Yongdae Gap
Yongdae Gap[2] (Korean: 용대갑, 龍台岬, "Dragon-Terrace Cape") is a North Korean headland in the middle of the country's eastern coast along the Sea of Japan. It forms the southeastern corner of South Hamgyong's Tanchon and the western point of a narrow bay sheltering Songjin and Hwadae.
| Location | Yongdae Gap South Hamgyong Province North Korea |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°28′24.8″N 129°3′44.2″E[1] |
| Tower | |
| Shape | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern[1] |
| Markings | white tower |
| Light | |
| Focal height | 61 meters (200 ft)[1] |
| Range | 12 nautical miles (22 km; 14 mi)[1] |
| Characteristic | L Fl W 9s.[1] |
Names
In the 19th century, Yongdae Gap was known as Cape Schlippenbach or Schlippenback.[3] During the Japanese occupation of Korea, it was known as Ryūdai-kō.
Geography
Yongdae Gap is the southern point of a small peninsula whose most conspicuous summit is Wonsandok San, which rises to an elevation of 504 meters (1,654 ft) about 4 miles (6.4 km) due north of the cape. The highest visible mountain from the point is Yongyon San(용연-산, 龍淵山), which rises to an elevation of 1,598 meters (5,243 ft) about 17 miles (27 km) farther NNW. Its range extends 25 miles (40 km) north from the cape.[2]
A half-mile (.8 km) to the west of the peninsula is Yongdae Myoji ("Yongdae Anchorage").[2] This has a depth of 9.1–13 meters (30–43 ft) and bottom in fine sand, but is unsafe except as a shelter from NE winds.[2]
To the east of Yongdae Gap is a narrow but long and deep bay[3] extending about 40 miles (64 km) east to Musu Point.
Lighthouse
Yongdae Gap has a lighthouse, but it is closed to the public[4] and the American National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency notes that "the existence and operation of all navigational aids should be considered unreliable on the east coast of North Korea".[1]
References
Citations
- List of Lights, Pub. 112: Western Pacific and Indian Oceans Including the Persian Gulf and Red Sea (PDF). List of Lights. United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. 2018. p. 212.
- Sailing Directions (Enroute), Pub. 157: Coasts of Korea and China (PDF). Sailing Directions. United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. 2018. p. 75.
- Jarrad (1884), p. 137.
- Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of North Korea". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Bibliography
- Jarrad, Frederick W. (1884), The China Sea Directory, Vol. IV: Coasts of Korea, Russian Tartary, the Japan Islands, Gulfs of Tartary and Amùr, and the Sea of Okhotsk, London: J.D. Potter for the Hydrographic Office of the Admiralty.
External links
- "NK 52-11: Sōngjin", AMS Series L552, Washington: Army Map Service, 1954, a topographical map of the area around Yongdae Gap.
