1871-1900 Yaquina Head Lighthouse Letter books

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 An effort was made to sell the station during the year, but the price offered was so small that the property was withdrawn.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

The position of the tower, by the United States Coast Survey Pilot, is: Latitude 44 degrees 36 minutes 35 seconds north, Longitude 124 degrees 04 minutes west from Greenwich.

The following are the magnetic bearings and distances from the light to the most prominent objects in the vicinity, which are likely to catch the eyes or attract the attention of the mariner:

Cape Perpetua, South 20 degrees east, distant 26 miles. Celilike Head, South 17 1/2 degrees east, distant 8 miles.

In approaching Yaquina entrance, mariners should observe the following directions, viz: Yaquina Point (or Cape Foulweather) bearing north 34 degrees west, limits the visibility of the light in that direction.

The angle of visibility over the water is 238 degrees. The magnetic bearings, within which the light will be visible from a vessel, are from N.N.W. by southerly to S. by E.

A dangerous reef lies off the mouth of the harbor. Vessels passing should not have less than 12 fathoms water.

By order of the Light-House Board:

Treasury Department Office Light House Board Washington, D.C. September 1871

W.B. Shubrick, Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy Chairman

June 9 - 03

TREASURY DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF THE LIGHT-HOUSE BOARD Washington, 3 June, 1903.

ATJ.

6284.

Commander C. G. Calkins, U. S. N., Inspector 13th L. E. District, Portland, Oreg.

Sir:

Referring to your letter of 22 May, '03, asking the appointment of Mr. Fred J. Booth as Laborer in the Light-House Service, to care for the Yaquina Bar Range, Government Wharf, and Middle Ground Beacons Lights, Yaquina Bay, Oreg., with pay at the rate of $40. a month from 1 may, '03, in accordance with the provisions of Civil Service Rule 3 Section A, the Board states that it infers that you mean Civil Service Rule III. Section 8(a), which is now, under the Revised Civil Service Rules, Rule II. Section 3. The rate of pay which you recommend, $40. a month, is in excess of the rate allowed for Laborers appointed without examination, the limit being $300. a year.

The Board requests you to make further explanation in regard to the nomination of Mr. Booth and also requests you to state how these beacon lights have been cared for up to the present time, as the records of this office do not show that any Laborers have been authorized to care for them.

Respectfully,

Captain, U. S. N.,

Naval Secretary.

Treasury Department, Office of the Light-House Board, Washington, D.C.

15 Sept. '98

Comdr. John C. Morong, U.S.N. Inspector 13th L.H. Dist., Portland, Ore.

Sir:

The annual report of your inspection of Yakina* Head, Ore., Light-Station, made 1 Aug. '98, has been received.

In answer to the 84th question- "Does the keeper make any complaints as to the incapacity or inattention of the assistant keepers?" you reply "Yes, regarding 2d Assistant Keeper, Harry S. Littlefield, who the Keeper says is physically unable to perform his duties. This I found to be true."

In all such cases where you have to report keepers for incapacity or inattention it is the desire of the Board that in addition to the statement you make in your report you should write a letter to the Board, making a full statement of the case, with recommendation as to the course which should be taken. In the case of Assistant Keeper Littlefield, the Board requests your recommendation as to his transfer and reduction in pay, or his

*should have been Yaquina