The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1892-10-05
out channels and Indicating dangerous

out channels ana Indicating dnngerOue
distractions To navigator On each
side OF the channel. in all our ports and
their approaches, Is Wv OF buoys,
those on the right side o. the channel.
in entering. being painted red, and those
on the left black. These mark the linn
its or edges OF the channel, and, in adj
dition TO these, "md-channel buoys" are
often used, which are painted with YER
teal black and white stripes, AMI indi-
cate that they are to bc approached as
closely IA poss.t O. Over distractions,
such as sunken W. ecks, etc., in the
paths OF navigation, are placed buoys
painted with no izontal red and black
stripes. These, OF cour.e, are to he
steered clear of.
Whistling buoys are provided with
small whistles similar TO those i'm small
steamers, viii IN sre sounded au.omati,
cally at all times by the rise and TALL OF
the waves, Pei Luors are cage-llke
frames, in which Nrc fitted r'gidly large
be .ls, with tongues hang ing loose; as
the luoy ro ks 10 and fro with the mo-
ton of the sea, the In ter strikes and
sounds the bell.
All buoys arc securely moored, yet
they often go lrift or are destroyed.
The iron buoys are st ongly ade, sub
divided into water tight cells, and are
rarely sunk.
There are other comforts provided to
relieve the tedium of existence in the
lighthouses, and many OF the latter, OF
course, are not en-! 'reiv isolated from
the world, but are IA the vicinity OF
towns or hamlets. On the other hand.
the life Of the keeper is at times one OF
little else than exile, as in the case OF
the New South sh al" light-vessel,
situated twentyfour miles out to sea
from Sankaty Head, Nantr cket. and out
of sight Of land. Her crew of two men
is buffeted and toss el about, in all
weathers and in all seasons, with few
amusements or pleasures, and with rare
communication with the outside world.
Indeed, during the winter months they
often so for many we; ks without a
word from the rest OF mankind.
But at all times and at all the light
stations the strictest discipline is main
tanned, and woe betide the keeper who
suffers his light to go out, or who is
found addicted 10 intemperance, for
summary dismissal in dis race awaits
him.
Considering the great responsibility
imposed on them, the pay OF the
keepers, which new exceeds 5000 per
annum, is not vast. The extinguishing
o. suspension Of single light for even
an hour may cause the destruction OF
enc or more costly vessels with cargo
and all on board owing TO their having
been misguided by wrong or an alb
sent light. When we consider that the
commerce for year on the great trans
atlantic steamship route alone is esti-
mated TO be worth 81 zoo, 000,0 900, we
can readily appreciate how important it
is that the light system which guides
this and other commerce to its goal
should be nothing short of perfect.
What Light-Hous.s Cost.
The cost Of the United States light
house establishment, includ 'ng the cost
of construction of tho n w ght-houses
and other aids TO navigation constantly
ing added, is in the neigh. orhood OF
So, 900, 900 per annum. The largest item
OF expense is the construction of new
aids TO navigation, this exceeding
ST. 900, 900 in 1890. The salaries OF l ,150
light-keepers come next, at $500, 900,
and then follow, in the order named,
supplies and rerars OF light houses,
expense OF buoyage, lighting rivers,
light-vess ,ls, and few smaller items.
The army and navy officers on the
hoard and on duty in the districts re-
ceive the regular pay OF their grades.
The civil an m ambers OF the board re-