HKO - Under the Same Sky 130 Years - Display Area 15
Display Area 15 : Dedication of the Observatory's Staff
Introduction of Display Area
The staff of the Observatory serve the public with dedication and perseverance and support the growth of the department. The two anecdotes below speak for themselves:
Typhoon Ellen made a direct hit on Hong Kong in 1983. Two weather observers stationed in the temporary weather station at Chek Lap Kok, Leung Ka-man and Ng Tak-leung, continued their weather observation work even though the station was almost completely destroyed by the hurricane force winds.
Typhoon York hit Hong Kong in 1999. During the period when the No. 10 Signal was issued, Lo Wai-hung, Radar Specialist Mechanic and his colleagues remained on duty in the Tai Mo Shan Radar Station for three days and two nights to maintain the normal operation of the radar.
Ms Barbara Anslow wrote in her diary in January 1942: "One evening, a Mr Evans from the Royal Observatory gave us a lecture on the stars, on the roof." That Evans was Director of the Observatory at that time, who endeavoured to teach popular science and cheer up his comrades even in times of great adversity during the war.
Although the temporary meteorological station at Chek Lap Kok was seriously damaged by Typhoon Ellen in September 1983, the duty weather observers stuck to their posts until an Auxiliary Air Force helicopter air lifted them to safety.
Observatory staff working in the countryside in the 1970s faced safety risks, which have to be mitigated by teamwork.
Some outstations of the Observatory are located in remote locations that can only be reached by helicopter. To the staff concerned, such "airlifted" tasks are exciting and unforgettable.
An Observatory staff member checking equipment installed on a swaying weather buoy.
