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.
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.