The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-11-06
A Visit to Cape Henry Lighthouse
For the Democratic Advocate.

The morning of the 18th of October was
very pleasant, when we-a party of four
with the usualpicnic appurtenances, lunch
shawls, &C., left home to pay a visit
to Cape Henry Lighthouse.
Keeping to terra firma as long as posi-
BILE, we went on the beach at the Hollys; a
wild, romantic spot, five miles south of the
lighthouse, which derives its name from
stunted holly trees, twisted and gnarled,
that have felt the force of many storms
We found the water at high tide, just
on the turn, and after going about mile,
stopped to enjoy the ocean breeze, which
gave us keen appetites for our lunch. The
gentleman of the party, visiting neigh
boring sandhill, added to our repast, lus-
cious wild grapes, that grow in profusion
at this place; the vines loaded with fruit
draping trees and bushes.
In order to return at low-tide we now
pushed on and reached the lighthouse at
about two o'clock, p. IN. The old house OF
brick, in the rear of the new one, was built
in 1891, and repaired in 1856, measures
82 feet from its base, which gives it an ell
ovation of 121 feet above the level of the
sea.
The new house is handsome structure
an octagon in shape and built entirely OF
iron, in 1879. 1t is 142 feet high with a
base of SO feet, making it 190 feet above
the sea. Its base is painted black, and
granite steps lead up to the outer door,
which is very massive and over which large
gilt letters tell the year in which it was
erected. The sides are painted alternately
black and white and the windows similarly
arranged, Walls and ceilings are painted
white; floors, steps, wash-boarding and
window -facings, black, and the stair railing
red The entire structure is put together
with rivets.
Conducted by the gentlemanly keeper,
Mr. Philip Marrisett, we enter small
vestibule, whose floor, like that of the room
into which it admits us, is of marble.
From it through double glass doors, we
pass into the first room, In this are kept
numerous vessels containing the kerosene
used, aud from which it is raised to the
lamps by ropes and pulleys. From here
the ascent is made by flights of 26 steps
each, and at the second landing, umbrel-
las, satchels, &C., are left and up, up we
go, presently reaching parlor, where we
gladly accept the invitation to rest, for we
are out of breath. While resting we notice
that the floor of this room is covered with
brussels carpet, commodious rep covered
lounge sits under one of the three windows,
two luxurious large chairs and handsome
bookcase complete its furniture. The win.
dows of this room, the watch-room and
lamp-room are provided with curtains Of
oiled linen.
Another flight of steps leads to the watch
room, in which we find the telegraph and
telephone apparatuses, desk, chairs and a
marine clock, which is supposed to repre-
sent ntmeridian time, telegraphed from Wash
ington. This room is surrounded by a
balcony from which can be had an extended
view Of the ocean, the mouth of the Ches
apeake bay, Cape Charles lighthouse OF
clear days, and the Cape Henry desert, d
tract of land lying between the ocean and
the Chesapeake and Lynnhaven bays, and
owned by Baltimore gentleman.
Still upwards we mount flight of II
steps, reaching the lamproom, and before
us is the huge lamp, covered with snowy
linen. Following our affabIe conductor W.
pass within the outer globe which consists
of triangular prisms SO arranged as to admi
air. Here as elsewhere everything is spot
less and in perfect order. All towels are
of white linen and vessels bright. The
brass mountings of the lamp are like mir
rors and the inner globe clear as crystal
The lamp has seven wicks, one within
another in circular burners within cap
Each keeper has cap to keep in ordei
and to use. The wicks last week. Tn,
oils forced into small tank, from which
it passes through tube into the cap tina
holds the wicks. Five gallons are con
sumed during night A brass band fit
over the top Of the smaller or inner globe
on which rests pipe of sheet iron con
tanning damper to regulate the draught
and by which the light may be immediateI,
extinguished in case of accident. Tn
lamp is lighted at sunset and put out a
sunrise. Mr.. Marrisett told us he was OF