The following notice was sent to all vessels calling at Hongkong with wireless telegraphy installations. It has been in abeyance, however, since the beginning of December, for military reasons:—
No. 392.
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S DEPARTMENT.
Notice to Shipmasters.
1. Masters of vessels possessing radio-telegraphic installations are earnestly requested to co-operate in the forecasting and storm-warning work of the Royal Observatory, by communicating meteorological observations made on board, to the station at Cape d'Aguilar with all possible speed. The data particularly requested are:- The ship's name, position, and the time of observation. The reading of the barometer
The reading of the attached thermometer (if the barometer is of the mercurial type).
Wind direction and force (Beaufort scale).
State of weather (Beaufort notation).
During the period May 1st to October 31st, observations made at 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. are desired; from November 1st to April 30th the 6 a.m. observations alone. At any time of the year, when there is reason to believe that the ship is in the vicinity of a storm-centre, the prompt communication of meteorological observations at hourly intervals would be invaluable.
2. These communications should be sent as Master Service messages; no charge will be made by the d'Aguilar station, and none should be registered upon the ship. In return for the information supplied, the d'Aguilar station will, at 1 p.m., communicate to all ships within range of its installation, the summary of weather conditions and forecast issued by the Royal Observatory daily. Should subsequent information warrant any modification of the summary or forecast, such modification will be communicated by the Director of the Royal Observatory to Cape d'Aguilar, and, if of sufficient importance, it will be transmitted to the ether for the benefit of all shipping within range.
3. Particulars of the position and direction of progression of typhoons, and any meteorological information likely to be of use to shipping generally, will also be furnished to the Cape d'Aguilar station, and communicated to any vessel upon request.
4. It should be understood that all information supplied by the Royal Observatory is the best that can be given with the information at the disposal of the Director, and that the accuracy of such information will inevitably increase with the number of ships regularly telegraphing observations.
5. In order that a comparison between the ship's barometer and the Observatory standard may be made, it is particularly important that a few readings of the ship's barometer be taken in Hongkong harbour, and forwarded to the Observatory whenever possible. Franked envelopes for the free transmission of this, or any other meteorological communication, may be obtained on application to the Royal Observatory.
27th August, 1915,
A. M. THOMSON,
Colonial Secretary.