Warning Ships of Cyclones

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 39, 10 April 1931, Page 15

Warning Ships of Cyclones

Value . of -Radio [HH value of the Willis Island radio station for the purpose of warning shipping on the Queensland coast of approaching cyclones, is evidenced by the following story of an officer of the Australian. mercantile marine service. At 3 p.m. on a Thursday afternoon, he states, ships at sea were advised of "suspicious conditions: north of Willis Island." At this time his vessel was on = the way from Sydney to Brisbane. Between the Thursday and the following Wednesday, 17 reports on the approaching disturbance were received,. and on the Wednesday when the ship between Cairns and Port Moresby agvice was received over. the air, "Cyclone centred at 8 p.m. approximately 20 miles east from Cape Capricorn; still very intense and now apparently moving south-east." At one stage of the voyage the master deemed it advisable to anchor under Gloucester Head off Bowen to avoid running into the centre of the disturbance, The reports gave the position of the cyclone’s.centre, its intensity, and its progress at regular intervals. With such information in their possession, ship masters can take the necessary steps to avoid trouble and so minimise the risk to life and property.