1990s Tai O Pier from Tai O Police Station | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

1990s Tai O Pier from Tai O Police Station

1990s Tai O Pier from Tai O Police Station
Date picture taken (may be approximate): 
Saturday, June 1, 1996
Connections: 

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Other RNCWS were at Black Point, and Port Island in Tolo Channel. In the 1990s traces of the Port Island facility were still visible, and the radar calibration responder was still on Peng Chau Island, in a collapsed state. 

 

I think the Tai O RNCWS was the last manned coastal watch station to close down. The station closed down on 31 March 1993.

What is "RNCWS"?


Yesterday I was at Port Island again, and after several visits am still wondering what was there.

- the remains of a pier are visible

- a concreted path and steps, very well built, that leads to a hilltop and beyond. The path is partly overgrown (bypassing trails have formed), and the end of the path is unreachable - next time maybe I should bring a friend that knows how to yield a machete :)

- a concrete construction that looks very much like a water tank in the middle of a stream

- a concrete platform-like construction with four bolts sticking out in a square pattern, the pattern suggesting some kind of pole was erected here

 

My strong suspision is that this is pre-WW2 British military built - based on the type of concrete that I've seen in other military sites, and the overall high quality of construction. I'd love to hear more about what was here!

Royal Navy Coastal Watch Station

Thanks. I had the feeling already it was some kind of observation post, considering the location. Tried to Google the acronym but no results.

 

Were this automated (e.g. radar based) or permanently manned (with people keeping watch) facilities? Any further information - especially the Port Island one? I'll visit that island again in October, hosting another tour then, would be happy to make some photos of the current situation. Also I'd love to know what the various ruined structures could possibly be.

This is a view of the Police Station at Tai O taken from the NTA launch 'Clementi' on 30 January 1967

Tai-O-police-station-Jan-67.jpg-small.jpg

Tai-O-police-station-Jan-67.jpg-small.jpg, by tonyclark