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580 THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 17TH OCTOBER, 1874.
I append a Report of the losses sustained by Chinese Junks as far as they could be ascertained, but this does not by any means show the terrible havoc which the Typhoon has made with this description of vessel. I have only been enabled to count vessels stranded; and those sunk, having their masts above water. Hundreds of smallers Junks and boats must have been driven out to sea, or, gone down in the Harbor of which nothing can ever be known.
From the log books of ships that have experienced this Typhoon at sea and where the Masters have registered the readings of their Barometers, I have been able to ascertain that the Typhoon blew with great violence in the neighbourhood of the Pratas Shoal, the British ship Onward, the American ship Highlander, and German barque Amanda having been in it between the hours of 4 and 6 P.M., of the 22nd. The storm travelled thence in a North-Westerly direction, the Spanish steamer Formosa in Latitude 20° 50′ North and Longitude 115° 20′ East, being on its Western limit. The centre passed but just South of Hongkong at about 2 A.M., of the 23rd, its full burst being apparently expended at Macao, where it raged at about 4 A.M., the Barometer at that place then registering 27.95, or nearly one inch lower than it was at Hongkong.
The Onward did not suffer much in this Typhoon, but on the 29th when about 60 miles East of the South end of Formosa she encountered another storm necessitating the cutting away of the main mast and her return to this port to repair damages.
The recent Typhoon is without doubt the severest that has ever visited this Colony, whether we judge by the losses afloat or on shore. The loss of life in the Junk return is but an approximation of what has occurred; that of the British and foreign shipping is, I think, tolerably accurate as the numbers of original crews and of persons saved could more readily be obtained; but, where passengers were on board such vessels, the returns may not be so reliable.
A Report of this nature is generally accompanied by some suggestion to meet the exigencies of similar casualties should they visit us.
To the Captains of ships visiting this Port, who are as capable of judging of the weather as I am, I can only offer the suggestion that the Barometer is an unfailing indicator of what is approaching, or what is passing our neighbourhood. With good ground tackle; a clear hawse; and plenty of cable, veered before the storm is at its height; almost any British or foreign built vessel should be able to ride out a Typhoon in this, Harbor.
The Department warns Junks of the probability of dangerous weather, but with the indifferent provision Chinese make for such emergencies, it is no wonder there is always so much destruction and Joss of life amongst them.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
The Honorable J. GARDINER Austin,
Colonial Secretary.
HONGKONG.
H. G. THOMSETT, R.N.,
Harbor Master, &c.
MEMO. of CASUALTIES to JUNKS, during the Typhoon of the 23rd September, 1874.
Probable No.
Place
Driven on Shore.
of
Sunk.
of Lives Lost
Casualty.
from Junks.
Repairable.
Total Loss.
Aberdeen,
Shau-ki Wán,..
Stanley,
Stone Cutters' Island,
None.
1000
5
888
80
48
160
36
15
33
REMARKS.
100 small Boats broken up on the beach; 20 Junks were on shore, but have since been got afloat.
A number of Boats supposed to have been blown out to sea & nothing heard of them. 1 Steam Launch, 3 European Lighters,
and a Water Boat wrecked.
5
11
28
150
Victoria,
00
3
16
29
British Kowloon,
15
319{"
Junks & Boats.
50 Boats.
Junks &
300
90 Junks and Boats missing.
Total,
28
455
157
672
Hongkong, 14th October, 1874.
H. G. THOMSETT, R.N.,
Harbor Master, &c.
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