The Portland daily press., 1883-01-20

One of the most important contributions yet
made to the discussion Of the proposed change
Of lights at Cape Elizabeth is contained in the
subjoined letter from Capt. button of the
steamship Sandman. For the last twenty
seven years Captain Dutton has sailed to this
port and the experience gained in this period
must render his opinion of the needs of marin
srs on this coast Of great value. A point made
by Captain Button which has not been touch
cd upon heretofore we believe, is the i'm
possibility Of judging distance by revolving
light such as the Lighthouse board proposes to
substitute for the two lights now existing. The
Dominion lighthouse board has recognized
this difficulty and Is substituting fixed light
in the St. Lawrence for revolver for this
very reason. So that the substitute for the
two lights which the board at Washington pro-
poses is by no means the best one. Captain
Dutton agrees with every shipmaster who has
expressed an opinion on the subject that the
best beacons on Cape Elizabeth are the two
lights which now exist Still we SUI pose the
lighthouse board will persist in its hazardous
experiment. Captain Buttons letter is as fol-
lows:
s. s. "SARDINIAN,"
Jan. 10Th, 1888.
To the Editor of the Press:
HearingIthat one of the Cape Elizabethslights
il to be discontinued and replaced by one
strong revolving light, on behalf Of myself
and my feliow-shipmast beg to protest
against any such alteration for the following
reasons:
1st.-The present lights have been there SO
long, are 80 well known, and are so different
from any lights on the coast that mistakes
No. xu1lx 10
that point would be most serious with SO many
outlying dangers, If the lights were changed.
End. By changing the light to revolving,
it would be impossible to judge your distance
from 1t. In my experience OF lights, find it
most difficult to ascertain the distance OF re-
volviDg light. except by cross bearings and that
Is not always possible, especially in snow and
fog. Now the Cape lights have dangerous
rocks in almost every direction. Hue and Cry
three and quarter miles, Corwin and Alden
far away, causing the shipmaster to be very
particular tabout his bearings and distance
from the lights when approaching Portland
harbor. On prominent cape like Cape Eliza
bsth the light should never be changed espec-
tally when it is a fxed light
In the st. Lawrence the Pillars light is be-
ing changed to fixed from revolving their
being rock two cables off it, as the pilots can-
not judge their distance when it revolves.
3rd Il do see any reason for changing it.
have never heard o complaint respecting these
lights, but rather otherwise, and think those
using the lights In storm and fog, snow and
darkness should be the most competent Judges.
The lights are well enough; let well alone. i
have been coming to this port with the largest
steamers of the Allan line for the last twenty
seven years. and but for the present lights on
Cape Elizabeth enabling me to judge my dis
lance accurately from them and shape my
course to Portland light, should have been
compelled many a time to remain outside with
passengers and mails, losing perhaps Is or 20
hours.
Hoping the Lighthouse board will see the
folly Of changing these valuable lights.
/ am sincerely yours,
j. e. BUTTON.