Report for Rock Of Ages Light Station (Michigan) - 1912
| General |
| District: | 9th |
| Inspector: | Ralph R. Tinkham |
| Location: | 2-3/8 miles, 270 degrees true from W'ly point of Washington Island, off SW'ly end of Isle Royal, Michigan, Northern Lake Superior. |
| Date of Report: | 04/05/1912 |
| Latitude: | 47°51' 59.74" |
| Longitude: | 89°18' 52.46" |
| Premises |
| Site: | Reservation of public land; A jutting rock ridge of 50 ft. wide, 210 ft. long, Maximum elevation 16 ft. above water. |
| Date of Reservation: | 12/12/1906 |
| Date of Deed: | |
| Date of Permission: | |
| Date of Lease: | |
| Area of the Entire Site: | 0.21 acres. |
| Area Inclosed: | None. |
| Character of Soil: | |
| Distance of tower from Nearest High-Water Mark: | Foundation at water level. |
| Inclosures to Premises / Type of Fence: | None. |
| Wharf or Landing on Premises: | 11' x 24' concrete landing pier on south side, 6 ft. of water at outer end. |
| Road to Land or Wharf Chararacter of and Distance: | |
| Means to Reach Light Station: | U.S. & Dominion Trans. Co.'s steamers from Duluth, Minn., to Washington Harbor, Isle Royal, thence by launch 4.25 miles from landing. |
| Distance to Nearest Road: | |
| Distance to Post Office: | |
| Distance to Village: | |
| Facilities for Public Conveyance: | |
| Facilities for Private Conveyance: | |
| Means Used for Support of Lantern: | Tower, conical shaft, cylindrical base 30 ft. diam. on cylindrical pier 50 ft. diam. |
| Number of Separate Lights: | 1 |
| First Built or Established: | Construction began 1910, light temporarily lit Oct. 20, 1908. |
| Last Rebuilt, Repaired, or Renovated: | Present lens installed 1910. |
| Condition at This Date: | |
| Shape of Tower in Plan: | |
| Form of Tower: | |
| Height from Base to Ventilator Ball: | 130 ft. |
| Height of Focal Plane Above Mean High Water: | 117 ft. |
| Background of Lighthouse as Seen from Sea: | From west & south, wooded hills of Isle Royal. |
| Color of Tower: | Natural buff pressed brick. |
| Color of Tower/ How Produced: | Natural brick color. |
| Tower Connection: | Keeper's quarters provided in the tower. |
| Object of Navigation: | Lake coast for general navigation. |
| Building Materials: | Structural steel, mass & block concrete & brick. |
| General Description: | |
| Wall Thickness at Base: | |
| Wall Thickness at Parapet: | |
| Diameter at Base: | |
| Diameter at Parapet: | |
| Kind of Stairway and Steps: | 8 circular flights, Cast iron treads, steele plate stringers. |
| Number of Landings: | 8 |
| Size of Glass: | 12" x 30" 12" x 18", 12" x 22.5", 5" x 17.75" |
| Number of Windows and Size of Sash: | 28 |
| Number of Doors: | 25, 5'2" x 9', 2' x 6'8", 1'10.5" x 6'8" |
| Kind of Foundation and Depth Below Surface: | Foundation pier is a 3/8" steel plate cylinder 50' diam. & 30' high filled with concrete leaving 2 cillars within. It flares at top and is paved with brick. Steel ladders lead up N & S sides of the cylinder. |
| Character of Soil Surrounding the Lighthouse: | |
| Soil Susceptibility: | |
| Miscellaneous Remarks: |
| Lantern and Fixtures |
| Order of Lantern: | 1st |
| Shape of Lantern: | Cylindrical |
| Diameter to Glass: | 12' 2.5" |
| Diameter in the Clear: | |
| Number of Sides: | |
| Type of Bars: | Vertical |
| Thickness of Bars: | |
| Height Glazed: | 9' 9.5" |
| Number of Plates in Height: | 3 |
| Number of Plates Each Side: | 3 |
| Thickness of Plates: | 5/16" |
| Size of Plates: | Lower 28.75" x 34"; middle 28.75" x 39"; upper 28.75" x 43.25" |
| Number of Storm Panes: | None |
| Unglazed Side of Lantern: | |
| What Bearings: | |
| Construction Material Lantern: | Wrot iron & bronze. |
| Construction Material Roof / Cowl: | Conical cast iron. |
| Ventilator / Cowl: | Standard type spherical of cast iron. |
| Lightning Spindle: | Brass with platinum tip. |
| Description of Lightning Rod: | 1/8" x 2" copper ribbon attached to base of steel columns leads into lake. |
| Balustrade: | Wrot iron, flat bars & stahchions. |
| Lantern Doors: | 2 leaf steel plate, brass fittings to main gallery. Wood door to air lick & wood door air lock to stairs. |
| Floor of Lantern: | Cast iron plates. |
| Watchroom Doors: | 2 wood doors through air lock. |
| Parapet Diameter: |
| Ventilators |
| Location / Number: | 11 brass valve vents; lower part of lantern. |
| Ladders / Cleaning Arrangement: | 1 steel. |
| Curtain Hooks / Hanger: | 16 Hartzhorn roller shades. |
| Watchroom |
| How is Watchroom Fitted: | Lower part of lantern fitted with lciker, cleaning shelf & glass box. Watchroom is a room 13.3' diam. immediately below lantern & communicating therewith through an air lock. |
| How is Relief Called: | None. |
| Where is Call System Led: |
| Illuminating Apparatus |
| Kind of Apparatus: | About 5 hours. |
| Intensity in Candles: | 940,000 cp |
| Name of Maker: | Barbier, Benard & Turenne |
| Year Made: | 1909 |
| Marks and Number: | U.S.L.H.E. 214 |
| Order of Apparatus: | 2nd |
| Inside Diameter: | 1400 mm, (55.5") |
| Light Characteristic: | Double white flash every 10 seconds, Thus; Flash, 0.3 sec, Eclipse 2.2 sec., Flash 0.3 sec., Eclipse 7.2 sec. Total of 10 seconds. |
| Time of Revolution: | 20 seconds. |
| Flash Interval: | |
| Duration of Flash: | 0.3 seconds. |
| Arc of Each Fixed Part: | |
| Number of Panels: | 4 |
| Number of Flash Panels: | 4 |
| Arc of Each: | 90 degrees at center. |
| Number of Elements in Central Drum: | Bullseye & 6 annular elements. |
| Number of Prisms Above Center Drum: | 16 annular above, 12 annular on side. |
| Number of Prisms Below Center Drum: | 6 annular. |
| Does Apparatus Revolve?: | True |
| Is There a Revolving Belt?: | False |
| Revolving Panels: | |
| How Flash is Produced: | |
| Number of Vertical Elements Panel: | |
| Fixed Lens Covered: | |
| Pedestal: | Cast iron hollow cylinder containing clockwork & steel steps into lens. |
| Service Table: | |
| Draft Tube Description: | 4" Russia iron, slip fit into damper socket. |
| Revolving Machinery: | |
| Standby and Description: | |
| Chariot Float or Balls: | Mercury float. |
| Chariot Description: | |
| Length of Drop Tube: | Cylindrical 14" d. x 94.5 ft. deep. |
| Clock Weight: | 235 lbs. |
| Length of Winding Time: | About 5 hours. |
| Drive During Rewind: | Yes. |
| Machinery Protection: | Glass paneled, brass bound case set inside cylindrical hollow dedestal. |
| Regulated: | By horizontal friction governor. |
| Lens Protection: | None. |
| How Color is Produced: | |
| Red Sectors Description: | |
| Where Color Attached: | |
| Form of Colored Glass: | |
| Lamp Description: | 1st order |
| Type of Illuminant: | Oil & oil vapor |
| Number of Spare Lamps: | 1st order Plunger & 1 55mm IOV |
| Number of Spare Burners: | 2 |
| Candle Power: | 500 IOV |
| Clock Cord Description |
| Revolving Cord: | Flexible wire cord. |
| Size of Clock Cord: | 3/8" |
| Length of Clock Cord: | 195 feet. |
| How Led: | Down tube directly below drum. |
| Diameter and Length of Clock Drum: | 6 7/8" x 12" |
| Vapor Oil Lamp |
| Number of Wicks or Mantels: | 5 wicks, 1 mantel |
| Diameter of Outside Wick: | 4 5/16" |
| Diameter of Mantel: | 55mm |
| Diameter of Circum Circle: |
| Mercury Float |
| Inside Diameter of Trough: | 6' 3" |
| Inside Depth of Trough: | 8" |
| Outside Diameter of Float: | 6' 2-5/8" |
| Depth of Float: | 8.25" |
| Weight of Mercury in Pounds: | 326.2 lbs. 148k |
| How Often is Mercury Renewed: | Added to after 1 year. |
| Closets and Store Rooms |
| Tower Closet Use: | 7 closets & pantry, fitted with shelves & wall hooks. Used for clothing & light storage. |
| Oil House Description: | Sub-cellar of tower. 75 sq. feet. floor area. |
| Oil House Inside Dimension: | 9' 2" clear ht. |
| Oil House Construction Material: | Brick lining. |
| Oil House Capacity: | 400 cans or 2000 gals. |
| Other (Describe): | Cellar under engine room contains cistern, coalbin, heater, pressure tank; sub-cellar below that contains oil room, power punps & general storage. |
| Suitability: | Dry & suitable. |
| Fog Signal General |
| Fog Signal Kind: | 1st class compressed air siren. |
| Time to Start: | 15 minutes. |
| How Long Will Pressure Last: | Pressure must be continuously maintained. |
| Manufacturer: | Crosby Automatic Signal |
| Year of Manufacture: | |
| Characteristic: | 2 sec. blast, 13 sec. silent, 2 sec. blast, 13 sec. silent. |
| Duplication: | Compressors, Crosby apparatus, siren cases, trumpets & necessary piping. |
| Timing Device: | Crosby Automatic Signal timer. |
| If whistle, siren, or trumpet, Pressure at Which Blown: | 6" at 35 lbs. |
| Height Above Water: | 44 feet. |
| Compass Direction: | 222 degrees 11' (SW 1/4 3) |
| Location: | In midst of group of reefs off mouth of Washington Harbor, Principally for general navigation. |
| Distance and Direction: | Located ina room of the tower. |
| Water Supply: | Well blasted in rock at base of the pier, morth side. |
| Reached from Lighthouse: | By steel ladder down outside of pier. |
| Description of Fog Signal Building: | Machinery located in room of tower at pier deck leve. Room circular 25 ft. diam. Concrete floor on steel beams, white enameled tile wainscoting, Walls & ceiling plastered & tinted. |
| Pressure And Recording Gauge: |
| Steam Signal |
| Steam Boiler: | |
| Kind: | |
| Tube: | |
| Dimensions: | |
| Length: | |
| Diameter: | |
| Tube Description: | |
| Steam Tube Diameter: | |
| Steam Furnace Kind: | |
| Furnace Length: | |
| Furnace Width: | |
| Furnace Height: | |
| Steam Heat Surface: | |
| Steam Grate Surface: | |
| Number of Grate Bars: | |
| Kind of Grate Bars: | |
| Steam Fuel: | |
| Steam Safety Valve: | |
| Steam Maximum Pressure: | |
| Steam Working Pressure: | |
| Steam Diameter of Smokestack: | |
| Smokestack Height: | |
| Drum Dimension: | |
| Steam Drum Diameter: | |
| Steam Covering: | |
| Steam Boiler Condition: | |
| Steam Boiler Built: | |
| Where Built: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| Steam Heater: | True |
| Kind: | Gruney |
| Size: | 455 C |
| Heater Time Affect: | For heating the tower room. |
| Steam Engine Kind: | |
| Steam Engine Revolutions: | |
| Steam Engine Cyl. Diameter: | |
| Steam Engine Piston Stroke: | |
| Steam Engine Pipe Size: | |
| Steam Engine When Built: | |
| Steam Engine Where Built: | |
| Manufacturer: |
| Siren Signal |
| Siren: | Cylindrical |
| Siren Diameter: | 6" |
| Siren Built Date: | 1907-1908 |
| Siren Manufacturer: | 3rd Districk lamp shop. |
| Siren Ports: | 20 - 1/16" x 2.75" |
| Siren Revolutions: | |
| Siren Governor: | Friction blocks |
| Siren Condition: | Good. |
| Internal Combustion Signal |
| Fog Signal Kind: | |
| Internal Combustion Kind: | Vertical, 2 cylinder |
| Internal Combustion Manufacturer: | Meitz & Weiss, NY. |
| Internal Combustion Date: | 1907 |
| Internal Combustion Size: | 8" x 8" |
| Internal Combustion Horsepower: | 24 hp |
| Internal Combustion Fuel: | Mineral oil |
| Internal Combustion Starter: | Ignitor balls heated by torch. |
| Compressor Maker: | Meitz & Weiss, 1907 |
| Compressor Seat: | On same bed & connected to single crank shaft. |
| Compressor Machinery: | 3-cylinder oil engine modified to use 2 cylinders for power & 1 for compression. |
| Compressor Diameter: | |
| Compressor Stroke: | |
| Compressor RPMs: | |
| Character of Air Inlet: | |
| Kind of Unloader: | |
| Diameter of Delivery Pipe: |
| Trumpet Signal |
| Trumpet: | Siren horn |
| Trumpet Length: | 9 feet |
| Trumpet Diameter: | 5" & 18" |
| Trumpet Material: | Copper. |
| Dwelling |
| Location: | Included therein. |
| Coloring: | All walls flat light buff tint on plaster. Woodwork dark oak varnished. |
| Construction Materials: | See description of tower. |
| Number of Rooms: | 4; office & bath, kitchen & mess, 2 bedrooms. |
| Number of Dwellings: | |
| Heating Plant: | |
| Number of Keepers: | 1 keeper & 3 assistants. |
| Furnished Quarters: | |
| NOT Furnished Quarters: | |
| Outhouses: | None. |
| Outhouse Coloring: | |
| Paths and Walks: | None. Pier deck 12 ft. wide around tower, paved with brick. |
| Area Inclosed: | None. |
| Area of Garden: | None. |
| Area Timber or Shrubbery: | |
| Cultivation Area Available: | |
| Area Cultivated: | |
| Character of Surroundings: | Ignious trap rock. |
| Stove, Maker: | Michigan Stove Works, Detroit, Mich. |
| Stove, Size: | Garland, 8-5-L |
| Sink, Maker: | Standard Sanitary Mfg. Co. Pittsburgh, Pa. |
| Sink, Size: | 20" x 30" |
| Pump, Maker: | McDonald Dubuque, Ia. |
| Pump, Size: | #4, 2.5" cyl. |
| Lamps: | All 5th order Improved table lamps. |
| Water |
| How Procured: | Well blasted in rock. |
| Quality: | Good. |
| Quantity: | Ample. |
| Injury Possible: | Well may become filled with brick fragments & piping damaged by ice. |
| Purity Precaution: | No rainwater caught. |
| Tank Capacity: | Cistern 1300 gal. Tank 500 gal. in celler. |
| Tank Material: | Cistern or brick plastered; tank of steel. |
| Distilling Apparatus: | False |
| Distilling Manufacturer: | |
| Well Description: | Balsted well, bup shaped, rough blasted 4' deep. |
| Well Diameter: | Curbing 3' x 4' |
| Well Lining: | With timber curbing. |
| Pump or Bucket: | Pump |
| What Power Used: | Power pumps in sub-cellar force it into pressure t |
| Distance from Dwelling: |
| Healthfulness |
| General Opinion: | Excellent |
| Diseases: | No sickness |
| Prevalency: | |
| Local Causes: | |
| Recommended Improvements: |
| Miscellaneous |
| Access to Lighthouse: | Landing pier 11' x 24', 4 ft. above water of mass concrete anchored to rock bottom with iron dowels, fitted with hand holes & tie rings. South side of main pier. |
| Distance and Direction: | Directly against main pier extending 24' S'ly normal to & radically from pier cylinder. |
| Miscellaneous Remarks: | 6 ton lron crane is mounted on pier deck at S side of tower over landing. Run by hoisting engine in engine room. 8 steam radiators provide heat for entirer station. |
| Boats |
| Boat #1 | |
| Boat Number: | 1 |
| Type: | Sail |
| Length: | 4' 4" |
| Width: | 16' |
| When Built: | Old |
| Date Harbored at Station: | 6/29/09 |
| Sails: | True |
| Suited to Work: | No |
| Boat #2 | |
| Boat Number: | 1 |
| Type: | Clinker row |
| Length: | 4' |
| Width: | 16' |
| When Built: | 1910 |
| Date Harbored at Station: | 9/4/10 |
| Sails: | False |
| Suited to Work: | Yes |
| Hoisting Engines |
| Hoisting Engine Kind: | Horizontal, 2 cylinder, double drum. |
| Engine RPMs: | 75-300 |
| Engine Diameter: | 6" |
| Engine Stroke: | 8" |
| Engine Boiler: | Operated by compressed air. |
| Engine Maker and Date: | Thos. Carlin Sons Co., Allegheny, Pa., |
| Serial Number: | No. 1881 |
| Cylinders and Size: | |
| Horsepower: | |
| Fuel: | |
| Hoist Starter: | |
| Hoist Miscellaneous: |
| Miscellaneous |
| General Information: | |
| Boats on Station: | On pier deck, 30 feet above water. |