ENG-1952 — Page 180

XI

COMMUNICATIONS AND BROADCASTING

Marine

Victoria, the principal port of the Colony, is world famed for the beauty and magnificence of its harbour, Extending over an area of some 17 square miles and surrounded by granite hills it presents a most impres- sive scene. Vessels drawing up to 34 feet can enter by the eastern entrance and vessels drawing up to 24 feet by the western entrance. The facilities for dealing with passengers and cargo are most efficient, and the turn-round of shipping compares favourably with other major ports of the world. There are twelve deep water berths on the Kowloon side of the harbour for vessels drawing up to 32 feet, whilst on the Hong Kong side there is a deep water berth 1,223 feet in length for vessels drawing up to 30 feet. Space for storing approximately 770,000 tons of cargo is available in the modern godowns adjoining the Kowloon berths. At the Hong Kong berth there is space for 20,000 tons of cargo alongside, and further storage space of 110,000 tons is available in other godowns operated by the same company.

In addition to the above berths Government main- tain, for public hire, 17 'A' Class moorings suitable for vessels up to 600 feet in length and 29 'B' Class moorings for vessels up to 450 feet in length. Twelve of the 'A' Class moorings are available for vessels during typhoons.

During the year ending 31st March, 1952, (the figures for 1951 are shown in brackets) 5,536 (6,687) ocean going vessels of 15,664,278 (17,773,362) net tons,

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