Charlevoix county herald., 1911-10-28

few which have cost more than dou-
bic the latter amount, this depending
largely upon the construction required
and especially on whether or not they
are located on a reef or rock where
the hazards involved in the work are
unusually great. Such buildings in a
5,000mile coast line are, of course,
comparatively few.
The lighthouse territory OF the
United States is divided into districts,
each district in charge of an inspector
under the navy department and an en-
gineer under the army department Of
the government. Unlike the life saw
ing service, the figures for the amount
of life and property it saves each year
cannot be readily computed, but could
the story be written it would fill vol
umes.
On the great lakes, three districts
are represented in the service of these
bodies Of water-the ninth, tenth and
eleventh. Vessels with supplies and
which do construction work and make
repairs are plying constantly to the
various lighthouses in these districts.
| The one which looks after new con-
struction and repair work is under the
engineers department in the army
service.
The service on these inland seas is
very important as it has to do with
commerce which is greater than that
of any bodies Of water of similar size
in the world. In front of the entrance
to all great lake ports there is
| lighthouse and on a line with it
| further into the harbor range light.
This arrangement guides the mariner
into port. Coming down the lakes he
continues until he comes to a point
where he is about on a line with the
lighthouse and the range light, then
turns and begins his journey to and
into the harbor.
In the darkness of the night, the
captain of a vessel determines the par
ticular harbor from which the light
shines by different characteristics of
the various lights. Flashes which are
made by revolving arms passing
around the large circular stationary
lens at the lighthouse give him the
|
flashes a minute and the duration OF
the total eclipse are governed by rules
of the department and the mariners
have a copy of the key or code to
which they refer until thoroughly IA
miliar with the same.
In connection with these lights the
fog horns are operated. The doleful
noise of one of these horns may be
heard for 20 miles. All day long and
all night If necessary the sound is
heard, the horn being run by auto
matte machinery. Like the difference
| in the number of flashes of the revolv-
ing light, the number Of blasts of the
fog horn and the interval following
tell the captain of a passing or incom-
ing vessel the name Of the port.
In one of the lighthouses OF the
lakes a 20-horsepower compressor and
engine furnish the air for the siren
whistle which is used in time OF fog.
This air is forced through 20 obliquely
cut slots making the disk revolve at a
speed of 2,400 revolutions per minute.
Thus II is forced around much as a
windmill and the sound emanates from
it when it is revolving.
The keeper of the light and his as
sistant are on watches just as the
captain and his assistants on a lake
ship take turns. Their residences are
on shore and they go back and forth
to the lighthouse In a small boat.
Often, however, the seas are so high
that 1t is impossible to go ashore and
they both remain at the lighthouse. In
the late fall when the seas break over
the lighthouse 1t is not unusual for the
water to freeze and the keepers have
to cut their way out. Within the light
house living rooms for the keepers are
fitted up and a supply Of food Is al
ways kept on hand in the event that II
Is impossible for them to come ashore.