Report for South Manitou (Michigan) - 1910

General
District: 9th
Inspector: Francis J. Otter, Draftsman
Location: On SE'ly point of S Manitou Island, MI. NE'ly part of Lake Michigan. Mar var. 0 degrees 15' E 1908
Date of Report: 03/03/1910
Latitude: 45° 00' 28" North
Longitude: 86° 05' 40" West
Premises
Site: Site reserved by President of US. being part of Lot 1, Sec 10, Tp. 30, NR 15W
Date of Reservation: 06/16/1839
Date of Deed:
Date of Permission: 06/16/1839
Date of Lease:
Area of the Entire Site: 10.15 acres by original survey of A.E. Hatton, July, 1839; 12.63 acres according to survey of Geo. Y. Wisner, Sept. 1-4, 1884.
Area Inclosed: 0.66 acres
Character of Soil: Land & gravel.
Distance of tower from Nearest High-Water Mark: 74' East of tower to shore line.
Inclosures to Premises / Type of Fence: Reservation isnot fenced in. Tower, dwelling, shed & privy are fenced in with picket fences. There is a wire fence around the garden, size 135' x 171' 6".
Wharf or Landing on Premises: Boat landing directly in front of fog signal house, also one constructed by USLSS in front of boat house.
Road to Land or Wharf Chararacter of and Distance: From tower to boat landing in front of fog signal house, 3 plank walk, 134 lineal feet.
Means to Reach Light Station: By mail boat from Glen Haven, MI., or by boat chartered in shore towns in this vicinity.
Distance to Nearest Road: About 1 1/4 miles, more or less, to nearest steamboat landing.
Distance to Post Office: About 1 1/4 miles more or less.
Distance to Village: Seven miles to Glen Haven, MI.
Facilities for Public Conveyance: None, other that mail boat from Glen Haven.
Facilities for Private Conveyance: None.
Means Used for Support of Lantern: Brick tower.
Number of Separate Lights: 1
First Built or Established: Light, 1840; Fog signal, 1875.
Last Rebuilt, Repaired, or Renovated: Light, 1872; Fog signal reconstructed 1897.
Condition at This Date: Fair
Shape of Tower in Plan: Round
Form of Tower: Conical
Height from Base to Ventilator Ball: 99' 6"; Height from base to focal plane, 91'
Height of Focal Plane Above Mean High Water: 104'
Background of Lighthouse as Seen from Sea: Trees & foliage of surrounding country.
Color of Tower: White
Color of Tower/ How Produced: Whitewash - stacked lime, etc.
Tower Connection: Connected by brick covered way. 8' 2" x 44'
Object of Navigation: Harbor light. Guide to S Manitou Harbor & passage btwn Manitou Islands.
Building Materials: Stone, brick & cast stone.
General Description:
Wall Thickness at Base: 5' 2"; Exterior wall 2'; Interior wall 12"; Air space 3' 3".
Wall Thickness at Parapet: Exterior wall 1' 4"; Interior wall 8"; 4" air space; total = 2' 4"
Diameter at Base: Exterior 18' 4"; Interior dia. 8'
Diameter at Parapet: Exterior 12' 8"; Interior dia. 8'
Kind of Stairway and Steps: Cast iron; base to 1st floor - 24 steps; 1st - 2nd floor - 26 steps; 2nd - 3rd fl. & 3rd - 4th fl. 25 steps.
Number of Landings: 4, 3 of 180 degrees.
Size of Glass: 10" x 16"
Number of Windows and Size of Sash: 3 at upper landing, semi-circular head, 14" x 37.5" x 1 3/8" double; 4 below landing square head 14 x 38 x 1 3/8 double.
Number of Doors: Entrance at base of tower, double 3' 10" x 7' 4" x 1 3/4"; covered way down to tower of plate metal, 5' x 7' 3" x 3/16"
Kind of Foundation and Depth Below Surface: Stone, 13'; supported on timber grillage and piles.
Character of Soil Surrounding the Lighthouse: Sand & gravel.
Soil Susceptibility: On portion of L-H reservation, but not in immediate vicinity of dwelling.
Miscellaneous Remarks: Tower is supported on pile foundation, near shore line; shore line protected by log cribs, placed at right angles & extending out into lake. 4 cribs, each 12' x 48', averaging 100' btwn used for beach protection.
Lantern and Fixtures
Order of Lantern: 3rd
Shape of Lantern: Polygonal
Diameter to Glass: 7' 8.5" btwn storm sash; 8' 2.5" btwn plate glass.
Diameter in the Clear: 8' 3"
Number of Sides: 10
Type of Bars: Vertical
Thickness of Bars:
Height Glazed: 5' 10"
Number of Plates in Height: One
Number of Plates Each Side: One; 9 light sides only.
Thickness of Plates: 1/4"
Size of Plates: 31 1/4" x 69 5/8" for outer plates; 29 1/4" x 68" for storm plates.
Number of Storm Panes: 9
Unglazed Side of Lantern: 1 of 36 degrees
What Bearings:
Construction Material Lantern: Cast iron framework, with sheet copper roof & zinc interior lining.
Construction Material Roof / Cowl: Of sheet copper secured to iron frame work.
Ventilator / Cowl: Of copper
Lightning Spindle: Copper point on ventilator ball with platinum tip.
Description of Lightning Rod: Copper cable, 1/2" dia., attached to parapet deck, leads down NW side of tower to moisture, also copper cable, 1/2" dia. leads from base of stairway through wall to moisture.
Balustrade: Outside gallery is of cast iron, 17.5" in width at angles of lantern panels, metal railing around gallery 19" in height.
Lantern Doors: Trap door in floor of lantern, entrance from stairway. Entrance to outside gallery are double doors, each 10 1/4" x 5' 5 1/4" x 1 1/4"
Floor of Lantern: Of cast iron, 3/4" thick. Gallery around lens is also of cast iron.
Watchroom Doors: Trap door of plate metal in floor of watchroom.
Parapet Diameter: 7' 7" inscribed dia.
Ventilators
Location / Number: Built in brick parapet wall, below lens of cast iron, with 6.5" brass shutters.
Ladders / Cleaning Arrangement: Ladder from parapet to upper gallery of wrought iron, 7' 2.5" long, 12" wide.
Curtain Hooks / Hanger: None required. Lantern is fitted with "Hartshorn" selfacting 1 1/8" shade rollers.


Watchroom
How is Watchroom Fitted: None in use in tower. Dwelling is used as watchroom.
How is Relief Called:
Where is Call System Led:
Illuminating Apparatus
Kind of Apparatus:
Intensity in Candles:
Name of Maker: Henry LePaute
Year Made:
Marks and Number: Henry LePaute A Paris
Order of Apparatus: 3rd
Inside Diameter: 3' 3 3/8"
Light Characteristic: Fixed white
Time of Revolution:
Flash Interval:
Duration of Flash:
Arc of Each Fixed Part: 4 panels of 72 degrees & 1 small prismatic panel & hinged door forming reflector of 72 degrees.
Number of Panels: 5, 4 light & 1 reflector panel.
Number of Flash Panels:
Arc of Each:
Number of Elements in Central Drum: 13
Number of Prisms Above Center Drum: 11
Number of Prisms Below Center Drum: 4
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: Of cast iron, height from floor 5' 10"; shaft 8" dia., base 23" dia.
Service Table: None
Draft Tube Description: Of Russia sheet iron, 3 29/32" dia. 15" long; slides in upper collar on tube, fitted over chimney & leads to top of lens.
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:
Red Sectors Description:
Where Color Attached:
Form of Colored Glass:
Lamp Description: Regular 3rd order, improved lamp plunger type.
Type of Illuminant:
Number of Spare Lamps: 1
Number of Spare Burners: 2
Candle Power:


Vapor Oil Lamp
Number of Wicks or Mantels: 3 wicks
Diameter of Outside Wick: 2 5/8"
Diameter of Mantel:
Diameter of Circum Circle:
Closets and Store Rooms
Tower Closet Use: Small closet in wall in room below lantern; size 2' 1" x 3' 2" used for storage of extra burners, chimneys, etc. Fitted up with 2 shelves.
Oil House Description: (1) brick oil house 74' N of front line of dwelling, hasn't any shelving. (2) Plate metal brick lined oil house, 30' 6" NE of NE corner of brick oil house.
Oil House Inside Dimension: (1) 5' 4" x 7' 2"; (2) 7' dia.
Oil House Construction Material: (1) Pressed brick with sheet iron roof. (2) Plate metal walls & roof; walls brick lined.
Oil House Capacity: (1) 90 5-gal cans; (2) 72 5-gal cans.
Other (Describe): Attic of dwelling used as main store room for supplies, such as chimneys, wicks, wipers, etc.
Suitability: Dry & well suited to purpose for which used.
Fog Signal General
Fog Signal Kind: 10" steam whistle (standard) operated by steam boilers & steam engines; design of 1896 (Fog signal station was established 1875).
Time to Start: Averages 60 minutes
How Long Will Pressure Last:
Manufacturer: Boilers: Kingsford Foundry & Mach. Co., Oswego, NY; Engines by Detroit Locomotive Works, Detroit, MI
Year of Manufacture: 1897 (design of 1896)
Characteristic: 8 sec. blast with interval of 52 sec & repeat
Duplication: Boilers & engines
Timing Device: Cam on cam wheel of engine
If whistle, siren, or trumpet, Pressure at Which Blown: 80 lbs
Height Above Water: 28'
Compass Direction:
Location: Marks entrance to S Manitou Harbor, & passage btwn island & mainland
Distance and Direction: About 100' NE'ly from tower
Water Supply: Obtained from dug well
Reached from Lighthouse: By plank walks, 3 planks wide.
Description of Fog Signal Building: Frame bldg, 18' x 30' x 10' high to plate, with addition for coal bin & storeroom, 18' x 30' x 10' abutting, making same T shape on plan of ext. of bldg sheathed & sided. Interior walls & ceiling of FS bldg sheathed & lined with #26 sheet steel.
Pressure And Recording Gauge:
Steam Signal
Steam Boiler: Thomas Kingsford "Compact" Marine, open bottom, semi-circular hood, 3/8 flange steel outer sheet, 5/16" & 3/8" flange steel sheets for firebox & comb.
Kind: Marine
Tube: Flue tube
Dimensions: Height 7' 10"
Length: 6' 6 3/4"
Diameter: 4' 9 3/4"
Tube Description: 102 - 4' 10 1/4" (net 4' 9.5")
Steam Tube Diameter: 2.5"
Steam Furnace Kind: Part of boiler, drop head
Furnace Length: 5' 1"
Furnace Width: 4' 3"
Furnace Height: 21" avg.
Steam Heat Surface: 393.95 sq. ft.
Steam Grate Surface: 21.75 sq. ft.
Number of Grate Bars: 18 - 5' long
Kind of Grate Bars: Cast iron, double bars, spade ends.
Steam Fuel: Wood generally used.
Steam Safety Valve: Ball & lever valve, 2.5" brass seats, screw ends
Steam Maximum Pressure: 120#
Steam Working Pressure: 80#
Steam Diameter of Smokestack: 20" dia.
Smokestack Height: 34'
Drum Dimension: 5' 3.5"
Steam Drum Diameter: 2' 6.5" outside
Steam Covering: None
Steam Boiler Condition: Good
Steam Boiler Built: 1897
Where Built: Oswego, NY
Manufacturer: Kingsford Foundry & Machine Co.
Steam Heater: False
Kind:
Size:
Heater Time Affect:
Steam Engine Kind: Horizontal
Steam Engine Revolutions: 120 rpm
Steam Engine Cyl. Diameter: 4"
Steam Engine Piston Stroke: 6"
Steam Engine Pipe Size: 3/4"
Steam Engine When Built: 1897
Steam Engine Where Built: Detroit, MI
Manufacturer: Detroit Locomotive Works


Whistle Signal
Whistle Diameter: 10"
Whistle Height: 19" inside
Whistle Orifice:
Whistle Tone: Single tone
Whistle Chime:
Dwelling
Location: Brick dwelling is 44' NW'ly in rear of tower. Size of dwelling 30' 2" x 32' 3", connected w/ tower w/ brick covered way.
Coloring: White, stone foundation; buff, elevation; bronze green, cornice & window frames; red roof.
Construction Materials: Stone foundations, brick walls; floors, partitions & roofs are of ordinary construction.
Number of Rooms: 3 rooms in basement, 3 rooms 1st floor & 4 rooms on 2nd floor; also pantry & 5 closets.
Number of Dwellings: 1
Heating Plant:
Number of Keepers: Keeper & 2 assts. occupy single dwelling.
Furnished Quarters:
NOT Furnished Quarters:
Outhouses: Boat house 21' 2" x 36' 2"; Barn 20' 4" x 24' 4"; Woodshed 14' 8" x 16' 2"; Privy 6' 2" x 7' 2"
Outhouse Coloring: Boat house, lead color, green roof; Barn, whitewashed; Woodshed & privy, whitewashed elevations, red roofs.
Paths and Walks: There are walks to all outbldgs, a total of 315' 6" of concrete walks around dwelling, balance of walks are of planks.
Area Inclosed: Dwellings & outbldgs are enclosed by fencing 0.66 acres.
Area of Garden: No garden - on acct. of shifting sand.
Area Timber or Shrubbery: About 8 acres, more or less.
Cultivation Area Available: None on L-H reservation.
Area Cultivated: None
Character of Surroundings: Shifting sand, sand & gravel & sandy loam. Farms in vicinity of station have mostly soil of sandy loam.
Stove, Maker:
Stove, Size:
Sink, Maker:
Sink, Size:
Pump, Maker:
Pump, Size:
Lamps:
Water
How Procured: For Fog signal, by dug well. For domestic use, by driven well.
Quality: Good
Quantity: Ample
Injury Possible: Not liable
Purity Precaution: Cistern, under dwelling is generally cleaned out annually.
Tank Capacity: Cistern is under dwelling, 7' 4" x 7' 6" x 7.5'; 1017 gals.; Tank in F.S. bldg 7' 6" dia., 7' high, 2019 gals.
Tank Material: Cistern is of brick, cement coated. Tank is of metal, plate steel.
Distilling Apparatus: False
Distilling Manufacturer:
Well Description: F.S. well, 12' deep, 5' below water level. Driven well pipe, driven down to abt. 8' below water level.
Well Diameter: F.S. well, 2' 6" x 2' 6"; Driven well 1 1/4" galv. iron pipe.
Well Lining: F.S. well, plank curbing.
Pump or Bucket: Pumps
What Power Used:
Distance from Dwelling: Abt. 75' to driven well from kitchen. F.S. well is S of bldg abt. 10'.
Healthfulness
General Opinion: Generally good health prevails.
Diseases:
Prevalency:
Local Causes: None
Recommended Improvements: Drainage unnecessary
Miscellaneous
Access to Lighthouse: Boat landing 8' x 8" made of 2" x 6" stock spiked together; crib is fitted with stone & connected with abutment of timber, inside shore line by 12' span, abt. 3' of water at end of crib. Boathouse erected 1901, located on US Life Saving Station reserve.
Distance and Direction: From tower to landing 134' in NE'ly direction. From tower to Boathouse abt. 1430' in N'ly direction.
Miscellaneous Remarks: There is a US Life Saving Station near lighthouse reservation. There is a Weather Bureau Signal Station on island, being a steel tower, near US Weather Bureau cable station; Electrical connection with mainland.