The vessel berthed at the pier end is the Hong Kong,Canton & Macao Steamboat Co. paddle steamer HONAM built in 1882 by A&J Inglis Glasgow and sold for breaking up in December 1925. This is a later photograph as the vessel’s now dated ‘walking beam’ has been covered up.
The vessel on the right is the HCMSC steamer POWAN built in 1872 by A. Stephen & Sons Glasgow. As the POWAN was wrecked in 1908 on a submerged rock off Capsuimun whilst sailing from HK to Canton this dates the photo to pre 1908.
As the sign on the roof reads ' Canton and Macao Steamers' it is probable that the pier is on Hong Kong.
Regards degahkg
Ref: HCMSC_Fleetlist_18July2024.pdf by Howard Dick photos Stephen Kentwell
It doesn’t help to date it further but that street gas lamp appears to be the one designed by British trader and entrepreneur George Bray and first patented in the UK in 1879. The glass case of the street lamp was windproof, tapered downward so as to avoid throwing a shadow on the ground in the immediate vicinity of the lamp post, and had reflectors in the top of the case to increase the illumination from the gas jet. It was used also to light docks, sea walls and promenades, and eventually became ‘one of the commonest thing in existence’ (Yorkshire Post, 23rd August 1905)
The first electric street lamp in Hong Kong was introduced in December 1890.
The identification of the ships wasn't too difficult, but which wharf was it? The second generation wharf had a stone building at the waterfront, the buildings on this photo look wooden. The wharf also looks rectangular, this feature is not shown on any photos on Gwulo.
https://www.oldchinaships.com is always a helpful source, so I contacted Stephen Kentwell directly. He replied that the Hong Hong wharf has been altered many times, so its likely the HCMSC's one. The shed at the end with the curved roof is visible on many other photos. Have asked him for an estimate of the date, still waiting for the answer.
Just like moddsey, I was speculating this could be the first generation wharf. But likely it isn't. degahkg pointed out that the walking beam on the Honam had been covered, on a photo from 1907 (the Duke of Connaught in Hong Kong)[please use the link above] its walking beam is uncovered.
In your link Klaus on the section of Pow An, there was a photo of the ship in Central, Hong Kong c.1894 before reboilering and relocation of the funnel aft. In this photo above, the funnel has been relocated aft so can say the photo is after 1894.
And it said it was done during December 1899 to January 1900, so it’s even after that date.
Thank you, Daniel Wetting I think it was, for posting a very interesting illustration.
Regarding the attempts to cover HONAM's walking beam, I think these may have started as early as 1890. The screw steamers without walking beams were introduced, FATSHAN in 1887, POW AN with extensive rebuilding in 1889/90 and HENG SHAN in 1890. The apparent contrast with the 'old' walking beam steamer HONAM would have been pretty obvious, though her paddles were still there.
As a minor point of detail, I discovered today that my photo at oldchinaships.com labled 'The Duke of Connaught in sedan chair in front of HONAM 1906-07 (Internet)' was wrongly captioned. The gentleman in fact is older than the Duke, but with more hair, a broader nose, and is dressed in plain clothes, while the team of sedan chair carriers are barefoot, few in number and not dressed properly for the Duke (the King's brother) in 1906. I believe it would be an earlier photo.
The photo very likely shows the Canton Steamboat Pier/Wharf east of Ma Wan Lane (first generation) [c.1870-c.1897].
Why?
The photo was taken after c.1890 due to the outline of the ships and not later than 1908 because the POW AN was wrecked in that year (see comments above).
The second generation wharf opened in 1900, therefore it is very likely that there was no reconstruction in the first years. Therefore, we can assume that photos from 1906 (there are several on Gwulo) show the original state.
The second generation wharf has a stone building at the waterfront and two sheds with circular roofs. It has no railing and no gas lantern. There is a large sign installed on a support above the stone building reading CANTON and MACAO STEAMERS, see photos below:
1906 Typhoon - Hong Kong, Canton, Macao Steamboat Co. Wharf, by moddsey
The original photo shows only one shed with circular roof, two wooden huts with the inscription CANTON and MACAO STEAMERS mounted on one of the huts, and no stone building. At the side are railings, and there are higher wooden piles at only two places (vis-à-vis). The second generation wharf has many of these.
These facts support the assumption that this is first generation Canton Wharf. The date would be in the first half of the 1890s (1890-1897).
Comments
Steamers at an unknown pier.
The vessel berthed at the pier end is the Hong Kong,Canton & Macao Steamboat Co. paddle steamer HONAM built in 1882 by A&J Inglis Glasgow and sold for breaking up in December 1925. This is a later photograph as the vessel’s now dated ‘walking beam’ has been covered up.
The vessel on the right is the HCMSC steamer POWAN built in 1872 by A. Stephen & Sons Glasgow. As the POWAN was wrecked in 1908 on a submerged rock off Capsuimun whilst sailing from HK to Canton this dates the photo to pre 1908.
As the sign on the roof reads ' Canton and Macao Steamers' it is probable that the pier is on Hong Kong.
Regards degahkg
Ref: HCMSC_Fleetlist_18July2024.pdf by Howard Dick photos Stephen Kentwell
https://www.oldchinaships.com
Photo Reference Decade
The photo has a reference decade of being within the 188os. Not sure if it shows the first generation Canton Steamboat Pier.
It doesn’t help to date it…
It doesn’t help to date it further but that street gas lamp appears to be the one designed by British trader and entrepreneur George Bray and first patented in the UK in 1879. The glass case of the street lamp was windproof, tapered downward so as to avoid throwing a shadow on the ground in the immediate vicinity of the lamp post, and had reflectors in the top of the case to increase the illumination from the gas jet. It was used also to light docks, sea walls and promenades, and eventually became ‘one of the commonest thing in existence’ (Yorkshire Post, 23rd August 1905)
The first electric street lamp in Hong Kong was introduced in December 1890.
HCMSC Wharf
The identification of the ships wasn't too difficult, but which wharf was it? The second generation wharf had a stone building at the waterfront, the buildings on this photo look wooden. The wharf also looks rectangular, this feature is not shown on any photos on Gwulo.
https://www.oldchinaships.com is always a helpful source, so I contacted Stephen Kentwell directly. He replied that the Hong Hong wharf has been altered many times, so its likely the HCMSC's one. The shed at the end with the curved roof is visible on many other photos. Have asked him for an estimate of the date, still waiting for the answer.
Just like moddsey, I was speculating this could be the first generation wharf. But likely it isn't. degahkg pointed out that the walking beam on the Honam had been covered, on a photo from 1907 (the Duke of Connaught in Hong Kong)[please use the link above] its walking beam is uncovered.
In your link Klaus on the…
In your link Klaus on the section of Pow An, there was a photo of the ship in Central, Hong Kong c.1894 before reboilering and relocation of the funnel aft. In this photo above, the funnel has been relocated aft so can say the photo is after 1894.
And it said it was done during December 1899 to January 1900, so it’s even after that date.
Steamers at/near HCMSC wharf
Thank you, Daniel Wetting I think it was, for posting a very interesting illustration.
Regarding the attempts to cover HONAM's walking beam, I think these may have started as early as 1890. The screw steamers without walking beams were introduced, FATSHAN in 1887, POW AN with extensive rebuilding in 1889/90 and HENG SHAN in 1890. The apparent contrast with the 'old' walking beam steamer HONAM would have been pretty obvious, though her paddles were still there.
As a minor point of detail, I discovered today that my photo at oldchinaships.com labled 'The Duke of Connaught in sedan chair in front of HONAM 1906-07 (Internet)' was wrongly captioned. The gentleman in fact is older than the Duke, but with more hair, a broader nose, and is dressed in plain clothes, while the team of sedan chair carriers are barefoot, few in number and not dressed properly for the Duke (the King's brother) in 1906. I believe it would be an earlier photo.
Canton Steamboat Pier/Wharf (first gen.)
The photo very likely shows the Canton Steamboat Pier/Wharf east of Ma Wan Lane (first generation) [c.1870-c.1897].
Why?
The original photo shows only one shed with circular roof, two wooden huts with the inscription CANTON and MACAO STEAMERS mounted on one of the huts, and no stone building. At the side are railings, and there are higher wooden piles at only two places (vis-à-vis). The second generation wharf has many of these.
These facts support the assumption that this is first generation Canton Wharf. The date would be in the first half of the 1890s (1890-1897).