1871-1900 Yaquina Head Lighthouse Letter books

Treasury Department, Office of the Light-House Board, Washington, D.C.

15 Sept. '98

Comdr. John C. Morong, U.S.N. Inspector 13th L.H. Dist., Portland, Ore.

Sir:

The annual report of your inspection of Yakina* Head, Ore., Light-Station, made 1 Aug. '98, has been received.

In answer to the 84th question- "Does the keeper make any complaints as to the incapacity or inattention of the assistant keepers?" you reply "Yes, regarding 2d Assistant Keeper, Harry S. Littlefield, who the Keeper says is physically unable to perform his duties. This I found to be true."

In all such cases where you have to report keepers for incapacity or inattention it is the desire of the Board that in addition to the statement you make in your report you should write a letter to the Board, making a full statement of the case, with recommendation as to the course which should be taken. In the case of Assistant Keeper Littlefield, the Board requests your recommendation as to his transfer and reduction in pay, or his

*should have been Yaquina

1872.

instant, you are authorized to enter into contraction written tenders for material, labor and transportation for Cape Foulweather Light House, requiring an answer within ten days and sending the tenders to the most reliable parties.

There is a clause in the appropriation bill which, if passed, will hold the appropriation good for two years from the time the site is obtained and jurisdiction ceded. You will be further informed on this point after the passage of the bill.

May 21.

From Naval Secretary C. S. Boggs. To Major H. M. Robert. Coprs Engineers.

Sir:

In reply to your letter of the 6th instant relative to Light House reservation at Yaquina, I have to say that the 20 acres referred to should be surveyed and permanent parks planted and report should be made as to whether these 20 acres will be sufficient for the purpose.

May 24.

From Naval Secretary Rear Adml. C. S. Boggs. To Major H. M. Robert. Corps Engineers.

Sir:

Referring to your letter of the 6th instant, relative to separation of funds, I have to say that as there is still some misunderstanding between the First National Bank at Portland and the [ Treasurer of the United States, you will please inform the Cashier of the Bank, that you should be mentioned in his reports as Light House Engineer.

1873 Mch. 5 Foulweather Lantern vault covers - sent. From Engineer Secretary Major G. H. Elliot. To Major H. M. Roberts Corps Engineers. Sir: I have to inform you that the following articles were shipped you at Portland, Oregon, per ateamer "Rising Star" on the 26th February , 1873, by Colonel J. C. Woodruff Light House Engineer 3rd District, viz: Fourteen (14) prismatic vault covers for the Cape Foulweather Lantern ________________________________ Mch. 6. From Engineer Secretary Major G. H. Elliot. To Major H. M. Roberts Corps Engineers. Sir: General Woodruff Engineer 3rd and 4th Light House District requests funds to the amount of $ 105: to pay for 14 prismatic vault covers for the Cape Foulweather lantern. As there are no funds in the Treasury available for this purpose, you are requested to deposit that amount to the credit of the Treasure of the United Sates from the amount in your hands belonging to the appropriation for Cape Foulweather lightstation. Oregon 1871-72 and to forward the original certificate of deposit to this office. ________________________________

Mch. 7. Mouth of Columbia River ??? ???: light houses fog signal location of sites From Engineer Secretary Major G. H. Elliot. To Major H. M. Roberts Corps Engineers. Sir: You are requested to confer with Captain Spotts, the Inspector of the 12th and 13th Districts, either by correspondence or in person (at the site) as to the proper location of the small light -house and fog-signal at the mouth of the Columbia river, which you are to erect. Also in regarding to

CONSOLIDATION OF LIGHTHOUSE SERVICE AND COAST GUARD IN 13TH NAVAL DISTRICT

When the Lighthouse Service consolidated with the Coast Guard in 1939, there were 1,362 aids to navigation in the district including 31 major light stations, four lightships, 133 fog signals, 12 radio beacons, 672 minor light stations, including lighted buoys, and 676 unlighted buoys and daymarks. The oldest of the major light stations were Cape Disappointment and New Dungeness, which were completed in 1856 as the first activity of the Lighthouse Service in the Pacific Northwest.

Three-hundred and forty-seven Lighthouse personnel were employed in the Seattle District at the time of the consolidation. It was appreciated and understood that there was a natural reluctance on the part of the personnel to transfer from the Bureau to another service. To overcome the hesitation the transfer was effected by avoiding discharges whenever possible and making reductions in personnel by not filling vacancies which were in effect at the time of the transfer.

Superintendents of the former Lighthouse Districts became assistants to the District Commanders of the Coast Guard Districts for the administration and operation of the lighthouse functions. On November 13, 1939, the Superintendent and one clerk transferred from the Portland Lighthouse Service Office, 17th Lighthouse District, to the Seattle District Coast Guard Office (then in the Federal Building at the foot of Marion Street). The remainder of the Portland Office staff reported for duty on the morning of December 18, 1939. On that same day, the former superintendent of the 17th Lighthouse District was commissioned a commander in the United States Coast Guard to serve as Chief of Staff under the District Coast Guard Officer.

Of the personnel transferred, there were 70 keepers in residence on the stations in 1939. During the war, this number increased to 176 on these stations because of the fact that unskilled men inducted into the service had not had the training, background nor interest in the stations which had been common to the men earlier assigned there. Furthermore, the work at the station increased during the war years; Coastal Lookout units with their dogs and horses were generally located on Station grounds. This necessitated turning the dwellings of the Keepers into barracks to quarter the increased personnel and building kennels, stables and shelters for equipment. The end of the war began the gradual reduction of the stations to their normal peactime complements. -22-

Department of Commerce and Labor LIGHTHOUSE ESTABLISHMENT OFFICE OF ENGINEER, 13TH DISTRICT PORTLAND,OREG. Sept. 4, 1907.

The Light-House Board, Washington, D.C.

Sirs: I have the honor to report that the main gallery railing on the tower at Yaquina Head Light-Station is so badly corroded and wasted as to be unsafe. It is proposed to renew this railing at an estimated cost of $225.00 per detailed estimate herewith, all new work being galvanized. Authority is respectfully requested to carry out this work by hired labor and purchase of necessary materials under existing regulations. The cost to be paid from funds no on hand belonging to the appropriation, Repairs & Incidental Expenses of Lighthouses, 1906. I hereby certify that, in my opinion, this method is the most economical and advantageous to the Government. Respectfully yours, SW Rocooler??? Lieut. Col., Corps of Engineers, U.S.A., Engineer 13th Light-House District.