REPORT ON PORT HAMILTON.
GENERAL ASPECT, &c.
Situation.
* Port Hamilton is formed by the combination of the three islands comprising the Nam How Group, and lies in latitude 34° 1' N., longitude 127° 20′ E., about 30 miles off the southern end of the Corean Peninsula.
Relative Distance.
It is situated at the following distances from the different ports mentioned
below:-
From Hong Kong
1,050 miles.
From Shanghai
370 miles.
From Kelung..
630 miles.
From Nagasaki
165 miles.
From Simonosaki
195 miles.
From Tientsin (mouth of Peiho)
620 miles.
450 miles.
400 miles.
From Port Arthur
From Chefoo..
Advantages as a Naval Depôt.
Port Hamiltou possesses many facilities which seem to point it out as desirable place for a naval depôt.
Excellent Harbour.
a very
The harbour is excellent, well sheltered, free from dangers, with a moderate depth of water, little tide, and good holding ground. It is an anchorage where a large fleet might lie in almost complete safety in all weathers.
Water Supply and Climate.
The supply of water is plentiful and good. The climate appears healthy, and there seems to be nothing likely to cause epidemics to break out in summer, whilst the winter is probably not more severe than in the south of England.
Facilities for Gunnery Practice, &c.
The bay is well adapted for boat sailing, torpedo exercises, &c.; whilst gunnery practice could be carried out with much advantage at the numerous rocky islands that are of easy access from the port.
Favourable Position for Dockyard, &c.
Sites exist where storehouses or a dockyard might be built in a sheltered position; and a floating dock could be moored close to the shore in deep water, out of the influence of all winds or tides.
Construction of Stone Docks not difficult.
Were it requisite, it would probably not be difficult to construct stone docks capable of receiving large vessels.
Easily defended.
It does not appear to be a difficult place to fortify. The different entrances could be easily blocked by a system of torpedoes, and there are no neighbouring Islands from which it could readily be bombarded."
• See Chart at end.
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Chiefly useful as a Naval Depôt.
My opinion is, that Port Hamilton bears a great analogy to Bermuda, useful chiefly as an essentially Naval Depôt, with a good strategical position, dependent on the outside for its main supplies of food, which can be obtained at easy distances, but not likely to attract any large amount of trade.
THE POLITICAL ASPECT, INCLUDING A DESCRIPTION OF THE RESIDENTS.
Desirable Possession for European Naval Power.
When the geographical position of Port Hamilton is considered, together with the advantages which it offers as a Naval Station, it appears obvious that a European Power having large naval interests in the China seas would regard it as a very desirable possession.
Its Possession a Serious Political Consideration.
There is no doubt that Port Hamilton should be a very serious political consideration to the nation to whom it belongs, to the nations who are desirous of possessing it, and to those nations who are interested in preventing it falling into the hands of a possible enemy.
Apparently neglected by Chinese and Coreans.
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But it does not appear that the present owners of Port Hamilton (whether Chinese or Coreans) are at all alive to its strategical importance, as it appears to be perfectly neglected, and but rarely visited by either the Chinese or Corean authorities.
Inhabited only by Fishermen and Peasants.
There is no authority of any description at Port Hamilton, which is inhabited only by a few hundreds of fishermen and peasants, whose political views are "nil," and will probably remain so, as long as they are allowed to catch their fish and cook their rice in peace and quietness.
Nominal Government.
Port Hamilton is nominally under the goverment of an official living at a place called Heon Yeon Yin, about 50 miles away on the mainland, who is said, however, never to visit this portion of his command, though he receives his tax of salt and rice from the residents in the Nain How Group at stated periods.
Communication infrequent.
Communication between the natives and the outer world appears to be very infrequent, and only by means of fishing boats.
No Foreign Residents.
There are no foreign residents of any description, not even a Chinaman at Port Hamilton, and they speak no language but their own Corean dialect.
Necessity for communicating with Natives in writing.
All intercourse between the natives and ourselves had to be carried on in writing, for as the written Corean character happens to be same as the Chinese, we were able to communicate by means of our Canton stewards; but the process of procuring information under these circumstances was especially tedious, and necessitated the same question being put several times, in different ways, before we could be quite sure that its meaning had been understood and a correct reply given.
Villages.
The settlement at Port Hamilton consists of four villages, two of which are situated on each of the larger islands; Observatory Island, the smallest of the three, being uninhabited.
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PUBLIC RECORD.OFFICE
Reference :-
PLIFIC.O.537
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