1871-1900 Yaquina Head Lighthouse Letter books

Office of the Light House Engineer Thirteenth District Portland, Oregon, Dec 9, 1873

SIR: I enclose herewith for the information of Board, copy of a letter of the Hon J.H. Mitchell State Senator from Oregon, calling attention to the disposition on the part of the Light House Board to abolish the light at Yaquina Bay, Oregon. A copy of the letter of the Hon Ben Simpson on the same subject, transmitted with that of the Hon Mr. Mitchell is also enclosed. In this connection I have the honor to report that accompanied by the Commodore Spotts, Inspector of Lights, I left this city December 4th hesitant, for the purpose of visiting Yaquina Bay with the view of reporting upon the expediency of discontinuing the light at that station, but arriving to the unprecedented snow storm was unable to proceed beyond Albany. Very respectfully, ??? Lighthouse Engineer

Chairman Lighthouse Board Washington City, DC

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

SIR: In compliance with the directions of the Board contained in a Circular, dated December 7, 1873, in regard to the Titles to Lands and the papers ???cepary to lie forwarded to enable the Attorney General to establish their validity, the enclosed papers and maps relating to the Light House Sites in this District are submitted. After a diligent search among the archives of this office, they are the only ones to be found having any bearing upon the subject. These relate only two of the several Stations, and to the only two at which Lighthouse have been constructed since this portion of the Pacific Coast was made into a separate District. It is to be questioned that if the Titles to the remaining sites are to be found at all, they may probably be among the Papers of the office of the Lighthouse Engineer of the 12th District, if not already on file in the Office of the Board. The following is an accumulation of the Papers and Maps to which reference has been made. This first is a copy of retained

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.

Office of the Light House Engineer Thirteenth District Portland, Oregon, February 21, 1874

SIR: In reply to the communication of the Board, dated February the 3rd, calling my attention to the fact that the copy of the Light House List, issued January 1st, 1873, sent to this Office for the purpose of corrections and to be returned on January 1st, 1874, had not been received, the following statement is respectfully made. My predecessor, Major Robert had no made up to the date of his being relieved, October 30th, any corrections in said List form Inspections made by him during the year, and that subsequent to my taking charge of this District no appointment has offered for making a detailed inspection of each of the Stations. In consequence the items in regard to each could not be carefully noted as directed by the Board, and no return of the same be made. Upon taking charge of the new duties assigned me some of those connected with the Engineer Department called for

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