The typhoon that hit Hong Kong caused significant damage and loss of life. A junk was smashed to pieces, and several Chinese were rescued from the sinking vessel. A small boat was launched from the junk, and women and children were brought on shore, but this was not accomplished without considerable trouble on the part of those who risked their own lives. Among those brought to shore were two little children, about four years of age.
After their rescue, a second trip was made by the little boat, and another complement of passengers was ferried across the extremely dangerous passage between them and the shore. This was one of the cases where the desire of the Chinese to save their goods and chattels dwarfed all interest in their own or their people's lives. The boat was nearly swamped due to the enormous amount of goods sought to be put in it.
Much credit is due to the man who volunteered from the Sailors' Home for their behavior regarding this junk. The members of the Humane Brigade, under the Hon. P. Ryrie, were also industrious in saving life. Near Peddar's Wharf and the Canton Steamer Wharf, five or six junks were wrecked or sunk. In one case, 14 people were brought to shore, and in another, ten persons were rescued.
A lot of wreckage from junks, sampans, and boats was strewn about from one end of the Praya to the other. The pile was thickest towards the West end, and although there was little to show the severity of the gale towards the Far East quarter, the scene was one that was almost impossible to describe. It is hoped that those who were the inhabitants of those junks have been saved by finding protection elsewhere.
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As to the further continuance of the storm, opinion seems to be divided. Some nautical friends believe that there may be a return of the symptoms of a typhoon when the tide turns. The fact that the Chinese did not obey the Harbour Master's notification of an approaching storm is notable, as they would have had ample time to be in a position of complete safety before the typhoonic gale was felt.
As to casualties, there are three lives to report lost. In one case, three men less were brought to shore than were on board when the junk got into difficulties. There can be no doubt that there have been not a few lives lost in this gale, even in the harbor, of which there is as yet no record.
Among those who distinguished themselves was Mr. Orley, Inspector of Markets, who sprang onto a junk that was drifting rapidly on shore and searched the vessel to see if anyone was on board. A stone junk sank within sight of the people on shore. A lighter believed to belong to Messrs. Butterfield and Swire has gone down off the Onslow Works. The steam launch belonging to the Hongkong Dispensary has also gone down.
As we finish writing, the violence of the gale has not moderated and does not promise to do so. Among many incidents observed during the afternoon, a stalwart Sikh was seen leading a couple of Chinese thieves who had taken advantage of the common misery to loot cargo from the stranded junks.
The Praya Wall has stood the test of the present gale and the north-wester experienced some time ago. The water struck against the wall with a solid impact, but as far as observed, not a block left its place. However, the decayed granite behind the concrete was guttered by almost the first waves, suggesting that something more durable should be used for macadamizing the roads.
Mr. Noble furnishes us with the following figures showing the state of the glass at the various readings today:
TimeBarometer Reading 9.0029.702 10.0029.605 11.0029.504 11.3029.450 12 noon29.400 12.20 p.m.29.370 12.4029.324 1.0029.260 1.2029.240 1.4529.186 2.1529.150 3.1529.120 4.0029.056 4.3029.076 29.080 29.216103
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