Evening star., 1935-03-24

assigned the TASK Of taking workmen
and materials to Tillamook Rock
After standing on and off and max
ing contact with hoisting apparatus
When a IulI served, landings were
made on November 10 and II and
again on November l6. During the
last 10 days of November another
heavy gale swept the rock, and so
great was the exposure of the men
that three were taken ili-the fore
man of the repair gang and two
keepers. Although the United States
Public Health Service directed treat
ment Of the men by radio, It, became
apparent that the men should be In
a hospital. On Thanksgiving day a
desperate effort was made by the
Rose to effect contact with the rock
but to no avail. 1t was not until De-
cember l that the rescue of the sick
men was effected. Then it was ac-
compllshed only by rigging a breeches
puoy between the rock and the ten
Ger dancing in the mountainous seas.
ms was regarded as one Of the
important feats of the years mari
time experience and the Secretary of
commerce especially cited all hands
concerned. Six men volunteered from
the Point Adams Coast Guard sta
ton to assist in rigging and handling
the breecheS buoy. Capt. j. H. Jen-
sen, master Of the Rose. and First
Officer E c. Davis, who handled the
tenders boat, we're especially COM
mended.
By this time the sick men were in
bad case, with terrific Temperatures.
but they were safely transferred, one
by one, from the looming. wave
swept rock, over the threshing seas.
and into the tender. which brough
them safely to shore and hospital.
Radio Telegraph Installed.
The october gale had broken the
submarine telephone cable by which
communication previously had been
maintained with the shore. Realizing
that the same interruption might
again occur, it was decided to install
radio telegraph. and this is to be
used from now on
One of the most difficult tasks
was the placing Of the new derrick.
a ponderous piece Of machinery
which had to be hoisted to the top
of the rock in parts, then assembled
and put in place 1t must be borne
in mind that while all this work was
being done Winter weather placed
every obstacle in the way. Huge seas
constantly washed over the rock. The
workmen had TO do their Job, oft
times while hanging desperately 10
some solid handhold Everything
had to be hoisted from the tender
tossing in the sea far below. Foreman
Harry Ratty has been especially men
toned for his skill and resourceful-
ness in directing this work. While
the workmen we're finally taken of.
the repairs completed, it has been de-
cided, when the weather improves, TO
increase the protection of the light
and the quarters from the weight OF
the waves and the rocks flung against
them. For ii must be realized that
these vast seas pick up huge boulderS
and fling them like pebbles against
the light house.
Pounded as Tillamook Rock is, il
is not likely that the light house ever
will be swept away with all hands as
the first Eddystone Light was, but
one never can be sure of the wicked
strength of the sea. It has been
noted in the course of construction.
that 2-ton stones have been picked
up and carried away after they had
been set in cement Yet the patience
Of manpower seems, in the end. to
excel the might of seapower, and the
light houses continue to throw their
beams out over the dark seas.