September 8, 1902. ]
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
from Moji, Japan, to singapore, and met the typhoon on her southward voyage.
allowed itself to be misled as to the real facts in the case of the 8 8. Laisang. If Mr. Figg is correct in his assumption that the second vessel Sicawei obtains its typhoon warnings from referred to by the anonymous writer in the information furnished by a chain of stations Daily Press was the ss. De Witte the destruc-stretching from Japan through the Loochoo tive criticism aimed by the Chamber at the Islands to Formosa, as shown in the accompany- Hongkong Observ tory would app ar entirely | ing map, and the whole of the information from to lack the foundation of fact.
every one of these stations is also ec ired telegraphic ly by the Hougkong Observatory da ly. It is the actual observations that are required by the forecaster, not expressions of opinion by others of the weather conditions likely to prevail.
3. Mr. Figg explains why the Hongkong Observatory declives to issue storm-warnings received from institutions elsewhere, and why it is not necessary to receive weather observa tious from the Sicawei Observatory; and shows that the Hongkong Observatory has been largely instrumental in obtaining observatious from various sources in order to improre its forecasts. He adds that the storm-warnings of the Hongkong Observatory are issued at the earliest possible moment consistently with the observations received.
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With the above expression of opinion, I most emphatically agree. The interests of the boat population must be considered as well is that of others. The simplest system in that case is certainly the best, and the adoption of any often invisible in the calm weather usually complicated or extensive system of flag signals, preceding typhoons, such as used in Shanghai, would in my opinion, be a step in the wrong direction. It seems strange that the Chamber should adopt its present attitude and seek to alter a system of signalling typhoons-in use now for 19 years-which i 1998 they admitted had worked successfully in the past.
This Observatory caun t be made responsible for the issue of storm-warnings received in the Colony from institutions elsewhere.
A flag sigual code to be useful must, in my publication on our part would na urally imply The indications of the existence of a depression Such opinion, ba short aud give definite information. agreement therewith and freque it'y this does are often of such a character as to make the not exist, and this Observatory ought not to ba hoisting of a signal-conveying definite informa- placed in the false position of being obliged to tion quite unjustifiable. Such information 4. After careful consideration His F xcellency publish the warnings of others, without com- indicating the locating and movements of is of opinion that the Hongkong Observatoryment and which it might fully beliers to be typhoons far out at sea, or far away from any cannot be made responsible for the storm-erroneous. I have little hesitaton in saying that observing station must necessarily be vagne warnings of other institutions, and that having great confusion would res ilt at all times, and and may be misleading. because the data avail. regard to Sicawei's position within a chain of this might on occasion lead to disaster. stations from which the Hongkong Observatory
able for forecasting purposes is quite insufficient. The important station in the Shanghai dis-But a flag signal would give the information in receives observations it would serve no usefu!trict is Gutzlaff lighthouse from which we re- a defuite form, uuless a very ext nsive and purpose for observations to be alo received evive observations. Shanghai could be dispensed therefore impracticable code were adopted. from the Sicawei Observatory.
with altogether, but the Imperial Maritime Customs there forwarded observations to Hong- kong, I believe, before this Observatory started work in 1881, and they have continued to do so ever since.
The more observing stations the better as long as they are judicially distributed, but three ob erving stations in the immediate neighbourhood of each other are quite unneces- sary, and it is far more important that the Cable Companies, on whom we are absolutely dependent, and who are desirous of limiting rather than of extending this service, should be asked to send us observations from a district at present unrepresented, such as Weibaiwei, than that they should be asked to do so from one already sufficiently served.
4 His Excellency has also arrived at the conclusion that an alteration in the Houg kong system of signalling storms is uot desirable, and that a system of flag signals to convey weather informati n is for the reasons indicated by Mr. Figg not suited to local con- ditions, and owing to the absence of observing statidus to the west and south-west of Hongkong might at times be very misleading. 6. But His Excellency finds that the existing system of issuing weather information is capable of improvement, and has given directions by which it is hoped that the Cuiua Coast Meteorological Register issued by the Hong. kong Observatory may be more quickly and more widely distributed, and has authorised arrangements by which the remarks that appear at the foot of the Register, will in special cases when the Director of the Observatory considers it useful and desirable, be circulated by express to shipping firms and others. I have the honour to be. Sir, your obedient servant,
F. H. MAY,
A
This Observatory is only too glad to avail itself of all the information obtainable for the purpose of its weather service, and has con- tinuously sought to obtain, and has in fact been largely instrumental is obtaining, observations from various sources in order to improve the forecasts. The Jesuit institutions in Sicawei and Manila have ultimately benefited by these
Colonial Secretary.exten ions.
Storm-warnings are always issued at the earliest possible moment cousistently with the observations received. Sundays or holidays making nu difference, the for casts being posted, as n-ual, on the notice boards.
t
The SECRETARY,
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce.
MEMORANDUM BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF THE OBSERVATORY, OF THE 24TH JULY, 19)2.
With regard to paragraph 1, I wish to point Weather information is published daily in out that the first warning of the typhoon in the China Coast Meteorological Register. The question was is-ued from this Observatory on information that a typhoon exists in the vicinity August, 1st, 11.5 a.m. A warning from Manila of any station is not definitely telegraphed to dated August, 1st, 1.m., was received here us, but is shown by the observations made at the same cay. In the
I oochow monthly such station, and is thus at the disposal of weather reports under date August 1st, I find anybody who chooses to look at the Register, the following warning, received from Sicawei, I suggest that more copies of the Register be entered: - Typhoon S. E. of Loochoos going printed and that it be more widely distributed,! N.W." It is thus seen that warning was say to all shipping firms and others to whom received at that port from Sicawei also on the 1st.it is thought it may be useful. Information
As a matter of fact two warnings with reference to this typhoon were received at Hongkong Observatory from Sicawei at 8.10 &.. on the 4th. They were as follows:-" 3rd. .12 a.m. typhoon N. of the Formosa Channel going N. W.," and, "3rd. 4 p.m. typhoon on land near Foochow going N.W."
On referring to the monthly weather report of the Hongkong Observatory berewith en- closed, it will be noticedt hat similar informa- tion was issued here 24 hours earlier and hours earlier respectively.
issued at other hours and now posted on the notice boards can be printed and circulated in the form of expresses.
ba hoisted in calm weather, in which case they Again flag signals would frequently hare to would often be unreadable by masters of vessels. For these reasons I am of opinion that flag ignals are not suited to local requirements, and farther a satisfactory code for conveying meteorological information in the form neces- sary, does not exist. While desirous of meeting, as far as of the Chamber of Commerce, I respectfully possible, the wishes of the Committee
submit that in a matter of this kind, involving as it does responsibility, something must be left to the discretion of the forecaster.
F. G. FIGG,
24th July, 192.
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce,
23rd Angust, 1902. SIR,-I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 31st ultimo replying to this Chamber's letter of the 4th idem, and trans- mitting copy of memorandum and enclosures from Mr. Figg, the Acting Director of the Hongkong Observatory.
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2. If the Chamber has in any way been misled with reference to the fasts in the cares of the steamer Laisan and De Witte, the Committe desire to express their regret, but while accepting the statement of Mr. Fig this regard, I am to point out that the letter in the Daily Press referred to was accepted by this Chamber as the expression of what had frequently been brought to its notice from various quarters of the dissatisfaction, rightly or wrongly entertained by mariners frequenting this port, with the storm warnings issued by the Hongkong Observatory.
3. Mr. Figg points to the fact that . 1897 this Chamber suggested and secured a return to the system of meteorological signals in use from January, 1884, to December, 1896, as a pro f that they were satisfied with that system, where is, as a matter of fact, they simply but it is bere necessary to point out that the advocated a return to that system as being time f issue of the C. C.. R. and storm-simplr and more readily understood by the warnings depends on the early or late arrival boating population than that in use ut the of the observations telegraphed to us by the time. While thankfully acknowledging that Cable Companies ie, on causes absolutely this system has been of much service, the beyond the control of the Observatory.
Chamber never meant, as Mr. Figg seems to imply, that it was not susceptible of improve. ment and it was with the object of composing sume measures of further improvement that the more recent representations of the Committee were mainly directed. This Chamber has now for many years, commencing in 1889, endeavoured to secure improvement in the system of storm warnings, the meteorological communications with other ports and the rapid dissemination of weather forecasts.
The last paragraph of the letter points out the pressing necessity for a change in the system of signalling storms in Hongkong. I It would appear that the Chamber of Com-bare to call your attention to a letter from the merce has been misled by the statements of an Chamber of Commerce dated 23rd December, anonymous writer in the Daily Press, and it is 1897 (in C.S.O. No. 3,073 of 1897), in which the to be regretted that they did not endeavour to following remarks occur:-" Tu the interests of verify the said st tements. On the contrary I the shipping community my Committee would find that the s.s. Laisang left Hongkong on respectfully suggest an early return to the July 30th about 5 p.m.. two days before the system of meteorological signals in use from first warning was issued from Hongkong Obser- January 1834 to December 1896. Those signals vatory and two days before a similar warning having been in use for 13 years were becoming was received from Sicawei at Foochow. Such more and more understood and rightly a ship could not possibly be benefited by the interpreted by the boat and seafaring com information possessed at time of her departure, muuity, as is always the case the Committee by either of the Observatories.
Lelieve when a system of signalling is in troduced. They likewise convey to masters of ships intimation of the state of the weather at a distance on the voyages on which they were about to sail.”
The 88. De Witte, which is doubtless the vessel referred to in paragraph 1 as haring foundered in consequence of insufficient warn- ing from this Observatory, was really on a voyage
4. The Committee hail with much satisfac- tion the statement in paragraph 6 of your despatch, to the effect that His Excellency finds "that the system of issuing weather informa. tion is capable of improvement and has given directions by which it is hoped that the China coast Meteorological Register issued by the Hongkong Observatory may be more quickly and widely distributed," and recognias the value of the change proposed, a step in the irght
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