Report for St. Joseph Pierhead, Front Range (Michigan) - 1909
| General |
| District: | 9th |
| Inspector: | Francis J. Otter, Draftsman, Office of Dist. Engr. |
| Location: | On outer end of N pier at entrance to St. Joseph & Benton Harbors, MI., E'ly side of S'ly part of Lake Michigan. |
| Date of Report: | 06/10/1909 |
| Latitude: | 42° 06' 56" |
| Longitude: | 86° 29' 39" |
| Premises |
| Site: | Built on N entrance pier to Harbor, Keepers Double dwelling built on land purchased for same contiguous to Range lights on N side of N pier. |
| Date of Reservation: | |
| Date of Deed: | 07/27/1908 |
| Date of Permission: | |
| Date of Lease: | |
| Area of the Entire Site: | 100' x 150' about 1/3 of an acre |
| Area Inclosed: | None as yet |
| Character of Soil: | Sand |
| Distance of tower from Nearest High-Water Mark: | On entrance pier to Harbor |
| Inclosures to Premises / Type of Fence: | None as yet |
| Wharf or Landing on Premises: | Pier |
| Road to Land or Wharf Chararacter of and Distance: | Pier |
| Means to Reach Light Station: | Boat |
| Distance to Nearest Road: | 3/4 mile |
| Distance to Post Office: | 3/4 mile |
| Distance to Village: | 1/2 mile |
| Facilities for Public Conveyance: | None |
| Facilities for Private Conveyance: | By boat 1/2 mile |
| Means Used for Support of Lantern: | Tower |
| Number of Separate Lights: | 1 |
| First Built or Established: | 1846 |
| Last Rebuilt, Repaired, or Renovated: | 1907 |
| Condition at This Date: | Good |
| Shape of Tower in Plan: | Cylindrical |
| Form of Tower: | Conical |
| Height from Base to Ventilator Ball: | 35' 8" |
| Height of Focal Plane Above Mean High Water: | 31' |
| Background of Lighthouse as Seen from Sea: | Piers & Harbor entrance; Wooded bluff & houses of City. |
| Color of Tower: | White, black lantern |
| Color of Tower/ How Produced: | Paint |
| Tower Connection: | Detached |
| Object of Navigation: | Entrance to Channel & Harbor & forms a range for approaching the cut entrance to piers from Lake Michigan. |
| Building Materials: | Metal, wood & concrete, wrought steel, riveted construction. |
| General Description: | Structural steel lined outside with metal. |
| Wall Thickness at Base: | |
| Wall Thickness at Parapet: | |
| Diameter at Base: | 8' 3" |
| Diameter at Parapet: | 7' 3" |
| Kind of Stairway and Steps: | 2 ladders |
| Number of Landings: | 1 |
| Size of Glass: | 28" x 36" in lantern, bullseye 15" dia. |
| Number of Windows and Size of Sash: | 2 |
| Number of Doors: | 4 |
| Kind of Foundation and Depth Below Surface: | Concrete 8" below ground. |
| Character of Soil Surrounding the Lighthouse: | Water, built on pier in Lake Michigan. |
| Soil Susceptibility: | |
| Miscellaneous Remarks: | Tower of structural steel framing covered with metal on outside. Cover plates vary from 5/16" metal at base to 1/4" metal at parapet. |
| Lantern and Fixtures |
| Order of Lantern: | 5th |
| Shape of Lantern: | Polygonal |
| Diameter to Glass: | 6' 7 3/4" |
| Diameter in the Clear: | 6' 7" |
| Number of Sides: | 9 |
| Type of Bars: | Vertical |
| Thickness of Bars: | |
| Height Glazed: | 3' |
| Number of Plates in Height: | One |
| Number of Plates Each Side: | One |
| Thickness of Plates: | 3/8" |
| Size of Plates: | 28" x 36" |
| Number of Storm Panes: | Not so fitted |
| Unglazed Side of Lantern: | None |
| What Bearings: | |
| Construction Material Lantern: | Cast iron parapet, lined with sheet steel; Lantern cast iron astragals & cornice, cast iron roof lined with zinc. |
| Construction Material Roof / Cowl: | Cast iron lined with zinc |
| Ventilator / Cowl: | Cast iron |
| Lightning Spindle: | Brass spindle with 5.5" platinum point on ventilator ball |
| Description of Lightning Rod: | None |
| Balustrade: | Steel frame 2" plank floor, from newels to lattice |
| Lantern Doors: | Steel door with bolt & hinges |
| Floor of Lantern: | Steel plate 1/4" metal |
| Watchroom Doors: | Trap door in floor, fitted with rebates. |
| Parapet Diameter: | Polygonal, 6' 3" dia. |
| Ventilators |
| Location / Number: | In parapet, 8 in all, brass, radial pattern. |
| Ladders / Cleaning Arrangement: | None |
| Curtain Hooks / Hanger: | Brass hooks screwed to astragals. |
| Watchroom |
| How is Watchroom Fitted: | Cleaning table. |
| How is Relief Called: | |
| Where is Call System Led: |
| Illuminating Apparatus |
| Kind of Apparatus: | |
| Intensity in Candles: | |
| Name of Maker: | Barbier & Benard, Paris, France. |
| Year Made: | |
| Marks and Number: | No marks |
| Order of Apparatus: | 5th |
| Inside Diameter: | 15" |
| Light Characteristic: | Fixed red |
| Time of Revolution: | |
| Flash Interval: | |
| Duration of Flash: | |
| Arc of Each Fixed Part: | 2 fixed panels, 180 degrees; 2 metal reflector panels 180 degrees |
| Number of Panels: | 4 - 2 light, 2 reflectors |
| Number of Flash Panels: | |
| Arc of Each: | |
| Number of Elements in Central Drum: | 5 |
| Number of Prisms Above Center Drum: | 5 |
| Number of Prisms Below Center Drum: | 3 |
| 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, 5' 3" above floor. |
| Service Table: | None |
| Draft Tube Description: | Copper 18" 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: | |
| How Color is Produced: | By chimney of lamps |
| Red Sectors Description: | |
| Where Color Attached: | To lamps |
| Form of Colored Glass: | Chimneys of lamps |
| Lamp Description: | 5th |
| Type of Illuminant: | |
| Number of Spare Lamps: | 2 |
| Number of Spare Burners: | |
| Candle Power: |
| Vapor Oil Lamp |
| Number of Wicks or Mantels: | 1 wixk |
| Diameter of Outside Wick: | 1 1/4" |
| Diameter of Mantel: | |
| Diameter of Circum Circle: |
| Closets and Store Rooms |
| Tower Closet Use: | None |
| Oil House Description: | 5' 8" E from Fog-Signal house on pier |
| Oil House Inside Dimension: | 6' 7" x 8' |
| Oil House Construction Material: | Wood frame covered with metal |
| Oil House Capacity: | 240 5-gal cans |
| Other (Describe): | Over coal bin in Fog-signal house. |
| Suitability: |
| Fog Signal General |
| Fog Signal Kind: | Marine boiler, Kingsford pattern & upright steam engine. |
| Time to Start: | 30 minutes |
| How Long Will Pressure Last: | |
| Manufacturer: | J.P. McGuire, now Variety Iron Works, Cleveland, OH. |
| Year of Manufacture: | 1896 |
| Characteristic: | 3 sec blast then 17 sec silent interval & repeat. |
| Duplication: | Boilers & engines. |
| Timing Device: | Cam & worm gear on engine |
| If whistle, siren, or trumpet, Pressure at Which Blown: | Whistle, 75# |
| Height Above Water: | 35' 9" |
| Compass Direction: | WNW 3/8 W |
| Location: | Channel & harbor entrance & forms base of rear range tower. |
| Distance and Direction: | Base of Rear range tower |
| Water Supply: | Well in pier |
| Reached from Lighthouse: | By elevated walk & pier |
| Description of Fog Signal Building: | Bldg of steel construction square on plan 24' x 24', with pyramidal roof, surrounded by octagon tower & black lantern, painted white. |
| Pressure And Recording Gauge: |
| Steam Signal |
| Steam Boiler: | Marine open bottom, horizontal return tubular boiler. |
| Kind: | Marine, Kingsford pattern |
| Tube: | Flue tube |
| Dimensions: | 4' 9" x 6' 6" x 7' 5" |
| Length: | 6' 6" |
| Diameter: | 4' 9" |
| Tube Description: | 102, 58" long |
| Steam Tube Diameter: | 2.5" |
| Steam Furnace Kind: | Metal, part of boiler |
| Furnace Length: | 6' |
| Furnace Width: | 4' 3.5" |
| Furnace Height: | 1' 6" |
| Steam Heat Surface: | 393.95 sq. ft. |
| Steam Grate Surface: | 21.25 sq. ft. |
| Number of Grate Bars: | 18 double bars & 1 single bar. |
| Kind of Grate Bars: | Spade end, double bar, cast iron |
| Steam Fuel: | Soft coal |
| Steam Safety Valve: | Cast iron, 2.5" dia. with weight & lever |
| Steam Maximum Pressure: | 120# hydrostatic pressure. |
| Steam Working Pressure: | 75# |
| Steam Diameter of Smokestack: | 24" |
| Smokestack Height: | 45' to top of smokestack. |
| Drum Dimension: | 5' 3.5" |
| Steam Drum Diameter: | 2' 6.5" |
| Steam Covering: | Not any |
| Steam Boiler Condition: | Good |
| Steam Boiler Built: | 1896 |
| Where Built: | Cleveland, OH |
| Manufacturer: | J.P. McGuire, now Variety Iron Works. |
| Steam Heater: | False |
| Kind: | |
| Size: | |
| Heater Time Affect: | |
| Steam Engine Kind: | Upright |
| Steam Engine Revolutions: | 120 rpm |
| Steam Engine Cyl. Diameter: | 4" |
| Steam Engine Piston Stroke: | 8 1/4" |
| Steam Engine Pipe Size: | 1" |
| Steam Engine When Built: | 1896 |
| Steam Engine Where Built: | Detroit, MI. |
| Manufacturer: | Russell Wheel & Foundry Co. |
| Whistle Signal |
| Whistle Diameter: | 10" |
| Whistle Height: | 16 7/8" |
| Whistle Orifice: | 4 3/8" |
| Whistle Tone: | Single |
| Whistle Chime: |
| Dwelling |
| Location: | On inner end of N pier, near shore line |
| Coloring: | Lower portion, red brick, upper frame shingles, green, white trimmings & shingle roofs, stained green. |
| Construction Materials: | Brick walls & wood frame construction, shingle roof. |
| Number of Rooms: | 7 each side, erected Fall, 1908 |
| Number of Dwellings: | Double dwelling |
| Heating Plant: | |
| Number of Keepers: | 1 keeper & 1 asst. |
| Furnished Quarters: | |
| NOT Furnished Quarters: | |
| Outhouses: | None, all conveniences in dwelling |
| Outhouse Coloring: | |
| Paths and Walks: | Not any as yet |
| Area Inclosed: | None enclosed |
| Area of Garden: | Not any, shifting sand. |
| Area Timber or Shrubbery: | None |
| Cultivation Area Available: | None |
| Area Cultivated: | Not any |
| Character of Surroundings: | Sandy, shifting. |
| Stove, Maker: | |
| Stove, Size: | |
| Sink, Maker: | |
| Sink, Size: | |
| Pump, Maker: | |
| Pump, Size: | |
| Lamps: |
| Water |
| How Procured: | Fog signal house, well in pier; Dwelling, driven well in each dwelling. |
| Quality: | Fog-signal for engine only; Dwelling, good |
| Quantity: | Ample |
| Injury Possible: | No |
| Purity Precaution: | |
| Tank Capacity: | 595 gals in SE corner of FS house |
| Tank Material: | Steel tank 4' 6" dia, 5' high. |
| Distilling Apparatus: | False |
| Distilling Manufacturer: | |
| Well Description: | F.S. well, 15' deep from floor; Dwellings, 2 drive wells 18' deep |
| Well Diameter: | F.S. 2'; Dwellings, wrought iron pipe. |
| Well Lining: | Lined with concrete with plank top in Fog Signal House floor. |
| Pump or Bucket: | Pumps |
| What Power Used: | |
| Distance from Dwelling: | Over sinks in pantrys, force pumps on same. |
| Healthfulness |
| General Opinion: | Good |
| Diseases: | |
| Prevalency: | |
| Local Causes: | |
| Recommended Improvements: | No |
| Miscellaneous |
| Access to Lighthouse: | Pier in front of dwellings. |
| Distance and Direction: | 64' 10" S'ly to inner face of pier. |
| Miscellaneous Remarks: | Grounds under repairs; tower, Fog Signal house, elevated walks and dwellings in good condition. Width btwn piers at entrance 325'. N pier extends into Lake in WNW 3/8 W direction. Life Saving Station near inner end of N pier. |