61547-1919-Meteorological-Messages — Page 2

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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, SEPTEMBER 26, 1919. 409

Details of the arrangements are given hereunder :

1. A summary of meteorological conditions and weather forecasts will be broad- casted by Cape d'Aguilar daily at 1 p.m. Hongkong standard time (5 a.m. G. M. T.) and repeated at 5 p.m. Hongkong standard time (9 a.m. G. M. T.). 2. Storm warnings are broadcasted at about noon and repeated every two hours until midnight. If a second warning is issued during the day the later warning will be substituted.

3. When within range of Cape d'Aguilar the Captain will arrange for observations to be made at 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. Hongkong time (10 p.m. and 6 a.m. G. M. T.), and a message, prepared by the observer, will be handed to the operator for transmission containing the following information:--

(a.) Ship's name, position, and the time of observation (G. M. T.).

(b.) Barometer reading (with no correction whatever).

(c.) Thermometer reading (if the barometer is of the mercurial type). (d.) Wind direction and force.

(e.) State of weather (in plain language).

Under no circumstances will the operator write these messages,

4. Reports for transmission from the ship will be addressed to "Royal Observa- tory, Hongkong," and immediately on the acceptance of these messages the operator will enter (a) Prefix "S", (b) Date, (c) Time handed in (G. M. T.).

*

5. All messages handed in under the above conditions shall be dealt with as

follows:-

They shall be communicated to the coast station at the first opportunity,

and shall receive priority as Government messages.

The greatest care shall be observed to have them correctly transmitted;

wherever possible, each message shall be repeated.

6. All messages shall be treated free of coast tax, ship tax, and land charges. 7. Reports handed in for transmission written on any form other than on the message form numbered SI, shall be affixed to a message form SI in such a manner as not to cover the space reserved for service instructions and other data.

8. The Hongkong Observatory also sends wireless Time Signals vid Cape d'Aguilar at the even seconds between 11.56 a.m. and noon, and between 8.56 p.m. and 9 p.m. Hongkong time (3.56 a.m. to 4 a.m. and 12.56 p.m. to 1 p.m. G. M. T.). The 2nd, 28th, 50th, 52nd, and 54th second of each of the above minutes are omitted for the purpose of identifying the signals. The Time Signals are preceded by the following warning signals from Cape d'Aguilar between 11.54 a.m. and 11.55 a.m., and between 8.54 p.m. and 8.55 p.m., Hongkong time (3.54 a.m. and 3.55 a.m., and 12.54 p.m. and 12.55 p.m. G. M. T.):--

DE CQ

VPS

IK

TIME WAIT

Both warning and Time Signals are sent out on a wave length of 1,000 metres from a 5 kw spark set. The Time Signals are dots of about 0.2 second duration. Radio-telegraphic land and ship stations within range of Cape d'Aguilar are required to keep silent between 11.54 a.m. and noon, and 8.54 p.m. and 9 p.m. Hongkong time (3.54 a.m. and 4 a.m. and 12.54 p.m. and 1 p.m. G. M. T.) in accordance with Article 45, paragraph 3 of the Service Regulations appended to the International Radio-telegraph Convention of 1912. Operators are also required to keep themselves provided with the most accurate time available in order to know when to shut down.

9. The times given in brackets represent the G. M. T. equivalent of Hongkong

standard time. The latter time is 8 hours in advance of G. M. T.

The Marconi International Marine

Communication Company, Limited,

Marconi House,

Strand, London, W.C. 2.