Evening journal., 1898-04-15
FOR LIGHTSHIP
None Yet Stationed on Dan
gerous Overfalls Shoals
AT DELAWARE BAY ENTRANCE
A NOTICE OF THE LIGHTHOUSE
BOARD WHICH HAS NOT BEEN
CARRIED OUT-THE REGULAR
LIGHTSHIP OFF HATTERAS.

BOARD WHICH HAS NOT BEEN
CARRIED OUT-THE REGULAR
LIGHTSHIP OFF HATTERAS.
The third week in February new
lightship. No. n, built especially to be
stationed on the Overfalls shoals, at
the entrance to Delaware bay, arrived
at the lighthouse tenders wharf at
| Edge Moor near this city. The mari
time interests at Wilmington, Phila-
delphia and Chester. which had been
endeavoring to get a lightship for the
Overfalls shoals for ten years, were
| much pleased and word was passed
around that the vessel would be put on
their station in a few days. Early the
| following week the new light vessel
left in tow of a tender, and it was as
certained that she was bound for Cape
Hatteras.
On inquiry being made it was ascer-
tanned that the new lightship was to
/ take the place of the lightship on Dia-
mond shoals, of Hatteras until the
vessel stationed regularly there could
be repaired. Much indignation was
aroused by this action. and the Light
house Board was called to account.
1t was explained by the Lighthouse
Board that it was not the purpose to
use the new vessel for permanent ser
vice at any other point than Overfalls
shoals. 1t was absolutely necessary TO
take the new vessel, for no other suit
able ship was available for the exposed
position on Diamond shoals, one of the
most dangerous points on the coast.
Two weeks was named as the limit of
time the new vessel belonging to the
Philadelphia and Delaware district
| would DE required. AT the end Of
that time If not before, the repairs to
the regular Diamond shoals vessel
would be completed, and the new vessel
would be permanently stationed on the
Overfalls shoals.
March 10, two weeks after this ex-
PLANTATION, the Lighthouse Board issued
a notice to mariners advising that on
or about April 3 Tight vessel No. 40
the regular Five Fathom Bank light
, | ship, and then stationed at the south
erns end Of Five Fathom Bank, would
be established in about "a feet OF
| water about 31a miles to the southwark
' and westward of the, ,Overfalls entrance
!, to Delaware bay. Twelve days have
elapsed since that date, but the Fiv'
Fathom Bank lightship remains at ID
regular station, and no other vesse
: has been placed on Overfalls shoals
The notice has not been withdrawn
and mariners who place any depend
ence on the promises of the Lighthou
e Board regarding the entrance to thi
port are left with the impression
that light vessel No. 40 is stationed a
G. Overfalls shoals, and that some othe
vessel must in consequence be station
u ed on Five Fathom Bank. How con
y fusing this is to navigators, especial
= when entering Delaware bay at nigh
y can only be appreciated by the officer
y Of incoming vessels themselves.
&c Last week, Secretary SharwoOd, {
the Philadelphia Maritime Exchang
~ was advised that the damage to tl
regular Diamond shoal lightship wa
Of such serious character that II woul
"a | likely be six months before No. Z
i- built for Overfalls shoals, would be r,
ID turned. 81. It is said that the DiamOn
., shoal lightship had only been on he
~ station for about two months, and
W is suspected that her construction
not substantial enough to stand th
"a strain in the exposed position wheI
~ she was stationed.
~ In a communication to the Harbo
., PilOtage and Station Committee OF Il
Maritime Exchange, Secretary Sha
Ie wood, set forth the facts which HAY
been stated. He advised action by Il
O. exchange for fear that the vessel bui
- especially for the Overfalls shoa
90 would ever be sent there at all. IN
So only reason the exchange has not act'
and forced the matter is because Il
officials did not want to do anythiI
m to embarrass the government at tn
critical time. There is, however,
strong feeling that injustice has be-
Svsn done to the shipping interest, and tn
n injustice is stih being done, and It
y likely that some action viii soon
TO taken by the exchange.
uu The whole matter again emphaslz
81 the necessity of promptly providing
me relief lightship for this district. +
ish more than four years there has n
nc been a relief vessel attached to &
me Philadelphia district, and much incQ
Dd, whence has resulted to incoming W
no sells. There is an item in the pendii
H. Sundry civil tih approprlating mon
- for the construction OF a relief Zig
vessel for this district, and the shl
ping interests OF the port are stron
ly OF the opinion that the congressio1
Ou' delegation from Pennsylvania, a
ve.' from Southern New Jersey and De
ar an. ware as well. should See to it that
nVn becomes law.