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16. Investigations concerning typhoons were continued during the past year. The results are partly contained in the already published Results of Further Researches concerning Typhoons, partly in a report containing exhaustive investigations of all the typhoons in 1886 and their paths, which is ready as well as the two maps exhibiting the paths, and partly in two minor papers about to be published one of which draws attention to an additional means of forecasting typhoons while the other explains the cause why typhoons are so frequent in the China Sea in September. It is hoped that these investigations will by degrees lessen the terrors of the Eastern Seas and that masters of vessels trading out here will in the future be enabled not only to escape damage from typhoons but to benefit by the favourable winds so as to make quicker voyages. The typhoons of 1887 have been provisionally investigated by aid of daily weather-maps drawn from the 1st July till the 1st November and by other means. In addition to the observations furnished by stations on shore, the log-books of 143 different vessels containing entries on 1561 days (counting those made on board different ships separately) are available. A great number of log-books have of course been looked through without entries bearing on typhoons having been found. The final investigation of the typhoons of 1887 will occupy my time during the next half year.
17. The remarks concerning typhoons, meteorological signals, and storm-warnings published in the China Coast Meteorological Register issued in the forenoon from here are reprinted below. The remarks, if not otherwise stated, refer to the state of the weather at 9 a. or 10 a. The position of the centre of the typhoon, as determined from a provisional discussion of observations subsequently received, is added in small print. The basis on which the information was founded is explained in a pamphlet: "The Law of Storms in the Eastern Seas," published in September, 1886 :--
1887, April 16th. for SW winds are very prevails.'
The barometer is falling over Luzon but steady along the coast. Gradients gentle. The temperature and the humidity are high and cloudy weather
1887, April 17th. The barometer is falling at all stations except Wladivostock and the fall is greatest in Manila. There appears to be a typhoon in the neighbourhood of Luzon. The temperature is high, the humidity moderate and cloudy weather prevails.'
The typhoon appears to have been at some distance E of the Philippines.
1887, April 18th. The barometer continues to fall in the South but has risen in the North. The temperature and the humidity are rather high and cloudy weather prevails.'
1887, April 19th. The typhoon has probably passed northwards in the Pacific. The barometer has risen except in Bolinao. Gradients for NE winds are moderate. The temperature and the humidity are high and cloudy weather prevails.'
This typhoon probably recurved in the Pacific.
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1887. April 20th. The barometer is rising except in Nagasaki where it has fallen and gradients are very slight in southern China. The temperature and the humidity are high and the weather is overcast.'
1887, May 11th. The barometer is still falling over Luzon but has risen along the coast. Gradients for NE winds continue steep in southern and moderate in northern China. The tempera- ture is moderate, the humidity rather high and the weather overcast.'
Typhoon in 15° N, 1261° E, (according to Faura).
1887, May 12th.-'The barometer is very low but steady over Luzon and has fallen along the coast. Gradients for NE winds remain steep. The temperature and the humidity are moderate and the weather is cloudy in the South and fine in the North.'
Typhoon in 18° N, 1261° E (according to Faura).
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1887, May 13th. The barometer is nearly steady but gradients for NE winds continue steep. The temperature is high, the humidity very low and the weather cloudy. At 10 a. the following telegram was sent to the Treaty Ports:-"There appears to be a typhoon at some distance to the East of Luzon."
Typhoon in about 25° N, 119o E.
1887, May 14th.-The barometer has risen and gradients for NE winds are moderate. The temperature is moderate, the humidity low and cloudy weather prevails.'
This Typhoon recurved south of Japan.
1887, May 26th. The barometer has fallen. There is a depression SE of Shanghai. The temper- ature is moderate, the humidity high and the weather overcast and wet.'
The typhoon appears to have been situated in the Pacific East of Luzon moving NNWestward.