1871-1900 Yaquina Head Lighthouse Letter books

1869.

the archives of the Light House Board For Enclosure see Column 287 page 72 of Letters Record.

Sept. 30

From Engineer Secretary Major G. H. Elliot To Col. R.S. Williamson Corps Engineers Tatoosh L.H. - erection of crane authorized

Sir:

In accordance with the request of the Inspector, you will please to erect as soon as your other duties will permit a small and cheap crane at Tatoosh Light Station the expense of which will be charged to "Repairs"

Oct. 7

From Engineer Secretary Maj. G.H. Elliot To Col. R.S. Williamson Corps, Engineers Yaquina Bay Chart sent

Sir:

By today's mail I forward to your address a chart of Yaquina Bay which

1873.

states that there was still no damper in the smoke pipe; that there was required an umbrella and jacket to protect the machines from the weather; and that the smoke-pipe was still to the seaward of the whistle.

It thus appears that one of the most important aids to navigation on the Pacific Coast, was left in an unfinished state when a Notice to Mariners had been published that it would be in operation at a specified time; that the smoke-pipe had not been placed on the land side as the slightest consideration would have suggested; and that by the use of salt water without special provision for it, the signal would have been ruined and stopped in a little while, and in a position so remote that it might have required weeks to repair it, to the great danger of life and property.

The Board desires that you at once discharge from the Light House service the foreman who was in charge of the construction of the signal at Cape Flattery; that you make requisition on the Inspector of the 12th and 13th Light House Districts for the services of the lampist and authorized by the general order of July 6th, 1872; and that you will without delay put the station in thorough order.

Jan. 6.

From Engineer secretary Major G. H. Elliot. To Majro H. M. Robert. Corps Engineers.

Sir: Your Notice to Mariners of Cape Foulweather Light House, Oregon, dated the 16th December last, is received, and I have to inform you that it contains a serious error in the position of the Light House which if it had not been discovered in this Office

1873 Mch. 5 Foulweather Lantern vault covers - sent. From Engineer Secretary Major G. H. Elliot. To Major H. M. Roberts Corps Engineers. Sir: I have to inform you that the following articles were shipped you at Portland, Oregon, per ateamer "Rising Star" on the 26th February , 1873, by Colonel J. C. Woodruff Light House Engineer 3rd District, viz: Fourteen (14) prismatic vault covers for the Cape Foulweather Lantern ________________________________ Mch. 6. From Engineer Secretary Major G. H. Elliot. To Major H. M. Roberts Corps Engineers. Sir: General Woodruff Engineer 3rd and 4th Light House District requests funds to the amount of $ 105: to pay for 14 prismatic vault covers for the Cape Foulweather lantern. As there are no funds in the Treasury available for this purpose, you are requested to deposit that amount to the credit of the Treasure of the United Sates from the amount in your hands belonging to the appropriation for Cape Foulweather lightstation. Oregon 1871-72 and to forward the original certificate of deposit to this office. ________________________________

Mch. 7. Mouth of Columbia River ??? ???: light houses fog signal location of sites From Engineer Secretary Major G. H. Elliot. To Major H. M. Roberts Corps Engineers. Sir: You are requested to confer with Captain Spotts, the Inspector of the 12th and 13th Districts, either by correspondence or in person (at the site) as to the proper location of the small light -house and fog-signal at the mouth of the Columbia river, which you are to erect. Also in regarding to

1873 Apl. 9.

From Engineer Secretary Major G. H. Elliot. To Major H. M. Robert. Corps Engineers.

Sir: There is required the sum of $803.58 to pay for duplicate parts of the Cape Foulweather lantern. If that amount can be spared from the appropriation, you will please deposit it at once and forward certificate of deposit to this office.

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Apl. 24.

From Engineer Secretary Major G. H. Elliot. To Major H. M. Robert. Corps Engineers.

Sir: In reply to your letter of the 9th instant, recommending that beacons be placed on Sand Island, and on "the rock" by the wreck of the ship "Silvie de Grace" at the mouth of the Columbia River, you are informed that no funds can be expended this year for either purpose, but you are requested to present the matter in your annual estimates.

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Apl. 26.

From Engineer Secretary Major G. H. Elliot. TO Major H. M. Robert Corps Engineers.

Sir: Referring to your letter of the seventh instant relative to the location of a Light House and steam fog signal at the mouth of Columbia River, I have to state that the views of yourself and Captain J. H. Spotts, U.S.A. Inspector, on this matter are approved, and that the exact site will not be fixed until you and he can visit the locality in person and select it with a view to its permanency on account of the encroachments of the sea, and the lateral range of the light. The Light House will be of a class called

Department of Commerce and Labor LIGHTHOUSE ESTABLISHMENT OFFICE OF INSPECTOR, 13TH DISTRICT PORTLAND, OREG. No.34-55. 3 September, 1907.

The Light-House Board, Washington.

Sirs. Herewith is forwarded resignation of Frank M. Plummer, Keeper of Yaquina Head Light Station, Oregon, with recommendation that it be accepted, effective at the close of business on 30 September, 1907. Very respectfully, Or. Soo.??? P.J. Werlick Commander, U.S.N., Light-House Inspector.

(1 incl.)