PORT INFORMATION: TSINGTAO

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00809A000500590104-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 21, 2001
• Sequence Number: 104
• Publication Date: July 21, 1954
• Content Type: REPORT

DLG lYal '-
Approved For Release 2005/07/13 : CIA-RDP80-00809A000500590104-9
U.S. Officials Only
CONFIDENTIAL
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
PLACE ACQUIRED
(BY SOURCE)
DATE ACOI.I I RED
(BY SOUh.,E)
The Navy interviewing officer assigned an evaluation of "F-2" to the report and
stated that source was affable and vary cooperative.
DATE DISTR.,/ Julq 1954
NO. OF PAGES 4
SOURCE Merchant mariner. Officer on a ship which called at Taingtao, China, from 8-13
Feb 54 to load fluoraper and magnetite iron ore.
~i OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE FURNISHED THE FOLLOWING INFOWAT,,-5 TO CIA
FOR IAC DISSEMINATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 3 c OF NSCID #7 (DIO, 81D
No 82-54)4
2. Alphabetical Designators In connection with information reported herein,
specific points of interest are noted on photograph of HO Chart No 5489 by the
following alphabetical designators:
A. Couree Line of Approach
B. Anchorage
C. First Berth
D. Fortified Coastguard Area
E. Second Berth
F. New Railroad Spur
G. Soviet Merchant Freighter (10 thousand tons)
H. British Merchant Freighter (10 thousand tons)
4. Vessel Source visited subject port in a 7256 gross tons, 423.98 length, and
in ballast) draft merchant freighter.
Rtrw Vensel arrived at uub,ject port in ballt.st from Shimonoseki, Japan, and
lifted 3574 tone of fluorape.r and 6380 tons magnetite iron ore for discharge in
Gdansk, Poland. Before arriving at port a radio message was received advising
amounts of cargo to be loaded, and requesting that stowage plan information be
wired in reply.
6. Weather i.:. arrival and thlrottghout period of loading operations weather was
cle..r and sunny with average tempera-.Lire 40?F. On departure, weather turned
U.S. Officials rnly
CONFIDENTIAL
BEE .AST PAGE Fcr !7USJCGT & AREA C
25X1A
M 0 ws .T 0. .I., I.IOIY.TIO. .r/[c i.0 T.t ..1.0..1 OCTt.LL
0, rot u.I Tta LT.TLL. ?IT. i. T"11 ..I.a Or t,Tl It. 110,10., TL
..0 lt.. Or T.t y.t. 000i.. .I .?0000. Ift T0..La ID1a. 01 IDOL.
LLTIO. 0r ITt OO.Tt.TL TO 0I .1001LT 0Y . .0L 001410 rU/C. /
TIL.I1I TIP.IT. L!. T00 0IPID000TI0. aP T.Mlu.trn.T i? .TO.IIITLa.
This report is for the use within the USA of the Intelligence components of the Departments or
Agencies Indicated above. It Is not to be transmitted overseas without the concurtenc.: of the
originating ofTlce through the Assistant Directm? of the O[Rco of Collection and Dissemination, CIA.
25X1A
ONI DECLASSIFIC IgM[~6FQ ~ O%Y)gf N!~fAI ~BW&00809AO00500590104-9
 Approved For Release 2005/07/13 : CIA-RDP80-00809A000500590104-9
25X1A
cold and foul with snow flurries, skies were overcast. fresh to strong winds
reached force five, and temperatur dropped to 300F.
7. Approach to Outer Harbor Limit Ve-sel received a radio message containing
rnchorage data and regulations governing entry from China Ocean Shipping
Agency, Tsingtao Branch (PEMAVICO), a copy of which source furnished. Source:
used a Japanese chart which had not beer. corrected for 18 years. He found
all navigational lights iu approaches to port different in characteristics
from those listed in the Admiralty List of Lights and some were not lit at all.
Source furnished a copy -~ i
py of Report on Conditions at Tsir;gtao,~~ submitted to
vesselas owners, dated 15 Feb 51+, which contains details of light character-
istics observed in approaching outer harbor limit.
8. Quarantine Anchorage Vessel followed course line labeled designator A in
reaching anchorage labeled designator B at 080650E Feb 54. Water was 20
fathoms deep in the middle cf the quarantine anchorage area. It was necessary
for the vessel to fly the courtesy flag of the Chinese Peoples$ Republic
(Communist Cbina).
9. Pilot Boat Pilot, military control (coastguard) authorities, doctor, and
agents representative boarded vessel at anchorage at 080830H Feb 54 from a
609, diesel powered, low horsepower tug flying the flag of the Chinese Peoples'
Republic.
10. Pilot Pilots are compulsory. Only Soviet and satellite flag vessels will be
taken in at night. Pilot was an able mariner who is a regular pilot in subject
port and whose services were wholly satisfactory. Pilot was closely watched
by two armed guards nd he appeared to be nervous when asked by source about
navigational lights. Pilot explained that he could not supply any such informa-
tion on instruction of the harbor muster. A different pilot declined Lo advise
source of water depth at berth.
11. Preliminary In5,ection Preliminary boarding inspection of one-hour duration
ending 080930H F~-54 took place at the anchorage- Military control authori-
ties and doctor conducted inspection and searched all cabins while all hands were
mustered on deck to present ldent.ification and seaman's papers. Agentts repre-
sentative translated customs forms from Chinese, copies of which were furnished
by source.. List of documents required for call a; subject port was also fur-
nished. Details ou preliminary inspection are contained in the "Report on Con-
ditions at Tsingtao" referred to in paragraph 7 above.
12. Approach to Inner Harbor Ali r;avigationel instruments were sealed during ,pre-
limi.nsry inspection at quarantine anchorage, and vessel proceeded under pilot le
direction to berth withuut use of any navigational instruments. Consequently,
source could not provide an accurate course line of approach to berth. Two
tow-powered tugs assisted vessel in berthing.
13. Berths Vessel occupied berth N 5, labeled designator C, tc load fluorspar.
Wharf is located on the opposite side of the harbor from main wharves and Is
situated in the area of a fortified coastguard installation, labeled designator
D. Source did not observe types or numbers of weapons mounted in this area.
No cre?? members were allowed ashore while vessel was berthed at th'i wharf.
Vessel shifted at 101900H Feb 51 to a second berth, labeled designator E, to
load magnetite iron ore.
14. Boarding Inspection A "Joint inspection" by military control authorities,
harbor officials, and customs officers took place at the first berth from 081100H
to 081150H Feb 54. A total of .0 officials comprised the boarding party. Crew
members were mustered on deck while cabins were searched, and cards were issued
to crew to be used when going a6hore_ Crew's foreign currency made up In
separate envelopes with amounte :;nd name of caner written on them was chocked
and sealed in vessel's safe. Ail seals were inspected daily by customs officer.
Approved For Release 2005/07/13 : CIA-RDP80-00809A000500590104-9
 Approved For Release 2005/07/13 : CIA-RDP80-00809A000500590104-9
CLINFIDENt'1A149 OFi' L,_LU S 0.ai h 25X1 A
15. Cargo Handl'L_ Cargo wets carried `.o wharf by stevedores using baskets and small
one-man wheelbarrows. Vessel's winches were used In loading fluorspar and
magnetite iron ore from wharf to hold. Loading operation was fast; stevedores
worked three: eight-hcur shifts; and vessel was loaded in four days.
16. Wharves Wharves were well constructed. Werehouses were located on wharves
as indicated on chart. Height of wharf deck from water at second berth was
12-15?. Tidal range at wharf was 2-31,
17. Clearance Facilities Clearance factlitiec, were exac:!:iv as indicated on chart.,
except for a new railroau spur that 1s being laid on t.h. wharf at designator F.
13. Tugs Two tugs were used by vessel in berthing and shifting. One tug was diesel-
powered, the otter was steam-powered; b^'t.b tugs were low horsepower. Several
small tugs were observed towing lighters.
19. Lighters Several lighters were observed, but no defir_ite info2?mation on their
capacities or employmea. could be determined. Lighters are not necessary for
most loading operations In sub,lr_ct pork,.
20. Surveillance Sentry was maintained at gangway, and two security guards with
sidearms and rifler were kept on board from time of preliminary inspection at
anchorage until pilot was dropped in leaving port. A customs official and
agent's representative remained aboard vessel throughout visit to port. While
vessel was berthed at dest,griator C, mewls were supplied and provision was made
for three guards to sleep on board; while loading at berth labeled designator
E, sleeping accommodations were. provided tally clerk and the two armed security
guards.
21. Merchant Shipping Present A Soviet merchant freighter of approximately 10
thousand tons woo berthed at dctc.tgnator G while unloading an Inbound cargo of
machinery and loading an outbound cargo of magnetite iron ore. Vessel was not
clean and did not present a neat appearance. A British merchant freighter of
approximately 10 thousand tons with insignia of Blue.Funnel Lire on smokestack
Was berthed at designator H.. A British colonial merchant coastal freighter of
Hong Kong registry, approxi'rt,tQly six thousand tons, as berthed at an undeter-
mined location.
22. Naval Vessels 'rro patrol craft were anchored at outer harbor limit line.
Several LCTs ano LSTs were observed in the harbor, and a large 500' unidentified
tender with bridge and engines alt was observed.. No submarines were observed.
23? Liberty Ashore Crew members were allowed liberty ashore between 0900 and 0001
hours, and passes were signed by security guard on duty aboard snip when cre:
went ashore. Crew members were warned to behave themselves while ashore.
24. Hos italization of Crew Member Crew member of vessel, a fireman, was removed
from vessel to hospital .in the city with serious symptoms of pneumonia. He.was
treated with drugs including penicillin and was sufficiently recovered to
return to vessel day of departure. Hospital was modern, clean, and well
staffed by doctors.
Hospitality The president, vice-president, and secretary of the local unit
Of-tye en's Trade Uaion c.' China cane aboard vessel while it was berthed
at designator C to invite crew to attend a party given by their organization.
The vice-president and secretary who coo" speak English interpreted for the
president who could not. Shifting of vessel to second berth caused postponement
of the entertainment fron evening of 10 Feb to 11 Feb i51?. Party was held in
the old German Masonic Hall where free beer, oranges and peanuts were served
sad a propagan&,+ sound motion picture in Chinese was shown. The motion picture
depicted scenes in Chinese ttlstcry emphasizing the improvements made by the
Communist government. Chinese spoke enthusiastically about their govern-
ment. Propaganda books were the ship's officers. 'i.'he party was followed
Approved For Release 2005/07/13 : CIA-RDP80-00809A000500590104-9
 Approved For Release 2005/07/13 : CIA-RDP80-00809A000500590104-9
25X1A
by a drive around the city far the ship's officers accompanied by officera of
no union local. Fs?A automobiles were observed on the streets. The people
observed in the city were adequately clothed and appeared to be gainfully ela-
ploye'd. 8ourco believed far more beer wee absorbed by crew tbdn propaganda.
26: De tare Vassal departed subject port 130900H Feb 54. Immediately before
departure all Chinese currency was collected and handed back to %gentle repre-
sentative. Credit was given for?this amount in vessel's disburaenent account.
A "Joint Inspection" was carried out by the same authorities that searched the
chip on entering. The name two security guards that had been aboard vessel
since its arrival at quarantine anchorage left vessel with pilot at outer
harbor limit after removing all seals.
/Qn file in CI Library are photograph of HO Chart So 5489 with appropriate
alphabetical designators, photostat of "Report on Conditions at ':aingtao"
submitted to vessel's owners dated 15 F,3b 54, photostat of "List of Documents
for fort of Taingtao, :.,-L: China," given source by vessel's agents in 8hi-
Aonoeeki, J''pan, and photogrs-?'is of customs forma for Teingtao, referred to
in the foregoing report
- end -
LIBRARY SUBJECT & AREA CODES
756.548
631L
756.547
631L
756.541
631L
756.549
631L
756.545
631L
756.543
631L
857.11
631E
136.
631L
756.58
6311
107.79
631L
893.2?
631L
756.571
631L
7-11/734.10
55M(CL)
7-11/733.1
55M(C )
7-12/731.10
IL/C(PM)
7-12/733.1
IL/C(PM)
Approved For Release 2005/07/13 : CIA-RDP80-00809A000500590104-9