Lei Yue Mun Quarry – contemporary photographs
HF: I took these photographs of the quarry at Lei Yue Mun on the 11th November 2014. The map shows that it is actually just east of Ma Pui Tsuen though this is an extension of the well-known Lei Yue Mun and I’ll stick with the latter until we have an “official ” name.
I am especially interested in the second group of photographs that show a number of buildings and quays. I cannot be certain but surely they are connected to removing and loading stone from the quarry.
There are also shots of crude concrete/metal stumps. You’ll note I put my biro next to them in a vain attempt to look like a dedicated industrial archaeologist.
It would be appreciated if anyone who can link the quarry with the stumps et al and explain their function. Or provide maps/photos of when the quarry was operating. And dates…
First photos of the quarry itself starting with the approach from Ma Pui Tsuen and the site visible behind the buildings.
Then the buildings, piers, structures and objects found directly opposite the quarry and obviously near on in the sea.
This article was first posted on 27 December 2014.
The Index contains a number of articles about Hong Kong Quarries
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Just visited the Lei Yue Mun quarry yesterday on 30/11/2022, I am quite interesting on the stone building, pier and seawall structures located along seashore of the quarry. After searching the internet on history of the quarry, some web site information referring to your post of 2014 on above.
From above post, knowing that you have received some old photographs of the quarry at Lei Yue Mun on the 11th November 2014. Appreciate the possibility to know if those old photos or other information as you know in showing the detail/purpose of those building structures if they only related to the quarry operation or are for military purpose as preparation work of WWII.
Wong Yin Quarry Company (旺賢石廠)
Source: Quarrying in Hong Kong Since Second World War
Found this report on the Internet which gives many details about quarries in Hong Kong including occupational health and workplace safety. Below is an excerpt about Lye Ye Mun Quarries:
In the 1940s to mid-1950s, the government had issued new permits to four quarry companies at Lei Yue Mun, namely Dai Hing Quarry Company (大興石廠), Lei Hing Quarry Company (利興石廠), Tung Fong Quarry Company (東方石廠) and Wong Yin Quarry Company (旺賢石廠). These were the ‘second generation’ quarries and located at the back of Tin Hau Temple and extended towards east.
The ‘first generation’ quarries at Lei Yue Mun were established in early-19th century and included four companies; Tong Ren Tang (同仁堂), Tong Tai Tang (同泰堂), Tong Fu Tang (同福堂) and Tong Li Tang (同利堂). These companies were located along the Hoi Pong Road (海傍道), or previously Ha Wan (下環) area and extended towards Yau Tong (油塘) or previously Sam Ka Tsuen (三家村).
Quarrying works at the ‘first generation’ sites were carried out mainly by hand whilst the works by the ‘second generation’ companies were done by machines and explosives until the temporary prohibition of using explosives in 1967. In view of the decreasing demand and strict imposition of blasting requirements after 1967, the ‘second generation’ quarries were subsequently closed gradually.
The remaining rock face of Wong Yin Quarry Company at the far end of the Ma Pui Village and ancillary structures were generally left untouched after 1967-68. Some concrete structures such as pier and storage bins can still be identified easily now.