The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-07-23
OVERLOOKING THE OCEAN.
THE Ltghtbou-e and the signal station IN
the kcversink Highlands.


Few have sailed along the coast Of New
Jersey without noticing the Highlands OF New
erslnk aud the long, turrsted building on the
centre OF the blun This emlnenoe is the nrst
land seen by mariners approaching the coast by
day, and at night the two great lights are visible
thirty miles away. A little white tower close by
the stone building Is the ocean observatory OF
the Telegraph Shipping Bureau, and Is occupied
from sunrise until sunset every day by two men,
whose telescopes sweep the horizon for arriving
vessels. They telegraph to the shipping omces
In New York at sight OF craft. The observa-
tory Is reached with difficulty, and in winter II
Ia rarely visited. In summer the dwellers Ia the
neighborhood sometimes make the journey.
Close under Neversink are several summer
hotels, and q winding path leads up the
hill, which IL so steep That the climber
Is frequently compelled to stop for breath. On
the crest the visitor II at the entrance Of the
long, red fence that encircles the Government
lot. on which stands the lighthouse. just east
OF the fence. and In front Of the stone buidil ~,
is the observatory, having the sppearsnce OF a
Chinese paROda. 1t Is about stxty-three feet IN
height. The nrst story Is a residence for the
keeper of the observatory and mis- family. On
the northern side Of the structure, from the
highest window, pass many telegra ph wires,
that descend to posts and arr thence trailed
on into the woods toward New York. From the
pesk Of the roof four iron rods run to distaot
ancnOrages on the ground, to keep the tower
nr1n IN the gales that often sweep In fury over
Over this signal station and the one that pre-
coded Il, Mr.. Charles X. Ravens has had super
vision for over forty years. He has grown gray
in his station; ana so constnnt mas been MS
watchfuiness that IN forty years he mas not gone
go away from the Neve sink highland as New
| York city. within few years, however, he
bought a farm u few miles from the observatory,
aud now divides the sigUal work with his son
| Ninton, who lives with MS family In the ooser-
vatory. The writer found the son In one OF the
lower stories Of the tower. rne apartment Is
| about eight feet square, aus IA furnished with a
/ lie A. chairs. enplN0S anu "A telegraph instrument.
He was looking through five foot telescope
out upon the ocean.
+" rhis room" he said, sis what We call the
! lower telegraph room, and on misty aud cloudy
! days we look out from here because we can see
better under the haze tnan from tue upper
| room"
Following the footsteps OF the signal man up
many narrow stairways, the summit room,
| directly under the roof, was reached. 1t Is OF
! tue same size as the QUE below, ana an IRON
rallied 9sleon .t suIroands 4: 10 the es4p6es
electric instrument, connecting with a cluster
Of wires that pass through the roof, few cnars,
map and marine pictures on the wall, anu a
powerful telescope. a clock and stove for
winter use. AT several points along the eastern
wall many narrow, HAT, Uox-like loop holes Jut
| out for SIX or seven feet. In taking AN oOservd-
ton, the telescope IL laid on the hOur Of this
box, which Is arranged 40 that the glass bears
directly on the horizon. ! he sides Of these
windows fare out from the inner opening suf-
nciently 10 enable the view from all of them, II
taken at the same time, TO sweep the sea.
| Yes" said the signal man, my father mas
been ON this spot over ~ years, ana guess that
from here. He has sharp eyes, and at one time
| nIere wasn't an American ocean vessel that
could get her mat Tar above the sea before he d
know her name, and where she oame from. But
he's 60 years old, ana his sight Ia getting lttle
| am. do most OF the signalling now, ana In
the hottest days IN summer, and the toughest
weather, he don't come mere at all. This station
was put up only last winter. The one before y,
| was nothing more than shanty. THIS roof Is
nearly 26O feet from the shore. On a clear day
We cen make out vessel ~ miles or Just
come 70 the window ana see what n view We
| have.
The view was m agnincent. Tho blue and pur.
PIE PLAIN OF the sea was dotted with sails rs faI
as the eye could see; the long, crooked shape
Of SanoN Hook was clistening with sand dark.
ened with scraggy pines; the silver line OF the
Shrewsbury river seemed close under our feet
" lac tower seems ready to tumble right
down into the valley" sid Mr. Ravens, " and
tell YOU that h storms II looks pOkerish up mere
But the house Is safe as the light house. toi
1t Is bullt Of the toughest timDers, aud o
enough Of them To make hat dozen common
dwellings Another silu u station has gone uI
ona hill just to the south. 1t beones to tn,
Atlantic aud Pacific Ielel rdph Company. Ihis
Is the oldes' on The coast, aud belongs to the
Nes.ern Union.
MIR. Haven looked for several nome nts into
the hazy sea line where only tue peaks OF a fe "
COASTERS could be seen by mex p- rienccd ewes.
" There. tnats the Constantine, bound eouth,
he SAID - remember err aso she once sale,
away with peculiar cOlured hui, ana cam,
back after a time with a nun Of another color
Father made her out 10y the usual signs-th,
peculiarities OF sails anu rigging. Wien sn,
cane nearer. two OF three men who though
they had sharp ewes SAID that he had ade
mist Ike for once. Not at ALL sald he, an,
when she got so close that we could read he
name. they we IL up"
At the hotels along the bench the folks hav,
queer notions o. the Old signal man, and the
call him tue Hermit oil tue highlands" Mr.
Ravens does not IKE tins nHme, ana when IA
man attend To ms business without being caileC
hermitF'