The times., 1901-04-29
DIAMOND SHOAL LIGHHSHIP
The New Beacon Vessel Stationed
Off Cape Hatteras.
Constructed So to Withstand the
Fury of Ocean Storms-The Precnu-
lions Necessary to Prevent the
noat From Changing Its Position.

noat From Changing Its Position
PHILADELPHIA, April S.-The new
iightship No 72, which has been recently
completed and stationed off what is known
as Diamond Shoals. is one of the most
complete vessels of its kind. The location
Is the most dangerous upon the Atlantic
Coast of North America, and several ef-
forts have been made to construct light
houses. all OF which have been futile by
reason of the treacherous character ot
the bottom. which will not permit the
construction of a permanent foundation
for a tower. Owing TO the violence Of the
storms at this point and the currents
which are caused by the land formation,
Il has been necessary to provide craft
which would be Of unusual strength and
securely moored. The new lightship Is
one of the largest ever constructed for
this purpose and was built at the ship
yard of the Fore River Shipbuiiding and
Engine Company, at Quincy, Mass, after
plans and specifications prepared by the
Board of Lighthouse Construction. She
is lI2 feet in length, but very shallow IN
respect to her other proportions TO avoid
the danger Of striking the bottom at low
tide
When work was begun on No. y orders
were given TO make her hull and frame
work of the very best steel to withstand
the force Of the Atlantic waves. To pre-
vent her from sinking should any part
of the huh be pierced, five metal parti-
tions or buIkheads were built from side
to side and from deck to keel. Even if
three Of the spaces made by these should
III with water the others would enable
her to remain afioat.
The ship is the home of a crew of fff-
teen men, who are frequently shut out
from the rest of the world for q month
at a time, getting only an occasional
glimpse OF even the low sand beach
known as Cape Hatteras, and the row of
white breakers which mark the roc ~
ledge upon which so many vessels have
been wrecked Day after day they are
tossed to and fro in the cross sea- as
the mariners term it. that is created by
the northeast or southeast gales and the
swift currents that circle around the
Cape. For many hours at time man
cannot remain on deck without danger
of being carried overheard by the waves
which break over the vessel The crew
are then literally in a floating prison, but
the Government realizes this, and has lib
orally provided for them.
The quarters of the men as well as
wood. with floors of rubber tile. The
staterooms have large hunks. amply sup
piled with blankets and mattresses. Hot
and cold water is conveyed by piping TO
each stateroom. also 10 bathrooms in the
officers and sailors quarters. Steam
radiators keep the marine household com
Portable during the long winter nights
when the spray freezes as it flies over
the decks and coats the ship in an icy
mantle.
To pass away the hours when off duty
a library of books of travel, history, and
fiction is available, but it is notable that
few of the works have reference to the
sea, for. strange TO say, the average sailor
seems TO have little taste for stories of
this kind. On the long tables in the mess
rooms after supper are arranged the
checker and chess boards, as well as
domlnoes. Card playing is also allowed
by the Government, although the captain
Of the ship has orders TO stop it if games
Bre played for money.
The cook in the galley is furnished with
D complete outfit for boiling and roasting
meats ard vegetables, and space has been
provided for refrigerator kept at the
proper temperature by ice made on board.
for the climate off HatteraS presents
many contrasts. ranging from zero wea-
ther IN December TO above the nineties
the tar IN the deck seams Of the ships
melts. II is not necessary 10 carry a sup
ply Of fresh water, for No y also has dis
filling apparatus by which the ocean water
is converted into liquid fit for cooking
and drinking.
The routine Of duty on this vessel IS that
observed on other craft Of the same kind.
An officer and two men are on watch al
all times-One OF the seamen on night ser
vice being responsible for the lighting sys-
TEN The watches are of four hours each.
~ rrr~fF F oil an
duty at all times. as steam is constantly
kept up In order TO operate the electric
apparatus at night and machinery that
may be needed at other times. while dur
ing a gale everything is made ready to
get the vessel under way ia case she
should be forced from the anchors by
which she is moored.
The lighting system consists Of two sets
OF three electric flashlights, each support
ed on steel masts al q height Of fifty feet
above the water-line. The lamps are cal
culated TO throw rays which can be seen
st distance Of twenty miles on an ordi-
nary night, and from six TO eight miles
in thick weather. The flash is produced
BY q special device operated by d belt from
the shaft which drives the electric dyna-
mo furnishing the illumination. The dyna-
mo Is driven by steam engine. and is OF
sufficient capacity TO supply a series OF
incandescent lamps for Illuminating the
cabins as wei as the mast headlights. 4
set of oil lamps is also provided for thC
masts, in case any accident should hap
pen 10 the electric apparatus.
The nghtship is supplied with a triple
expansion engine operating q single pro-
peller wheel for motive power. In ad
oition TO steam power she is also fitted
with a mainsail and foresail and two jibs
il is not calculated that these wih b,
utilized for motive power, but may be o
advantage in assisting 10 keep her hcaC
TO the waves in heavy weather Fol
such purpose, however. the vessel is pro
vided with a "kedge" anchor weighing
$50 pounds. which acts as a sort OF auto
matte rudder The principal "mooruf
tackle" consists Of a harbor anchor
weighing 2,09e pounds attached TO chair
of links is inches thick and 500 feet IL
length. in order 10 afford ample room FOL
swinging during high seas To the stem
Of the ship. also fastened by a chain o.
the same size. IS a mushroom anchor
which. Ike the others. Is raised and low
cred by steam windlasses especially de
signed for the purpose.
For use in foggy weather No. Y has
steam whistle or siren, which is one o.
the most powerful ever ordered by th'
the Lighthouse Board. 1t was the origina
intention 10 paint the vessel white an,
her number in black letters on the side
of the hull, but the board decided tha
the opposite combination Of color wOulC
be more conspicuous. The letters are 5,
large that they can be distinguished
through a glass on "A clear day at a dis
tance Of four miles.