Report for Thimble Shoal (Virginia) - 1915
| General |
| District: | 5th |
| Inspector: | J. W. Mayo & C. H. Vinson |
| Location: | On N'ly side of channel, about 3.5 miles from Old Point Comfort, VA., in 1 3/4 fathoms of water on shoal off Horseshoe. |
| Date of Report: | 05/26/1915 |
| Latitude: | 37° 00' 52" |
| Longitude: | 76° 14' 24" |
| Premises |
| Site: | In navigable waters |
| Date of Reservation: | |
| Date of Deed: | |
| Date of Permission: | |
| Date of Lease: | |
| Area of the Entire Site: | |
| Area Inclosed: | |
| Character of Soil: | |
| Distance of tower from Nearest High-Water Mark: | In navigable water |
| Inclosures to Premises / Type of Fence: | |
| Wharf or Landing on Premises: | On SE & NW by swinging iron ladders; on SW by rope ladder & landing boom. |
| Road to Land or Wharf Chararacter of and Distance: | |
| Means to Reach Light Station: | By boat from Old Point Comfort, VA. |
| Distance to Nearest Road: | |
| Distance to Post Office: | Fortress Monroe, 3.5 miles distant |
| Distance to Village: | |
| Facilities for Public Conveyance: | |
| Facilities for Private Conveyance: | |
| Means Used for Support of Lantern: | Red conical tower forming dwelling, supported by brown cylindrical pier. |
| Number of Separate Lights: | 1 |
| First Built or Established: | 1872 |
| Last Rebuilt, Repaired, or Renovated: | New bldg completed March, 1915 |
| Condition at This Date: | |
| Shape of Tower in Plan: | |
| Form of Tower: | |
| Height from Base to Ventilator Ball: | |
| Height of Focal Plane Above Mean High Water: | 55' |
| Background of Lighthouse as Seen from Sea: | Wooded shoreline from Fortress Monroe to Back River Light. |
| Color of Tower: | Red - made from red lead & venetian red |
| Color of Tower/ How Produced: | |
| Tower Connection: | Tower forms dwelling |
| Object of Navigation: | Bay & channel for purposes of general navigation. |
| Building Materials: | Cast iron, steel & concrete |
| General Description: | |
| Wall Thickness at Base: | |
| Wall Thickness at Parapet: | |
| Diameter at Base: | |
| Diameter at Parapet: | |
| Kind of Stairway and Steps: | Cast iron, spiral in center of tower. |
| Number of Landings: | |
| Size of Glass: | 25 1/4 dia. x 1/4" plate glass |
| Number of Windows and Size of Sash: | As per drawings. |
| Number of Doors: | As per drawings. |
| Kind of Foundation and Depth Below Surface: | |
| Character of Soil Surrounding the Lighthouse: | |
| Soil Susceptibility: | |
| Miscellaneous Remarks: |
| Lantern and Fixtures |
| Order of Lantern: | 4th |
| Shape of Lantern: | Cylindrical |
| Diameter to Glass: | 7' |
| Diameter in the Clear: | |
| Number of Sides: | |
| Type of Bars: | Helical |
| Thickness of Bars: | |
| Height Glazed: | One pane |
| Number of Plates in Height: | One |
| Number of Plates Each Side: | |
| Thickness of Plates: | 1/4" |
| Size of Plates: | Size as per drawings |
| Number of Storm Panes: | |
| Unglazed Side of Lantern: | Glazed full circumference |
| What Bearings: | |
| Construction Material Lantern: | Cast iron, steel lining- brass strips |
| Construction Material Roof / Cowl: | Cast iron with sheet zinc lining. |
| Ventilator / Cowl: | Cast iron |
| Lightning Spindle: | Bronze with platinum tip. |
| Description of Lightning Rod: | |
| Balustrade: | Steel balustrade on cast iron deck. |
| Lantern Doors: | Cast iron, steel lined, brass hinges & latch - on rubber gasket. |
| Floor of Lantern: | Cast iron |
| Watchroom Doors: | Steel doors, each floor to stairwell - with brass hinges & lock |
| Parapet Diameter: |
| Ventilators |
| Location / Number: | 4 in parapet walls |
| Ladders / Cleaning Arrangement: | None |
| Curtain Hooks / Hanger: | Hartshorn spring rollers in brackets |
| Watchroom |
| How is Watchroom Fitted: | Zinc covered service table, 2 closets with shelves, 1 heating stove. |
| How is Relief Called: | Electric bell |
| Where is Call System Led: | From clock in pedestal to below stair column, 1st floor. |
| Illuminating Apparatus |
| Kind of Apparatus: | 10 hours |
| Intensity in Candles: | 7200 |
| Name of Maker: | Barbier, Benard & Turenne, Paris |
| Year Made: | 1911 |
| Marks and Number: | 9334 |
| Order of Apparatus: | 4th |
| Inside Diameter: | 19.5" |
| Light Characteristic: | |
| Time of Revolution: | 6 sec. |
| Flash Interval: | |
| Duration of Flash: | |
| Arc of Each Fixed Part: | |
| Number of Panels: | 3 |
| Number of Flash Panels: | 3 |
| Arc of Each: | 60 degrees |
| Number of Elements in Central Drum: | 5 |
| Number of Prisms Above Center Drum: | 6 |
| Number of Prisms Below Center Drum: | 3 |
| 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: | 4 - 2" steel columns, supporting clock case & lens |
| Service Table: | |
| Draft Tube Description: | None |
| Revolving Machinery: | |
| Standby and Description: | |
| Chariot Float or Balls: | Balls |
| Chariot Description: | |
| Length of Drop Tube: | Stairwell column - see drawings |
| Clock Weight: | 200 lbs |
| Length of Winding Time: | 10 hours |
| Drive During Rewind: | Yes |
| Machinery Protection: | Glass case in brass frame |
| Regulated: | Centrifugal friction governor |
| Lens Protection: | Linen |
| How Color is Produced: | |
| Red Sectors Description: | |
| Where Color Attached: | |
| Form of Colored Glass: | |
| Lamp Description: | 4th |
| Type of Illuminant: | IOV |
| Number of Spare Lamps: | 1 |
| Number of Spare Burners: | |
| Candle Power: | 600 |
| Clock Cord Description |
| Revolving Cord: | Std. 5th order clock cord |
| Size of Clock Cord: | 1/8" |
| Length of Clock Cord: | 225 |
| How Led: | Vertically from clock drum |
| Diameter and Length of Clock Drum: | 5" dia. x 6" long |
| Chariot Balls |
| Balls Description: | Semi-circular |
| Cage to Separate Balls: | False |
| Number of Balls: | 24 |
| Diameter of Balls: | 5/8" |
| Vapor Oil Lamp |
| Number of Wicks or Mantels: | 1 |
| Diameter of Outside Wick: | |
| Diameter of Mantel: | 35 mm |
| Diameter of Circum Circle: |
| Occulting Light |
| Characteristic: | 1 sec. light, 1 sec dark |
| Time Limit: | 4 to 10 sec. per revolution. |
| Eclipse Type: | Opaque panels |
| Size and Amplitude: | |
| Axis Rotation: | Vertical |
| Axis Relation: | Coincident |
| Screen Revolution: | Parts of lens |
| Screen Number: | 3 |
| Screen Time: | 6 sec |
| Screen Form: | Std. 4th order fixed lens |
| Screen Mounting: | Same as lens |
| Screen Order: | No. 1 Type C., Gen'l Depot |
| Screen Date: | 1914 |
| Valve Maker: | |
| Valve Pattern: | |
| Reliability: |
| Closets and Store Rooms |
| Tower Closet Use: | See drawings |
| Oil House Description: | In basement |
| Oil House Inside Dimension: | See drawings |
| Oil House Construction Material: | Concrete with iron door |
| Oil House Capacity: | 300 5-gal cans |
| Other (Describe): | 1 - basement; 3 - 1st floor; 3 - 2nd floor; 3 - 4th floor; as per drawings |
| Suitability: | Suited |
| Fog Signal General |
| Fog Signal Kind: | #3 Daboll Trumpet |
| Time to Start: | 8 to 10 min |
| How Long Will Pressure Last: | 12 min. |
| Manufacturer: | |
| Year of Manufacture: | |
| Characteristic: | 2 sec blast, 4 sec silent |
| Duplication: | Engines, operating clocks, supply tanks, fuel tanks. |
| Timing Device: | Crosby Automatic signal |
| If whistle, siren, or trumpet, Pressure at Which Blown: | 10 lbs |
| Height Above Water: | 65' |
| Compass Direction: | Vertical |
| Location: | Machinery in basement, horn on NW side of lantern - its mouth 10' above focal plane. |
| Distance and Direction: | On lighthouse |
| Water Supply: | Cisterns & gravity for fresh water. Salt water tank supplied by hand pump for circulating water. |
| Reached from Lighthouse: | On lighthouse |
| Description of Fog Signal Building: | N side of basement as shown on drawings. |
| Pressure And Recording Gauge: |
| Internal Combustion Signal |
| Fog Signal Kind: | |
| Internal Combustion Kind: | Oil |
| Internal Combustion Manufacturer: | Meitz & Weiss |
| Internal Combustion Date: | 1914 |
| Internal Combustion Size: | 8 x 10 |
| Internal Combustion Horsepower: | 12 |
| Internal Combustion Fuel: | Kerosene |
| Internal Combustion Starter: | Compressed air |
| Compressor Maker: | Meitz & Weiss, 1914 7" x 10" in duplicate. |
| Compressor Seat: | Direct connected |
| Compressor Machinery: | Single end compressor with disc valve. starter engine - 1 Siever Krapp Eng., Co. Racine, WI - 1.5 HP operating Gardner Rix Compressor of 5 cu. ft. per min. cab. |
| Compressor Diameter: | |
| Compressor Stroke: | |
| Compressor RPMs: | |
| Character of Air Inlet: | |
| Kind of Unloader: | |
| Diameter of Delivery Pipe: |
| Daboll Signal |
| Daboll: | 3rd class |
| Daboll Reed: | |
| Daboll Length: | 8.5 |
| Daboll Breadth: | 2 1/4 |
| Daboll Base Thickness: | 3/8 |
| Daboll Tip Thickness: | 5/16 |
| Trumpet Signal |
| Trumpet: | |
| Trumpet Length: | 7' |
| Trumpet Diameter: | 3 1/8" & 10.5" |
| Trumpet Material: | Copper |
| Dwelling |
| Location: | In tower |
| Coloring: | Staple red |
| Construction Materials: | Cast iron & reinforced concrete |
| Number of Rooms: | 6 |
| Number of Dwellings: | |
| Heating Plant: | Raymond Mfg. Co., Middletown PA; #10 Acme |
| Number of Keepers: | 3 keepers |
| Furnished Quarters: | |
| NOT Furnished Quarters: | |
| Outhouses: | |
| Outhouse Coloring: | |
| Paths and Walks: | |
| Area Inclosed: | |
| Area of Garden: | |
| Area Timber or Shrubbery: | |
| Cultivation Area Available: | |
| Area Cultivated: | |
| Character of Surroundings: | Water |
| Stove, Maker: | Wm. E. Wood |
| Stove, Size: | #7 cooking |
| Sink, Maker: | |
| Sink, Size: | 18 x 26 |
| Pump, Maker: | Deming |
| Pump, Size: | 1 1/4" suction |
| Lamps: |
| Water |
| How Procured: | Fresh water from roof; salt water from pump overboard |
| Quality: | Good |
| Quantity: | Ample |
| Injury Possible: | Not if cistern cover is kept properly closed. |
| Purity Precaution: | None |
| Tank Capacity: | Salt water tank in basement 400 gal; 2 Fresh water cisterns built in foundation 3780 gal. cap. |
| Tank Material: | Concrete cisterns, steel salt water tank |
| Distilling Apparatus: | False |
| Distilling Manufacturer: | |
| Well Description: | Salt water well conn'd overboard by 4" CI pipe bedded in concrete & extends abt. 3' below water. |
| Well Diameter: | 4" |
| Well Lining: | C I pipe |
| Pump or Bucket: | Pump |
| What Power Used: | |
| Distance from Dwelling: |
| Healthfulness |
| General Opinion: | Healthful |
| Diseases: | |
| Prevalency: | |
| Local Causes: | |
| Recommended Improvements: |
| Miscellaneous |
| Access to Lighthouse: | There is 7' of water alongside lighthouse at all stages of tide. Landing made from small boats on to a swinging ladder on SE & NW sides or by means of rope ladder & landing door on SW sides |
| Distance and Direction: | SE - SW & NW |
| Miscellaneous Remarks: |
| Boats |
| Boat #1 | |
| Boat Number: | 291 |
| Type: | Row |
| Length: | 2' 9" |
| Width: | 16' |
| When Built: | May, 1913 |
| Date Harbored at Station: | Oct., 1913 |
| Sails: | False |
| Suited to Work: | Not suited |
| Boat #2 | |
| Boat Number: | 261 |
| Type: | Motor |
| Length: | 6' |
| Width: | 18' |
| When Built: | Apr. 1910 |
| Date Harbored at Station: | Apr., 1915 |
| Sails: | True |
| Suited to Work: | Yes, fairly |
| Power Boat |
| Engine Type: | Victor |
| Horsepower: | 4 |
| Engine Maker: | |
| Spare Coil: | |
| Magnet: | Kingston Magneto |
| Battery: | Columbia No. 6 - 6 cells |
| Propeller Diameter: | 18" |
| Propeller Pitch: |
| Hoisting Engines |
| Hoisting Engine Kind: | Boats hoisted by hand geared hoist. |
| Engine RPMs: | |
| Engine Diameter: | |
| Engine Stroke: | |
| Engine Boiler: | |
| Engine Maker and Date: | |
| Serial Number: | |
| Cylinders and Size: | |
| Horsepower: | |
| Fuel: | |
| Hoist Starter: | |
| Hoist Miscellaneous: |
| Miscellaneous |
| General Information: | New Launch now being built. |
| Boats on Station: | On davits projecting fom veranda deck |