Slipping through time, imagine 1860. The Qing dynasty cedes a rocky, unassuming island to the British. This is Ngong Shuen Au, or Stonecutters Island as it became known. The British saw the potential of Ngong Shuen Au, not for its beauty, but for its stone. They established a quarry, giving the island its English name. The relentless clanging of hammers against rock echoed across the harbor. Can you imagine the back-breaking labor? This was just the beginning of Ngong Shuen Au’s transformation.
Ngong Shuen Au’s strategic location in Victoria Harbour made it ideal for more than quarrying. By the 1930s, it housed a secret listening post, a vital cog in the Far East Combined Bureau’s intelligence network. Radio waves, carrying whispers of war and diplomacy, were intercepted and decoded here. The island also served as a prison in the 1850s, adding another layer to its complex history.
After the Second World War, Ngong Shuen Au became a vital military depot. British Army units and the Royal Navy used the island to store ammunition. This became even more critical after the 1967 riots. Commercial explosives were also stored here, under the watchful eye of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. Interestingly, the island’s police force was made up of Indian Sikhs, chosen for their abstinence from smoking and alcohol, adding a unique cultural element to this military outpost.
Ngong Shuen Au also had a softer side. During the 60s, 70s, and 80s, it transformed into a rest and recuperation spot for military personnel. Chalet-style bungalows, a NAAFI shop, a restaurant, and a swimming pool offered a respite from the rigors of service. A commercial explosives factory, a joint venture between Jardine Matheson and DuPont, also operated on the island. It churned out tons of water gel and other explosives weekly, further highlighting the island’s dual nature.
The island was also a key base for a Royal Navy Hovercraft unit. They patrolled the waters, assisting the Hong Kong government in combating illegal immigration. The distinctive drone of the hovercraft became a familiar sound around Ngong Shuen Au. Today, Ngong Shuen Au is connected to the mainland, absorbed by land reclamation. It now houses a crucial sewage treatment facility, playing a vital role in cleaning Victoria Harbour. It’s quite a journey for an island that started as a simple quarry. Ngong Shuen Au, a place where the echoes of history, from quarrying to espionage to recreation, still whisper on the wind.