The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1896-03-28
LIGHTHOUSE LIFE.
Round Of Duties the Keeper Has to
Perform.
Interesting Method OF Cleaning
the Beacon Lamps.

the United States al lights, beaeons
and buoys are controlled by the Unit
ed States lighthouse establishment
Lighthouses are classified, being
known as Of tho first second, third,
fourth and fifth order, according to
their light giving power.
The larger lights are at such places
as Fire Island aud the Highlands Of
Nayosink, and are the first lights seen
from incoming veasels Second aud
third order lights are used at Sandy
Hook and places similarly located.
Most channel and harbor lights are
Of the fourth and Gith order. Some
Of the smaller lights are in isol ated
places and are the most dismal spots
in the world.
For illustration We will take the
"Great Beds" lighthouse IN the Rari-
tan Bay This lighthouse is one aud
a half miles from shore. II stands
opposite the mouth of the Raritan
River and marks the division between
the riverand Staten Island Sound chan
nels. Great Beds is about an equal
distance from the New Jersey and
Staten Island shores. 1t derives its
name from the extensive oyster beds
which are in its immediate vicinity.
In Great Beds lighthouse there are
six rooms, one above the other. The
building stands in twenty feet of wa
ter, and was built by sinking iron
oaissons in the sand and filling them
in with rocks and masonry. The top
of the base is about fifteen feet above
high water mark and is enclosed with
an iron railing. There is walk two
and half feet wide between the
railing and the foot of the tower.
The outside OF the tower is of iron
and is filed in with brick, forming a
wall more than three feet thick at the
bottom, tapering to less than one
foot at the fifth Aoor All floors and
stairs are Of iron.
An iron ladder reaches from the top
of the base to the low water mark.
Usually when the keeper goes ashore
he hangs a rope ladder overheard to
the leeward, so he will be able to
make Handing" when he returns, in
case the storm or tide should carry
him past the iron ladder. just above
the base are two sets of davits, in
which the boats are swung, after the
manner or lifeboats on a ship.
On entering the tower we are re-
minded of the hold of sailing vessel.
There are several pairs of oars,
large quantity of rope, paint and other
supplies needed to keep the tower and
boats in repair, and many cans of the
best quality of mineral oil to burn in
the lamps. In the center of the room
is cistern for fresh water. This is
filed several times year by little
tank boat called the "water boat, "
which halls fran Staten Island. AT
the top of the cistern is a manhole,
through which water is drawn by
bucket with rope or boat hook
Above this sepulchral room we find
the combined kitchen and living room,
which presents quite homellke APP
pearance. The floor is carpeted Will
heavy jute rug, and there is a gooC
cooking stove.
In this room there are dish close
and pantry combined, and a closet il
which log books and stationery are
kept A window overlooks the beauti
full Princes Bay, and in the window il
recess three feet deep, which make
a convenient place to keep the news
papers and checker board.
Up another flight of stairs is thu
lamp room. Here the lamps are file
and cleaned and the chin neys an,
small supplies are kept. Two lamp
are used. One is lighted at sunse
and fresh lamp is placed in at mid
night, which burns till sunrise. TIL
method of cleaning the lamps is inter
esting. All the oil is poured out o
both lamps and measured. Then tn
burners and wicks are replaced an
lighted. The wicks are turned u
just SO the fame will meet around tn
burners and the lamps are allowed
stand several hours until they bur