Viceroy Chang to Her Majesty’s consul, January 8, 1884

Viceroy Chang to Her Majesty’s consul.

Sir: I have the honor to inform you that I am in receipt of the following representation from the members of the central board of military affairs for the province of Kwangtung:

“We have respectfully to observe that two defense camps having now been established on the Canton River at the port called Pak T’u Kong [eastern part of Dane’s Island], means must be found of effecting free communication between them across the river, for the convenience of traffic. Further, a torpedo establishment having been set up at Whampoa, where torpedo practice is constantly carried on, means should also be taken for blocking the passage of the river at this point, in order to prevent injury to vessels from striking against the torpedoes on their passage up or down. After consultation with General Wu, commanding the Huai force, it has been proposed to construct a wooden bridge for the passage of the troops over the river between a point near the west ridge of Pak T’u Kong and Sha Lu [south bank of Dane’s Island and opposite bank].

“As, however, there is continuous traffic of junks at this point, and the greater part of the foreign steamers entering the Canton River also use this route, it is proposed to leave a passage 6 or 7 chang in width (60 or 70 Chinese feet) in the middle of the bridge, where the water is deep, for the convenience of such vessels.

“The route by Whampoa has not hitherto been employed by the larger foreign vessels coming up or going down the river, and since torpedo practice is now constantly going on, the free passage of the river there cannot but be barred, in order to prevent accidents to the shipping. Accordingly, after consultation with Major Huang Ch’un Yo, in command of the commissioned junk fleet, it has been arranged that the whole breadth of the river from Tû Chu (Louisa Island) and T’ou Sha (Flat Island No. 4) shall be completely closed and access barred by a vessel stationed on the spot, and other impediments, with a view to preventing damage being done to vessels by the explosion of torpedoes.

“The various communications and instructions having been issued, it is our duty to draw up a representation on the subject, requesting that orders maybe given that the various defense corps on land and water be duly informed, and also that communications be addressed to the members of the consular body, in order that they may notify all steamers that such vessels must, when ascending the river, use the Sha Lu route, that they must avoid collision with the wooden bridge, and must no longer use the route by Tû Chu (Louisa Island), in order to avoid injury.”

Accordingly, on receipt of the foregoing, I have sent out the necessary communications, and have now the honor to address a request to you that you will give instructions to steamers belonging to subjects of your flag to conform to the above.

I have, &c.,