E 9
In the following table are given the number of hours the local signals were hoisted in each of the years 1909-14:--
Year. Red Signals.Number of hours. Black Signals.
Number of hours. Bombs.
Number of times fired. 1909 233h 458 I 1910 80 196 1911 73 377 1912 151 164 1913 146 189 I 1914 146 178
The red signals indicate that the centre of the typhoon is believed to be more than 300 miles distant and the black less than 300 miles. Three bombs fired at intervals of 10 seconds indicate that winds of typhoon force are anticipated.
The figures in the above table include the number of hours that night signals, corresponding to the red and black day signals, were hoisted.
V.-METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS FROM SHIPS, TREATY Ports, &c.
Logs received. In addition to meteorological registers kept at about 40 stations in China, meteorological logs were received from 308 ships operating in the Far East. These logs, representing 17,011 days' observations, have been utilised for determining typhoon tracks. The corresponding figures for the year 1913 were 290 and 18,006.
Comparison of Barometers.-During the year more than 2,000 comparisons of ships' barometers have been made by means of observations taken when in harbour, and several direct comparisons of barometers for ship masters and various persons in the Colony.
Material for Pilot Charts.-Some progress has been made with this work. The mean values of barometric pressure, wind direction, and force, in degree squares, have been deduced for each month of the year. Means for 2 degree squares have been formed for the months of January to July. A pilot chart showing these elements has been completed for January, and isobars drawn for the months of January to July. They have revealed some interesting effects of Islands on the distribution of atmospheric pressure.