The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-12
Buoys-Our Lighthouse System.
WAsHINGToN, March s, 1852
10 the Editor Of the Republic

Buoys-Our Lighthouse System.
| WAsHINGToN, March g. 1852.
! To the Editor Of the Republic:
The accompanying resolutions, which were
passed by highly intelligent meeting of Ameri-
can citizens on board the steamer Baltic, while de-
tancd by fog in New York bay, have so far
commended themselves TO my good sense that
feel bound to exert the little influence possess in
furtherance of the suggestions that they contain.
| The Baltic was detained for twenty one hours,
at very great e. pense and risk, in or near New
York harbor, for the want Of few buoys which
| mi ght have been built and securely anchored for
mere song. The weather being hazy, the pilot
| (Mr. McGinn) could discover no land marks; ard
as there buoys to be found at that time,
even if they had previously been there, (Which
am inc lined TO doubt,) he of course recommended
the captain of the Baltic 10 remain at anchor until
the fog should lift. Now had these buoys been in
their proper places, with distinctive marks on each
Of them, nothing would have been easier had one
| OF them been SEEM than to shape course there
from to the city direct. But they were not to be
| found SO the Baltic was detained until it was
only by the greatest exertions that she could be
| prepared for her regular day of sailing.
The truth is our whole lighthouse system is faulty
compared with those of England and France.
Our best lights can seldom be over ten or
twelve miles, while those of the countries lust
named may be seen from twenty to thirty milcs;
still our merchant marine consists of the most val
liable and eetest ships in the world and our coast
ing trade is increasing with wonderful rapidly
In these days of fast sailing Ships our lighthouses
should be increased, in point of power and numbers,
IN, ,ha ia
times they answered our purposes very well, but
they of little use in these times Of steamers and
flying clippers.
By the report Of the Lighthouse Board recently
convened by order of the Secretary of the Trea-
sury it that, by the adoption Of Freenel lens,
instead Of the refectors in usc in our light
house, the country will cave some forty thousand
dollars per annum in the single item Of oil; and not
only that; the Fresne light be seen much further
than the reflected light, and when once properly
fitted is impcri-habe, and requires no repair. All
the world agree that the Fresne lens is the only
proper apparatus for really good far oFlight;
and its the thing par ereelence coast, from
Maine to Oregon, ought 10 be lighted with them.
They are as far superior 10 the reflected light az
the bright light Of gas lamp exceeds that Of
smoking pine knot Az for these bouys-to the ABB
sence ofwhich the detention Of the Baltic is clear
y nttributabo-they ought TO be placed all along
the channels in our great bays and riycrs, and
never allowed to sink or be washed away without
being replaced at once; and not only that, some
ought to be held responsible for proper attention 10
this particular branch Of our maritime affairs, and
Congress should, without delay, put things in a
proper train for securing this end:
Alta meeting on board the steamer Baltic. Captain
J. Comstock, while detained in New York bay.
Captain J. =. Delano being appointed chairman,
Captain Asa Eldrdgo secretary, II was
Re'olDtd. That, IN the opinion Of this meeting,
the detention Of this steamer by hazy weather,
twenty zone hours At anchor In the bay, caused
by the want of proper system Of buOyagc.
That the cause Of humanity, and the vast and in
crcasng commerce Of this port. well the other
hsrbOrs OF our coast lakes, and rivers, require the
beat system OF can or u0u-bu0ys, similar 20 thOss
Ol the Elbc and W ciscr, which rivers are much
moro liable 90 Heating masses Of ice than the Hud
con, but the buoys Of which arc, notwithstanding,
constantly kept In position throughout the year.
The spar buoys nov Ia usc IN the much frequent
ed channels Of this port. unfit for the purpose
intended, being too indisiuct - be seen, unlcs, n
the clcarest weather aud too small 10 be numbered,
as all channel buoys should be.
That in the opinion Of this meeting. an efficient
board, composed Of officers Of the army and navy,
and civilians, should be Immediately appointed
by act Of Congress, whose duty 1t should be to
pcrintcnd and direct the lOcaii0n construction Of
lighthouses, and the positions Of ght-yesscls and
bu0ys.
That this me- most solemnly protest against
the reckless manner o. removing. with very short
notice, the hgh.-sbips from their stations; and
earnestly recommend dat whenever a hght-vcsscl
is abscnt from Der Position by stress OF weather Or
for repaira, that he place be Immediately supplied
by duplicate hgbt-vcssel, kept prepared M all
cases for the purpose The case Of the United
States stcarn-trgato Mississippi, nearly lost on
Five Fathom Bank, od the Delaware Is a striking
proof Of tie importance 81 this resolution.
That the want Of thc range lights for this chan
mel, for which an Appropriation was made by Con
gro5B in 1850, is cause of great delay and much
loss 20 our shipping interest.
That the act Of Congress appropnatiug for mum
bering the 5uoys, and moro properly buOYing the
channel Of THE port, should he more efficiently car
red out, and for that purpose steam, M well NJ
sai vessel should be provided for the inspection Of
lights and buoys and replacing them when car
rcd away, or when the numbers which distinguish
said buoys have been dcisced and rendered iiicgi.
bic by ice Or other Causc.
That these resolutions BE- published in The news.
papers, and the attention Of the Committee on
Commerce and Navigation, in the Senate and
House Of Representative De respectfully called to
them. J. &. DEIANO. Chairman.
Asa ELDHDGE, Secretary