The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-29
DIAMOND SHOAL LIGHTSHIP
The New Beacon Vessel Stationed
Off Cape Hatteras.

Constructed So to withstand the
Fury os Ocean Storms-T'be Precnu-
lions Necessary to Prevent the
Boat From Changing Its Position.
PHILADELPHIA. April 2S.-The new
lightship. 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 Ell
forts have been made to construct light
houses, all of which have been futile by
reason of the treacherous character OF
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,
II has been necessary to provide a 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 Shipbuiidng and
Engine Company, at Quincy. Mass, after
plans and specifications prepared by the
Board Of Lighthouse Construction. She
is 112 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-
lions 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 remain afioat.
The ship is the home of a crew of fif
teen men, who are frequently shut out
from the rest of the world for a 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 rocky
ledge upon which Sc 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 a 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 floating prison. but
the Government realizes this, and has lib
orally provided for them.
The quarters of the men well as
those of the officers are finished in hard
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 TO 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
IRE played for money
The cook in the galley is furnished with
. complete outfit for boiling and roasting
provided for a 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
In July, when the suns heat is such that
the tar in the deck seams of the ships
melts: 1t is not necessary to carry 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.
observed on other craft OF the same kind.
An officer and two men are on watch at
all ttmes-one Of the seamen on night ser
vice being responsible for the lighting sys-
tenn The watches are of four hours eacn
One Of the three engineers is also on
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 gale everything IS made ready TO
get the vessel under way in 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 at a height of fifty feet
above the water-line. The lamps are cal
culated to throw rays which can be seen
at distance of twenty miles on an ordi-
nary night and from six 10 eight miles
In thick weather. The flash is produced
by q special device operated by belt from
the shaft which drives the electric dyna-
mo furnishing the illumination. The dyna-
iho - ollNtH py Il steam engine, ana IS OF
sufhcient capacity to supply a series OF
incandescent 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 hap
pen to the electric apparatus
The lightship is supplied with triple
expansion engine operating a single pro-
peller wheel for motive power. In adj
oition to steam power she is also fitted
with a mainSail and foresail and two ibis
il is not calculated that these will be
utilized for motive power, but NAV be OF
TO the waves in heavy weather For
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 'mooring
tackle" consists Of harbor anchor
weighing Zoo pounds attached to chain
of links IL inches thick and 500 feet in
length, in order to AFFORD ample room for
swinging during high seas. To the stem
of the ship. also fastened by a chain of
which. like the others is raised and low
cred by steam windiasses especially de-
signed for the purpose.
For use In foggy weather No. " has
steam whistle or siren" which is one of
the most powerful ever ordered by the
the Lighthouse Board. 1t was the original
intention TO paint the vessel white and
her number in black letters on the sides
of the hull, but the board decided that
the opposite combination Of color would
be more conspicuous. The letters are so
large that they can be distinguished
through glass on clear day at a dis
lance Of four miles.
| Gas Ranges and Gas Stoves.