British Publication "China Sea Directory," 3rd Edition, Vol 4 (1894)

The following are excerpts from the 3th edition of the China Sea Directory, Vol. 4, which was published by Hydrographic Office of the British Admiralty in 1894:

Table of Contents

Chapter I. General remarks. Korea. Siberian Maritime province. Japan. (1-39). Chapter II. West, South-West, and South Coasts of Korea; and Korea Strait. (40-135). Chapter III. Sea of Japan. - East Coast of Korea and the Maritime Province. - Gulf of Tartary and River Amur. - Tartary Strait. - Sea of Okhotsk, and Kamchatka. (136-190). Chapter IV. Mariana or Ladrone Islands. - Islands South-East of Japan. - Meiaco Sima, Liu Kiu, and Linschoten Groups. (191-236). Chapter V. The Japan Islands, Comprising the South and East Coasts of Kiusiu, Sikok, and Nipon, and the Islands lying South of Tokyo Gulf. (237-340). Chapter VI. The Seto Uchi, or Inland Sea; and its Approaches. (341-442). Chapter VII. Japan Islands. - The Goto Islands, and the West Coasts of Kiusiu and Nipon. (443-557). Chapter VIII. Japan Islands. - Tsugaru Strait; North Coast of Nipon; Yezo Island; Saghalin and Kuril Islands. (558-641). Glossary of Japanese words used in the Charts and Sailing Directions (642). Index (643-695). List of Sailing Directions, &c., published by the Hydrographic Department of the Admiralty (697-704).

In Chapter 3

JAPAN Sea, bounded on the east and south by the Japan islands, and on the west and north-west by the coasts of Korea and the Russian Maritime Province is about 900 miles long, NNE and SSW, and 600 miles East and West, at its broadest part. Surrounded by land on all sides, this sea is only accessible by the following narrow passages:- To the south by the Korea strait, which connects it with the China sea; to the east by La Perouse and Tsugar straits, by which it communicates with the Pacific; and to the north by the gulf of Tartary, through which it communicates with the sea of Okhotsk by the gulf of Amur; this sea is, as far as is known, clear of rocks or dangers with the following exceptions:

- Liancourt Rocks and Matsu Sima(Dagelet island).

LIANCOURT ROCKS are named after the French ship Liancourt, which discovered them in 1849; they were also called Menalai and Olivutsa rocks by the Russian frigate Pallas in 1854, and Hornet islands by H. M. S. Hornet in 1855. Captain Forsyth, of the latter vessel, gives their position as lat. 37°14′N. long. 131°55′E., and describes them as being two barren rocky islets, covered with guano, which makes them appear white; they are about a mile in extent N. W. by W. and S. E. by E., a quarter of a mile apart, and apparently joined together by a reef. The western islet, elevated about 410 feet above the sea, has a sugar-loaf form; the easternmost is much lower and flat-topped. The water appeared deep close-to, but these rocks are dangerous from their position, being near the track of vessels steering up the sea of Japan for Hakodate.

MATSU SIMA (Dagelet island) is a collection of sharp conical hills, well clothed with wood, crowned by an imposing peak, 4000 feet high, in the centre, in lat.37'30'N., long. 130"53'E. The island is 18 miles in circumference, and semicircular in shape.　 A rock, with a depth of only 2 to 3 feet on it,lies on the north-east side of Matsu sima, with Boussole rock S.S.W 1･4W.about 2+3/4miles. (Reported by the German steamer Wirmar, 1888. See chart #2347.)　

There are several detached rocks along the shore of Matu siima, principally, however, on the north and east sides, some reaching an elevation of 400 to 500 feet. With the exception of the rock already mentioned, they are all, like the island, steep-to, and the lead affords no warning, but none of them are more than a quarter of a mile from the cliffs, except the Boussole rock, the largest , which is 7 cables from the east shore of the island. Hole rock on the north shore is remarkable, from having a large hole, or rather a natural arch way through it, while nealy abreast in on the shore is a smooth but very steep sugar-loaf hill, apparently of bare granite, about 800 feet high. A small rock lies off Seal point, the southern extreme of the island.

The sides of the island are so steep, that soundings could only be obtained by the Actaeon's boats, almost at the base of the cliffs, while at 4 miles to the southward, no bottom could be found at 400 fathoms; and 2+1/4 miles north none at 366 fathoms. Landing may be effected in fine weather, with difficulty, no some small shingly beaches which occur at intervals, but the greater part of the island is inaccesible.

During the spring and summer months some Koreans reside on the island, and build junks, which they take across to the mainland; they also collect and dry large quantities of shell fish. Except for a few iron clamps, their boats are all wood-fastened, and they do not appear to appreciate the value of seasoned timber, as they invariably use quite green wood.

I noticed that the directory mentioned the rock off Seal Point, which is at the southern tip of Ulleungdo.