Pasig River Light-house to Malabon Church northeast spire. Pasig River Light-house to Tondo Church dome, N. 30° 04′ E. (N. 29° 13′ E. mag.). Pasig River Light-house to San Sebastian Church northeast spire, N. 83° 25′ E. (N. 82° 34′ E. mag.). Pasig River Light-house to Ice Plant stack, S. 86° 52′ E. (S. 87° 43′ E. mag.). Pasig River Light-house to Manila Cathedral dome, The bearing of Mount Sungay (Tierra Alta Peak) when in range with San Nicolas beacon or Sangley Point water tank on top of the coal bunkers, will be found especially useful on account of the great distance of the peak (about 24 miles). A vessel may, after bringing either of these ranges on, when about 2 miles distant, steam around in a circle, going 200 yards from the range without altering the bearing of the peak more than one-quarter of a degree. Mount Sungay is a moderately high (2,546 feet), sharp peak at the eastern end of the tableland situated southward of Manila Bay. It is prominent and readily distinguishable, but in case any doubt exists it can be settled by bringing either front object on the proper compass bearing and the peak will be seen in line with it, or nearly so. Sangley Point water tank, over the coal sheds, is prominent and can be seen from a considerable distance. It must not be confused with the high water tower near the western end of the peninsula on which the navy-yard is situated. Winds. The northeast monsoon blows strong out of Manila Bay at times, accompanied by a cloud resembling smoke, which is driven out of the bay to the southwest and forms an arch in that horizon when the sky is otherwise clear; but sometimes sea breezes from the southwest blow into the bay in the northeast monsoon after midday, increasing in strength as you advance into the bay. During the strength of the northeast monsoon, although the wind may be fresh at the entrance it will frequently be moderate in the bay. At the season of the southwest monsoon, storms locally known as "collas," blow from the southwest to west, and are accompanied by violent squalls and much rain. They often last several days. Land winds during the northeast monsoon blow from east in the bay and from southeast on the coast as far south as Point Fuego. They commence about 4 or 5 p. m., fall toward midnight, then set in again from north, changing to northeast during the day and east toward the evening. When hard north or southwest winds are prevalent there are generally no land winds. COMPASS RANGES-STORM SIGNALS. 73 STORM SIGNALS.-The following storm signals are shown from a signal staff near the Cathedral. These signals can be seen from all parts of the roadstead. These warnings are based upon information collected by the Philippine Weather Bureau. Their meaning is the same wherever shown in the Archipelago. Day signals. Black cylinder, 14 feet in diameter, 2 feet high. Black cone, base 13 feet in diameter, 2 feet high. Black sphere, 2 feet in diameter. Flag, 3 or 4 feet square, of any convenient color. Night signals. Red and white lights, in either vertical or horizontal lines. Indications.-1. A black cylinder; two (2) white lights.-Indications of a distant typhoon; movements uncertain. 2. A black cone, point upward, over a black cylinder; a white light and a red light.-Typhoon passing to northward at considerable distance; strong winds from west to south. 3. A black cone, point downward, under a black cylinder; two (2) red lights.-Typhoon passing to southward at considerable distance; strong winds from east to south. Winds generally less severe than for signal No. 2. 4. A black ball over a black cone, point upward; three (3) white lights.-Typhoon likely to be dangerous. 5. A black cone, point upward; a red light between two (2) white lights.-Typhoon passing to northward; very near; strong gales from northwest to southwest. 6. A black cone, point downward; one (1) white light and two (2) red lights. Typhoon passing to southward; very near; strong gales from northeast to southeast. Gales generally less severe than for signal No. 5. 7. A black ball; a white light between two (2) red lights.-Typhoon center very near; dangerous gales and heavy squalls. C. and G. S. charts Nos. 4232, 4243, and 4255. 8. A flag of any color over a black ball; three (3) red lights-Storm wave; very high tides and floods. No vessels can come in or go out of port nor move about the harbor. Tides. The tide tables published annually by the Coast and Geodetic Survey include predictions for each day of the year, for Manila (Pasig River entrance), and for Hongkong, Amoy, Singapore, and other principal ports. There are also included tables of "tidal differences" for a number of subordinate ports in the Philippine Islands. The tides at Manila are dependent mainly on the declination of the moon, and have little relation to the phases of the moon. The highest high waters occur near the time of the moon's greatest north or south declination, and at this period there is but one high and one low water during each twenty-four hours. The lowest high waters occur near the time of the moon's least declination, and at this period there are two high and two low waters during each twenty-four hours. The greatest range of tide occurs usually in June and December and the smallest range in March and September. As an effect of the monsoons, the mean tide level varies during the year, being lowest in February and highest in September. In Manila Harbor, this difference averages about 1 foot. Directions.-Vessels entering by the north channel should bring Corregidor Light to bear S. 84° E. (S. 85° E. mag.) and steer for it on that bearing until La Monja is abeam distant mile or less. Then steer N. 65° E. (N. 64° E. mag.) for about 26 miles, passing a little over 3 miles northward of the lighted beacon on San Nicolas Shoals. This latter course leads to a good anchorage off the breakwater in 6 to 7 fathoms, or less if desired. The only dangers are Guardia Shoal, south of Mariveles Harbor, which is passed at a distance of mile, and the doubtful 2-fathom shoal of Cabcabe Point, lying nearly 14 miles northward of the course and which can hardly be considered a danger. If bound for Cavite, when Corregidor Light is abeam on the N. 65° E. course, steer N. 72° E. (N. 71° E. mag.) for about 21 miles, when Sangley Point Light should be abeam, distant about 1 mile. Round Sangley Point, giving it a berth of about mile and anchor eastward or southward of the point, as draft permits. The N. 72° E. course passes about 12 miles northward of the lighted beacon on San Nicolas Shoals. Vessels entering by the south channel should steer so as to pass about midway between Caballo Island and El Fraile. When Corregidor Island Light bears N. 45° W. (N. 46° W. mag.) and Caballo Island Light bear N. (N. 1° W. mag.) steer N. 47° E. (46° E. mag.) for about 11 miles until the lighted beacon on San Nicolas Shoals bears S. (S. 1° E. mag.) distant about 13 miles. From this position a N. 58° E. (N. 57° E. mag.) course leads to the anchorage off the breakwater. If bound to Cavite, from a position about 1 miles northward of the lighted beacon on San Nicolas Shoals, steer N. 72° E. (N. 71° E. mag.) until Sangley Point Light is abeam, when proceed as directed in entering by the north channel. Sailing vessels are advised to use the south channel on account of its greater width, especially with an easterly wind, as the current has less velocity than in the narrow north channel. The southern shore may be safely approached by the lead except in the vicinity of San Nicolas Shoals, and sailing vessels should be guided by the lead and chart in working in or out. In entering with an easterly wind, when the eastern point of Corregidor Island can be rounded, stand over and work along the north shore in the vicinity of Cabcabe Point; when past Limay Point good anchorage may be had over sandy bottom. WEATHER OF MANILA.-Synopsis of conditions for each of the months of the year. January. The normal barometric pressure for January is 29.97 inches (761.27 mm.). January is comparatively free from atmospheric disturbances. From 1880 to 1898 only six typhoons have been recorded during this month. Winds prevail this month between N. and NE.; they are generally light to moderate around Manila, but acquire at times considerable strength along the northern and eastern coast of Luzon. As a rule January is the mildest month of the year; average temperature being 77° F. (25° C.). February. The mean barometric pressure for this month is 29.98 inches (761.52 mm.), and is, the highest of the whole year. This month is remarkable for the scarcity of its atmospheric disturbances. No cyclonic storm has occurred in February between 1880 and 1898. The prevailing winds for this month are from E. to ESE., and are rather gusty during the afternoon. Of all the months of the year February has the least rainfall, the average being 0.41 inch (10.5 mm.). March. The normal barometric pressure for March is 29.95 inches (760.60 mm.). With the exception of February, March is the month of the least atmospheric disturbances, only three typhoons of little importance having been felt in Manila during this month since 1880. During March winds from the eastward, especially from E., ESE., and SE., are more frequent than in February; they often blow in strong gusts in the warmer hours of the afternoon. April. The average normal pressure for April is 29.90 inches (759.57 mm.). Important atmospheric disturbances are rare this month. and are very seldom felt in this vicinity. Winds prevailing this month blow from ESE. and SE.; they blow C. and G. S. charts Nos. 4232, 4243, and 4255. more persistently and with frequent gusts in the warmer hours of the afternoon. Except February and March, April is the driest month of the year. May. The normal pressure for May is 29.86 inches (758.47 mm.). Important disturbances in the atmosphere are not so rare as in April; in some years severe storms have passed over the island in this month. May is generally the warmest month of the year, the average temperature being 83.3° F. (28.5° C.). Winds are more variable this month, blowing sometimes from the northeast and southeast and sometimes from the southwest quadrants. Usually winds from the southeast quadrant blow, in normal weather, in the afternoon, though not as strong as in March and April. The average rainfall for May is 4.20 inches. May has more thunderstorms than any other month: June. The normal height of the barometer for this month is 29.85 inches (758.08 mm.). In this month, and especially in the latter part, atmospheric disturbances are more frequent and numerous than in previous months. Some of these are regular typhoons, with a well-defined nucleus, and move with a regular rate of speed along their paths; others are diffused areas or troughs of low pressure that for several days hover around NW., NNW., N., and NNE. of Luzon and give rise in Manila to rains and squalls from the SW., a phenomenon known to the natives under the name of "collas." This same phenomenon, however, may be occasioned either by typhoons of great violence that recurve to the NE. or NNE. of Manila in the Pacific Ocean, moving not far off Luzon with a very small progressive motion; or by two or more typhoons rapidly succeeding each other; when this happens, the weather at Manila is very similar to that which would be experienced if there were one typhoon alone, moving with an extraordinarily slow motion. When any typhoon rages, winds will blow from the northeast and southeast quadrants, if the center of disturbance passes between Luzon and Bisayas, and their force will vary with the intensity of the storm and the distance of the center. If the typhoon has originated and developed in the China Sea, the winds in Manila will blow from the southeast quadrant; lastly, if the typhoon recurves in the Pacific, constant and squally winds from the southeast quadrant will prevail. June ranks next to May for the frequency and importance of its thunderstorms. July. The normal pressure for July is 29.82 inches (757.50 mm.). In July cyclonic storms (typhoons), or "baguios," as the natives call them, are more frequent, generally speaking, and their influence is felt in Manila with greater intensity than in the month of June The prevailing direction of the wind for this month is from the southwest quadrant. These winds, as a rule, only blow in the warmer hours of the |