1871-1900 Yaquina Head Lighthouse Letter books

1871 Feb. 8 From Engineer Secretary Maj. G H Elliot To Col R.S. Williamson Corps Engineers Sir: In reply to your letter of the 30th January transmitting drawings of structures proposed for Yaquina Bay and Trinidad Head. I have to say that at Trinidad Head it is thought better to construct the Light House and tower of bricks, if it can be done within the appropriation. I send you a plan from which many of our smaller Light-houses are constructed and which is probably well adapted to Trinidad Head. Col. Gillespie's estimate of the cost of the Light House at Horse Island N.Y. was $10,395. It has cost more than this amount but as the accounts are not all in the exact cost cannot now be determined here. The plan herewith sent is of stone walls, but in tracing it, you are requested to modify it by making the walls a brick and a half thick and coloring the plan yellow. It is supposed that there is no doubt of the permanency of the foundation at Trinidad Head as it is high land. If you cannot build the structures like that represented for Horse Island with in the amount of the appropriation, then the next best plan will be to build a small tower like that at Tchefuncte, La. only of a smaller height to suit your site the diameter at top and of the cylinder remaining the same as shown in the plan

1871 will receive. The deck plates and railings will be made in San Francisco. Please to copy the drawings and return them to the Board.

At your leisure you are requested to furnish drawings showing the L.H. sites at Yaquina and Trinidad Head, and of the Light Houses constructed there- the positions of the structures should always be determined with reference to the exterior lines of the Government property and located on the plats.

Feb.23 From Engineer Secretary Maj. G. H. Elliot. To Col. R.S. Williamson Corps Engineers Sir: Referring to your letter of the 15th instant, relative to lantern for Trinidad Head Light- station, I have to say that lanterns for the Pacific Co. Light-stations will be made on this coast and sent to you, but requisitions there- for should be made in time for your constructions. These requisitions should not be embodied with the requisitions for lenses.

The lanterns for the 4th,5th and 6th orders are the same, and you can use the one which arrives first, for Yaquina.

(SIDE BAR) Yaquina Bay & Trinidad Head lanterns for rel

(SIDE BAR) Extract from Board Report boundary line 12"&12" dis ts.

1871 Mar. 8 From Engineer Secy Maj. Geo. H. Elliot To Col. R. S. Williamson Corps Engineers The following extract from the proceedings of the Board in session on the 6th instant is sent you for your information. On notion it was ordered that the northern boundary of the 12th Light-House District on the Pacific Coast be extended to the line separating the States of California and Oregon and that the 13th Light House District will extend from the boundary of the 12th Light House District to the Northern limits of the United States. It having been reported to the Board that an additional Engineer officer had been assigned to Light House duty on the Pacific Coast after consultation and discussion it was ordered that the officers of that District will have their offices within the limits of the District.

Mar 9 From Engineer Secy Maj. G.H. Elliot To Col R. S. Williamson Corps Engineers Sir: Your letter of the 1st instant transmitting title papers to land sold to the United States at Yaquina Bay, Oregon is received. Papers transmitted should be enumerated on the letter of advice

(SIDE BAR) Yaquina Bay Oregon title papers

(SIDE BAR) Photographer on Shubrick- aurth'd

1871 Mar 14 From Engineer Secy Maj. G. H. Elliot To Col. R.S. Williamson Corps Engineers Sir: Referring to your letter of the 6th instant I have to say that the employment of a photographer on the terms heretofore state by you to go in the "Shubrick" on her next trip for the supply of the Pacific Coast lights is approved.

Mar 15 From Chrmn. L.H.B Rear Adml. W.B. Shubrick To Major H.M. Robert Corps Engineers Your letter of the 4th instant addressed to the Secretary of the Treasury reporting for duty in the Light House Establishment has been received at this office and I have to inform you that you are assigned to duty as Light House Engineer of the 13th Light House District which embraces the Pacific Coast of the United State north of the northern boundary of California. Col. R. S. Williamson U.S.A.

Engineers, Light House Engineer for the 12th &13th Districts, will turn over to you the property pertaining to the 13th District, and the directions which he has received from this Board in relation to it.

(SIDE BAR) Detailed for duty as L.H. Engineer 13" Dist.

(SIDE BAR) Office of L.H. Engr.' 13" Dist- books &c, will be sent

1871 Mar. 16 From Engineer Secy Maj. G.H. Elliot To Maj. H.M. Robert Corps Engineers Sir: There is sent to you herewith for your information an extract from the proceedings of the last meeting of the Board, concerning the office of the Light House Engineer of the 13th District. A box containing books pamphlets, &c, will be sent to you as soon as you inform the Board where you will have it addressed. For Enclosure see Volume 5 page Board Journal.

(SIDE BAR) Telegram Mar 22 From Engineer Secy Maj. G. H. Elliot To Major H M Robert Corps Engineers Deed for Yaquina approved Go on with the construction of the Light House. Appropriation reverts on first of July. Letter by mail.

Mar 22 From Engineer Secy Major G.H.Elliot To Major H.M. Robert Corps Engineers Sir: Herewith you will find deed of Lester P. Baldwin and wife to the United States, and a copy of the opinion of the Attorney General in regard to the validity of the title. Colonel Williamson has this day been directed to turn over to you the amounts of the special ap-(propriations)

(SIDE BAR) Yaquina Bay-purchase of L.H. Site- rel.