The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-04-22
ought to adopt the British mode Of using reectors

the vessel in a heavy sea would cause these re.
Electors to throw the light up and down, and
1t would only be Tor the moment, when il
| would be perpendicular, that the light would be
seen at all. l have been in possession Of OF
those retectors for some years and would not adopt
them for the reason assigned. They have two mo-
tions but neither OF them would be quick enough
to keep the reflector perpendicular Our lamps
are hog with the quick motion Of the compass
and always keeps their equilibrium. Il have Eng
ish and American drawings Of floating lights,
| which should be happy TO exhibit TO any person
who may feel interest in the subject, and feel
very confident that they would prefer the American
model.
The board complains, also, that there are too
the southern should be glad to know how
| could prevent or remedy the evil. Congress very
generally makes appropriations for lights without
consulting me; and all can do. under a clause
which has been inserted in each lighthouse law for
some years past, was to request the Secretary OF
the Navy to detail officers of rank to examine all
doubtful sites, and report their opinions to the
expediency otherwise OF erecting the buildings.
Formerly many sites condemned by them;
but for some years past they have, in several in
stances. recommended the establishment Of lights
where they have been since found to be useless or
| unnecessary. An instance OF this occurs in the
lighthouse erected at Parmet river, in the Of
Cape Cod, few years ago. A commander in the
| navy, of high standing, was detailed to examine
| the site, which he did, and recommended the cs.
ia bishmcnt of the light. After il built il was
examined by the collector Of Boston, and several
other respectable persons, and pronounced to be
useless; the river, which was supposed to be har-
two feet deep. As had no authority to discontinue
the light, directed that lamp only should be
lit up. When the lighthouse at Sand Key, near
Key West, shall be built and lighted, light OF the
horse Key, the entrance Of Suwannee river,
shall be built--fcr which have called for add-
tional appropriation, the coast of Florda-he most
1vn nnfn lin Enato of No
commends two others between Key West and Cape
Florida whose letter upon the subject have trans
mitted to the Committee Of Commerce Of the House
OF Representatives
In the report of the board great sress is laid
upon the importance of adopting the French lenses
in our lighthouses, also urged in that of
Messrs. Bache and Jenkins, before referred to. In
my reply to their report, which is equally apph-
cable to this, took occasion to compare the cost
Of reflector lights with the cost of the lense
lights Of equal grade. The consumption OF oil and
the number OF keepers in each order of lenses
(there being ~ were derived from Mr.. FresneP 8
report to me, and laid before Congress I'd session
9th Congress, House Doc. No. 274 30 that the
penses OF the lenses are derived from authority
| that cannot be disputed 1t will be seen that the
expenses OF the lenses are considerably more in
every order OF tense; and'as the light is reported
by the Trinity board to be no better than that from
refectors, have been opposed to the introduction
OF any OF them, except the flashing light Of the Sc
cond order, which ia useful Distinguishing
| light. To show the distance these lights can be
seen, send herewith list obtained from Mr..
Frcsnel Of all their Lights, most of them being fit
ted up with the different order Of lenses, by which
it will be that best reflector lights m be
seen as far the best lenscghts, and that we have
very few lighthouses which cannot be further
than the small order OF lenses.
Since the above was written, l have received
from Captain Green Walden, of the revenue
vice. letter stating "that during winter cruise
we have had favorable opportunity of witnessing
the brillancy Of all the lights in the night time
alOpO q N
In justice to the keepers, have the pleasure to in
form you that they in excellent order, and that
the lights have been seen at greater distance than
Tor many years. General satisfaction has been ex
pressed by all with whom have conversed on the
subjcct;" also letter from the collector at Edgar
town, transmitting the opinions Of twenty four
captains of ships and pilots, as follows:
"Thc undersigned, captains and pilots Of vessels
passing over Nantucket shoals and through the
Vineyard sound. hereby certify that, in our opin-
ion, the lights in this region are good lights, and
entirely satisfactory to those who navigate these
waters.' Also letter from Captain Richard
Evans, of the revenue cutter Campbell, at Norfolk,
In which he says: "Tbe lights in this district al
ways show we'll presume to say that these lights
can be seen from the deck Of this vessel in clear
weather, from ten to fifteen miles. The lights, 80
far az my observation has gone, generally well
kept" These several papers are annexed, marked
No. s. To these i have added the favorable opin-
Msinc; Boston; New York; wilmington, Della
ware; and Baltimore, Maryland; which were re-
ceved in the fall of ls47, and which have not yet
been published. The captains and pilots express
themselves follows:
ave, the undersigned, comma ndin q vessels sail
ing 10 and from the port Of New York. avail
selves Of this opportunity Of expressing entire
satisfaction In regard to the efficiency OF the lights
on the coast on the sound, aud on the Hudson
| river" All these papers are hereto annexed, and
numbered Z. They comprise the names Of about
four hundred captains and pilots. most of whom
are acquainted with the lights from Maine TO Lou
| isiana.
From the collector at Newport, Rhode Island, ]
have just received letter, in which is the follow
ing extract:
"ln regard to other parts Of the country am no,
qualified TO speak; but from this district of New
| York, through Long Island sound, should Ger.
tanly think II safe to pronounce the lights good
without fear Of contradiction; there doubt
degrees OF excellence, as In every thing clse; an
incident bearing upon the question at issue occur
red here within few days The schooner Lucy
Blake, Of Rockland, New York, arrived here after
n very bad night in the sound. lie, the captain,
remarked, what capital lights you have; without
them should have been lost last night Thee,
! with other remarks Of the kind were voluntary
and may be fairly taken az one item Of public
opinion. Similar observations on the subject are
extremely common"
have heretofore stated the difference Of expense
in favor Of the United States in maintaining their
| lighthouses and floating lights, compared with
those OF England, Scotland, and Ireland. now
insert comparison Of the expense OF the English
and American lights for the year 1876. the latest
have received from England, as foowss
| BRITISH LIoHTs
Cost Of maintaining CO lighthouses one year, CS46)
! per statement No :, herewith, G35, 6S5 IL II,
equal to l7S. a20 dollars-ayorage per
| nght....... .......... -2,iO5 u
| Cost Of 20 light boats. same period,
G53,999 sterling, equal 10 los, 500 dol
lars-average per light. ............. 6,b3S a
| UNITED STATES LIoHTs.
Cost Of maintaining 259 lighthouses one year
| USi6) ne per statement No. 9, S2Si,472-avo.
rage per light. 3 4, 09S 81
| Cost OF maintaining 80 light boats,
same period, as per said statement
| Q, $50, 669-average. ............. 2sSs 81
| 259 British lights would at the above
| average, cost per annum.......... S700,200 u
| 259 United States lights cost $751;
| 4iz..s..... .....s.s............... 2Si Az "
In favor Of the United States. saI5.72s q
30 British floating lights .uld cost,
| at the above avcfago............. ! l96,l53 Oi
30 United States floating lights cost. SO .669 o.
In favor Of the United States. Sl09,4S3 N
The board also complains that there il no at,en.
ton paid TO the testing the oil before IL is received
| and sent TO the lighthouses In this il is slso in
| In lcff fr,u, Mr. he