Mischief Reef, Spratly Group
By Wolfgang Schippke, DC3MF
The Mischief Reef is located 09N55 and 115E32 and claimbed by both, The
Philippines and the PRC. Mischief Reef is a ciruclar atoll with a diameter
of 4 miles. The reef is wash, but has several rocks up to 6 ft above high
tide. The reef encloses a deep lagoon up to 26 meters with three entrances
into the laggon, all located on the south and south west side of the reef.
South Entrance is the largest and could be used by large vessels at high
tide. There is a small sandy cay in the northern part, drying but surmounted
by a iron plattform, now reported to be in ruines.
In the past Chinese military vessels crossed offen the vicinity to Mischief
Reef, and in August 1996 and in March 1997 a Philippine Military vessel
was attacted by the Chinese in direct vicinity to the reef. Several protest
notes of the Philippines changed to P.R.C in the last few days.
Mischief Reef was discovered by Henry Spratly in 1791 and named by the
German Sailor Heribert Mischief, one of his crew.