Report for Rochester Harbor West Pier Light (New York) - 1909
| General |
| District: | 10th |
| Inspector: | Chas. Bartlett, Chief Clerk and Norris Works, Supt |
| Location: | Center 23' 4" from outer end of West Pier, entrance to Charlotte Harbor, mouth of Genesee River, shore of Lake Ontario |
| Date of Report: | 01/03/1909 |
| Latitude: | 43° 15' 49" |
| Longitude: | 77° 36' 07" |
| Premises |
| Site: | Light on US Pier. Dwelling on purchased land. |
| Date of Reservation: | |
| Date of Deed: | 11/09/1821 |
| Date of Permission: | |
| Date of Lease: | |
| Area of the Entire Site: | At dwelling, site of old discontinued Main Light Total area = 3.82 acres |
| Area Inclosed: | 2.71 acres |
| Character of Soil: | At dwelling, clay & sandy loam. |
| Distance of tower from Nearest High-Water Mark: | Beacon stands on pier. Dwelling stands on high bank about 350' from River. |
| Inclosures to Premises / Type of Fence: | Fence of wood |
| Wharf or Landing on Premises: | Pier serves as landing at light. River frontage at Dwelling is leased to certain parties until 1914. |
| Road to Land or Wharf Chararacter of and Distance: | |
| Means to Reach Light Station: | Dwelling may be reached by public highway & by NY C RR or Electric car from Rochester. W Pier light may be reached by public highway & inner end of pier, thence 3000' out pier to light, 2246' of this being along elevated walk on West Pier. |
| Distance to Nearest Road: | Light & Dwelling 1 mi. Dwelling to NYC RR station = 1000'. Electric cars from Rochester pass dwelling. |
| Distance to Post Office: | About 1000' |
| Distance to Village: | In Village of Charlotte. |
| Facilities for Public Conveyance: | NYC RR from Rochester RW & O RR - Electric car from Rochester about 6 mi. |
| Facilities for Private Conveyance: | |
| Means Used for Support of Lantern: | Tower, frame |
| Number of Separate Lights: | 1 |
| First Built or Established: | Main light at Dwelling site - discontinued Feb. 21, 1881. West Pier light subsequent to 1838. |
| Last Rebuilt, Repaired, or Renovated: | 1884 |
| Condition at This Date: | Good |
| Shape of Tower in Plan: | Square |
| Form of Tower: | Pyramidal |
| Height from Base to Ventilator Ball: | 36' 6" |
| Height of Focal Plane Above Mean High Water: | 34' |
| Background of Lighthouse as Seen from Sea: | Bldgs, etc. at Ontario Beach Park & Village of Charlotte. |
| Color of Tower: | Brown below, white above, black lantern. |
| Color of Tower/ How Produced: | Lead & oil paint. |
| Tower Connection: | Detached, 1 mile distant. |
| Object of Navigation: | Main light marking entrance to Charlotte Harbor. |
| Building Materials: | Wood, with iron lantern. Lower part of tower covered with corrugated iron, upper part shingled. |
| General Description: | |
| Wall Thickness at Base: | 9" |
| Wall Thickness at Parapet: | 9" |
| Diameter at Base: | 11' |
| Diameter at Parapet: | 8' |
| Kind of Stairway and Steps: | Wooden stairway & steps. |
| Number of Landings: | One |
| Size of Glass: | 10" x 20" & 20" x 26" |
| Number of Windows and Size of Sash: | 3 - 24" x 34.5" & 14" x 24" |
| Number of Doors: | One |
| Kind of Foundation and Depth Below Surface: | 4 concrete piers, 1 under each corner, 5' square at bottom & 30" square at top & 11' high. Each with 1 - 1 1/4" anchor rod 9' long to fasten beacon to piers. Piers are founded in crib filling stone, inside walls of timber crib. |
| Character of Soil Surrounding the Lighthouse: | None |
| Soil Susceptibility: | |
| Miscellaneous Remarks: | This beacon is similar in plan to those erected at Conneaut, Ashtabula & Fairport, OH. Lantern & lens were transferred from discontinued main light at dwelling site in 1884 & fitted to this beacon. |
| Lantern and Fixtures |
| Order of Lantern: | 4th |
| Shape of Lantern: | Polygonal |
| Diameter to Glass: | 7' 11" |
| Diameter in the Clear: | |
| Number of Sides: | 10 |
| Type of Bars: | Vertical |
| Thickness of Bars: | |
| Height Glazed: | 36" |
| Number of Plates in Height: | One |
| Number of Plates Each Side: | One |
| Thickness of Plates: | 5/16" |
| Size of Plates: | All 36" x 26 3/4" x 5/16" |
| Number of Storm Panes: | None. 2 extra panes at station in case any are broken. |
| Unglazed Side of Lantern: | None |
| What Bearings: | |
| Construction Material Lantern: | Iron, copper & zinc. |
| Construction Material Roof / Cowl: | Iron, lined with zinc. |
| Ventilator / Cowl: | Iron |
| Lightning Spindle: | Steel, platinum point. |
| Description of Lightning Rod: | 3/4" solid iron rod, attached with an eye, which fits over spindle, led down dome across parapet to outside of railing, thence down thru concrete abutment into water. |
| Balustrade: | Iron, with 12 posts, 2 rails high, made from 1 1/4" wrought iron pipe. |
| Lantern Doors: | Iron, fitted with wrought iron hinges, opens out. |
| Floor of Lantern: | Wooden floor, covered with copper. |
| Watchroom Doors: | Wooden trap door covered with copper. |
| Parapet Diameter: | 6' 7 1/4" |
| Ventilators |
| Location / Number: | 5, in lower part of lantern, of cast iron. |
| Ladders / Cleaning Arrangement: | None |
| Curtain Hooks / Hanger: | Brass hooks screwed into copper part of astragal bars. |
| Watchroom |
| How is Watchroom Fitted: | Contains machinery of fog bell striking apparatus |
| How is Relief Called: | |
| Where is Call System Led: |
| Illuminating Apparatus |
| Kind of Apparatus: | |
| Intensity in Candles: | |
| Name of Maker: | Henry LePaute |
| Year Made: | First used Oct. 31, 1901 |
| Marks and Number: | Rue Desnouttes, Paris Des Establishments |
| Order of Apparatus: | 4th - 270 degrees |
| Inside Diameter: | 19 11/16" |
| Light Characteristic: | Fixed red |
| Time of Revolution: | Fixed |
| Flash Interval: | |
| Duration of Flash: | |
| Arc of Each Fixed Part: | 270 degrees - no reflectors, 90 degree side open, & center of open side faces in direction of axis of W Pier, S 34 degrees 00' W. Open light 90 degrees lies between N 11 degrees W & N 79 degrees E, from seaward. |
| Number of Panels: | 3 |
| Number of Flash Panels: | |
| Arc of Each: | |
| Number of Elements in Central Drum: | 1 |
| Number of Prisms Above Center Drum: | 8 |
| Number of Prisms Below Center Drum: | 5 |
| Does Apparatus Revolve?: | False |
| Is There a Revolving Belt?: | False |
| Revolving Panels: | |
| How Flash is Produced: | |
| Number of Vertical Elements Panel: | |
| Fixed Lens Covered: | |
| Pedestal: | Iron |
| Service Table: | Iron |
| Draft Tube Description: | 2.5" copper tube, rising from cone shaped brass fitting, fastened to copper lens ring by brass screws. |
| Revolving Machinery: | |
| Standby and Description: | |
| Chariot Float or Balls: | |
| Chariot Description: | |
| Length of Drop Tube: | |
| Clock Weight: | |
| Length of Winding Time: | |
| Drive During Rewind: | |
| Machinery Protection: | |
| Regulated: | |
| Lens Protection: | |
| How Color is Produced: | Ruby chimney |
| Red Sectors Description: | |
| Where Color Attached: | |
| Form of Colored Glass: | |
| Lamp Description: | 4th order |
| Type of Illuminant: | |
| Number of Spare Lamps: | 3 |
| Number of Spare Burners: | |
| Candle Power: |
| Vapor Oil Lamp |
| Number of Wicks or Mantels: | 1 round wick |
| Diameter of Outside Wick: | 1.5" |
| Diameter of Mantel: | |
| Diameter of Circum Circle: |
| Closets and Store Rooms |
| Tower Closet Use: | 2, fitted with shelves, used for measures, chimneys, dusters, etc. |
| Oil House Description: | Square iron oil house on concrete base, center 189' from outer end of W pier, 7' 6 7/8" square, fitted with 5 iron shelves. Erected in May, 1903. |
| Oil House Inside Dimension: | |
| Oil House Construction Material: | |
| Oil House Capacity: | Room for 18 x 5 = 90, 5-gal cases of oil. |
| Other (Describe): | |
| Suitability: |
| Fog Signal General |
| Fog Signal Kind: | 10" steam whistle - in case whistle is disabled, a bell is struck by Stevens Fog Bell Striking apparatus. |
| Time to Start: | About 45 min. |
| How Long Will Pressure Last: | |
| Manufacturer: | Variety Iron Works Co., Cleveland, OH |
| Year of Manufacture: | Installed, Sept. 1893. |
| Characteristic: | Blasts of 3 sec duration, spaced by a silent interval of 57 sec. |
| Duplication: | None |
| Timing Device: | Steam engine with eccentric cam. |
| If whistle, siren, or trumpet, Pressure at Which Blown: | |
| Height Above Water: | 33' 6" |
| Compass Direction: | Open, no reflector, whistle is about 5' above roof |
| Location: | Just S'ly of lighthouse, adjacent to same. Marks entrance to Charlotte Harbor, at end of pier. |
| Distance and Direction: | Adjacent, on S side. |
| Water Supply: | Pumped from Lake into iron tank, holding about 30 brls over boiler. |
| Reached from Lighthouse: | Connected by passageway |
| Description of Fog Signal Building: | Frame bldg, standing on concrete piers, resting on concrete deck of W Pier, 14' 10" x 28' 10" x 12' 2" high, inside dimensions, with concrete floor, covered with corrugated iron. |
| Pressure And Recording Gauge: |
| Bell Signal |
| Weight: | 1,020 lbs |
| Metal: | Bell metal |
| Diameter: | 36" |
| Height: | 24" inside |
| Time: | 2 hours |
| Manufacturer: | Stevens fog bell striking apparatus - interval btwn blows 30 sec. |
| Weights for Operation: | Bell suspended from brackets attached to 2nd story |
| Steam Signal |
| Steam Boiler: | |
| Kind: | Locomotive type |
| Tube: | Flue tube |
| Dimensions: | |
| Length: | Cyl. part - 9' 10"; fire box 5' 8"; overall 15' 6" |
| Diameter: | Cyl - 3' 9"; fire box 5' |
| Tube Description: | 58 tubes 7' long |
| Steam Tube Diameter: | 2.5" x 8' |
| Steam Furnace Kind: | Box |
| Furnace Length: | 5' |
| Furnace Width: | 3' 3" |
| Furnace Height: | 3' 3" |
| Steam Heat Surface: | 376.9 sq. ft. |
| Steam Grate Surface: | 16.25 sq. ft. |
| Number of Grate Bars: | 14 |
| Kind of Grate Bars: | Straight |
| Steam Fuel: | Anthracite up to Oct. 1907 - bituminous since that date. |
| Steam Safety Valve: | Crosby-Healy pop valve |
| Steam Maximum Pressure: | Tested to 90 lbs. |
| Steam Working Pressure: | 60 to 65 lbs |
| Steam Diameter of Smokestack: | 18" |
| Smokestack Height: | 34' |
| Drum Dimension: | 4' 6" long, overall - 2" flange overhead. |
| Steam Drum Diameter: | 2' 6" |
| Steam Covering: | Asbestos |
| Steam Boiler Condition: | Good |
| Steam Boiler Built: | Installed Sept. 1893 |
| Where Built: | Cleveland, OH |
| Manufacturer: | Variety Iron Works |
| Steam Heater: | False |
| Kind: | |
| Size: | |
| Heater Time Affect: | |
| Steam Engine Kind: | Regulating |
| Steam Engine Revolutions: | 80 rpm |
| Steam Engine Cyl. Diameter: | 4" |
| Steam Engine Piston Stroke: | 9" |
| Steam Engine Pipe Size: | 3/4" |
| Steam Engine When Built: | 1893 |
| Steam Engine Where Built: | Cleveland, OH |
| Manufacturer: | Variety Iron Works, Co. |
| Whistle Signal |
| Whistle Diameter: | 10" |
| Whistle Height: | 2' 8" overall |
| Whistle Orifice: | 3/4" |
| Whistle Tone: | Single |
| Whistle Chime: |
| Dwelling |
| Location: | About 1 mile from beacon, on high ground on W side of River, just W of abandoned Main Light tower. |
| Coloring: | Red brick |
| Construction Materials: | Red brick |
| Number of Rooms: | 5 rooms, 1 bath, office, attic & large cellar. |
| Number of Dwellings: | |
| Heating Plant: | |
| Number of Keepers: | 1. No dwelling provided for asst. |
| Furnished Quarters: | Keeper |
| NOT Furnished Quarters: | Assistant Keeper |
| Outhouses: | Wooden barn or shop, brick privy |
| Outhouse Coloring: | Barn, light lead. |
| Paths and Walks: | Wooden steps down bank towards river. Board walk across front yard. |
| Area Inclosed: | 2.71 acres, inclosed mostly by board fence. |
| Area of Garden: | About 1.72 acres |
| Area Timber or Shrubbery: | Orchard, about 0.45 acres |
| Cultivation Area Available: | 1.72 acres |
| Area Cultivated: | 1.72 acres, now in grass |
| Character of Surroundings: | Clay, sand, marsh. |
| Stove, Maker: | |
| Stove, Size: | |
| Sink, Maker: | |
| Sink, Size: | |
| Pump, Maker: | |
| Pump, Size: | |
| Lamps: |
| Water |
| How Procured: | At dwelling - for drinking - from well; for kitchen & bath - Village Water Works (connected 1901). At Fog Signal, from Lake. |
| Quality: | Well - good; Village WW - fair |
| Quantity: | Ample |
| Injury Possible: | Not liable |
| Purity Precaution: | Wire screens in gutters of roof. |
| Tank Capacity: | Not known. On W side of dwelling. |
| Tank Material: | Vault, probably of stone, covered up underground. Connected to pump at kitchen sink by lead pipe. |
| Distilling Apparatus: | False |
| Distilling Manufacturer: | |
| Well Description: | 55' deep |
| Well Diameter: | 3' |
| Well Lining: | Stoned |
| Pump or Bucket: | Iron pump |
| What Power Used: | |
| Distance from Dwelling: | 125' |
| Healthfulness |
| General Opinion: | Healthful |
| Diseases: | |
| Prevalency: | |
| Local Causes: | |
| Recommended Improvements: |
| Miscellaneous |
| Access to Lighthouse: | Beacon & Fog signal house stand on Harbor Piers. A platform in front (S) of FS house is provided on E side, with a "Strachan" patent boat launching apparatus, for raising & lowering the small boat, used in coming out to light or in reaching E Pier light. |
| Distance and Direction: | Small boat house 6' 2" x 18' with shed roof, 6' hight on NE side & 8' high on SW side, is located on piles, near W side of River, just above Ferry at Beach Ave., 3300' from W Pier Light. It is in fairly good condition, but is not used much now. |
| Miscellaneous Remarks: | Bathroom installed in dwelling & connection made with Village Water Works & sewer system in 1901. River frontage at Dwelling site is leased to certain parties until 1914. Light connected with point 89' 4 1/4" from present shore line by an elevated walk. |