The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-02


fancy useful effect, and economy 81 the lens sys-
/ tenn, may he seen by few examples.
| harbor light on the lens system, of the smaller
size Of the fourth order, with single mechanical
lamp burning l 9-l6th ounce ayoirdupos of oil
per hour, would give twice as brilliant light
as The ordinary rejecting system, having a lamp
burning Il once ayoirdupois Of oil per hour. The
quantity OF light on the horizon would he double,
the cost OF given quantity OF light one-half,
and therefore the economy two-fold As the appa-
raus increases in size from this to the higher or
ders, tbs advantage of the lens system increases. Ia
The third order second size, mechanical lamp with
double wick, burning 81 ounces ayoirdupois of
| OIL per hour, gives as much light as fourteen lamps
with reheetofs, each burning Ii ounce avolrdupois
OF oil per hour. The useful effect is once and
. half times, and the economy between three and
four-old. In the second order Of lights the sys
tenn for equal useful effects is thres times econom
zeal as the old reaching in the larger sizes TO four
| fold. power equivalent 10 that of the first order
OF lens lights has not been reached by the rejecting
! system. ,s.rH.a 3 =
| The cost of the erection of buildings for the new
system of lighting, and the first cost Of the apparatus
itself Is somewhat more considerable, and the num-
Der OF keepers required is greater than with the old
the repairs on the contrary, much less. An accu-
rate comparison Of these particulars shows that in
France the economy Is in favor Of the new system
Thus, taking into consideration the interest the
cost OF tower, lantern, refecton, lenses, and OIL
keeping up the light the relative expense OF the two
plans for small hsrbor light is as 236 to the new,
70 226 OF the old plan; while the quantity light on
the horizon is as TO in favor of the new and
hence the economical effect is nearly double upon
| the new system. For large revolving hight (sec-
| ond order) the annual outlay for the old and new
systems would be az 1876 to 20s, while the use
ful effect would be only | to 2, and the econom-
cal etfnrt OF the new system would be more than
once and half that Of the old. The cost for the
kns apparatus nigh, for the present be greater in
our countryi but the economy in lighting by the lens
system is too great for this circumstance to turn the
balance against IT, .... .r..-a
The mechanical lamp used with these lights, or
some other which American ingenuity may supply,
or the hydrostauc or pneumatic lamp 10 use in the
English lighthouses, will replace with advantage
| the present imperfect lamp. In France, the me-
ehanical lamp Is found To require but small repairs,
readily made in establishments were the lamps are
i constructed; and both construction and repairs
would surely be practicable here. The cost of re-
pairs Of the lens apparatus is IN series Of years
| merely nominal, and experience has shown that it
| is more secure and more easily than the old.
4 No important seacoas lights should be leh without
being watched by keeper, and, in the economy in
| lighting, will much more than pay the cost Of two
keepers in the larger lighthouses
i Whether the rape-seed oil generally used in the
| French lighthouses may be employed in our own
with advantage, Is a question which cannot now be
settled; it may however, be desirable to call the at,
tenuon Of farmers the cultivation Of the plant from
i which II is obtained.
i The use Of the screw-pie for the foundation of
lighthouses has, by rendering the establishment Of
4 permanent structures upon banks and shoals com
parntlyey easy, SAFE and economical superseded IN
many cases the use Of lghtboats, which, especially
in exposed positions, Of comparatively little
i value.
i The buoys used in the entrances to our harbors
are placed by local authorities, and under loose
| regulations. A general system should be adopted
of colorng and numbering, and should be so rgidly
aih To tha Lrnn
as soon he discovered buoy. This is practical
bic, as will be seen from the interesting account in
the report OF Leutenants Jenkins and Biche, of the
intricate approaches to the port of Liverpool, which
are rendered quite safe by the system Of buoys,
| lights, marks, and tide signals. The natural marks
which disappear yearly from our coast should be
i replaced by permanent ones; screw-plles for moor
ing buoys should in certain be supplied, The
arrangements for placing buoys and verifying their
positions require TO be rendered Systematic, and to-
be subjected to some general control. The navga-
tor should have due notice Of all changes from
source connected with the whole lighthouse sys-
II TEN. ....,..r =, .I..4.... "a
The best modes OF lighting would be ineffective,
unless the keepers careful and Intelligent per-
sons and instructed in the necessary particulars OF
the business. Some training is desirable. FREE
quent reports, and perhaps the suggestion in regard
TO keeping meteorological and tide registers, as
means Of securing attention and intelligence, may be
, adopted I, ~ y .,.,7
From the numerous details here glanced at, and
fully discussed IN the report Of Lieuenants Jenkins
and Bache, and in the documents appended TO it, it
obvious that very considerable range Of prac,i.
cal and theoretical knowledge is required for the i'm
provement of the system; more than can be looked
for from one individual, however eminent in science
, The proper organization of the system, and plan
ming Of It's details require the efficient head of bu
reau familiar with the working of general organi-
zatsn--a person capable of furnishing information
in regard to the coast and harbors from actual