Secret hydrographic surveys in the Spratly Islands
- London: ASEAN Academic Press, 1999
- 219p.
The spratly Islands area in the South China Sea was commonly known on charts as the Dangerous Ground because of the numerous reefs and obstacles to be found there. By 1870 most of the area had been surveyed, but by the 1880s the existence or position of some features were considered doubtful. Secret surveys mainly by British and Japanese navies 1926-1939 proved that many features did not exist. British charts were revised in 1954 yet many others including American ones continue to show non-existent features. This study demonstrates how territorial and strategic interests can influence the information made available to the public.