The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1868-09-16

THE LIGHTHoUsE.-DuriDg the past few
days several expeditions have been made to
the point Of the reef at the southeastern side
of the entrance of the harbor, for the purpose
of locating the lighthouse to be erected there.
1t is necessary that the light should be on
the edge of the reef, so as to mark the chan
mel distinctly and be guide to vessels seek
ing to come inside in the night. The en-
trance is narrow, and with the light set
back on the reef ninety or hundred feet, to
be guessed at by vessels, the uncertainty
would neutralize the very convenience which
it is expected will be gained by having light
on the reef The structure is planned TO be
to be set on piles-the room to be clear of
the swash of the sea at the highest tides,
and the lantern to be twenty-five feet above
the sea, visible eight miles off The only
obstacles to the swell and surf which break
with great fury on the reef in the kona
season, will be seven columns or piles on
which the structure rests. With these secur-
ed fairly in the coral there is but little danger
that either the sea or gales will damage it
or carry it of. 1t was thought that with the
piles tipped with iron screws and firmly fas
tened in six feet of the coral, that founda-
ton sufficiently sure could be obtained The
OBJECT of these boat expeditions has been to
bore these holes, but the first trial proved
that after passing through three to four feet
Of coral, layer of sand was reached that
aao,ns 70 he suparimnosed IN q had of soft
mud or ooZe, into this the drill sank by its
own weight AT the trials last week, the depth
reached was 10 feet below the surface of the
coral, or twenty-three feet from that of the
sea, and rocky bottom not reached. 1t is
very likely that the ledge overhangs just at
the locality where the lighthouse is TO be
placed, SO that the drill passes through it and
will reach the reef again at depth cores
ponding to the bottom of the harbor. This
necessary extension of the length of the piles
will add somewhat to the estimated cost of
the structure.
On Monday last another trial was made,
and at a depth of PSI feet, solid rock was
not reached.
ne DOTlllg Is UldQt lrOu HOdlluB bldBe,
and cannot be done except on quiet days,
when the smoothness of the sea permits,
which does not happen every day at this sea-
son of the year, with the trades blowing
freshly. The appropriation for the lighthouse
is IS, 500, small sum, but enough proba-
bly, to erect one on the plan proposed. One
built of stone and made proof against the
force of the sea would cost a very large sum.
The placing of lighthouse on the reef has
for years past been discussed, and at one
time, many thought to build one and call it
Cooks Light, would be the best disposal Of
the fund collected to raise memorial to the
great navigator, whose name is associated
with the re-discovery of these islands in the
last century. But the necessity of a light
there has not been urgent, and its import
ance to coasters and the shipping has not
been strongly felt, and therefore no deci-
sive movement heretofore has been made.
But the convenience of it to the coasters,
and its value to ships in dangerous weather,
and the necessity of it for steamers and tran
sient vessels will, we think, be proved con-
clusively, as seamen become accustomed to
depend on the light in making the harbor.