Sierra County advocate. [volume] (Kingston, N.M.) 1884-1960, 1904-05-13
LIGHTHOUSE SYSTEM.
That of Our Government Is Without
an Equal In the World.
Upwards Of Ftfsy vessels and over
Four Thousand Mes Engaged -
the servies-lntsresstnw
Particulars.

| nTOttGtlOh NO NtthSlb dAVilk " htatthmN
Of excessive length has resulted In
the development by the United States
government OF lighthouse system
which is generally admitted to be with
out a parallel on the globe, says the
Chicago Daily News.
Employed in one way OF another in
the supervision and maintenance Of
the lighthouse system are l. ward OF
so vessels and between 1900 and 5000
men. The phase of the operations at
once the most interesting ano'she most
picturesque is perfoim med by the Light
house tenders--vessels of various
sizes within the range Of the opera
tions of which are found all manner
OF tasks from the conveyance OF ma
terial and supplies to the most ifolated
lighthouses and lightships 10 the re-
plenishment Of the gas supply in those
novel buoys which are illuminated
continuously for several months as the
result of one charging.
There are now in the service OF the
United States as steam tenders. II
steam launches and two sailing ten
ders--a lighthouse feet without a
counterpart in the world--end the ag-
pregate OF the officers and crews OF
which amounts to nearly 1000 men.
II the recommendation OF the United
States lighthouse board Is carried out
the fleet will shortly be increased by
the addition Of four new steel tenders,
One of these will be handsome vessel
TO be constructed at cost of Sl3l.-
600 for carrying on the Porto kiean
lighthouse service. The vessels now
on this unique squadron, in addition
to the important part which they pay
in all works Of construction Under
taken by the engineer branch of the
lighthouse board, and, the care given
to the thousands Of buoys maintained
by his government, also distribute each
wear supplies valued at about $780,
coo.
In the lighthouse fleet are vessels 81
several distinct types and indeed, the
development OF the tender to its pres
ent high plane OF efficiency may be
traced by means Of vessels yet in scrv-
ice. One Of the pioneer craft is the
wooden sidewheel steamer Geranum,
which is in service on the coast OF
Maine. This vessel was built in lsGa
and is Of only 1856 tons burden, but she
steams. on an average, about s,Oon
miles year in discharge OF hei
duties. which consist principally Of the
maintenance Of buoys Another wocd-
en- sidewheeler, the Nerhena, built IN
1870, is also in service on the New Eng
land coast.
An adequate appreciation OF the
characteristics OF the latest approved
type of craft for lighthouse service
may be gained from the stipulations
in the specifications for the steamer
Magnolia. to be constructed at cost
of about S125.000 for service along the
Florida coast and in the Gulf Of Mex
leo. This tender has length over
all Of 173 feet: length between per-
pendiculars, 1865 feet; beam nodded,
30 feet, and depth Of hold 81 - feet.
She Is fitted with two compound sur
face condensing engines and steam
Il furnished BY two Scotch boilers
capable uf developing about 1850 lndi-
Gated lforse-p power.
This vessel is unique and q srccial
interest from she fact that the natural
conditions Of the district in when she
IS to operate render IL imperative that
the steamer shall he so constructed
as to make Il possible TO Tier, when
necessary, not only her Il IN, but her
draft Of water. vesse With great
draft could not. fnr inst ce act ms
a ten1er in tic lakes an land bays
with u aieh this coast abounds, While
on the other hand, light-drafi crsft
would be inefficient and even Danger
GUS in performing her duties " re
omen sea Of the Gulf Of Mexico, The
problem has been solved 10 the case or
the Magnolia by the construction amid
ships of ballast tank extending from
the bottom Of the vessel 20 within
about three feet of the main deck
and tie provision Of trimming-tanks
forward and, aft. The relative capacity
~ ,hese three tanks Is such that the
draft and trim of the vessel may be
changed from six feet six inches on
an even keel for inside work to nine
feet aft and seven feet six inches for
ward for gulf service. A powerful
pump fills or empties these tanks
while the vessel is on her way To or
from the gulf. The dis placement of
this ingenious craft is 720 tons. or $50
tons, as her tanks are full or empty