I refer to C. Michael Guildford's letter (South China Morning Post, May 1) in which he points out that a Royal Engineer's Ordinance map dated 1845 shows Repulse Bay named as such on the map.
I have no doubt that at some point, be it in 1845 or 1920, Repulse Bay became known as such, however, my real interest is in learning where the name came from. As there does not appear to have been a British Naval vessel named HMS Repulse in Hong Kong waters at that time, it is still unclear to me why the Royal Engineers would adopt the name Repulse Bay.
On the frontispiece to White Ensign - Red Dragon, The History of the Royal Navy in Hong Kong 1841-1997, there is a reproduction of an 1841 chart published by the Hydrographic Office of the Admiralty. On it, what is now known as Repulse Bay is called Chonghom Bay, an obvious extension of the smaller body of water now known as Chong Hom Wan (Bay). I do not doubt that Mr Wordie carefully researched the origin of the name Repulse Bay, as Mr Guilford has pointed out. I would just like to hear from Mr Wordie or, indeed, any of your readers, if they can clarify how Repulse Bay became so named in spite of the apparent fact that no vessel called HMS Repulse ever appears to have been in Hong Kong waters.
JON W. ZINKE
Pokfulam