1871-1900 Yaquina Head Lighthouse Letter books

Yaquina Bay Sept. 2nd 1875 To the Inspector of Light Houses Astoria Ogn.

Dear Sir,

Having learned through Mr. Crosby at Cape Foulweather that you are willing to lease the old lighthouse at the entrance of this bay for a merely nominal sum to a responsible person who would take care of the buildings and premises, I write to say that I should be pleased to get it on said conditions for the purpose of occupying it as a residence. I have but one child here and I would agree to take good care of the premises, and would like to get possession ? as soon as possible. Hoping to hear from you at an early date.

I remain respectfully Yours

A. W. Gamble M.D.

Portland, Oregon August 19th, 1872 (Stamped) H.M. ROBERT, US Engineers. AUG 19 1872 Maj. Henry M. Roberts L.H. Engr. 13th L.H. Dist. Sir: In consequence of the unavoidable delays which have attended the construction of the Keepers Dwelling at Cape Foulweather Light House Station, I am obliged to ask for a further extension of sixty days time in which to complete the work.

Illegible stamp here???

Owing to the stranding of the schooner Elnorah at Yaquina Bay, the vessel I had engaged to transport my materials from San Francisco, and the inability of her owners to procure another vessel, I was compelled to make different arrangements for the transportation of my materials,

1872

------. Cape Foulweather, sea-coast of Oregon.--- Work has been seriously hindered by the difficulties connected with the transportation of materials. Since the commencement of work in the autumn of 1871 the lighters have been destroyed twice, and the schooner engaged in bringing materials from San Francisco has been obliged to discharge most of her freight at Newport, to be reshipped in milder weather, besides twice getting on the bar at the mouth of Yaquina Bay, and being once partially wrecked. Part of the materials have been hauled from Newport, six miles over an almost impassable road to the light-house site. The metal-work was completed at Portland, Oregon, June 1 1872. After the failure of persistent efforts to charter a vessel for carrying iron and brick from Portland to the cape, the metal-work was shipped via San Francisco. About one-half the time since the work began has been lost on account of the difficulties of transportation. The foundation of the tower has been laid, and work commenced on the keeper's dwelling, a double frame house. Both will probably be completed this season.

1870

Yaquina, Oregon, entrance to Yaquina Bay.---An appropriation was made at the last session of Congress for lighting the entrance to this bay. An examination of the locality has been made, and the work will be commenced as soon as a proper site and valid title can be obtained.

1871

407. Yaquina Bay, Oregon.---The light-house at this point as commenced May 1, 1871. and will be completed about September 30, 1871.

1872

422. Yaquina Bay, Oregon.---The light-house at this point as commenced May 1, 1871. It was completed the following October, and lighted November 3, 1871.

1874.

458. Yaquina, entrance to Yaquina Bay, Oregon.---Since the establishment of the light upon Cape Foulweather, (Yaquina Head,) Yaquina light is no longer necessary. An examination of this station was made in May last, by the inspector and engineer of the district, and its discontinuance recommended. The light will be extinguished October 1.

1877

---. Yaquina Bay unlighted station, Oregon.---The buildings are not in good condition. An effort was made to sell the station during the year, but the price offered was so small that the property was withdrawn.

1878

---.Yaquina Bay unlighted, sea-coast of Oregon.---The dwelling as in such wretched condition as to be almost uninhabitable. Anticipating the relighting of the station on the completion of the railroad from the Willamette River to Yaquina Bay, and to prevent the building from going to ruin, the roof and the outside sheathing have been renewed and other actually necessary repairs have been made.

1884

---.Yaquina, at entrance to Yaquina Bay, Oregon.---Discontinued. The roof of the dwelling was repaired, but only such work was done as was necessary to preserve the building.

1890

---.Yaquina Bay, Oregon.---Vessels now have occasion to pass in and out of the bay during the night, and lights are needed to prevent accidents. During a part of the year the mail has to be carried before day-light in the morning and after dark at night. The necessities of commerce in this locality are such as to demand the establishment of inexpensive lights at this point. It is estimated that they could be established at a cost of about $300, and it is recommended that an appropriation of that amount be made therefor.

1892 + 1891

---.Yaquina Bay, Oregon.---The following recommendation, made in the Board's last two annual reports, is renewed:

Vessels now have occasion to pass in and out of the bay during night, and lights are needed to prevent accidents. During part of the year the mail has to be carried before daylight in the morning and after dark at night. The necessities of commerce in the locality are such as to demand the establishment of inexpensive lights at this point. It is estimated that they could be established at a cost of about $300, and it is recommended that an appropriation of that amount be made therefor.

1893

---.Yaquina Bay, Oregon.---The following recommendation, made in the Board's last three annual reports, is renewed:

Vessels now have occasion to pass in and out of the bay during night, and lights are needed to prevent accidents. During part of the year the mail has to be carried before daylight in the morning and after dark at night. The necessities of commerce in the locality are such as to demand the establishment of inexpensive lights at this point. It is estimated that they could be established at a cost of about $300, and it is recommended that an appropriation of that amount be made therefor.

lights are needed to prevent accidents. During a part of the year the mail has to be

194 REPORT OF THE LIGHT-HOUSE BOARD. 1894

Thirteenth District.

carried before daylight in the morning and after dark at night. The necessities of commerce in the locality are such as to demand the establishment of inexpensive lights at this point. It is estimated that they could be established at a cost of about $300.

The Board proposes, when funds are available, to establish two inexpensive beacon lights at the mouth of the bay, and to pay therefor from the general appropriation for repairs, etc., of light-houses, which provides for such expenditures.

1895 Yaquina Bay, Oregon.

The following named beacon lights were established here on March 7, 1895, and were paid for from the general appropriation for repairs, etc., of light houses, which provides for the establishment, under certain specified circumstances, of such beacon lights:

Yaquina Bar range front beacon light. A fixed white lens-lantern light, 12 1/4 feet above mean high water, on a shelf on a white two pile dolphin on the sand flat, dry at low water, making off to the northward from the south point of the entrance to the bay. This light was discontinued on July 29, 1895, as a rock was discovered on the range line about three-eights of a mile outside the jetties. The rock was marked by a first-class red spar buoy.

Yaquina Bar range rear beacon light. A fixed white tabular-lantern light, 20 1/4 feet above mean high water, on a white gallows frame, at