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Q-What was the reading of the barometer on the 17th and until the storm of the 18th ? A.-Readings-Peak and Observatory (marked A and B) and barogram (marked C)—
produced.
Q.—At 7.21 a.m. on the 18th what was the reading of the barometer?
A.-29.70.
Q.-Does that indicate a storm or anything requiring warning?
A.-No.
Q. When was the first barometrical indication of a storm approaching?
A. At 8.21 a. Then the barometer read 29.60. Compared with the previous reading this would indicate a storm. At 8 a.m. the warning was issued by hoisting a black Drum- indicating a typhoon to the E within 300 miles.
B. Had you been watching the barometer would you have seen reason for hoisting the signal earlier than you did?
A.-No.
Between 7.44 a.m. and 8 a.m. was there anything to cause you to expect typhoon ?
A. The time between 7.44 a.m. and 8 a.m, was occupied in consultation and in observation.
Q.-You are in telegraphic connection with coast stations?
A. Yes.
Q. Did you get any telegrams previous to hoisting the typhoon signal which would indicate the approach of a typhoon ?
A.-No. On the contrary they opposed such an idea.
Q-From what station would you have expected indications in this case?
A.--From all stations in China (compared with each other) but especially from Swatow.
Q. Are you aware of complaints re the unnecessary hoisting of these signals? A. Yes, and it makes us very careful, but that did not influence the present case. could not have hoisted the drum earlier.
Q.--Could the typhoon have been predicted on the 17th?
A.-No. Absolutely not.
We
Q. Can you forecast with any certainty the formation and course of a typhoon. A.-No. Meteorology is not an exact science. Nothing can be predicted with certainty. Mr. Robert H. Scott, till lately chief of the Meteorological Office, London, writes in his "Elementary Meteorology ":" Although for the British Isles it may be said that few storms reach the E coast before warnings have been issued, yet these are unfortunately the most violent and dangerous, owing to the extreme suddenness of their arrival." Of late years we have had instances of the destruction caused by cyclones in India and Mauritius when not predicted in time, while failures to forecast blizzards and tornadoes in America are
common.
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