1870-73 Lighthouse Board Annual Reports

1871 sent to you with this. The dwelling for the keepers would then be of wood and like the one shown on your plan, but the tower and house should not be connected, they should be separated so far that in case the dwelling should be burned the tower would not be injured nor the light extinguished. You have then the alternative of building at Trinidad Head: 1st A dwelling and tower combined of brick, like that at Horse Island Lake Ontario or if the appropriation is not sufficient for this, 2nd A wooden house like that represented in the plan sent by you to the Board, and a detached tower of brick like that at Tchefuncte, La. except that in your case the Head being elevated the height seems to be smaller. In regard to the Light House at Yaquina Bay the Board is not informed whether there is any wearing of the beaches around the point or whether the site is high or low. If there is any doubt whatever as to the permanency of the site the house and tower combined and of wood as shown in your plan will be built there but in case the land is hard and fast and you can for see no danger to it from wind (if it is sand) or from encroachments of the sea you will adopt the alternative already mentioned in the case of Trinidad Head.

In regard to the lanterns for these Light Houses, your telegram has just been received, asking that they may be made on this side - they will be put in hand at once and shipped us soon as possible either by Panama or by R Road- the deck plates and railing will be made in San Francisco, after the receipt of the other parts. You are requested to inform the Board as soon as possible, which of the plans herein authorized you will carry into effect, and can go on with the constructive of the one you adopt for Trinidad Head at once and of the one at Yaquina Bay as soon as you are informed by this office that the title is approved by the Honorable the Attorney General. It should be mentioned 1st the tower of the Horse Island plan may be made to suit the locality. At Trinidad Head you will probably make the height as at Stony Point and at Yaquina as shown for Horse Island and Ogdensburg or raise it this height. 2nd the entrance to the tower should be on the side as at Ogdensburg and Horse Island, being better protected than at Stony Point The drawings sent you today are: 1st - 4 drawings of the L.H. tower at Tchefuncteogde, La. 2nd - 2 Drawings of L.H. Dwellings and Towers at Stony Point, Horse Island and Ogdensburg, N.Y. 3rd - 4 prints of the lanterns such as you

1871 will receive. The deck plates and railings will be made in San Francisco. Please to copy the drawings and return them to the Board.

At your leisure you are requested to furnish drawings showing the L.H. sites at Yaquina and Trinidad Head, and of the Light Houses constructed there- the positions of the structures should always be determined with reference to the exterior lines of the Government property and located on the plats.

Feb.23 From Engineer Secretary Maj. G. H. Elliot. To Col. R.S. Williamson Corps Engineers Sir: Referring to your letter of the 15th instant, relative to lantern for Trinidad Head Light- station, I have to say that lanterns for the Pacific Co. Light-stations will be made on this coast and sent to you, but requisitions there- for should be made in time for your constructions. These requisitions should not be embodied with the requisitions for lenses.

The lanterns for the 4th,5th and 6th orders are the same, and you can use the one which arrives first, for Yaquina.

(SIDE BAR) Yaquina Bay & Trinidad Head lanterns for rel

(SIDE BAR) Extract from Board Report boundary line 12"&12" dis ts.

1871 Mar. 8 From Engineer Secy Maj. Geo. H. Elliot To Col. R. S. Williamson Corps Engineers The following extract from the proceedings of the Board in session on the 6th instant is sent you for your information. On notion it was ordered that the northern boundary of the 12th Light-House District on the Pacific Coast be extended to the line separating the States of California and Oregon and that the 13th Light House District will extend from the boundary of the 12th Light House District to the Northern limits of the United States. It having been reported to the Board that an additional Engineer officer had been assigned to Light House duty on the Pacific Coast after consultation and discussion it was ordered that the officers of that District will have their offices within the limits of the District.

Mar 9 From Engineer Secy Maj. G.H. Elliot To Col R. S. Williamson Corps Engineers Sir: Your letter of the 1st instant transmitting title papers to land sold to the United States at Yaquina Bay, Oregon is received. Papers transmitted should be enumerated on the letter of advice

(SIDE BAR) Yaquina Bay Oregon title papers

(SIDE BAR) Photographer on Shubrick- aurth'd

1871 Mar 14 From Engineer Secy Maj. G. H. Elliot To Col. R.S. Williamson Corps Engineers Sir: Referring to your letter of the 6th instant I have to say that the employment of a photographer on the terms heretofore state by you to go in the "Shubrick" on her next trip for the supply of the Pacific Coast lights is approved.

Mar 15 From Chrmn. L.H.B Rear Adml. W.B. Shubrick To Major H.M. Robert Corps Engineers Your letter of the 4th instant addressed to the Secretary of the Treasury reporting for duty in the Light House Establishment has been received at this office and I have to inform you that you are assigned to duty as Light House Engineer of the 13th Light House District which embraces the Pacific Coast of the United State north of the northern boundary of California. Col. R. S. Williamson U.S.A.

Engineers, Light House Engineer for the 12th &13th Districts, will turn over to you the property pertaining to the 13th District, and the directions which he has received from this Board in relation to it.

(SIDE BAR) Detailed for duty as L.H. Engineer 13" Dist.