The sun., 1893-02-10
DIAMOND REEF LIGHT.
Another Attempt to he Made to Erect n
LiEhthou-e ON This Dangerous Shonl.

WASHINGTON. Fob. 0.-The Treasury De-
partment IL about to make another attempt
to place n lighthouse on Diamond Shoal. at
the extreme end OF lTattcras. and the most
dreaded point to marines OF any on the Amor
lean coas.. On account OF tho drifting sands
and its great distance at seq. all efforts made
before to erect a lighthouse at this point
proved disastrous. Congress. three years ago.
appropriated S2OO.OOO toward the establish
mentof a light there. the cost not to exceed
S500.000 Bids were advertised and tho con-
tract was awarded to Anderson 4 Barr OF Jcr-
sey City. at their bid of S4So.OOo. After some
months spent in tho construction at Norfolk.
Va. OF n huge coTerdam, which was nothing
more than large cylinder made of boiler
plate. with diameter OF about forty feet. it
was ioated to Diamond Shoa and an nttemp pt
made to drive II down into the sand. after
which the water was to bo pumped out by
heavy engines and tho space hled in with
masonry for the foundation Of the structure.
Some days were spent waiting for good
weather to make tho attempt. and when tho
work OF getting the huge cylinder in position
was accomplished II northeastcr came along
and Knocked it all to pieces. AS the con-
tractors had sustained u loss OF over $4,000
in constructing it. they did not caro- to run
further risks. and so threw up their contract
SINCE thon no further attempt has been made
to erect n light.
Tho Lighthouse Board. however. believes
that the work can be done. and Is at work
drawing up plans. which will not differ
materially from those adopted before 1t eN-
nects to have them ready IN IL month. and will
then call for bids from contractors who are
willing to undertake the work. Tho Govern-
mont lost not hing ny the failure OF tho Jersey
city irin. and the money for tho light Is still
available. Tho site all around the structure is
to DO protected by rip-rRp pack ing, com posed
OF fgranitc blocks weighing not less than two
tons -picce. The first uoor OF the structure
Is to De at least thirty feet above high water
mark. 1t is to 10 accessi hlo from Tho water by
strong iron lad er. and must be large enough
wood. and II large quantity OF water. A num-
per ol llleboats are to lto provided. and hoist
ing APPARATUS. capable OF taking from tho
deck oi Il vessel II weight of two tons. at a dis
tnnce of twenty feet from tho base OF
the structure On the second floor are to be the
fog-signal apparatus. boiler room. and steam
pump. and on the iloor above will bo rooms for
oil and salt water tanks. Tho fourth and fifth
stories will bo for the keepers. the sixth for
the Kitchen and the seventh for II sttin. room.
On tor os all he placed the big lens. which
should reflect light that may be seen twenty
niles distant
Tho contractor who undertakes to put n
lighthouse on his sandbar will have to talk u
good many risks. and II he succeeds in get
ting the structure up he will probably havo to
maintain the light at his own expense tor II
year to show the safety OF the tower. III the
light is established. 1t will lie the first Of its
KIND ever placed in the sea on such an exposed
and dangerous point.