Report for Racine Pierhead (Wisconsin) - 1910
| General |
| District: | 9th |
| Inspector: | Francis J. Otter, Draftsman |
| Location: | On outer end of N pier, at entrance to harbor of Racine, WI., W'ly side of Lake Michigan. Keeping this light in range with Racine Breakwater Light (red) insures the passage to N'd of Racine Reef. |
| Date of Report: | 04/11/1910 |
| Latitude: | 42° 44' 04" N |
| Longitude: | 87° 46' 28" W |
| Premises |
| Site: | Lighthouse in on end of pier & dwelling is on crib structure at side of pier. |
| Date of Reservation: | |
| Date of Deed: | |
| Date of Permission: | |
| Date of Lease: | |
| Area of the Entire Site: | Crib structure, 107' N, 81' 2" E, 111' S, 75' 8" W. |
| Area Inclosed: | 3 sides with picket fence; E side with timber sea wall. |
| Character of Soil: | Timber & planks. |
| Distance of tower from Nearest High-Water Mark: | About 9' |
| Inclosures to Premises / Type of Fence: | Entire area inclosed around site of dwelling. Tower on pier, no inclosures. |
| Wharf or Landing on Premises: | Government pier. |
| Road to Land or Wharf Chararacter of and Distance: | City street to end of N entrance pier thence along pier to dwelling, thence by elevated walk to tower on end of pier. |
| Means to Reach Light Station: | By Ohio, NorthWestern RR or by Ohio, Mil & St. Paul RR by electric RR from Milwaukee or Chicago, or by passenger boats from Milwaukee & Chicago. |
| Distance to Nearest Road: | City streets are about 1 block away. Steamboat landing on S pier, RR depot, 5 blocks. |
| Distance to Post Office: | About 3/4 mile; mail is delivered by carrier to dwelling. |
| Distance to Village: | In city of Racine, WI., main business street about 1/4 mile away. |
| Facilities for Public Conveyance: | Street cars within 3 blocks. Good RR or steamboat facilities |
| Facilities for Private Conveyance: | Good |
| Means Used for Support of Lantern: | Metal tower |
| Number of Separate Lights: | 1 |
| First Built or Established: | 1872 (open framework tower) |
| Last Rebuilt, Repaired, or Renovated: | 1901, erecting present tower. |
| Condition at This Date: | Very good |
| Shape of Tower in Plan: | Square |
| Form of Tower: | Pyramidal, steel frame, enclosed 17' 6" above pier |
| Height from Base to Ventilator Ball: | 45' 9"; Height of focal plane above base line - 40' |
| Height of Focal Plane Above Mean High Water: | 46' |
| Background of Lighthouse as Seen from Sea: | Bldgs of Racine, WI. |
| Color of Tower: | White with black lantern |
| Color of Tower/ How Produced: | By lead & oil paint |
| Tower Connection: | Detached, connected with dwelling by elevated walk, 960' long |
| Object of Navigation: | Coast & harbor light; entrance to Racine Harbor. |
| Building Materials: | Steel framework with 1/4" steel plate covered 17' 6" above deck of pier, Tower lined with yellow pine; floor joists with maple floors. |
| General Description: | |
| Wall Thickness at Base: | Steel covering & wood lining = about 3" thick. |
| Wall Thickness at Parapet: | Steel covering & wood lining = about 3" thick. |
| Diameter at Base: | 12' sq. at 17' 6" level |
| Diameter at Parapet: | 11' sq. |
| Kind of Stairway and Steps: | Iron ladders with round iron steps. |
| Number of Landings: | None, floors form landings. |
| Size of Glass: | 14.5" dia. 1/4" plate glass. |
| Number of Windows and Size of Sash: | 5 port lights, bronze frames, sash 15 3/4" dia. |
| Number of Doors: | 1 just above elevated walk on shore side. |
| Kind of Foundation and Depth Below Surface: | 4 concrete piers, just below water line on stone filling of substructure of pier. |
| Character of Soil Surrounding the Lighthouse: | Water site, tower is on pier superstructure. |
| Soil Susceptibility: | |
| Miscellaneous Remarks: | Tower is open construction, 17' 6" from pier deck to 1st enclosed floor. Width btwn piers, 270'. N pier extends into lake in E 1/2 N direction. |
| Lantern and Fixtures |
| Order of Lantern: | 4th |
| Shape of Lantern: | Polygonal |
| Diameter to Glass: | 7' 3/8" |
| Diameter in the Clear: | 6' 8 3/8" |
| Number of Sides: | 10 |
| Type of Bars: | Vertical |
| Thickness of Bars: | |
| Height Glazed: | 36" |
| Number of Plates in Height: | One |
| Number of Plates Each Side: | One |
| Thickness of Plates: | About 1/4" |
| Size of Plates: | 26 3/4" x 36" |
| Number of Storm Panes: | None |
| Unglazed Side of Lantern: | 360 degrees glazed |
| What Bearings: | |
| Construction Material Lantern: | Cast iron, lined with steel, glazed with plate glass. Zinc lining for ceiling. |
| Construction Material Roof / Cowl: | Cast iron lined with zinc. |
| Ventilator / Cowl: | Cast iron, globe in shape |
| Lightning Spindle: | There is a regulation spindle on ventilator ball |
| Description of Lightning Rod: | None needed |
| Balustrade: | Balustrade is constructed of cast iron posts with wrought iron rails. Gallery is extension of lantern deck, of cast iron 27" side from parapet |
| Lantern Doors: | In parapet wall, cast iron. swings out. |
| Floor of Lantern: | Cast iron |
| Watchroom Doors: | There is no door on lantern deck, but there is a wood door on middle, this is above watchroom floor. |
| Parapet Diameter: | 6' 8 3/8" |
| Ventilators |
| Location / Number: | In parapet wall, bronze with 1/2 opening |
| Ladders / Cleaning Arrangement: | None needed |
| Curtain Hooks / Hanger: | Regulation brass hooks |
| Watchroom |
| How is Watchroom Fitted: | Fitted with a cleaning locker, stove, writing desk, also bell striking apparatus is in watchroom. |
| How is Relief Called: | |
| Where is Call System Led: |
| Illuminating Apparatus |
| Kind of Apparatus: | |
| Intensity in Candles: | |
| Name of Maker: | L. Sautter & Co. Paris |
| Year Made: | |
| Marks and Number: | ET CIE A PARIS |
| Order of Apparatus: | 4th |
| Inside Diameter: | 1' 7 11/16" |
| Light Characteristic: | Fixed red |
| Time of Revolution: | |
| Flash Interval: | |
| Duration of Flash: | |
| Arc of Each Fixed Part: | 270 degrees, remaining 90 degrees is a prismatic reflector |
| Number of Panels: | 4 |
| Number of Flash Panels: | |
| Arc of Each: | |
| Number of Elements in Central Drum: | 5 & door has 9 element & prisms |
| Number of Prisms Above Center Drum: | 6 & prismatic deflector |
| Number of Prisms Below Center Drum: | 4 |
| 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: | Cast iron, 40" high, 12" dia. at bottom & 17" on top. |
| Service Table: | None |
| Draft Tube Description: | |
| Revolving Machinery: | |
| Standby and Description: | |
| Chariot Float or Balls: | |
| Chariot Description: | There are 4 wheels to revolve the lens for cleaning or setting in right position. |
| 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 on lamp. |
| Red Sectors Description: | |
| Where Color Attached: | Chimney on lamp |
| Form of Colored Glass: | |
| Lamp Description: | New 4th order, 17 5/8" overall |
| Type of Illuminant: | |
| Number of Spare Lamps: | 1 |
| Number of Spare Burners: | Burner forms part of lamp |
| Candle Power: |
| Vapor Oil Lamp |
| Number of Wicks or Mantels: | 1 wick |
| Diameter of Outside Wick: | 1.5" |
| Diameter of Mantel: | |
| Diameter of Circum Circle: |
| Closets and Store Rooms |
| Tower Closet Use: | None |
| Oil House Description: | On NW corner of crib of dwelling, wood shelves |
| Oil House Inside Dimension: | 8' 1" x 6' 1" x 7' 1/2" |
| Oil House Construction Material: | Wood frame construction, roof, iron plate, frame covered with smooth iron both inside & outside, shelving 7/8" x 12" steel. |
| Oil House Capacity: | 70 5-gal cans on shelving; 102 on floor btwn shelving |
| Other (Describe): | |
| Suitability: |
| Fog Signal General |
| Fog Signal Kind: | Fog bell struck by hammer & run by clockwork; Stevens apparatus |
| Time to Start: | Immediately |
| How Long Will Pressure Last: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| Year of Manufacture: | |
| Characteristic: | Strikes once evey 20 sec. |
| Duplication: | None |
| Timing Device: | Clockwork of bell is timed by fan governor |
| If whistle, siren, or trumpet, Pressure at Which Blown: | |
| Height Above Water: | Bottom of bell 28' 8" above water |
| Compass Direction: | Bell is on E side of tower |
| Location: | Guide to Racine Harbor entrance |
| Distance and Direction: | Bell is on tower on N pier. |
| Water Supply: | None |
| Reached from Lighthouse: | In light tower |
| Description of Fog Signal Building: | Fog bell located on E side of light tower, hung on steel brackets, & machinery for operating it is located on lower floor of tower, there is a 14" weight drop tube leading down to pier deck, made of galv. iron. |
| Pressure And Recording Gauge: |
| Bell Signal |
| Weight: | 1500 lbs |
| Metal: | Bell metal |
| Diameter: | 42.5" |
| Height: | 32.5" |
| Time: | About 4 hours |
| Manufacturer: | McShane Bell Foundry Co., Baltimore MD., 1896 |
| Weights for Operation: |
| Dwelling |
| Location: | Dwelling located on crib foundation, 960' W of tower & just off pier |
| Coloring: | Buff walls & red roof |
| Construction Materials: | Stone foundation, brick walls, airtight metal shingle roof, otherwise ordinary construction. |
| Number of Rooms: | 11 rooms & bath in single dwelling |
| Number of Dwellings: | 1 |
| Heating Plant: | |
| Number of Keepers: | Keeper occupies rooms in basement & 1st floor; Asst has 4 rooms on 2nd floor. |
| Furnished Quarters: | |
| NOT Furnished Quarters: | |
| Outhouses: | Oil house, boathouse, & fuel house |
| Outhouse Coloring: | Buff with red roofs |
| Paths and Walks: | Entire surface of crib is planked |
| Area Inclosed: | Timber crib, enclosed by picket fence & sea wall. |
| Area of Garden: | None |
| Area Timber or Shrubbery: | None |
| Cultivation Area Available: | None |
| Area Cultivated: | None |
| Character of Surroundings: | Water site |
| Stove, Maker: | |
| Stove, Size: | |
| Sink, Maker: | |
| Sink, Size: | |
| Pump, Maker: | |
| Pump, Size: | |
| Lamps: |
| Water |
| How Procured: | City water service |
| Quality: | Very 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: |
| Healthfulness |
| General Opinion: | Very healthy |
| Diseases: | None |
| Prevalency: | |
| Local Causes: | No |
| Recommended Improvements: | No |
| Miscellaneous |
| Access to Lighthouse: | Landing harbor entrance pier; Boathouse is 19' 6" x 13' 3" in clear; City streets to Harbor piers, thence over pier to dwelling, thence to tower by elevated walk. |
| Distance and Direction: | Dodge Street abuts entrance pier about 400' W'ly from Dwelling & tower is 960' E'ly from dwelling. |
| Miscellaneous Remarks: |