Personnel Problems Under the U.S. Light-House Board, 1852-1901

Frequent complaints about the quality of aids to navigation reached Congress, which appointed a board in 1851 to scrutinize every aspect of the Lighthouse Establishment. It recommended that the whole system be revamped under the direction of a nine-member Light-House Board, established in 1852. The country was divided into districts, and a Navy officer would act as inspector in each district. He oversaw personnel matters, making regular visits to light stations to ensure that keepers understood their duties and performed them satisfactorily. This permitted keepers to take their problems to officials within their district rather than dealing with the local customs collector or Treasury Department officials in Washington.