New-York tribune., 1878-11-25
TIE LIGHT HOUSE SERVICE.
us PRESENT CONDITloN-NEED or NEW LIGHTS
TRIBUTE TO THE LATE PROFESSOR HENRY.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRBUNE.l

IT'S PRESENT CONDITION-NEED OF NEW LIGHTS
TRIBUTE TO THE LATE PROFESSOR HENRY.
IBY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNE.I
WASHINGTON, Nov. 24.-The following abstract
contains The most important portions of the annual
report of the Light house Board for the fiscal year
ended June 80, 1873:
The Lighthouse establishment now maintains for the
protect OF life and the safety of commerce. 1856
lights Oncudng 63S ON the Western rivcrs), AL day
beacons 50 fog signals operated by steam or hot
nr engines, and 3002 buOys. To maintain this system
" aids in an efficient condition, with economy, has been
NE constant cndeavOr Of the Board While 1t Is believed
hat the character and efficiency Of the lights fog
nais and buOys tnat maintained by the United
States least equal to those of any nation of the
world stl II be remembered that the system has
not yet attained It's fun growth Additional aids are
Itn demanded by the increasing commerce Of the
country and old ones need Of extensive rcn
ovation and repair The Board, having in view the
necessity OF keeping the estimates down 10 the lowest
1gures. has recommended no new works which eau he
safely and judciOusy deferred future period. Those
that are asked for deemed Of immediate necessity.
Congress at its last session. made appropriation for
he commencement OF a lighthouse on American ShOal,
Florida Reefs. As this lighthouse will be COMMENCED
At an early day, an additional appropriation is required
10 carry the work this year. The building Of this
structure will complete for the dangerous reefs of
Florida system Of lights that recommended in the
sary days Of the Lighthouse Board
An appropriatOn OF $4,000 is asked TO begin tho
erection Of sea.eoast light at the South Pass OF the
Mississippi River. Tie increased depth of water
through ettes has rendered this pass the principal
entrance to the great river The light there is too
Ima TO be Of service sea-coast light. and is in such
Adapdated condition that extensive repairs only
deferred because light OF this character does not meet
the necessities OF seacOast light Of the
Hrst order should be established This will be in add
ton the small lights that have already been estab
shad on he Wh Onl bp
tanee and are in no sense available as sea-cOast lights
Another important work recently undertaken and for
which large sum is required is the structure now in
c0nrse Of erection Sannards Rock, Lake Superior.
The Board has, by modification OF the original plans
reduced ITS estimated cost about 100000 This work
should be completed at early day. An appropriation
Of $4,000 is asked for the purpose of making an add
lion 10 the building In which phOtOmetrtc and
other experiments are conducted under the
auspices OF the Lighthouse Board slight
In the estimate for repairs and incidental
rendered necessary the fact that the greater
lamps adopt them 10 the OF mineral oil instead OF
The change is only mace in lamps Of the fourth III and
sixth classes lard oil being found to give better results
The Board finds thar the appropriation for repairs to
fogSignals il entirely inadequate The number o. fog
signals has been increasing yearly while the appropra
tODs for keeping them In repair have There
are now nity-nye IOg senaIS opeueu ny steah or ho-
air engines, and nnety-three Dells operated Dy ma
chDery, and the failure OF single one TO give It's warn
Ing at tue proper time might ead TO inc loss OF property
sufficient 10 keep them all IN repair for years. An IN
creased appropriation n therefore asked fOr this purpose
well for maintaining the automatic buOys In work
ing order Several Of the latter have broken from their
mOorings of Capes Hatteras aud Lookout during the
year and been lost.
The Board pays the following tribute Of respect the
memory of IT'S late chairman, Professor Henry The
Lighthouse Board and the civilized world has had 10
depOre the loss OF Joseph Henry who died May IL,
1873, having been member Of the Board from the time
Of organization and since 1872, chairman. Kind,
courteous and amlabe he endeared himself To his asso-
sates on the Board, and beloved by all who knew
hm The wisdom Of his eouDses contributed In marked
eesree 70 the development OF the preset efficiency Of
eS hghi house establishment"
me Total estimates for the next fiscal year abOut
year 80 'No "PPi0P4i"'OS A ~ ~