Report for Big Bay Point Light Station (Michigan) - 1910
| General |
| District: | 9th |
| Inspector: | Oliver G. Brown |
| Location: | Big Bay Point Light Station on Big Bay Point Mich. E'ly side of the entrance to Big Bay, S'ly shore of Lake Superior. |
| Date of Report: | 07/09/1910 |
| Latitude: | 46° 50' 31" |
| Longitude: | 87° 40' 47" |
| Premises |
| Site: | Purchase, Part of Sec. 1, T51N, R27W, Mich. Mer. |
| Date of Reservation: | |
| Date of Deed: | 11/03/1895 |
| Date of Permission: | |
| Date of Lease: | |
| Area of the Entire Site: | 5 acres approx. |
| Area Inclosed: | All surrounded by wire fence. |
| Character of Soil: | Sand stone rock covered with a thin layer of gravel. |
| Distance of tower from Nearest High-Water Mark: | |
| Inclosures to Premises / Type of Fence: | All surrounded by wire fence. |
| Wharf or Landing on Premises: | A landing at fog singanl 16 x 36, runs out into 3 ft. of water. |
| Road to Land or Wharf Chararacter of and Distance: | None. |
| Means to Reach Light Station: | By rig or small boat from Big Bay. |
| Distance to Nearest Road: | 4 miles to RR Sta. at Big Bay, Mich. |
| Distance to Post Office: | 4 miles. |
| Distance to Village: | 4 miles. |
| Facilities for Public Conveyance: | None. |
| Facilities for Private Conveyance: | 4 miles from Big Bay by rig or boat. |
| Means Used for Support of Lantern: | Tower. |
| Number of Separate Lights: | 1 |
| First Built or Established: | 1896 |
| Last Rebuilt, Repaired, or Renovated: | |
| Condition at This Date: | Excellent. |
| Shape of Tower in Plan: | Square. |
| Form of Tower: | Square Prism. |
| Height from Base to Ventilator Ball: | 63' 9" |
| Height of Focal Plane Above Mean High Water: | 32' |
| Background of Lighthouse as Seen from Sea: | Thickly wooded. |
| Color of Tower: | Natural red brick. |
| Color of Tower/ How Produced: | Natural red brick. |
| Tower Connection: | Rises from front of keeper's dwelling. |
| Object of Navigation: | Coast light. |
| Building Materials: | Brick. |
| General Description: | |
| Wall Thickness at Base: | Outer wall 12", air space 3", inner wall 4" |
| Wall Thickness at Parapet: | Outer wall 12", air space 3", inner wall 4" |
| Diameter at Base: | 16' square |
| Diameter at Parapet: | 16' square |
| Kind of Stairway and Steps: | Wooden steps from 2nd floor, Cast iron stairs from watch room to service room & cast iron stairs lead from here up into lantern floor. |
| Number of Landings: | |
| Size of Glass: | Service room; 15.75" x 17", watch room; 2'6" x 1'6" |
| Number of Windows and Size of Sash: | 2 in service room & 2 in watych room. |
| Number of Doors: | Wooden doors lead from dwelling into watch room & from watch room into service room. |
| Kind of Foundation and Depth Below Surface: | Rock 7'4" below grade. |
| Character of Soil Surrounding the Lighthouse: | Sand stone covered with a thin layer of gravel. |
| Soil Susceptibility: | Some trees & grass grow here. |
| Miscellaneous Remarks: |
| Lantern and Fixtures |
| Order of Lantern: | 3rd |
| Shape of Lantern: | Polygonal. |
| Diameter to Glass: | 8' 2.5" |
| Diameter in the Clear: | |
| Number of Sides: | 10 |
| Type of Bars: | Vertical. |
| Thickness of Bars: | |
| Height Glazed: | 5' 11.25" |
| Number of Plates in Height: | 1 |
| Number of Plates Each Side: | 1 |
| Thickness of Plates: | 5/16" |
| Size of Plates: | 2'7-1/8" x 5' 11.5" |
| Number of Storm Panes: | None. |
| Unglazed Side of Lantern: | All glazed. |
| What Bearings: | |
| Construction Material Lantern: | Lower part cast iron; upper part Wrot. iron, lower part paneled with cast iron plates. |
| Construction Material Roof / Cowl: | Diagonal roof of cast iron plates & lined with sheet zinc inside - a tin cone lens protector is attached to soffit by lateral radiating rods. |
| Ventilator / Cowl: | Iron. |
| Lightning Spindle: | Copper with platinum tip. |
| Description of Lightning Rod: | A 2" x 1/8" copper strip is fastened to main ceck & runs down side of tower into ground below. |
| Balustrade: | Lantern deck is circ. in plan; has cast iron parapet surmounted by pipe rail vert. spindles-floor of cast iron. Main gallery has 3 rails of 2"x0.5" iron bars. 2 lower rails have vert. spindles 4-iron stanchions with ball tops. |
| Lantern Doors: | A 2-flod iron door leads from parapet out to main gallery. |
| Floor of Lantern: | Cast iron. An iron trap door in floor leads from iron stairs from service room into lantern. |
| Watchroom Doors: | Watch room is below service room. |
| Parapet Diameter: | 9' 9" Inside of parapet is lined with vert. wood ceiling. |
| Ventilators |
| Location / Number: | 5 ventilators in lower part of lantern at top of panels. |
| Ladders / Cleaning Arrangement: | None. An iron ladder leads from main deck to lantern deck. |
| Curtain Hooks / Hanger: | Hooks screwed to soffit. |
| Watchroom |
| How is Watchroom Fitted: | 2 wooden steps lead form 2nd floor of dwelling into watch room. Watch room has 2 windows & is fitted with a closet & shelves. Wooden stairs lead from watch room into service room. |
| How is Relief Called: | None. |
| Where is Call System Led: |
| Illuminating Apparatus |
| Kind of Apparatus: | 5 hours. |
| Intensity in Candles: | |
| Name of Maker: | Henry Lepaulte. |
| Year Made: | 1886 |
| Marks and Number: | None. |
| Order of Apparatus: | 3rd |
| Inside Diameter: | 3' 3.5" |
| Light Characteristic: | Fixed white varied by a white flash every 20 seconds. |
| Time of Revolution: | Flash panels revolve once in 80 seconds. |
| Flash Interval: | 20 seconds. |
| Duration of Flash: | |
| Arc of Each Fixed Part: | Lens is fixed - 4 panels of 90 degrees each. |
| Number of Panels: | 4 |
| Number of Flash Panels: | |
| Arc of Each: | Each panel subtends an arc of 46 degrees 40' |
| Number of Elements in Central Drum: | 13 |
| Number of Prisms Above Center Drum: | 11 |
| Number of Prisms Below Center Drum: | 4 |
| Does Apparatus Revolve?: | False |
| Is There a Revolving Belt?: | False |
| Revolving Panels: | 4 |
| How Flash is Produced: | Clock work drives a horizontal spur gear which is attached to cast iron frame which supports the flash panels. |
| Number of Vertical Elements Panel: | 7 |
| Fixed Lens Covered: | Central drum only. |
| Pedestal: | Pedestal of cast iron bolted to the lantern floor. |
| Service Table: | None. |
| Draft Tube Description: | A damper flue of Russia iron leads from chimney of lamp up through lens & into lens protector & thence into ventilator ball at top of roof. |
| Revolving Machinery: | Clock work drives a horizontal spur gear attached to frame which supports flash panels. |
| Standby and Description: | |
| Chariot Float or Balls: | Chariot. |
| Chariot Description: | 6 vert. wheels revolve on plate attached to pedestal - there are also 6 horizontal guide wheels 2" x 1/2" which bear on center shaft. |
| Length of Drop Tube: | Full length of tower & into basement. |
| Clock Weight: | |
| Length of Winding Time: | 5 hours. |
| Drive During Rewind: | |
| Machinery Protection: | Sheet iron clock case with brass paneled doors. |
| Regulated: | Regulated by fan governor. |
| Lens Protection: | |
| How Color is Produced: | No colored light. |
| Red Sectors Description: | None. |
| Where Color Attached: | |
| Form of Colored Glass: | |
| Lamp Description: | Hydraulic |
| Type of Illuminant: | |
| Number of Spare Lamps: | 1 |
| Number of Spare Burners: | 2 |
| Candle Power: |
| Vapor Oil Lamp |
| Number of Wicks or Mantels: | 1 |
| Diameter of Outside Wick: | 2-5/8" |
| Diameter of Mantel: | |
| Diameter of Circum Circle: |
| Closets and Store Rooms |
| Tower Closet Use: | 1 closet in service room fitted with shelve & 1 in watch room. Used for cleaning material, lamps, etc. |
| Oil House Description: | About 100' NW'ly from dwelling |
| Oil House Inside Dimension: | 5'1" x 7'1" |
| Oil House Construction Material: | Brick |
| Oil House Capacity: | 250 gal. |
| Other (Describe): | 3 closets in each dwelling on 2nd floor. Basement under each dwelling used for store room. |
| Suitability: | Dry & suitable. |
| Fog Signal General |
| Fog Signal Kind: | 10" steam whistle. |
| Time to Start: | 40 minutes |
| How Long Will Pressure Last: | |
| Manufacturer: | Built by R.J. Millar. |
| Year of Manufacture: | 1896 |
| Characteristic: | 3 sec. balst, 17 sec. silent, 3 sec. balst, 17 sec. silent. |
| Duplication: | All parts. |
| Timing Device: | Spur & worm gear operating cam. |
| If whistle, siren, or trumpet, Pressure at Which Blown: | 75 lbs. |
| Height Above Water: | |
| Compass Direction: | |
| Location: | About 300' NE'ly from dwelling & on N point of Big Bay Point. |
| Distance and Direction: | |
| Water Supply: | By steam injector from lake. |
| Reached from Lighthouse: | By stony path. |
| Description of Fog Signal Building: | Fog signal of brick 40 x 22.5 in plan. Hip roof covered with corr. iron. Hoisting engine is placed in NW corner of signal. |
| Pressure And Recording Gauge: |
| Steam Signal |
| Steam Boiler: | |
| Kind: | Kingsford open bottom marine. |
| Tube: | Flue tube |
| Dimensions: | Ht. 7' 9" |
| Length: | 6' 6.75" |
| Diameter: | 4' 9.75" |
| Tube Description: | 102 tubes, 4' 9.5" |
| Steam Tube Diameter: | 2.5" |
| Steam Furnace Kind: | Internal |
| Furnace Length: | 6' |
| Furnace Width: | 4'3" |
| Furnace Height: | 19" |
| Steam Heat Surface: | 414 sq. feet. |
| Steam Grate Surface: | 21.5 sq. feet. |
| Number of Grate Bars: | 18 |
| Kind of Grate Bars: | 18 bars, 5' long. |
| Steam Fuel: | Soft coal. |
| Steam Safety Valve: | Lever, 2.5" single side outlet. |
| Steam Maximum Pressure: | 150 lbs. |
| Steam Working Pressure: | 75 lbs. |
| Steam Diameter of Smokestack: | 20" |
| Smokestack Height: | |
| Drum Dimension: | Lenth 5' |
| Steam Drum Diameter: | 30" |
| Steam Covering: | Combination |
| Steam Boiler Condition: | Good. |
| Steam Boiler Built: | 1896. |
| Where Built: | Oswego, NY |
| Manufacturer: | Thom. Kingsford. |
| Steam Heater: | False |
| Kind: | |
| 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: | 1896 |
| Steam Engine Where Built: | Cleveland. Ohil |
| Manufacturer: | Thos. Manning Machine 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: | Connected directly to tower at 2nd floor. |
| Coloring: | Brick, red. |
| Construction Materials: | Brick. |
| Number of Rooms: | 6 room & office in keeper's dwelling, 6 rooms in asst. keeper's dwelling |
| Number of Dwellings: | 2 |
| Heating Plant: | |
| Number of Keepers: | 1 keeper & family in each dwelling. |
| Furnished Quarters: | |
| NOT Furnished Quarters: | |
| Outhouses: | 1 tool house, 2 privies & oil-house |
| Outhouse Coloring: | Tool house, red; |
| Paths and Walks: | Concrete walks lead to out-buildings & to fog signal house from dwelling. |
| Area Inclosed: | None |
| Area of Garden: | None. |
| Area Timber or Shrubbery: | |
| Cultivation Area Available: | None. |
| Area Cultivated: | None. |
| Character of Surroundings: | Sand stone rock. |
| Stove, Maker: | |
| Stove, Size: | |
| Sink, Maker: | |
| Sink, Size: | |
| Pump, Maker: | |
| Pump, Size: | |
| Lamps: |
| Water |
| How Procured: | From lake. |
| Quality: | Good. |
| Quantity: | Ample. |
| Injury Possible: | |
| Purity Precaution: | A bric filter in each cistern. |
| Tank Capacity: | Placed in cellar |
| Tank Material: | Brick, plastered inside. |
| Distilling Apparatus: | False |
| Distilling Manufacturer: | |
| Well Description: | No well. |
| Well Diameter: | |
| Well Lining: | |
| Pump or Bucket: | |
| What Power Used: | |
| Distance from Dwelling: |
| Healthfulness |
| General Opinion: | Excellent. |
| Diseases: | None. |
| Prevalency: | NO |
| Local Causes: | No. |
| Recommended Improvements: | None. |
| Miscellaneous |
| Access to Lighthouse: | There is a crib landing at the fog signal & also at the boat hosue. The boat house does not set on light-house property. Boat house 16.33' x 30' in plan. |
| Distance and Direction: | |
| Miscellaneous Remarks: | A new concrete landing has been built at fog signal & is proveded with a well for water supply fo fog signal. Tramway leads from boat hosue landing to fog signal but is in bad condition & is not used. |
| Hoisting Engines |
| Hoisting Engine Kind: | Sindgle cylinder, vertical. |
| Engine RPMs: | 150 |
| Engine Diameter: | 7" |
| Engine Stroke: | 7" |
| Engine Boiler: | Steam is obtained from fog signal boiler. |
| Engine Maker and Date: | |
| Serial Number: | |
| Cylinders and Size: | |
| Horsepower: | |
| Fuel: | |
| Hoist Starter: | |
| Hoist Miscellaneous: |