Report for Oswego Beacon Light Station (New York) - 1888

General
District: 10th
Inspector: Major S.M. Mansfield, Corps of Engineers
Location: On crib inside angle of breakwater, W'ly side of entrance to Oswego River Harbor, NY.
Date of Report: 03/02/1888
Latitude: 43° 28' 03"
Longitude: 76° 31' 00"
Premises
Site:
Date of Reservation:
Date of Deed:
Date of Permission:
Date of Lease:
Area of the Entire Site: Crib 35' square
Area Inclosed:
Character of Soil:
Distance of tower from Nearest High-Water Mark: Tower rests in concrete foundation in center of crib, superstructure of which is 13' above low water mark - Tower stands 10' from edge of crib.
Inclosures to Premises / Type of Fence: None
Wharf or Landing on Premises: Crib, with timber & iron steps on face of crib
Road to Land or Wharf Chararacter of and Distance:
Means to Reach Light Station: By boat from shore
Distance to Nearest Road: Nearest RR station 1 mile - Steamboat landing 1/2 mile.
Distance to Post Office:
Distance to Village:
Facilities for Public Conveyance:
Facilities for Private Conveyance:
Means Used for Support of Lantern: Iron tower
Number of Separate Lights: 1
First Built or Established: 1872 - on outer end of W pier. Beacon was rated as separate station in 1887.
Last Rebuilt, Repaired, or Renovated: Transferred from W pier to present location November 19, 1881
Condition at This Date: Good
Shape of Tower in Plan: Octagonal
Form of Tower:
Height from Base to Ventilator Ball: 27'
Height of Focal Plane Above Mean High Water: 39'
Background of Lighthouse as Seen from Sea: City of Oswego, NY
Color of Tower: Brown - lantern black
Color of Tower/ How Produced: Iron ore paint
Tower Connection: Detached - on independent crib
Object of Navigation: Harbor light
Building Materials: Iron, lined with wood
General Description: Crib proper is 35' square, 41' high & 13' above low water mark. This crib is connected w/ outer pier in E side by a short bridge.
Wall Thickness at Base: 3/4" iron
Wall Thickness at Parapet: 1/2" iron
Diameter at Base: 13' 10.5"
Diameter at Parapet: 8' 8"
Kind of Stairway and Steps: Iron btwn 1st & 2nd story, spiral from 2nd floor to lantern a ladder.
Number of Landings: 1
Size of Glass: 14" & 9.5" dia - circular windows
Number of Windows and Size of Sash: 7; Sashes of iron - 4 - 9 7/8" dia; 3 - 14 1/8" dia
Number of Doors: 1 entrance door in 2nd story & trap door 1st floor to base.
Kind of Foundation and Depth Below Surface: Tower rests in a mass of concrete found in center of crib 17.5' square & 12' deep - concrete bed rests upon loose stones with which crib is filled. A stone flagging protects exposed parts of concrete foundation.
Character of Soil Surrounding the Lighthouse:
Soil Susceptibility:
Miscellaneous Remarks: In fall of 1881 present iron tower, which stood near outer end of W pier (N of main tower) was transferred to this crib which was especially prepared for it, just inside E end of breakwater. Access is had to beacon by iron stairway leading to 2nd story.
Lantern and Fixtures
Order of Lantern: 4th
Shape of Lantern:
Diameter to Glass: Inside 6' 6.5" - outside 7' 1.5"
Diameter in the Clear:
Number of Sides: 8
Type of Bars:
Thickness of Bars:
Height Glazed: 36"
Number of Plates in Height: One
Number of Plates Each Side: One
Thickness of Plates: 5/16"
Size of Plates: 36 3/4" x 34"
Number of Storm Panes: 8; 31 13/16" x 36.5"
Unglazed Side of Lantern: None
What Bearings:
Construction Material Lantern: Iron & brass
Construction Material Roof / Cowl: Copper roof on iron rafters, lined with zinc.
Ventilator / Cowl:
Lightning Spindle: Iron, tipped with platinum.
Description of Lightning Rod: Lantern & stairs answer the purpose, from latter an iron rod is led into water.
Balustrade: Wrought iron
Lantern Doors: Cast iron double doors, on wrought iron hinges provided with brass locks.
Floor of Lantern: Iron - checkered
Watchroom Doors: None
Parapet Diameter:
Ventilators
Location / Number: 4 - ventilators in parapet, of cast iron with brass revolving disks.
Ladders / Cleaning Arrangement:
Curtain Hooks / Hanger: Brass, screwed into lantern posts.


Watchroom
How is Watchroom Fitted: 1st floor serves as watchroom & is fitted with locker, cupboard, bunk & stove.
How is Relief Called:
Where is Call System Led:
Illuminating Apparatus
Kind of Apparatus:
Intensity in Candles:
Name of Maker:
Year Made:
Marks and Number:
Order of Apparatus: 4th
Inside Diameter:
Light Characteristic:
Time of Revolution:
Flash Interval:
Duration of Flash:
Arc of Each Fixed Part: Fixed - entire horizon.
Number of Panels: 4
Number of Flash Panels:
Arc of Each:
Number of Elements in Central Drum:
Number of Prisms Above Center Drum: 7
Number of Prisms Below Center Drum: 5
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: Iron - 3' 5" in height
Service Table: Iron - 18" dia.
Draft Tube Description: 2.5" brass conductor - leading into cowl of lantern.
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: By ruby chimney
Red Sectors Description:
Where Color Attached:
Form of Colored Glass:
Lamp Description: Hains lamp, in 2 parts, 1 wick
Type of Illuminant:
Number of Spare Lamps: 1
Number of Spare Burners: None
Candle Power:
Closets and Store Rooms
Tower Closet Use: 1 closet, in lower floor for records, etc., of keeper.
Oil House Description: An oil & storeroom was built in SW corner of crib 5' wide, 8' long, & 7' high, with an arched roof covered with tin & protected by boat house built over same - there is also a small cellar in concrete compartment directly under tower.
Oil House Inside Dimension:
Oil House Construction Material:
Oil House Capacity:
Other (Describe): In W end of boat house fitted with shelves
Suitability:
Fog Signal General
Fog Signal Kind: Operated by Stevens striking apparatus clockwork
Time to Start:
How Long Will Pressure Last:
Manufacturer:
Year of Manufacture:
Characteristic: Distinguished by intervals of 12 sec.
Duplication:
Timing Device:
If whistle, siren, or trumpet, Pressure at Which Blown:
Height Above Water:
Compass Direction:
Location: To mark E end of W breakwater & entrance to harbor
Distance and Direction: Suspended from tower
Water Supply:
Reached from Lighthouse:
Description of Fog Signal Building: 2nd story of tower.
Pressure And Recording Gauge:
Water
How Procured: From lake with bucket
Quality: Good
Quantity: Ample
Injury Possible: No
Purity Precaution:
Tank Capacity:
Tank Material:
Distilling Apparatus: False
Distilling Manufacturer:
Well Description:
Well Diameter:
Well Lining:
Pump or Bucket:
What Power Used:
Distance from Dwelling:
Miscellaneous
Access to Lighthouse: Steps of 12" x 12" timbers on S face of crib provided with handrail. Boat house 27' x 10' in plan. Beacon crib is connected w/ pier, running S from E end of W breakwater, by a wooden platform 20' in length.
Distance and Direction:
Miscellaneous Remarks: The space, 20', btwn beacon crib & breakwater on N side for distance of 55' was filled w/ stone to 10' below low water line to prevent further settlement of crib, as during heavy gales seas run over breakwater & pour across 20' space & dashes against crib