1871-1900 Yaquina Head Lighthouse Letter books

Office of the Light House Engineer Thirteenth District Portland, Oregon, January 13, 1874

SIR: The following Report of Engineer Operations in the Thirteenth Light House District during the month of December, is respectfully submitted for the information of the Board. Yaquina Point. In compliance with instructions of the Board, directing the District Officers to report as the expediency of discontinuing the Light at this Station, they left Portland on the 4th of the this month for the purpose of visiting the locality and making an inspection. The extremely cold weather and severe snow storm experienced on the way, and the impossibility of cropping the Coast Ranger of Mountains without great risk and many delays, induced them to return without accomplishing the object. Cape Foulweather. It was the intention of the Officers after visiting Yaquina Point to proceed to this Station in order to make an inspection; the causes above stated compelled them to return.

immediate attention previous to the commencement of the rainy seasons. It a subsequent period swing to the condition of the roads across the mountains, and the general inclemency of the weather, no Inspections of the Light House Stations was made. Descriptions of the Stations at Point Yaquina and Cape Foulweather, compiled from the data found in this office, were furnished the Board, and transmitted by letter of January 15, 1874.

Office of the Light House Engineer Thirteenth District Portland, Oregon, May 7th, 1874

SIR: The following report of Engineer operations in the Thirteenth Lighthouse District during the month of April is respectfully submitted for the information of the Board. Cape Foulweather. Two lightning rods were put up on the Keeper’s dwelling at this station, in accordance with instructions given by the late Engineer of the District Yaquina Light Station. A lighting rod was also put up at the Keeper’s dwelling at this station by directions of my predecessor Major H M Robert. Columbia River Light Station. In compliance with the directions of the Board Proposals were invited by public advertisement in certain newspapers, dated April 8th, for building lighthouse for mouth of the Columbia River, Oregon. The bids will be opened May 11th instant; an abstract of said bids will awarded with such recommendations

as the Engineer may deem proper to enable the Board to make the award. Foulweather Bluff – Point no Point. No survey or work of any description was done at either of these points during the month.

Office of the Light House Engineer Thirteenth District Portland, Oregon, May 20th, 1874 SIR: By compunctions of the Board dated November 12th and 20th, 1873, the Officers of the 13th District were directed to examine and report as to the expediency of discontinuing the Light House at Yaquina Bay, assigning reasons in full for the conclusion to which they arrive. It is their opinion, which is respectfully submitted, that no necessity exists for continuance of said Light in the present condition of the commerce of the Bay, not even in anticipation of the Bay at the entrance to the Bay will forbid any attempt to cross it at night, and a light would therefore only be nicefs any to indicate that locality so that vessels may retain their position by it until day light appears. This can be more readily effected by the use of the Light at Cape Foulweather, only a few miles