Sulphur Channel
Encyclopedia
The Sulphur Channel is a narrow inshore passage between Green Island
and the northwest tip of Hong Kong Island
in Hong Kong
. The Sulphur Channel is mainly used by small craft and inter-island ferries passing between Victoria Harbour
and the East Lamma Channel
.
The channel was named after HMS Sulphur, a bomb vessel
commanded by Edward Belcher
who took the first British survey to Hong Kong harbour on 25th January 1841. Captain Belcher left HMS Sulphur with a landing party on January 26, 1841, disembarked on the northern foreshore, and raised the Union Jack over Hong Kong at Possession Point
(what is today Hollywood Road Park
). After raising a toast to the Queen with his companions, he officially declared the island the property of Her Majesty Queen Victoria and a Colony of the British Empire.
In 1990s, the Hong Kong Government had planned to reclaim the channel but withdrew later due to opposition from environmental concern groups.
Green Island, Hong Kong
Green Island is an island off the northwest coast of Kennedy Town on the Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong, separated by the Sulphur Channel. A smaller island nearby to the east, uninhabited, is called Little Green Island...
and the northwest tip of Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island is an island in the southern part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It has a population of 1,289,500 and its population density is 16,390/km², as of 2008...
in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. The Sulphur Channel is mainly used by small craft and inter-island ferries passing between Victoria Harbour
Victoria Harbour
Victoria Harbour is a natural landform harbour situated between Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula in Hong Kong. The harbour's deep, sheltered waters and strategic location on the South China Sea were instrumental in Hong Kong's establishment as a British colony and its subsequent...
and the East Lamma Channel
East Lamma Channel
The East Lamma Channel is a sea channel in Hong Kong. It lies between the western shores of Hong Kong Island and Ap Lei Chau, and the east side of Lamma Island. To the north it leads into the Sulphur Channel and Victoria Harbour, to the south into the South China Sea...
.
The channel was named after HMS Sulphur, a bomb vessel
Bomb vessel
A bomb vessel, bomb ship, bomb ketch, or simply bomb was a type of wooden sailing naval ship. Its primary armament was not cannon —although bomb vessels carried a few cannon for self-defence—but rather mortars mounted forward near the bow and elevated to a high angle, and projecting their fire in a...
commanded by Edward Belcher
Edward Belcher
Admiral Sir Edward Belcher, KCB , was a British naval officer and explorer. He was the great-grandson of Governor Jonathan Belcher. His wife, Diana Jolliffe, was the stepdaughter of Captain Peter Heywood.-Early life:...
who took the first British survey to Hong Kong harbour on 25th January 1841. Captain Belcher left HMS Sulphur with a landing party on January 26, 1841, disembarked on the northern foreshore, and raised the Union Jack over Hong Kong at Possession Point
Possession Point
Possession Point is a former point of land on the northwestern coast of Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong, before land reclamation moved the coast further north.- History :...
(what is today Hollywood Road Park
Hollywood Road Park
Hollywood Road Park is an urban public park in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong.The park is built in Chinese architectural style and is surrounded by buildings nearby.-History:...
). After raising a toast to the Queen with his companions, he officially declared the island the property of Her Majesty Queen Victoria and a Colony of the British Empire.
In 1990s, the Hong Kong Government had planned to reclaim the channel but withdrew later due to opposition from environmental concern groups.