Directory_and_Chronicle_1921 — Page 454

HONGKONG STORM SIGNAL CODES.

A new Local Storm Signal Code was introduced at Hongkong on 1st July, 1917, in place of the old Lócal Code.

The principal change in the Local Code is that the Signals show the direction from which the gale is expected, instead of the position of the typhoon. The latter is now indicated by the China Seas Storm Signal Code.

The new Local Code is as follows:-

Signal. Symbol.

DAY SIGNALS.

Meaning.

1.-Red con.-A typhoon exists which may possibly cause a gale at Hongkong within 24 hours, 2.- Black cone.-

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

3.- Black cone inverted.-

4.- Black drnın.-

5.-Black ball.-

وو.

او

99

15

"

"

59

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

دو

6.-Double.cone.-Gale expected to increase.

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 on the Radio mast at the Royal Observatory, the Harbour Office, H.M.S. Tamar, Green Island signa-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.

White 12 White

White

White 2 Green 3

Green

NIGHT SIGNALS. (Lamps.) Green

Green

White White 4 Green 5 White White

White

Green

Green

Red .6 Green 7 Green

Green

Red

The Night Signals will be displayed, at sunset, on the Radio mast at the Royal Observa- tory, on the tower of the Railway Station, on 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 informa- tion conveyed by this signal being first published at night.

SUPPLEMENTARY WARNINGS.

When local signals are displayed in the Harbour a Cone will be exhibited at the following stations:-

Gap Rock Waglan

Stanley Aberdeen

|

Sau Ki Wan Sai Kung

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 China Seas Storm Signal Code the position of the centre of the storm is given in degrees of latitude and longitude. The direction of motion, intensity, and the time of hoisting the Signal are also shown,

TIME SIGNALS,

The Time Ball on Kowloon Signal Hill is dropped daily at 10 am. (120th Meridian Time), and again at 4 p.m. (Saturdays, Sundays and holidays excepted). The ball is also dropped at 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

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 2rd, 28th, 52nd and 54th of each minute.