Report for Aransas Pass Light Station and Radio Beacon (Texas) - 1929
| General |
| District: | 8th |
| Inspector: | Asst. Supt. & Radio Electrician |
| Location: | On W side of channel into S end of Aransas Bay |
| Date of Report: | 02/01/1929 |
| Latitude: | 27° 51' 50" |
| Longitude: | 97° 03' 23" |
| Premises |
| Site: | Purchased |
| Date of Reservation: | |
| Date of Deed: | 05/05/1855 |
| Date of Permission: | |
| Date of Lease: | |
| Area of the Entire Site: | 25 acres |
| Area Inclosed: | |
| Character of Soil: | |
| Distance of tower from Nearest High-Water Mark: | Located in marsh flooded by high water |
| Inclosures to Premises / Type of Fence: | |
| Wharf or Landing on Premises: | Boat wharf |
| Road to Land or Wharf Chararacter of and Distance: | |
| Means to Reach Light Station: | Boat only. |
| Distance to Nearest Road: | |
| Distance to Post Office: | Port Aransas - 2 miles |
| Distance to Village: | |
| Facilities for Public Conveyance: | |
| Facilities for Private Conveyance: | |
| Means Used for Support of Lantern: | Natural brick, octagonal, pyramidal tower |
| Number of Separate Lights: | 1 only; 4 minor lights |
| First Built or Established: | 1855; 1867 |
| Last Rebuilt, Repaired, or Renovated: | 1919; 1921 |
| 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: | 65' |
| Background of Lighthouse as Seen from Sea: | Low lying, flat marsh country |
| Color of Tower: | Red, material brick |
| Color of Tower/ How Produced: | |
| Tower Connection: | Detached, connection by board walk. |
| Object of Navigation: | Seacoast, general navigation. |
| Building Materials: | Red brick |
| General Description: | |
| Wall Thickness at Base: | |
| Wall Thickness at Parapet: | |
| Diameter at Base: | |
| Diameter at Parapet: | |
| Kind of Stairway and Steps: | Spiral, cast iron radial from center column |
| Number of Landings: | |
| Size of Glass: | 10.5" x 11 3/4" & 8 1/4" x 9 1/6" |
| Number of Windows and Size of Sash: | 2 ea size 25.5" x 54"; 1 ea 21 3/4" x 43 3/4" |
| Number of Doors: | 1 - 2' 11 3/8" x 7' 8.5" |
| Kind of Foundation and Depth Below Surface: | |
| Character of Soil Surrounding the Lighthouse: | |
| Soil Susceptibility: | |
| Miscellaneous Remarks: | Lighthouse tower in very good condition. Location too far inland for greatest efficiency. |
| Lantern and Fixtures |
| Order of Lantern: | |
| Shape of Lantern: | Polygonal |
| Diameter to Glass: | |
| Diameter in the Clear: | |
| Number of Sides: | 9 |
| Type of Bars: | Vertical |
| Thickness of Bars: | 1.5" |
| Height Glazed: | 2' 11.5" |
| Number of Plates in Height: | One |
| Number of Plates Each Side: | One |
| Thickness of Plates: | 5/16" |
| Size of Plates: | 30" x 36" |
| Number of Storm Panes: | |
| Unglazed Side of Lantern: | Glazed 360 degrees |
| What Bearings: | |
| Construction Material Lantern: | Brass frame |
| Construction Material Roof / Cowl: | Sheet copper |
| Ventilator / Cowl: | Copper |
| Lightning Spindle: | 3 point copper |
| Description of Lightning Rod: | |
| Balustrade: | Brick enclosed with iron pickets |
| Lantern Doors: | 1 22" x 30" on hinges opeing outward fitted with latch |
| Floor of Lantern: | Cast iron |
| Watchroom Doors: | Trap door with hinges |
| Parapet Diameter: |
| Ventilators |
| Location / Number: | Wall below lantern |
| Ladders / Cleaning Arrangement: | None required |
| Curtain Hooks / Hanger: | Hooks attached to top of lantern frame. |
| Watchroom |
| How is Watchroom Fitted: | Ladder to lantern room |
| How is Relief Called: | None |
| Where is Call System Led: |
| Illuminating Apparatus |
| Kind of Apparatus: | |
| Intensity in Candles: | 16,000 |
| Name of Maker: | Henri LePaute, Paris |
| Year Made: | No data |
| Marks and Number: | None visible |
| Order of Apparatus: | 4th |
| Inside Diameter: | 19 1/4" |
| Light Characteristic: | |
| Time of Revolution: | |
| Flash Interval: | |
| Duration of Flash: | |
| Arc of Each Fixed Part: | |
| Number of Panels: | 4 |
| Number of Flash Panels: | |
| Arc of Each: | |
| Number of Elements in Central Drum: | 5 |
| Number of Prisms Above Center Drum: | 5 fixed |
| Number of Prisms Below Center Drum: | 3 fixed |
| Does Apparatus Revolve?: | False |
| Is There a Revolving Belt?: | False |
| Revolving Panels: | |
| How Flash is Produced: | By electric flashes |
| Number of Vertical Elements Panel: | |
| Fixed Lens Covered: | |
| Pedestal: | Cast iron, cylindrical, 3' 4 3/4" above lantern floor |
| Service Table: | |
| Draft Tube Description: | Copper ball, 1' 3/4" dia. |
| 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: | Sheet metal |
| How Color is Produced: | |
| Red Sectors Description: | |
| Where Color Attached: | |
| Form of Colored Glass: | |
| Lamp Description: | 500 W electric |
| Type of Illuminant: | Electric |
| Number of Spare Lamps: | 2 |
| Number of Spare Burners: | 3 spare 4th order wick lamps |
| Candle Power: |
| Vapor Oil Lamp |
| Number of Wicks or Mantels: | 1 for emergency |
| Diameter of Outside Wick: | |
| Diameter of Mantel: | 35mm |
| Diameter of Circum Circle: |
| Occulting Light |
| Characteristic: | 10 sec; light 5 sec., eclipse 5 sec. |
| Time Limit: | Any by change in flashes |
| Eclipse Type: | Rico Flasher; DC motor, 1800 rpm 1/20 HP 110V 0.5 amp; 3 gas gen'rs, Kohler 2000 W, 1300 RPM 110V |
| Size and Amplitude: | |
| Axis Rotation: | |
| Axis Relation: | |
| Screen Revolution: | |
| Screen Number: | |
| Screen Time: | |
| Screen Form: | |
| Screen Mounting: | |
| Screen Order: | |
| Screen Date: | |
| Valve Maker: | |
| Valve Pattern: | |
| Reliability: |
| Closets and Store Rooms |
| Tower Closet Use: | None |
| Oil House Description: | SE corner of dwelling |
| Oil House Inside Dimension: | 9' 10 1/4" x 11' 10 3/4" |
| Oil House Construction Material: | Brick |
| Oil House Capacity: | 1545 gals in drums |
| Other (Describe): | Attic in dwelling, general small article store room. |
| Suitability: | Dry |
| Fog Signal General |
| Fog Signal Kind: | Radio Beacon; transmitter type LRR 400 & 401, 200W Crocker wheeler Motor Generators, 500W, type CB 233 & type E. |
| Time to Start: | 3 minutes |
| How Long Will Pressure Last: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| Year of Manufacture: | |
| Characteristic: | Groups of 1 dash, 1 dot, 1 dash for 60 sec., silent 120 sec. thus: -.- -.- -.- etc. |
| Duplication: | 3 sets of generating units - 2 complete radio transmitters. |
| Timing Device: | |
| If whistle, siren, or trumpet, Pressure at Which Blown: | |
| Height Above Water: | |
| Compass Direction: | |
| Location: | Used for landfall |
| Distance and Direction: | |
| Water Supply: | Cistern |
| Reached from Lighthouse: | Boardwalk |
| Description of Fog Signal Building: | 16' x 16' bldg on piles, connected to dwelling gallery by board walk. |
| Pressure And Recording Gauge: |
| Dwelling |
| Location: | SW direction |
| Coloring: | Natural cement |
| Construction Materials: | Tile & concrete on concrete-coated steel supports. Plastered walls & ceiling. |
| Number of Rooms: | 4 each side |
| Number of Dwellings: | 1 (duplex) |
| Heating Plant: | Fireplaces in 2 front rooms of each side. |
| Number of Keepers: | 1 to each side. |
| Furnished Quarters: | Keeper & asst. |
| NOT Furnished Quarters: | None |
| Outhouses: | Toilet, double |
| Outhouse Coloring: | Painted white |
| Paths and Walks: | Boardwalks |
| Area Inclosed: | |
| Area of Garden: | |
| Area Timber or Shrubbery: | |
| Cultivation Area Available: | None |
| Area Cultivated: | None |
| Character of Surroundings: | Marsh |
| Stove, Maker: | Perfection (2) |
| Stove, Size: | 3 burner No. 33 (2) |
| Sink, Maker: | Standard (2) |
| Sink, Size: | 30" x 18" x 6" (2) |
| Pump, Maker: | Gould Mfg. Co. (2) |
| Pump, Size: | No data |
| Lamps: | 2 table lamps, 2 hand lamps all LHS. |
| Water |
| How Procured: | Rain water from roof |
| Quality: | Good |
| Quantity: | Ample |
| Injury Possible: | Yes |
| Purity Precaution: | Covered cisterns. Screened entrance to cistern. Screened with wire mesh. |
| Tank Capacity: | 4500 gal each rear of dwellings. |
| Tank Material: | Cypress |
| Distilling Apparatus: | False |
| Distilling Manufacturer: | |
| Well Description: | No well |
| Well Diameter: | |
| Well Lining: | |
| Pump or Bucket: | |
| What Power Used: | |
| Distance from Dwelling: |
| Healthfulness |
| General Opinion: | Good |
| Diseases: | No |
| Prevalency: | No |
| Local Causes: | No |
| Recommended Improvements: | No |
| Miscellaneous |
| Access to Lighthouse: | Wharf T head. No road to lighthouse |
| Distance and Direction: | Approx. 200' S |
| Miscellaneous Remarks: |
| Boats |
| Boat #1 | |
| Boat Number: | 166 |
| Type: | Skiff |
| Length: | 4' 6" |
| Width: | 14' |
| When Built: | 1925 |
| Date Harbored at Station: | 1925 |
| Sails: | False |
| Suited to Work: | Yes |
| Boat #2 | |
| Boat Number: | 155 |
| Type: | US Navy Motor Boat |
| Length: | 7' 5" |
| Width: | 24' |
| When Built: | No data |
| Date Harbored at Station: | 1922 |
| Sails: | False |
| Suited to Work: | Yes |
| Power Boat |
| Engine Type: | Lathrop 4 cycle 2 cycle |
| Horsepower: | 16 |
| Engine Maker: | Lathrop - shop No. 3393 |
| Spare Coil: | Spare coils in use 2, Model OI, K&W Ignition Co. |
| Magnet: | DU 4/2 Dual 180 degree 15 3423674 American Bosch |
| Battery: | Dry cell 6 |
| Propeller Diameter: | 22" |
| Propeller Pitch: | 24" |
| Miscellaneous |
| General Information: | |
| Boats on Station: | Tied to wharf |