British Colony
When the Treaty of Nanking between China and Britain was ratified in 1843, Hong Kong was officially declared a British colony. It would provide British traders with a base and a natural port for their ships. The harbor between the island of Hong Kong and the peninsula of Kowloon had deep and sheltered waters where ships could anchor. It was ideally located at the heart of the South China Sea, and it was close to Canton on the China mainland where trade with China was centered.
Gradual Progress
Victoria Harbor was not an overnight success. At first, trade ships continued to dock at other Chinese treaty ports. Records show that, in 1844, the total number of ships which entered the Harbor was 538, carrying close to 190,000 cargo tons. By 1847, there were 694 ships bearing close to 230,000 tons of cargo. Opium was an important commodity; sugar and salt were also major ones.
When the Treaty of Nanking between China and Britain was ratified in 1843, Hong Kong was officially declared a British colony. It would provide British traders with a base and a natural port for their ships. The harbor between the island of Hong Kong and the peninsula of Kowloon had deep and sheltered waters where ships could anchor. It was ideally located at the heart of the South China Sea, and it was close to Canton on the China mainland where trade with China was centered.
Gradual Progress
Victoria Harbor was not an overnight success. At first, trade ships continued to dock at other Chinese treaty ports. Records show that, in 1844, the total number of ships which entered the Harbor was 538, carrying close to 190,000 cargo tons. By 1847, there were 694 ships bearing close to 230,000 tons of cargo. Opium was an important commodity; sugar and salt were also major ones.
Port Of Choice
Gradually, merchant houses transferred their headquarters to Hong Kong, where their ships could be serviced. Following long sea voyages, repairs and overhaul were often necessary, and Victoria Harbor provided the ideal haven. Hong Kong also became the port for replenishment of stocks of food and water. From the 1840s, the fabled racing "tea clippers" were often docked in Hong Kong. After the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, steamships came to the fore as cargo carriers. In 1913, over 22,000 ships docked in Victoria Harbor. By 1931, over 42,000,000 tons of cargo was shipped through the port of Hong Kong.
Warships
During World War II, Hong Kong was occupied by Japanese forces from December 8, 1941, the same day as the attack on Pearl Harbor (taking into account the International Dateline). On August 30, 1945, British warships entered Victoria Harbor and accepted the surrender of the Japanese garrison.
Containerized Shipping
During the 1950s and the 1960s, Hong Kong flourished as a manufacturing center for the world. Victoria Harbor was in great demand as cargo was loaded aboard ocean-going vessels. In 1969, the port of Hong Kong would change forever with the start of containerized shipping. Land reclamation projects over the years have changed the face of the Harbor, much to the dismay of many.
Star Ferry
A leisurely ride on a Star Ferry is considered the best way to see Victoria Harbor. The fleet of ferries owned by The Star Ferry Company Limited ply the waters between Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula, as they have since 1880. The company also offers harbor tours aboard the "Shining Star" ferry, and it operates the "Golden Star" ferry that can be hired for private functions.
Gradually, merchant houses transferred their headquarters to Hong Kong, where their ships could be serviced. Following long sea voyages, repairs and overhaul were often necessary, and Victoria Harbor provided the ideal haven. Hong Kong also became the port for replenishment of stocks of food and water. From the 1840s, the fabled racing "tea clippers" were often docked in Hong Kong. After the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, steamships came to the fore as cargo carriers. In 1913, over 22,000 ships docked in Victoria Harbor. By 1931, over 42,000,000 tons of cargo was shipped through the port of Hong Kong.
Warships
During World War II, Hong Kong was occupied by Japanese forces from December 8, 1941, the same day as the attack on Pearl Harbor (taking into account the International Dateline). On August 30, 1945, British warships entered Victoria Harbor and accepted the surrender of the Japanese garrison.
Containerized Shipping
During the 1950s and the 1960s, Hong Kong flourished as a manufacturing center for the world. Victoria Harbor was in great demand as cargo was loaded aboard ocean-going vessels. In 1969, the port of Hong Kong would change forever with the start of containerized shipping. Land reclamation projects over the years have changed the face of the Harbor, much to the dismay of many.
Star Ferry
A leisurely ride on a Star Ferry is considered the best way to see Victoria Harbor. The fleet of ferries owned by The Star Ferry Company Limited ply the waters between Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula, as they have since 1880. The company also offers harbor tours aboard the "Shining Star" ferry, and it operates the "Golden Star" ferry that can be hired for private functions.
