1871-1900 Yaquina Head Lighthouse Letter books

the Army to the Coast Guard. The RACON at Hoquiam, Washington, was not transferred. Army personnel had been retained there until the Point Chehalis RACON Station was completed.

The end of the war brought about the discontinuance of many Auxiliary Naval Air Stations. Those in the 13th Naval District with which the Aids to Navigation Section was particularly concerned were the Auxiliary Air Stations at Quillayute, Washington, Tillamook, Oregon and Shelton, Washington. Information received from the commander, Naval Air Bases, indicated that these three stations would be placed on a caretaker's status, meaning that 15 or 20 men would be assigned to the Air station at Quillayute, Washington, affected the RACON Station only in that the personnel assigned there were placed on subsistence and quarters and the RACON continued to give service to aircraft flying in that vicinity. However, as the beacon was located approximately three miles from the nearest water, it was doubtful that the station would be of any benefit to surface navigation. The Aids to Navigation Officer recommended that, in order to maintain the RACON for general air navigation, the beacon be moved to Destruction Island Light Station and there afford service for both air and sea navigation. Such a move would give added navigational RACON coverage and add a chain of RACON Stations for electronic navigation along the Coast.

The Tillamook RACON, as was seen earlier, provided limited coverage and was of little value except to the aircraft at the Air Station. The Aids to Navigation Officer recommended that the Tillamook RACON be decommissioned when RACON also provided limited service in much the same manner as the Quillayute beacon to cross-country flights. Whether or not it was to be continued, depended upon the investigation made by the Army and Navy authorities to determine their needs. There was little doubt that the Air Stations at Tillamook, Oregon, Quillayute, Washington and Shelton, Washington, would be discontinued.

Headquarters conducted a survey to determine what applications could be made of shore based RADAR to the performance of Coast Guard peace time functions. All types of applications were investigated in order that the fullest advantage might be taken of the latest electronics developments. The part RADAR had played to win the war was common knowledge. The part it would play during the postwar period was somewhat problematical and the subject of much speculation.

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STANDARDIZATION OF MINOR AIDS

In order to avoid a heterogeneous supply of lamps for spares and replacements, the Aids to Navigation Section received Headquarters' approval to replace 3.5 volt and 4 volt lamps in many of the stations with an 8 volt lamp. This change was prompted by a survey of lamps in the District which shows that the use of 3.5 volt lamps had almost been eliminated by the increased installation of the Willard cells and that the 4 volt lamp was used in a comparatively few number of stations. The four volt lamp could be used at stations having a fixed characteristic but, since the installation of 4 volt flashers had been avoided for several years, insofar as was practicable, the 8 volt lamp was favored from the standpoint of efficiency and utility. At stations where the 4 volt lamp had been required, an additional battery cell had been provided and placed in series with the main lighting batter,y but wired to provide current for operation of the 6 volt flasher only. This practice had been entirely satisfactory but, while limiting the requirements for flashers in the District to only two types ( 6-8 and 12-15), was open to the objection of requiring one additional cell at each station where a flasher was used. This cell was not utilized to the full extent of its ability since only a small portion of its charge was consumed by the time the main battery was discharged.

The charge in lamps was accomplished immediately in all stations where no charge of flashers was required. In those lights where the charge was necessary, the new lamp installed at the time of the regular servicing of the station. The entire replacement was completed withing six months after Headquarters' approval. by this program of standardization of minor lights, a uniform observed candle-power was maintained and the problem of servicing was materially lessened.

At the same time, Headquarters requested that the characteristics of flashing minor lights in all Districts be standardized as nearly as possible. The characteristics of light 0.4 seconds and dark 3.7 seconds and 0.4 - 0.6, respectively. It was the policy of Headquarters to show a fixed light where commercial current was available and where such a light could be readily distinguished against a background of other lights. The 0.4- 3.6 flashing characteristic was used on lateral aids along the sides of clearly defined channels where the importance

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Journal of Light-house Station at Cape Foulweather

January 1891

1 Fresh breeze to a light gale S.E. to S.W. these 24 hours with rain showers during the 24 hours- Sea little rough- General duties for day - Keeper went to Newport to take the quarterly returns Left the station at 9 A.M.

2 Moderate and fresh breeze to a gale these 24 hours- with rain most of the time- Sea rough - General duties for the day- Keeper returned to the station at 1 P.M.

3 Gale to fresh and moderate breeze S. to southwest first part of 24 hours - Last part of 24 hours light to moderate fresh breeze East to South with rain most of the 24 hours - Sea very rough - General duties for day -Keeper & Mr. Smith pumping water out of the cistern.

4 Light to moderate breeze S.E. to South these 24 hours first part little rough- last part of 24 hours rain & sea rough- General duties for day barometer going down -1st asst. went to Newport today.

5 Light and moderate variable winds showery weather during first part of 24 hours - Last part of 24 hours fresh breeze S.W. to South to a gale -Sea rough- 1st Asst and Keeper cleaning out the cistern- keeper went to Newport to take Mr. Smith to Newport to get some medicine he is not feeling well and may have to go and see a Doctor before he comes back - Left the station at 10 A.M. - had some hail thunder and lightening - Barometer going up.

6 Gale fresh breeze S. East to N.W. with rain hail and snow squalls during first part of 24 hours - Last part of 24 hours Light S. East winds rain showers- Sea rough - Barometer going up - General Duties for day

7 Light to moderate and fresh breeze East these 24 hours first part of the 24 hours little damp -Last part of 24 hours clear dry & cool - Sea quite smooth - General duties for day - 1st asst. went to Newport today.

8 Fresh Breeze East these 24 hours with clear fine and cool weather. Sea

Journal of Light-house Station at Cape Foulweather

January 1891

8: smooth - General duties for the day- Sea makeing up a little at 3 P.M.

9: Fresh breeze East dry and cool there 24 hour - Sea quite rough - General duties for the day - Keeper went to Newport after Mr. I. L. Smith but though it not prudent to come back as yet.

10: Light East wind clear find and cool weather during the 24 hours - Sea rough - General duties for the day.

11: Light East wind clear find and cool during the 24 hours - Sea smooth - General duties for the day - Steamer Willamett Valley sailed by for San Francisco - 1st asst went to Newport today.

12: Fresh breeze to a gale to moderate breeze East these 24 hours with clear fine and cool weather during 24 hours - Sea quite rough - General duties for the day -Keeper went to Newport after Mr I.L. Smith. Mr. Smith returned to the station at 5 P.M. His cold is much better and it is better that he should not go on watch for a few days yet. The barometer is going down a little.

13: Light East to S. East wind first part of 24 hours clear fine weather - Last part of 24 hours cloudy but dry - light S. East wind - Sea smooth- General duties for day - Barometer going down.

14: Light S. East to East wind with rain first part of 24 hours - Last part of 24 hours Light to moderate breeze. East to South little damp - Sea smooth - General duties for day - Keeper working in shop today.

15: Light to moderate and fresh breeze to a light gale these 24 hours with rain showers first part of 24 hours - Sea rough - General duties for day - 1st asst went to Newport - Keeper working in shop today.

16: Fresh breeze south to light S.East wind these 24 hours cloudy but dry weather during the 24 hour. Sea rough. Barometer going down- General duties for day. Keeper working in the shop today.

17: Fresh to moderate Breeze South these 24 hours rain first part of 24 hours last part of 24 hours coudy but dry- Sea rough. General duties for the day- Keeper went to Newport for recreation. Left the station at 9:30 A.M.

18: Fresh to moderate breeze south these 24 hours first part of 24 hours rain. last part of 24 hours coudy but dry. Sea rough. General duties for the day. Str. Willamette Valley arrived off the bar at 10 A.M. yesterday to rought to enter and ??? out. Keeper Frank M. Plummer arrived at the station at 1:30 P.M. today.

19: Light variable winds with thick fog showers during first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours Light N.W. wind fair weather sea very rough. General duties for the day. Keeper Sweepting out the shop. Two rough for the Willamette to enter Yaquina Bay.

20: Light variable winds & calm fair and clear fair & warm weather during the 24 hours - Sea quite rough - Steamer Willamett Valley crossed the bar this morning - Keeper cleaning illumunating apparatus.

21: Fresh breeze to moderate and lgiht East wind these 24 hours with clear fine and warm weather - Sea moderately smooth - General duties for the day - Keeper makeing a chimney box for tower - 1st asst went to Newport.

22: Light S. East to East wind these 24 hours dry and clear sea smooth - General duties doe the day - Steamer Willamett Valley sailed today - Keeper working in shop today.

23: Light South wind & calm these 24 hours damp during 24 hours - Sea very rough - General duties for day - Keeper went to Newport for recreation - Left the station at 1. P. M.

24: Light and moderate breeze South with rain showers during the 24 hours - General duties

Journal of Light-house Station at Cape Foulweather Oregon 1894

February

28: Light South wind with light rain first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light wind to moderate breeze South, cloudy & little damp. Sea moderately smooth. General duties for the day. Keeper & 1st ass't went fishing. Keeper making out monthly reports.

March

1: Fresh breeze South to S.W. first part of 24 hours with light rain. Last part of 24 hours Fresh and strong breeze to gale N.W. with hard rain. Sea moderately smooth. General duties for day. Keeper went to Newport. Steam Schooner Homer sailed from Yaquina for San Francisco.

2: Fresh and strong breeze N.W. with frequent rain & hail squalls first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours moderate breeze to light N.West wind, hail, & snow. Sea very rough. General duties for day. 2nd ass't went to Newport.

3: Light S.East wind first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light variable winds with snow squalls most of 24 hours. Sea quite smooth. General duties for day. Keeper & 2nd ass't went to Newport, 1st ass't went fishing.

4: Light variable winds with hail & snow squalls first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light South wind, cloudy but dry & cool weather. Sea quite smooth. General duties for the day. Had three visitors today. Keeper went fishing. Mr. Eugene M. Watters visited the station today, he is on the way to Hecta Head lighthouse where he is to be 1st ass't Keeper.

5: Fresh to strong breeze S. East to South with hard rain first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours Fresh breeze to gale S.W. to W.N. West, light rain showers. Sea a little rough. General duties for day. The barometer 29.21

6: Light N. West to S. East wind first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours Fresh breeze South with cloudy but dry weather. Sea a little rough. General duties for the day. Keeper went fishing. 1st ass't went to Newport.

7: Fresh breeze to Gale S. To S.W. & West these 24 hours with rain first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours fair weather. Sea quite rough. General duties for the day. Keeper went to Newport. The barometer stands 29.90 at 5 P.M.

8: Heavy gale South first part of 24 hours with hard rain. Last part of 24 hours fresh breeze S. to S.W. and West with some rain and sharing weather. Sea rough. General duties for day. Steamer Homer arrived from Frisco & crossed of the bar at [2 am?pm?] Barometer 29.40

9: Fresh to moderate breeze to light wind West N. West these 24 hours. First part of 24 hours rain & hail squalls. Last part of 24 hours fair weather. Sea very rough. General duties for the day. The barometer down to 29.90 at 3 P.M. and still going up at 30.??

10: Fresh breeze to a gale South these 24 hours with rain. Sea rough. General duties for day. The barometer 29.66

11: Gale South to fresh to & moderate breeze S. West these 24 hours with rain most of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light rain. Sea rough. General duties for day. Barometer 29.40 and going up.

12: Light variable winds these 24 hours with rain showers first part of 24 hours. last part of 24 hours light rain showers. Sea a little rough. General duties for the day. Keeper & 2nd ass't went to Newport. Steamer Homer sailed from Yaquina for San Francisco.

13: Light wind to moderate & fresh breeze S. to S.West-West these 24 hours with light rain. Sea moderately smooth. General duties for the day. Barometer 29.75

14: Light S.East wind, fair weather first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours fresh breeze to gale S.E. to S., rain. Sea rough. General duties for day. Keeper went fishing. The barometer 29.60 at 3 P.M. and going down.

15: Gale South to fresh and moderate breeze S.West these 24 hours with hard rain. Sea a little rough. General duties for the day. 1st ass't Edward Rice went to Newport after & to take the mail. The barometer 29.40 today.

16: Light wind West N.W. first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours fresh breeze N.W. with rain & hail squalls during 24 hours. Sea moderately smooth. 1st ass't putting 200 Gallons of mineral Oil in Oil room. Keeper and 2nd ass't cutting stove wood on the beach today. A small Schooner came in from the west toward the light about a mile and steered for the Yaquina bar. 1st ass't went fishing.

17: Light N.West to S. East wind with fair weather first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light wind to moderate breeze S.E. to South, rain. Sea quite smooth. Keeper and 2nd ass't cutting stove wood on the beach today.