South China Morning Post photographers have raced to capture Hong Kong's defining moments in the years since the newspaper hit the streets. In this, the publication's centenary year, our researchers are trawling the archives to illustrate a forthcoming book celebrating 100 years of history as seen through the camera lens. Post Magazine provides a preview of some of the most spectacular images.
November, 1976: By the time these plucky swimmers dived into the harbour for the annual cross-harbour swim, the event's days were clearly numbered.
After the race, the South China Morning Post described competitors emerging from Victoria Harbour with 'bloodshot eyes, grease-smeared faces, and bodies blackened with sump oil'.
The event dates back to the 1860s, when gentleman swimmers raced from Kowloon Point to the bathhouse at Murray Wharf. Records recall that in 1881, six swimmers set off at a leisurely pace, stopping en route to chat with friends aboard a sampan. The winner finished in 29 minutes and 33 seconds.
One of the first signs that the future of the race was in doubt came in 1970, when an 18-year-old male was drowned. Media reports suggested he had been seen struggling to swim through an oil slick.
The 1976 event started beneath a clear blue sky, if not amid clear blue waters, but tragedy struck when 74-year-old Lee Fook-sang faltered 50 metres from the finish. He was pulled to safety by a police launch, but later died in hospital.
