1871-1900 Yaquina Head Lighthouse Letter books

Department of Commerce and Labor Light-House Establishment

Office of Inspector, 13th District Portland, Oreg.

9 August, 1904.

The Light-House Board, Washington.

Sirs. I enclose a letter from Mr. Frank M. Plummer, Keeper of the Yaquina Light Station in which he complains that two Keepers are overworked, especially during the season when visitors are numerous. He does not appear to understand that there has been no recommedations made for the appointment of a Second Assistant Keeper to fill the existing vacancy. I respectfully submit this statement for the consideration of the Board as directed by the Board's letter of 9 July, 1904, File No. 1216. I propose to allow him to exclude visitors on Wednesdays and Saturdays only until a Second Assistant Keeper is appointed.

Very respectfully, C. G. Calkins Commander, U.S.N., Light-House Inspector.

Yaquina Head Light-Station Newport Oregon Aug 6th 1904.

Commander C. G. Calkins Inspector 13th Light-House District

Sir Enclosed find check for signature. I did not receive any Coal-Lime-Blanks and Stationary or receipts for delivery of Supplies from Tender Heather. I have to inform you that two men can't do the duties here properly and admit Visitors to Tower six days in week-We don't have rest enough We only have five hours sleep each out of twenty four-Until the arrival of the 2nd Asst. I should like to have authority from you to admit Visitors to Tower on Sunday-Tuesday and Thursday of each week leaving the other four days to do some of the duties and painting and get more rest and sleep and not be interupted by Visitors

Very respectfully Frank M Plummer Keeper

Copy-Bed

Yaquina Head Light-Station Newport Oregon May 31st,1904.

C. G. Calkins, Commander U. S. N. Light House Inspector, Thirteenth District Portland, Oregon

Sir: I hereby tender my resignation as 1st Asst. Keeper at Yaquina Light Station to take effect June 30th, 1904.

Respectfully yours, (Signed) Edward Rice, 1st Asst. Keeper, Yaquina Head, Light-Station.

Department of Commerce and Labor Light-House Establishment Office of Engineer, 13th District Portland, Oreg., Sept. 24, 1903.

One Inclosures

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

Sirs: Complying with Board's letter of 9th September, 1903, File No. 1053, enclosing letter from Mr. Edwin Stone, Manager, Corvallis & Eastern Railroad Co., we have the honor to submit the following joint report on the question of leasing the Light-House Reservation and property at entrance to Yaquina Bay, Oregon. A map of the reservation, showing boundaries, building, etc. is herewith. The whole reservation was temporarily transferred to the War Department under authority dated Oct. 24, 1888, Secretary of the Treasury, in connection with improvement of this entrance. Copy of this authority is enclosed. The necessity for the use of a portion at least of the reservation by that Department has, apparently, not ceased this portion should not be leased. The buildings marked "A" on the map were erected by that Department. There would seem to be no objection to leasing such portion of the reservation as is not needed by the War Department for a long term of years, say twenty, under proper restrictions and after due advertisement to the highest bidder.

L. H. B. 2.

The lease should contain the following provisions:

1. The old light-house building should be placed in repair and maintained in that condition so that, should necessity for a light arise, it could be established without delay-in which case the building must be vacated, if occuped, within the space of one month.

2. Should the Government need the reservation at any time during the tenure of the lease, the lessee must vacate on due notice of six months.

3. He must remove any building erected by him within that time or forfeit all right and title to them.

4. Any building or other operations on the reservation must first receive the approval of the Board, plans and application to be submitted prior to their commencement and the work shall be done under supervision of the Engineer of the 13th Light-House District, so far as seeing that it complies with terms of any permit given.

5. Payment to be made half-yearly in advance.

6. The privilege to be granted the lessee of terminating the lease on giving the United States jue notice of six months and removing or forfeiting any buildings erected by him as provided in paragraph 3.

Respectfully yours,

C . G. Calkins Commander, U.S. N. Inspector 13th Light-House District

???W.C. Laugfits Major, Corps of Engineers, U.S.A., Engineer 13th Light-House District

LIGHT-HOUSE ESTABLISHMENT. Office of Inspector, 13TH District, Portland, Oreg. 2 September, 1903

SUBJECT: NO. 1053.

The Light-House Board, Washington.

Sirs:

With reference to the Board's letter 15 August, 1903, I would respectfully state that I have recently inspected the Yaquina Head Light Station and that the conditions there do not seem to require the transfer of any of the keepers now on duty at that station. The defective cottage is occupied by the First Assistant, who is a single man, accustomed to his lodging, and unwilling to ask for a transfer. A new dwelling is, however, urgently needed. Very respectfully, ??? Commander, U.S.N., Light-House Inspector.

Fifty-Seventh Congress ---------- JOHN H. MITCHELL, OREGON, CHAIRMAN. JOSEPH R. HAWLEY, CONN. GEORGE TURNER, WASH. JULIUS C. BURROWS, MICH. CHARLES A. CULBERSON, TEXAS. BOIUS PENROSE, PA. JAMES P. TALIAFERRO, FLA. CHARLES H. DIETRICH, NEBR. ALEXANDER S. CLAY, GA. GEO. L. WELLINGTON, MD. F. MC L. SIMMONS, N.C. HARRY C. ROBERTSON, CLERK COMMITTEE ON COAST DEFENSES, UNITED STATES SENTATE, WASHINGTON, D.C. April 10, 1903.

Captain Charles T. Hutchins, Naval Secretary, Light House Board, 721 13th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C.

Sir:

Will you kindly return the enclosed letter of Mr. S. G. Irvine of Newport, Oregon, with answer to his inquiries.

Very respectfully, [John ???]

LIGHT-HOUSE ESTABLISHMENT, Office of Engineer, 13TH District, Portland, Oreg. Sept. 9, 1902. ______ Inclosures.

SUBJECT:

The Light-House Board, Washington, D.C. Sirs: I have the honor to report that the road to Yaquina Head, Oregon, Light Station, is in need of repair by grading and ditching on the side hill where the road leaves the beach. It is estimated that $240.00 will do all work necessary to put the road in suitable condition to withstand the winter rains. The boundary fence at the station is in need of renewal, the posts being rotten and the wire rusted away. It is estimated that it will cost $250.00 to renew this fence. Owing to the isolation of the station it is respectfully recommended thath the work be done by hired labor and purchase of materials in open market existing regulations. I hereby certify that in my opinion this method is the most economical and advantageous to the Government. The work to be paid for from the appropriation Repairs and Incidental Expenses of Light-Houses 1903. Respectfully yours, W. C. ??? Captain, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A., Engineer 13th Light-House District.

LIGHT-HOUSE ESTABLISHMENT, Office of Engineer, Thirteenth District, Portland, Oregon, June 11, 1901

_____ Inclosures.

Subject:

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

Sirs: Replying to Board's letter of June 4, 1901, No.1053, requesting joint report and recommendation in regard to request of Mr. John Anderson of Toledo, Oregon, to land his fish boat at a convenient place inside of the light-house reservation at Yaquina Head, Oregon, we have the honor to state that there is no objection to allowing Mr. Anderson this privilege, except that it would establish a precedent, and it is undesirable to have persons not under control of the Department using light-house reservations. In view of these points we respectfully recommend that his request be not granted.

Respectfully yours, ??? Commander, U. S. N., Inspector 13th Light-House District. ??? Day Captain, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A., Engineer 13th Light-House District.

1053 Light-House Establishment Office of Light-House Inspector, Thirteenth District, Inclosures. Portland, Oreg. 23 May, 1901. Subject:

Mr. John Anderson, Toledo, Oregon. Sir: Your letter of the 21st. instant has been received. All requests for permission to land at, or occupy, any portion of Light House Reservations, must be made to the Light-House Board, Washington, D.C.

Respectfully, yours, M.P. Day Commander, U.S.N., Light-House Inspector.

To the Light House Board Wash. D.C. Gentlemen: Referring you to above communication I will add that my request was to obtain permission to land with my fish boat at a convenient place inside of Light House reserve at Yaquina Head on this case as I am engaged in deep sea fishing and am unable to find as deep and safe a landing place outside of reserve. It is exceedingly hazardous to land with swell as indicated above. I do not ask for the occupancy of any ground or for the erection of any wharf or house. ??? would greatly ??? a poon fisherman by ??? above ???. Very Respectfully, John Anderson. Toledo, Oregon