The Portland daily press., 1888-01-30
Maine Light Houses.

The letters from the Board of Engineers
mentioned in your telegraphic reports, ex-
plain the demand for the new buildings.
Maj Gregory writes:
The Light House Board has the honor to
state that a petition addressed to Congress,
asking that light house be erected upon
Channel Rock, at the eastern entrance Of Fox
Island Thoroughfare. in the county of Knox
and State of Maine, having been referred to
it by the Hon. Nelson Dmgley, Jr., M. C..
the matter was referred by the Board to the
officers of the first light house district for in
vestigation and report.
From the reports received it appears to be
the unanimous opinion of citizens interested
in navigation that light at the eastern en-
trance of Fox Island Thoroughfare is imper
atiyely needed to secure safe navigation at
night, and in the general interests of com
merce, hundreds of vessels being delayed be-
cause there is no light there, and many large
coasters being deferred from seeking an an
chorage there in heavy weather for the want
of a light TO guide them.
From a careful consideration of the sub
ject, it appears that the best place to locate
the light would be inside of the entrance, at
or near Goose Rocks, and that a day beacon
should be erected at or near Channel Rock,
to serve as a guide in thick weather when
the lighthouse could not be seen.
This matter was considered by the board
at its session, held on Jan. 10, 1888. when the
conclusion was reached that, as this is one
of the most important passages on the coast
of Maine for large fleets Of cOasting and
should be established at or near Goose Rock,
to guide into the entrance and past Widows
Island, and that a day beacon should be built
at or near Channel Rock to mark this danger
In thick and foggy weather, and it was or
dered that the proper steps be taken to have
an appropriation in the sum of $4,000 made
by Congress for these additional aids to nav
cation.
Recommendation is therefore made that
Congress be asked by the Department to
make the following appropriation, namely
For the establishment of a light station
and fog bell at or near Goose Rock, and for
the establishment of day beacon at OF near
Channel Rock, both at the eastern entrance
of Fox Island Thoroughfare, Maine, the
sum of $35,000.
Also touching another matter, he says:
Sir.-The Lighthouse Board has the
Bear Island, Maine, and Dumping Rock,
Bird Island, and Wings Neck light stations,
Massachusetts,, are all in a dilapidated con-
dition.
These dwellings are of stone, built, re-
spectively in the years 1919, 1928, and 1849
and are so inferior that it would be a waste
of money to apply anything further to re-
pairs.
If these dwellings are to be kept habitable
during the winter of 1888-'89, it would be
imperative to expend in their repair sum
that would amount to considerable part OF
the cost of entirely new ones.
Both in thu interest of true economy, fol
the comfort of the keepers and the efficiency
of the public service, new dwellings should
be built at these stations at the earliest day
practicable, and request is therefore made
| that Congress be asked to make an appropri
alton for building new dwellings at these
stations, as follows:
For building new keepers dwellings al
Bear Island, Maine, Dumpling Rock, Mas
sachusetts, Bird Island, Massachusetts, ant
| Wings Neck, Massachusetts,, light station
| the sum of $4,000.
Mr.. Reeds leadership.