THE BONITA POINT LIGHTHOUSE OFF THE CALIFORNIAN COAST.
While the tower is only 21 feet in height, its position on a lofty cliff gives the light of 27,000 candle-power a range of 17 miles.
This task occupied some two months, and then a spell of bad weather broke over the coast, interspersed with brief intervals of smooth seas and calms. As the land depot was four miles away, this involved frequent journeys to and fro for the workmen, who had to be brought off the work upon the slightest sign of rough weather. To eliminate the interruptions arising from this procedure, tents were despatched to the site and pitched on the wooden platform, so that the men might reside there. At times their situation was alarming; the heavy seas rushed and tumbled among the piles beneath the crazy perch, and the men were always on tenterhooks lest a hurricane, such as is experienced often in this region, should bear down upon them and carry the whole colony away. When work was in progress, they did not realize their lonely, perilous position so much, since their minds were otherwise occupied; but it was the enforced periods of idleness, often lasting several days on end, which made them grow despondent, as they were virtually imprisoned, and there was very little space in which to obtain exercise. The material was brought out in lighters towed by a steam-launch, on which steam was kept up day and night, because the material had to be sent out at any moment when the conditions were favourable. Again, this “standing by” was imperative, in case a sudden call for assistance should be given by the little isolated community when faced with disaster during a storm. When the men got the keepers’ quarters completed, their minds became easier, as they were now in possession of a more stable camp. The superstructure advanced at a rapid rate, and the light was shown for the first time on June 15, 1878.
Toil of a different character was associated with the building of the Race Rock lighthouse, eight miles from New London, Connecticut. This peril is a submerged ledge off Fisher’s Island Sound, and is of formidable magnitude, since the ledge is at the mouth of the race, where the waters, according to the tide, sweep along with great velocity and force, while in heavy weather the waves get up high and thunder with awful power. The main ledge bristles with ugly sharp spurs, some of which rise above the main cluster, known as Race Rock, which is about 3 feet below mean low-water. The situation of this lurking danger called for the erection of an efficient beacon, though not demanding a light of the calibre of Minot’s Ledge, because even in rough weather the water does not mount in the form of thick curtains of spray. A smaller and different type of light, therefore, was considered to be adequate for the purpose.
POINT PINOS LIGHT STATION, CALIFORNIA.
This mariners’ friend has been tended by a woman for the past 30 years.
Even then, however, erection was not an easy matter by any means. The velocity of the water and the submerged character of the reef demanded the aid of divers to prepare the ledge-face and to complete the foundations. The rock was levelled as much as possible by the aid of small broken stone and riprap. On this a heavy circular stepped plinth of solid mass-concrete was laid. This foundation is 9 feet in thickness, and is disposed in four concentric layers, the lowermost of which is 60 feet in diameter by 3 feet in thickness. The concrete was laid in huge hoops of iron, of the desired height and diameter for the respective layers, to prevent the mass from spreading. When this task was completed, there was a level platform, as solid as the rock itself, and projecting 8 inches above mean low-water. On this a conical stone pier was built to a height of 30 feet, by 57 feet in diameter at the base. The top was crowned with a projecting coping 55 feet in diameter. The outer face of this pier is composed of massive blocks of stone backed with concrete; while in its heart are the spaces for cisterns and cellars. From one side of this pier stretches a short jetty, to form a landing-place.
THE FARALLON ROCK AND LIGHT.