Sessional_Paper_1895 — Page 83

HONGKONG.

No.

REPORT BY MESSRS. COODE SON & MATTHEWS ON THE GAP ROCK LIGHTHOUSE.

Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Governor.

79

05

HONGKONG, 10th January, 1895.

.

GAP ROCK LIGHTHOUSE.

SIR, Ou the 21st November last, Mr. MATTHEWS, who was at that time engaged on professional business at Colombo, was informed by the Colonial Secretary of Ceylon that His Excellency the Governor of that Colony, had received a cablegram from His Excellency the Governor of Hongkong, enquiring if he (Mr. MATTHEWS) could visit the last named Colony for the purpose of inspecting the Gap Rock Lighthouse.

2. Upon subsequently ascertaining that such an investigation would be practicable, having regard to other engagements previously fixed in the Cape Colony, Mr. MATTHEWs left Colombo on 19th ultimo, arriving at Hongkong on 1st instant, where he was met by the Director of Public Works, who kindly furnished plans and reports giving full particulars of the Gap Rock Lighthouse and the works in connection therewith.

3. Inspection of Gap Rock.-After perusing the last named papers Mr. MATTHEWS, accompanied by the Director of Public Works and the Harbour Master, visited the Gap Rock on 3rd instant, and very carefully examined the existing Tower with its lantern and apparatus, and also the European and Chinese Quarters. The peculiar configuration of the Rock with the Gap on the east and on the west faces was particularly noted as also the spur on the south-east end of the Rock and the effect of the same considered in the concentration of the sea and the diversion of the waves into the eastern gap during typhoon periods.

4. Instructions for Report.-On 5th instant we received from you definite instructions relative to the points upon which our opinion is more particularly requested. These are-

(i) As to the establishment of a permanent lighthouse on the Gap Rock, having due regard

to the practicability of retaining, as far as possible, the existing buildings.

(ii) As to efficiently maintaining such buildings and the light, including staff and service

between Hongkong and the Gap Rock.

5. General description of Rock, Lighthouse and Buildings.-Gap Rock is about 30 miles south- west of Hongkong. The centre of the Rock runs about north-east and south-west and is 440 feet in length in this direction. About midway there is a gap on either side of the centre, the inner ends of which converge until at the connecting ridge between the northern and southern portions the Rock is only 10 feet, or thereabouts, in width. The axis of the southern patch extends north-west and south-east and is 480 feet across in this direction. This section of the Rock consists of a mass rising to a height of 94 feet 6 inches above mean sea level, flanked on the south-east side by a spur of 220 feet in length. The north-east face of this spur is practically vertical for a height of 35 feet, whilst the adjacent face of the gap rises 75 feet, in a horizontal width of 50 feet. It follows from this extremely unfavourable configuration of the eastern gap and spur of rock that any seas from north- east around to south-east are concentrated into a funnel-shaped cavity, thereby intensifying even the abnormally severe waves which are associated with the occurrence of typhoons.

6. The northern portion of the Rock is of much more favourable shape, being practically circular and of 280 feet in diameter at its base. It rises to 74 feet 6 inches above mean sea level, where there is a flat area of 100 feet by 80 feet. A small section of this Rock, at the northern portion of the plateau, rises to a further height of 10 feet.

7. The gap on the western face between the two sections of the Rock is less exposed than that on the eastern side and is of a much more favourable shape. We do not therefore apprehend that any damage would arise to the Lighthouse and Buildings in consequence of the existence of this gap.

8. The landing place has been rightly fixed on the western face which is generally the side on which most shelter is to be found.

9. The Lighthouse and Quarters for the Keepers, both European and Chinese, have been erected on the crest of the southern portion of the Rock, the Tower being about 60 feet from the eastern gap, to the exposure of which we have alluded.

10. The whole of the buildings are of brickwork faced with granite. They consist mainly of a Light Tower 32 feet 6 inches in height flanked by the European Quarters. This last named structure is of oblong form 38 feet in length, 18 feet in breadth, and 30 feet in height. It contains a base. ment having store and water tank, these being surmounted by two floors for the accommodation