;
L
Page 375
Page 375
190
347
Inclosure 10 in No. 104.
Hydrographer's Report.
PORT Hamilton is a spacious and well-sheltered harbour (2 miles long by about 1 mile broad), formed by a group of three small islands off the south end of Corea, and, with the exception of the large island of Quelpart, is the southern point of that country. It was first visited by Europeans, so far as we know, in 1845, that was by Sir Edward Belcher, in Her Majesty's ship Samarang." He surveyed the harbour, and gave it the name of the then Secretary of the Admiralty. It has subsequently been repeatedly visited by our ships of war, and a survey was made of portions of the extensive archipelago adjacent to it in Her Majesty's ship "Swallow," 1863.
"C
Port Hamilton is inhabited by a few hundreds of the Coreans. The crews of our ships during their visits roamed over the islands, but the inhabitants would not allow them to enter their houses. Fresh water is plentiful and good; no supplies.
From its position, Port Hamilton may be considered as the key of the Corean Strait, and an advanced post of great value in connection with the Sea of Japan. The nearest part of Japan is about 100 miles distant.
FREDK. JNO. EVANS, Hydrographer.
(Signed)
Appendix No. 4.
PORT HAMILTON-
July 26, 1875.
Inclosure 11 in No. 104.
Admiralty to Foreign Office.
Sir,
Admiralty, July 31, 1875.
WITH reference to my letter of the 26th instant* on the subject of the suggested occupation of Port Hamilton, in the Corea, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to transmit, for the information of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, the following copy of a tele- gram which has been received from Vice-Admiral Ryder, at Hakodate
(In cypher.)
-
"I find it will be of very great importance to receive the reply to telegram about Port Hamilton here, instead of at Vladivostock, for [? excellent] reasons. The sooner I can receive your [? answer] the better."
2. My Lords would wish to be informed what answer should be sent to the Vice-Admiral's communication ?
Inclosure 12 in No. 104.
Foreign Office to Admiralty.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
ROBERT HALL
Sir,
Foreign Office, July 31, 1875.
IN reply to your letter of this day,† I am directed by the Earl of Derby to request that you will state to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that his Lordship has under his consideration the question of the protection of British interests in the Corean Channel, and that instructions on the subject will shortly be submitted for their Lordships' concurrence.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
TENTERDEN.
Sir,
Inclosure 13 in No. 104.
Admiralty to Foreign Office.
Admiralty, August 2, 1875.
I AM commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you herewith, for the information of the Earl of Derby, the decypher of a telegram which has this day been received from Vice-Admiral Ryder, at Hakodate.
I am, &c.
(Signed)
ROBERT HALL.
Inclosure 14 in No. 104.
Commander-in-chief, China, to Admiralty.
(Telegraphic.)
Hakodate, July 31, 1875.
FRANCE and Russia have vessels collecting at Tsusima. Minister recommends me to proceed there immediately. I shall do so, and keep up communication with Nagasaki.
* Inclosure 9.
Page 375
Inclosure 11.
Page 375
Page 375Page 376