Bombs Were Once Used to Warn Hong Kongers of Hurricanes

Today, Hong Kongers are warned of incoming storms, typhoons, and hurricanes by a numbered signal code ranging from T1, the standby signal, to T10, the hurricane signal. This system also includes signals such as T3, the strong wind signal, and T8 and T9, the gale or storm signals.

However, if we today take this system for granted, it is important to recognize that it took the Hong Kong government decades to develop an efficient way to warn its inhabitants of approaching storms and hurricanes.

On August 21, 1884, a gun placed in front of the Marine Police Headquarters—known today as 1881 Heritage—in Tsim Sha Tsui was fired to alert the population of incoming storms. As it was also used as a mail gun, this gun led to some confusion.

Following the typhoon of 1906 that caused the death of 10,000 people in Hong Kong alone, the typhoon gun was abolished in 1907. It was replaced by the firing of three explosive typhoon bombs at ten-second intervals at the Marine Police Headquarters in Tsim Sha Tsui, whenever winds were expected to reach hurricane force.

In 1917, an improved storm signaling system was introduced, consisting of seven signals. In the 1930s, this system was further enhanced, and the number of signals increased to ten, making the use of typhoon bombs redundant. The last typhoon bombs were set off in September 1937.