458
70
VESSELS.
Bk. Jessonda,
7° 47'
110° 14′
29.83
WSW
S.S. Teresa,
11 30
119 57
SW
"
Memnon,
12 41
117 32
.73 SW/W
69 19
q.
5
oq.
oq.
very high sea.
""
Kowshing,
near Manila
.60
SW/W
op.
strong wind.
"
Menmuir,
15 29
118
53
.60
W
oq.
high sea.
53
Torrington,..
13 14
112 15
.63
WSW
Ꮕ.
high sea.
Borneo,
14 0
112 38
.64
NNW
orq.
و"
Arratoon Apcar,
14 56
112 37
.66
WNW 4 opq.
""
Glenartney,
19 38
113 43
NNW
4 cp.
high sea.
Bk, Charon Wattana,
Enos Soule,
S.S. Paoting,
22
Thales,
" Canton,
,, Asagao,
Sh. Charmer,
"
59
Namoa,
S.S. Kwanglee,
Bk. Thermopyla,
S.S. Lennox,
Ancona,
"
***** *NNN
19 42
116 3
.58
NW
fine.
20 54
124' 14
SW
high sea E swell.
52
116 58
.49
NW
23 30
119 30
.45
N/W
23 0
116 45
.60?
NNE
at Amoy
.45
WNW
8888
b.
b.
b.
swell.
b.
26
10
121 26
.14
NNE
26 46 129 30
.53
ESE
orq.
0.
27 9
120 26
.60 ?
NW
orq.
27 33
123 42
NE
9
q.
27 50
28 3
122 14 122 48
.45
E
.36
NNE
6
q.
high confused sea. high cross sea.
The noon observations for the 6th September at the Coast Stations show that the barometer had fallen at all stations since the previous day. The fall had been very rapid at the Formosa and adjacent Channel Stations while on the East and South Coasts pressure had decreased but moderately fast. A considerable reduction of pressure had also taken place in Luzon. The area over which low pressure existed was therefore very large at this time. In N Formosa and at S Cape the decrease amounted to about 0.25 inch and at noon the latter station gives the lowest barometer reading. This reading however is nearly 0.2 inch lower than those of Takow and Anping and in fact for the next few days an area of low pressure lay over a district to the E of S Formosa. Strong N to NE breezes and strong gales were blowing on the East Coast and at sea off the coast. The weather was cloudy but dry except in one or two instances. The Lennox and Ancona whose logs are given in detail were bove to in about 2710, 12210, and on the evening of the 5th they experienced whole gales from N decreasing somewhat and veering during the morning of the 6th. The lowest readings of the barometer were taken on the morning of the 6th after which the barometer rose. In northern Formosa increasing NW gales were blowing with rain and at S Cape a strong WNW gale. On the SE coast chiefly NW light to gentle breezes. In the northern Luzon there was a gentle WSW breeze. The Enos Soule about 200 miles ESE of S Cape had a moderate SW gale with high sea and E swell. The Charmer 450 miles ENE of N Formosa had moderate ESE gale with overcast sky.
The centre was at noon on September 6th in 25° 45', 123° 15′, moving about WSW and during the evening it advanced directly upon Tamsui and Keelung. The centre passed a little to the north of Keelung about 9.30 p. and over Tamsui, situated a few miles further west, about 10.30 p.
At 9.30 p. the barometer at Keelung read 28.46 (lowest reading), at 10 p. 28.49, at 10.30 p. 28.58, at 11 p. 28.68. Between 9 and 10 p. the wind backed from WSW to SSW and at 11 p. it had come to SE all the time blowing with typhoon force accompanied by terrific squalls and torrents of rain. At midnight typhoon force continued from SE but towards 1 a. of the 7th the force had diminished and at 1.30 a. was SE force 8 only decreasing with less heavy rain. The barque Claro Babuyan lying in the port dragged notwithstanding that she had four anchors down, and the rain was so thick that it was impossible to see the length of the ship.
97
At Tamsui the wind fell from NW 12 or full typhoon force at 9 p. to variable force 1 at 10 p. (barometer 28.69). The following is noted in the register:-"10 p. absolute calm for about half an hour, then light movement of air for about an hour.' At midnight the wind burst from the opposite quarter SE with typhoon force (barometer 28.66). At 1.30 a. on the 7th it was still SE 12 but went down to SE 4 at 4 a. Heavy rain fell, but whether continuously and during the central calm is not noted.
*
no
For some observations taken at Twatutia situated about 10 miles SE by S from Tamsui we are indebted to Captain F. ASHTON and Mr. H. C. MATHIESON, A.M.I.C.E., who both noted a distinct lull in the wind between 10 p. and 11 p., Captain ASHTON says to force 3 or 4, and that there was rain to speak of" during this interval. Mr. MATHIESON had the lowest reading 28.80 at 10.15 p. Captain ASHTON at 11 p. 28.65 (uncorrected). The wind was about WSW 11 before the centre and about SSE after. Lightning was noted at 0.30 a. on the 7th towards the S but no thunder was heard. The central area where calm and gentle breezes prevailed appears to have had a diameter of about 25 miles. At Twatutia the river rose 16 feet putting the town 4 feet under water. At Tamsui the S.S. Pekin had two anchors down and was steaming towards them but dragged nevertheless. Many cargo boats and small craft were lost and many lives.
She
The S.S. Asagao was the only vessel at sea comparatively near to the centre at this time. was at midnight about 80 miles NNW of Tamsui and had a strong N veering gale with heavy rain squalls (barometer 29.39 rising). Other vessels either remained in port or had gone into shelter, the SE coast having been warned from the Hongkong Observatory already on the 5th. After