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by a chance shot from one of the big guns.The New Light Ship for Diamond ShoalsWashington. September S.—Before September has passed the light house board expects to have in position on the diamond shoals, off Cape Hatteras. the new light vessel which has just been fitted out at Staten Island. New York. Diamond shoals is considered to bo the most dangerous point off the coast of the United State?, and it has long been known as the graveyard of American shipping/' The problem of placing there an adequate light to warn marienrs has been one which the light house board has for a long time had under consideration. The new vessel was constructed by the Bath iron works. Maine, at the contract priceof $59,000. but was fitted out by the board with anchors, boats, electric lights and other devices which experience has demonstrated were necessary in a vessel of : this kind. Altogether the government has spent $80,000 in building and quipping the vessel, the full amount appropriated by [ congress, and it is hoped that the’ship I will withstand the severest weather that is encountered off Hatteras. Instead of being secured by an ordinary anchor, it | will be moored to a mooring bouy which i it is thought will make the ship absolutely secure in its position. The light vessel will be towed from Staten Iskuid on the 15th instant, and it is expected it will be placed in its permanent position on the 20th, the anchorage ground being twenty-seven miles of Hatteras. It will show a series of 1*0 canle power incadescent lights at ea«h of the two mastheads, which will be visible at least fifteen miles.The last attempt to locate a light on the Diamond shoals proved a complete failure. This w'as about five* years ago when congress made an appropriation of $500,000 for the erection of a lighthouse on the shoals. The contractors spent about $100,000 in constructing a caisson 100x50 feet, intended for the foundation of the light hous*?. It was built at Norfolk and towed into position on the shoals, where it remained for about twenty-four hours when it was washed away. The contractors th»*n gave up the work.Leters From the White Sc* uadron by Car*
Newspaper Details
The Semi Weekly Messenger
Wilmington, North Carolina, US
Fri, Sep 10, 1897
Page 1
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USA 17 Nov 2022
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