The Wilmington morning star., 1942-05-14
Mayor Fergus Opposes
Dimming Of Lights Only
Along Atlantic Seaboard

After reading a report of Army,
Navy and Civilian Defense Off
cials on inspection of the dirnming-
out situation along the coast, May
or R. c. Fergus of Carolina Beach
declared he objected to ''the lights
along the shore lines of the At.
la1tic Seaboard being the only sec.
ton penalized."
The inspection covered an area
from Corncake Inlet to a point
about five miles north of Wrights.
vile Beach.
Mayor Fergus statement Wed.
nesday follows:
Il feel as a public official that
the dim-out of coastal resort lights
along the Atlantic seaboard is an
important thing, and that we mus.
cooperate with the armed forces
in the matter.
However, we cannot complete
the program successfully as long
as the lights from the shipyards
provide a beacon that is m u I
brighter than the beach lights
There has been no indication from
the War department that the ship
yard lights will be dimmed.
II strenuously object to the lights
along the shore lines of the Allan
tic seaboard being the only sectior
penalized. We are in war, and
think that everyone should do his
part.
IF dimming the lights along the
coastal resorts will aid the gov
ernment in its efforts, we stane
ready to do our part. l do think
that the other scources of illuml
nation should be dirnned out, how
ever"
Mayor Fergus remarks were
made following the receipt of (
letter from W, F. Nufer, assistan
director of civilian defense, to Gov
ernor Broughton, a copy being for
warded to 1r. Fergus.
The text Of the letter follows:
81 beg to report as follows or
the dilnming-out situation along
the coast. Col. D. c. France, Cap
tain Thresher of the Corps at Will
minAton, the chiefs of police O.
Wrightsville Beach and Carolina
Beach, and I made an inspection
trip from .Corncake Inlet, soutt
of Carolina Beach to a point along
the coast five miles north O.
Wrightsville Beach.
''As a result of this inspection
we were in agreement that further
dimming of lights at Kure's Beach
and Carolina Beach, particularly
in the business section, were es
sential. Also the above applies tt
Wrightsville Beach, particularly
street lights which were partially
dimmed out but appeared unsatis
factory from the sea.
1.-The worst lumes were observed
from the shipyards at Wilmington
and from Camp Davis. It woule
seem essential that some measure:
be taken to shade flood lights ane
to reduce the total amount of il
Elimination at both these points as
ships can be very readily silhouet
ted from both these points.
"The local authorities were very
cooperative and I feel sure thai
they will attend to street lighting
as well as business and home light
ing in their respective communi
ties. However, the State Highway
Commission has not passed it's or
dinance in regard to dimming
lights and reduction of speed or
roads near the coast, and it was
agreed among the members of oul
inspection party that this should be
done Immediately, as highway
lighting provides the worst glow
that we noticed. This is particul
arly true of roads pointed toWar'
the ocean, although roads parallel
ing the ocean are also very notice
able"
The letter was dated May 9, anc
on May 10, the state highway com
mission began enforcement of tn
dim-out and slow, zones along the
coast.