The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-05-17
THE MAN WITH BUOYS.
Arrival of Captain Rhoades OF
the Manzanita.
PATROL OF PACIFIC WATERS.
The Lighthouse Inspector to Start on .
Three Months Cruise Of the
Alaskan Coast.

WV. Rhoades, lieutenant commander, United
States navy, assigned to duty on the Coast as
lighthouse inspector, arrived In port yesterday
afternoon on the steamer Mspzanita. The
steamer coaled during the evening at the bunk
ers, and she leaves this morning for Portland to
recruit for a three months assignment in
Alaskan waters looking after old buoys and put.
ting In new ones where necessary.
Captain Rhoades was seen in his apartments
on The Manzanita last evening, and he spoke
freely OF bis proposed trip to Alaska, and of the
lighthouse service generally.
we have Dot been In Alaskan waters for two
years now, and as the buoys nave not been
changed during that time, they must be very
nearly submerged with the weight of sea grass,
barnacies and mussels that accumulate on them.
Inc other day we renewed buoy at Alden
pank. 1t had not been changed for two years,
and the niussels were at least four inches on IL.
Inc Alaska buoys can not be In much better
shape. 1t was the intention Of the service to
send the Manzapita up to Alaska last year. but
the lower coast service took UP all her time
You see we have to attend to matters pertaining
10 lighthouses and buoys from Cape Blanco. of
the lower Oregon coast, to Alaska-the largest
assignment In the country"
"How long will you be gomez"
ut all depends on the weather. It may be six
weeks or two months that we will spend In
Alaska There are twenty-six or more buoys
that will have to be changed, and we will leave
Portland prepared to put in new ones in as
many places as necessary"
"How about the lights?'
"There are no lights up there at all. Some
body got up bill asking for an appropriation
for light on Mary's island at the entrance to
Revilligado straits, but for some reason other
the bin was defeated. light is needed there.
1--WE have not been busy OF late," continued
Captain Rhoades, referring to the work on the
Sound and coming up the Washington coast.
ave put down a bell buoy at Rosario straits,
and carried away the old whistling buoy that
has heretofore been there. The sea in the
straits Is not heavy enough to make the whist
ling buoy an effective safeguard against danger.
The buoy at Boulder reef, at the north end OF
Cypress island, which was carried away some
time ago, was replaced with a new one. The
old buoy that has been in place at Alden bank,
north OF Lummi island, was also replaced. We
also changed the Partridge bank buoy. The
buoys should be changed at least every six
months, but 1t is quite impossible to get around
to them all within that time. Several other
buoys were also replaced, but do not recall in
what exact locality they are.'
"How is the Sound off for lights?"
"The need of more lights is become urgent.
With the increase OF the commerce of the Sound
this necessity grows. We are anxiously await
Ing the appropriation for twenty new lights
that are to go in the Sound and tributary
streams. Twenty new lights have been urged
and recommended In both my report and that Of
the lighthouse board and the appropriation Of
$4,000 was asked for. 1t comes very slowly, but
think We will get it, even II we have to wait
until the next congress. There is always, in
these government affairs, certain amount Of
routine to 20 through.
"The principal light needed is at Bush point,
In the straits. Other lights are wanted for the
Snohomish, Skagit and Nooksack rivers, La Con-
ner slough, Edmund point Bush point, Tulalip
bay, skagit bay, Ala spit. Deception pass, near
Cypress island, OBSTRUCTION pass, Roche harbor,
San Juan island, Turn rock and Lopez island"
"What class of lights does the appropriation
call for?"
'Post lights Just like the other lights for
the Sound--tubular lens lanterns.
1--WE bave only had one nice, smooth day since
we left Astoria" continued Captain Rhoades,
pleasantly. "That was on Thursday On that
day we shifted the Umatilln and Neah bay
whisting buoys, and we were quite thankful
that we had pleasant water to do It in.'
Captain Rhoades is accompanied by Mrs.
Rhoades. and he says all he asks Is pleasant
pleasant weather on his Alaska trip 1t is in
just the right time of the year to enjoy the
northern air and view the grand scenery that
most people who are less fortunate have to see
through some one elses eyes. The captain
promises to come back from the far north
loaded down with relics, experiences and inter.
esting news.