Shipbuilding in Wanchai started in the mid-1840s already. On Marine Lot No. 31 and the adjoining Marine Lot No. 36 the Victoria Foundry was built in 1857.
The shipyard was taken over by George Fenwick in 1880.
In David’s post “Wanchai's seafront in 1902” it is reported about Fenwick’s business on Marine Lots No. 31 and No. 36:
"[...] there had been a creek running through the lot from which ships were launched. Then the government closed the creek and the drawbridge at the Praya. This forced the company to stop building larger vessels, though small launches were still built and carted across the Praya to the sea".
The small basin and the bridge can be seen on the 1888 map
The bridge is visible on the 1880s photo.
After closure of the bridge, a crane (see 1890s photo) was built at or near the shipyard, possibly to lift launches from the pool to the sea.
The construction of the tram in 1904 blocked the access to their harbour basin, but the company still used these premises (advert from 1909)
Meanwhile work is being carried on in the old premises at Wanchai, where Engines, Boilers, Winches, and other classes of Machinery are being manufactured; a quantity of the above, of various types, is always on hand, either ready or in progress: a large stock of engineering materials is also kept for disposal.
The factory operated until the liquidation in 1913.
More information here : Geo. Fenwick and CO. [1880-c.1911]
Photos that show this Place
