The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-04-28
Difference in favor of the reflector

Difference in favor Of the reflector
light, per nnnum. m.................. SS4 Do
Nors The .ea-lights in France arc liz up only
four thousand hours in the ycatj wbilet in the
United States they are lit up four thousand three
hundred and eighty three hours; making difNr-
cncc in the time OF burning of three hundred and
eighty three hours annually.
The difference Of expense, il will be seen il in
the large number Of keepers nocefsary for tho
lonsc hghs, and this s one Of the great objections
20 the employment Of them; for in France, TO the
fret and second order Of lensos, they employ three
keepers 10 ehcb, and sometimes four, which would
be equally necessary in this country, where they
would cost from four to five times ms much as they
do in France, the pay Of the principal keeper.
there being six hundred francs, or one hundred
and twenty dollars and the assistant four hundred
france. eighty dollars per annufn, each. Ano-
tier objection stil stronger to the adoption OF the
lcnse light, would be the difficulty Of obtaining
suitable head keepers and the frequent changes OF
keepers incidental to our form Of Government, and
the danger thence arising Of loss Of light and
shipwrecks.
Ii may be observed, in answer TO these objcc-
tions that the cnrcol lamp in may be
changed for one more pie and steady, and may
be safely committed T. one keeper, who may be
had st a cheap rate Whatever may be the form Of
the lamp. there being but one in each lensc TO
afford all the light, should consider II dangerous
and impohtic to conidc the keeping Of that lamp
TO lees than three keepers on the seatoard, where
the latgest order Of lenses must be used, and two
the bays and riyors; whilst the reflector lights,
containing from ten to thirty lsmpe, can be, and
arc, safely conhdcd in the eastern and middle
States, where u IL rot sckly TO one keeper; for, II
the light in ono or two Of those lamps should be
come extinct, there arc sufficient number left
burning to guide vessels into port.
Thcsc objections apply more particularly 60 the
United States. In France, where suitable keepers
obtained at cheaper rate, and where the lenses
are made, they arc doubt adopted with ndysn-
tagc, particularly hs great proportion OF their
lights are harbor lghts, and liz up Dr few hours
only each night, while the tide is high. in order to
enable vessels TO enter the respective barbors; and
these stated by NJ. Frcsnel TO be t up from
seven hundred TO one thousnnd one huuire hours
in the course Of year. out Of four thousand hours
which he Sc down as embracing the year One
keeper attends these lighs Mt cheap rate; and c,n
scquently hcir yearly cost u but trifiing.
The cola, or rspcs,C oil, recommended for
in our lighthouses by Lieutenants Bache and Jcu-
kins, like oil vegetable oils, becomes thick and un-
ii, to burn ia a short time; and Mr.. Frcsncl, who
uscs II in France, is obliged 70 send IL - the light
houses every three or four months, whilst in the
United States we send our supply OF sperm oil once
year only, At an expense OF about 5000. Were
90 employ the rnpcseed oil, and send IL four
times year to the lighthouses, The additional co
Of freight would, Of course, be S2tOoO, and es we
should have TO import this oil which costs IN Eag
land 3s. Sd sterling gallon! and about the same
in France with freight and other expenses IT, IL
isycry clear that il would not be advisable TO use
il in our lighthouses.
Cotton seed oil would be equally good, and on lat
to be preferred production of our own country.
bot il is liable to the objection; the cost of
freight in sending 4 so often TO the lighthouses,
added to the cost OF the oil, would make II more
expensive than sperm oil. Upon the whole. con
slider the beet sperm oil as TIC most suitable ma
tcria for afIording light in our lighthouses, as il
il at stcady safe. and brilliant at oil seasons,
Of moderate price, aud will remain good for
entire year. IL is a production, too, OF our own
Countrymcn, and connected with the great nursery
of our seamen, upon which the Government must
rely for the enforcement and prOtt tciion of our
and "a he fel,
Of OIL for our lighthouses, ought manifcstly 10 be
encourage,
AZ many persons believe, and have asserted, that
the lenticular lights were more luminous, and