Report for Manitou Light Station (Michigan) - 1909
| General |
| District: | 9th |
| Inspector: | Ralph R. Tinkham |
| Location: | Manitou Light Station, on the E'ly end of Manitou island, Mich. off the E'ly end of Keweenaw Point, Lake Superior. |
| Date of Report: | 06/17/1909 |
| Latitude: | 47° 25' 11.36" |
| Longitude: | 87° 35' 13.39" |
| Premises |
| Site: | Reservation, Fractional Sections 15,17,20, 21 T58N, R26W, Mich. Meridan |
| Date of Reservation: | 12/20/1849 |
| Date of Deed: | |
| Date of Permission: | |
| Date of Lease: | |
| Area of the Entire Site: | 684.51 acres |
| Area Inclosed: | None |
| Character of Soil: | Rock with very little soil in some places. |
| Distance of tower from Nearest High-Water Mark: | 100 feet |
| Inclosures to Premises / Type of Fence: | None. |
| Wharf or Landing on Premises: | Crib boatlanding at station & 1 at boathouse in North Bay, N'ly of station |
| Road to Land or Wharf Chararacter of and Distance: | Congrete walk to crib connecting with fog signals & dwelling. foot trail to boathouse from dwelling. |
| Means to Reach Light Station: | By boat only. |
| Distance to Nearest Road: | |
| Distance to Post Office: | |
| Distance to Village: | |
| Facilities for Public Conveyance: | |
| Facilities for Private Conveyance: | By tug or from Engle harbor or Copper Harbor. or by Light-House Tender. |
| Means Used for Support of Lantern: | Tower. |
| Number of Separate Lights: | 1 |
| First Built or Established: | 1850 |
| Last Rebuilt, Repaired, or Renovated: | 1861 |
| Condition at This Date: | Good. Frame house attached to tower is old & in poor condition. |
| Shape of Tower in Plan: | Square skeleton frome & cylinder stair well. |
| Form of Tower: | Cylindrical stair well with iron skeleton tower. |
| Height from Base to Ventilator Ball: | 78 feet |
| Height of Focal Plane Above Mean High Water: | 81 feet |
| Background of Lighthouse as Seen from Sea: | Wooded. |
| Color of Tower: | White, black lantern. |
| Color of Tower/ How Produced: | White paint & black paint. |
| Tower Connection: | Connected by covered way of wood from 17.5' above ground at base of stair cylinder into 2nd floor of dwelling. Passage 3' x 20' |
| Object of Navigation: | Lake coast light. |
| Building Materials: | Tower is iron skeleton structure with steel plate stair cylinder. |
| General Description: | Skeleton structure built in 4 sections; 1st of of 4 6" vertical corner posts & 1 6" center post under cylinder, suports stair newel & lens. Remaining 3 sections; pyramidal tower 26' sq. at base, each 15', 14' 13.5' high. |
| Wall Thickness at Base: | |
| Wall Thickness at Parapet: | |
| Diameter at Base: | 26' square |
| Diameter at Parapet: | 6' |
| Kind of Stairway and Steps: | Circular winding, castiron, pipe hand rail. |
| Number of Landings: | 2 half landings, cast iron. |
| Size of Glass: | 14' x 15.5" |
| Number of Windows and Size of Sash: | 2 iron casement sash 19.5" x 18" |
| Number of Doors: | 1 door from passage at base of cylinder, 2-fold with 2 glass panels. |
| Kind of Foundation and Depth Below Surface: | Stone piers under each post 4' sq. & about 3' below surface to rock. |
| Character of Soil Surrounding the Lighthouse: | Conglomerate rock with alight covering of gravel & little so |
| Soil Susceptibility: | There are small patches of grass around the station but no trees. |
| Miscellaneous Remarks: | All struts & posts are circular pipe, cast iron. Diagonal bracing of 2" tie rods. stair cylinder 42' high, 6' diam. of 1/4" boiler plate in 6' vert. sections, all riveted. This supported 17.5' above grade on 4 12" I's radial to corner posts & Center post. |
| Lantern and Fixtures |
| Order of Lantern: | 3rd |
| Shape of Lantern: | Polygonal. |
| Diameter to Glass: | 7' 9.25" |
| Diameter in the Clear: | 7' 8.75" |
| Number of Sides: | 10 |
| Type of Bars: | Vertical & Horizontal |
| Thickness of Bars: | |
| Height Glazed: | 5' 11" |
| Number of Plates in Height: | 3 |
| Number of Plates Each Side: | 3 |
| Thickness of Plates: | 5/16" |
| Size of Plates: | 2 upper plates 25.25" x 29.25", lower 18" x 29.25" |
| Number of Storm Panes: | None. |
| Unglazed Side of Lantern: | None. |
| What Bearings: | |
| Construction Material Lantern: | Cast iron plates lined with wood ceiling, wrought iron sash bars & verticals. |
| Construction Material Roof / Cowl: | Sheet copper dome, 10 sided, lined with zinc. |
| Ventilator / Cowl: | Copper |
| Lightning Spindle: | Copper with platinum point. |
| Description of Lightning Rod: | 7/8" round iron rod leads from foot of NE corner post of tower under ground into water, terminating about 12' from shore. |
| Balustrade: | Gallery octagonal, 32" wide of cast iron plates. Balustrade 40" high of 2-3/4" x 2" bar with 5/8" round verticals spaced 5" centers & 1.25" round stanchions with ball tops. |
| Lantern Doors: | From lower part of lantern a double set (outside & inside) of 2-fold wood single-panel doors lead to the main gallery. |
| Floor of Lantern: | Cast iron, flanged plates, extended outside to form lantern gallery, circular, 25" wide with balustrade 23" high of 1/2" x 2" flats & 1" stanchions. |
| Watchroom Doors: | No watchroom. A trap door, cast iron, in floor of lantern, if fitted with handle & brass hinges. |
| Parapet Diameter: | 7' 8", circular inside & lined with vertical wood ceiling. This is the lower part of lantern rather than a parapet. |
| Ventilators |
| Location / Number: | 10 in lower part of lantern & are recesses cast in wall plates with cast iron slides on inside. Not used there being too much draught from below. |
| Ladders / Cleaning Arrangement: | 1 12" wide for cleaning lantern glass. |
| Curtain Hooks / Hanger: | Brass hooks in soffit casting. |
| Watchroom |
| How is Watchroom Fitted: | No watchroom |
| How is Relief Called: | |
| Where is Call System Led: |
| Illuminating Apparatus |
| Kind of Apparatus: | |
| Intensity in Candles: | |
| Name of Maker: | Henry Lepaute, Paris |
| Year Made: | Not given. |
| Marks and Number: | None. |
| Order of Apparatus: | 3rd |
| Inside Diameter: | 39.5" |
| Light Characteristic: | Fixed white varied by white flash. |
| Time of Revolution: | 3 minutes. |
| Flash Interval: | 1 minute |
| Duration of Flash: | |
| Arc of Each Fixed Part: | 3 pannels fixed light each 60 degrees - 180 degree alternating with flash panels. |
| Number of Panels: | 6 |
| Number of Flash Panels: | 3 |
| Arc of Each: | 60 degrees |
| Number of Elements in Central Drum: | |
| Number of Prisms Above Center Drum: | 6 |
| Number of Prisms Below Center Drum: | 6 |
| Does Apparatus Revolve?: | True |
| Is There a Revolving Belt?: | False |
| Revolving Panels: | Bullseye & 3 circular concentric elements. |
| How Flash is Produced: | |
| Number of Vertical Elements Panel: | |
| Fixed Lens Covered: | |
| Pedestal: | Old pattern cast iron. |
| Service Table: | 17" x 29" at 1 side of pedestal, cast iron top resting on 4 cast iron posts set in cast iron base. |
| Draft Tube Description: | Iron damper tube leads from chimney to spider of lantern & a 4" tin tube leads from spider to ventilator ball. |
| Revolving Machinery: | Clockwork actuated by weights & supported on service table in brass box glass paneled. |
| Standby and Description: | |
| Chariot Float or Balls: | Revolves on chariot driven by horz. spur gear |
| Chariot Description: | 9 chariot wheels 4.5" diam. 2 sets guide roller 1.75" diam. 1 set guides chariot & 1 set guides lens ring. |
| Length of Drop Tube: | 42.5 feet |
| Clock Weight: | |
| Length of Winding Time: | |
| Drive During Rewind: | |
| Machinery Protection: | Brass case with glass panels. |
| Regulated: | Wing governer & adding or removing weights. |
| Lens Protection: | |
| How Color is Produced: | Not colored. |
| Red Sectors Description: | |
| Where Color Attached: | |
| Form of Colored Glass: | |
| Lamp Description: | 2 wick hydraulic |
| Type of Illuminant: | |
| Number of Spare Lamps: | 1 |
| Number of Spare Burners: | 2 |
| Candle Power: |
| Clock Cord Description |
| Revolving Cord: | Wire |
| Size of Clock Cord: | 1/4" |
| Length of Clock Cord: | |
| How Led: | Leads from drum in case over a sheave on floor into a wood boxed weight flue down outside of stair cylinder to the bottom. |
| Diameter and Length of Clock Drum: |
| Vapor Oil Lamp |
| Number of Wicks or Mantels: | 2 |
| Diameter of Outside Wick: | 1 7/8" |
| Diameter of Mantel: | |
| Diameter of Circum Circle: |
| Closets and Store Rooms |
| Tower Closet Use: | None. |
| Oil House Description: | About 50' SW'ly from tower fitted with steel shelving. |
| Oil House Inside Dimension: | 5' 4" x 7' 2" |
| Oil House Construction Material: | Brick walls, concrete floor; sheet iron ceiling and roof, Ventilator. |
| Oil House Capacity: | 75 5 gal. cans |
| Other (Describe): | 1 closet 1st floor. 4 closets 2nd floor, fitted with hooks & shelves. |
| Suitability: | Suitable. |
| Fog Signal General |
| Fog Signal Kind: | 10" Steam whistle |
| Time to Start: | 40 minutes from cold water. 30 with lukewarm |
| How Long Will Pressure Last: | |
| Manufacturer: | Unknown |
| Year of Manufacture: | Unknown |
| Characteristic: | 3 sec. blast, 26 sec. silent, 5 sec. blast, 26 sec. silent |
| Duplication: | All parts in 2 separate buildings |
| Timing Device: | Spur & worm gear operating cam. |
| If whistle, siren, or trumpet, Pressure at Which Blown: | 75 lbs. |
| Height Above Water: | |
| Compass Direction: | |
| Location: | Same site as lighthouse, marking SE point of Manitou Island |
| Distance and Direction: | 1 25' NE'ly of tower, 1 100' S'ly of tower. |
| Water Supply: | Direct from lake to pumps, 1.25" pipe 100' long |
| Reached from Lighthouse: | By cement walk to each signal building. |
| Description of Fog Signal Building: | 18.5' x 42.5' plan. 10' to plates, of wood frame construction, clapboarded, shingle gable roofs, concrete floor, linterior lined with #26 sheet iron. All buildings and roof painted dark red. |
| Pressure And Recording Gauge: |
| Steam Signal |
| Steam Boiler: | |
| Kind: | Standard locomotive |
| Tube: | Flue-tube. |
| Dimensions: | 5' 3.5" |
| Length: | 15' 6" |
| Diameter: | 3' 10" |
| Tube Description: | 58 tubes, 8' long |
| Steam Tube Diameter: | 2.5" |
| Steam Furnace Kind: | Locomotive |
| Furnace Length: | 5' 0" |
| Furnace Width: | 3' 3.25" |
| Furnace Height: | 3' 11" |
| Steam Heat Surface: | 371 sq. feet |
| Steam Grate Surface: | 16.25 sq. feet |
| Number of Grate Bars: | 16 |
| Kind of Grate Bars: | Double, 58" long. |
| Steam Fuel: | Bituminous coal. |
| Steam Safety Valve: | Lever, 2.5" single side outlet. |
| Steam Maximum Pressure: | 150lbs. |
| Steam Working Pressure: | 75 lbs. |
| Steam Diameter of Smokestack: | 20" |
| Smokestack Height: | 35 feet |
| Drum Dimension: | 4' long |
| Steam Drum Diameter: | 30" |
| Steam Covering: | Asbestor, felt, paper, canvas. |
| Steam Boiler Condition: | Fair. |
| Steam Boiler Built: | 1890 |
| Where Built: | Detroit, Mich. |
| Manufacturer: | Engle Iron Works. |
| Steam Heater: | True |
| Kind: | Gurney #402 |
| Size: | |
| Heater Time Affect: | |
| Steam Engine Kind: | Vertical |
| Steam Engine Revolutions: | 120 |
| Steam Engine Cyl. Diameter: | 4" |
| Steam Engine Piston Stroke: | 9" |
| Steam Engine Pipe Size: | 3/4" |
| Steam Engine When Built: | 1890 |
| Steam Engine Where Built: | Detroit, Mich. |
| Manufacturer: | Russel Wheel & Foundry Co. |
| Whistle Signal |
| Whistle Diameter: | 10" |
| Whistle Height: | 18" |
| Whistle Orifice: | 2-3/8" to 2-11/16" |
| Whistle Tone: | Single |
| Whistle Chime: |
| Dwelling |
| Location: | Frame house (1) attached to tower by elevated covered way. Is old & in poor condition. |
| Coloring: | White with unpainted roof. |
| Construction Materials: | Frame wood construction, clapboarded, on stone foundation, shingle roof, cut stone steps, sills & lintels. |
| Number of Rooms: | 7 room, 5 closets, hall, pantry & cellar to be built in 1919. |
| Number of Dwellings: | 1 |
| Heating Plant: | |
| Number of Keepers: | 1 keeper & 2 assistants, no families. |
| Furnished Quarters: | |
| NOT Furnished Quarters: | |
| Outhouses: | Wood privy, clapboarded. |
| Outhouse Coloring: | White privy |
| Paths and Walks: | 350' concrete walk 2.5' wide connecting all buildings except boarhouse in North Bay. |
| Area Inclosed: | None |
| Area of Garden: | Small patch 15' sq between S fog signal & oil hous |
| Area Timber or Shrubbery: | |
| Cultivation Area Available: | None |
| Area Cultivated: | Just small garden |
| Character of Surroundings: | Rock with some top soil of disintergrated rock bearing scrub timber. |
| Stove, Maker: | |
| Stove, Size: | |
| Sink, Maker: | |
| Sink, Size: | |
| Pump, Maker: | |
| Pump, Size: | |
| Lamps: |
| Water |
| How Procured: | From lake. |
| Quality: | Excellent. |
| Quantity: | Ample |
| Injury Possible: | No. |
| Purity Precaution: | No cistern. |
| Tank Capacity: | |
| Tank Material: | |
| Distilling Apparatus: | False |
| Distilling Manufacturer: | |
| Well Description: | |
| Well Diameter: | |
| Well Lining: | |
| Pump or Bucket: | Bucket for domestic; pump for fog signal. |
| What Power Used: | |
| Distance from Dwelling: |
| Healthfulness |
| General Opinion: | Healthfulness good. |
| Diseases: | None. |
| Prevalency: | No. |
| Local Causes: | No. |
| Recommended Improvements: | None needed. |
| Miscellaneous |
| Access to Lighthouse: | Old boathouse, 14' x 30', battened & whitewashed, unpainted shingle roof, concrete floor, winch & roller boatways. New boathouse, 18' x 36' Wood painted buff, metal-slate roof, red, winch & roller boatway. |
| Distance and Direction: | Old boathouse 15' SE of tower, New boathouse about 1/4 mile N'ly of tower. |
| Miscellaneous Remarks: | New boat landing 8' wide, 30' long, crib construction, with small side crib. Boatway is 40' long & boathouse is 35' from the water. Stone seawall 8.5' high, 90' long. |