond, there was talk of removing the Royal Naval Yard and Military barracks to this area (see 11-12-33). Owing mainly to Naval opposition, the scheme fell through.
In conclusion we might note that the name Causeway Bay had already been applied in the early Forties, as shown by the inscription on the old lithograph from which this view is reproduced. It is natural to assume that a causeway of some kind must have existed here - probably a mere line of large stones across part of the shallower waters. The rocky nature of the coast as shown in this old drawing makes that origin the more feasible.
Perhaps note might also be taken of the figure on a pony seen proceeding along the road in the foreground: it is of a Chinese, and the animal is evidently our old friend the China pony.
This gives us an indication of the mode of transport in those days when longer journeys had to be undertaken to the outlying parts of the island - in more remote parts of China even to-day.
A brief extract from an old chronicle relating to the opening up of the East Point area might be appended. Captain Bernard, R.N., in his "Cruise of the Nereus," published in 1844, states with references to the development of the newly founded Colony:
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To the extreme right is hellett Island, faithfully drawn. It might be noted that this little island, now used as a gunponder depot, was at one time a small fort, mounting a battery of guns.
This was certainly the case at the time Mr. Bruce made his pketch. It is recorded that in 1841 Colonel Burrell constructed a fort on kellett Island for the protection of the eastern section of the harbour. Incidentally, it might be noted that the name was not adopted until some time later, when the islet was called after Vice-Admiral Sir H. hellett, who was Commander-in-Chief in the late Sixties.
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In the foreground we can note the greatest changes. seaside track running amid outcrops of granite rock, just below a high cliff, is now, of course, levelled and metalled, with a set of double tramlines and a seawall, while the cliff has been cut right back and the land built upon. The area a little further away from the observer is now the recreation ground where the Polo Club has been for some years, and where the Chinese Recreation Club and Queen's College have their sports grounds.
The greatest change of all, however, is the almost complete enclosure of this small bày by a breakwater, so that it is now a typhoon shelter, where a large number of sampans and junks are moored. It might be noted that part of the shore seen in this old sketch has since been set further outward, for. an area of 23 acres was reclaimed in 1884, between Taihang Village and Causeway Bay. The breakwater, which is 1,400 feet long, was constructed in 1883, and encloses approximately 100 acres of sheltered water for small craft.
We might also recall that on several occasions during the Seventies and beyond, there was talk of removing the Royal Naval Yard and Military barracks to this area (see 11-12- 33). Owing mainly to Naval opposition, the scheme fell through.
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In conclusion we might note that the name Causeway Bay had already been applied in the early Forties, as shown by the inscription on the old lithograph from which this view as reproduced. It is natural to assume that a causeway of some kind must have existed here probably a mere line of large stones across part of the shallower waters. The rocky nature of the coast as shown in this old drawing makes that origin the more feasible.
it
Perhaps note might also be taken of the figure on a pony seen proceeding along the road in the foreground: is of a Chinese, and the animal is evidently our old friend the China pony.
This gives us an indication of the mode of transport in those days when longer journeys had to be undertaken to the outlying parts of the island in more remote parts of China even to-day.
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A brief extract from an old chronicle relating to the opening up of the East Point area might be appended. Captain Bernard, R.N., in his "Cruise of the Nenesis," published in 1844, states with references to the development of the newly founded Colony:
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