NOTES AND QUERIES
205
DISTRIBUTION OF FORTS AND GUARD STATIONS ON
LANTAU ISLAND DURING THE LATE CH'ING PERIOD
Lantau, an island which lies to the west of Hong Kong Island, has an area of about 55.55 square miles. Situated at the entrance of the Pearl River estuary, the island enjoyed a strategic location in the past, especially during the late Ch'ing Dynasty. The position was reflected in the construction of forts and guard stations or shuen (屯) overlooking Tuen Mun 屯門.
During the K'ang Hsi period (1662-1722), the island was fortified with a fort at Kai Yik Kok 雞翼角, known as the Fan Lau Fort 汾流砲台 or Tai Yu Shan Fort 大嶼山砲台; and with two guard stations; one at Tai O 大澳, the Tai Yu Shan Shuen 大嶼山汎; the other at Tung Chung 東涌, the Tung Chung Hau Shuen 東涌口汎.
During the Chia Ching period (1796-1820), more forts and guard stations were constructed, partly because of the coming of the Europeans. Thus in the 22nd year of Chia Ching's rule, the Tung Chung Walled City 東涌城 was constructed, and a guard station with two forts called the Shek Tse Fort 石子砲台 was founded on the coast to its front. Later guard stations were established at Tai Ho 大蠔, Sha Lo Wan 沙螺灣, and at Mui Wo 梅窩.
The military force on the island consisted of a Shau-pe 守備 or major, with his headquarters at the Tung Chung Walled City. Under him were 4 Tsin-tsung 千總 or lieutenants, 7 Pa-tsung 把總 or sergeants, and 5 Ngai-wai 外委 or corporals. They were in command of 691 soldiers, of whom 195 were infantry and 496 garrison soldiers. This force also manned guard-stations at the Kowloon Walled City 九龍城寨, Shum Shui Po 深水埗, Tsing Lung Tau 青龍頭, Cheung Chau 長洲, Tsing Yi Tam 青衣潭, Ping Chau 坪洲, Po Toi 蒲苔, Kap Shui Mun 急水門, and at Yung Shu Wan 榕樹灣.
From this force 215 soldiers were in garrison on Lantau Island. The following shows the distribution of garrison soldiers in various forts and guard-stations on the island:
Tung Chung Walled City: 100 garrison soldiers under 1 Shau-pe, 1 Pa-tsung, and 2 Ngai-wai.
NOTES AND QUERIES
205
DISTRIBUTION OF FORTS AND GUARD STATIONS ON
LANTAU ISLAND DURING THE LATE CH'ING PERIOD
Lantau, an island which lies to the west of Hong Kong Island, has an area of about 55.55 square miles. Situated at the entrance of the Pearl River estuary, the island enjoyed a strategic location in the past, especially during the late Ch'ing Dynasty. The position was reflected in the construction of forts and guard stations or shuen (i) overlooking Tuen Mụn ♣19 .
During the K'ang Hsi period (1662-1722), the island was fortified with a fort at Kai Yik Kok #4, known as the Fan Lau Fort汾流砲台or Tai Yu Shan Fort 大嶼山砲台;and with two guard stations; one at Tai O, the Tai Yu Shan Shuen t
; the other at Tung Chung, the Tung Chung Hau Shuen 東涌口汎.
During the Chia Ching period (1796-1820), more forts and guard stations were constructed, partly because of the coming of the Europeans. Thus in the 22nd year of Chia Ching's rule, the Tung Chung Walled City
was constructed, and a
guard station with two forts called the Shek Tse Fort # # 2
was founded on the coast to its front. Later guard stations were
established at Tai Ho, Sha Lo Wan, and at Mui Wo 梅窩.
The military force on the island consisted of a Shau-pe
or major, with his headquarters at the Tung Chung Walled City. Under him were 4 Tsin-tsung †or lieutenants, 7 Pa-tsung
+
or sergeants, and 5 Ngai-wai or corporals. They were in command of 691 soldiers, of whom 195 were infantry and 496 garrison soldiers. This force also manned guard-stations at the Kowloon Walled City #K, Shumshuipo K, Tsing Lung Tau 青龍頭,Cheung Chau 長洲、Tsing Yi Tam 青衣潭, Ping Chau 坪洲,Po Toi蒲苔、 Kap Shui Mun急水門, and at Yung Shu Wan 榕樹灣.
From this force 215 soldiers were in garrison on Lantau Island. The following shows the distribution of garrison soldiers in various forts and guard-stations on the island:
Tung Chung Walled City: 100 garrison soldiers under 1 Shau-
pe, 1 Pa-tsung, and 2 Ngai-wai.
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