BRIEF HISTORY OF THE COMPANY
"The Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry Company Limited" was registered on the 5th November, 1923, with a paid up Capital of $400,000.00. The Objects of the Company, were lengthy, but the first Object is stated to be:-
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"To run and maintain a passenger, vehicle and cargo ferry service between the city of Victoria and the suburbs to Yaumati, Mongkoktsui and Shamshuipo and to such other places as the Board of Directors may direct."
On 1st January, 1924, the Company commenced operations, using some II small wooden vessels to run ferry services from Victoria to Yaumati, Mongkok and Shamshuipo under a franchise granted to
Mr. Lau Tak Po.
Subsequently, the Company tendered for and obtained:
In 1928, a 15 year franchise for ferry services from Victoria to Kowloon City, Hung Hom and Shaukiwan;
In 1932, a 15 year franchise to run services from Jubilee Street to Jordan Road, Mongkok and Shamshuipo. This was in substitution for the 1924 franchise, and included the right to operate Vehicular Ferry Services;
In 1938, a 15 year franchise for ferry services between Hongkong and the outlying islands-Cheung Chau Island, Silvermine Bay, Ping Chau Island, Tsun Wan, Tung Chung, Castle Peak and Tai O,
In 1951, the Company obtained a new franchise for a period of 15 years, renewable for a further 15 years, by Ordinance No. 11 of 1951 in respect of:-
Jubilee Street to Jordan Road, Mongkok and Shamshuipo, and Jordan Road to
Tonnochy Road Services.
In 1953 by a new Ordinance amending the 1951 Ordinance, the Company obtained a franchise to operate all its existing services including the
Wilmer Street to Shamshuipo and Wilmer Street to Aberdeen Services
which had been commenced on a temporary Licence since 1951,
The two Ordinances contain provisions by which new ferry services can be added by agreement between the Company and Government with the consent of the Legislative Council.
In the thirty years of our existence, the Company's fleet has grown in numbers, size, and is far better equipped.
The outbreak of hostilities in 1941 during which the Vehicular Ferry "MAN YEUNG" served as a minelayer, the Company's fleet consisted of 31 ferries and 2 steel lighters. After assisting in the evacuation of the Military Forces to the Island, most of the larger vessels were scuttled and one was sunk by shell fire. When the Japanese surrendered, only 21 vessels were afloat. Of the Vehicular Ferries, one was found to be completely dismantled and the other, "MAN YEUNG", heavily damaged. The Vehicular Service was resumed with one single vessel in January, 1946. The surviving vessels were sufficient to enable cross harbour services to be restarted. Five sunken vessels were subsequently re-floated, one in the West River about 300 miles away - a Vehicular Ferry sunk near it had to be abandoned.
In 1946 it was decided to abandon the use of steam propulsion and to completely re-organize the fleet. As a result of this policy, six vessels have been sold or broken up, 18 re-engined with new British diesel engines, and 14 new diesel vessels have been built including 3 Vehicular Ferries.
URBAN COUNCIL PUBLIC LIBRARIES Reference Library. Ory Hall
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