The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-08-12
Capable Men Report on New
Lighthouse Tower.
c. \. KlUECEL-J JOHN 0UOERKIRK
They Say II Is all Right-LegIsiative
COMMITTEES condemnsd Is-R'dsr
on an Expense item.

A good many OF the hours OF the
Senate during the last session Of the
last Legislature were used in discus
sion on the new Diamond Head light
house. There was strenuously urged
the contention that Mr. Rowell, Sup
erintendent of Public Works, had
raised up for the support of the light
Himsy structure that would topple
over at the first heavy wind. 1t was
solemnly asserted that the frame or
tower as placed was wholly insutiici-
ent for strength. Some OF the re-
marks were quite warm and with one
man particularly the condemnation of
Mr.. Rowell was frequent and strong
as expression of adverse opinion on
the tower. This tower, by the way, Is
the same as used for lighthouses every
where. There are scores OF just the
same kind precisely on the Atlantic
coast. Framework of iron or steel is
preferred over the masonry foundation.
Stone foundations are being replaced
on the New England coast by the metal
towers. YET few of the Senators and
number of the Representatives were
confident that Mr.. Rowell had made a
mistake. After many speeches had
been made in the Senate a committee
was appointed. 1t made a solemn and
formal report. Following is a copy Of
the serious document:
The item in line 40 Is the estimated
amount needed to complete the Dia-
mond Head lighthouse, including the
installation of the electric light for
same.
Your committee have personally in
spected said new light house now be-
ing constructed, and consulted differ
ent authorities regarding the strength
and stability of the structure, which is
all of iron above the concrete founda-
ton and Is simply four 4-inch galvan-
lied iron pipes, in 20-foot lengths,
from the ground to the lighthouse
proper, 40 feet. 1t is suitably braced
and above this is the superstructure
with the lights, 20 feet high. The iron
of the supports Is IA inch thick, which
is cut by the thread In each of the
joints at, least half of its thickness
leaving is inch in thickness at each
joint, which would appear to be a
weak point in the same.
IL may, however, De strong enough
to support the 15-tons weight of the
superstructure and stormy gales while
IL Is fresh anu new Out IL IL IN po-
sitloh constantly exposed 10 the SAT-
spray OF the sea- when VIII sooner OF
later CUT the weak JOINTS Oh tne iron
Win rust ana enuahser tne safety Oh
the structure With maj coiiapse Oh the
supports.
on general principles hshthouse
shouid DE perniahsht institution Una
can pe reiieu upoh' Win US hSht al
ways on naho' especially IN stormy
weather. 10 accomplish thls, II shouio
De constructed IN the most substantial
manner ana not IN a way 10 40 service
Ior TWO, three' h,e OF even Ten years
anu then pe missihs' having coilapseo
or topp'ea over.
Tue lighthouse now peing construct
Gu can pe hiaue supstah'ial anu as per
hianeht as poss,ole ny puiielhs up
sooo supstanHal stone AKA cemeh'
lower rom .he erouha up 10 the super
structure anu securely fastening IN,
upper structure 10 the s'oheWorh'
Noulu ,heh pe uouDly STRONG an,
WHEN the IRON pil'ars Decone wear
rom rust tne stone tower wiz con
a r 10 holu an hr"ly IN its place
lhls WIN requIe an auuitioh To tn'
o, nano appropIlat'oh' Which wa
siovov' nere mas aireauy peeh OK
penueo ior s,'s iounua.ioh anu tower
LUIS, e.''. ,oi Tue iah'erh
so'ooi.'v' ,o,a'' S',ooo.I', anu we ar
hoW asheu " Ieapp'opriate l,oni th'
Construction and mt Tn electric light