Eastern times., 1855-11-22

Our attention has been called 10 several articles
in some Of the newspapers in New Brunswick and
the eastern part of this State. in regard actual
or contemplated changes in the character of the
Lights exhibited in the various Light Houses
along the coast OF Maine. These papers complain
that the intended changes will not be improve.
ments-and begin TO prophecy disasters and ship.
wrecks in consequence of them.
The ST. John News, after specifying some Of
the alterations saws -
These and @other changes We learn are 10 be
made at the suggestion of Lieut.. Franklin, Light
House Commissioner for that part of the coast
We hope, however, that the Board who have the
privilege of making the alteration will pause and
consider wen what they are about to do. There
is no telling what rUinous consequences few
months night effect, simple as the change may
appear"
We have taken some pains to ascertain how
well grounded are the complaints and have learn
ed from Lieut.. Franklin the nature and character
of the changes made. We think they are such as
must commend themselves to the good sense of
every one
Petit Menan is to be fixed light varied bv
flashes. The centre of the light is SIS feet above
the level of the sea- and the light is visible at least
IL nautical miles, as fixed light; that is, there
will be light shown continuously, and the flash
only adds to the power of this fixed light at regu
lar intervals. This can hardly be mistaken for
revolving light which has periods of darkness
longer than the bright periods.
Between Moose -a-bec L. H. and Petit Menan
Light House is situated Nashes Island l.. Ill.
which now shows fixed red light. This is )
miles from Petit Menan L. H. Narrasuagus L.
II. is also about 5 miles from Petit Menan L. H.,
bnt in different direction. The necessity of
changing the character of the Petit Menan l.. II.
arises from its proximity to these two, and in bad
weather there is little doubt that there would have
been more danger of mistaking Nashe's Island L.
H. for Petit Menan L. H., than there will be OF
mistaking the latter for Moose-a-bee L. H. after
the contemplated change is made
The character of Bakers Island light is to be
changed also. The necessity for this arises from
the fact that Bear Island L II. is only miles
from Bakers Island L. H., and has been miStak-
en- for it. a vessel bound East would make Mt
Desert Rock L. II. before she would see Bakers
Island light. This would enable her to shape her
course for Petit Menan. If she misses Mt. Desert
Rock L. H, and makes Bakers Island L. H. first,
the proximity of Bear Island L. Ii. would show
her that she had not made Petit Menan L. H.
There is already one Light House between Ba-
ker's Island and Petit Menan, and there is an ap
preparation for another in Gouldsboro, which will
be built during the next season. The presence Of
these tive lights will diminish the danger of mis-
taking Bakers Island light for Petit Menan light
very materially should any such dagger exist
Ahe change III tue Nape ElHaoeth LlSnts was
made because there is no in showing two lights
where one will answer the purpose 1t is well
known fact that the old revolving light on the
Cape was always seen by vessels some time be-
fore the fixed one. From the time vessel first
made it, till she came ia sight of the fixed light
she could have no reason TO know that she had
not made Wood Island Light, and therefore dur
ing that time, if she had lost her reckoning she
might readily mistake Cape Elizabeth for Wood
Island. The Light at present on the Cape is very
different in its appearance from that on Wood Is
land, and the nearer the observer is to the Cape
the greater is the difference
The changes of lights along the coast should be
avoided much as possible. But along the coast
of Maine nearly all the lights, until lately have
been of the same character and wrecks have oc-
CURED in consequence of sameness. On this
account it was necessary to make changes.-State
of Mnine