1892 Lighthouse Keeper Logs

Journal of Light-House Station at Cape Foulweather 1892

May

11: [continued from preceding page] Sea quite smooth. General duties for the day. 1st ass't working on the road. 2nd ass't went to Newport today.

12: Light variable winds with light fog showers first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light to moderate breeze N.W. fair weather. Sea quite smooth. Keeper went to Newport. 1st ass't working on the road today.

13: Light N.W. to S. East wind first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light variable wind to moderate breeze N.W. fair weather during 24 hours. Sea smooth. Keepers painting the barn and some on the picket fence around dwelling.

14: Moderate breeze N.W. to light S.E. wind these 24 hours with fair and warm weather during the 24 hours. Sea very smooth. The Willamett Valley sailed for San Francisco. The barometer is down to 29.90 at 5 P.M. Keeper painting on dwelling today.

15: Light to moderate fresh and strong breeze South these 24 hours with frequent rain showers. Sea smooth. General duties for the day. Had two visitors. Keeper and 2nd ass't went to Newport today.

16: Fresh to strong breeze South thee 24 hours with rain most of 24 hours. Sea quite rough. The barometer is up to 30.50 at 4 P.M. Keeper painting trimmings on Keeper's dwelling today.

17: Moderate breeze S. to light S.E. & East wind and little damp first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light wind to moderate and fresh breeze N.W., fair weather. Sea little rough. Keepers painting chimneys and door??? of Keeper's dwelling.

18: Fresh breeze N. West thee 24 hours, first part of 24 hours little high dry fog. Last part of 24 hours fair weather. Sea quite smooth. Keeper went to Newport. 1st ass't and 2nd ass't painting roof of woodshed & whitewashing tight board fence. At 6. P.M. sighted three ship's boats coming toward the cape and landed, it proved to be the entire crew of the ship St. Charles that blew up by coal gas at 8.40 A.M. the 17th. The Captain and crew taking to the boats. The Capt and two of the crew are badly burned and are at the Station taking care of them the best that we can. Gave the entire crew supper and lodging and breakfast. Have telegraphed to agents particulars concerning the accident.

19: Light wind to moderate breeze N.W. thee 24 hours with fair & clear weather. Sea smooth. General duties for the day. Keeper and 2nd ass't went to Newport after Dr. Rich to attend the sick men also Dr. Smith is attending them. 14 of crew went to Newport today to get accommodations awaiting to go to San Francisco. Had two visitors today. Captain Chapman died at 12 A.M. from the injuries received from the explosion of the ship St. Charles off Cape Foulweather.

20: Light to moderate breeze S.E. to N.West these 24 hours with clear fine and warm weather. Sea very smooth. Keepers went to Newport to get casket and arrange for the burial of Capt. Chapman at 10. A.M. Tomorrow. Mr. Briggs and Joseph Briggs assisting some in taking care of sick men. Keeper had the other two men taken to Newport where they can be better treated by the doctor.

21: Moderate to fresh breeze to a gale N.W. these 24 hours with some high dry fog a flying. Sea smooth. General duties for the day. Capt. Chapman was buried on the cape a mile back this morning. The crew came over from Newport to attend funeral. Keeper and 2nd ass't went to Newport. Keepers went to funeral. The two men at Newport are not so well today.

22: Strong to fresh breeze. N.W. these 24 hours with high dry fog. Sea quite smooth. General duties for the day. The 1st Mate with four men came over and got the three boats that came from the St. Charles off the beach and the O.G.??? railroad tug towed them to Yaquina city to be sent to owners at San Francisco on the Steamer Willamett Valley tomorrow. Had two visitors today.

23: Fresh breeze N.W. these 24 hours. First part of 24 hours high dry fog. Last part of 24 hours fair weather. Sea smooth. General duties for the day. Keeper and 2nd ass't went to Newport on business and to see the two men that were injured [continued on next page]

Journal of Light-House Station at Cape Foulweather 1892

May

23: [continued from preceding page] on the wreck of the St. Charles, they are not quite so well as they were here at the Station. The first mate of the St. Charles is paying the expenses of death of Capt and leaves for San Francisco tomorrow. 15 of the crew went down to San Francisco this morning on Willamett Valley.

24: Moderate and fresh breeze N.W. these 24 hours. First part of 24 hours high dry fog. Last part of 24 hours fair weather. Sea smooth. Keepers painting dome and parapet & scraping rust off iron railing preparatory to painting it black.

25: Moderate breeze N.W. to light S.E. wind first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light variable winds with little cloudy weather. First part clear fine weather. Sea smooth. Keepers painting brackets fixing stage for painting tower & mixing paint. 1st ass't went to Newport.

26: Light wind to moderate & fresh breeze N.W. these 24 hours. First part of 24 hours little damp. Last part of 24 hours clear fine weather. Sea smooth. Keepers whitewashing and painting Oil House and working on the rhoad today.

27: Moderate to light N.W. wind and dry first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light variable to S.W. and South wind with light rain. Sea smooth. Keepers painting the main part of the tower white from brackets to base today.

28: Light South to S.W. wind these 24 hours with light rain during these 24 hours. Sea smooth. General duties for the day. 1st ass't whitewashing in his quarters. Keeper went to Newport to order the lumber to do the needed repairs at the station.

29: Light S.West to N. West to moderate breeze these 24 hours. First part of 24 hours light rain and fog showers. Last part of 24 hours cloudy but dry weather. Sea quite smooth. General duties for day. 1st ass't weeding out his garden.

30: Light N.W. wind with light fog shower first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light to moderate breeze N.W. clearing weather. Sea smooth. 1st ass't whitewashing fences and painting base of tower black. Keeper and 2nd ass't went to Newport. Had four visitors today.

31: Light N.W. wind and calm these 24 hours. First part little cloudy. Last part clear fine and warm weather. Sea smooth. Keeper and 1st ass't painting railing and parapet and painting roof of Oil House. Steamer Willamett arrived today. Had six visitors today.

June

1: Light South to N. West wind with rain showers these 24 hours. Sea smooth. Steamer Willamett Valley sailed at 4 P.M. for San Francisco and took the two men that were burned so bad that were from the St. Charles to the hospital at San Francisco. Keeper went to Newport on business. 1st ass't painting and whitewashing in his quarters today.

2: Light variable wind & calm with frequent light rain showers during first part of 24 hours. Sea smooth. The barometer is up to 30.50. Keepers whitewashing fences and painting the lattice work green on front porch of Keeper's dwelling.

3: Light N.W. wind with frequent rain showers first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours fair weather. Sea smooth. The barometer 30.40. Keepers cleaning paint work in lantern preparing to paint it also cleaning illuminating apparatus. 1st ass't working on road today.

4: Light variable winds and calm first part of 24 hours, cloudy but dry. Last part of 24 hours light to moderate and fresh breeze South with light rain showers. Sea smooth. Keeper painting the interior of lantern white, sash, & etc.

5: Light South to S. East wind with frequent rain showers first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light variable winds and calm with fine & warm weather. sea smooth. General duties for the day. Had four visitors today. Keeper working in garden today.

6: Light S. East wind and dry fair weather first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light to moderate and fresh breeze South with rain showers. Sea smooth. General duties for the day. Keepers went to Newport to vote today.

7: Moderate breeze to light South wind, rain & hail showers first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours fresh & moderate breeze South, rain & hail squalls. Sea quite smooth. Keepers cleaning lens plate glass of Lantern also brushing the interior of walls of tower preparing to whitewash them.

8: Light S. East wind light rain showers first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light variable winds & calm [continued on following page]

Journal of Light-House Station at Cape Foulweather 1892

June

8: [continued from preceding page] with clear, fine and warm weather. Sea smooth. Steamer Willamett arrived today. Keepers painting lantern and watch room floors whitewashing inside of tower, also cleaning in windows in Oil house. 2nd ass't went to Newport.

9: Light wind to moderate and fresh breeze N.W. thee 24 hours with fair weather during the 24 hours. Sea smooth. Had two visitors today. Keepers painting the tower stairs and landings. 1st ass't whitewashing and painting his quarters.

10: Light variable winds & calm these 24 hours with light rain and mist showers during the 24 hours. Sea quite smooth. General duties for the day. 1st ass't painting in his quarters also working on the road. Keeper went to Newport on business.

11: Light variable winds first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light N.West wind, clearing weather; first part little cloudy. Sea smooth. Keepers painting picket fence around dwelling & tower & cleaning paint on the outside of lantern. 1st ass't went to Newport. Keeper also working in his garden. Willamett Valley sailed today for San Francisco.

12: Light variable winds and calm first pat of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light to moderate breeze, fine weather. Sea very smooth. General duties for the day. 1st ass't went fishing today.

13: Moderate to fresh breeze NW. These 24 hours with high dry fog first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours some thick fog. Sea smooth. Keepers painting stairs and landing inside of tower. 1st ass't painting in his quarters. Keeper & 2nd ass't went to Newport, bought nails today to do the repairs at Station.

14: Fresh to moderate breeze N.W. first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light N.W. wind and calm with frequent fog showers during the 24 hours. Sea quite smooth. Keeper cleaning the tower windows and repairing the door that leads t othe balcony. 1st ass't painting in his quarters and working [on] road. 2nd ass't went to Newport for recreation: Left the station at 6 A.M.

15: Light N.W. wind and calm with fog showers first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light wind to moderate breeze N.W., fair weather. Sea very smooth. General duties for the day. 1st ass't went fishing today. Keeper went to Newport on important business. Left the station at 9 A.M. 2nd ass't returned to the Station at 5. P.M.

16: Light N.W. wind & calm first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours moderate breeze N.W. with cloudy weather but dry and warm. Sea smooth. 1st ass't & 2nd cutting grass inside of yard. Keeper went to Newport on important business and to get some supplies. Had five visitors today. Keeper left the station at 7.30 A.M.

17: Light variable winds and calm with fair and warm weather during the 24 hours. Sea smooth. General duties for the day. 1st ass't cutting grass inside of the yard today and also went fishing. Mr Whitten and Mr Stimpson hauling lumber to do the repairs reported to be done the 30th of April to Light House Engineer. 2nd ass't went to Newport today. Keeper returned to the station at 4.30 P.M.

18: Light South wind and calm first part of 24 hours with fog showers. Last part of 24 hours light variable winds & calm, fair and warm weather. Sea smooth. General duties for the day. Had four visitors. 1st ass't went fishing, working in garden, and went to Newport, hauling lumber today.

19: Light N.W. to South wind and calm first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light to moderate and fresh breeze N.W. with frequent fog showers during the 24 hours. Sea smooth. General duties for the day. 1st ass't went fishing. Had five visitors today.

20: Moderate to fresh breeze N.W. these 24 hours with clear, fine weather. Sea smooth. General duties for the day. Keeper went over to the Jeffries estate to see about building a fence. Hauling lumber today. Mr. Ford the Carpenter went to work today building the steps around Keeper's dwelling. 2nd ass't went to Newport on important business. Left Station at 7. A.M.

21: Moderate breeze and light N.W. wind these 24 hours. First part fog showers. Last part clear, fine weather. Sea a little rough. General duties for the day. 1st ass't cutting grass around dwelling. Carpenter working on repairs. Laborer will come to work tomorrow. Hauling lumber and posts today. 2nd ass't returned to the station at 6.30 P.M.

Journal of Light-House Station at Cape Foulweather 1892

June

22: Moderate breeze to light N.W. wind first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light to moderate and fresh breeze N.W. clear fine weather during 24 hours. 1st and 2nd ass't raking up the hay around dwelling in rows today. 2nd ass't & keeper painting hew??? steps on dwelling. The Laborer came and worked today. Carpenter worked also. Hauling lumber today.

23: Fresh and moderate to strong breeze N.W. these 24 hours with clear, fine and warm weather. Sea smooth. General duties for the day. 1st ass't raking up the hay made around the dwelling. Carpenter and Laborer working today. Hauling lumber & posts today. Steamer Willamett Valley sailed for San Francisco. Keeper and 2nd ass't went to Newport. Keeper went on business, 2nd ass't left the station at 8.A.M. went on important business. Had ??? visitor/s???

24: Moderate breeze N.W. to South with thick damp fog first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light South wind, clear, fine and warm weather. Sea smooth. General duties for the day. 1st ass't raking and putting hay into the barn. Carpenter and laborer working on steps, garden fence and steps leading from the bluff down to the beach. Mr Whitter also got through hauling lumber from Newport to Cape Foulweather today. Keeper went to Newport to send the bills to L.H. Engineer for lumber delivered to Cape. 2nd ass't returned to station at 4.30 P.M. Had eight visitors today.

25: Light variable winds and calm first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light wind to moderate breeze N.West first part high dry fog. Last part clear fine weather. Sea smooth. Keeper & 2nd ass't painting steps around dwelling. 1st & 2nd ass't went to Newport today. Keeper also putting dressed lumber into the barn. Carpenter & Laborer rebuilding steps from top of bluff down to the beach today.

26: Light N.W. wind to moderate breeze with thick damp fog first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours high dry fog. Sea smooth. General duties for the day. Keeper went ??? claming. 1st ass't went fishing. Had two visitors today.

27: Moderate breeze to light N.W. and South wind with thick damp fog during these 24 hours. Sea quite smooth. Carpenter & Laborer working on the steps leading form top of bluff to beach today. Keeper making out the Quarterly, Monthly & Annual reports. Keepers scrubbing the hall office and oil room floors. Also cleaning the weeds??? from the brick walk and went fishing today. 1st ass't working in garden. Had 6 visitors.

28: Light South wind &??? calm these 24 hours with thick damp fog showers most of 24 hours. Sea smooth. Keeper making out the reports today. 1st ass't went to Newport after the mail. 2nd ass't went fishing today and showing visitors in the tower. Also 1st ass't showing visitors in tower. Carpenter & Laborer working on steps down to the beach, and the garden fence. Had 32 visitors.

29: Light S. East wind and calm with damp fog first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light South wind, high dry fog and warm. Sea smooth. General duties for the day. 1st ass't working in garden. Keeper and 2nd ass't went to Newport today. Carpenter and Laborer rebuilding the garden fence and grading on one side of fence.

30: Light South wind, cloudy but dry first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light to moderate breeze South with light rain showers. Sea smooth. Keeper making out the reports today. 1st ass't went fishing today. Steamer Willamett Valley arrived from San Francisco today. Carpenter and the Laborer working on the garden fence today.

July

1: Light South wind and calm with frequent fog showers. Sea smooth. Keeper and the Laborer working on the rail fence along the North side of bluff. Carpenter also working on cellar steps. 1st ass't went fishing. Also 1st and 2nd ass't piling lumber away on south side of bluff. Keeper went to Newport to send mail off.

2: Light N.W. wind with thick damp fog first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light to moderate and strong breeze N.W., clear, fine weather. Sea smooth. General duties for the day. 1st ass't went fishing today. 2nd ass't [continued on next page]

Journal of Light-House Station at Cape Foulweather 1892

July

2 [continued from preceding page]: went to Newport on business. The carpenter and Laborer are working on the tight board fence North of dwelling.

3: Fresh to moderate and fresh breeze N.W. with thick damp fog most of 24 hours. Sea smooth. 1st ass't went fishing. Keeper and 2nd ass't hanging storm door & back wood shed door today. Carpenter building the cellar stairs in Keeper's dwelling this forenoon. Had eighteen visitors today.

4: Fresh to moderate N.W. with thick damp fog first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours high dry fog. Sea smooth. General duties for the day. 1st ass't working in garden, Keeper and 2nd ass't sawing off top of posts in garden fence also went to Newport after the mail. Carpenter and laborer working on the tight board fence north of dwelling and other minor repairs. Had twelve visitors today.

5: Light variable winds & calm first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light N.West wind with fair weather during 24 hours. Sea smooth. Keeper & 2nd ass't went to Newport to get supplies. 1st ass't whitewashing the new fences that were built also showering visitors in tower. Had 17 visitors. The carpenter got through work on repairs. Laborer at work tearing down old fences.

6: Light variable winds and calm first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light to moderate breeze N.W. with clear, fine weather most of 24 hours. Sea very smooth. Keepers whitewashing garden and tight board fence. Steamer Willamett Valley sailed for San Francisco today. Laborer completed his work and clearing up the grounds today.

7: Moderate breeze N.W. first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours moderate and fresh breeze to a gale N. West clear, fine weather during 24 hours. Sea smooth. General duties for the day. Keeper went to Newport to take 2nd ass't so he could go camping out. 2nd ass't left the station at 5.30 A.M. for 21 days leave of absence to camp out on Rock Creek 30 miles from Station.

8: Gale to strong breeze N.W. with thick damp fog first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours strong to fresh breeze N.W. clear, fine weather. Sea smooth. Keeper getting oil house ready for the annual supply of oil. Had six visitors today.

9: Fresh to moderate breeze N.W. thee 24 hours with high dry fog first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours clear, fine weather. Sea smooth. Keeper went to Newport. 1st ass't clearing Oil buckets cocks on Oil butts. Showing visitors in tower & working in garden. Also clearing up the grounds.

10: Light N.W. wind with clear, fine weather during first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light N.W. to West wind, little cloudy but dry. Sea smooth. Steamer Harrison sailed from Yaquina for Alsea??? General duties for the day. Had eleven visitors today.

11: Moderate & fresh to strong breeze South with frequent rain showers first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours moderate breeze South West clearing weather. Sea smooth. General duties for the day. Keeper clearing oil buckets, burner, lantern, and filler. 1st ass't cleaning walk back of dwelling.

12: Light S. East to South wind little damp first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light variable winds & calm with clearing weather. Sea smooth. Had eight visitors. 1st ass't went fishing and to Newport. Keeper & 1st ass't cleaning and painting frame of Lens.

13: Light variable winds and clam first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light wind to moderate breeze N.W. with clear, fine weather during 24 hours. Sea very smooth. Had eleven visitors. Steamer Willamett arrived. Keepers painting the steps around Keeper's dwelling.

14: Light N. West wind & calm first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light South wind and calm. First part of 24 hours clear, fine weather. Last part of 24 hours little fog. Sea smooth. Had one visitors. Keeper went to Newport. 1st ass't went fishing.

15: Moderate breeze South these 24 hours. First part of 24 hours light rain showers. Last part of 24 hours fair weather. Sea very smooth. General duties for the day. 1st ass't went fishing. Had seven visitors today.

16: Light wind to moderate and fresh breeze South these 24 hours with frequent rain showers during the 24 hours. Sea quite smooth. General duties for the day. Steamer Willamett sailed today. 1st ass't went fishing today.

17: Light S. East wind first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours light S.W. to N.W. wind and calm with frequent rain & [continued on next page]