1871-1900 Yaquina Head Lighthouse Letter books

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In conclusion then I would state, as in my report of July 18th, that Col. Williamson and I have agreed upon the site recommended in that report and upon the erection of a tower higher than fifty feet. The discrepancy in the measurements of the height of the point was not noticed by either and consequently not referred to. The Coast Survey made in 1868, a survey including Yaquina Point (formerly Cape Foulweather) giving the twenty feet curves from this point to Yaquina Bay, which I have taken as more accurate than any survey I could get made and as rendering unnecessary the expense of any survey - especially as while it being made Col. Williamson was in correspondence with Mr. Chase, who was in charge, in order to have him obtain all information useful for the Light House Department.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

Henry M. Robert

Maj. of Eng'rs & L.H. Eng'r, Thirteenth District

309

far obtained by this work are: the partial straightening of the channel, and the reducing of the limits of its movements; and the deepening of the water from about 8 feet to about 12 feet at low water. The project for the improvement contemplates extending the south jetty 1000 feet or more, and the building of a north jetty, some 3,000 feet in length. To carry out these works, an appropriation of about $500,000 will be needed. At Cape Foulweather there is a light of the first order; and as this is distant from the Yaquina Bay entrance only about four and one-half miles, there can be no great necessity for a light at Yaquina Head, for vessels simply holding and offing. This is particularly the case, as outside the Yaquina entrance are submerged rocks and reefs, making it extremely dangerous for vessels to hold in, close to shore. At Foulweather, on the contrary, there is good water close in. The only object, then, for re-establishing the light at Yaquina Head would be to, assist vessels in making bar crossings at night. For this purpose a light on Yaquina Head would be of very little assistance. To enable vessels to cross at night with any degree of safety, it would be necessary to establish range lights, which would have to be shifted from time to time, depending upon the movements of the deep water channel. The limits within which this shifting of the channel now takes place are much narrowed by the improvement-works already completed; but it is not proba

U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Office, Washington, May 28th, 1884

Commander H. F. Picking USN Naval Secty of Lt. Ho Board Washington D.C.

Dear Sir; I notice in the Lt. Ho. Book, that Cape Foulweather and Yaquina Head 13th Dist. an used as interchangeable names for the same place, as the Coast survey chart No. 603 places Cape Foulweather several miles to the northward of Yaquina Head, I have examined the matter and find that asst Davidson in the Pacific Coast Pilot makes quite a clear distinction, and as it may be of interest to you, I will enclose a portion of his article on this subject for your consideration

Very respectfully J. F. Moser Lisent ??? and Acting Hydro. Inspr Coast Survey

Cape Foulweather Nearly four miles northward of Yaquina Point commences the long, bold face of this headland. From Yaquina Point the four miles of shore is bordered with low, yellow broken cliffs, covered with standing burnt timber. A low flat black rock lies about half a mile off shore and nearly three miles north of the point, while a large one the same distance off shore, lies just south of the southern limit of the cape

The whole face of the Cape is about five and a half miles in extent, North-northwest and south-southeast, and marked by six or seven sloping grassy heads, reaching from the sea-cliffs to the heavy timber which growes there, while timber fills the gulches between them. The elevation of the head appears to be about eight Hundred feet.

The westernmost point of the cape is about seven miles northward of Yaquina Point, and is marked by a low grass covered table projecting just to the northward. North of this table, and behind a black point of the same height, stretching southward, is an opening to a small cave with yellow cliff and sand beach within, upon

Yaquina Bay Sept. 2nd 1875 To the Inspector of Light Houses Astoria Ogn.

Dear Sir,

Having learned through Mr. Crosby at Cape Foulweather that you are willing to lease the old lighthouse at the entrance of this bay for a merely nominal sum to a responsible person who would take care of the buildings and premises, I write to say that I should be pleased to get it on said conditions for the purpose of occupying it as a residence. I have but one child here and I would agree to take good care of the premises, and would like to get possession ? as soon as possible. Hoping to hear from you at an early date.

I remain respectfully Yours

A. W. Gamble M.D.