July 16, 1904.]
"STAR" FERRY.
THE PROPOSED WHARVES AND OTHER ARRANGEMENTS.
The plan of the new ferry wharves has just been completed. They will be both alike. The one on the Hongkong side will take the place of the existing one, while that at Kowloon, as is generally known, will be to the eastward of the Water Police Basin, quite near the waterfront corner. Salisbury Road will be extended right to the wharf, two godowns being demolished to make way for it. The road, also, will be widen ed to a width of 100 ft., the back portion of the block of buildings around the waterfront corner being pulled down to allow this. These buildings are the property of the Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Co., which is receiving as compensation from the Govern- ment the ground now occupied by that portion of the two public roads at present running between their godowns. At first the Govern- ment thought of conceding to them in addition the road lying between the end godown and the Torpedo Depot; but, as the Naval authorities objected, this will
remain a thoroughfare. With the exception of the small area belonging own the whole frontage right from the Torpedo Depot to the police pier at Macdonnell Road. When the new arrangements are completed the roads leading to this frontage will be that at the Torpedo Depot, Macdonnell Road, and the con. tinuation of Salisbury Road. Landing at the new ferry wharf, Kowloon residents will no longer have to thread their way through a maze of cargo work; they will make an exit on to a decent public road. Work in connection with the new landing will be commenced in about a month's time. The new structure ought to be finished six or eight months afterwards, and be ready for the public by next April.
to the Water Police, the Godown Co.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
着睡
49
engines. A new "Star" ferry-boat, a double- | said that the China Navigation Co. had every
i ended craft like the rest, is now in course ! of construction at the Kowloon Docks, Her hull has been completed, and beds already laid to receive the engines. When this craft is ready for service the Company intend to run boat on Saturdays until the half hour after midnight. If there is a sufficient demand they will do likewise on other days. In the still somewhat distant future, when the 5-minute service is running in daytime, it is probable that there will be a 15-minute service, instead of the present 30-minute service, at night. The Company did not thoroughly repair the Hongkong landing after the recent fire because it will shortly have to be pulled down to make room for the pier.
THE S.S.
66
· SHANGHAI."
LAUNCH OF THE LARGEST HONGKONG-BUILT
VESSEL.
❘
Øven
He wished
intention of being as progressive in the future as it has been in the past. They were “ready. aye ready" to build" the vessels that might be required to cope with the development of the China Coast and Riverine trade, and if the shipowners are supported by their Government, as other countries supported their nationals in the struggle for supremacy, there was little fear of the British flag disappearing in that quarter of the world. He would like to ask what made nations great and maintained them in the fore rank of power and influence? Was it the stabi- lity of their great national institutions, or their navies and armies, of which they were all so justly proud? Directly, yes; but what made these possible? Commerce! Take away com- merce and all greatness (except moral greatness of which no man could rob them) would depart as Samson's strength did when he was shorn of his looks by the Philistine woman. Everything depended on commerce. It was commerce that supplied the wherewithal to make the wheels of The largest vessel ever built in this Colony their vast national existence go round, and the was launched by Lady Goodman at the Kowloon sooner their Central and Local Governments. Docks on the 14th instant. She was the river their administrators and officials realized this steamer Shanghai, constructed to the order of and worked with them for the common end of the China Navigation Co.. Ld. for the Lower encouraging and building up commercial Yangtsze trade. A launch belonging to the enterprise the better it would be for them Hongkong and Whampoa Dock Co. conveyed as nations as well as individuals. the guests across the harbour from the to say a few words on the importance of Hongkong side at eight. This was an early the event they had just participated in. He hour, but when fixing the time for the thought it marked another milestone in the launching the state of the tide had to successful development of that great seaport. be considered. In approaching the Docks. A few years ago the Doc: Co. would have the hull of the steamer was conspicuous. She hesitated to undertake the construction of such is a typical river steamer with three spacious a vessel as they had just seen so successfully
decks. passenger
Her upperworks outside launched by Lady Goodman. To-day they were painted with yellow ochre priming, while hungered after such orders and successfully the bottom as high as the water-line showed competed, not only with Eastern builders, but red lead colour. A long string of bunting with experienced builders in the old flosted over the new craft, flags of the country, and this despite the fact that all Hongkong & Whampoa Dock Co. and the material had to be imported. He thought this China Navigation Co. being most prominent. spoke volumes for the sagacity and foresight of The new wharf will be a two-pronged affair,
A platform was rigged in front of the bow, and those who constituted this a free port. He and the ferry-boat will enter between its projec- it was from here that Lady Goodman cut the firmly believed there was no port in the East tions. Arrangements will be made, however, ressel adrift. Included among those present that could ever successfully compete with them. whereby an additional "prong" can be added.
on the platform were Sir W. M. and Lady and that the future of Hongkong as a great thereby allowing for the accommodation of two Goodman. Mr. D. R. Law. Miss Law. Mr. shipbuilding centre was assured beyond the steamers receiving or discharging, as the case Butterworth, Mr. and Mrs. Fullerton. Hon. shadow of a doubt. It was only a question may be, at the same time. In the first instance
W. J. Gresson. Mr. Nicholson, Dr. Stedm u. of time when they would import ore from the the frontage of the pier will be 96ft. long, but Hon. and Mrs. Gershom Stewart. 31.mainland. have their own smelting works and later the additional prong will put on another Cruickshank. Mr. Whittall. Paymaster A. produce within their own borders the frames 56ft. The length of the outer projections Wilson, R.N., Mr. and Mrs. Webb. Mr. plates and every other item that went to make will be 136ft., the central one will be and Mrs. W. B. Dizon, Mr. and Mrs.
the sum total of a steamer. He congratulated 30ft. broad, and the outer each 36ft. broad.
Mr. Dixou and his staff on the most excellent The central part of the pier will be for first
work they produced. Their superintendents class passengers only. The system of the
Mr. Ramsay and Captain Outerbridge, had told ticket office, entrance and exit will be carried
him that their work could not be equalled, or at out on much the same lines as at present.
any rate could not be surpassed by any builder excepting, of course, that the accommodation
in any part of the world, and with this reputa- will be very much better. Besides a waiting
tion and the natural advantages that the port compound surrounded by seats, where there
possessed, he thought the shareholders in the will be standing room for 100 persons, there
Dock Co. might very well congratulate them. will be a waiting room for ladies. From the
selves on the possession of as valuable an asset waiting compound a gate leads to another
as any in the Colony. Mr. Law proposed the compound, as wide as the middle pier, upon
health of Mr. Dixon, the manager of the Hong- which the gangways of steamers, steamers on
kong and Whampoa Dock Co.. and the other either side, will be lowered. Accommodation
members of the foreign staff, particularly Mr. for second and third class passengers will be on
Mitchell, who had had so much to do with the He was surs the outer projections. At each of the 3rd-class
construction of the Shanghai. compounds there will be standing room for
they all wished continued prosperity to the 280 persons; and there will be standing
Company. (Applause). room for 100 persons at each of the 2nd- class compounds. The 3rd-class exit will be provided with turnstiles to prevent undne crushing. Second and 3rd-class gers will, as at present, have to descend a flight of steps to board the ferry. There will also be outer steps on the pier at either side. The pier will be built of wood piles and plank flooring. The upper-work, strengthened by iron pillars, will be of wood also. On the street side there will be a bicycle shed and two little shops. Taking into consideration the ever-increasing traffic between Victoria City and the mainland the improvements will be timely and much appreciated.
|
Ramsay. Capt. and Mrs. Outerbridge, Mr. C. C. Yates, Lieut.-Colonel Bunny. Hon. and Mrs. P. N. H. Jones, Mr. T. F. Hough. Mr. D. Wood. Sr. M. Marti. Sr. R. Basa, Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Caldwell, Sr. J. J. and Mrs. Leiria, Mr. D. Macdonald. Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Danby, Mr. and Mrs. Grimble, Mr. and Mrs. Schubart. Major Simmons, Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Wendt, Mr. W. Melchers, and a large number of B. & S. staff.
Mr. W. B. Dizon presented Lady Goodman with a gold bracelet with a ring attached and then Mr. D. R. Law presented Lady Goodman with a handsome bouquet of flowers in a silver
holder.
When all was ready Lady Goodman took the mallet and gave the cutter two smart taps. The rope was severed, the dog shores thereby released, and the vessel rapidly gathered head. way in her descent. Lady Goodman lost no time in catching hold of the bottle of cham- passen-pagne which she threw against the bow with sufficient force to make the baptism ceremony a success. Continuous cheering and hat waving from the Europeans was accompanied by the usual cracker firing of the Chinese. On the call of Mr. Dixon three cheers and a "tiger" were given for Lady Goodman. The company then adjourned to the Dock reception room.
A new 5-minute service is being arranged for, but this, naturally, will not be commenced till the demand justifies such a step. The “Star” Ferry Co. have now four vessels, the Northern Star, Southern Star, Polar Star, nud, lastly, the Morning Star. The Morning Star, recently completed by the Hongkong & Wham- pos Dock Co., is very much the same AS her predecessors, excepting that she has triple-expansion instead of compound
When all were comfortably seated and glasses filled Mr. Dixon said that they had gathered to drink success to the fine ship they had just seen so successfully launched. She was not, indeed, a particularly big ship, but she was a very fine vessel. He proposed success to the Shanghai and wished her a long and prosperous life.
Sir W. M. GOODMAN said he would like to say one word to thank Mr. Dixon for the honour he had done to his wife in asking her to be there that morning; it was a very great pleasure both to himself and to his wife (applause).
Mr. Law after thanking the company present for having responded so heartily to the toast,
Mr. DIXON thanked Mr. Law for his re- marks. He was quite sure all at the Docks desired to produce a first-rate article. There was one thing that caused them a little difficulty. All the materials they used were overladen with charges for freight, etc., and this amounted It amounted to a considerable sum of money. really to a profit, or what might be taken as a profit. But when they came to the question of In the labour, there they had the pull. estimation of his assistant. Mr. Wilson, now at home, it took two Chinamen to do the work of one Englishman. When he came to Hongkong first Mr. Wilson told him that was the case, but he (Mr Dixon) ridiculed the idea-in fact, he said that he rather ruffled Mr Wilson's feelings over the subject. Now, however, he did not think that Mr Wilson was far wrong. Two Chinamen would work for one day for two dollars, which equalled about 3/9, six times 3,9 equalled about 238. One could not get English fitters, engineers, etc, to work for that money per week, so that their pall came in the labour. There was however a great difficulty in keeping down the number of Chinamen who desired to
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.