British Publication "China Pilot," 2nd Edition (1858)

The following is an excerpt from the 2th edition of China Pilot, which was published by Hydrographic Office of the British Admiralty in 1858:

Chapter IX, in Sea of Japan, Hornet Islands: These two barren rocky islets, in lat. 37°14′N. long. 131°55′E., were discovered by H.M.S. squadron, 25th April 1855. They are about a mile in extent, about a quarter of a mile apart, and apparently joined together by a reef. The westernmost islet, about 410 feet high, has a sugar-loaf form and is the highest; the easternmost is flat topped and much lower. The water appeared deep close to, but they are dangerous from their position, being directly in the track of vessels steering up the Sea of Japan for Hakodadi.

Korean Translation:

제9장, 일본해에서, 호넷 섬: 매마른 두 바위섬의 위치는 북위 37도 14분, 동경 131도 55분인데, 영국함정에 의해서 1855년 4월 25일 발견되었다. 그들의 길이는 약 1해리(1.852km) 정도이고, 약 반의 반 해리(약 0.5km) 정도 떨어져 있는데, 아마도 암초로 연결되어 있는 듯 하다. 서도(西島)는 높이가 약 410피트 정도이고, 원추형이며, 제일 높다. 동도(東島)는 정상부가 평평하고 서도보다 낮다. 섬 주변의 수심은 깊은 듯 하지만 동해를 거쳐 하꼬다데로 가는 항로상에 위치하기 때문에 항해상 위험하다.

In Chapter VII

QUELPART ISLAND, extending about 40 miles in an E.N.E. and W.S.W. direction, and 17 miles wide, is of considerable height, and detached from the Korean Archipelago and smaller islands which face the coast of Korea, and it is thought to be subject to the Government of Japan. This island was surveyed by Captain Sir E. Belcher of H.M.S. Samarang in 1845, from whose remarks the following observations are taken:

- The general outline of Quelpart is that of an oval, with few deep indentations to affect its regularity. Its general appearance, as viewed from the sea, is inviting, there being a pleasing variety of hill and dale, and on the northern and eastern sides much cleared land, cultivation rising probably to the level of 2,000 feet. Above this all appears to be buried in thick forests of pines and other northern trees, even to the highest peak of the island, which was named Mount Auckland, and which is 6,544 feet above the level of the sea. Towards the northern and eastern parts some of the cones, which reach elevations of from 500 to 800 feet, are so very smooth and circular, that, with their little batteries or watch towers on the summit, appear almost to be the work of art. This probably results from their method of cultivating the sides, as all the furrows appear to be made horizontally, which in process of time, by the constant falling down of the ridges, would effect such a regular outline. The space on which the city stands is a broad valley, situated about the centre of the northern coast of Quelpart, having a conspicuous flat eminence on its eastern side, and a small river or copious stream on the western, the country immediately surrounding it on all sides being peculiarly barren. The city wall, on the sea face, occupies a line of about 500 yards, containing seven bastions, apparently with embrasures throughout, but no guns were noticed. The eastern extreme of Quelpart is a peninsular promontory, named Cape Dundas, 2 miles north of which is Bullock island. Between this island and the city on the north coast, the depths in-shore vary from 6 to 27 fathoms. There appears a second city nearly opposite the former, on the south shore of the island, with a small bay on its west side, fronted by two small islands, named Hooper and Burnet islands, the latter being outside the former. West of Burnet is Richardson island, and east of it the islands of Mahon and Barrow, the latter surrounded by a reef. These four islands occupy a space of about 8 miles in an east and west direction parallel with the coast, and not more than one or two miles distant from it. Towards the west end of Quelpart, on its south shore, is a projecting promontory named Loney bluff, on the east side of which is a deep bay, with an island in it, called Marryat island, surrounded by a reef, lying about 2 miles N.E. of the bluff. South of the bluff are Barlow and Giffard islands, at the respective distances of 1 and 4 miles from it; they are both low and flat, and the former is surrounded by a reef. The Samarang rock lies W. b. N. about 2 miles from Barlow island, and S.W. about the same distance from Loney bluff.

Supplies. - The productions of Quelpart do not appear to be at all equal to the wants of the population and are in very small variety. Rice, wheat, barley, sweet potato, large Russian radish, maize, and small garden produce, comprise all that was noticed, either in the grounds, under cultivation, or among the people. This does not appear the result of any deficiency in land fit for cultivation, but rather in the very poor nature of the soil. Water appears to abound on the southern side of Quelpart, but only on Hooper island could it be procured easily. It can be easily obtained on Barlow island, but there is not safe and convenient anchorage near it. Wood was procured by purchase from the authorities, but in such small portions that it did not repay the trouble of sending for it; it is, however, abundant on the mountains, and on two of the off-lying islets it is to be obtained by slight labour. The manners of the population, excluding the superior class, are filthy in person and habit. Their fishing vessels are few, and of the most miserable construction. It is highly probable that Quelpart occupies the position of one of the penal settlements of Korea, and viewing it in this light, accounts for the gross manners complained of, and it will readily account for the variety in the races of beings which were found assembled, and for the low state of cultivation.

Anchorage. - Quelpart, throughout its extent, has but one safe anchorage, and that is off the southern bay of Bullock island, which here forms a channel with Quelpart, about 2 miles wide, and through which the current set strongly to the southward. The second temporary roadstead is off the city on the northern shore of the island, but a vessel would be compelled to seek any offing at the first symptom of a N.W. breeze. The third is at the western extreme of Quelpart, within Eden island, and affords shelter from North, round easterly, to N.W., and offers an escape to leeward if requisite. A fourth temporary but dangerous anchorage is off Hooper island, near the city on the southern shore; but this is open from West to S.E., and is too confined to admit of beating out, should wind and sea come in suddenly.