When London Became An Island
Soochong, Shoguns and the Saracen’s surveys
The information about the visit to Port Hamilton in Chapter 16 is taken from published sources and the Saracen’s log, which is held in the National Archives Kew. The section below was copied from the Remarks Book kept by Richards, which is held at the United Kingdom Hydrological Office Archives in Taunton, Somerset.
The costume of the Koreans is well known and needs no description here, unfortunately we had no interpreter but by signs, the help of our fiddler and a little cherry brandy we managed to ingratiate ourselves with them pretty successfully, so that we had the ship full of them everyday. Of the violin they were passionately fond and it appeared ridiculous enough to see a middle aged sedate Korean with large hat flowing beard and altogether patriarchal costume under the influence of the music (and perhaps a little grog) suddenly jump up from his dignified crosslegged position on the quarterdeck and figure off in a lively polka. We soon became great friends with these islanders and roamed over the island at our pleasure. Whenever we approached a village we were met by the elder and principal people, mats were spread and dried fish, onions etc. and a yellowish liquor of a sour taste brought for our refreshment; after which pipes were lit and offered to us; but we seldom entered their villages and when we passed near they did not seem comfortable until we had gone again. I think it is probable that their laws prohibit strangers from entering their villages for latterly the bearing of all these people towards us was of unreserved confidence.
Every accessible spot on the island is cultivated with barley and at the time it was well up in the ear and gave to the landscape a most interesting appearance. We did not see a pig or a bullock on the island nor do I think they have many fowls. I was surprised at not finding more vegetables grown and enquired what they did with so much grain when they made signs they exchanged it at Korea for necessaries, paper, clothing etc. etc.
Observations at Port Hamilton
Commanders and clippers
