On the night of Sept. 12, 1748 the British East India Co. ship Scarborough struck the now-famous reef of the same name while on its way from England to China. As a result, the name “Scarborough Shoal” first appeared on maps of Philippine waters by English cartographers in the 1750s, according to research by a member of the Philippine Map Collectors Society. However, the wreck of the Scarborough is not to be found in Philippine seas as it arrived safely back in England in June 1749.

Nakpil, L. G. (2023, November 21). Scarborough 1st appeared on maps of Phl waters in 1750s. The Philippine Star, pp. 1, 4.