Sessional_Paper_1898 — Page 180

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tons.

5. The above statement shows an increase of 329 British ships and a decrease of 489,528 British This numerical increase, together with a tonnage decrease, is to be attributed to the number of small vessels which, since the opening of the West River in June last, have been plying on that route, and increasing the number of entries and clearances under the heading of "River Steamers" without a proportionate increase of tonnage. British ocean-going steamers alone for the year show a decrease of 201 entries of 275,360 tons.

Sailing ships show a numerical increase for the year of 209 entries, but a tonnage increase of only 13,460 tons; under this heading are comprised the lorchas and lighters which were towed up the West River, and the remark above, applies in the case of these vessels also.

6. In the case of Foreign Shipping, that under the Japanese flag has been more than doubled, having increased from 146,315 tons to 299,658 tous. German shipping shows a decrease of 41,000 tons, the remainder, generally, show more or less substantial increases.

7. The actual number of ships of European construction-exclusive of River Steamers---which entered the port in 1897, was 593, being 320 British, and 273 Foreign. In the previous year the numbers were 325 British, and 254 Foreign.

STEAMERS.

Ships.

No. of times entered.

Total Tonnage.

Flag.

1896. | 1897. | 1896. | 1897.

1896.

1897.

British,

298

281 1,806 1,605 | 2,665,438

2,390,078

Belgiam,

1

1

1,689

American,

14

21

37,445

37,886

Austrian,

10

24

27

59,314

66,594

Chinese,

21

14

211

198

247,981

255,619

Danish,

58

72

29,684

35,112

Duteb,

3

10

4

14,218

3,288

French,

18

19

120

144

165,680

169,547

German,

77

80

708

669

846,713

805,694

Hawaiian,

3

7,100

Italian,

11

13

16,079

18,913

Japanesc,

25

51

80

152

146,315

299,658

Norwegian,

27

28

124

142

122,225

144,175

Russian,

5

11,587

14,585

Spanish,

3

4

8,139

2,166

Swedish,

1

10

12

9,890

11,868

Total,..

495

506

3,185 3,071 4,382,397

4,262,283

Flag.

SAILING VESSELS.

Ships.

No. of times entered.

Total Tonuage.

1896. 1997. 1896. 1897. 1896.

1897.

British,

27 39

31 240

35,536

48,996

American,

36

30

42

93

50,127

38,981

Danish,

586

French,......

1,235

German.

10

9

13

13

10,609

12,961

Hawaiian,.

Italian,

Norwegian,

Siamese, Spanish, Swedish,

~NO-* :

1

2,497

1,156

1,440

794

3,305

3

656

1,621

2

900

600

350

Total,..

84 86 100

356

105,370

107,280

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