The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-03-12
COMBINATION BELL
 AND GAS BUOYS
 COMING HERE SOON

Former Harbormaster Charles H. Morris made public today correspond ence of much interest to the mariners who have occasion to navigate the waters of this vicinity, giving promise Of action in the near future in the way of providing better safeguards for the approaches to Bridgeport and Black Rock harbors.
 The former harbormaster, during his administration began a campaign for harbor improvements, which has borne rich fruit. But there were sev- eral improvements that had not been granted, and these, it now appears, are likely to be forthcoming without much further delay. Chief of these are a ombination gas and bell buoy for the Bridgeport harbor entrance and similar device for the Black Rock harbor entrance.
 The following is the letter address ed to the former harbormaster more than a year ago, following strong campaign for the desired improve ments which included among other steps an inspection of the conditions by a party of prominent shippers, merchants, and officials, with govern ment representatives:
 Office of Inspector 3rd District, To1nkinsvi1le, N. Y., Nov. 27, 1911.
 Charles H. Morris, Harbormaster. My Dear Sir:-
 Referring to my recent visit to Bridgeport re: improvements in the buoyaEe of Bridgeport and Black Rock harbors, I take pleasure in in- forming you that the bureau has ap- proved the changes and additions rec commended. If you remember, among the additions recommended were two gas and be11-buoys, one off the en- trance to Bridgeport and one in the place of Black Rock spar buoy No. g. |
 The placing of the above-n1entton- 1 ed gas buoys will depend on the, con- | dition of the funds for their purchase 1 but they have been auth orized and 1 will be placed as soon as funds per | init. The remainder of the spar buoys in Bridgeport and Black Rock | harbors will be placed at the opening 1 of navigation in the spring-probably | about April 1. hope that this ar rangement will be suitable to the per sons interested at both places. As you know, we are required to pub fish Notice to Mariners" of any change contemplated, at least one before the changes take place. This would bring the placing of the buoys up to about Jan. at the ear Hest date.
 We think that it better to make a good job of it by putting them down when navigation opens in the spring when we feel sure that they will ea in and remain in proper posfhda-s 9s Respectfully,
 c. D. Stearns, Commander U. s. N., Inspector.
 The letter which has just been made public by the harbormaster explains the delay in the combination buoys- I It is as follows:
 January s1, 1918. Charles H. Morris,
 6s East Main street.
 Bridgeport, Conn.
 Your letter of January g, 1913 ad- dressed to- Commander c. ID. Stearns, srd Lighthouse District has been re- ,eived at this office, Commander stearns is no longer at this depot he 1avine been relieved as inspector of he 3rd Lighthouse District on June st, 1912.
 : Tn reply I beg to say that the inn in the bouyage of Bridge port and Black Rock harbors recon nended by Commander Stearns were approved with the understanding that anne would be accomplished as funds became available for the purpose.
 All the improvement recommended rave been made with the exception of he establishment of gas and bell ,uoy- at the entrance of Bridgeport 5arbor and a gas bell buoy at Black Rock Harbor These two buoys have lot yet been established, owing to . he large demand for these buoys and he fact that there were several previously authorized to be established vhen funds were available. The mat CT of the two buoys to- be establish d is in hand and as soon as buoys previously. authorized are established nd funds are available for the pur- ,osse they will be established in the positions selected for same.
 (SiRuad1 YATES