Star Ferry
Encyclopedia
Victoria Harbour
Victoria Harbour is a natural landform harbour situated between Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula in Hong Kong. The harbour's deep, sheltered waters and strategic location on the South China Sea were instrumental in Hong Kong's establishment as a British colony and its subsequent...
, between Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island is an island in the southern part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It has a population of 1,289,500 and its population density is 16,390/km², as of 2008...
and Kowloon
Kowloon
Kowloon is an urban area in Hong Kong comprising the Kowloon Peninsula and New Kowloon. It is bordered by the Lei Yue Mun strait in the east, Mei Foo Sun Chuen and Stonecutter's Island in the west, Tate's Cairn and Lion Rock in the north, and Victoria Harbour in the south. It had a population of...
. It was founded in 1888 as the Kowloon Ferry Company, adopting its present name in 1898.
The fleet of twelve ferries currently operates two routes (four prior to April 1, 2011) across the harbour, carrying over 70,000 passengers a day, or 26 million a year. Even though the harbour is crossed by railway and road tunnels, the Star Ferry continues to provide an inexpensive mode of harbour crossing. The company's main route runs between Central
Central, Hong Kong
Central is the central business district of Hong Kong. It is located in Central and Western District, on the north shore of Hong Kong Island, across Victoria Harbour from Tsim Sha Tsui, the southernmost point of Kowloon Peninsula...
and Tsim Sha Tsui
Tsim Sha Tsui
Tsim Sha Tsui , often abbreviated as TST, is an urbanized area in southern Kowloon, Hong Kong. The area is administratively part of the Yau Tsim Mong District. Tsim Sha Tsui East is a piece of land reclaimed from the Hung Hom Bay now east of Tsim Sha Tsui...
.
It has been rated first in the “Top 10 Most Exciting Ferry Rides” poll by the Society of American Travel Writers (“SATW”) in February 2009.
History
Before the steam ferry was created, people would cross the harbour in sampanSampan
A sampan is a relatively flat bottomed Chinese wooden boat from long. Some sampans include a small shelter on board, and may be used as a permanent habitation on inland waters. Sampans are generally used for transportation in coastal areas or rivers, and are often used as traditional fishing boats...
s. In 1870, a man named Grant Smith brought a twin-screw wooden-hulled boat from England and started running it across the harbour at irregular intervals.
In July 1873, an attempt was made to run steam ferries between Hong Kong and Kowloon. This was stopped at the time at the request of the British consul in Canton.
The company was founded by Parsee merchant Dorabjee Naorojee Mithaiwala
Dorabjee Naorojee Mithaiwala
Dorabjee Naorojee Mithaiwala was an Indian Parsee businessman in Hong Kong. In his early business life, he sold opium from Bombay, India to China.-Founding of the Star Ferry:...
as the "Kowloon Ferry Company" in 1888. Naorojee bought Smith's boat, and later acquired the steam vessels Morning Star and Evening Star from a Mr Buxoo. It is thought that a regular service to the public was established in the mid-to-late 1870s, after the cession of Kowloon to the British in 1860. The popularity of this means of transport enabled him to increase his fleet to four vessels within 10 years: the Morning Star, Evening Star, Rising Star and Guiding Star. Each boat had a capacity of 100 passengers, and the boats averaged 147 crossings each day. He incorporated the business into the "Star Ferry Co Ltd" in 1898, prior to his retirement to India. The company name was inspired by his love of Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem "Crossing the Bar
Crossing the Bar
"Crossing the Bar" is an 1889 poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson that is traditionally the last poem in collections of his work. It is thought that Tennyson wrote it as his own elegy, as the poem has a tone of finality about it...
", of which the first line reads "Sunset and evening star, and one clear call for me!".
On his retirement in 1898, Naorojee sold the company to The Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company Limited, at that time owned by Jardine, Matheson & Co.
Jardine Matheson Holdings
Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited often referred to as Jardines, is a multinational corporation incorporated in Bermuda and based in Hong Kong. While listed on the London Stock Exchange and the Singapore Exchange, the vast majority of Jardines shares are traded in Singapore...
and Sir Paul Chater.
A pier constructed on the western end of Salisbury Road opened in 1906, but was destroyed by a typhoon in September 1906. In the early 1950s, construction of the present twin-piered terminal commenced on both sides of Victoria Harbour, designed to handle 55 million passenger trips a year. The structure was completed in 1957, concurrent with the Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier
Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier
Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier, often referred to as the "Star Ferry" Pier, was a pier in Edinburgh Place, Central, Hong Kong; the pier, with its clock tower, was a prominent waterfront landmark...
built on the island side.
At the turn of the century, Hong Kong currency and Canton currency were both accepted as legal tender in Hong Kong. In the autumn of 1912, following a devaluation, the Star Ferry caused a controversy by insisting, together with the tramways, that payment had to be made in Hong Kong currency only. Canton coinage would no longer be accepted.
In 1924 the Yaumati Ferry operated the route to Kowloon in a duopoly. In 1933 the Star Ferry made history by building the Electric Star, the first diesel electric passenger ferry of its kind.
By 1941, the company had six vessels. During the Japanese Occupation of Hong Kong
Japanese occupation of Hong Kong
The Japanese occupation of Hong Kong began after the Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Mark Young, surrendered the territory of Hong Kong to Japan on 25 December 1941 after 18 days of fierce fighting by British and Canadian defenders against overwhelming Japanese Imperial forces. The occupation lasted...
, the competing Yaumati Ferry was allowed to continue, while the Japanese commandeered the Star Ferry for their own purposes. The Golden Star and the Meridian Star were used to transport prisoners of war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
from Sham Shui Po
Sham Shui Po
Sham Shui Po, or Shamshuipo, is an area of Sham Shui Po District, Hong Kong, situated in the northwestern part of the Kowloon Peninsula, north of Tai Kok Tsui, east of Cheung Sha Wan and south of Shek Kip Mei. Sham Shui Po is known for its street market for electronic devices.-History:Sham Shui Po...
to Kai Tak. In 1943, the Golden Star was bombed and sunk in the Canton River by the Americans, and the Electric Star was sunk in the harbour. After the war, the ferries were recovered and returned to service.
Until the opening of the Cross Harbour Tunnel in 1972, the Star Ferry remained the main means of public transportation between Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon side.
The Star Ferry operates on a franchise from the Government. It was last renewed in March 1998, the year of its centenary.
Public protests
In 1966, a fare increase of 5 cents (or 25%) of the ferry was a political milestone, as it caused a 27 year-old student to go on hunger strike in protest at the Edinburgh Place terminal. His arrest sparked the 1966 Hong Kong RiotsHong Kong 1966 riots
The Hong Kong 1966 Riots was a series of disturbances that took place over three nights on the streets of Kowloon, Hong Kong in the spring of 1966...
.
On 11 November 2006, the end of an era was marked when the third generation pier in Central, the Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier
Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier
Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier, often referred to as the "Star Ferry" Pier, was a pier in Edinburgh Place, Central, Hong Kong; the pier, with its clock tower, was a prominent waterfront landmark...
, ended its mission, along with the big clock tower. The pier was demolished to make way for reclamation, amidst great controversy and important protests.
Existing
- CentralCentral, Hong KongCentral is the central business district of Hong Kong. It is located in Central and Western District, on the north shore of Hong Kong Island, across Victoria Harbour from Tsim Sha Tsui, the southernmost point of Kowloon Peninsula...
to Tsim Sha TsuiTsim Sha TsuiTsim Sha Tsui , often abbreviated as TST, is an urbanized area in southern Kowloon, Hong Kong. The area is administratively part of the Yau Tsim Mong District. Tsim Sha Tsui East is a piece of land reclaimed from the Hung Hom Bay now east of Tsim Sha Tsui...
. For lower deck, it costs HK$2.0 on Mondays to Fridays; HK$2.4 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. For upper deck, HK$2.5 on Mondays to Fridays; HK$3.0 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays - Wan ChaiWan Chai DistrictThe Wan Chai District is one of the 18 districts of Hong Kong, located in the north of Hong Kong island. It had a population of 167,146 in 2001. The district has the second most educated residents with the highest income, the second lowest population and the third oldest residents, and is also the...
to Tsim Sha Tsui for HK$2.5 on Mondays to Fridays; HK$3.0 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays - Harbour Tour: a tourist cruise, making an indirect, circular route to all the stops, namely Tsim Sha Tsui, Central, Wan Chai, and Hung Hom.
Passengers may use Octopus, or tokens to pay for the ride. Tokens are available in the vending machines at the piers. Coins are also accepted but no change will be provided.
Bicycles (up to 6) are accepted on the lower deck of most routes, for $13.0, but not between 5-6pm. The Tsim Sha Tsui – Central route does not accept cycles, but the Tsim Sha Tsui – Wan Chai route accepts cycles at no extra charge.
History
- Central to Hung HomHung HomHung Hom is an area of Kowloon, in Hong Kong, administratively part of the Kowloon City District, with a portion west of the railway in the Yau Tsim Mong District. Hung Hom serves mainly residential purposes though is mixed with some industrial buildings in the north.-Geography:Hung Hom is located...
for HK$6.3, terminated effective 1 April 2011. - Wan Chai to Hung Hom for HK$6.3, terminated effective 1 April 2011.
Charter and hire
The Star Ferry "Golden Star' is available for daily charter, for up to 300 people, having been refurbished for cruises and functions, with tables, larger sightseeing windows, an air-conditioned area, and a public address and music system.Fleet
There are currently 9 diesel-electric ferries in the fleet, together with a tug.Over the years, the fleet has included:
| Name | Year Built | Builder | Seats | Notes |
| Morning Star (曉星號) | 1888 | English built steamboat | app 100 | The first "Star" Ferry |
| Night/Evening Star | 1888 | English built steamboat | 100 | The second "Star" Ferry |
| Northern Star | c. 1900 | Sunk 1941 | ||
| Southern Star | c. 1900 | |||
| Polar Star | c. 1901 | |||
| Rising Star | c. 1901 | 100 | ||
| Guiding Star | c. 1901 | 100 | ||
| Electric Star | 1933 | Diesel boat; Sunk 1941 | ||
| Golden Star | 1933? | Diesel boat; sunk in Canton River by American forces 1943 | ||
| Celestial Star (天星號) | 1956 | Hong Kong & Whampoa Shipyard | 576 | currently the oldest vessel in service |
| Meridian Star (午星號) | 1958 | Hong Kong & Whampoa Shipyard | 576 | |
| Solar Star (日星號) | 1958 | Hong Kong & Whampoa Shipyard | 576 | |
| Northern Star (北星號) | 1959 | Hong Kong & Whampoa Shipyard | 576 | |
| Night Star (夜星號) | 1963 | Hong Kong & Whampoa Shipyard | 576 | named for original Kowloon Ferry Company's Night Star |
| Day Star (晨星號) | 1964 | Hong Kong & Whampoa Shipyard | 576 | |
| Shining Star (輝星號) | 1964 | Hong Kong & Whampoa Shipyard | 576 | now used for the Star Ferry Harbour Tour (top sections were opened up); reproduction of 3rd generation ferries c. 1920s |
| Twinkling Star (熒星號) | 1964 | Hong Kong & Whampoa Shipyard | 576 | |
| Morning Star (曉星號) | 1965 | Hong Kong & Whampoa Shipyard | 576 | named for original Kowloon Ferry Company's Morning Star |
| Silver Star (銀星號) | 1965 | Hong Kong & Whampoa Shipyard | 576 | |
| Golden Star (金星號) | 1989 | Wang Tak Engineering & Shipbuilding Ltd | 762 | IMO number: 8951384 |
| World Star (世星號) | 1989 | Wang Tak Engineering & Shipbuilding Ltd | 762 | |
| Glowing Star (耀星號) | Hong Kong Shipyard | 288 | ex-British Army British Army The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England... vessel rented by Star Ferry between 2001 and 2005 |
|
| Kowloon | tug boat |
Piers
- Star Ferry Pier, Central at Central DistrictCentral, Hong KongCentral is the central business district of Hong Kong. It is located in Central and Western District, on the north shore of Hong Kong Island, across Victoria Harbour from Tsim Sha Tsui, the southernmost point of Kowloon Peninsula...
- First Generation (1890) Pedder StreetPedder StreetPedder Street is a major thoroughfare in the core of Hong Kong’s Central District. It runs south-north from Queen's Road Central, continues through Des Voeux Road Central, and ends at its intersection with Connaught Road Central.-History:...
and Chater RoadChater RoadChater Road is a three-lane road in Central, Hong Kong. It begins at its intersection with Pedder Street and Des Voeux Road Central in the west, and ends at Murray Road in the east. It is named after Sir Paul Chater.-Events:... - Second Generation (1912) at Pedder StreetPedder StreetPedder Street is a major thoroughfare in the core of Hong Kong’s Central District. It runs south-north from Queen's Road Central, continues through Des Voeux Road Central, and ends at its intersection with Connaught Road Central.-History:...
, the present site of Jardine HouseJardine HouseJardine House , formerly known as Connaught Centre , is an office tower in Hong Kong. The building is located at 1 Connaught Place, Central on the Hong Kong Island. It is owned by Hongkong Land Limited, a subsidiary of Jardines. At the time of its completion in 1972, Jardine House was the tallest... - Third GenerationEdinburgh Place Ferry PierEdinburgh Place Ferry Pier, often referred to as the "Star Ferry" Pier, was a pier in Edinburgh Place, Central, Hong Kong; the pier, with its clock tower, was a prominent waterfront landmark...
(1957) near Edinburgh PlaceEdinburgh PlaceEdinburgh Place is a public square in Central, Hong Kong, adjacent to the Victoria Harbour. The Hong Kong City Hall is located in the square. In addition, the Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier and Queen's Pier were also located in the square before they were demolished in early 2007.-History:The... - Fourth Generation (2006) (Pier 7 and 8 of Central Ferry Piers) at Man Kwong Street
- First Generation (1890) Pedder Street
- Star Ferry PierTsim Sha Tsui Ferry PierTsim Sha Tsui Ferry Pier is a pier located on reclaimed land at the southernmost tip of Tsim Sha Tsui on Kowloon Peninsula in Hong Kong. It is commonly known as Star Ferry Pier in Tsim Sha Tsui. Star Ferry operates the pedestrian ferry service across Victoria Harbour to Wan Chai and to Central on...
at Tsim Sha TsuiTsim Sha TsuiTsim Sha Tsui , often abbreviated as TST, is an urbanized area in southern Kowloon, Hong Kong. The area is administratively part of the Yau Tsim Mong District. Tsim Sha Tsui East is a piece of land reclaimed from the Hung Hom Bay now east of Tsim Sha Tsui...
(1957) - Wan Chai PierWan Chai PierThe Wan Chai Pier , or Wan Chai Ferry Pier , is a pier at the coast of Wan Chai North on the Hong Kong Island of Hong Kong. The pier is operated by Star Ferry, and provides ferry services to Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Hom. The pier is near the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.-Transport...
- Hung Hom Ferry PierHung Hom Ferry PierHung Hom Ferry Pier is a ferry pier in Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong. It is at the reclaimed Hung Hom Bay at the south of Lily Mansion , Whampoa Garden. There is a large bus terminus outside the pier.- History :...
, service terminated effective 1 April 2011.
Financial problems
Since the Central Star Ferry Pier has been moved from its old pier next to City HallCity Hall, Hong Kong
The Hong Kong City Hall is a building located at Edinburgh Place, Central, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong.Since Hong Kong does not designate itself or any part of itself as a city, there is no mayor or city council; therefore, the City Hall does not hold the offices of a city government, unlike most...
to the new location outside International Finance Centre
International Finance Centre
The International Finance Centre is an integrated commercial development on the waterfront of Hong Kong's Central District....
, the number of people using the Star Ferry to cross the harbour has fallen drastically, nowadays only tourists and only a few commuters use the system. This has meant the Star Ferry company has lost many millions of dollars since the relocation. Therefore it decided not to re-tender for the loss-making Hung Hom-Central and Hung Hom-Wan Chai routes and will stop operating these routes and the relevant piers at Hung Hom Ferry Pier on 31 March 2011.
Filmography
The Star Ferry makes a "star turn" in the 1960 film The World of Suzie WongThe World of Suzie Wong
The World of Suzie Wong is a 1957 novel written by Richard Mason. The main characters are Robert Lomax, a young British artist living in Hong Kong, and Suzie Wong, the title character, a Chinese woman who works as a prostitute...
. In the beginning of the film, Robert Lomax (played by William Holden
William Holden
William Holden was an American actor. Holden won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1954 and the Emmy Award for Best Actor in 1974...
) disembarks from the SS President Wilson (an old American President Lines
American President Lines
American President Lines Ltd. is the world's seventh-largest container transportation and shipping company, providing services to more than 140 countries through a network combining intermodal freight transport operations with IT and e-commerce...
transpacific passenger vessel) and takes the Star Ferry to Hong Kong island, and on the ferry meets Suzie Wong (played by Nancy Kwan
Nancy Kwan
Nancy "Ka Shen" Kwan is a Eurasian-American actress, who played a pivotal role in the acceptance of actors of Asian descent in major Hollywood film roles...
), who scorns his attentions. The ferry (Radiant Star) itself is completely recognisable, and the layout of the pier where William Holden debarks in Kowloon is familiar to any denizen of Tsim Sha Tsui
Tsim Sha Tsui
Tsim Sha Tsui , often abbreviated as TST, is an urbanized area in southern Kowloon, Hong Kong. The area is administratively part of the Yau Tsim Mong District. Tsim Sha Tsui East is a piece of land reclaimed from the Hung Hom Bay now east of Tsim Sha Tsui...
, minus the giant shopping malls constructed since the film was shot.
Several brief scenes in the TV miniseries Noble House
Noble House (TV miniseries)
Noble House was an American television miniseries that was produced and broadcast by NBC in 1988. Based upon the novel Noble House by James Clavell, it featured a large cast headlined by Pierce Brosnan as business tycoon Ian Dunross and was directed by Gary Nelson...
are set aboard the ferry .
See also
- Transportation in Hong Kong
- List of buildings, sites and areas in Hong Kong
- Hong Kong & Kowloon FerryHong Kong & Kowloon FerryHong Kong & Kowloon Ferry Ltd was incorporated in Hong Kong in February 1998.Other than regular ferry service, HKKF offers services to:*Correctional Services Department...
Further reading
- Hong Kong: Epilogue to an Empire, Jan Morris
- Europe in China: A History of Hong Kong, E J Eitel Oxford University PressOxford University PressOxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
(December 1983) ISBN 0195815904