Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1918-08-27
DIAMOND SHoAL LIGHTSHIP
History Of Effort Of Government I
Rolieve Dangerous Coast.


The recent sinking by German
submarine Of the u. S. Diamond
Shoals lightship anchored off Cape
Hatteras. gives timely interest to the
following war geography bulletin of
the National Geographic society
based on a communication concerning
lightships received by the society
from George Il. Putnam. the foremost
authority on lighthouses. The bulle-
tin says:
Notwithstanding the severe con-
ditions, Diamond Shoal light vessel,
off Cape Hatteras, has in recent years
been maintained by the station with
little interruption. The vessel was
moored with a 1900 pound mushroom
anchor and $50 fathoms 600 feeD of
heavy chain. About one-third of the
length from the vessel a submerged
spherical buoy was attached to the
chain. carrying n part Of its weight
and greatly easing the pull of the ves-
sci.
THE latest lightships are provided
with powerful and distinctive lights
and fog signals. They more nearly
having a heavy tubular iron mast sur
mounted by lantern. sometimes with
a revolving lens supported like a
pendulum to hang vertically, so that
the light beam will be kept near the
horizon regardless of the motion of
the vessel. An example is the recent
ly completed Milwaukee light vessel.
which shows double flash every 10
seconds. This vessel has n fog sig
nal giving two blasts each minute,
with intervals of Z and 46 seconds.
Life on a lightship Is somewhat
drcary. but not without excitement
During every fog the crew on Nam
tucket ship know that numerous ves-
sells are headed directly for them. and
in n storm. anchored as they are in
the open sea, they may be far from
comfortable. The men in turn are al
lowed liberal leave ashore. There are
often serious difficulties in getting
coal and provisions to the ships on ex-
posed stations, so that 1t is necessa-
ry that they carry sufficient sup
plies to last over stormy periods.
IN 1899 the Columbia river light
vessel was stranded near Cape Dis
appointment. and as 1t could not be
gotten off into the sea again. 1t was
hauled 700 yards across the land
through the woods and launched in the
Columbia river.
THE lightships, being necessarily
near the channel ways. are frequently
collided with. In January. 1912. a
schooner ran into Diamond Shoal
light vessel. The master. in his re-
port. describes the damage done and
states that the seamen and also the
cook worked manfully all night in try
ing to save the mainmast.' and that
repairs having been made, the light
having been kept burning as usual
and the ship kept in right position,
unless very severe weather sets In
the vessel will stay here until re-
lieved.'
"The directions of the superinten-
dent OF lights in 1929 TO the master OF
light vessel instruct him not to slip
or cut the cable. or suffer it to be
done. in any event, and IL the vessel
should be likely to founder. to aban-
don her with his crew.
'Lightships are placed in locations
off the coast. where It would be i'm
practicable or needlessly expensive to
build lighthouse, and they usually
mark the approach to port or bay or
the outer limit Of an off-lying danger.
They are also sometimes used in in
side waters. They may be moored In
the channel or close to it, and they
have the advantage over most light