Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-10-22
WASHINGTON CITY.
CONTRACTS BEING LET FOR The
NEW LIGHTHOUSES.
Diamond shoals the Grave-Yard OF
American shipping-A Costly struc-
ture--Other Projects.
Prom Our Regular Correspondent

ture--Other Projects.
| From Our Regular Correspondent
| WASHINGTON, October 21.-The Light
! House Board have been making some
important contracts under the appropria-
tons made at the last session OF Con-
gress. The most important Of all by
long odds is that for the new lighthouse
Off Cape Hatteras, at Diamond Shoals
on the North Carolina coast As one oil
the officials of the board said this morn
ing that point is regarded as "the grave
yard" OF American shipping. 1t will
also be rem, mbered that in one OF the
reports to Congress, and which was
specially alluded to several months ago
in this correspondence, the hoard IN It's
recommendations TO Congress emphs-
sized the fact that the ape Hatteras
project was an urgent one, for the reason
that more wrecks have occurred IN that
vicinity than anywhere else along the
coast.
A GREAT WORK.
A Jersey City firm have secured the
contract for building the new lighthouse
Mt Diamond Shoals, and announcement
of that fact was made at the time the
award was made. Congress appropriated
at the last session the sum of $500, 600
Tor the work at this point, and the Jer-
sey firm have undertaken to complete
the light. house for s4S5, 900. Thew hope
to have it done by January i,
| 1892. According to what was learned
at the Treasury this morning 10y
the correspondent of the DISPATCH
this firm has had contracts in all
parts of the world, and have done
some wonderful pieces OF work. The
project at Diamond Shoals will be one
OF the most difficult for the reason that
the point on which it IS proposed to To-
cate the light house is quicksand, and
all idea of getting solid foundation has
been abandoned long ago.
"COFFEB-DAM."
The plans for the work are now being
drawn up and it is understood that the
contractors propose to build nm immense
Golfer dam, which they viii fill with
heav, stone, and when il il completed
the Golfer dam will be towed or iloated
ont to the spot where it is to be perma-
nently located. Then the lighthouse
will be built on the same and the whole
| thing can he made stationary and con
structed so that the fierce waves cannot
wash away the structure.
FAVORABLE CONDITIONS.
IL will be necessary to have twelve
hours of absolutely clear and favorable
weather after the completion OF the
coffer-dam before it can be put in place,
and one of the light house officials said
to-day that it might be necessary, there
fore. for the contractors to make as many
rs twenty attempts before they can find
the conditions favorable to that part OF
| the work.
These same contractors did a similar
piece of work several years ago in Aus
tralia. There was river in that country
that a railroad wanted TO bridge but
owing TO the quicksands they could not
get foundation for the stone piers.
| The ,Jerseymen built an immense Golfer
dam and had it sunk pretty much the
same way that will be followed at Dla-
mond Shoals
OTHER PROJECTS.
Other important projects along the
South Atlantic coast are also being com
menced. Under the recent congress
sional appropriations ightshlps to cost
so 900 each are to he built at Frying
Pan Shoals and Martins Industry. The
plans are now being made and the con-
tracts will soon be let. There are now
old ships at both points, but they are fast
wearing out. The new ones are to have
steam fog-signals and many valuable
improvements that will render almost IN
calculabe aid to the shipping interests.
Plans and specifications are also being
made for the new lighthouse at Cape
Charles, off the coast of Virginia. Con-
gress appropriated $1,000 for this
work. The contracts for this improve
ment will likewise be let in the near
future.
on THE RIVERS.
Owing TO the decreased appropria-
tons last year the board had to abolish
many of the lights on the interior
rivers, but now there is plenty OF money
for this purpose and the board will not
only be able to restore the old lights on
the rivers but will put up many addi-
tional lights.
HARRIsoN's FRIENDS EXAsPERATED.
Some of the Presidents friends are
much exasperated over the recent pecu-
liar political utterances OF Treasurer
Huston, and to say the least they regard
such talk from man holding a big
place under the Republican Administra-
| ton as being decidedly in bad taste.
That interview has surely stirred up
some trouble in the party ranks. and 1t
may possibly lead to the retirement
of Mr.. Huston. For several
months it has been reported
that he was going to tender his resigna-
ton. but Mr. Huston has always denied
the rumors, and insist d that they were
started by political enemies. Now many
of the Republicans do not hesitate to say
that il is about time for him TO resign,
and if he will not do so voluntarily the
President ought to ask him to step down
and out.
A MAD TREASURER.
One OF the Presidents warmest politi-
cal friends is authority for the statement
that Mr. Huston has been very much
dissatisfied with his place, and that he
has been seeking to make trouble for
MIR. Harrison ever since the Administrl-
ton took hold. Mr.. Huston, 1t is said,
wanted to go into the Cabinet, and
claimed from the start that he was fairly
entitled to such an honor in view OF his
management of the Indiana campaign IN
1885. The President saw fit, however,
to give him the treasurership, and Mr..
Huston has been mad ever since he &C.
cepted that position.
HUMR's DOODLE CANVASS.
The friends OF Mr.. Frank Hume, who
persists in remaining in the field as an
independent candidate for Congress IN
the Eighth district of Virginia, are
much torn up over the attempt here last
NIGHT IN endorse him in the meeting OF