FIFTEENTH DISTRICT. The fifteenth district extends on the Mississippi River from the head of navigation to Cairo, Ill., on the Missouri River to Kansas City, Mo., and on the Illinois River from La Salle to its mouth, being in all a distance of 1,5824 miles, and embraces all the aids to navigation within these limits. Inspector.-Commander William C. Wise, U. S. Navy. Engineer.-Lieut. Col. Charles R. Suter, Corps of Engineers, U. S. The stations were regularly inspected and kept in good order. The lights are well spoken of by pilots and representatives of river interests. The keepers were faithful and efficient. The extraordinary high water inundating the country this spring interfered somewhat with the work of the district. A number of stations with outfits were carried away, but under trying surroundings and, in many cases, dangerous circumstances the keepers performed their duty. The commerce of the Missouri and Illinois rivers remains practically the same as reported last year. No increase of commerce makes additional lights necessary. The improvement of the Missouri is still problematical. The ice and floods have apparently destroyed what was attempted. The lights on the Mississippi River continue to give satisfaction. The number is being gradually increased in answer to the constant demands for them made by those interested in river commerce. More lights are shown than are reported, for during low water many temporary floating lights are shown to mark wrecks, crossings, reefs, etc., which are withdrawn when the water rises. On the Upper Mississippi, where the lumber interest is powerful, the dangerous and illegal practice of "log driving" still continues to block the channel for many miles, rendering the navigation dangerous. On his last inspection and supply trip the light-house inspector was unable, because of this, to visit a number of stations, even by small boat. TENDER. The Lily. This steamer made 16 inspection and supply trips, steamed some 7,700 miles, consuming about 1,773 tons of coal and 3 cords of wood. Each year's service adds to her draft of water. At present she Fifteenth District. needs 4 feet of water in the channel, whereas for efficient work at all stages not more than 30 inches should be her greatest draft. Her present wooden hull is fast deteriorating, but her upper works are in good condition. The engines are in a fair state of efficiency. A new donkey boiler has replaced the old tubular boiler, and it gives satisfaction. SIXTEENTH DISTRICT. The sixteenth district extends on the Mississippi River from Cairo, Ill., to New Orleans, La., and on the Red River a distance of 8 miles, being in all a distance of 1009 miles, and embraces all the aids to navigation within these limits. Inspector.-Lieut. Commander Robert M. Berry, U. S. Navy. Engineer.—Lieut. Col. Charles R. Suter, Corps of Engineers, U. S. There are in the sixteenth district 341 post lights, cared for by 327 keepers, an increase of 3 lights and 4 keepers in the past twelve months. The post lights are separated by an average distance of less than 3 miles. Notwithstanding this fact there is a constant demand for more lights. This comes from masters and pilots of river craft, and the demand is backed by petitions from leading steamboat and barge lines. They claim that the thorough lighting of the river banks at night facilitates traffic to a greater extent than any other aid with which they can be furnished. The post lights and their outfits are in good condition, and the keepers have rendered efficient service. The district was recently provided with 100 new brass lanterns of improved pattern to replace the older lanterns now in use on the lower river and at other places, where the danger of loss by caving banks will be at the minimum. The present aggregate monthly pay roll of keepers is $3,075, an average of $9.02 per month per post light. The average was $9.09 on July 1, 1891. An inspection of the lights of the entire district was made during each quarter. In addition to these, a short patrol trip was made early in January, 1892. The following is a statement of the work done during the year: The Joseph Henry.-Three new steel fire plates were put in the boilers and the old after mud-drum was replaced with a new one. No repairs were made on the hull or cabin. With new smokestack inside bulk9022 L H-14 Sixteenth District. heads for wheel houses, and the renewal of part of the nosing on the main deck, all of which have been provided for, and are now under way, the Joseph Henry only requires the painting of the inside of the cabin, staterooms, and texas, to render her condition fairly satisfactory. Dur ing the year the Joseph Henry steamed some 8,554 miles, consuming in doing so about 1,065 tons of coal. The office work of this district con sisted of the keeping of the accounts of 372 post lights, including the 31 post lights discontinued during the year, and the maintenance of usual routine and official correspondence. CONCLUSION. In concluding this report, the Board takes pleasure in stating that each of the sixteen light-house districts into which the establishment is divided is in good working condition. All of which is respectfully submitted. JAS. A. GREER, Rear Admiral, U. S. Nary, Chairman. Commander, U. S. Nary, Naval Secretary. F. A. MAHAN, Captain of Engineers, U. S. Army, Engineer Secretary. The SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY. |