Text: Yang Feng
In the new historical period, in addition to the rice-shaped high-speed rail network and airport, we are planning the Huaihe Huabu Pier. County Magistrate Yuhua said in the Government Work Report of the National People's Congress: "Huangchuan River and the sea will soon be accessible again." Yes, in ancient times, we once had the river and the sea, but later, with the decline of water transportation, we forgot the glory of the past. He Zhaobo, a lecturer in Guangzhou in the Qing Dynasty, wrote in his poem "Ten Scenes of Guangzhou: East Ring of Huai River": "The south section of the boundary is connected by thousands of gullies, and the Changhuai River flows into the sky. Xiongzhou's lapels are connected with Wu, and the sound of wild crossing waves reaches Haidong." An ancient poem that reflects this aspect is also Hu Gongchen's "View of the Zhenhuang Bridge at Night": "The winding rainbow bridge, the clear waves reflect the blue sky, and the three Chuhui meet. The pavilion is connected by a thoroughfare. "Hu Yingjie's "Looking at the Water at the City Head on a Summer Night": "Outside the house is the water, which is as clear as smoke. The sky is flying over Chu, thousands of peaks are raining, and the ships are gathering in the Wujiang River." Through convenient waterways, Guangzhou is connected to the commercial city Wuhan in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and the land of Wu and Chu, the most economically developed place in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River in China.
In 1913, the famous Christian evangelist Mudd came to China and initiated the establishment of a national central organization, the "China Continuation Committee", to investigate and study China's national conditions and obtain a lot of precious information. Using the most advanced survey methods at the time, the agency used field survey data in 1918, combined with statistics from the civil affairs department in 1910 and statistics from the Post Office in 1919, to compile a "Population Density Map" that summarized Guangzhou's status in Henan Province: "There are three cities with a population of more than 100,000 in this province: Kaifeng Twenty-Eight Ten thousand, Zhoujiakou 200,000, Guangzhou (Huangchuan) 100,000. "
examined the three cities in Henan Province. Kaifeng is the provincial capital. As early as the Song Dynasty, Tokyo City (ie Kaifeng, also known as Bianjing, Bianliang, etc.) was the largest metropolis in the world. Zhoujiakou and Guangzhou (Huangchuan) have become metropolises because of their superior agricultural production environment and developed water transportation. The book introduces: "Sailboats can go from Zhoujiakou to Zhenjiang on the coast of the Yangtze River via the Shahe River, the Huaihe River, the Hongze Lake, and the canal. In addition, the waterway can also reach Hankou, Tianjin and other places." Another city, Huangchuan, is located in the northern edge of the subtropical zone. It has a humid subtropical monsoon climate, with rain and heat in the same season and abundant precipitation. Characteristics; Huangchuan is adjacent to the Huaihe River to the north, and across the Dabie Mountains to the south is the vast Yangtze River Basin. Because the Huaihe River is connected with the Yangtze River, cities such as Zhenjiang and Hankou along the Yangtze River that are accessible to Zhoujiakou are also accessible to Huangchuan. In addition, in China's long history, because of its central position between the north and the south, Huangchuan has not only been a place for north-south commodity and cultural exchange and integration, but has also often become a war venue for disputes between the north and the south. Due to the superposition of natural conditions and history and culture, in ancient times when land transportation was relatively backward, Huangchuan, as the gateway to the Dabie Mountains, was destined to be a place with developed water transportation.
First of all, Gwangju's superior geographical location has promoted the prosperity of commerce and trade, and the prosperity of commerce and trade has in turn promoted the development of transportation.
The archeology of Huangguo Yulou Cemetery has discovered vehicles from the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. If there are cars, there must be roads for driving. According to historical records, Guangzhou had an official status in the Tang Dynasty and paid tribute to the court on a regular basis. By the Qing Dynasty, the location advantages became more apparent and the city developed rapidly. At that time, the land routes included Kaiguanguan Road, which went south from Kaifeng to Runing Prefecture, Xi County, and Guangzhou; there was Zhunnan West Road, which went eastward from Xiyang, passing through Luoshan, Guangshan, Guangzhou, Gushi, and then to Anhui; These three official roads form Gwangju’s land transportation that extends in all directions.
In ancient times, Guangzhou's waterway transportation was more convenient. It could connect the towns on both sides of Huanghe River and Huaihe River in the near distance, and connect the cities along the Yangtze River such as Wudi in Jiangdong and Wuchang in the far distance. Qianlong "Guangzhou Chronicles·Volume 25·Jinliang Chronicles" records:
For its Jindu crossing, there is a Zhaihe crossing thirty-five miles west of the state, with four sailors. Tongxi County Road. Thirty-five miles south there is Chuanliudu with two sailors. Tongshangcheng Road. Thirty miles east there is the Egret River Crossing with two sailors. Tonggushi road.Guangshan has Guanhe Crossing in the south and leads to Macheng Road in Hubei Province. There is Zhonghe Crossing in the west, leading to Huang'an Road in Hubei Province. There is a bamboo pole river crossing in the northwest, leading to Luoshan Road. In the east of Gushi, there are Shihedu and Shahedu, which lead to Huoqiu Road in Anhui. There is Yanglin River Crossing in the southeast, which leads to Liu'anzhou Road in Anhui Province. There is Quhedu in the northeast, leading to Anwei Fuyang Road. There is a crossing of the Huaihe River in the north, leading to the Xixian Road. Xixian County has Huaihe River Crossing and Tongguang Mountain Road in the south. Fifteen miles east is the Huaidu River. Sixty miles away there is the Baozi Kou Ferry, which leads to Benzhou Road. Ninety miles away there is a crossing of the Lu River, leading to the Gushi Road. There is Baoxin Ferry in the northeast, leading to Xincai Road. In the southwest there are Yangmingdu, Tongluoshan and Xinyang Road. The shopping mall has Guan Ferry in the north and is connected to Benzhou Road. In the west there is Longtan River Crossing and Tongguang Mountain Road.
As the center of southeastern Henan (the five southern counties in the past), Guangzhou has water transportation to Guangshan, Gushi, Xixian, Shangcheng, and to Hubei, Anhui and even further places through the surrounding four counties.
Qianlong's "Guangzhou Chronicles Volume 6 Water Chronicles" says: "For the water in Fanzhou and the four provinces, there are eighty-five ancient rivers and modern rivers...the water distribution is all from small branches to big branches, and big branches to main stems...In the territory of this county, those who go up the Huaihe River and down the river are like weaving boats day and night. The goods of Wu and Yue were gathered together, which brought great benefits to the people. "
The Xiaohuang River that passes through the city connects Xinxian , Guangshan and Huangchuan along the route, and flows into the Huaihe River at Lianghe Village, Yuzi Town, Huangchuan County. It is an important transportation road connecting various counties to transport supplies. The section above of Huanghe River in Guangshan County is called Guandu River. Because it passes through Xinji (today's Xinxian County) in the upper reaches, it is also called Xinji River. During the Qing Dynasty, Huaiyan entered from the mouth of Huanghe River, was transported by ship to Guangzhou City, and then transferred to bamboo rafts for transportation to Guangshan County. "Guangshan County Chronicle Volume 1 Traffic" recorded in the Republic of China: "The Xinji River can be crossed by bamboo rafts all the year round. Salt, sesame , and soybeans are the bulk of foreign goods, which are not only sold locally but also sold far away in Hubei. From Guangshan above, bamboo and wood and firewood from the mountains on both sides of the Jiahe River can be flowed down the river and sold in Huangchuan." Guangxu "Guangzhou Chronicles · Volume 1 · Salt Law" also Records: "The salt boat arrived at Zhengyangguan, passed through Wulongji, and the boat was barged from Huanghe River to (Guang)zhou City, and then it was dragged by bamboo rafts in the south to (Guangshan) County." Records of "Guangzhou Chronicles Volume 21 Salt Law Chronicles" in the 35th year of Qianlong's reign It contains: "The salt ship went from Huaisuo to Zhengyangguan, was barged by Wulongji boat, and entered from Huanghe River; when the water dried up, it was transported by land from Zhangzhuangji to Zhouzhou." From this record, we can also see that water transportation at that time also had problems in the dry season.
The rich natural resources and superior geographical location provide Huangchuan with a good commercial foundation. The convenient water and land transportation further promotes the town's external exchanges and trade, making the town more prosperous.
Two years after Yongzheng, Guangzhou City became the administrative seat of Zhili Prefecture. Its commerce became increasingly developed, and it developed into a trade center in southeastern Henan. It attracted a large number of merchants from Hubei, Anwei and other places, and trade with other places became more frequent. It became a commodity distribution center in southeastern Henan. The silk and embroidery produced were continuously exported, and trade with foreign countries appeared. The 1987 edition of "Huangchuan Business Chronicle" said, "Businessmen in the city are prosperous, and merchants from all provinces are coming and going. From morning to night, cars are passing by on the street, people are bumping next to each other, and the sound of hawking is constant all day long. The town and Huangchuan Bridge are like a market. Thousands of sails stand on the river, and hundreds of boats compete on the water. It can be said that 'how full the streets are, how thick the river is.'"
1913 Old Photos
The landscape of "thousands of sails on the river and hundreds of boats competing on the water" can be intuitively felt in an old photo taken by American missionary Li Lide when he first arrived in Huangchuan in 1913, with Huangqiao Bridge in Town as the background. Looking at the photos, we can recall the prosperity of Huangchuan water transport in those days - there are tall revetments along the river, and there are small two-story buildings on the revetments, and there are more than a dozen cargo sailing ships docked by the river, with their masts pointing straight into the blue sky. The height of the masts is twice the combined height of the revetments and the two-story buildings on the revetments. It is conceivable that the merchant ships were large and the commerce was developed. This scene can also be seen in the "Two Cities Map of Zhenhuang" which was preserved in the middle of the Qing Dynasty: with Zhenhuang Bridge as the boundary, there are a large number of sailing ships downstream, and there are small boats and bamboo rafts for transporting goods upstream.
Zhenhuang Shuangcheng Map
In an old photo left at the beginning of the last century, we can also see the bamboo rafts used on the Xiaohuang River. On the left side of the photo is the Zhenhuang Bridge, and the shooting location was at the Longmenkou Pier in the past North City (the pedestrian street opposite the current County Party Committee and the Xiaohuang River).
Secondly, because it is located between Jianghuai , frequent wars are also an important factor in promoting the further development of waterway transportation.
Qianlong's "Guangzhou Chronicles·Volume 7·Xingsheng Chronicles" records: "Guangjun is surrounded by Huai and Ruzhijin in the north, and is surrounded by the Five Passes in the south. There is Changjiu in the back, and Augao in front. It is an important place in the southeast... As far as its roads can reach, the left side has the advantage of boating, reaching Huai and Yang; the right side is pushing and pulling. It can reach Jing and Wan. If you go north to the provincial capital, you will see endless traces of Lun Cry. If you cross Cai and Ru, you can reach the canal of Sha and Bian, which is a city between Yiyi and Huai. It is the defense of Zhongzhou, and it is also the gateway to Wu and Chu. "Minutes of Shi Fangyu" has: "Guangzhou's lapel leads the Huaihe River, controls Yingcai, and has guarded important places since ancient times." In the 1930s, the famous anti-Japanese general Medaf who was stationed in Huangchuan also said: "It rests on the big farewell to control the floating fleet, and the Huaihe River leads the historical song. It borders Wuyue in the east, Jianghan in the south, Chencai in the north, and Wanluo in the west. Huangchuan, the capital of Gujiu District, is also the leader of the eight clans. "
In March 1978, a large ancient tomb was excavated in Hougudui, Gushi County, and a large number of bronze wares, bamboo, wooden lacquerware, etc. were unearthed. Archaeological experts determined that it was the tomb of Mrs. Fucha, Prince Wu. Fu Cha Father He Lu was the king of Wu in the late Spring and Autumn Period and the military commander. Reigned from 514 BC to 496 BC. During Helu's reign, with Wu Zixu as the prime minister and Sun Wu as the general, he formulated a strategy for hegemony to defeat Chu and conquer Yue. In the winter of 506 BC, Helu personally took command, with Sun Wu and Wu Zixu as generals, and his brother Fugai as the vanguard. With 30,000 land and water divisions, they took warships and crossed the Huaihe River to join Cai's army. Wu, Cai, and Tang formed a coalition army. After Dangdang, they traced the Huaihe River and continued westward. After arriving at Huairui (today's Huangchuan), Shezhou landed, turned to the south for a surprise attack, broke through the natural moat of Dabie Mountain, defeated the main force of 200,000 Chu troops in Baiju (today's Macheng, Hubei), and then occupied the capital of Chu. "Zuo Zhuan: The Fourth Year of Dinggong" records: "The Marquis of Cai, Wu Zi, and the Marquis of Tang attacked Chu and left their boats at Huairui, from Yuzhang to Chu and Han." This battle can be said to be the earliest recorded example of tracing the waterway from the Huaihe River to southern Henan.
In the early years of the Tang Dynasty, barbarians were roaring and causing chaos in the spring tide. Chen Zheng and Chen Yuanguang, father and son of Yiyang in Guangzhou, led nearly 10,000 Guangzhou soldiers with the surname 87 into Fujian to quell the rebellion. They took the waterway along the Huaihe River and into the Yangtze River. Mr. He Chi, a Zhangzhou scholar, wrote in the book "Commentaries on the Longhu Collection and Research on Chen Yuanguang":
The Fujian army marched down the river from Guangzhou Huangshui Wharf in a mighty manner and entered the Huaihe River. The author has checked the migration routes from the Central Plains to Fujian in the past dynasties, and they all entered the canal from the Huaihe River and went south. According to the historical data that Chen Zheng was trapped in Jiulong Mountain, his two brothers Chen Min and Chen Fu led reinforcements and passed through Quzhou Xujiang (now Jiangshan County) due to miasma and died. Wei Ma "buried her son in Xujiang with tears". It is believed that Chen Zheng's route into Fujian was: launch from Huangshui Wharf, a tributary of the Huaihe River in Guangzhou, enter the Huaihe River, and then Go downstream through Gushi Sanhejian Wharf, enter Hongze Lake, enter Hangou via Huai'an, go down to Yangzhou via Hangou to connect with Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, then go south all the way through Suzhou, go ashore at the end of Hangzhou Canal, and then go ashore along the Qiantang River to the ancient wharf of Qinghu Town, Xujiang (now Jiangshan) County, Quzhou.
During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, Guangzhou was under the jurisdiction of the Southern Tang Dynasty and was the northern border of the Southern Tang Dynasty. Historical records show that from the 13th year of Baoda (955) to the first year of Jiaotai (958), Emperor Shizong of Zhou Dynasty, Chai Rong, led the southern expedition. At Huaiyou, the Tang army collapsed thousands of miles away, and "the whole army of the Huaihe River navy was annihilated" . "History of the Song Dynasty Volume 272 Biographies No. 31" contains the biography of Si Chao, the governor of Guangzhou who stayed in Huainan in the later Zhou Dynasty. It also records a water battle that "captured more than 40 ships": "Zhou Shizong ordered Prime Minister Li Gu to attack Huainan, and Chao served as the vanguard deputy capital commander of the infantry, and also served as the patrol envoy for Lu, Shou, Guang, and Huang prefectures.They defeated more than 3,000 Huai people in Shengtang County and captured more than 40 ships. They sent their supervisors Gao Bi and Guo Yi to command Xu Wan to present them. During the two Song dynasties, the generals of the Southern Song Dynasty used convenient waterways to travel between the Jiangnan and both sides of the Huaihe River to protect their homes and the country. Han Shizhong responded to Gao Zong and said: "We should leave troops to defend the Huai and Jiang Rivers, and we should divide our troops into chariots for defense. About 100,000 people should be divided into half of the Hujiang River and the upper and lower parts of the Huaihe River. Only 50,000 are left. Can the defense be guaranteed?" "
Until the Wuhan Battle launched by the Japanese invaders in the Anti-Japanese War, when attacking on the northern front, they also used the Huaihe River to go upstream to Huangchuan to land and transport supplies. "History of Army Operations in the China Incident" (formerly known as "History of Army Operations in the China Incident", 1979 Zhonghua Book Company Published as internal information) records:
Before the start of the battle, the Second Army anticipated that supply would be difficult due to the long land station line, so it considered using the Huaihe River for upstream transportation and prepared about 600 fishing boats (mostly from Japan). The commander of the military depot in Bengbu (for this reason, a brigade of the 6th Infantry Regiment, etc. was specially assigned to it) is responsible for supplies.
The first river transport troops (hundreds and dozens of troops) commanded by the captain of the third battalion of the 6th Infantry Regiment set off from Bengbu on August 31. They continued to move forward without obstruction from enemies along the coast. On September 18, they arrived near Shangyougang (25 kilometers northeast of Guangzhou) and assisted the Tenth Division in the Guangzhou operation. The second river-tracing force landed near Gwangju in early October.
Just in time, when traffic was stopped due to rainfall, upstream transportation became the only source of supplies for troops entering Gwangju and the vicinity of the mall. From the landing point transport was mainly by packhorse. Before September 20, the munitions and food landed at Shanggangyougang were enough for a division for about thirty-six days, horse supplies for a division for about twenty-one days, and ammunition for about thirty-three days.
Just three days ago, on June 25, 2022, the Xixian section of the Huaihe River from Huaibin to Xixian Navigation Project including the construction of Huangchuan Huabu Wharf started construction. Speaking of Huaibin , we are now the leader in Huaixi water transport. Before the Republic of China, Wulongji, where Chengguan Town in Huaibin County is located, was an enclave of Guangzhou Prefecture. It was the hub of Guangzhou water transportation. .
During the Yongzheng period, "the flood season was maintained and the state was moved to govern, and the magistrate suppressed Yu Xi's Wulongji". (Qianlong's "Guangzhou Chronicles, Volume 7, Xingsheng Chronicles") In the 21st year of Qianlong's reign (1756), "In the 21st year of Qianlong's reign (1756), "Fujun Turgong Bing'a asked the judge to be moved to Wulongji in Xi County, and Baoli Yan was assigned to Dongliuli Village in Xi County." (Qianlong's "Guangzhou Chronicles, Volume 14, Rank Official Chronicles")
According to the records, there were 32 horses, infantry and ding stationed in Wulongji to guard the flood barracks. In the 21st year of Qianlong's reign, the Qing government moved the Prefectural Judgment Office to Wulongji. Qianlong's "Guangzhou Chronicles·Volume 16·Official Records" records: "The Prefectural Judgment Office used to be located in the west of the prefecture's Zhiyi Gate. In the 21st year of Qianlong's reign, it moved to Wulongji. (One hundred and sixty miles east of Xixian County), it was moved and built at a reduced price from the State Administration of Time, and it was completed in the 22nd year. Its system: five couplets in the lobby, three couplets in the rolling shed in front of the hall, and one in the east and west soap and official rooms. There are three couplets on the front Yimen gate and three couplets on the front gate. There are two halls with five couplets at the back of the hall, and one gatehouse on the east and west sides. Then there are three halls with five couplets, and the east and west wings have two couplets each. There are three bedrooms in Yindong's study and two kitchens. The surrounding wall is five feet high and has been protected from rain for thirty-one years. The state judge Hu Changyang asked him to borrow money to repair it. In the 32nd year, the construction of Geyunyan in Prefecture was completed. In the spring rain of 34th year, the three halls and the east and west wings were restored. The prefect Gao Zhaohuang and the four subordinates donated money to rebuild and restore the old system. "It can be seen from the above text that the scale of the Guangzhou Prefecture Judgment Office in Wulongji is relatively large. Unfortunately, it was burned down by bandits during the Republic of China. Until the early 1950s, during the Huangchuan District period, our "bandit suppression" headquarters was also stationed in Wulongji.
Smoke cages with hundreds of pheasants in the green forest, and daily movement of two-city painted boats.
I am so depressed that I can only make a fortune.
In 1913, when the state government was abolished and the county government was established, the name of Guangzhou was abolished. It was named Huangchuan because of a small Huang River that passed through the city. You can imagine the importance of this river in the lives of our ancestors.It’s just that the pace of history is always making great strides forward. With the technological advancement of land transportation, the rapid development of railway and air transportation, and the intensive construction of reservoirs and bridges blocking the river channel, this Xiaohuang River has basically lost its transportation and transportation functions.
There used to be several small fishing boats parked at the pier beside the Xiaohuang River where Yiyang Plaza is located. The boat people made a living by fishing and lived on the boats all year round. In 2019, the government also allowed fishermen to live ashore out of environmental protection. In 2002, when the county government was renovating the landscape along the river, only steps were left on several docks along both sides of the Xiaohuang River to descend from the walking path to the water. This may be a silent memorial.
Today, when I wanted to look into the aura of Gwangju Water Transport, I realized that many of its former glory were buried in the fragments of history, and some even failed to leave a trace of memory.
"Henan Geography·Huaihe River System" of the Republic of China introduces: " Honghe, Huanghe, Huaihe, and Huiji rivers are all connected by boat, and small boats are used where the water is abundant. For shallow places, bamboo rafts may be used. "
The 1988 edition of "Xinyang Area Traffic Chronicle" records: "Huangshui... starts from Gingguoshu and ends at Huangchuan City. The water depth is usually 0.161 meters, and the water depth from Huangchuan to Liwan in the lower reaches is 0.50 meters all year round. wooden sailboat under 5 tons. "Huangchuan Port is located at Huangchuan Chengguan. The port is 150 meters wide, the operating area is 150 meters, the depth is 5 meters in heavy water (referring to mid-flow), and 0.5 meters in flowing water. Huangchuan Port was built on a natural earth bank using 2-meter-long stones. Loading and unloading of goods are done by people carrying them on their shoulders. "
The "Ports and Terminals" entry in the "VI. Transportation Chapter" of "Huangchuan County Chengguan Town Chronicles" published in 1988 records:
1. Ports Huangchuan Port: Located 50 meters downstream of the old Huangchuan Bridge. Built in March 1953, the port is 150 meters wide, the water is deep, and the high tide (flood) is 5 meters. Low tide (low water) 0.5 meters. In 1959, there were 60 pairs of bamboo boats and 514 wooden sailing boats in Hong Kong, with a total tonnage of 3,199 tons. From 1960 to 1980, the port's upstream water sources were cut off, and the dry period of the river was extended, making it difficult for ships to berth. Currently, there are only a few old wooden sailing ships and small-tonnage cement barges moored. Some boat people make a living by fishing for sand in the harbor, and some switch to other industries.
2. Wharf Before the founding of the People's Republic of China, there were two wharfs in Huangchuan County, one at Nancheng Wharf and one at Beicheng Wharf. There are a total of thirty dock workers at the two docks, responsible for loading and unloading cargo from ships. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Hong Kong government was established, and the two piers in the north and south were moved from Longzuizi under the Huangqiao Bridge in the old town to the east side of the current Huangqiao Bridge. The pier is a natural earth bank with only two-meter-wide stone steps. In 1959, dock workers were merged into Chengguan Moving Station. There are 100 porters. At present, the pier is only used by a small number of boat people to fish for sand and residents to carry water.
The 1992 edition of "Huangchuan County Chronicle·Part 7" records:
Waterways : There are 5 larger rivers in the territory. Spring River and Zhaihe are seasonal rivers, and there are actually 3 waterways. Huanghe River, from Xinxian County to Huangchuan via Guangshan, and then enter the Huaihe River at Lianghekou. It reaches Sanhejian in the east and Xinyang in the west, flowing through the county for 52 kilometers. It was the main waterway of Huangchuan in history. Import salt, local specialties and daily necessities; export agricultural products and white cloth. The river can accommodate wooden sailboats and bamboo rafts of 10-30 tons. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, reservoirs were built in the upper reaches and water conservancy projects were intercepted. As a result, the rivers in the middle and lower reaches were silted up, the dry season was extended, and the waterways were shortened. After 1966, except for wooden sailing boats that can still pass through during the flood season, it has become difficult to sail in other seasons. Huaihe River, flows from Xi County to Huangchuan County for 48 kilometers. The waterway runs from Naizi to Huaibin. Before the 1960s, the route reached Sanhejian and Zhengyangguan in the east, and after the 1970s, it expanded to the Jiangsu area in the lower reaches of the Huaihe River. The river in this line is wide and deep, and can drive motor ships of more than 300 tons. Bailu River , enters Huangchuan from Xinxian County through Guangshan. It flows for 34 kilometers in the county and is one of the main waterways in the history of Huangchuan. Due to the sand and siltation of the river, it is now only open to navigation during the flood season. A wooden sailboat that can travel less than 30 tons.
Port, wharf, ferry: Port, located in Huangchuan Port 50 meters downstream of Zhenhuang Bridge, was built in 1953. The port is 150 meters wide and the water depth is 5 meters in flood season and 0.5 meter in dry season. In 1959, there were 60 pairs of bamboo rafts and 514 wooden sailing ships in Hong Kong, with a total tonnage of 3,199.After 1960, the upstream was blocked and the harbor water was shallow and dry. Only wooden sailboats and small-tonnage cement barges could be berthed. Most of the boat people were forced to change their profession, and a few made a living by fishing for sand in the port. Wharf, during the Republic of China, there was one wharf in the north and south cities respectively, namely Kangjimen in the south city and Longmenkou in the north city. A total of 30 workers were responsible for loading and unloading the wharfs. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the wharves were merged and moved to 350 meters downstream of Huangqiao in New Town, with 2-meter-wide stone steps built. In 1959, dock workers joined the county moving station, and the dock existed in name only. Ferry, rivers criss-cross the county, and there are many ferries. There are 26 ferries commonly used for ferries. Among them, the main historical Daying Tuanjie Ferry: located in Lailong Township, China. It was built in 1978 and was jointly operated by several farmers. It ferries 150-200 people every day. The peak The number of passengers reaches 400; Yangdukou: located in Lailong Township, which was jointly established by Lailong Township and Huaibin County in 1983. There are about 20 ferry passengers every day, and it is suspended during floods; Yangtai Ferry: located in Shanggang Township, Shanggang, and was built during the Republic of China. Now it is contracted by three farmers, ferrying 30-50 people every day, and 150-200 people every day; Xudukou: located in Hezi Town, built during the Republic of China, opposite Huaibin County, with Huangchuan in the first half of the month and Huaibin in the second half of the month, with 200 people ferrying every day, and 500 people every day.
Water transportation: Before the founding of the People's Republic of China, individual boat people were the mainstay. Boat people use bamboo rafts and wooden sailing boats to travel between the Huanghe and Bailu River channels, with an annual cargo volume of about 2,000 tons. Shuishui Township was established in 1953, turned into a senior society in 1956, changed into a boat people's commune in 1962, and changed its name to a shipping company in 1984. In the 1950s, wooden sailing boats were developed. In 1959, the number of wooden sailing boats increased to 511, an increase of 84.2 times from 1949 (6), and bamboo rafts were eliminated. In the 1960s, new routes were opened, and ships mostly operated in the Honghe River, Jialu River, and Luohe areas. In the 1970s, it switched to motorized ships and turned to Bengbu, Fuyang, Fengtai, Anhui and Chaohu, Jiangsu. In the 1980s, the contract responsibility system was implemented and all motorized vessels - cement barges were used. In 1986, the county had 196 cement barges with a tonnage of 4,749 and 3,460 horsepower. The annual freight volume was 1.06 million tons, an increase of 37.5 times compared with 1979 (27,500 tons) and an increase of 53.4 times compared with 1952 (19,500 tons).
It is also recorded in the "Xinyang Area Traffic Chronicle" that in 1950, the Provincial Shipping Bureau established the Huaihe Office in Wulongji. In 1951, the office was ordered to move to Chengguan, Huangchuan County. It was renamed as "Huangchuan Office of Henan Inland Water Navigation Administration". In July 1951, the "Huangchuan Branch of Henan Civilian Shipping Combined Transport Society" was established. In 1952, with the division and adjustment of the administrative regions of Henan and Anhui provinces, Huangchuan Shipping Station was abolished and merged with the Department. The two specialties of Xin and Huang were merged. In November 1952, the Huangchuan office was moved to Xinyang and renamed "Huaihe Office of the Inland Water Navigation Administration of the Department of Communications of Henan Province". In August 1953, the "Huaibin Water Public Security Bureau" was established, with the Youhuangchuan Water Police Station under its jurisdiction. ...In 1964, the shipyard located one kilometer away on the north bank of the Huaihe River was moved to Weiziji on the south bank of the Huaihe River. The shipyard mainly built wooden sailboats and cement ships, and also built bamboo rafts and various types of ships. It had 70 employees. Due to the sluggish shipping industry and weak technical strength, it suffered losses year after year. It was suspended in 1981 with the approval of superiors (also recorded on page 240 of "Huangchuan County Chronicle").
