Sessional_Paper_1924 — Page 162

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WANCHAI BAY.

Drawings Nos. 3 and 7.

General.

Having regard to the schemes now recommended for the development of North Point foreshore, Hung Hom Bay, Kowloon Point and at Hongkong Central, it is con- sidered that further reclamation seaward of the boundary of the works now under con- struction in Wanchai Bay would be to the detriment of the harbour generally. The new sea front should therefore be regarded as the final limit of reclamation, in which case permanent piers may be constructed for the accommodation of river steamboats engaged in carrying cargo.

In their Report dated 7th October, 1922, on the proposal to develop North Point foreshore for shipping, the Consulting Engineers state :-

"When our partner Sir Maurice Fitzmaurice visited Hongkong in November, 1920, he drew special attention to the danger which might result to the harbour from indiscriminate reclamation schemes. He was made fully aware of the large reclamation which at that time had been arranged for between the Naval Yard and East Point, and made certain suggestions in connection therewith ".

The suggestion to which they refer and which had not been lost sight of by me was the advisability of protecting the western entrance to the Causeway Bay Shelter from typhoon seas propagated by westerly gales. The effect of the construction of the new sea wall will be to deflect seas coming from this direction direct into the shelter. Under former conditions waves would be trapped at East Point and their force expended on the foreshore within the area now being reclaimed.

Description of Scheme.

For the purpose of protecting the western entrance to Causeway Bay Shelter, it is proposed to reclaim an area of about 241,600 square feet shewn to the east of the wet dock and coloured pink on Drawings Nos. 3 and 7. The eastern boundary of the reclama- tion will allow for a width of entrance the same as that now existing and the northern boundary will not impede the free flow of currents or tend to cause silting up.

In regard to accommodation which may be required for the use of river steamboats carrying cargo, piers may be constructed in the positions shewn on Drawing No. 7, projected at right angles to the line of the new sea wall for an average distance of about 75 feet and thence for a distance of 300 feet in a north-easterly direction, the latter portion being constructed to a width of 100 feet, suitable for the erection of "transit warehouses" thereon. The inner portion of each pier may be used by launches, ferry boats or other small craft.

Type of Construction.

It is proposed to protect the reclamation on its eastern side by a pitched slope superstructure and on the northern side by an ordinary type sea wall, both being founded on a pell-mell rubble mound brought up to the level of about L.W.O.S.T. Suitable material for filling in the reclamation area can be obtained in the vicinity.

In regard to the wet dock, it is to be constructed by Messrs. Jardine Matheson & Co. for the accom- modation of their small craft. Contract plans have already been prepared.

If and when required, the piers should be constructed in open reinforced concrete work, to provide as far as possible for the free flow of tidal currents. It is considered that the width and inertia of the structure if properly braced will be sufficient to secure stability. It is anticipated that the rubble mound foundation of the new sea wall will be completed before the construction of any of these piers is commenced: In this event the portion of the pier decking over the base of the mound may be satisfactorily carried on columns planted in the rubble.

Extent of Work recommended for immediate construction.

As work on the Praya East Reclamation sea wall is now well in hand, construction of the proposed reclamation should be carried out at an early date.