The road to the Sanatorium on the peak is being fast proceeded with. In a few days there will be a flagstaff erected on the summit, which will be used to signalise all vessels seen in the offing. Building lots in the vicinity have been advertised for sale, and will shortly be sold by auction.
Source: The London and China Telegraph 1860-02-18 (Vol 2 - No 30)
SIGNAL STATION, VICTORIA PEAK, HONGKONG, 1823 Feet above Sea Level.
The Union Jack will be hoisted at the Mast Head when any vessel is being signalled.
The Commercial Code of Signals for all Nations will be used at the Station.
All Signals made by vessels in the Offing will be repeated.
When Signalling to Men-of-war in the Harbour or in the Offing, a white Ensign will be hoisted at the Flagstaff, and at the Mast Head of the Man-of-war.
When a Steamer, or the smoke of a Steamer, is sighted, the Compass Bearing at the Yard Arm, and Distance off at the Mast Head, will be hoisted. If, when the vessel is made out, she is not a Mail Steamer, the Vessel’s Distinguishing Flag will be substituted for the Compass Signal, and it will be kept flying until the Ship anchors. The Distance Signal will be kept up fifteen minutes after the Steamer is made out.
If the Steamer is a regular Mail Steamer a Gun will be fired, and a Ball over the English, French, American, or German Ensign, with the Distance off at that time, will be shown at the Mast Head. The compass Signal and Symbol will be hauled down. The Ball and Ensign will be kept up until the vessel anchors. The Distance Signal will be kept flying for half-an-hour, and changed at each successive half hour to show the Distance off at those times. When the vessel is between Green Island and the North Point of Hong Kong the Distance Signal will be hauled down, and the Code Signal will be hoisted and kept up until the vessel is at her moorings. If the Mail Steamer is not in the Harbour when it is too dark to distinguish flags, a red light will be exhibited at the West Yard Arm, or a green light at the East Yard Arm until she anchors.
River Steamers will not be signalled. The approach of other Steamers from Macao or Canton will be made known by showing the National or House Flag and Symbol at Yard Arm.
If a Flag showing that an Officer of high rank is on board an incoming vessel, a similar Flag will be shown above the Ball, or the Flag alone will be hoisted at the Mast Head.
The approach of Men-of-war and Sailing Vessels will be notified by their proper Symbols and National Colours, or House Flags, at the Quarter of the Yard, or at the Yard Ann.
Note.—The Distances of vessels will be estimated from the Peak, and will be made by means of Numerals which are attached to the letters in the table of Flags.
Comments
Completion Date
The signal station was completed in early 1860.
The road to the Sanatorium on the peak is being fast proceeded with. In a few days there will be a flagstaff erected on the summit, which will be used to signalise all vessels seen in the offing. Building lots in the vicinity have been advertised for sale, and will shortly be sold by auction.
Source: The London and China Telegraph 1860-02-18 (Vol 2 - No 30)
I've moved the marker…
I've moved the marker slightly east, to the site of the raised circular platform where the flagstaff stood.
The system of flags used to…
The system of flags used to indicate which ships were arriving or leaving was updated from time to time, with details made public via the Government Gazette. Here's an example from The Hong Kong Government Gazette, 24th July, 1886.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.—No. 278.
The following Notice is published for general information.
By Command.
FREDERICK STEWART.
Acting Colonial Secretary.
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 24th July, 1886.
SIGNAL STATION,
VICTORIA PEAK, HONGKONG,
1823 Feet above Sea Level.
The Union Jack will be hoisted at the Mast Head when any vessel is being signalled.
The Commercial Code of Signals for all Nations will be used at the Station.
All Signals made by vessels in the Offing will be repeated.
When Signalling to Men-of-war in the Harbour or in the Offing, a white Ensign will be hoisted at the Flagstaff, and at the Mast Head of the Man-of-war.
When a Steamer, or the smoke of a Steamer, is sighted, the Compass Bearing at the Yard Arm, and Distance off at the Mast Head, will be hoisted. If, when the vessel is made out, she is not a Mail Steamer, the Vessel’s Distinguishing Flag will be substituted for the Compass Signal, and it will be kept flying until the Ship anchors. The Distance Signal will be kept up fifteen minutes after the Steamer is made out.
If the Steamer is a regular Mail Steamer a Gun will be fired, and a Ball over the English, French, American, or German Ensign, with the Distance off at that time, will be shown at the Mast Head. The compass Signal and Symbol will be hauled down. The Ball and Ensign will be kept up until the vessel anchors. The Distance Signal will be kept flying for half-an-hour, and changed at each successive half hour to show the Distance off at those times. When the vessel is between Green Island and the North Point of Hong Kong the Distance Signal will be hauled down, and the Code Signal will be hoisted and kept up until the vessel is at her moorings. If the Mail Steamer is not in the Harbour when it is too dark to distinguish flags, a red light will be exhibited at the West Yard Arm, or a green light at the East Yard Arm until she anchors.
River Steamers will not be signalled. The approach of other Steamers from Macao or Canton will be made known by showing the National or House Flag and Symbol at Yard Arm.
If a Flag showing that an Officer of high rank is on board an incoming vessel, a similar Flag will be shown above the Ball, or the Flag alone will be hoisted at the Mast Head.
The approach of Men-of-war and Sailing Vessels will be notified by their proper Symbols and National Colours, or House Flags, at the Quarter of the Yard, or at the Yard Ann.
Note.—The Distances of vessels will be estimated from the Peak, and will be made by means of Numerals which are attached to the letters in the table of Flags.