20 years ago, Hong Kong bid farewell to the old Central Star Ferry pier – SCMP archive

End of the line: the last Star Ferry slips its moorings at Central Pier

by Norma Connolly and Winnie Yeung

The lights of the Star Ferry clock tower and pier in Central went out at midnight last night (November 11, 2006) as the iconic green ferries left their Central berth for the last time – sparking protests for some and nostalgia for others.

Throughout the day, tens of thousands of people flocked to the ferry, some to take the ride from the Central pier for the last time, as well as to photograph the clock tower which will be dismantled and rebuilt in a museum.

The last crossing of five boats carrying 1,800 passengers and more than 100 VIPs left the pier at midnight carrying passengers lucky enough to snap up tickets which were quickly sold out at HK$88 a head. Alexandra Lee, 67, and her daughter Josephine Chan, 28, visited the Star Ferry pier yesterday afternoon to reminisce about the many trips they made across the harbour on the ferries over the years.

“I used to study in Kowloon but lived on Hong Kong Island, so I took the ferry every day,” said a tearful Mrs Lee, who returned to Hong Kong last week from Australia where she and her family now live. “We used to get up early every morning to take the first ferry because my sons were very interested in ships and boats.”

Her daughter said: “I have many memories associated with this place. They are the kinds of memories I’d hoped I could pass on to my kids, but now that won’t happen because they’re closing it.”

Frankie Yick Chi-ming, the ferry’s managing director, said: “At Edinburgh Place, Star Ferry has served the public for 48 years since 1958. Hong Kong people have strong feelings for it. The pier is part of our collective memory.”

“We are proud to have this special arrangement to mark the end of the historic mission of the old Central pier and bid farewell with the people of Hong Kong.”

Throughout the day, the queues on the ferry piers in Central and Tsim Sha Tsui grew, with passengers waiting more than 30 minutes to get through the turnstiles at 7pm.

The Star Ferry put on extra crossings from midday onwards. By midnight last night there had been 300 crossings, with most boats filled to their 500-passenger capacity.

Vendors at the pier said they had their best day of business ever, with queues for ice-cream stretching to dozens of people. “I normally get about 100 customers a day, but today I’ve lost count,” said soft-drink seller Cheung Gor.

The images and working moments of the ferry pier’s last day were recorded by a battery of amateur and professional photographers who lined rooftops and the pavement.

From the entrance barriers to the taxi rank, bystanders used pieces of chalk to draw hundreds of stars as well as images of the clock tower.

Meanwhile, a protest group set up camp nearby and encouraged people to sign petitions, sing and hang ribbons and messages condemning the closure and demolition of the historic pier.