Keelung

alternative Kelung · alternative Kilung · alternative Kiirun

1. A city in north-eastern Taiwan.

   The mines of Keelung (Formosa) might also be made to furnish good coals, but they are for the present only used by steamers for want of better, and it was only towards the end of 1865, when other coals were very dear, that any Formosa coals were brought here and sold from 5 taels to 6½ taels.

   1866 February 1, Reports from the Foreign Commissioners at the Various Ports in China, for the Year 1865, London: Harrison and Sons, page 127

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   SAILING DIRECTIONS FOR THE HARBOR OF KEELUNG, ISLAND OF FORMOSA. . . . Keelung harbor, or Keelung-taw, head (or promontory) is situated near the northeastern point of the island of Formosa. . . . Making and keeping Keelung island well to the eastward, the entrance may be approached without fear, as the soundings are deep, and free from hidden dangers....The town of Keelung is situated at the head of the harbor, about a mile from this last anchorage, and surrounded by extensive mud flats, bare at low water, and can only be approached by small boats at high tides. . . . There is a covered market or bazaar at Sowan Point, near the junk anchorage, and another in the town of Keelung.

   1857, George H. Preble, “Sailing Directions and Nautical Remarks by Officers of the Late United States Naval Expedition to Japan”, in Narrative of the Expedition of an American Squadron to the China Seas and Japan, Washington, D.C.: Alfred O. P. Nicholson, pages 377–378

   This trade is as yet undeveloped, but would increase were greater facilities for communication in existence. The principal imports at present are Coal and Rice, but in time of dearth the export from Formosa of the latter commodity is prevented by the Native authorities. Keelung Coal is brought over almost exclusively for the use of coasting steamers.

   1866, Reports on Trade at the Ports in China Open by Treaty to Foreign Trade for the Year 1865, Shanghai: Imperial Maritime Customs' Press, page 57

   The Island of Formosa suffered greatly from an earthquake which took place on December 18, 1867. The shock pursued almost a direct course over the island from Keelung to Yamsin, at which latter place it was felt very severely, as well in loss of life as in the destruction of property and houses, including a temple which had just been completed at a cost of $30,000.

   1873, “China”, in The American Annual Cyclopedia and Register of Important Events of the Year 1868 (Annual Cyclopædia), number VIII, New York: D. Appleton & Company, page 115

   Keelung and Tamsui in the north of the island are the principal harbours ; the former town partly owes its prosperity to the proximity of some coal beds, which the Chinese have for a long time worked ' in the most primitive fashion ;' shafts were abandoned from having become flooded....The country round Keelung is charming in its rich green dress of bamboo groves and paddy ; but the odours of the town, which Mr. Taintor has stigmatised as the ' filthiest town in the universe,' are probably unrivalled.

   1887 October, F. H. H. Guillemard, “The Cruise of the 'Marchesa' to Kamschatka and New Guinea”, in Edinburgh Review, number CCCXL, page 318

   Years ago, at Keelung, rumbling sounds were heard, and the waters of the harbor receded until fish of all sizes were left wriggling and floundering in the mud and pools. Women and children rushed out to secure such rare and enticing prizes, but shrieks from the shore warned them of the return of the water. Back it came, furious as a charge of battle, overleaping its appointed bounds, and sweeping away all the houses in the low-lying land along the shore. The story of that tidal wave is handed down as one of the great catastrophes in history.

   1896 October 24, “Earthquakes in Formosa”, in The Friend, volume LXX, number 14, page 107

   Synonyms: KEE, Chi-lung, Chilung, Jilong, Kelang