66561-1920-China-Seas-Storm-Signal-Code — Page 1

THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, MAY 7, 1920.

1.95

No. 270.

China Seas Storm Signal Code.

(Operative in Hongkong from the 1st June, 1920.)

General Explanation.

1. The Signals are made by means of certain Symbols, each corresponding, for certain purposes, to a number :-

LT

A

1 2 3 4 4 5 6 7 8 9

៖

2. The Signals are hoisted at the yard-arms and masthead of the Storm Signal Mast on Blackheads Hill, and have the following general characteristics :-

Typhoon and Continental Depression Signals:

(a.) 4 symbols at one yard-arm showing the position of the centre.

(b.) 3 symbols at the other yard-arm showing the direction of motion and/or

certain characteristics (see Tables Nos. 1, 2, and 3).

(c.) 1 symbol at the masthead showing the time the warning was issued by

the Royal Observatory (see Table No. 4).

Gale Signals:

(d.) I symbol at one yard-arm showing the region threatened (see Table

No. 5).

(e.) 2 symbols at the other yard-arm showing the general direction of the

wind (see Table No. 1).

(f.) 1 symbol at the masthead showing the time the warning was issued by

the Royal Observatory (see Table No. 4).

The two upper symbols of group (a) indicate by their corresponding numbers the latitude, and the two lower symbols the longitude of the centre of a circle of specified size within which the centre of the typhoon or depression lies. The symbols for longitude give the units and tens only; thus, 32 indicates longitude 132.

The two upper symbols of group (b) indicate the direction in which the typhoon is travelling, (see Table No. 1) or, alternately, certain conditions of the typhoon (see Table No. 2). The third and lowest symbol of group (b) indicates the radius of the circle whose centre is shown by the latitude and longitude. This symbol may also indicate degree of intensity. In the case of a continental depression it indicates that it is such, and the corresponding latitude and longitude is the centre of an indefinite area affected (see Table No. 3).

Caution.It should be clearly understood that the position indicated by the latitude and longitude signalled does not purport to be the position of the centre of the typhoon. It indicates merely the centre of a circle of a specified radius within which the centre of the typhoon is believed to lie.

Table No. 1.-Direction Signals.

Two upper Symbols of hoist.

These indicate the direction in which a typhoon is travelling or the direction from which a gale may be expected.

TAX-TA◆X-TAX

N. N.N.E. N.E. E.N.E. E. E.S.E. S.E. S.S.E. S. S.S.W. S.W. W.S.W. W. W.N.W. N.W. N.N.W.

Note.The numbers corresponding to the symbols indicate the number of points from North.