637294-1897-Meteorological-Observations — Page 2

THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 23RD OCTOBER, 1897.

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The above typhoon, which was advancing towards the Loochoo islands from the South-east on the 5th and 6th, appears to have been recurving on the 7th while yet well to the Eastward of those islands. Near midnight of the 8th the disturbance passed between the mail steamers Empress of India and Yarra, the former situated in 33°50′, 137°05′ and the latter at anchor in Oosima harbour. On board the Empress of india the barometer fell as low as 27.83 at 1.15 a. of the 9th with a hurri- cane from SSE to SW, the centre passing almost over the vessel. The typhoon travelled towards the NE with great rapidity, and gave rise to a severe S and SW gale in Yokohama during the early morning hours of the 9th. H.M.S. Daphne encountered the storm near midnight in about 45°, 149.

On the 13th at 11.25 a.--" The barometer has risen in the North, fallen at Bolinao. Pressure is high over Central China, slightly low in the N part of the China Sea, where a depression seems likely to form. Gradients increasing for NE winds on the China coasts." Forecast:-"moderate to fresh NE winds; unsettled, squally and showery."

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On the 14th at 10.20 a.- Typhoon approaching Luzon coast to the East of Bolinao." At 11.20 a. "The barometer is steady in the North, but is falling on the SE and S coasts of China. The typhoon seems to be moving quickly, probably in a WNW direction, and the weather is likely to become bad in the Formosa Channel and off the S coast of China by to-morrow. Forecast:- Ń and NE winds, probably freshening considerably; unsettled, some rain." At 9.00 p.- "North cone hoisted. The typhoon, moving apparently towards WNW, appears to have entered the China Sea to the North of Bolinao. Northerly to Easterly gale expected in Hongkong.'

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On the 15th at 11.15 s.--· The centre of the typhoon seems to be situated to the WNW of Bolinao, apparently now moving slowly Westward. It is, however, uncertain whether this direction will be maintained. The barometer has fallen on the whole in the neighbourhood of Hongkong and the Gulf of Tongking, risen a little in the Formosa Channel." Forecast:-"strong N and NE winds and threatening weather. N and NE gales in the N part of the China Sea."

On the 16th at 11.20 a.---` "The typhoon appears to be situated to the WNW of Bolinao in about 18° Lat.. moving slowly. Direction uncertain, but probably towards NW at present. At 11.25 a. The barometer has risen considerably at Bolinao and on the E coast of China, fallen slightly in the neighbourhood of Hongkong. Gradients steep for N and NE winds on the China coast." Forecast:---- strong N winds; fine at first, but probably less settled later. NE and N gales in the N part of the China Sea."

On the 17th at 10.25 a.-"The typhoon is passing probably about 200 miles to the Southward of Hongkong. It appears to be moving in a Westerly direction." At 10.35 a.- 46 The barometer has risen in the Formosa Channel and at Bolinao and is practically steady in Hongkong. A strong NE gale blows at Gap Rock." Forecast:-"strong NE and E gales off the coast in the neighbourhood of Hongkong, but it is doubtful whether the wind will reach the force of a strong gale in the harbour.” At 2.30 p.--" Strong, but not violent NE and E gale probable in Hongkong.' Drum added to North Cone and gun fired.

On the 18th at 5.30 n-North Cone lowered. At 11.30 a.. The typhoon seems to be approach- ing the neighbourhood of Hainan Straits. The barometer las risen considerably in Hongkong, fallen moderately at Haiphong. High pressure covers N China."

High pressure covers N China." Forecast:-"fresh E winds; squally and showery at first, then improving.'

On the 19th at 11.30 a.-"The typhoon probably entered the coast of Tongking last night."

On first entering the China Sea, a short distance to the North of Bolinao, the disturbance indi- cated above does not appear to have been very severe, and it moved slowly. The observations, however, indicate a gradual development, the depression becoming deeper as it advanced, the rate of progression at the same time increasing. It maintained a WNW course throughout and had attained, on the 17th, the high average speed of about 15 miles per hour. The centre at noon on this day was situated in 19°, 113°. A large number of vessels encountered the disturbance on the 17th. The S.S. Chowfa experienced a typhoon from NE to E at a distance of about 70 miles to the northward of the centre; the Mirzapore, Brindisi and Sishan had strong to whole gales from W and SW at a distance of about 90 miles to the southward, while the Gisela and Arratoon Apear in front of the disturbance, experienced a typhoon from NNW to W with the centre passing a little to the northward of their positions. The latter vessel sustained considerable damage. On the 18th at 1 a. the port of Hoihow sustained the full force of the typhoon, the barometer falling to 28.72, and a hurricane from NW and W being experienced. Considerable loss of life occurred and much damage to property. The disturb- ance entered the coast of Tongking about 50 miles to the ENE of Haiphong near noon on the 18th.

During the progress of the disturbance across the China Sea, NE monsoon conditions prevailed over China with pressure the whole time banking up to the northward, the high pressure also covering Japan on the 17th. Strong NE monsoon therefore prevailed on the China coast and, owing to the monsoon combining with the stormwind, gales blew at great distances from the centre in the right- hand semicircle.