Memórias de viagens no Fat Shan

Um dos icónicos navios da travessia entre Macau e Hong Kong e meados do século 20 foi o navio Fatshan. Uma viagem que demorava cerca de 4 horas. Aqui ficam alguns testemunhos de quem nele viajou bem com algumas fotografias.

Curiosidade: o nome remete para um local na China continental hoje denominado Foshan.

Embarque no Fat Shan na ponte-cais nº 20 em 1961

Testemunho de William Lawrence:

When we arrived in Hong Kong in 1970, we often spent weekends exploring. One memorable journey was taking a ride on the Fatshan to Macau. This was a journey right out of a book. From the wicker seats to the overnight cabins, it was memorable. More than once, we took her up the river, feeling like colonial explorers. Macau was a Portuguese colony at the time, and sure enough, the little hotels and restaurants served excellent food for a weekend getaway. When the faster boats came along, it sure shortened the trip; however, I missed the statley. kinda’ creaky Fatshan to take me on my holiday.

Luke Gong:

"I took this trip as an 8 year old with my parents in 1964. I remember spending the night on a canvas cot on the trip over from Hong Kong and arriving in the early morning hours."

Christine Mark:

"Loved the Fatshan. We used it often between 1961 and 1965."

John Garbett:

"We went to Macau a number of times in 1972/1973. As you say a wonderful colonial style experience complete with a large Union Jack painte amidships for easy recognition as a British ship. We usually had one of the old fashioned deck cabins where sandwiches etc were brought. On one night just before midnight as we were cueing to disembark in Hongkong I stood just outside the galley window. No exaggeration the stove, wall and table tops were thick, and I do mean thick, with scurrying cockroaches. Never had food aboard Fatshan again."

Law Hin Lau:

"When my class-Mate became son-in-law of famous Macau Merchant Mr. Ho Yin. He was made a Manager in that ship company. He once brought me onboard to see the vessel. On the top deck there were stacks of stacks of lockers for stowing the gold bullions for conveying them from Hong Kong to Macau then further to mainland China. He also showed me the Radio Room as I was also at R/O on ocean-going ships. That old Spark scared me that I might be taking over his job. I told him I only enjoy working on ocean-going vessels but not the river boat like Fat Shan that set his mine at ease."

Karen Campbell:

"When I first arrived in HK, i used to go on it with my parents- loved it and do remember the old wicker chairs. It never seemed quite the same when the hydrofoils started - except quicker of course. Macau was beautiful then"

Em Agosto de 1971 o tufão Rose atingiu Hong Kong e Macau. Na madrugada de 17, o SS Fatshan foi uma das vítimas da tempestade tendo afundado. Morreram 88 pessoas.

Testemunho de Jack Bishop:

"I saw the capsized Fatshan the day after Typhoon Rose on the shore line of Lan Tau Island. A few other ships were damaged during that storm."