New-York tribune., 1875-01-27
TIE MODERN LIGHTHOUSE.

rrcTIRE by c. u. BOYLE on THE CONSTRUCTION of
LGHTH0UsEs
n u povIe delivered lecture entitled the
:. .Corstrrcton of Lighthouses" before the members
Of the New-York Society of Practical Engineering
at the Cooper Institute, last night.
TIA said that the branch OF engineering whlon COM
.o, chthou4s service was mngling OF OWL engi-
oroe ana architecture. The speaker then descripeu
=. a,o ,cngtb the ancient beacons. which were dls-
,, n, mountains and hill-tops overlooking the sea-
the round 10 wers OF the hre-worshiper' were usr Us
,b frat permanent lighthouses, ana the Deacohs WINCH
brightly their SUBMITS were cared ior oy tuo
onts OF the fre deity. At first the beacon was ais
noyed on an altar which was situated on ono uo OF o
s,mw,t ~ the tower. This arrangement was subse'
orartly replaced Dy swinging crane at one extremity
=, siob hung A crate incosng the flaming bundle OF
- when occasion required, this crane was swung
orpd and the pile replenlshed Whiie modern engi
o have departed widely from tho crane ana grate OF
,ha ancient beaconkeepcrs, they ssiii no'd CLOSELY
.H' ,na architecture OF the olden time. not
ouor making changes which miRhs prove OF oe-
o,asd advantage. This round tower form OF oudins
,a the type NJ lighthouses OF all ages and nations
IA for sor,e localities 1t has never been equaied The
p,avstone Lighthouse, upon the coast OF Engahu' o
,,is natteru, curving outward Win long cohoa'o
EN- beginning at bigh-water mark ana ourVing OUT
rd toward the base OF the tower This form OF fsh'
-, hase has been so successfully tried In breaking
s. ,rco NJ the sea that EddystOno Lighthouse has
~ ~. ,,sbaken for seventy years upon spot moro
nerhaps for tue resistess force OF us storms
,aan snv other known location upon the giooe from
% s,s,t spoken OF every preceding nghhouse nad Deen
tho 90 av Inv the fierce waves tho last structure
ct il 10 the oceans depths the ills'arred engi-
taxing WI Mil the building. and who volunteered to
" in the tower during hevy gale. with Wow to
snv,na the confidence he had IN bis WORK.
PiVsa legimate cfsprinR OF the round tower light
49, ,h,s are OF iron has produced skeleton which
,na the narshes OF the sea- whore the bottom
rises ouncprtan a nature risk the foundation Of
va ,,H sructlre In where the seaood Is shifting
s,rong iron scrow-pies are driven. Tnese are con-
rUcfsd with screw fangrs, which, wnen fastened In
ssir nroner positions, cannot be wtbdrawn by any
tnen a ~ rushiug waters. Both tho iron and stone
ths latter being furnished with oonn.
@ IRON steps from top 10 bottom OF the building. Mr.
poxe heleyed this exenpO 10 10 duo W tne absOrp
& by the metal, hlcn connects with the
| ,netar or damp earth Ut the bottom OF the tower
Tho modIncations OF tho scrow-pile lighthouses
| the hiows OF the waves ranks nrst' Tue cottage
tn .ao ,snalv supported on nve piles, ono OF which
nsIed at each OF tho buiding the NTH being
ad nrdar its center Wnen the heads OF the piles
p, n.,d 10 the sls OF the Little house, and proper
"a win braces aud grdies, tho cottage Is almost
"a immoyable as II II stood on solia eartn seawa o
oah heavy stones constructed outside the piles. and
so,csnt distance AVOID damaging them by III,
noss,hle failing of stones This wall rises considerable
S'nca above high water level, but tue sea breaks
| tt eysn then with terrific force.
nout e gbt miles from bridgeport aud threo miles
| sdTsrent pisn Tue foundation OF tns structure wa
s,sds nv throwing tho water at the desrod point
| large number of graate bocks weshinE from tw
to ssyea tons each By tina plan pile wa
! t,ned which reached tho soa lovel vt los
iia, sni vh.a Ga. large sn2VEa I th