The work done during July and August consisted in finishing and painting the permanent buildings, removing temporary structures, and cutting timber for use at other stations. The station was completed and the party brought to Manila.

This station was completed and the party transferred to Siete Pecados during the latter part of July. The work done during July consisted in completing the roofing and iron work of the veranda, erecting a flag and signal staff, painting, glazing, etc., and removing a large amount of materials to other stations and to Manila.

The construction party left for this station on July 6. Some little difficulty was experienced at first in maintaining a sufficient supply of water, but the government sloop Jervey

has been assigned to this station and no further difficulty is expected. The work done has been the erection of temporary quarters, the road from dwelling site to tower partially completed, excavation for tower foundation begun, etc. A temporary light has been established at this point, and captains of vessels sailing south from Manila report that the ultimate utility of the light will be considerable, owing to the saving of time made possible.

Some timbers have been cut for the structures to be erected at this station and the plans have been completed.

The retaining wall and repairs at this station were completed July 20 and the party and materials transferred to Apo Reef.

On July 29 a typhoon wrecked the roof and part of the walls of this station, destroyed the veranda, broke the lantern by blowing the veranda roof against it, and did considerable other damage. Two days later a repair party was landed and the light reestablished on August 2. The repairs at the station were entirely completed on August 28.

SAN NICOLAS SHOAL.

A sixth-order flashing white light has been installed in the iron tower, which was erected by the Spanish Government on the northern extremity of San Nicolas Shoal, in Manila Bay. Owing to the impossibility of landing at this tower in bad weather, a lamp which will burn for one month without attention, and an apparatus revolved by means of an electric battery was installed, instead of the ordinary apparatus and lamp.

The two red-lens lanterns at this station were discontinued in July and a tripod 31 feet high was erected from which is displayed a red port light.

Expenditures:
Wages....

Financial statement.

P21.CO

(The tower erected was found in the warehouse, having been made by some one previously in charge.)

FRAMED TOWERS.

A party began work in August on five framed towers 33 feet in height, which will be erected at points where port lights are needed to replace old structures.

The apparatus for Subig Bay and San Nicolas have been delivered and the latter has been installed.

Appropriations were made for the general improvement of Engineer Island, the boring of an artesian well, and the completion of the light-house warehouse and wharf. Work has been begun on each of these items. Filling has been commenced, the wharf has been completed, a concrete floor to the warehouse begun, and the well driven about 110 feet.

APPROPRIATIONS.

The following appropriations were made for current expenses and permanent improvements:

Very respectfully,

SPENCER COSBY,

Captain, Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army, Light-House Engineer.

BUREAU OF COAST GUARD AND TRANSPORTATION,
DIVISION OF LIGHT-HOUSE CONSTRUCTION,
Manila, P. I., September 9, 1904.

Capt. SPENCER COSBY, Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army,

Light-House Engineer, Manila, P. I.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report, supplemental to the report for the fiscal year 1904, of the work accomplished on the marine railway on Engineer Island for the months of July and August, 1904:

1. Pile driving was continued and practically finished excepting the cutting off of piles to grade at the lower end.

2. At the upper end of the railway all piles were cut off below the low-water line, and foundation is to be built up with concrete. This concrete work was commenced and more than half finished.

3. The power-house foundation piles were driven and the concrete bases for the engine, winding machine, and boiler built.

4. The engine and winding machine were set in position and a temporary shed built over them for protection.

5. The track timbers were framed and put together, rails laid on the stringers, and stringers protected with iron strips and large-headed nails for protection against teredos, and the entire structure will be launched in September and sunk to its position on the piles as soon as may be.

6. The percentages of finished work on August 31, 1904, were as follows:

7. The total money value of the work finished was estimated at $53,032.20 United States currency, or about 50 per cent of the contract price; 10 per cent of this amount is retained according to the provisions of the contract.

8. The cost of the work to August 31, 1904, has been as follows, stated in Philippine currency:

Due contractors (not including the 10 per cent to be retained as

144, 923. 74

P464. 40
624.23

1,088. 63

36, 741.82
28, 137.96

64, 879.78 110, 892. 15

BUREAU OF COAST GUARD AND TRANSPORTATION,
DIVISION OF LIGHT-HOUSE CONSTRUCTION,
Manila, P. I., August 20, 1904.

CHIEF BUREAU OF COAST GUARD AND TRANSPORTATION,

Manila, P. I.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of operations of the division of light-house construction for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1904:

Capt. Henry Jervey, Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army, was in charge of this division until August 12, 1903, when I relieved him and continued on duty as light-house engineer-for the remainder of the fiscal year.

CONDITIONS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR.

The organization of this office was but partially completed. The clerical force was inadequate; the system of property accountability left much to be desired; there was no engineering force and no regular system of inspecting work in progress.

Detached parties were at work at four outlying points, viz, Bugui, Jintotolo, Capul, and San Bernardino, where they were engaged in completing third-order light stations begun under the Spanish régime. Apparatus for these stations, for two sixth-order lights and for two port lights had been ordered from Paris.

Sixty-one lights were in operation, including 15 flashing lights, 5 fixed lights, and 41 minor lights (lens lanterns, post lanterns, and electric are lights).

WORK ACCOMPLISHED DURING THE YEAR.

The organization of the office has been completed, so that it now has a force competent properly to design and carry on the amount of new work for which funds and transportation facilities have been provided, and to keep in fairly good order the lights now in operation. An officer of the Corps of Engineers of the Army has been detailed as assistant to the light-house engineer, an experienced civil engineer has been placed in direct charge of the more important works of construction, frequent inspections are made of all work in progress, the clerical force has been increased and, under an able chief clerk, is doing excellent work; a skilled machinist has been brought from the United States to install and care for the delicate light-house apparatus, and the system of records, reports, and property accountability has been improved and extended, greatly adding to the efficiency of the work.

It has been found impossible in many cases to secure overseers and mechanics of the kind desired to make up our working parties. This difficulty is being remedied whenever possible by a gradual process of elimination and selection.

A survey party is greatly needed to complete our working force, and will be organized as soon as funds are provided.

The work at Bugui, Jintotolo, and Capul has been completed, and these stations are in full running order. As it is impossible to make a landing on the island of San Bernardino during the prevalence of the winter monsoon, it was necessary to take away the working party on September 10, 1903, before they had completed all the necessary repairs. This important light has, however, been kept in continuous operation, and a new working party, landed at the island on June 19, 1904, is expected to complete the station in a few weeks. Extensive repairs, requiring in each case several months to complete, have been made at Calabazas and Gigantes light stations, and minor repairs at a number of other stations.