Second District. - South Boston Ranges, Massachusetts.-Ranges should be established on the Marine Park Pier and at City Point, South Boston, to guide vessels coming up Boston Harbor from Nix Mate to State Ledge turn. The range at South Boston City Park should be a mast 50 feet high, with crosstrees 10 feet long, supporting a red lantern at each end. The range beacon at the Marine Park Pier should be a mast reaching about 30 feet above the driveway, supporting two red lanterns, one 6 feet above the other. It is estimated that the range lights can be established for not exceeding $1,000, and it is recommended that an appropriation of this amount be made therefor. - State Ledge, Boston Harbor, Massachusetts.-The following recommendation, which was made in the Board's last four annual reports, is renewed: The ship channel, from the Boston wharves to Nix 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 Nix 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. 90. Long Island Head, on Long Island, Massachusetts.-A brick oil house measuring 11 feet by 9 feet 4 inches was built. Minor repairs were made to the illuminating apparatus. 102, 103, and 104. Nauset Beach, east side of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.-Three wooden movable towers were erected by hired labor, 30 feet to the westward of the old towers. This was done because of the washing away of the bank. The lights were moved to the new towers on April 25, 1892. The eastern end of the dwelling was entirely renewed. A sink drain 70 feet long was laid. Some 76 feet of close board fence were built. A brick oil house measuring 11 feet by 9 feet 4 inches was built. Various minor repairs were made. 108. Monomoy Point, southern extremity of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.— Six iron trusses were provided and attached to the tower to prevent vibration. Various repairs were made. Second District. 113. Sankaty Head, southeastern extremity of Nantucket Island, Massachusetts.-A brick oil house measuring 8 feet 6 inches by 8 feet 6 inches was built. Various repairs were made. 127. Edgartown, Edgartown Harbor, Massachusetts.-A fuel and store house 28 by 9 feet in plan was built. A close board fence 182 feet long was built around the pier to replace the old one. Some 500 feet of surface planking on the bridge were renewed. Minor repairs were made. 129. West Chop, entrance to Vineyard Haven Harbor, Massachusetts.— The old tower of rubble masonry, built in 1846, was demolished and a new tower of brick, 45 feet high, was built on the old foundation. 130. Nobska Point, entrance to Woods Holl Harbor, Massachusetts.—A stone wall 5 feet thick, 5 feet high, and 100 feet long was built to protect the site of the bell tower. Repairs were made to the striking machine. 134. Cuttyhunk, on Cuttyhunk Island, Massachusetts.-The old dwelling of rubble masonry, built in 1823, was demolished and a frame* dwelling, 20 by 19 feet in plan, with ells, each measuring 16 by 12 feet, was rebuilt on its foundation. A temporary wooden tower was erected. The dwelling and tower were connected by a covered way. - Butler Flat, New Bedford Harbor, Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts.— The following recommendation, which was made in the Board's last three annual reports, is renewed: The entrance near buoy No. 9, on the point of Butler Flat 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 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. 136. Clark Point, New Bedford Harbor, Massachusetts.-The barn was rebuilt. Some 72 feet of sink drain were laid. A scuttle was put in the roof of the dwelling. Various repairs were made. 140. Ned Point, east side of Mattapoisett Harbor, Massachusetts.-▲ covered way from the dwelling to the tower, and a fence were built. Minor repairs were made. Second District. REPAIRS. At each of the following-named stations repairs of a greater or less extent were made during the year: The light-house lands were surveyed. Their boundaries were marked with stone posts or copper bolts. Contours were located by plane table, and the buildings at Baker Island Station were measured for ground plans. LIGHT-SHIPS. Boston Light- Vessel, entrance to Boston Harbor, Massachusetts.—A vessel moored about 6 nautical miles E. by S. of Boston Light, showing two red lights, would be of great value to incoming vessels. The well-known difficulty in determining the location of the Boston Light, when approaching in thick weather, and the doubtful utility of the bell at Minots Ledge are strong reasons why this aid to navigation should be established. It is estimated that a first-class light-ship with steam fog signal and auxiliary steam moving power would cost $70,000 and it is recommended that an appropriation of that amount be made therefor. 107. Pollock Rip Light- Vessel, No. 42, off Chatham, Cape Cod, Massachusetts. This vessel is in fairly good condition. During a severe gale she broke adrift on October 14, 1891, but she came to anchor on the next day. She was then taken to Hyannis by the tender Verbena, and replaced on her station on October 16, the day after. She was unin. jured but lost 60 fathoms of chain. On March 1, 1892, she again parted her chain, during a gale with thick snow, and after striking the shoals several times she got clear and came to anchor on the next day about 5 miles southwest of Great Point Light. She was replaced on her station March 6, at single anchor. The ship's moorings were recovered after much time spent in dragging and, on April 10, the vessel was remoored. New riding stoppers, similar to those on Great Round Second District, Shoal Light-Ship, will be put in. Engineer's supplies, rubber hose, boat sails, and galley furniture were provided. The fog signal was in use 1,146 hours during the year. There were 118,100 pounds of coal used while the ship's fog signal was in actual operation, and 74,695 pounds of coal were used in keeping fires banked to keep the signal in condition for sudden use; making in all 192,795 pounds of coal used by the fog signal of this ship during the year. 109. Shovelful Shoal Light-Vessel, No. 3, off Monomoy Point, Cape Cod, Massachusetts.-Her condition as to repair is good. The copper around the water line is very thin. In August she was run into by an unknown schooner and slight damage was done to her bows and sides. A new bell was substituted for the old one, which was brought in for repairs. She was supplied with galley furniture, rope for riding stopper,.her medicine chest was replenished, and her boat was repaired. 110. Handkerchief Light-Vessel, No. 4, Nantucket Sound, Massachusetts.-A new galley stove and tinware were supplied. The medicine chest was replenished. 111. Great Round Shoal Light- Vessel, No. 47, off Nantucket, Massachu setts. On July 28, 1891, this new vessel was permanently established on this station, taking the place of Relief Light-Ship, No. 9. The ship has proved to be a success. Her spiral-spring riding stopper works well, preventing any under or sudden jerk on the chain. Her decks were calked during the year. The signal was in use 856 hours. She used 129,781 pounds of coal while the signal was in operation; 77,995 pounds of coal were used in banking the fires; making 207,776 pounds of coal consumed during the eleven months of the fiscal year this ship was on her station. 111. Nantucket New South Shoal Light- Vessel, No. 1, off Nantucket, Massachusetts.-On January 6, during a severe gale, the ship parted her moorings. Sail was made, but on account of the gale continuing she drifted about and did not come to anchor until the 15th, Gay Head Light bearing E. by S., distant about 6 miles. The Azalea put her on her station on January 18. The mushroom anchor and 105 fathoms of chain were lost. On March 11 she again went adrift, and did not come to anchor until the morning of March 25 near No Mans Land. She was again put on her station by the tender Azalea on March 26, The mushroom anchor and 90 fathoms of chain were lost. On June 14 the ship was brought to New Bedford to receive her fog-signal machinery, when Relief Light-Ship, No. 9 was placed on this station.* 124. Cross Rip Light- Vessel, No. 5, Nantucket Sound, Massachusetts.— No repairs were made to the hull or rigging during the year. She was *An appropriation of $70,000 was made in the sundry civil appropriation act approved on August 5, 1892, for building a light-ship to be stationed on New South Shoal off Nantucket. The Board has taken the proper measures to have the lightship built as soon as practicable. Second District. supplied with galley furniture and boat anchor. The color of the light was changed on February 29, 1892, from white to red. 125. Succonnessett Shoal Light- Vessel, No. 6, Nantucket Sound, Massachusetts. Her decks were calked during the year. She is in fairly good condition. 132. Vineyard Sound (Sow and Pigs) Light- Vessel, No. 41, western entrance to Vineyard Sound, Massachusetts.-On August 12, 1891, the lights shown were changed from fixed white to fixed red. New riding stoppers, similar to those on Great Round Shoal Light-Ship, were provided. Her large boat was repaired. She was furnished with engineers' supplies, wire rope, galley furniture, etc., during the year. The fog signal was in use 1,134 hours. There were used, while the fog signal was in operation, about 124,196 pounds of coal; in banking fires some 83,150 pounds; making in all some 207,346 pounds of coal consumed on this ship during the last fiscal year. 133. Hen and Chickens Light- Vessel, No. 2, entrance to Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts.-She has remained on her station all the year. The medicine chest was replenished, the large boat was repaired, and blankets, tinware, and galley stovepipe were furnished. - Relief Light Vessel, No. 9.-She was placed on Nantucket New South Shoal station on June 14, after a new set of wire-rope standing rigging had been fitted. During the year the bell was repaired, and the medicine chest replenished. - Relief Light- Vessel, No. 39.-In July, 1891, she was taken to New Bedford for repairs to her boiler and fog-signal machinery. Her decks were calked, and her apron and decks were repaired. Her bedding was renovated and suction and leading hose, deck pump, galley furniture and crockery were furnished. The medicine chest was replenished. DAY OR UNLIGHTED BEACONS. Scituate Harbor, Massachusetts.-The south beacon, which was blown down by the gale of October 6, 1891, was replaced by a new spar with day mark. Colliers Ledge, off Hyannis, Massachusetts.-Some 200 cubic feet of the concrete filling and the day mark were renewed and two iron bands were put around the beacon. Seal Rocks, Hingham Bay, near Hull, Massachusetts.-Two dolphins were erected. Each consists of five piles, united at the top and surmounted by a spindle supporting a cask 20 feet above high water. Spindle Rock Spindle, entrance to Edgartown Harbor, Massachusetts.— This spindle, which was badly damaged by ice, was repaired. Mattapoisett Harbor, Massachusetts.-In July a spindle was erected on Angelica Rock, at the entrance to this harbor. |