The star of Pascagoula. [volume] (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1873-1878, 1877-10-19
HORN ISLAND LIGHT
An Expose Luminary-Condit of
the Light on the Morning of the
9TH instant - -Light-kceper Free
mans Statement.

Since the publication Of our issue oi
the 18th inst, wherein we stated thai
the American schooner Stampede had
grounded upon sand reef to the east.
ward of Horn Island, receiving dam
ages to the amount of $500, and that
the government light upon the island
failed TO flash the regular flash for an
interval of forty minutes, Captain M.
Freeman, the principal keeper of Horn
Island Lighthouse has been intervied by
us in regard to the report OF Capt. Dow
in reference to the accident which be-
fell the Stampede, and the condition OF
the light on the morning of the 7th in
slant, at which time the vessel ran
ashore upon the reef. Capt. Freeman's s
STATEMENT
is in substance as follows:
Il am the principal Keeper Of the
Horn Island lighthouse, with Mr.. Thos
Jones assistant. On Saturday. the 9th
of October, / left the station for Pasca-
goula, my business being that of receiv-
ing the regular quarterly payments due
for services rendered at the station. My
light, as is usually done, when l am
called away on business, was left in good
revolving order and condition in charge
of assistant keeper Thomas Jones.
was detained longer In Pascagoula than
l anticipated, not returning to the sta
ton until next day Sunday, at about 8
O'Clock am. Upon my arrival at the
station noticed a schooner lying to an
anchor about one mile to the westward
Of the lighthouse, and about 5000 yards
from the shore, and upon inquiring OF
nv assistant was informed that this ves-
sci was first seen by him about 3 O'Clock
that morning; that she had been sailing
around off and on from the light until
about O'Clock, when she anchored, and
where she remained until about II
o'clock that Sunday night, when she
My wife and daughter, upon the night
of the 9th, kept the watch from sun
down until IL o'clock, at which time
they we're relieved by Mr.. Jones, who,
on taking charge Of the light for the
watch until sunrise, found the light
burning in excellent condition and re-
volving regularly, showing the required
red fash at intervals OF every consecu-
tive minute, aud in which condition and
order it remained during his watch un-
til extinguished by him on the morning
of the 7th inst. The lighthouse is To-
Gated upon the east end of Horn
Island, and distant about 200 yards from
the main channel leading into Pasca-
goula bay. 1t being near the period in
which I expect the regular monthly
visit Of the inspectors my light was in
most excellent order, and In no con-
ceivable manner could it have operated
irregularly, as the most vigilant watch
is required, the apparatus connected with
the light having to be wound up every
hour. Ididn't know at the time what
vessel this was, or where she went to
after getting under way, until I was sub
seuuently informed that it was the Stsm-
pede; that she had been badly damaged
in the breakers, and that report had
beeh sent to Washington by the captain,
assigning my Light as the cause OF the
accident"
We publish this statement as elici.si
from Capt Freeman, and as We have
heard and published both sides Of the
question we only trust that, after o
thorough investigation by the proper
officials. this matter will not result as
seriously as might be expected, and that
Capt. NJ. Freeman will vindicate his
statement as made TO u.s. and thus ex-
onerate himself from all blame in the
mstter,