Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1911-12-10

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five tenders were sold or transferred,
being not worth repair for lighthouse
purposes and not needed under the re-
organization. one new tender and one
new light vessel have been completed
and plans are under way for the addi-
tional vessels 10 take the place of
others as they become worn out.
The business methods OF the service
have been examined and various modi-
ficaions made; a cost-keeplng system
introduced; and a general lighthouse
inspector and an examiner, or travel
ing auditor, have been appointed TO go
systematically from district to district
and examine both technical and busi-
ness methods, the maintenance Of
vessels, etc.
improvements in lights and other
aids to navigation have been made
as rapidly as means would permit
Two hundred and ninety-sx lighted
aids 10 navigation have been estab-
lished during the year, including first
class stations at Cape llinChinbrook,
Alaska, and White Shoal. Rock of
igan and Superior. Twelve fights
have been changed from fixed to
flashing pr occulting lights, giving
a more distinctive characteristic. In
candescent ctl-vapor lamps have
been introduced in place of oil wick
lamps at 29 stations, giving much
greater brilliancy Of illumination for
/ q Ia.
lights have been installed in place
of oil lights at sixteen stations.
These are mostly unattended lights,
not requiring the services Of light
Keepers The marking and lighting
Of the new Livingstone Channel OF
the Detroit river is in progress, as
this important channel will probably
be open for navigation next year.
Progress in Alaska.
navigation in Alaska has been recog-
nieZd. 1t was made a separate dis
trict and an inspector placed In
charge with an office and depot at
Ketchikan ana Tonka. Two light
house tenders have been at work.
There have been established 81 new
lights, unlighted beaCons, 22 buoys
and one fog signal. A year ago there
were 81 lights in Alaska, so that
the number has been doubled since.
Preliminary arrangements have been
made for the installation Of 27 ad-
ditional linghts during the current
fiscal year, and an estimate is sub
mitted for the establishments of
first-clas light and fog signal sta
ton at Cape st. Elias. There are
now 236 aids to navigation in Alas
ka of which "A are lights
New Types of Lamps and Signals.
have been continued throughout the
year for the improvement of appara-
tus used in the service. A new type
of oil-vapor lamp has been developed
and put into use at various stations.
The use of the acetylene gas has
been extended. especially for un-
watched beacons and buoys, includ-
ing large lighted buoys al sea, which
will operate for long periods with
been used for many of the unattend-
ed beacons in Alaska, where 1t IS
difficult to provide light keepers.
Steps have been taken for the i'm
provement of fog signals, particularly
with a view to having them sounded
instantly on the approach of fog.
Investigation Is being made Of the
availability of wireless telegraphy for
fog signals.
The appropriations for the general
maintenance of the service for the
present fiscal year We're $433,0 less
than for the preceding year, this re-
duction being due largely to econo-
mics effected in the reorganization.
$3.50, 600 for the construction of three
lighthouse tenders was also deferred,
as these vessels were not immedl-
ately needed.
Maintenance of the lighthouse SER
vice for the next fiscal year are prac-
tically the same as the appropriations
for the present year. These esti-
mates include new vessels requrtd
to replace light vessels and tenders
as they become worn out in service,
and important new lighthouses and
depots for the conduct of the work
Of the service along all portions of
the coasts Of the United States and
outlaying territories.