Sessional_Paper_1898 — Page 114

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A knowledge of typhoons and their paths is often required when you have to decide whether to remain at your moorings or to slip your cable and run: for instance a vessel between Hongkong and Swatow in an anchorage sheltered against N and E winds will be safe while a typhoon is moving from E to W across the China Sea, but should the centre move northwards the vessel might be thrown on a lee shore when the wind backs through W to S.

A steamer at anchor, when a typhoon is approaching, should get up steam and a sailer should, if possible, take down the top masts as soon as it blows a fresh breeze in the squalls. With reference to a sailing vessel the time when to begin striking the top masts must, of course, depend upon the extent to which she is undermanned. Striking the masts increases the rolling. A sheltered anchorage must be selected, and when the centre passes very near, the berth may have to be changed to the other shore before the wind shifts to the opposite quarter, but along the China coast it does not blow so hard after the centre has entered the mainland as before. A vessel moored by single anchor will swing with the sun in the right-hand semi-circle, and against the sun in the left-hand semi-circle. If two anchors are dropped, the anchor on the advancing bow should be let go first. Therefore a vessel in the right-hand semi-circle should first drop her port, and afterwards her starboard anchor, so as to ride with open hawse, and a vessel in the left-hand semi-circle should first drop her starboard anchor. But now it is usual to ride to a single anchor with a scope as long as possible,-over a hundred fathoms should be paid out, as the strain on two cables at a great angle is more or less increased, and very irregular owing to the labouring of the vessel in the high sea. A second anchor is paid out in line with the first to veer upon if the first should not hold, and a third anchor is kept ready. A vessel depending upon a single anchor, or upon two anchors dropped at an angle, may go ashore if a link should break. The engines can be kept going ahead dead slow unless the steamer is too light, so as to relieve the anchors, but as this increases the irregularity of the strain, you had better stand by, so as to start the engines whenever necessary. Shallow river boats pay out cables on either side so as to help the vessel to keep upright, but at the same time they must have a single anchor paid out ahead to ride to, for no cable at a great angle could stand the strain caused by a typhoon.

A vessel in ballast steaming ahead dead slow may at times entirely relieve the strain on the cables and then fall off into the trough of the sea. Should then a squall strike her broadside, she is pretty sure to drag her anchors or even break a link in her cable and

go ashore. It is therefore of no use turning the propeller slowly if she is light, and especially not if she is down by the stern, as it only increases the yawing and dragging.

With reference to typhoon anchorages in China beginning with Hainan, we have Backli bay (19°7′ N. 108° 39′ E.) with shelter against winds between NNE, and S. only. It is not a very good har- bour, and the natives are not to be trusted. In southern Hainan we bave Yulinkan bay 18° 12′, 109° 33′), an excellent typhoon harbour in case the centre is to the S. of Hainan, as often happens. Gaalong bay (18° 13′, 109° 34') may also be used. Maniu harbour (19° 57', 109° 52') can be used when the centre is to the north of Hainan. Hunghom bay (20° 17', 110° 23′') is shallow and is not often used except when no better place is within reach. Hui-ling-san (21° 34', 111° 47') and Namo harbour (21° 35', 112° 34',) are available between Hainan and Hongkong. Near Hongkong is the excellent harbour by Saint John's Island (21° 40′, 112° 42′,) which is commonly used. Vessels of great draught anchor to the S. of the position given. Tougku harbour (22° 35′, 113° 55') is used in case of typhoons crossing the China Sea. It offers no shelter against W. winds. This is at the mouth of the Canton River. Higher up the river ships anchor under the Bogue forts although typhoon centres pass over that spot, but then it does not blow so hard as out at sea, when the centre is inland. Inside the Capsingmoon pass to the W. of Mahwan is shelter against typhoons, but Chingwan bay (22° 22′, 114° 6) is one of the best harbours in China. In consequence it is too crowded during a typhoon. To the NW. of Stonecutter's Island (22° 20′ 114° 8') launches find shelter. Tytam bay to the S. of Hongkong is an excellent harbour. Deep bay (22° 17', 114° 16′) gives better shelter than Kowloon bay (22° 181, 114° 13') but some vessels prefer the latter as the storm-signals can be seen from there. A position between Taipintong and the Channel Rocks makes the best anchorage. Mirs bay (22° 33', 114° 27') under Pengchau offers shelter to vessels bound for Hongkong from a northern port. Between Mirs bay and Swatow there are no very good typhoon harbours, but shelter may be found against NE. winds. By Namoa Island (23° 28', 116° 57′) is excellent anchorage. Tongsang har- bour (23° 47′, 117° 35') is much used, and also Amoy harbour. Makung harbour (23° 32′, 119° 33′) by the Pescadores is excellent. In Pihquan harbour (27° 10′, 120° 31') there is good shelter against NE. winds to vessels under 15 feet draught. The Haitan Straits (25° 26′, 119° 44′) are very much used. There are several anchorages round Chusan. In Luzon there is an anchorage at the entrance to Manila bay, N. of Corregidor Island (14° 25′, 120° 33′). On the S. coast of Mindoro we have Garza bay (12° 13′, 121° 11′).