Geomundo, once known as Port Hamilton, is a small group of islands in the Jeju Strait off the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula. Made up of three principal islands, the two larger ones, Sodo to the west, Dongdo to the east, with Godo, the smaller island in the center forming a harbor. The islands, covering 12² km/4.6 mi², are part of the Dadohaehaesang National Park. Most of Geomundo’s facilities are located on Godo.
Geomundo Island's history dates back to the bronze era with the discovery of a stone sword on one of the islands. Subsequent discoveries of coins from the Han Dynasty (206BCE-220CE) used for more than 700 years have also been found. Discoveries of celadon (pottery) from the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) have also been located on Geomundo’s islands. Admiral Jeong Yeochang came to Geomundo, was struck by the high literacy level of the Islanders, and had the islands renamed ‘Geomun,’ meaning ‘great literacy’ (do means island).
Port Hamilton was surveyed in 1845 by the British navy and was named after the then secretary of the Admiralty, Captain W. A. B. Hamilton and established a base in 1885. 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.
After the Russian threat had diminished, the British demolished the base in 1887. The British graveyard with ten British soldiers, on Godo, remains to this day and has become a tourist attraction. Ten British sailors and marines are buried on the island, two sailors from HMS Albatross, and a young sailor from HMS Albion.
Godo was only the second place in Korea to have electricity, after the king’s palace in Seoul. Many of the buildings along the harbor date back to the 35 years of Japanese occupation. The architecture of this type has all but disappeared elsewhere in Korea.
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.
English Cemetery
The British navy occupied Geomundo for 22 months between 1885 and 1887. Up the hill, past a bamboo thicket, is the English Cemetery. All that is left from the Victorian era is a headstone and a wooden cross.
Of the 10 seamen who are buried on Godo, two sailors from HMS Albatross killed on March 1886 when their gun exploded, another from HMS Albion according to local legend that fell off a rowboat and drowned one night after having a few drinks at a Japanese tavern on Seodo, and others that presumably died of natural causes.
Geomundo Lighthouse
Geomundo Lighthouse, completed in 1905, was the first lighthouse to be built on the southern coast of Korea. The white, 6.4 meter/21 feet-high lighthouse that projected a beam of light every 15 seconds visible for up to 42 kilometers/20 miles away.
In 2006, a 33-meter/108 feet high lighthouse was erected to replace the obsolete 1905 facilities. The 1905, hundred-year-old lighthouse, was partially restored and is on display as a maritime relic.
Noksan Lighthouse
The Noksan Lighthouse is an unmanned lighthouse at the northernmost point of Seodo (west island), one of the three islands of Geomundo. The 7km/4⅓mi-long path to the lighthouse starts behind Seodo village.
Sinjiki Mermaid of Geomundo
The legend that has been passed down through time says that Sinjiki, the Mermaid of Geomundo, has fair white skin and long black hair. She mainly appears on brightly moonlit nights, or at dawn, to warn fishermen of approaching storms or typhoons by throwing stones at the cliff, or making noise.
The large bronze statue of Sinjiki sits just below the Noksan Lighthouse on the northern most point of Seodo, Geomundo's west island.
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