The first graving dock in Aberdeen
In June 1857, Governor John Bowring wrote back home asking for permission to build a dock in Hong Kong. The application was granted, with the only caveat that the proposed water depth of 18 feet for the dock should be increased to 22 feet. The dimensions of the dock were also eventually altered to 330 feet by 80 feet, allowing 3,000-ton vessels to enter. The priority use by the Royal Navy was imposed as a lease condition, similar to that for the slipways.
Two sites in Aberdeen were then leased out for tender in May 1858 at a rental of £100 per year. Sites No. 1 and 2, were awarded to Douglas Lapraik and John Lamont respectively. Site No. 1 was in trap-rock and full of fissures, and had to be hewn out without the aid of blasting. The work was done entirely by coolies at a rate of six pence per day under the supervision of Lamont. Practically no machinery was used. The stones were carried down bamboo gangways and laid in place by coolies.[3] It was completed and received its first ship in mid-1860, and was named the Lamont Dock (where the Aberdeen Centre now stands).
The second dock in Aberdeen – Hope Dock
When the Lamont Dock commenced operation, the Couper Dock in Whampoa (Huangpu today), Canton (Guangzhou today) was re-opened. It had the longest dock in the Far East, with a length of 550 feet. However, its depth was only 17 feet at spring tides, which was completely inadequate for warships. Lamont approached Admiral James Hope, whom he had met on the Nova Scotia Station, suggesting the construction of a dock to take ironclads of the Warrior class. He negotiated with Douglas Lapraik[4], who voluntarily made over the second site to him. He then prepared a report on the proposal.
Hope was concerned about the depth of water. Citing his flagship Imperieuse, the Warrior and the Black Prince (all requiring a depth of 24 feet of water) as examples, he argued that it was still worth paying £3,000 for the last four feet of water, to be paid by annual instalments. The size was 400 feet by 90 feet. The agreement over the 24-foot depth was finally reached in January 1863,[5] and the Lamont Property Limited was formed as a subsidiary of the Hong Kong and Whampoa Dock Co. Ltd. The dock was opened on 15 June 1867 by Governor Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell.[6] He announced that the dock was named the Hope Dock (where the Aberdeen Centre now stands) at the request of the late Lamont. The dock was well-equipped with the necessary machine shops, and could accommodate vessels of 6,000 tons. The battleship Iron Duke later docked there.
Notes:
- [3]Albert Denison, ‘The Graving-Docks of Hong Kong’, Minutes of Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers, n.s., 159 (January 1905), pp. 284-285.
- [4]Mr. Lapraik was the first watchmaker in Hong Kong. He was the founder of the Hongkong Canton & Macao Steamboat Co. and one of the founders of the Hong Kong and Whampoa Dock Co. Ltd.
- [5]CO129/95, p.3.
- [6]The China Mail, 17 June 1867.
