We dare even to say that this kind of cyclone signalling has been found much more useful that the system used in Europe by means of two cones indicating only the direetion from which a "blow" cane expected. As every mariner understands with a typhoon moving along China coast, this direction of] the blow would be" continuously changing, hence the big importance of knowing where the cyclone is which will cause the blow to com The mariner while under way will find out the direction of the coming. cyclonic gale.
"The semaphore on' the French Bund, besides the hoisting of the storm signals, furnishes also other information. " The gentlemen who have been there helping the Fathers Ju charge for the weather service, deserve also our best thanks for their constant and most effective Since 1884, the Semaphore was provided with-means for making comparisons of chronometers. innovation (Bf. Vouilllemont, presi ident). At that time, the Observatory "possessed already a small meridian telescope and an as. tronomie pendulum by Fénon. In 1907, fine Bamberg tranist was purchased and the time signal service was greatly improved as a second precision pendulum had been also addded in 1886 to the first one.
At present, we have five high precision clocks and a most up-te-date_ Prin transit instrument, The time signals have long been given by dropping the noon ball. In addition to this, in 1900, a new method was. introduced to indicate time by. means of extinguishing electric lights from five to nine, to nine pin Utility of the Semaphore Finally, in 1913, the Municipal Council obtained from the French Government the means of still further developing the utility of the] Semaphore. A station of wireless telegraphy was established and placed at the disposal of the Observatory for all information regarding time or meteorology. This was a tremendous improvement.
'From May, 1914, the time and all the meteorological bulletins and warnings, bogan to be broadcast! twice a day (now four times a day' regularly and any time a ship at! sea asks for them) always free of charge. So the Observatory began to get in touch with mariners who had left port too soon to-get the last, information concerning any weather threatening them. The Observatory had also gained by! this, and is glad to thank, to-day, all those who have sent to Siccawei most important weather reports: while at sea and. sometimes while just close to or even in the typhoon also, spontaneous benevolence has been' more productive than, often is the case in organized administration. Here again at the end of this historical sketch of the Siccawei Observatory meteorological development, may I express our. most sincere thanks to all the numerous institutions, administrations, conservancies, shipping companies, captains and persons who: ts have so generously helped us during these 54 years of the life of our, Observatory.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.