Grew 60 cm Taller – “Dr. Mackay the Diver” Can Still Be a Doctor Even on Typhoon Days

▲ In the past, whenever a typhoon or spring tide occurred, Dr. Mackay would be submerged in the river. (Photo / From New Taipei City Government website, the same below)

Reporter Chen Ruizhong / Comprehensive Report

Visitors to Tamsui Old Street will certainly be familiar with the kneeling statue of Dr. Mackay on Golden Waterfront. In the past, due to the low-lying terrain and proximity to the riverbank, this kneeling bronze statue would often be flooded when the river water overflowed the embankment during typhoons or spring tides, leaving the statue drenched and turning the doctor into a “diver,” with his little boat, the Sea Dragon, and luggage all soaked in the river.

This bronze statue of Dr. Mackay was erected to commemorate his dedication to Tamsui and holds great significance. The suitcase and Bible on the boat also depict the scene of Dr. Mackay’s arrival in Taiwan. Therefore, to address the issue of flooding around the Dr. Mackay statue at Tamsui Tide-Watching Square during typhoons, heavy rains, and spring tides, the High-Level Land Engineering Management Office of New Taipei City Government raised the entire Tide-Watching Square by 60 to 100 cm this year, lifting the base of the Dr. Mackay statue by 60 cm.

▲ The newly taller Dr. Mackay statue safely weathered Typhoon Matmo this time.

The first typhoon encountered after the completion of the project to make Dr. Mackay taller was Typhoon Matmo. According to the New Taipei City Government, based on on-site conditions, the flooding issue around the Dr. Mackay statue has disappeared, showing significant improvement. This also allowed the taller Dr. Mackay to safely endure Typhoon Matmo without being submerged.