The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-05-06
JUST WHAT IT NEEDS.


The lighting of the mouth of the
Columbia river was the subject for dis
cussion by the chamber Of commerce at
a special meeting held Thursday night
to which were invited the members of
Columbia River Harbor No. 22, Ameri-
can Masters and Pilots Association.
Lieut. ]. b. Blish, u. s. Navy, assist
ant lighthouse inspector, was present at
the request of the chamber to advise
with them. After the questions of the
advantages of such aids to navigation
and their necessity had been dwelt upon
and decided to be of paramount import
ance to the Columbia river, the diff
ferent plans of lighting the entrances
to seaports were considered and their
availability for our case discussed.
Range lights such as are used at
many entrances have been unfavorably
reported upon by the Inspector and en-
glneer of this district, the objections
being
First-The changing of the positions
Of the channel and bar are stlll going
on and might in a short time render
useless the established ranges.
Second-The long distance from the
bar to the mainland in the direction of
the channel would necessitate these
lights to be of the most powerful order
and consequently costly to build and
expensive to maintain.
Third,-The curving of the channel
from Fort Stevens to the bar would re-
quire several ranges.
Fourth-A distant range is not suit
able for the navigation Of a bar when
the direction of the swell and tides must
determine the course to be steered In
crossing.
The use of lighted buoys, gas and
electric, such as are placed in New
York. Boston, and other harbors was
not found to be advisable, owing to the
facts
Flrst-That these methods are as yet
In an experimental stage.
Second-The great number that would
be required and the difficulty of distin,
gushing one from another
Thlrd-That vessel before crossing
could not know that the buoys We're in
position and their lights burning,
Fourth-The great expense.
A scheme was then presented OF a |
light vessel inside of the bar. this
with two red sectors in Cape Disap-
polntment light, one marking the cham
mel across the bar and the other the
channel up to Fort stevens, was shown
upon the chart and met with the entire
approval of all present and the decla-
ration OF the bar pilots that with such
n system Of lighting the navigation OF
the entrance to the river would be
as easy and safe by night as by day
AS to the Feasibility Of safely moorine
n vessel In the position shown the sea-
farlng men present gave their unhes-
itaung approval
The cost OF a iight vessel was shown
to be less than that Of sea coast light,
and that OF the red sectors nominal
The feasibility OF the system to meet
any possible changes Of the position of
the bar and channel would be assured.
Among the incidental advantages OF
having the light vessel in this position
brought forth were--
First-In the day time It would be
IN excellent mark in case buoys were
missed or out OF place
Seoond-As refuge for fishermen
about to be carried across the bar
Third-The Grew would keep a lookout I
m the fishing boats in this dangerous ,
'loinity and give warning to the life
avlng crew If their services were re
luired
Fourth-The fog whistle on the vessel 9
would be of great assistance to shipping \
nd 20 fisherman-the fatility OF fog