Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1861-07-13


it to. The upper opening in the lens
is needed for the chimney, and the low.
er for the lamp and lamp attendance
very little light being thrown down in
that space, because it is eclipsed by the
lamp and wick.
Let your readers just imagine this
magnificent glass cage, ten feet high in
the interior, and six feet in diameter,
composed of a cylinder Of glass rings,
underpinned with glass rings, and cov-
cred with dome of glass rings, aud all
upheld by vertical or slightly oblique
metal bars. Let those whose only idea
of lantern consists in a common hand
lantern for lighting the road Of dark
night just think ofa lantern twelve feet
across, and that inside that lantern is a
glass cage or lens big enough for six
men to stand inside Of that, and they
may then conceive the size Of the lam
tern at Tatooche light. This superb
light, SO admirably kept by the present
keeper and assistants, does not waste
its splendor on aeronauts and lowering
angels, but shines exclusively for the
benefit ofthose outside wanderers whose
vessels skirt the horizon Of the great
Pacific, al ever welcome beacon to the
storm.tossed, weary mariner, who
may always feel sure that in the hands
of Capt. Winsor, and his assistants,
Messrs. Sweeney, Shaw and Harris, the
lamp will be kept trimmed and burn
ing. I was an unwilling though not
an unwclcomc guest at the lighthouse
for fourteen days, violent storm aris-
ing shortly after my landing, prevent
cd my leaving the island for that time,
and visit intended for two days was
thus prolonged. During the time of
my visit. I closely watched the opera
tons attending the light, and must
here bear testimony that order, precis-
ion, and scrupulous exactness marked
every duty. Nor is it to be wondered
when it is recollectcd that three of the
parties have been masters Of vessels,
and hence the discipline ofa ship comes
easy to them ON shore. Their position
during winter months, however, is
dreary enough. Oftentimes they can
tot leave the island for the mainland
for six weeks at time-the gales of
wind, with the fearful surf dashing
upon tho rocky island, mako either en-
barkation or landing dangerous task.
At such times they are fain to put up
with all the discomforts Of damp and
smoky house in stormy bleak exposed
locality.
But I will deter for another commu-
nication any further account Of TATTOO
che island and it's inhabitants, (for
there are others besides the light keep
ors,) and will close this already lengthy
cpistlc by little more about light
houses.
There arc several important varia-
tions from this fixed light combination.
There are revolving lights and fash
lights, of various devices, notifications
and adaptations, but space will not per-
NIT me to Ylluds to them. On Fuca
Straits there are two Aash lights, one
on Race Rocks on the English side, and
one on Smiths Island. There are also
fixed lights at Dungcness and Kellogg
point, Whidbys Island. All these,
except Race Rock light, are Inferior in
size to Tstoochc light but tho princi,
pie Of tho lens 10 the same. =
There are six orders Of less anp p6ra-
tus. The first order has lamf with
four or five wicls, and the lens 81 glass
cags is six feet in internal diameter. and
from nine to ton test high. The sec-
ond order has three concentric wiclka
and measures four feet seven inchss in>
inner diameter. The third order has
two wicla, aud Il three Feet three and
one-third inches W. diameter. The
fourth order has one or two wicks. and
one ibea. seven and three fourth inches
diamstss. The fifth, ono wick. and
one jhot two and thres-barth inches
diamstsr. The sixth hseons viek, aud
eleven aud thsse.iourth inches diam