The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-09-17

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The Lighthouse Board and our Coast Lights
International Arrangements Required.
Wepublish in another column to day, two very
important documents in relation to the location
and character of some of our coast lights, which
should command the immediate attention of the
government and Of the Lighthouse Board.
The first of these is letter to the Secretary
of State from several commanders Of steamships
running to ports in the Gulf of Mexico and the
Isthmus ports, requesting that our government
will use its good Offices with that of Great Bri-
tain for the purpose of inducing that Power to
place light and buoys on Maternilla reef, on
the northwest corner of the little Bahama bank.
When we take into consideration the large and
constantly increasing value Of the commerce
passing this point, the urgent necessity Of such
aids to navigation will be at once seen. We
have now two lines of steamships running to
Havana and New Orleans, and one line
by way Of the Gulf Of Aspinwsll, besides
innumerable sailing vessels. The steamships
average departure every four days,
and the sailing vessels average one every
day. They carry out annually some twenty
thousand passengers, and goods to the value Of
one hundred millions of dollars. During this
outward passage all the steamships and a large
number of the sailing vessels follow the western
edge Of the Little Bahama bank, and the point
in question lies directly in their course and
within few miles of where they must run.
There are none of the usual indications of
shallow water to mark the approach to the dan
ger, and the ship may run upon the rocks
which are many miles from any land, without
warning. Such was the case with the
steamship Crescent City, which was lost,
on this reef, several years since. Fortu-
nately the passengers in this instance were
saved; but the chances are that when q ship
strikes Masernilla reef every soul on board will
be lost. We doubt not that the British govern.
ment viii readily consent to place the necessary
warnings to the mariner upon this dangerous
point, or permit our government to do 90,
upon . proper application by General Cass.
Another year should not be allowed to pass
The second document Il communication in
regard TO the character Of the new light on Ca
rysfort reef. This light Is probably the most
important on our whole coast. Commerce to
the value Of Eve hundred millions of dollars,
and one hundred thousand souls, pass It, aud
are guided in their course by II. The whole of
the outward Gulf Of Mexico commerce, and
large proportion Of that from Cuba, Central and
South America must necessarily do 70. 1t is
placed on the western edge Of the narrowest and
swiftest portion Of the Gulf Stream, at point
where 1t makes a sudden turn or elbow. aud
which is universally considered the one of
greatest danger; yet, strange TO say, the
character Of the light recently placed there by
our Lighthouse Board, differs 90 little from
that placed by the British government on Gun
Cay-some Fifty miles distant, and on the oppo-
site edge of the Gulf Stream-that the mariner
can with difficulty tell which light is before
him as be approaches from the southwest
Both are revolving lights-tbey are nearly OPP
posite each other he must pass between them,
or be lost. Both cannot be seen at the same
time, and the strong current Of the Gulf drives
him on. IL the mariner errs in this place
where doubt is certain and the chances equal
he loses his ship, bis reputation, and pei
haps the lives Of all on board. The old light on
the American side at this point was afixcd light
which afforded strong contrast with the re-
volving light on the British side Of the Gulf
Stream, and precluded all doubt or mistake
The Lighthouse Board should at once restore
the fixed character Of the light on the knuckle
Of Carysfort reef, and alter that of our neigh
boring lights to correspond, If need be.
There is another point TO which we would
call the attention Of the Lighthouse Board. No
information can be 30 useful 10 them in the To-
eating Of lights and establishing their charsc-
ter, as that derived from practical experience
Let them, therefore, issue circular with pre-
pared blank form for report, and let the col
lectors give one Of these to every American
shipmaster clearing, with request that he will
gil il up with such observations as he may have
made Of the lights on his voyage or return to
port. The Board will thus attain mass OF
valuable information, which viii guide il in ls
deliberaions, and enable Il 10 decide many
questions with ease 10 themselves and advan-
tage TO our shipping.
THE PARTY SYSTEM BREAKING Ur.-No one