The next step of reclamation started at the end of the 1890s. This work extended the seashore from DesVoeux to Connaught Road. The older pier extended further out into the sea (beyond the new praya), the new one possibly used parts of the old one; or it was built completely new.
The Public Works Report for 1900 refers:
The new Canton steamer wharf was completed and opened for use in November, just in time to take the place of the temporary pier at the end of Wing Lok Street [see here] which was almost completely destroyed by the typhoon on the 10th November.
This wharf was used for the steamers going to Canton and was operated by the Hongkong, Canton & Macao Steamboat Co.
End of the 1950s, the end of the pier came with the next phase of reclamation. The Government Report for 1957 refers:
The progressive reclamation of land from the sea along the central section of the City of Victoria's waterfront recommenced with the construction of the foundations to a sea wall which, when completed, will enclose a strip of land 250 feet wide and 1,000 feet long. The sea wall will provide berths for the Macau ferries; the reclaimed land will provide sites for commercial and Government offices, as well as for the widening of Connaught Road Central to a width in keeping with present-day traffic needs.
Probably the end of 1957 or the beginning of 1958 was the end for this pier.
Photos that show this Place
Comments
Name of this Place
Hi Klaus, the current name, Hong Kong Macau Ferry Wharf, suggests this was a pier for services to Macau. Looking at the photos of this Place it seems this pier was used for ships heading to Canton. The 1910 timetable calls it the 'Canton Wharf', so would that be a better name? Or if also showing the label from the 1945 map it could be: 'Canton & Macao Steamboat Co. Wharf / Canton Wharf'.
Re: name
Hi David. I agree that the old name would be misleading. I propose the name that is written on most maps from c.1900 to the 1950s which is "Hong Kong, Canton & Macao Steamboat Co. Wharf (Canton Wharf)". I've set Canton Wharf in brackets as I think this was more an unofficial name. I will also update my post explaining the changes.
Additionally, I will rename the first generation pier to "Canton Steamboat Wharf" as shown on the 1888 map on hkmaps.hk.
While talking about renaming, I think that Hong Kong Macau Ferry Wharf (third generation) should also be changed. It looks that from the older piers ships sailed to Canton, while in the 1950s the destination changed to Macau. So it would probably be better to delete "third generation" and explain the predecessors in the text only.
Would that be conclusive?
P.S. As all piers were serviced by the Hongkong, Canton & Macao Steamboat Co, the generation numbering could stay.
Re: name
Thanks for the update. The usual style is to use '/' to separate names, '()' to note generations.
I've updated Hong Kong Macau Ferry Wharf (third generation) too, deleting the generation from the title but expanding the notes to explain where it fits in the timeline. In simple cases like the HSBC HQ building, the generation in the title works well, but it doesn't work as well with piers that were used for multiple different services over their lifetime.