New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-10-24
The CARYsroar IRoN LIGHT. HOUSE,,

The CARYSFORr IRON LIGHT HOUSE,
FLORIDA RBEF.-This Light House, which Is nov
nearly completed, was commercially Capt. Howard
stansbury, of the Typographical Engineers, who
superntended its construction until ordered To the
command OF the Salt Lake expedition, since which
it has been in tho charge Of Brovet MAJOR B. Lin
nard of the same corps, to the time OF his death,
which occurred In April last, at Philadelphia.
The reef selected for the ate Of this Light House
is about IS miles east from Key West, and nine
miles from the nearest land. more desirable oca-
ton could not be found a. 1t stands on the most
eastern shoal OF the reef near what 10 called the
Elbow. and within half mile OF the unfashomsos
waters Of the Gulf-Stream. The entire structure 10
OF iron The plan OF the base is octagonal, consist
ing of eight angle and ono center pile of wrought
iron. These piles, IS feet long, and eight inches IN
diameter, were driven by blows OF a ram weighing
1900 pounds into the solid coral bank, until an ron
shoulder attached to the eRd Of each brought up on
dirks which have large bearing surface, and
through which they were driven These piles are
Undecided ten and twelve feet below the surface,
whichis coral rock and sand The structure Is com
posed Of "A series Of iron pillars, the lower Of which
stand perpendicular being ten feet above high wafer
mark Upon the heads OF the lower tiers are east
iron rookie or coupling boxes in which are placed
the heads OF the second series oil pillars departing
from the perpendicular at an angle oil l0i degrees,
the frustrum OF cone, with base nifty feet In diam
eter. About 40 feet above high water mark, the pn-
lars incosed by two rows OF cast iron plasa n
side Of which laid two floors, and the whole cos'
cred in with roof The lower OF the rooms mus
formed is intended for water and stores, while the
upper serves as dwelling for the keeper. From We
roof Of these rooms ascencs cylinder towu IA
closing the stairway 10 the watch room ana iansen
The hight of the entire structure, that is rom tno
heel of the center pile to the silvered ball above tne
lantern is l2S feet. The light, which WIN DC !.
lfltfe
mosphere being sufficiently clear for ITO peneuse
that far In addition 70 the radia and periphery ues'
or braces, by which the center and angle piles arc AZ
tached to each other the whole Is secured by tehsoS
bracipg tighten ed by lever and turnbuckle, winch
make il perfectly rigid. An ornamental gaiiey
arranged around the dwelling house giving II angns
and airy appearance. The Illuminating apptraiusn
Fresual OF the first magnitude France,
undeT the superinteLdence OF w. j. u. Lewis, Esq,
of Boston, who, with Capt Stsnsbury, was the on
ginal designer OF this remarkable Lighthouse Inc
lenses and the machinery OF Lantern ess' s,o.,.
THIS same apparatus Is now IN the n l. Custoaf.
House By some mistake OF the officials, AZ was som
among other unclaimed goods, not long shce, W. - :,
trifipg sum of $500. II has not YET been gl,sa
the proper Department. Legal steps nave oesn "a
10 recover possession IL was The design Oh ssS
eipeers to light this House on the 4th OIL las ~,
but owing 20 this m stake at the Custom houss,s.
event is indefinitely postponed ana coeis eisss
suffer while longer from the absence OF msccss~
light upon the dangerous coast OF sou'h-E ss's's
Florida. - -. L., .hove
The waves IN q storm must rise forty feet soo,e
the level of the sea to reach the House, and sncs
little surface is exposed 70 their force, the mos "
mendous breaker will sweep by and leave me Du
ing unframed The diameter OF the circle ~, ~
NV the seres Of the foundation piles is fty teeI,
more than double that OF the late structure uP'A
Minors ledge. .. 4. -, b. q,
The only danger Of entire destruction Is 20 ION
prehended from our hurricanes, and then only III" sns
the immense velocity and power Of the WIND, a. sn
waves OF the sea do not nse so high nor pfe4s
so great force as in more moderate gales Ia
withstand the force of such hurricane as visitsoo
coast in Oct 1916 Lieut.. Mead, Topograpnicso,lr
has been appointed superintendent, TO take the
vacated by the death Of MAJOR Linnaru.
Ken West, October 1851.