Cut Bank pioneer press. [volume] (Cut Bank, Mont.) 1909-current, 1914-06-05

M 49, 49,
said to have been erected at
Alexandria in Egypt by Ptole-
my Philadelphus nearly three
centuries before the birth OF
Christ. 1t was said to have been 500
feet high, while the light, consisting
in all probability of a coal or wood
fire in IN open hearth on the summit
of the tower, is supposed to have
been visible AZ miles out at sea.
In the United Kingdom, toward the
end of the fourteenth century, the
lighting of the coast was left In the
hands of the various religious orders,
who established and kept up lights at
their own expense and thus did their
best to warn mariners of the dangers
which lurked round about their o
asteries or dwellings, an exchange
says. The lights at this time usually
consisted of a wood OF coal IRE burnt
In an open brazier situated on a
church tower, although we occasional
ly read Of lights being exhibited in
windows to guide ships in from sea
ward. The dissolution Of the monas-
teries in the reign of Henry VIII. do
ing away az 1t did with the men who
gratuitously tended these coast lights
a. a sacred duty. abolished the lights
also at one blow and 1t was not until
several years later that the first OF
the regular coast lights were inst-
tuted.
Private Lighthouses Established.
At this time 1t was customary for
private people to erect lighthouses at
their own expense, In return for which
they were allowed to levy a toll on all
passing vessels. The license to do
this was granted by the king, but
Trinity house, a guild or fraternity OF
sailors who undertook to look after
the interests Of all those connected
with shipping, had developed int q
rich and powerful organization, hold
ing the general management of navi
cation. They regarded the erection
Of these private lighthouses as q
usurpation of their rights, for they
were responsible for the buoyage o.
the channels, and alleged that they
had the sole right of erecting light
houses. Trinity house, therefore, op
posed all schemes for the building o
lighthouses by private persons. Blu
in spite of this hostility lighthouse.
were erected at many points on tn,
coast. The light consisted Of an opel
hearth at the summit of the tower
while the curious davit and pulley OF
the right hand side were used 70
hoisting up the necessary fuel.
Trinity house. in spite or the obvi
u utility Of the light, was bitterl
opposed to the measure, and chasas
terized the lighthouses as useless,
dangerous" and a burden an
hindrance to navigation" and It wa
not until about a century later tina
the policy Of the corporation changet
They then no longer opposed all mea,
ures for the establishment Of light
but, on the other hand, helped th
sailor TO demand that for the dues b
paid the private lighthouse owns
l should show a good and steady ligh
They also set about improving u
various schemes for Illumination. br
It wat not until 1886 that prfvatel
owned lights abolished. and III
entire system passed into the hand
Of Trinity house.
The principal fluminants used
: ancient lighthouses were coal on woo
ires In an open hearth. but tnwas
the end Of the seventeenth CO,
tury It occurred 10 some people 10 4
. close the IRE IN q lantern with q fr
I nel or chimney at the top. This nave
the incl, hut the efficiency Of the high
sznsrsd. fDr It was NO longer frnnl