The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1901-05-25
DIAMOND sHoAL LIGHT.
Description Of The New Beacon Ship
Just Stationed or Cape Hatteras.

Description Of The New Beacon Ship
Just Stationed or Cape Hatteras.
The new lightship, No ", which has
been recently completed and stationed on
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 efforts have been made to construct
lighthouses, all of which have been futile
by reason of the treacherous character OF
the bottom. which will not permit the con-
struction of permanent foundation for
tower. Owing to the violence Of the
storms at this point and the currents which
are caused by the land formation, it 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 shipyard OF the Fore
River Shipbuilding and Engine Company,
at Quincy, Mass, after plans and specif-
cations prepared by the Board of Light
house Construction She is liz 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. " or
ders were given to make her hull and
framework of the very best steel to with
stand the force of the Atlantic waves. 10
prevent her from sinking should any part
Of the hull be piecred, five metal partitions
or bulkheads were built from side to side
and from deck to keel Even if three OF
the spaces made by these should fill with
water the others would enable her to re-
main ahoat.
COMFORTS FOR THE CREW.
The ship is the home OF a crew OF 10
men. who are frequently shut out from the
rest of the world for month at time,
getting only an occasional glimpse OF even
the low sand beach known as Cape Hat
teras and the row of white breakers which
mark the rocky ledge upon which SO many
vessls have been wrecked. Day after day
they are tossed to and fro in the "cross
sea- as the marines 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 carrieds overheard by the waves
which break over the vessel. The crew
are then literally in floating prison, but
the Government realizes this and has lib
orally provided for them. The quarters
of the men as well as those of the officers
are finished in hardwood, with floors OF
mbber tile. The state rooms have large
hunks, amply supplied with blankets and
mattresses. Hot and cold water is con-
veyed by the piping to each stateroom,
also to bathrooms in the officers and sail
ors' quarters. Steam radiators keep the
marine household comfortable during the
long winter nights when the spray freezes
as It flies over the decks and coats the ship
in an lev mantle. Topass away the hours
when off duty library of books OF travel,
history and fiction is available, but 1t IS
notable that few of the works have refer
ence to the sea, for, strange to say, the
average sailor seems to have little taste for
stories Of this kind. On the long tables
the mess rooms after supper are arranged
the checker and chess boards, as well as
dominoes. Card playing is also allowed
by the Government, although the captain
of the ship has orders to stop it If games
o,o ,,Iavad for monav
FLOATING ICE PLANT.
The cook in the galley is furnished with
a complete outfit for boiling and roasting
meats and vegetables, and space has been
provided for refrigerator kept at the pro-
per temperature by ice made on board, for
the climate off Hatteras presents many
contrasts, ranging from zero weather in
December to above the nineties in July,
when the suns heat is such that the tar
in the deck seams of the ship melts. 1t
is not necessary to carry supply OF fresh
water, for No. y also has distilling ap-
paratus by which the ocean water is con-
verted into liquid fit for cooking and drink
ing
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 at all times -one Of the seamen on
night service being responsible for the
lighting system. The watches are of four
hours each. One of the three engineers is
also on duty at all times, as steam is con
stantly kept up in order to operate the
electric apparatus at night, and machinery
that may be needed at other times, while
during gale everything is made ready to
get the vessel under way in case she's should
be forced from the anchors by which she
is moored.
The lighting system consists OF two sets
of three electric flashlights, each supported
on steel masts at height of so feet above
the water-line The lamps are calculated
to throw rays which can be seen at dis
lance of 20 miles on an ordinary night,
and from six to eight miles in thick wealth
er. The flash is produced by a special
device operated by belt from the shaft
which drives the electric dynamo furnish
ing the illumination. The dynamo is
driven by steam engine, and is of suffi-
Gent capacity to supply series of incan-
descent lamps for Illuminating the cabins
as well as the mast headlights. A set of
oil lamps is also provided for the masts, in
case any accident should happen to the
electric apparatus.
rur ayoopNIG TACKLE
The lightship is supplied with triple
expansion engine operating single pro-
peller wheel for motive power. In addi-
ton to steam power she is also fitted with
a mainsaiI and foresail and two jibs. 1t
is not calculated that these will be utilized
for motive power, but may be of advan
tage in assisting to keep her head to the
waves in heavy weather For such pur-
pose, however, the vessel is provided with
a 'kedge' anchor weighing $50 pounds,
which acts as a sort of automatic rudder.
The principal "mooring tackle consists
of a harbor anchor weighing 1000 pounds
attached to a chain of links II inches
thick and 800 feet in length, in order to
afford ample room for swinging during high
seas. To the stem of the ship also fast
ened by chain of the same size is mush
room anchor, which, like the others, is
raised and lowered by steam windlasses es-