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destruction of native craft but - fortunately, as far as it has ascertained at present, very few lives have been lost
2.
A great deal of the destruction and loss of life might have been avoided had the Chinese obeyed the warnings which were issued by the Starboard Master early in the day.
About nine o'clock in the morning of the 12th instant I received two telegrams, shortly after the other, from the Director of the Observatory at Hong Kong informing me that a typhoon was raging in the vicinity causing great damage.
I lost no time in having the contents of these telegrams to be duly made public, and this prevented a number of vessels from leaving the harbour and warning others to make all safe.
As most of the typhoons which visit this Island have their origin in the Bay of Bengan, it is very fortunate that we are in telegraphic communication with Manila so as to receive early warning of their approach.
6.
In order to obtain such important information with