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Q. Do you think it probable from anything that you have heard or read?
A.-Very improbable.
Mr. Figg states that the barometer at Canton at 9 a.m. on the 18th September when the typhoon was blowing in Hongkong read 29.81 and that it had risen 1 inch since the same hour on the previous day Wind N. I. At Macao it read at 10 a.m. when the typhoon was at its greatest fury in Hongkong 29.73, Wind N. 1. The distance between Hongkong and Macao is about 36 miles. This is to show the small area of the disturbance.
Capt. OUTERBRIDGE says:
On the morning of September 18th I was in Hongkong-the wind at 6 a.m. was blowing from the WNW, force 6, this is very unusual. That direction of the wind is an indication of a cyclone. The Glass started to fall on 16th at noon-the barometer then was 29.90, at noon on 17th it was 29.80 falling with very slight oscillation and little tendency to rise-at 4 a. on the 18th it was steadily falling instead of showing a tendency to rise-a sure precursor of danger, at 6 a. it had fallen .05 inches. The wind then was WNW gradually freshening.
Examined by Sir Henry Berkeley :-
Q.--Did you observe this yourself?
A. By the ship's log-when I got aboard-that would place the typhoon ENE from Colony.
Q.-In your opinion could an earlier warning have been given ?
A.-The black drum might have been hoisted at 6 a.m.
Q.--Why?
A.-The barometer instead of rising as it usually does fell .05 inch.
Q.-On the 17th did you notice anything abnormal in the barometer or the weather?
A.-No.
Nothing to alarm me as a seaman. •
Q.-Nothing until 2 a.m. on 18th ?
A.-No: I then got up and looked out from my verandah and noticed a remarkable scintillation of the stars, which indicates wind or rain.
Q-I gather that you were not on board?
૨.
A.-No.
Q. -As a prudent shipmaster you would have been aboard if you had suspected danger?
A.--Yes.
Q.-At what time did you get up?
A.-At 6 a.m.
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