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§ 3. WEATHER-FORECASTS AND STORM-WARNINGS ISSUED FROM THE HONGKONG OBSERVATORY.

WEATHER-FORECASTS AND STORM-WARNINGS.

METEOROLOGICAL SIGNALS.

Meteorological Signals are hoisted on the Mast beside the Time-Ball at Kowloon Point for the information of Masters of Vessels leaving the Port. They do not imply that bad weather is expected here.

A DRUM

A BALL

Indicates a Typhoon to the East of the Colony.

Indicates a Typhoon to the West of the Colony.

A CONE

A CONE

Point Upirards indicates a Typhoon to the North of the Colony. Point Downwards indicates a Typhoon to the South of the Colony,

RED SIGNALS indicate that the Centre is believed to be more than 300 miles away from the Colony.

BLACK SIGNALS indicate that the Centre is believed to be less than 300 miles away from the Colony.

NIGHT SIGNALS.

TWO LANTERNS Hoisted Vertically indicate bad weather in the Colony and that the wind is expected to veer.

TWO LANTERNS Hoisted Horizontally indicate bad weather in the Colony and that the wind is expected to back.

The Signals are repeated on the Flagstaff of the Godown Company at Kowloon, and also, by day only, at the Harbour Office and on H. M.'s Receiving Ship.

LOCAL STORM-WARNINGS.

The Colony itself is warned of approaching Typhoons by means of the TYPHOON-GUN placed at the foot of the Mast, which is fired whenever a strong gale of wind is expected to blow here.

NOTICE BOARDS.

Observations made at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. are exhibited shortly after 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Notice Boards placed at the Eastern Extension, Australasia and China Telegraph Company's Offices, at Peddar's Wharf, at the Harbour Office, and at the Office of the Kowloon Godown Company.

Weather-forecasts and Storm-warnings are exhibited daily about 11 a.m. and also at other hours, day and night, whenever necessary while Typhoons are raging in the Far East.

The China Coast Meteorological Register is exhibited about Noon (Sundays and Government Holidays excepted).

THE LAW OF STORMS,

Further information concerning the weather to be expected while signals are hoisted, and sailing directions, are given in "The Law of Storms in the Eastern Seas."

Shipmasters may obtain by telegraph the latest information as to weather at any station reporting to this Observatory by payment for a reply of at least ten words (c., twelve words including the address). Application may also be made for similar information to be telegraphed on some future specified day.

When the red drum is hoisted the weather is generally fine in Hongkong, and settled fine if the centre moves northward, so that this signal does not by any means imply bad weather here. Steamers bound for northern, western or southern ports should then lose no time in starting, as they may expect more or less fine weather. Those bound for the Philippines should take precautions to avoid the cyclone as explained above. Sailing vessels bound for western or southern ports should lose no time in starting, but those that are bound for the north or east ought to remain in the harbour awaiting information, as they may expect to fall in with calms or contrary breezes after starting, even should the wind be westerly here at the time.