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in comparative safety throughout a typhoon. Today 32 typhoon moorings are available to large ocean-going vessels, or to ships under repair. In the years between the wars further navigational aids were established in and around the waters of the Colony. These included lights at Tung Kwu, Channel Rock and Tathong Point in 1921, two pillar lighthouses at Lei Yue Mun Pass, and an automatic fog bell at Lam Tong Island in 1924. An outstanding coastal feature at the eastern approaches to Hong Kong is the lime-washed cliff face at Tathong Point. This dates from 1924 and shipmasters frequently describe it as particularly helpful during poor visibility. The cliff face at Kap Shui Mun is coloured in a similar manner.

During the nineteen-twenties incidents of piracy involving ocean- going vessels increased considerably and there were at least 25 cases during the decade. Among them was the piracy of the river boat Sui on in 1924, which resulted in the ship's officers- being found guilty of negligence by a marine court of inquiry. Another piracy which attracted much attention was that of the ss Tai Lee in which the master, Captain Willox, was murdered. Two of the China Navigation Company's vessels, ss Sunning and ss Anking, were attacked by pirates in 1926 and 1928, while in 1927 piracy occurred actually within the harbour on board the launch-Wo Fat.

As commercial air services began to develop throughout the world a landing area for flying boats was provided in the harbour and the harbour master, Commander G. F. Hole, became director of air services in February 1929, with the task of organizing civil aviation services in the Colony. The first flight from Hong Kong to Canton took place in December 1930, and six years later Imperial Airways, forerunner of British Overseas Airways Corporation, inaugurated a regular Hong Kong - Penang service. Part of the original Kai Tak airfield was reclaimed land, as is much of the present runway and parking apron.

A typhoon which swept down on Hong Kong with winds of 167 miles an hour on 2nd September 1937, has been described as the worst in the Colony's history. Twenty-eight sea-going ships went ashore, 1,361 junks and cargo boats were sunk, 600 junks were badly damaged, and the loss of life on vessels alone was reported to exceed 2,500. The airport suffered extensive damage.

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