Port Hamilton

Port Hamilton can also refer to a former port in Fountainbridge, Edinburgh, Scotland, in the United Kingdom or the former name of East Hamilton, Texas in the United States.

Port Hamilton map

Port Hamilton or Komundo (Korean Hangul: 거문도 [Geomundo], Hanja: 巨文島 or 巨門島) is a small group of islands in the Jeju Strait off the southern coast of Korea, located approximately at 34°1′35″N 127°18′45″E. There are three principal islands, the two larger ones, Sodo (서도 [Seodo], 西島) and Sunhodo (동도 [Dongdo], 東島) forming an excellent harbour with the smaller island in the centre. It was this central island, Observation Island (거문도 [Geomundo], 巨文島, or 고도 [Godo], 古島), which was the location of the British naval base from 1885 to 1887.

History

Port Hamilton first came to the attention of Western imperial powers in the mid-19th century when, in 1845, British naval officer Edward Belcher surveyed the area in the HMS Samarang and first applied the name of Port Hamilton.

Location of Port Hamilton in the Jeju Strait

The strategic importance of Port Hamilton, being a natural harbour that allowed control of the Korea Strait between Korea and Japan was recognised by the United States Navy, who considered seizing the islands in 1884.

In April 1885, Port Hamilton was seized by three ships of the British Royal Navy on orders from the Admiralty. This was to forestall Russian advances in the face of the Panjdeh Incident in Afghanistan. Port Hamilton served as a counterbalance to the Russian naval base at Vladivostok. By occupying Port Hamilton the British could prevent Russian advances in east Asia, and block Russian naval activity in the Korea Strait. The British built a few buildings and defensive works and introduced pheasants to the islands. After the Russian threat had diminished the British demolished the base and left on 27 February 1887. Nine British sailors and marines were left buried at Port Hamilton.

Port Hamilton accrued to Japan upon its annexation of Korea in 1910 and were transferred to South Korea in 1945. In 1951, Japanese claims to the islands were specifically renounced in the Treaty of San Francisco. Today, the islands form a part of Samsan District, Yeosu City, South Jeolla Province, with the Samsan District offices located on Observation Island. The islands are also part of the Dadohae Haesang National Park.