Report for Cape Blanco (Oregon) - 1881
| General |
| District: | 13th |
| Inspector: | G.L. Gillespie, Maj. of Engineers |
| Location: | Located on the W'rly extremity of Cape Blanco, Seacoast of Oregon. |
| Date of Report: | 05/16/1881 |
| Latitude: | 42° 50' 07" |
| Longitude: | 124° 32' 29" |
| Premises |
| Site: | |
| Date of Reservation: | |
| Date of Deed: | |
| Date of Permission: | |
| Date of Lease: | |
| Area of the Entire Site: | 47.30 acres |
| Area Inclosed: | |
| Character of Soil: | Dark, sandy loam |
| Distance of tower from Nearest High-Water Mark: | 1000' |
| Inclosures to Premises / Type of Fence: | Keeper's dwelling & tower are enclosed by a picket fence, embracing about 1 acre of land. A dividing fence on E'ly line of reservation runs across Cape from S to N side of beach. |
| Wharf or Landing on Premises: | During summer months in ordinary smooth weather a boat can land on the beach on S side of cape. |
| Road to Land or Wharf Chararacter of and Distance: | A wagon road leads from lighthouse to boat landing on S beach. On shore end for 1/4 mile the road runs zigzag up the hill with a very steep grade. |
| Means to Reach Light Station: | 200 miles by RR to Roseburg thence 60 miles by stage to Coos City, 5 miles in row boat to Utter City, 4 miles by portage RR - 3 miles by trail, down Coquille River to its mouth 25 miles in row boat, by Ocean beach & trail on horseback 25 miles to LH. |
| Distance to Nearest Road: | Steamboat landing at Port Oxford 10 miles - During summer months San Francisco & Coos Bay Steamer stops here occasionally. |
| Distance to Post Office: | 10 miles |
| Distance to Village: | 10 miles |
| Facilities for Public Conveyance: | None |
| Facilities for Private Conveyance: | Lighthouse can be reached from Port Oxford distance 10 miles, on horse back. |
| Means Used for Support of Lantern: | Tower |
| Number of Separate Lights: | 1 |
| First Built or Established: | 1870 |
| Last Rebuilt, Repaired, or Renovated: | Repaired 1879 |
| Condition at This Date: | Very good |
| Shape of Tower in Plan: | Circular |
| Form of Tower: | |
| Height from Base to Ventilator Ball: | 50' |
| Height of Focal Plane Above Mean High Water: | 250' above sea level. |
| Background of Lighthouse as Seen from Sea: | High hills covered with fir timber - in color dark. |
| Color of Tower: | White |
| Color of Tower/ How Produced: | Whitewashed |
| Tower Connection: | Detached |
| Object of Navigation: | Seacoast |
| Building Materials: | Brick |
| General Description: | |
| Wall Thickness at Base: | 4' |
| Wall Thickness at Parapet: | 20" |
| Diameter at Base: | 18' |
| Diameter at Parapet: | 14' |
| Kind of Stairway and Steps: | Iron |
| Number of Landings: | 4 |
| Size of Glass: | 10 x 14" |
| Number of Windows and Size of Sash: | 7 windows, size of sash 2' x 5' 3" |
| Number of Doors: | 2 doors in tower - oil room attached has 2 doors. |
| Kind of Foundation and Depth Below Surface: | Foundation of tower is a bed of concrete 4' thick resting at a depth of 5' on an earth foundation of clay & gravel mixed, on top of this bed of concrete commences the brick work of tower. |
| Character of Soil Surrounding the Lighthouse: | Dark, sandy loam |
| Soil Susceptibility: | Soil is well adapted to cultivation of grass, shrubbery or trees. |
| Miscellaneous Remarks: | Site is particularly distinquished for its winds & fogs - former blow w/ great violence at times & do great damage to all bldgs by hurling showers of gravel & sand against them. Fogs which set from N'd along this part of coast apparently settle around pt. |
| Lantern and Fixtures |
| Order of Lantern: | 1st |
| Shape of Lantern: | |
| Diameter to Glass: | 11' 6" |
| Diameter in the Clear: | |
| Number of Sides: | 16 |
| Type of Bars: | |
| Thickness of Bars: | |
| Height Glazed: | 9' 7" |
| Number of Plates in Height: | 3 |
| Number of Plates Each Side: | 3 |
| Thickness of Plates: | 3/8" |
| Size of Plates: | Bottom tier 31" high x 27 3/4" wide; middle 39.5" x 27 3/4"; top 44.5" x 27 3/4" |
| Number of Storm Panes: | 3 |
| Unglazed Side of Lantern: | None |
| What Bearings: | |
| Construction Material Lantern: | Iron & bronze |
| Construction Material Roof / Cowl: | Sheet copper covering an iron frame |
| Ventilator / Cowl: | Sheet copper |
| Lightning Spindle: | Iron spindle with platina point |
| Description of Lightning Rod: | Round iron 5/8" dia. attached to spindle by loop made in end of rod - it is led down by side of tower & 3' into ground, it is there led off horizontally 20' from tower & then down 6' into ground to moist earth. |
| Balustrade: | Iron |
| Lantern Doors: | 1 of lantern panes in lower tier has a bronze frame fitted & hung to lantern posts - & fitted with thumb screws to keep it in place. |
| Floor of Lantern: | Iron |
| Watchroom Doors: | Watchroom door is of iron hung with brass hinges & fitted with a spring latch. |
| Parapet Diameter: |
| Ventilators |
| Location / Number: | In parapet wall |
| Ladders / Cleaning Arrangement: | 1 of iron |
| Curtain Hooks / Hanger: | Curtains hung on rollers. |
| Watchroom |
| How is Watchroom Fitted: | Work bench lined with lockers underneath. |
| How is Relief Called: | None |
| Where is Call System Led: |
| Illuminating Apparatus |
| Kind of Apparatus: | |
| Intensity in Candles: | |
| Name of Maker: | |
| Year Made: | |
| Marks and Number: | |
| Order of Apparatus: | 1st |
| Inside Diameter: | |
| Light Characteristic: | |
| Time of Revolution: | Stationary |
| Flash Interval: | |
| Duration of Flash: | |
| Arc of Each Fixed Part: | Arc of visibility - from SE by S S'ly & W'ly to N. |
| Number of Panels: | 8 |
| Number of Flash Panels: | |
| Arc of Each: | |
| Number of Elements in Central Drum: | |
| Number of Prisms Above Center Drum: | 18 |
| Number of Prisms Below Center Drum: | 8 |
| 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: | Cast iron |
| Service Table: | None in lantern |
| Draft Tube Description: | Of iron 7.5" dia. lower end of which is tapered down to 3 3/4" dia. into which top end of damper pipe is inserted & held in place by lugs or buttons. |
| 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: | Funcks float lamp 4 wicks to burner |
| Type of Illuminant: | |
| Number of Spare Lamps: | 1 |
| Number of Spare Burners: | 3 |
| Candle Power: |
| Closets and Store Rooms |
| Tower Closet Use: | No closets in tower |
| Oil House Description: | Small 1-story bldg attached to tower, it is fitted with shelves, closets, etc. |
| Oil House Inside Dimension: | |
| Oil House Construction Material: | |
| Oil House Capacity: | 8 100-gal butts, 1 50-gal butt, 1 10-gal oil can; On cast iron stands, tops of which are covered with wood. |
| Other (Describe): | In oil room, there is a storeroom & 2 closets fitted with shelves & lockers. They are used for storing articles & material supporting to the light. |
| Suitability: | Dry & suited to purposes for which they are used. |
| Dwelling |
| Location: | 125' S from lighthouse tower. |
| Coloring: | |
| Construction Materials: | Brick |
| Number of Rooms: | 7 rooms each side. |
| Number of Dwellings: | 2 |
| Heating Plant: | |
| Number of Keepers: | Principal keeper in 1 & 2 assts in the other. |
| Furnished Quarters: | |
| NOT Furnished Quarters: | |
| Outhouses: | 2 wood houses, & 2 old construction houses that are used as stables for cows. |
| Outhouse Coloring: | |
| Paths and Walks: | Plank walk from keepers dwelling to lighthouse. |
| Area Inclosed: | About 1 acre is enclosed with a picket fence which embraces tower & keeper's dwelling |
| Area of Garden: | About 1/4 of an acre. |
| Area Timber or Shrubbery: | None |
| Cultivation Area Available: | 2 acres |
| Area Cultivated: | 1/4 acre |
| Character of Surroundings: | In immediate vicinity country is open prairie - soil sandy loam - heavy timber commences at about 1 mile from lighthouse. |
| Stove, Maker: | |
| Stove, Size: | |
| Sink, Maker: | |
| Sink, Size: | |
| Pump, Maker: | Gould #4 (2); Douglas #2; Gleason #0; Deming #2 (2) |
| Pump, Size: | All pitcher spout. |
| Lamps: |
| Water |
| How Procured: | Water for use at station is caught from roof of keeper's dwelling |
| Quality: | Good |
| Quantity: | Supply is ample |
| Injury Possible: | It is not |
| Purity Precaution: | Water is collected from roof of keepers dwelling & stored in brick cisterns underground. |
| Tank Capacity: | 2 underground brick cisterns cap'y 10,000 gals each, placed in rear of keeper's dwelling. |
| Tank Material: | Cisterns - constructed of brick, laid in cement - interior plastered with cement mortar. |
| Distilling Apparatus: | False |
| Distilling Manufacturer: | |
| Well Description: | |
| Well Diameter: | |
| Well Lining: | |
| Pump or Bucket: | Pump |
| What Power Used: | |
| Distance from Dwelling: | About 15' |
| Healthfulness |
| General Opinion: | That it is very healthy |
| Diseases: | |
| Prevalency: | |
| Local Causes: | There are no local causes to cause diseases. |
| Recommended Improvements: | It would not. |
| Miscellaneous |
| Access to Lighthouse: | Boats from supply steamer can land when sea is smooth, on sand beach, on S side of cape - no boat is kept at station. There is a wagon road from boat landing to lighthouse on shore end for distance of 1/4 mile road is rough with very steep grade. |
| Distance and Direction: | Whole length of road is about 3/4 mile. |
| Miscellaneous Remarks: |
| Tools And Accessories |
| Lantern Curtains: | 2 sets |
| Lens Covers: | 2 sets |
| Damper Tube and Key: | 2 |
| Spare Damper and Key: | 1 |
| Carillon for Overflow Pump: | None |
| Time Marker: | |
| Gauge: | None |
| Spare Lamp Ready for Use: | 1 |
| Rod Lamp Ready for Use: | 1 |
| Curtain Hanger: | None - curtains hung on rollers. |
| Heater: | None |
| Spare Lamp Cover: | 1 |
| Lamp Stand: | None |
| Mechanical Lamp Cords: | |
| Revolving Machinery Cords: | |
| Revolving Machinery Weights: | |
| Clutch: | |
| Spare Fly Or Governor: | |
| Gauge for Oil Cistern: | Glass tube w/ graduated scale showing amt of oil |
| Feather Brushes: | 2 |
| Linen Towels: | 12 |
| Sponges: | 4 |
| Chamois Skins: | 2 |
| Scissors: | 4 pairs |
| Chimney Filters: | 1 |
| Coupling Pliers: | 1 |
| Service Box and Implements: | 1 |
| Cleaning Materials: | Spirits of wine, rouge & whiting |
| Keepers Aprons: | 2 |
| Wicks: |