From the Chronicle for 1905.
ADVERTISEMENT.
GEO. FENWICK & CO., LD., Engineers and Shipbuilders, HONG-KONG.
The Island of Hong-kong had not been long a possession of Great Britain when the need of facilities T for repairing ships became of pressing urgency. Even in the early days of the Colony when the greater amount of tonnage passing through the port consisted of sailing vessels, there required to be on hand always a staff of Blacksmiths and Carpenters; but with the increased number of steam vessels which the opening of the Suez Canal introduced, and the continual growth of the port, the existence of large engineering shops became essential.
One of the earliest of these was that known as the Victoria Foundry established in the Wanchai district; these works catered not only for the repairing of ships and machinery, but vessels of considerable tonnage were constructed there the shipyard was for years an object of interest to passers-by the Praya East, but the Government requirements necessitating the filling up of the creek which ran through the property, and closing the drawbridge which then existed, the Company had to build their vessels in other parts of the Colony, and the Wanchai works became engineering shops entirely.
For nearly 20 years the works were in private hands and invariably successful, turning out handsome first-class steam launches and other craft, not only for local owners but for customers in other countries from Australia to Siberia: in every port on the far Eastern seaboard, more especially in the Philippines, may be found vessels built at this famous yard. The works continued to expand, and in 1889 the Company was incorporated under the style and title of Geo, Fenwick & Co., Ld., since when progress has been such that the existing premises have become too small; every foot of space is occupied with plant and stock, and the various shops are crowded with powerful and modern machines; a staff of skilled Europeans is employed, and nothing but the best materials and workmanship is ever allowed to pass.
In order to cope with the increasing business it has now become necessary to transplant the entire works, there being no room for further extension on the Wanchai premises: an area of 5 acres has been purchased and the reclamation and construction of new workshops is being rapidly pushed forward.
The new site is situated at North Point near the Iron Pier of the Royal Dutch Petroleum Co, Ld.(which pier was erected by Geo. Fenwick & Co., Ld., a few years ago), and is conveniently reached by the Electric Tramway, rickshaw, or by launch.
The harbour frontage is 400 feet, with deep water for vessels of considerable tonnage to lie along- side whilst undergoing repairs. The Western side of the property forms a good shelter from typhoons and the refuge harbour of Causeway Bay is quite close,
The building and repairing slips, being contiguous to the workshops will enable the Company to turn out work quicker and cheaper than of late: pneumatic machinery and the modern high-speed machine tools are being installed, it being the Company's intention to be up-to date in every respect. In addition to Shipbuilding and repairing, with its allied trades of Engine-building and Boiler- making, Geo. Fenwick & Co., Ld., undertake constructional work such as roofs, bridges, iron wharves, hot-water and sanitary installations, and every kind of mechanical work they also keep on hand a large stock of plates and other engineering materials for sale.
Many of the steam launches about the harbour of Hongkong are productions of this firm; the steel wharf from which the visitor embarks for Canton or Macau was erected by them and if one desires to penetrate into the interior of China 200 miles above Canton, it may be done on a steel sternwheel steamer built by Geo. Fenwick & Co., Ld.