Directory_and_Chronicle_1920 — Page 520

HONGKONG STORM SIGNAL CODES.

New Local and Non-Local Storm Signal Codes were introduced at Hongkong on 1st July, 1917, in place of the old Local Code, and the China Coast Code.

The principal change in the Local Code is that the new Signals show the direction from which the gale is expected, whereas the old signals showed the position of the typhoon. The latter is indicated, as heretofore, by the Non-Local Signals.

The new Local Code is as follows:-

Signal. Symbol.

DAY SIGNALS.

Meaning.

1.-Reď cone.-A typhoon exists which may possibly cause a gale at Hongkong

within 24 hours.

2. Black cone.- 3. Black cone inverted.- 4. Black drum.-

5. Black ball.-

Gale expected from the North (N.W. to N.E.)

"9

""

""

""

""

99

6. Double cone.-Gale expected to increase.

South (S.E. to S.W.) East (N.E. to S.E.) West (N.W. to S.W.)

7. Black cross.-Wind of typhoon force expected (any direction).

Signal No. 7 will be accompanied by three explosive bombs, fired at intervals of 10 seconds at the Water Police Station and repeated at the Harbour Office.

The signals will be lowered when it is considered that all danger is over.

The Day Signals will be displayed at the masthead of the storm signal mast on Blackhead Hill, the Harbour Office, H.M.S. Tamar, Green Island signal mast, the flagstaff on the premises of the Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company at Kowloon, the flagstaff on the premises of the Standard Oil Company at Lai-chi-kok, and the flagstaff near the Field Officer's Quarters at Lyemun.

NIGHT SIGNALS. (Lamps.) Green Green

Green

Red

6 Green Green

7 Green

Red

White (White

White 1 White 2 Green 3 White 4 Green 5 White White Green White White Green The Night Signals will be displayed, at sunset, on the wireless mast at the Royal Observatory, on the tower of the Railway Station, H.M.S. Tamar, and on the Harbour Office flagstaff. They will have the same signification as the day signals.

Signal No. 7 will be accompanied by explosive bombs as above, in the event of the information conveyed by this signal being first published at night.

SUPPLEMENTARY WARNINGS.

When local signals are displayed in the Harbour a Cone will be following stations:- Gap Rock Stanley Sau Ki Wan

Aberdeen Sai Kung

Waglan

exhibited at the Sha Tau Kok Tai Po

to notify the fact to native craft and passing ocean vessels.

Further details can always be given to ocean vessels, on demand by signal from lighthouses.

The object of the code is to give at least 24 hours warning of a gale (Force 8 by Beaufort Scale, or 40-45 m.p.h., mean velocity by Dines Anemometer) and also warnings of expected changes in the direction and force of the wind. Owing, however, to the uncertain movements of typhoons and to insufficient telegraphic observations, it will occasionally happen that signals 2 to 5 may be displayed without a gale occurring at Hongkong, or even Gap Rock, but the reverse is not likely to happen, except in the case of typhoons forming in the vicinity and travelling rapidly towards Hongkong, or of a located typhoon increasing its rate of progression abnormally.

Signal No. 1 is intended as a warning to "Stand By" and watch for the next signal. When it is hoisted after a black signal has been displayed it will mean that, on account of a change in the track of the typhoon, or for some other reason, a gale is no longer expected from the direction indicated by the last signal, and that another black signal may possibly be hoisted later.

In the new Non-Local Code the approximate velocity of the storm centre is shown, in addition to its direction of motion, and the position of the centre given in degrees of latitude and longitude. The time at which the centre was in the position signalled is also shown.

TIME SIGNALS.

Commencing with January 1st, 1920, the Time Ball on Kowloon Signal Hill will be dropped daily at 10 a.m. (120th Meridian Time) instead of at 1 p.m., and again at 4 p.m. (Saturdays, Sundays and holidays excepted).

Time Signals will also be given at night by means of three white lamps mounted vertically on the Observatory wireless mast. From 8h 56m 0 to 9h 0m 0 p.m. (120th Meridian Time) the lamps will be extinguished momentarily at the even seconds, except at the 2ad, 28th, 52nd and 54th of each minute.