Eighth lighthouse district: Aids to navigation, Atchafalaya entrance channel, La.. Light vessels for South Pass and Southwest Pass entrances to Mississippi Aids to navigation on Mississippi River below New Orleans, La..... Improvement aids to navigation, Ashtabula Harbor, Ohio.... Improvement aids to navigation, Lorain Harbor, Ohio. Establishment aids to navigation, Huron Harbor, Ohio Eleventh lighthouse district: Aids to navigation, Ashland Wis. Pierhead and lighted buoy, Oconto Harbor, Wis.. Twelfth lighthouse district: $50,000 250,000 50,000 125,000 45, 000 17, 600 35,000 4,500 25, 000 5,000 15,000 Aids to navigation, Manistique, Mich.... Improvement fog signal, Manistee Pierhead Range, Mich. 20,000 9,000 Sixteenth lighthouse district: Light and fog signal, Cape St. Elias, Alaska.. 9,000 115,000 Improvements and aids to navigation in Puget Sound and adjacent water, Washington.... Eighteenth lighthouse district: Improvement Warrior Rock Light Station, Columbia River, Oreg...... 30,000 2,000 125,000 Improvements at Point Pinos Light Station, Cal...... Point Arena Lighthouse, Mendocino County, Cal.. To complete unfinished portion of Government road from Rollerville to 30,000 Light and fog-signal station, North Farallon Island, Cal. 3,000 Light and fog-signal station, Point Vincente, Cal....... 100,000 75,000 80,000 15,000 Nineteenth lighthouse district: Aids to navigation, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii... Improvement light station at Kauhola Point, Hawaii. The following additional information concerning the above authorizations is given: [From Report of Commissioner of Lighthouses, 1912.] GENERAL SERVICE. Lighthouse tender, general service.-On May 20, 1912, the lighthouse tender Armeria struck a rock off Cape Hinchinbrook, Alaska, and was totally lost. This tender was the largest in the Lighthouse Service and the only one regularly assigned for service in Alaskan waters. The loss of this tender has seriously crippled the available tender force, and a new tender should take its place as soon as possible. The lighthouse work is constantly increasing on account of the increase of shipping and demand for aids to navigation. It is proposed to use the new tender for general service as required. A large seaworthy vessel is essential for this work, because the vessel must carry supplies to distant light stations, and must have sufficient capacity to carry the necessary quantities of coal, supplies, and construction materials. The cost of construction of vessels has materially increased, and it is important that the proposed vessel should be so designed as to be protected against loss. FIRST LIGHTHOUSE DISTRICT. Dog Island Light, Me.-It is recommended that a lighted aid be placed in the vicinity of Dog Island. Several wrecks have occurred near by. The mean rise and fall of the tide is about 18 feet; 122,535 tons of freight are carried annually by this locality, in addition to frequent passenger service daily. It is recommended that an acetylene light with colored sector be established on Dog Island. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR, DEAR SIR: Referring to department letter of February 24, 1912, reporting upon House bill 20422, Sixty-second Congress, second session, "To construct and place a lightship near Monhegan Island, entrance to Penobscot Bay, Maine," I beg to state that, in view of the urgent representations which have been made by shipping interests, the department withdraws its recommendation contained in its aforementioned letter that this bill be not passed. After a careful investigation of this matter, the department concludes that the establishment of a light vessel at the position proposed in the bill would be of material benefit to navigation. The existing aids to navigation at or in the vicinity of Monhegan Island consist of a second order flashing light, a trumpet fog signal, and a combination gas and whistling buoy. Measures have been taken to increase the intensity of Monhegan Light by the substitution of an oil vapor lamp for the present wick lamp. A more powerful fog signal, in place of the existing signal, is under construction on Manana Island, which is adjacent to Monhegan Island on the west side. The addition of a submarine bell to the gas buoy is under consideration. I recommend that the bill be passed, subject, however, to the following amendment: Insert, in the title of the bill, after the word "Island," and in line 5 thereof, after the word "Island," the words "off the." A similar letter has this day been addressed to the chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce relative to Senate bill 5387 of the present session of Congress. Respectfully, BENJ. S. CABLE, Acting Secretary. CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE ON INTERSTATE AND FOREIGN COMMERCE, THIRD LIGHTHOUSE DISTRICT. Great Salt Pond Light Station, R. I.-The fog signal is at present not properly located to be an efficient aid and should be moved to the outer end of the breakwater. The building in which the signal is located and in which the keeper lives is little more than a shack and is a disreputable-looking place. Staten Island lighthouse depot, N. Y.-The carpenter shop at this depot is an old wooden building, badly constructed, and is a menace in case of fire. It should be taken down and a new two-story fireproof building erected in its place, the upper floor to be used as carpenter shop and lower floor for mill and boat shop. Staten Island lighthouse depot, N. Y.-The present office quarters and laboratory at the General Depot, Tompkinsville, N. Y., are located in four detached buildings, giving rise to delay and confusion in the orderly handling of work, as well as causing unnecessary expense of heating and other maintenance items. It is proposed to construct an addition which will join three of the present buildings and make it possible to use the space so gained for the improvement of the laboratory, which is now located in the fourth building. This building is poorly adapted for laboratory purposes, but can be put to good use as a storehouse, which is also needed on account of the growth of the service. Passaic Light Station, N. J.-The present station was built in 1850, and is now so far from the channel as to be practically useless. A large amount of commerce to and from Newark, Passiac, Paterson, and other points on the Passaic River passes this point, and urgent requests have been received from maritime interests requesting this improvement. The act of March 4, 1907 (34 Stats., 1318), appropriated $15,000 for a light and fog-signal station at or near the west end of the draw near the Lehigh Valley Railroad bridge at Passaic, N. J. In all petitions received on the subject the request has been made that this light should not be established near the bridge, but near the present black buoy No. 3 now marking a turn in the channel. A full investigation has been made and it is believed that the location requested by maritime interests is the proper one. Borings have been made at the proposed site and disclose difficult foundation conditions, making necessary a considerable increase over the amount previously appropriated. It is therefore proposed to establish a light and fog bell on a pile and concrete foundation at a point near buoy No. 3. FIFTH LIGHTHOUSE DISTRICT. Cambridge is one of the most important harbors on the eastern side of the Chesapeake Bay, Md. Its commerce amounts to more than 122,000 tons annually. The channel to the docks makes nearly a right-angle turn about 1,000 yards out. The turn is now marked by a large new buoy, but as much of the navigation is at night vessel owners and captains have urgently demanded a lighted aid. SIXTH LIGHTHOUSE DISTRICT. Lighthouse depot, sixth district. The present depot in the sixth district is situated on Castle Pinckney, an island in Charleston Harbor, S. C., the site being owned by the War Department and occupied by the Lighthouse Service under a permit. The location is disadvantageous in that it is exposed to storms and is not readily accessible from the inspector's office in Charleston, as no ferry runs between the city and the island. During the severe hurricane of August 27-28, 1911, the depot premises were storm swept and damage approximating $10,000 was inflicted. In previous years similar damage has been occasioned by storms. A site on the mainland, better protected and more accessible, is required for the proper administration of the district. The amount estimated will be needed for the purchase of the site and toward construction of a wharf and buildings and otherwise outfitting the premises for use as a depot. This is the only lighthouse depot in this large and important district. Careful consideration has been given to the selection of a site which will be well protected on the mainland but quickly accessible to the sea, in a healthy locality, with good water front, and which will have the further advantage of convenience to railroads, local markets, and maritime interests. There should also be adequate facilities for repair work, as well as office space for the district officer, close at hand. EIGHTH LIGHTHOUSE DISTRICT. Aids to navigation, Atchafalaya Entrance, La.-The completion of a channel now being dredged from the mouth of Atchafalaya River to the 20-foot contour in the Gulf of Mexico necessitates the establishment of aids to navigation. The work proposed under this estimate consists of the establishment of a main light and fog signal on Point au Fer Reef, two gas buoys and two acetylene-lighted beacons outside the reef, and four acetylene-lighted beacons inside the reef. Mississippi Passes light vessels, La.-Self-propelling light vessels equipped with fogsignal apparatus and with proper provision for relief are recommended. There is urgent need for a new light vessel to replace light vessel No. 43 at South Pass of the Mississippi River. This vessel is over 30 years of age, is worn out, and in her present condition is not considered fit to be maintained in service during the hurricane season. There is now no relief vessel in this district, and when light vessels are removed for docking and repairs their stations remain unmarked or only marked by a gas buoy. This has caused criticism from maritime interests. There is urgent need for a light vessel off the entrance to Southwest Pass of the Mississippi River, which has now been opened to commerce after large expenditures for its improvement. The conditions during the foggy season at the entrance to the Passes, owing to the low-lying coast line and the projection seaward of the low jetties, make imperative the need of a light vessel with powerful fog signal to seaward of the jetty ends, from which departure can be taken for the entrance to the channel between the jetties. Aids to navigation, Mississippi River, La.-It is proposed to establish about 22 acetylene lens-lantern lights on skeleton steel towers to take the place of the inefficient oil post-lantern lights now shown from wooden posts. Vessels traverse the river drawing 28 feet of water. The commerce of the river is large and important. NINTH LIGHTHOUSE DISTRICT. Navassa Island Light Station, West Indies.-This island lies between Haiti and Jamaica in the direct route through the Windward Passage to the Isthmus of Panama and to Caribbean ports. For ships bound north this island is the first landfall after leaving the Isthmus. The currents in this region are irregular and strong, and steamers sometimes have to stop until the weather clears sufficiently for them to pick up the coast of Haiti. The island has been occupied by American citizens. The increased traffic makes the establishment of an efficient aid at this point desirable. This traffic will be still further increased on the opening of the Panama Canal, and provision should be made prior to that time. The Attorney General in an opinion dated July 1, 1911, states: "The island is now under the sole and exclusive jurisdiction of the United States and out of the jurisdiction of any other Government, and it is recommended and considered as appertaining to the United States, although not a part of its territorial domain. * * Should Congress, therefore, authorize the erection of a lighthouse on Navassa Island, such action in authorizing the erection of the lighthouse and making an appropriation for the expense of the same would be complete and sufficient." It is proposed to establish a flashing acetylene light in a second-order lens on a high tower so as to prevent obscuration by the plateau when passing the island close to, as well as to be equally visible on all sides. The proposed light on a 150-foot tower will be visible 23 miles. The light will be about 20,000 candlepower, sufficiently bright to be seen at this distance in clear weather. It is proposed to equip this light with sufficient acetylene gas to operate for a year at a time, and it will probably require attention, after a thorough preliminary watching, at intervals of from three to six months. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR, SIR: I have the honor to request that the authority of Congress be granted for the acquisition for lighthouse purposes of a parcel of land, approximately one-half acre in area, in the vicinity of the lighthouse reservation at Port Ferro, P. R. The water used at Port Ferro light station is procured from a cistern, the roof of the keeper's dwelling forming a watershed. On account of the proximity of the reservation to the ocean, the spray therefrom in stormy weather causes an accumulation of salt on the roof, rendering the cistern water unfit for drinking purposes. The area of the lighthouse reservation is only about 1.15 acres, and in order to prevent contamination of the drinking water it will be necessary to construct a watershed and cistern farther inland, upon land not owned by the United States. The value of the land which it is proposed to acquire is estimated at about $10 per acre, and it is contemplated that the expense of acquisition shall be defrayed from the appropriation "General expenses, Lighthouse Service," for the fiscal year in which the purchase is made. A draft of proposed legislation to accomplish the purpose is inclosed. Respectfully, The SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, CHARLES NAGEL, Secretary. Washington, D. C. TENTH LIGHTHOUSE DISTRICT. Aids to navigation, Ashtabula, Ohio.-Extensive improvement work is in progress for the enlargement of Ashtabula Harbor, involving the construction of new breakwaters and the extension of the west breakwater, on which the present light and fog signal are located. This work will necessitate a rearrangement of the aids to navigation and the rebuilding of the main light and fog signal in a new position. This appropriation should be available, so that there will be no delay when the new breakwater is completed. Cleveland Light Station, Ohio. The present steam-whistle fog signal is situated at the Cleveland West Breakwater East End Light. The completion of the rubblemound breakwater arms and the recent establishment of the main light on the West Breakwater pierhead necessitates the removal of the present fog signal to the new main light in order to obtain the highest efficiency of the fog signal and concentrate the duties of the keepers. In view of the prevailing thick weather at Cleveland, principally caused by smoke from the city, this station should be equipped with the most modern fog-signal apparatus, and it is proposed to install a compressed-air fog signal and new engines. Aids to navigation, Lorain, Ohio.-To carry out the plan for the permanent lighting of this harbor, it will be necessary to establish these additional aids to navigation. The lights shown from the east and west breakwater pierheads since their completion in 1908 have been of a temporary character, and there is at present no fog signal. The act of June 17, 1910 (36 Stats., 536), authorized the construction f range lights in Lorain Harbor, at $19,800; but a more extensive system of aids to navigation at this point is now deemed advisable. No appropriation for this object has yet been made. Aids to navigation, Huron, Ohio.—The act of June 17, 1910, authorized the establishment of range lights at Huron Harbor, at a cost not to exceed $3,800; but no appropriation for that object has been made. The erection of a rear range light to serve with the present Huron light will accomplish the desired object; but provision should also be made for a fog bell at the front light. The commerce of Huron Harbor is important, consisting, principally, of ore and fish incoming and coal outgoing. In the calendar year 1910 over 300 vessels, with a registered tonnage of over 640,000, entered the harbor. The total freight tonnage of receipts and shipments was 1,216,025, the valuation of which was $2,987,394. ELEVENTH LIGHTHOUSE DISTRICT. Aids to navigation, Ashland, Wis.-The breakwater at Ashland is at present over 7,000 feet long. Without proper lighting it is now considered a menace to the large and important commerce of Ashland, and as the breakwater has been extended the danger to navigation will be increased, and it should be effectively marked. The work proposed under this estimate consists of the establishment of an acetylene light and a fog bell at the end of the breakwater. In regard to the item of $5,000 for the pierhead and lighted buoy at Oconto Harbor, Wis., the department wrote as follows: DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR, SIR: I beg to acknowledge the receipt of letter dated January 9, 1912, from the Committee on Commerce, inclosing, with request for the views of this department thereon, a copy of Senate bill 4242, Sixty-second Congress, second session, to authorize the establishment of aids to navigation at Oconto Harbor, Wis. The two aids provided for in the bill would, it is believed, meet all requirements of the harbor in its present condition, and I therefore recommend that the bill be passed. It may be stated, however, that provision for these aids is not included in the estimates for the Lighthouse Service for the fiscal year 1913, and attention is invited to the new works estimated for at page 354 et seq. of the Book of Estimates for 1913, which are considered more important, as listed in the estimates, than the establishment of aids to navigation at Oconto Harbor. Respectfully, The CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, BENJ. S. CABLE, Acting Secretary. United States Senate, Washington, D. C. Detroit lighthouse depot, Mich.-The following improvements are needed: Paving Mount Elliott Avenue. The efficiency of this depot suffers somewhat from the fact that it lies at the foot of an unpaved street, so that delivery by team is difficult during the late fall, winter, and early spring. The estimated total cost of this pavement is about $9,000, of which the United States should pay half. Oil house. The arrangements for storage of oil at this depot are very unsatisfactory and oil is stored in one wing of the basement of the main storehouse; but the capacity is not sufficient, making it necessary to pile great quantities of oil in the depot yard, where it is exposed to possible damage by fire, due to the proximity of a varnish works. Furthermore, the handling of oil would be greatly facilitated, as the new building could be so located that oil can be handled directly into it from the cars without rehandling. Addition to lamp shop. The present lamp shop is greatly overcrowded, owing to the increasing number of buoys in the district, and, consequently, the greater number of parts returned for repair. It is necessary to do a great deal of blacksmith repair work to moorings of buoys, etc., at the depot in the closed season. At present this work is done in the open part of buoy shed under very severe weather conditions during the winter. Storehouse for cement and lime. Owing to the large amount of construction and repair work necessary in this district, a considerable quantity of cement and lime must be kept on hand. It is therefore recommended that a small building be constructed for storing the same. TWELFTH LIGHTHOUSE DISTRICT. Aids to navigation, Manistique, Mich.-Manistique is the northern terminus of a car-ferry line between Frankfort and Manistique, Mich., and is used by many coal, lumber, ore, and other carriers. The car ferries between Frankfort and Manistique run the year round. During the winter months this run, taking into consideration the nature of the cargo carried and the dangers from ice, is extremely hazardous. It is therefore believed that every facility should be afforded for safe navigation into this port. It is proposed to establish range lights with fog signals and quarters for keepers. Manistee fog signal, Mich.-It is desired to install duplicate oil-engine compressor outfits in place of present deteriorated steam fog signal, which is unreliable and should be replaced. Poverty Island fog signal, Mich.-It is desired to install duplicate oil-engine compressor outfits in place of present deteriorated steam fog signal, which is unreliable and should be replaced. |