Appendix F.
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE OBSERVATORY.
The comparison of weather-forecasts issued daily with the weather subsequently experienced, has been conducted on the same system as heretofore (compare Annual Report for 1896 § 5). The results are as follows:-
Success 59 per cent., partial success 31 per cent., failure 1 per cent., partial failure 9 per cent. Following the method used in Meteorological Offices and taking the sum of total and partial success as a measure of success, and the sum of total and partial failure as a measure of failure 90 per cent. of the weather-forecasts were successful in 1908.
The average results for 1906 and 1907 were as follows:- Success 57 per cent., partial success 33 per cent., failure 1 per cent., partial failure 9 per cent.
2. The so-called typhoon season was unusually prolonged in 1908 as regards the Northern part of the China Sea, it being found necessary to hoist typhoon signals as early as May 26th, while it was not until December 8th that the last signal was given. The number of typhoon centres directly affecting the Colony was greater than usual, but with the exception of that of July 27th to 28th, the gales which resulted were not of great violence in the harbour.
A detailed account of this typhoon has been already published. The following is a brief summary:- The disturbance approached the Balingtang Channel from the Eastward on the 25th July and passed through it moving in a Westerly direction on the morning of the 26th. On the 27th at noon it was situated in the neighbourhood of the Pratas shoal. Its course was then becoming more and more northerly. The rate of translation, which had been about 9 miles per hour during the previous day, was increasing and the depression was apparently becoming deeper. It approached the neighbourhood of the Colony towards 11 p.m. when a gale from the North commenced. Typhoon force of wind which was reached near midnight, continued until about 2.30 a.m., the direction during this period veering from NE to SSE. The lowest barometer 28.85 (at M.S.L.) occurred at 1.30 a.m. The central calm area is now known to have passed over the island of Cheung Chau, which is situated about 8 miles to the SW of the city. This was doubtless the point of its nearest approach. Subsequently the disturbance moved up the river reaching Canton about 7 a.m.
This typhoon was of similar type to that of September 18th, 1906. The storm area was however larger, probably in the proportion of 5 to 3, and the violence of the wind greater. Unfortunately the velocity spindle of the Anemograph was broken, probably about midnight, but in its disabled condition a maximum hourly velocity of 81 miles was recorded against a maximum of 77 miles in September, 1906. The Anemograph at Victoria Peak was practically wrecked and the record entirely lost.
3. The authorities in Canton adopted the Hongkong code of signals in the autumn and information is now telegraphed to the Harbour Master there whenever black signals are hoisted in Hongkong.
4. An improvement has taken place in regard to the time of receipt of the meteorological telegrams from Hoihow and Pakhoi, but they are still received too late to be of any practical value.
5. By the courtesy of the Commissioner of Customs at Wuchow, West River, arrangements were made last autumn whereby that port was added to the list of stations reporting meteorological observations daily by telegraph to this Observatory.
6. The need of a station on the coast between Hongkong and Swatow is often felt and steps were taken during the summer to ascertain whether it would be possible to establish such one. The Rev. D. Sutherland stationed at Sua Beue, a suitable position about half-way between the two ports, kindly offered to make observations. But as the nearest telegraph office, Hoifung, is situated at a distance of about 16 miles, and it would be necessary for the messages to be sent in by runner, it was considered unlikely that the foundation of a reporting station at Sua Beue would prove a success and justify the expense.
7. At the request of the Government, His Excellency Vice-Admiral Sir Hedworth Lambton, Commander-in-Chief, was good enough to arrange for the transmission by wireless telegraphy to the Observatory of meteorological observations made on board His Majesty's ships on the China station, whenever vessels possessing the necessary apparatus are in suitable positions for communicating by this means with Hongkong.
8. By the kind co-operation of the Commissioner of Customs an extra meteorological observation, made daily at 9 p.m. in Swatow, will be forwarded to the Observatory by telegraph throughout the typhoon season, and by the courtesy of the Rev. Fr. Algué, Director of the Philippine Weather Bureau, and of Dr. H. Kondo, Director of the Formosa Weather Service, extra observations will be forwarded from Aparri in Northern Luzon, and