Report for Cape Hinchinbrook Light Station (Alaska) - 1926
| General |
| District: | 13th |
| Inspector: | Various |
| Location: | On south western peninsula of Hinchinbrook Island, eastern side of Hinchinbrook Entrance to Prince William sound. |
| Date of Report: | 11/03/1926 |
| Latitude: | 60° 14' 05" |
| Longitude: | 146° 39' 06" |
| Premises |
| Site: | Public lands set aside by executive order. |
| Date of Reservation: | 11/29/1906 |
| Date of Deed: | |
| Date of Permission: | |
| Date of Lease: | |
| Area of the Entire Site: | 8.5 sq. miles |
| Area Inclosed: | None |
| Character of Soil: | |
| Distance of tower from Nearest High-Water Mark: | 75 feet. |
| Inclosures to Premises / Type of Fence: | None |
| Wharf or Landing on Premises: | Wharf in small cove 440 feet N 70 degrees W of tower. |
| Road to Land or Wharf Chararacter of and Distance: | |
| Means to Reach Light Station: | By gas boat from Cordova, 52 miles. Monthly mail service by gas boat out of Cordiva, by contract. |
| 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: | Concrete tower rising from center of 2 story octagonal shaped building. |
| Number of Separate Lights: | 1 |
| First Built or Established: | Nov., 1910 |
| Last Rebuilt, Repaired, or Renovated: | |
| 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: | 235 feet |
| Background of Lighthouse as Seen from Sea: | Trees |
| Color of Tower: | White |
| Color of Tower/ How Produced: | Paint. |
| Tower Connection: | On same building. |
| Object of Navigation: | General coastwise navigation, marking Hinchinbrook Entrance to Prince William Sound. |
| Building Materials: | Concrete. |
| General Description: | |
| Wall Thickness at Base: | |
| Wall Thickness at Parapet: | |
| Diameter at Base: | |
| Diameter at Parapet: | |
| Kind of Stairway and Steps: | Iron. |
| Number of Landings: | |
| Size of Glass: | 20" x 20" |
| Number of Windows and Size of Sash: | 4 - 2' 0" x 4' 0" |
| Number of Doors: | 3 - 2' 8" x 6' 8" |
| Kind of Foundation and Depth Below Surface: | |
| Character of Soil Surrounding the Lighthouse: | |
| Soil Susceptibility: | |
| Miscellaneous Remarks: | General type of structure is a 2 story octagonal-shaped concrete building surmounted centrally by a low concrete tower & lantern. 1 story annex on southerly face of building. |
| Lantern and Fixtures |
| Order of Lantern: | 1st |
| Shape of Lantern: | Polygonal |
| Diameter to Glass: | |
| Diameter in the Clear: | |
| Number of Sides: | 16 |
| Type of Bars: | Vertical |
| Thickness of Bars: | |
| Height Glazed: | 9' 9-7/8" |
| Number of Plates in Height: | 3 |
| Number of Plates Each Side: | 3 |
| Thickness of Plates: | 3/8" |
| Size of Plates: | Upper, 3' 11" x 2' 4"; middle 3' 3" x 2' 4"; lower 2' 6.75" x 2' 4" |
| Number of Storm Panes: | None |
| Unglazed Side of Lantern: | None. |
| What Bearings: | |
| Construction Material Lantern: | Wrought & cast iron. |
| Construction Material Roof / Cowl: | Cast iron. |
| Ventilator / Cowl: | Cast iron. |
| Lightning Spindle: | Brass with platinum point. |
| Description of Lightning Rod: | |
| Balustrade: | Iron |
| Lantern Doors: | Brass cast, brass hinges & lock with glass panels. |
| Floor of Lantern: | Cast iron plates. |
| Watchroom Doors: | No door, hatchway. |
| Parapet Diameter: |
| Ventilators |
| Location / Number: | In watchroom |
| Ladders / Cleaning Arrangement: | Iron |
| Curtain Hooks / Hanger: | Brass, screwed to lantern posts, Spring roller curtains. |
| Watchroom |
| How is Watchroom Fitted: | No fittings. |
| How is Relief Called: | None. |
| Where is Call System Led: |
| Illuminating Apparatus |
| Kind of Apparatus: | 3 hours. |
| Intensity in Candles: | |
| Name of Maker: | Barbier, Benard & Turenne |
| Year Made: | Unknown |
| Marks and Number: | U. S. L. H. E. 320 |
| Order of Apparatus: | 3rd |
| Inside Diameter: | 3' 3.4" |
| Light Characteristic: | Flashing white every 5 seconds. Flash 0.4 sec., eclipse 4.6 sec. |
| Time of Revolution: | 20 seconds. |
| Flash Interval: | Every 5 seconds |
| Duration of Flash: | 0.4 seconds |
| Arc of Each Fixed Part: | 90 degrees |
| Number of Panels: | 4 |
| Number of Flash Panels: | 4 |
| Arc of Each: | 90 degrees |
| Number of Elements in Central Drum: | 7 |
| Number of Prisms Above Center Drum: | 11 |
| Number of Prisms Below Center Drum: | 4 |
| 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: | Lens supported on a 13.25" column which rises from mercury float located on watchroom floor. |
| Service Table: | |
| Draft Tube Description: | None |
| Revolving Machinery: | |
| Standby and Description: | |
| Chariot Float or Balls: | Mercury float |
| Chariot Description: | |
| Length of Drop Tube: | 11" diam., 26' 0" high, |
| Clock Weight: | About 185 lbs. |
| Length of Winding Time: | 3 hours. |
| Drive During Rewind: | Yes. |
| Machinery Protection: | By metal case, 22.5" wide, 20.75" high, fitted with 6 glass doors & glass back panel. |
| Regulated: | By friction governor. |
| Lens Protection: | Yes, cloth |
| How Color is Produced: | |
| Red Sectors Description: | |
| Where Color Attached: | |
| Form of Colored Glass: | |
| Lamp Description: | Type A, 2 tank system, 3rd order |
| Type of Illuminant: | I.O.V. |
| Number of Spare Lamps: | 1 |
| Number of Spare Burners: | Not known but spare parts are kept on hand. |
| Candle Power: | 1000 cp |
| Clock Cord Description |
| Revolving Cord: | Cord |
| Size of Clock Cord: | 3/4" |
| Length of Clock Cord: | 96.5' |
| How Led: | Through 2 single blocks. |
| Diameter and Length of Clock Drum: | 10" x 7" |
| Vapor Oil Lamp |
| Number of Wicks or Mantels: | 1 mantel |
| Diameter of Outside Wick: | |
| Diameter of Mantel: | 55mm |
| Diameter of Circum Circle: |
| Mercury Float |
| Inside Diameter of Trough: | 4' 1.5" |
| Inside Depth of Trough: | 7.5" |
| Outside Diameter of Float: | 4' |
| Depth of Float: | 7.75" |
| Weight of Mercury in Pounds: | 187 lbs. |
| How Often is Mercury Renewed: | Not renewed; is strained & replaced occasionally. |
| Closets and Store Rooms |
| Tower Closet Use: | No closets in tower. |
| Oil House Description: | 50 feet west of main building. |
| Oil House Inside Dimension: | 8' x 8' x 8' 6" |
| Oil House Construction Material: | Frame, soncrete foundation. |
| Oil House Capacity: | 600 5-gal. cans. |
| Other (Describe): | On 1st floor, not fitted, used as oil room. |
| Suitability: | Suited for purposes intended. |
| Fog Signal General |
| Fog Signal Kind: | Diaphone, Type F, 1st class air siren sounded on same characteristis if diaphone is disabled. |
| Time to Start: | 15 to 20 minutes. |
| How Long Will Pressure Last: | Only a few blasts. |
| Manufacturer: | |
| Year of Manufacture: | |
| Characteristic: | 5 sec blast, 40 sec. silent, 5 sec. blast, 40 sec. silent. |
| Duplication: | Engines, compressors & blast device. There is only 1 diaphone but a siren is avilable for use if diaphone is disabled. |
| Timing Device: | Geared to engine by chain drive & belt. |
| If whistle, siren, or trumpet, Pressure at Which Blown: | 39 lbs. |
| Height Above Water: | 198 feet |
| Compass Direction: | South (180 degrees) |
| Location: | In same building as light, 1st floor, southerly (seaward) side. |
| Distance and Direction: | In same building. |
| Water Supply: | From cisterns. |
| Reached from Lighthouse: | In same building. |
| Description of Fog Signal Building: | 2 story octagonal shape reinforced concrete building lined with hollow tile & plastered. Ground floor is used for engine room, fuel, furnace, tank & provision rooms. Quarters are on 2nd floor. |
| Pressure And Recording Gauge: | Recording pressure gauge installed May 19, 1912. American Steam Gauge & Valve Mfg. Co., Boston |
| Internal Combustion Signal |
| Fog Signal Kind: | |
| Internal Combustion Kind: | 2 hor., oil |
| Internal Combustion Manufacturer: | Mietz & Weiss, NY |
| Internal Combustion Date: | May 1, 1906 |
| Internal Combustion Size: | 10 x 12 |
| Internal Combustion Horsepower: | 18 |
| Internal Combustion Fuel: | Mineral oil |
| Internal Combustion Starter: | Kerosene torch |
| Compressor Maker: | The J. Geo. Layner Eng. Works, Denver, Co. No date |
| Compressor Seat: | Same bed, chain drive |
| Compressor Machinery: | |
| Compressor Diameter: | 8.5" |
| Compressor Stroke: | 10" |
| Compressor RPMs: | 135 rpm |
| Character of Air Inlet: | 8" disk |
| Kind of Unloader: | Unloading device. |
| Diameter of Delivery Pipe: | 2" |
| Air Receiver |
| Number: | 1 |
| Diameter: | 4' |
| Height: | 20' 8" |
| Capacity Cubic Feet: | 258 |
| Pressure in Each: | 80 lbs. |
| Make of Reducing Valve: | |
| Remarks: |
| Dwelling |
| Location: | Same building, 2nd floor |
| Coloring: | White |
| Construction Materials: | Concrete |
| Number of Rooms: | 7, Sitting room, kitchen, 5 bedrooms, hall, pantry & provision room, all on 2nd floor. |
| Number of Dwellings: | 1 |
| Heating Plant: | Boynton return flue hot water heater. Heating capacity 1500 sq. ft. direct radiation, 17 radiators, Boynton Furnace Co. NY |
| Number of Keepers: | 3, all in same building |
| Furnished Quarters: | All |
| NOT Furnished Quarters: | None |
| Outhouses: | Shop & storehouse; oil & paint house, engine & car house; boat house & hoist house on wharf at landing. |
| Outhouse Coloring: | White, red roof |
| Paths and Walks: | Concrete to oil house & shop. |
| Area Inclosed: | |
| Area of Garden: | |
| Area Timber or Shrubbery: | |
| Cultivation Area Available: | None. |
| Area Cultivated: | None. |
| Character of Surroundings: | Woods, soft tundra or vegetable matter over rock. |
| Stove, Maker: | Majestic Mfg. Co. St. Louis (Majastic range 847) |
| Stove, Size: | 38.5" wide, 28.5" deep |
| Sink, Maker: | Standard |
| Sink, Size: | 20" x 30" |
| Pump, Maker: | Blacks & Knowles, NY & Boston |
| Pump, Size: | 4.5" x 2.75" x 4" |
| Lamps: | 6 table, 6 hand, 6 hand lanterns |
| Water |
| How Procured: | Rain water from roof. |
| Quality: | Good |
| Quantity: | Yes. |
| Injury Possible: | No. |
| Purity Precaution: | In cistern, filter wall of soft burnt brick, lain in cement mortar. |
| Tank Capacity: | Cistern underground 11,850 gals. on northerly side of building. |
| Tank Material: | Concrete. |
| Distilling Apparatus: | False |
| Distilling Manufacturer: | |
| Well Description: | |
| Well Diameter: | |
| Well Lining: | |
| Pump or Bucket: | Pump from cistern |
| What Power Used: | Air & hand |
| Distance from Dwelling: | Cistern 18'. Water pumped by air pressure or by hand to wood stave tank in |
| Healthfulness |
| General Opinion: | Excellent |
| Diseases: | None. |
| Prevalency: | |
| Local Causes: | |
| Recommended Improvements: |
| Miscellaneous |
| Access to Lighthouse: | Landing on exposed sand & boulder beach, best at 1/2 tide or lower; concrete wharf above highwater line spanning small creek. Supplies lifted brom beach to wharf by means of stiff leg derrick & hoisting engine on wharf. rail tram from wharf up hill to sta |
| Distance and Direction: | 440 feet, 290 degrees |
| Miscellaneous Remarks: | 2 hoists of same size & make. 1 is located on wharf at landing & is operated in connection with the derrick; the other is located near the station & used for hauling supplies up the tram. |
| Boats |
| Boat #1 | |
| Boat Number: | 31 |
| Type: | Whaleboat |
| Length: | 4' 6" |
| Width: | 14' |
| When Built: | Unknown |
| Date Harbored at Station: | Oct. 1910 |
| Sails: | True |
| Suited to Work: | Yes |
| Boat #2 | |
| Boat Number: | 69 |
| Type: | Dory |
| Length: | 5' 4" |
| Width: | 19' |
| When Built: | 4/2/1926 |
| Date Harbored at Station: | July 23, 1926 |
| Sails: | False |
| Suited to Work: | Yes |
| Power Boat |
| Engine Type: | Outboard Motor |
| Horsepower: | 3 HP |
| Engine Maker: | Elto |
| Spare Coil: | Atwater Kent Unisparker ignition. |
| Magnet: | |
| Battery: | |
| Propeller Diameter: | |
| Propeller Pitch: |
| Hoisting Engines |
| Hoisting Engine Kind: | |
| Engine RPMs: | 550 rpm |
| Engine Diameter: | 6" |
| Engine Stroke: | 6.5" |
| Engine Boiler: | |
| Engine Maker and Date: | Mietz & Weiss, NY, May 1, 1906 |
| Serial Number: | |
| Cylinders and Size: | 2 cylinder |
| Horsepower: | 12 HP |
| Fuel: | Kerosene |
| Hoist Starter: | |
| Hoist Miscellaneous: |
| Miscellaneous |
| General Information: | |
| Boats on Station: | In boathouse |