Sessional_Paper_1908 — Page 658

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The accompanying track of the disturbance has been laid down from such observations made on shore and at sea as are at present available. It shows that the centre of disturbance was situated at noon on the 26th in about 19° N., 120° E., on the 27th at noon in 2093 N., 116 E. and at 9 a.m. on the 28th in 23° N., 112o E. Between noon on the 26th and the same hour on the 27th it moved towards W. by Ñ. at an average speed of about 91⁄2 miles per hour. It curved more to the northward between noon on the 27th and 9 a.m. on the 28th, and moved with increasing speed, the average direction being towards N.W. by W. and the average speed about 14 miles per hour. It probably increased in depth from the time it left the Balingtang Channel until its arrival on the coast at Hongkong, when it doubtless commenced to fill up on its passage over the land.

This typhoon was of very similar type to that of September 18th, 1906. Some features were common to both, such as the absence of early barometrical indications, the presence of lightning at and near the centre, and the absence of sea swell, at any considerable distance in advance of the storm. As far as the Colony itself is concerned, this typhoon was certainly more severe than that of September, 1906. The storm area was somewhat larger on this occasion, possibly in the proportion of 5 to 3, but the radius of the area over which strong gales blew does not appear to have exceeded 35 miles on an average, and the typhoon must certainly be classed as a small one for this latitude. The rainfall due to it was only 3.2 inches, which having regard to the fact that the centre passed practically over the Colony, is comparatively small.

Unfortunately the record of the Victoria Peak anemograph was entirely lost. The cups blew away with the Northerly wind and later the entrance door on the S. side of the Look-out" blew in and carried the recording apparatus over to the N. wall, snapping the connecting rods off at the ceiling.

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It remains to be stated that the observations from Gap Rock and Waglan proved of the utmost value and the lightkeepers deserve credit for the promptitude with which they forwarded them as long as telegraphic connection remained intact.

Hongkong Observatory,

8th August, 1908.

F. G. FIGG,

Director.

P.S.-Appended is a map showing stations reporting daily observations by telegraph.