The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1895-11-21
COST HALF MILLION.
A LIGHTHOUSE OFF EATTERAs.
Plans fer the Diamond Shoal Struc-
ture About to ce Executed.
Norfolk Tirginian.

Norfolk Firginian.
Army engineers are about to under
take most difficult piece OF work for
the Government. Formal approval
having been given by the Lighthouse
Board to the plans for hight on Dia-
mond Shoal. which puts into the sea
seven miles of Cape Hatteras, an engi-
neer officer has started out to inspect
s;cel manufactures to determine where
tie best material for the structure can
be obtained.
Whether this light can be erected, or,
if erected, can withstand the heavy
seas and winds, is a question which has
brought about a wide difference OF
opinion even among the members COM
posing the board. The majority, how
ever, hold that it is feasible. The mi
norlty, composed exclusively of the
naval representatives and one civilian
member, are of the opinion that no
| light can be built which will stand, and
| that, even If it can, there is no necessi-
| ty of the Governments going to an
expense of oyer 81 100000 when a
lightship costing but $4,000 would
serve every purpose.
Admiral Walker, Capt. Wide and
Capt. Dewey, all of the navy, are advo-
Gates OF the light vessel, while Col
Wilson and the army contingent favor
the lighthouse. Congress has told the
board to go ahead and prepare plans
for light, authorizing the expenditure
of 100000.
One Of the leading engineers IN
Washington stated that there was no
more reason why light vessel should
not be placed on Diamond Shoal than
off Sandy Hook, and pointed out that
the Nantucket Shoal vessel had stood
up IN the teeth of a mile-an-hour
gale without breaking her moorings
Notwithstanding all opposition, howe--
er, work on the great structure will
begin with, the opening of the spring,
by which time all the preliminary plans
will have been completed, and part of
the structure constructed ashore, ready
to he tOwed out to the shOal and there
forced down BY hydraulic power.
The design of the structure contem-
plates an immense skeleton affair
through which wind and waves can
play, meeting but little resistance.
Eight great iron tubes will be sunk in
circle to depth of thirty feet beneath
the seas bottom and SO fastened and
strengthened as to be proof, the engi-
neers say, against the heaviest sands
and seas. The height of the focal plane
above the water will be 100 feet and
the structure is designed to stand in
thirty feet of water, Or in deeper water
than any other lighthouse on the At
Iantc coast. The base of the lighthouse
will be supported by piles sunk to a
depth OF thirty feet, the diameter Of
The base being sixty feet, and the height
OF the floor above high water forty
seven ieet.
The building will be entirely of forg-
cd steel, special feature Of the design
being to make all essential parts below
the water line Of massive dimensions,
as we'll as those parts above the water
subject to the action of waves and sea.
The use of ali bolts and rods and other
sections which would be weakened rap
idly by corroslon has been avoided In
the plans Quarters will be provided
for three keepers and the head keepers
family, and several boats will swing
from davits hundred feet in the air
for their use. The lens will be the
most powerful lighthouse lens in exis-
tence, and should throw the rays about
twantv-three miles in all directions.
The most powerful steam fog siren will
be part OF the equipment, and it Is
probable electricity will be the lighting
power.