1871-1900 Yaquina Head Lighthouse Letter books

Newport Oregon Nov. 25th 1877

Col Jno ?? M. Wilson

Sir

I have the honor of calling your attention to the leaky condition of the Yaquina Bay Light Station. The entire front of the main building and the wooden?? part of the lower where austice ?? has been used leaks very badly making the rooms almost untenable. The rain seems to be driven by the force of wind up into the sustic ??, thence follows the diagonal sheeting down to the window and dowcaesy?? thence inside of the building, the studdey ?? during a storm shows streams of water following down into the cellar which becomes flooded with water. This condition of things is very unpleasant unhealthy and cannot help but be detrimental to the dwelling as decay will soon take place An new finish ?? of rustic ??? for the front of the dwelling If Luren ?? will prevent all this ??? and the expense will not exceed $150.00. Mr. Wheeler Lampest ??? examined the building and can inform you of these things. The roof of the woodshed needs renailing

Newport Oregon

unless it is done there will be no roof another season. I used the paint you sent me painting the front of the house and drawing the windows. Lumber can be obtained in SF and shipped here almost anytime Thro ?? JJ Minont ?? Mo??? Col ??? of lumber is furnished. I will put it in a payment ?? for $100.00 Please inform me if it is possible to have this improvement made.

I am very truly Your Obd Sevt R.W. Bensell

2. being the most advantageous method to the Government of having the work done owing to the isolation of the light-station, the character of the repairs which can not be readily reduced to specifications, and the loss of time in placing such work under contract, as shown by the Engineer's report.

In the case of the heater it is recommended that a Little Giant Heater No. 16, which is suitable for the service required, be purchased of the local agent at a cost not to exceed $200, it being of special manufacture and not obtainable by competitive bids.

Respectfully yours, signature??? Major, Corps of Engineers, U.S.A. Engineer Secretary Signature???

Ask Department authority to make repairs and install a heater at the Yaquina Head Oreg., Light-Station at a total estimated cost of $850, the work to be done under the direction of the Board by persons in its employ and by the purchase of the necessary materials, excepting the heater, of the lowest bidder in accordance with existing regulations. Also recommends the purchase of a Little Giant Heater No. 16 of the local agent at a cost not to exceed $200, for the reasons stated herein.

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OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, Sapt. 5, 1899.

The recommendations of the Light-House Board, made here-in, are approved.

signature??? Secretary. Signiture???

Light-House Establishment, Office of the Light-House Inspector, Thirteenth District Inclosures. Portland, Oregon, 20 September, 1898.

Subject:

The Light-House Board, Washington, D. C.

Sirs:

Referring to the Board's letter of the 15th. instant regarding the statement in the case of the Second Assistant Keeper Harry S. Littlefield of Yaquina Head Light Station.

I have to state that the Keeper informed me at the time of my inspection of that Station that Littlefield was physically unable to perform his duties. Littlefield told me that the Keeper's statement was true, that he found it difficult to perform his duties, and that he wished to resign.

His resignation was forwarded to the Board on the 18 August, '98, the acceptance of which I recommended.

Respectfully,

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Commander, U. S. N., Light-house Inspector.