The International Development of ChinaSun, Yat-sen
History
The International Development of China
Sun, Yat-sen
China -- Economic conditions -- 1912-1949; Railroads -- China
The remedy for the West River is that the shallow part just at its
junction with the sea between Wangkum and Sanchoo Islands should be
trained by walls on both sides--a long one on the left, and a short
one on the right--so as to concentrate the current to cut the river
bed here to a depth of twenty feet or more. In this way, a uniform
depth is secured, for after passing the Moto Entrance the West River
has an average depth of 20 to 30 feet right along its whole course
through this delta. With a uniform depth all the way to the sea, the
undercurrent will run quickly and drain off the flood water more
rapidly. Besides the deepening process, both shores should be regulated
so as to give a uniform width to the channel. Midstream shoals and
islands should be removed.
The East River Valley does not suffer so severely from floods as those
of the other two rivers, the West and the North, and its remedy will be
provided in the regulation of the river for navigation. This will be
dealt with in that connection.
[Illustration: MAP XV]
Second, the problem of navigation in the Canton Delta in connection
with the three rivers. In dealing with this question we commence with
the West River. In former days the traffic between the West River
Valley and Canton always passed through Fatshan and Samshui, a distance
of about 35 miles. But since the silting up of the Fatshan Channel
below Sainam, the traffic has to take a great detour by descending
the Pearl River southeastward as far as Fumen, then turn northwest
into the Shawan Channel, then southeast into the Tamchow Channel,
and then west into the Tailiang Channel and south into the Junction
Channel and Maning Reach. Here it enters into the West River and runs
a northwesterly direction up to Samshui Junction on this river. The
whole journey covers a distance of about 95 miles, which compared with
the old route is longer by 60 miles. The traffic between Canton and the
West River Valley is very great. At present there are many thousands of
steam launches plying between Canton City and the outlying districts,
and more than half of that number are carrying traffic to and fro on
the West River. Every boat has to run 95 miles on each trip whereas if
the channel between Samshui and Canton is improved, the distance would
be only 35 miles. What a great saving it will be!
[Illustration: MAP XVI]
In our project to improve the Canton Approach and Harbor, I suggested
the draining of a deep channel from the sea to Whampoa and from Whampoa
to Tamchow Channel. We now have to prolong this channel from its
Tamchow Junction up to Samshui Junction on the West River. This Channel
should be made at least 20 feet deep so as to join the deeper water of
the West River above the Samshui Junction. And the same depth should be
maintained in the North River itself some distance above Samshui, so as
to give facility for the navigation of larger vessels up the river when
the whole waterway is improved.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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