IDJ: In 1984 The Hong Kong Society of Model & Experimental Engineers (HKSMEE) was officially registered. A major project by a member was a coal fired steam-engine powered launch, the ‘Vital Spark,’ based at Hebe Haven. The substantial steam engine and its accessories were built in a ‘home’ workshop with the hull constructed and fitted out near Hebe Haven. Vital Spark was […]
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York Lo’s recent article, J.H. Vaughan – An American Shipbuilder in Hong Kong, mentions that the yard built the replica of the USS San Pablo for the well known film The Sand Pebbles. The article has prompted IDJ to send the following: The Sand Pebbles – Production Notes THE BACKGROUND When the late Richard McKenna’s first and only novel, “The Sand Pebbles,” […]
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IDJ writes, ”sifting through images I have taken over the years in Hong Kong I came across these precarious ship’s painting photographs. I don’t recall that this has been a subject your site has covered. Presumably there were local contractors in this business, although I have no idea of them.” Hugh Farmer: IDJ is correct, this website has not covered […]
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Elizabeth Ride: These BAAG reports about Wing On Shing Shipyard come from the period of the Japanese Occupation of Hong Kong during WW2. The Wing On Sing Shipyard, located on the foreshore along Castlepeak Road between Shamshuipo and Laichikok is controlled by the Kokoki or Koreki Butai. It builds and repairs wooden vessels, landing craft, launches and motor boats. One […]
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HF New Information in Blue, Peter Cundall left the following comment on 16th July 2023: The ship was seized, either in Dec 1941 or earlier, probably in 1940 on the Pearl River. The Japanese entity’s name was Kanton Naiga Unei Kumiai which is correctly translated as Canton Inland Shipping Association. The names Kaishu Maru ”Sea Pearl” probably after the Pearl […]
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HF: Some initial notes and images regarding this Hong Kong company established in 1877. The following extract is from an August 1944 BAAG WW2 report courtesy of Elizabeth Ride. The Kwong Hip Lung Shipyard, situated immediately North of the Cosmopolitan Dock in Shamshuipo, was renamed the Dainichi Shipyard in June 1943, and is under the control of the Hongkong Governor’s Office. […]
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Elizabeth Ride has sent the Naval section of a British Army Aid Group (BAAG) Waichow Intelligence Summary (WIS No.25) dated 27th March 1943. This covers shipping movements in and out of Hong Kong during the Japanese occupation in World War Two during February/March 1943. The reports also describe time spent by vessels undergoing repairs and maintenance in a number of Hong […]
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HF: Harry Kin Hong Long divided his life between New Zealand and Hong Kong. In the latter he worked for two companies, Kung Lee Steam Ship and HK and Yaumati Ferry. Julia Bradshaw has kindly given me permission to quote from her book Golden Prospects: Chinese on the West Coast of New Zealand. Julia is the Director of the Hokitika Museum, NZ. […]
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This following is from a 1908 account: “This well-known firm of engineers and shipbuilders was originally established by Mr Choi Chik Nam, in 1897, for the purpose of building and repairing steam launches, river craft etc. Two workshops are now kept busy – one at Yaumati, and the other at Praya East, Wanchai – and afford employment for close upon […]
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Tom Bethea: My cousin Dick Holt and I spent a week aboard schooner Westward in early December 1963, moored off American Marine Ltd, in Junk Bay, Hang Hau. We then removed to Kowloon Docks for several weeks in dry dock for hull re-painting and re-rigging above deck, and finally tied up at HK Royal Yacht Club for the Christmas-New Years […]
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