Waterboard Jetty | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

Waterboard Jetty

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Submitted by PETERBN on Sat, 2014-03-01 19:31

Can Anyone remember a Concrete Built Purpose Jetty.

When we of the Hong Kong Flotilla based at HMS Tamar ( 3 Day Security Anti-Strategic Material Smuggling interception-illegal immigrants-Defence of Hong Kong etc) Patrols in our heavily Armed Motor Launches during the fifties, we used to stop and "tie up" usually the first stop after leaving the Boat Pool at Tamar, and steaming between the mainland and stonecutters. The exact spot of this WATERBOARD JETTY I never plotted in our maps at the time, I wonder if anyone remembers it ? I seem to remember we went back the San Miguel Brewery en route.

Peter Yeates. 

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Submitted by David on Sun, 2014-03-02 18:33.

Tymon Mellor notes that the brewery had a pier, could that be the one?

Here's a close-up:

1957 Sham Tseng map

And you can see where the brewery was in relation to Stonecutters, etc, if you zoom out on this map:

http://gwulo.com/node/19049

Regards, David

Submitted by tngan on Sun, 2014-03-02 19:16.

Hi there,

The island shown in the map  should be Ma Wan instead. 

Thanks & Best Regard,

T

Submitted by PETERBN on Wed, 2015-02-04 04:07.

David, I regret I did not spot this response earlier, but I don't think this is the Jetty I remember.

I will find some pictures we have of the simple longish concrete jetty with striped bollards.

I seem to remember those 1950's green trucks of all the same manufacture = sort of bedford appearance,going to and fro along the Castle Peak Road, which one could see from the Jetty.

At the same time it was somewhat remote and close to a small village. Where we purchased a duck,rescxued more like, and it became our Motor Launch HMM:L 3510 mascot. Sadly it did not last more than a few hours, although being named "Albert" with some affection. We buried the duck with full Naval honours and painted a rock with name and R.I.P.

I must refer and consult to my Commanding Officer, still alive, who might remember more clearly.

Waterboard Jetty seems to indicate it would be remote , close to a water resevoir, or facility suchlike.

Regards Peter Yeates

Submitted by IDJ on Wed, 2015-02-04 15:05.

There was  in 1970s and as far as I know still, a jetty at Sui Lam further along the coast to Tuen Mun. Used by the Marine Police and Customs launches. The main road is/was nearby so the mentioned trucks would be easily visible in the fifties. Probably military trucks going to and from the many army barracks in the area, especially nearby at Tuen Mun. I've no idea how long the pier would have been in the 1950s if that is the sought after pier, but the bay is very shallow there indicating that a long pier would be necessary.

Submitted by PETERBN on Thu, 2015-02-05 03:27.

Amazingly interesting, especially that the jetty might still be there !.The trucks were of a type that abounded in Hk in the middle late fifties. Mostly painted green, certainly not Military. Large Cantonese insignia, Interesting that the bay is shallow, our motor launches although heavily armed were wooden WW2 vintage, and would not draw much draught.Another "stopover" was Castle Peak Bay Jetty, close by the Kandorrie family residence, where our officers would be entertained, and where we would enjoy gratis beer.I re-visited the exact pier in 2005 by kindness of the Hong Kong Sea Cadets Corps Launch "Supertee". Although modernised and much enhanced the pier was exactly as I remember it. The large Rocks there exactly as they were when we swam around our launch. Remarkably in 2005 with my Shipmates we walked up and along the long jettty. We reached the gated entrance to the Kadorie residence , actually mansion, and a Rolls Roycxe slowly came down the drive towards the gates. I asked over the gate intercom if we would talk with Mr Kadoorie. Unfortunately they were on their way out for an excursion. Talk about full circle or da ja vue, but it was re-visiting of the most exciting type. Never to be forgotten.It was full circle 1957-2005 and an enormous pleasure.

Thankyou so much for your input. Waterboard Jetty. Tai'O harbour, Castle Peak Bay, Silvermine Bay, Tolo, Aberdeen, the islands and the surrounding ladn mass of Hong Kong was where I grew up from aged 18 to 20.Gwulo is terrific in recalling the past, memories to be savoured thanks to Gwulo.Incidentllay we lost seven of our Shipmates in 1953, when our Ml 1323 was shelled upon by a Communist Launch. They did not come home as we that were left came home, they lie peacefully in the Colonial Cemetery in Happy Valley. If you visit look up the graves of two Pilots if you can also, we lost them in 1956 when they flew into Devil's Peak from HMS Centuar , my diary for the day of the funeral states " 40 wreaths" who remembers them now ? I do !

Regards

Peter Yeates