I read with interest the book review of Jason Wordie's Streets: Exploring Hong Kong Island (South China Morning Post, April 13).
I was particularly interested in the reference to how Repulse Bay got its English name, something I have been trying to ascertain for some time. The book states, without reference, that, 'Tsin Shui Wan (Shallow Bay) acquired its English name in commemoration of the HMS Repulse, a Royal Navy vessel that visited Hong Kong waters in the middle nineteenth century'.
Two references in the book's bibliography appear to dispute this. In The Hong Kong Guide 1893 there is no mention of Repulse Bay. It is referred to as Shallow Bay. Thus, as late as 1893 the bay appears to have only been called Shallow Bay. In White Ensign - Red Dragon, The History of the Royal Navy in Hong Kong 1841-1997, there is a comprehensive chronology of Royal Navy ships in or around Hong Kong from 1834 to 1997. No mention is made of any HMS Repulse visiting Hong Kong in the middle of the 19th century, or at any time.
Other vessels after which places have been named in Hong Kong, such as HMS Sulphur (Sulphur Channel), HMS Plover (Plover Cove), HMS Tamar (Tamar) are mentioned, but no HMS Repulse.
I, and I am sure many of your readers, would be interested in hearing from Mr Wordie as to why he believes Repulse Bay is named after a mid-19th century Royal Navy vessel.
JON W. ZINKE