The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-08-25
ON CLATSOP BEACH.
Where Beselena Studies Human Ma
ture and Other Things.
An Old-Time Wreck On the Beach
The Dearth OF Beaux-Tilla-
nook Lighthouse.
[Correspondenee Of the REcoRp.UN1oS.l


EDS. RECoRD-U UNION: The other day I
took long ride out on the beach to view
the wreck of a once fine ship. 1t is the
remains of an English ship which was
wrecked in the breakers during heavy
fog one night nearly nine years ago. She
was loaded with cement, and was on her
way from Bristol, England, to the Column
bla River. Each year the tide has
washed her further inland until she now
lies upon the beach, her hull completely
buried in the sand. There is nothing
showing now but three tall sentinel
masts, like outstretched arms in mute
appeal.
AS gazed a feeling of awe came over
me, to think that not even this iron giant,
built by the hand of man, could with
stand the fury of the gale. 1t is consid-
cred the thing to carry off a souvenir,
and as l accepted tiny piece of wood,
| chlpped from one of the maSts, | felt al
most guilty. Just as though the big ship
could feel and know that she was being
desecrated
1pictured TO myself the scene enacted on
that tated night. how the big ship battled
ike soul IN distress with the angry
waves, the hoarse shouts of the sailors,
the bowling of the wind, the dense fog
| through which no eye could penetrate,
and. above all, the voice of the Captain
issuing his last orders. Then the crew
took to the small boats, when ali hope Of
saving the vessel was abandoned. and all
night battled with the elements, expect
ing each moment to be dashed upon the
| rocks. Then, when they saw the first
faint streaks of day in the east, they knew
they were saved.
Then we turned away and rode up the
beach to Tansey Point, which you might
call the jumping-otf place. This is one of
the prettiest beaches on the coast. being a
level stretch of sandy ground eighteen
miles in length. There are two light
houses to be seen, one at Fort Candy, the
other at Iillamook Rock. This last is of
especial interest. 1t is a Lighthouse of the
first class, situated twenty miles south Of
the mouth of the Columbia River. Itwas
erected about twelve years ago, and
stands on solitary rock one and one
third miles out at sea and opposite the
big imposing bluffs called Tillamook
Head.
1t happens that a recently-arrived Wis
ltor here is n. NJ. Tabor, who, while as
United States Assistant Engineer, drew
all the plans of this building, under the
direction of Colonel G.. l.. Gillespie. Mr..
Tabor has furnished me with many in
terestlng details respecting the building
OF the lighthouse, the erection of which
had been contemplated for some years
| The original intention had been TO place
| It on Tillamook Head, but no suitable site
could be found there at proper eleva-
| ton above the sea level. 1t is not de-
sirable to place light oyer 200 feet above
the sea, any light above that level being
more liable to be obscured by fogs. 1t
was finally decided to build on the soli-
tary rock, which stands 100 feet in length
not unlike lion "cOuchant''; the lower
part, representing the back of the animal,
is not prominent until you draw near,
and is constantly washed over by the
sea. The lighthouse is on the head.
which originally stood 10 feet above low
water. The top thirty feet was excavated,
giving level plane sixty feet square, on
which the building now stands. Much
difficulty was experienced in making the
first landing. Twenty huge sea lions had
to be killed with rifles before the attempt
even could be made. The first man to
land was Mr.. Trewavis, Cornishman,
and he was Immediately washed Oft and
drowned.
The light tower and keepers dwelling
are very strongly constructed of stone,
each stone oft the foundation course being
thoroughly bolted to the solid rock. each
successive course being similarity bolted
to that below it. The focal flame is l56
feet above low water. The station is also
furnished with ''siren" or fog signal,
worked by steam-power, which sounds
the loud trumpet over miles of the sea.
The light is revolving, of the first class,
and visible sixty miles. A head keeper
and three assistants are in charge.
Letters from home are anxiouslv
awaited, for every afternoon and evening,
as soon as the coach arrives, an eager
throng surrounds the desk and the patient
clerk-Who does not sport a dazzling
headlight, which overaweS all who NAV
venture within his sacred presence-is
fairly beSeiged by anxious queries of
Have you a letter for me?' Those who
are fortunate enough to secure these
much-coveted epistolary missives hasten
forth to the piazza, where they seek the
most secluded spot to read and ponder
over The contents. Those who are not so
fortunate cherish secret revenge against
the knight of the pen, and seem to think
that if he can do no better, it is his
bounden duty to write them letter him
self.
Last night there was dance given in
the hotel dining-room. The sanctimo-
NOUS crowd have hied themselves home
ward, and those who have taken their
place are of a more worldly-minded and
pleasure-loving temperament. The light
fantastic was tripped until late hour,
while the band played soft, dreamy
music, and gallant youths and bright
eyed maids threaded the mazy.n Those
who did not join in the festive revel got
mo sleep till morn when youth and
pleasure meet"
But there was one drawback, as there
is always sure to be in any wonted pleas
ure, and that was the superabundance of
young ladies and the lamentable absence
of young men. But, alas, what summer
resort was ever known to have the re-
quisite amount OF these much-desired be-
ings.
L never saw one of the sterner sex
utterly routed hut once, and that was
when he alighted from the coach, the
only one OF the masculine gender in sight
Alone on the piazza was throng of feme-