Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1906-03-05
aids TO NAVIGATION
VALENCIA Commission MAKES
Preliminary REPORT.
Urges Lights and Fog Signals OF the
FIRST Class at Several Points, Wire.
less Telegraph Stations and an
Ocean Going Lite Saving Tuq-Sevs
These Things are Urgent.

ftli5SloH appointed by inc president to
investigate the wreck of the steamer
Valencia and to recommend proper
aids to navigation on tho North Pa
cifc has made public the following re-
port. copy of the suggestions it con-
tains having been forwarded to Score.
tary Metcalf. of the department of
commerce and labor:
''The federal commission on the
wreck of the Valencia has substantial.
ly finished its inquiry and will in due
time make a complete report OF its
findings and its recommendation
thereon.
'SThe commission, however, consid-
ers that certain recommendations for
the improvement of aids to navigation
should at once be made by it, without
waiting for the issuance of its final re-
port. The final report must necessa-
rily be delayed for some weeks, and
the urgency OF the actual needs of
such aids, and the necessity for pre-
-enting the questions thereof at once
TO congress for action is so great that
no delay should be allowed"
The recommendation are as follows:
'First-Such changes in the pres
emit equipment at Tatoosh island as
will insure the establishment there of
IA light of the first order and highest
possible etfic iency, and fog signal
also Of the highest possible efficiency.
The form of fog signals to be deter
mined later, with the purpose Of max
ing both the light and fog signals
there equal to the best in the world.
'Second-Umatilla reef light The
same provisions as regards the light.
ship at Umatilla reef as have been
enumerated for Tatoosh island.
.Third-A lightship to be estab-
lished on Forty Fathom bank, at the
entrance to the strait, with light Of
the first order, and corresponding fog
signals. The question of this light to
he taken up III connection with the
Canadian government.
''Fourth-A first class, life saving
ocean-going steamer or tug. Differed
and manned by the most skillful life
saving men available, to be stationed
at Neah bay, with the best possible
appliances Of surf and lifeboats, equip
ped with the wireless telegraph appa-
ratus, and also a launch tender. In
conjunction with this there should be
II telegraph and telephone line skirt
ing the coast from the life saving sta
ton at Grays harbor through Tatoosh
to Neah bay, and then to the nearest
town On Puget sound. The said line
of wire to run along practicable foot
trail, to be kept open continuously
and marked at frequent intervals by
sign boards indicating locality and di-
rection: also intermediate telegraph
and telephone huts along the said line
of wire at intervals of few miles.
wireless System.
''Fifth-A system of wireless sta
tions has already been thoroughly
planned by the navy department, in
GLIDING stations at Tatoosh ilsand,
Point Wilson and Point Partridge, Sc
attic and at the Puget Sound navy
yard. and down the Pacific coast to
Sam Diego. The commission urges the
immediate installation of this entire
system, with special emphasis on the
specific points above named.
siXth-The question of the recon-.
uiehIdtlOu VI Vue eStdUllSuLleut "a ii
new lighthouse district is under con-
sideration by the commission, such
district to be composed of part of the
Thirteenth district, but the exact linn
its and headquarters thereof to DO de-
termined later.
'Seventh-The commission also has
under consideration the question of
recommending the establishment of
additional lighthouses on the above
named stretch of coast, from Grays
harbor to Cape Flattery.
"Eighth-In the matter of the de-
tails of lights. fog signals, etc, the
commission has considered various ap-
pliances, to-wit: Vertical electric
beams. submerged bells, and other
methods of fog signals, and, while
these matters are highly technical in
their nature, the commission will prob
ably feel it desirable to make some
suggestions later thereon.