SECOND DISTRICT. The second district extends from Hampton Harbor, New Hampshire, to, but does not include, Elisha Ledge, off Warren Point, Rhode Island, and embraces all the aids to navigation on the coast of Massachusetts except a small portion of Narragansett Bay and Taunton River. Inspector.-Commander George F. F. Wilde, U. S. Navy. Engineer.-Maj. William S. Stanton, Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army. In this district there are Steamers Verbena, Geranium, and Azalea, buoy tenders and for supply and inspection .... 3 Steamer Myrtle, for construction and repair in the first and second districts.... 1 LIGHT-HOUSES. 62, 63. Salisbury Beach, mouth of Merrimac River, Massachusetts.In consequence of the shifting of the channel two tubular lanterns, suspended from spars, were set on the beach to serve as a range in guiding vessels across the bar instead of the range lights formerly on Plum Island. Hence these range lights misled rather than guided vessels through the channel across the bar at the mouth of the Merrimac River. The front beacon was therefore extinguished, and its illuminating apparatus was sent to the general light-house depot. 64. Newburyport Harbor, entrance to Merrimac River, Massachusetts.— The question of the extent and boundaries of the light-house land here has long been in dispute, and the action of the Department of Justice in the matter has been awaited since January, 1888. 78. Fort Pickering, on Winter Island, Salem Harbor, Massachusetts.The barn, 20 by 22 feet in plan, was rebuilt, and a brick cistern was provided for the dwelling. Second District. 84. Boston, entrance to Boston Harbor, Massachusetts.-A new revolv ing machine for the lens was made in the machine shop in Boston, the trucks and facings for the lens were renewed, and various repairs were made. The engine for driving the siren fog signal was thoroughly overhauled and renovated in the Board's machine shop in Boston and restored at the station. 86. The Narrows, entrance to The Narrows Channel, Boston Harbor, Massachusetts.-The gallery around the dwelling was widened and was rebuilt, with the fuel and other outhouses upon it. It was also provided with an iron railing, new outer stairs were made, and the ice breaker was repaired. 87. Deer Island, entrance to Boston Harbor, Massachusetts.—A window in the pier, which was stove in by the sea, was replaced by a 15-inch ship's side light, and a globe ventilator was fitted on the smokepipe to increase the draft. A 1,200-pound bell, with striking machine, was placed at the station for temporary service until the installation of the Daboll trumpet. -. State Ledge, Boston Harbor, Massachusetts.-The following recommendation, which was made in the Board's last three annual reports, is renewed: The ship channel, from the Boston Wharves to Nixs Mate buoy, has no aids to navigation except buoys. Vessels find it very difficult in thick weather and at night to keep in the channel, and they are particularly perplexed to know just where to turn in the neighborhood of State Ledge and Buoy No. 8, both in leaving and entering the harbor. Large excursion steamers, as well as steamers of the regular lines running out of Boston, frequently have to anchor in thick weather solely because they have no guide between Nixs Mate buoy and the wharves. This greatly incommodes business men going and coming during the summer months when fogs are prevalent. The Board has recognized for a long time the necessity for a light and fog signal at this point, but has postponed action while the improvements in the channel of the harbor in charge of the United States Engineers were in progress. Although these improvements have not yet been entirely finished they are practically concluded in that vicinity, and the Board is of opinion that the time has arrived when a light and fog signal ought to be established near Buoy No. 8, or at or near State Ledge. It is estimated that it will cost $42,000 to establish a light and fog signal at this point. It is recommended that an appropriation of this amount be made therefor. 89. Scituate Breakwater, entrance to Scituate Harbor, Massachusetts.A spar was erected near the outer end of the breakwater for supporting an eight-day ruby lantern, and on June 10, 1891, the light was first exhibited. 93. Race Point, northwesterly point of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.-A new boiler was provided connected with the fog signal and covered with felt and canvas. 97. Billingsgate Island, entrance to Wellfleet Bay, Massachusetts.-The plank bulkhead and jetties of brush and stone, built in 1888 to arrest the Second District. rapid encroachment of the sea upon the light-house site, which threatened to soon reach the structure itself, were exceptionally efficacious, and the entire works are now buried in the sand which they have accumulated. 98. Sandy Neck, entrance to Barnstable Harbor, Massachusetts.-The bulkhead, 71 feet long, was rebuilt for the protection of the site against the sea, an outside cellarway was made, and ininor repairs were made to the dwelling, tower, service room, and walks. 99. Cape Cod, on the northeast side of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.-The dwelling in its clapboarding, masonry, plastering, interior joiner work, shingling, and lead flashing was quite severely and extensively damaged by lightning on February 28, 1891, and was immediately repaired. A brick oil house, 12 by 13 feet in plan, was built and various minor repairs were made. 106. Monomoy Point, southern extremity of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.The pipe well, 25 feet deep, was renewed. 119. Bishop and Clerks, on a submarine site in Nantucket Sound, Massachusetts. An iron crane for hoisting the boat and supplies was renewed. 127. West Chop, entrance to Vineyard Haven Harbor, Massachusetts.Some dwellings recently erected in the vicinity of this station obscured the light over a part of Vineyard Sound. To remedy this a lens lantern was provided and attached to an iron mast, 17 feet high, erected upon the lantern deck. The tower itself, of rubble masonry, covered with shingles, is in poor condition, and will be rebuilt during the ensuing fiscal year. 129. Tarpaulin Cove, on Naushon Island, Vineyard Sound, Massachusetts. The old tower of rubble masonry, built in 1817, was demolished and a brick tower, 28 feet high, with iron stairs, iron deck, and a new fourth-order lantern complete, was built upon the same foundation. The station was provided with a 1,200-pound bell, struck by machinery. - Butler Flats, New Bedford Harbor, Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts.— The following recommendation, which was made in the Board's last two annual reports, is renewed: The entrance near buoy No. 9, on the point of Butler Flats, is narrow, obscure, and difficult to find in snowstorms, fogs, and dark nights. If a light with a fog signal was placed on that point it would mark both the entrance and turning-point; would guide vessels to an anchorage in the lower harbor, and, with the light on Palmer Island, would guide them clear of North Ledge, Henrietta and Hurricane Rocks, in Buzzards Bay, and be of great service to the navigation of this important port. It is stated by the custom-house authorities that 1,814 vessels entered the port of New Bedford during 1887, not including yachts, fishing craft, or boats. It is also stated that the Vineyard Sound and Nantucket steamers took 75,000 passengers to and from this port and received $22,500 for freight carried. It is further stated that the New York propellers made 104 trips between New York and New Bedford, and received over $100,000 for freight carried. New Bedford is now said to be the third Second District. manufacturing city in Massachusetts, and the collector of the port states that about 500,000 tons of shipping came into the port during last year. The Board, as stated in its last annual report, is of the opinion that the needs of commerce and navigation require the establishment of a light and fog signal at this point. It is estimated that they can be erected for $45,000, and it is recommended that an appropriation of this amount be made therefor. REPAIRS. At each of the following-named stations repairs of greater or less extent were made during the year: 65, 66. Newburyport, Upper Harbor, 67, 68. Ipswich, Massachusetts. | 83. Minots Ledge, Massachusetts. Massachusetts. 111. Sankaty Head, Massachusetts. SURVEYS. Plots of the light-house land, showing in detail the contours and buildings, with separate plots of the buildings on a larger scale, were made for the following stations: 127. West Chop, Massachusetts. LIGHT-SHIPS. 105. Pollock Rip Light- Vessel, No. 12, off Chatham, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. On May 19, 1891, she was towed to New Bedford, where her boilers were repaired, her decks were calked, a boat was repaired, a new set of sails was supplied, stoves for the cabin and the galley were put in, the tanks were cemented, the medicine chest was replenished, and other necessary articles were furnished. She was towed on June 30, 1891, to Hyannis on her way to her station, when light-ship No. 47, which had been on the station while repairs were being made to this ship, was brought in. 107. Shovelful Shoal Light-Vessel, No. 3, off Monomoy Point, Cape Cod, Massachusetts.-The boat was repaired, a rope for the chain stopper and new hose were supplied. 108. Handkerchief Light- Vessel, No. 4, Nantucket Sound, Massachu setts. The bell was repaired and blocks, rubber hose, boat sail, etc., were furnished. In September 1890, she was run into and received some slight damage, which was repaired by the keeper. |