The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-01
UNCLE SANS LIGHTHOUSES.
An Unbroken Line from Boston 10
Galveston.

Galveston.
All along our Atlantic and Pacific
coasts, and usually situated on some
the great waves never cease their sullen
roarings, the lighthouses Of the United
States, like giant sentinels. keep watch
and ward. And then. far out from the
shore where the danger from rock and
storm is greatest. with only the a..
ocean and the changing skies for COM
pany swing and tug at the mOorings the
lightships of the coast. Hundreds OF
brave men and thousands OF dollars
worth in ships and merchandise are saved
annually from the waves and the rocks
by these watchful guardians, who have
eyes that never sumber and warning
voices even the noises Of the storm
cannot drown. The wildness OF their sit
uatlOns, the lOuesomeness Of their sur
rOundings the character OF their duties
the saving of human life and properly
cast a glamour over the lonely light
houses and storm tossed lightships. and
make all that pertains to them Of fasci-
mating interest.
Stark and white upon the bare white
beach of North Island, n. c., stands the
historic Georgetown lighthouse. The
tower is eighty-hye feet high, and IT'S
light can be seen for fifteen miles. 1t
throws a plain white light. which shines
with unbroken radiance far out over the
dark waters, a beacon OF hope TO the
storm-driyen mariners. This light has
watched while history was made. 1t was
built in 1901 and rebuilt after the war.
Another light famous in history is the
one at Cape Henry of the coast Of Vir-
ginia, at the entrance of the Chesapeake
g. -
has often guided the Father of His
Country" on mis- way home from his
travels. Recently a new house l51 feet
high was built at this place and equip
ped with all the latest appliances-elec-
trio light signals, a steam siren. e. c. A
"steam siren" IS a trumpet blown by
steam which sings a song 70 lure mari
ners away from destruction, and has
voice so loud that IL can be heard for
many miles at sea. The song OF this
siren is a blast five seconds long, then a
silence Of ninety seconds, a blast OF hve
seconds, followed by silence OF ninety
seconds, and so all through the hours OF
the day and night. The light is white In
color with red rays between southwest
and west and south-southwest, and shines
steadily.
The Cape Cod Lighthouse Is connected
with boston by telegraph. A signal dis
play station reads the messages sigadled
from passing ships, and within minute
these messages are IN Boston. The light
is situated on the highlands OF Cape Cod.
facing the ocean. 200 feet above the level
OF the sea. The building Is all white and
can be seen BY vessels twenty-miles
away. Its Daboll trumpet sends forth
continually blasts eight seconds long.
with intervals o. half a minute OF silence.
The entrance OF Delaware bay Is
guarded by Cape May Lighthouse, l5i
feet high. This light can be seen for a
distance OF nineteen miles. One OF the
highest lighthouses in the United - ates
Is the one at Block Island, <. !. 10 Is
2Ol feet high and shows liked white
light that can be seen for distance OF
twenty-five miles.
The lonesomeness and the dangers OF
the position Of lighthouse keeper are 80
apparent that one would hardly expect
10 find women serving in that capacity;
and yet In the United States some twenty
women hold this responsible and oftumes
dangerous post. There are heroines. too
among them. whose deeds have been so
heroic as 20 command the admiration OF
the brave everywhere. Ida Wiison-Lewss,
the story OF whose bravery 10 too well
known TO need retelling here. keeper OF
Limo Rock Lighthouse. Newport, h 10