New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-02
MoVEMENTs orc NAVAL VFssEIs.-The fol-
NoCeI Plan of Captain Eells to
Mark a Dangerous Spot.
rFRoM THE TRIBUNE 1UREAU.l


Washington April IA striking and novel plan
for the construction OF lighthouse on Diamond
Shoal off Cape Hatteras, which Is declared
10 be a perfectly feasible project and which VIII
make the most dangerous spot In the world more
safe to mariners. has been presented to the House
Committee or Interstate and Foreign Commerce
by Captain Albert L. Eells. an ingenious seafarns
man. The committee. which is anxious 10 insure
the greatest possible protection TO shipping IN te
treacherous waters of that locality. mas MADE
thorough examination of the proposition and sew
eral days ago had interesting hearing on the
subject
Captain EelIs's plan is to build at Newport News
Va an enor nous caisson. which. on completion.
v-o,,,s be lowed down the coast TO Diamond Shoal
This oaisson is 10 be bell shaped seventy feet in
diameter at the bottom and gradually decreasing
in diameter 20 that at the top and thirty feet
above the surface Of the water It will have d.
ameter Of only twenty-seven feet. This huge
structure is 10 be loaded down to twenty-nine feet
and will then be taken in tow by some powerful
tugs and brought 20 the place where 1t IS pro-
posed to sink it permanently
This caisson was likened to great circular ship
by Captain Eells, who said that we will load II
down to tNenty-nine feet. we intend TO sink
il in thirty feet OF water After putting 10 sea We
will make for Cape Hatteras and when the proper
position is reached the rigging which holds the
valves will be cut The valves will then fly open'
The water rushing in and grounding the caisson
on the bottom of the 1t would then OF course
become an obstacle to the movement OF the cur
rent OF the water. which would would nave 4
tendency to undermine it The currents, however.
would likewise have the effect of stopping the
sand and banking il up around the caisson. Then
there would be the inevitable washing out process
which would lower the whole structure. But as
soon as II is grounded. would start the wreck
ing pump through he circular tube that eNtends
from the top to the bottom Of the caisson. This
would pump water and sand well. similar 10
the methods employed in discharsng sunken YES
sells In this manner We would pump out sand
faster than it scours at the sides. ana so pump
IL down to the necessary depth
Captain Eells WAS asked what effect the washing
Of the sea would have on the foundation, and re-
Piled that the Coast AMI Geodetic Survey had re-
ported, after careful examination; tHat =, s
particular point which would lnolcate that u.Io
is no .reat washing away of the sand or at least,
not such cause apprehension Tor the saie'F
This structure is TO be filled with masonry and
concrete up 20 point at least tweny lcet az 80
the mean water MARI WIN IN 49, 80 s,,,yl3ss
for the lighthouse. Above this is TO be erected a
eter Of twenty-five feet at its top on Of This
will be another tu6ular steel s'rgetGTe 81 which l
will be used to reach the top not less man Two
captain Ees IS confident that he make this
that will materially reduce the danger Of navigs-
ton near these treacheroGs shoals he Eo.uata
the lighthouse, and wait i've years for the govern
ment TO reimburse him for the outlay; Should II
not stand the test of the terrific tropical storms
periodically recurring there, the government Is
10 be under no obligation 10 pay him for the Work
done. He has a firm and abiding faith IN th.
practica bty Of his plan and the Durability or
sres that he and his associates be authorized 10
proceed at their expense WltII the work
An effoI- made in 1855 or lSS BY the Lignt-
house Board with appropriation OF $is.Vy0 oy
Congress construct lighthouse at TINS polht.
Plans were made which were considered feasible
from an engineering poiLt OF view. They were
prepared by a lighthouse board and cCntract was
made with a Pttsburg concern for construction or
the light An attempt made to build the
caisson and lighthouse, but IN one Of the fierce
storms which occurred while the work was under
wav the whole structure was swept away since
that time no effort has been made 10 construct ii
permanent light this point. A nghtshp has
ieen maintained, however. for Severa! years about
six or seven miles beyond Diamond Shoal
This lghtship. Of course, answers a usetul pur-
nose and il is the intention Of the Lighthouse
Board maintain Il. even though q peIHldl4ehI
lighthouse be established.
Tho h!ll as reported by the House Committee on
Interstate and Foreign Commerce at the last
session Of Congress. provided that Captain EeIls
should construct and maintain the lighthouse at
hts ovyn expense for twelve months after con-
structon and that then, for four years, y should
ha maintained at the expense OF the Lighthouse
Board and then at the end Of five years. II the
chief OF the engineers OF the army should ceTufy
that the structure in "A substantial condition
and is n permanent structure and suitable for the
purpose. he should receive the $4,000 The $4,000
was TO COMPENSATE 1t interest at per cent on
800 NOO and 20 some extent at least help defray
expenses OF the maintenance OF the lighthouse
Tor twelve months after il should be constructed.
The bin now under consideration contains practl-
caliy the provisions