Report for Big Sable (Michigan) - 1909
| General |
| District: | 11th |
| Inspector: | Ralph R. Tinkham |
| Location: | At Big Sable Point, MI., S'ly shore of E'ly part of Lake Superior, btwn Whitefish Point & Grand Island |
| Date of Report: | 06/09/1909 |
| Latitude: | 46° 40' 29.6" |
| Longitude: | 86° 08' 37.5" |
| Premises |
| Site: | Purchase, L 1, 2 Sec 1, L 1, 2, 3, 4, Se 2, L 1, 2, Sec 3, T49N R 15 W, Mich, Mer. |
| Date of Reservation: | |
| Date of Deed: | 09/08/1872 |
| Date of Permission: | |
| Date of Lease: | |
| Area of the Entire Site: | 325.93 acres, according to survey |
| Area Inclosed: | None |
| Character of Soil: | Sand along shore & about bldgs. |
| Distance of tower from Nearest High-Water Mark: | About 200' |
| Inclosures to Premises / Type of Fence: | None |
| Wharf or Landing on Premises: | Boat landing 19' x 99'; 3 log cribs tied together with an L 38' x 14' across the end, the whole fitted with stone. |
| Road to Land or Wharf Chararacter of and Distance: | Boardwalk (to be replaced with cement, 1909) leads to wharf & tram track laid on walk. |
| Means to Reach Light Station: | By boat or by wagon road to within 3 miles of station, thence by foot trail; this trail is cleared out so that a team without a load can get to light station. Distance to Grand Marais, MI by this road is 12 miles. By water, 8 miles. |
| Distance to Nearest Road: | 3 miles to public road, 8 miles to Grand Marais Ry station & steamboat landing. |
| Distance to Post Office: | 8 miles to Grand Marais |
| Distance to Village: | 8 miles to Grand Marais |
| Facilities for Public Conveyance: | None |
| Facilities for Private Conveyance: | Small boat or team from Grand Marais or by tender. |
| Means Used for Support of Lantern: | Tower |
| Number of Separate Lights: | 1 |
| First Built or Established: | 1874 |
| Last Rebuilt, Repaired, or Renovated: | New dwelling built & old dwelling altered 1909. |
| Condition at This Date: | Good |
| Shape of Tower in Plan: | Circular |
| Form of Tower: | Conical |
| Height from Base to Ventilator Ball: | 86' |
| Height of Focal Plane Above Mean High Water: | 107' |
| Background of Lighthouse as Seen from Sea: | Wooded |
| Color of Tower: | White with black lantern |
| Color of Tower/ How Produced: | Whitewash & black paint |
| Tower Connection: | Connected to double dwelling by covered way 12.5' long, 5' wide, having outer door window. |
| Object of Navigation: | Lake coast light. |
| Building Materials: | Cut stone base, 3' 4" above grade, sills, lintels of cut stone, tower of brick. |
| General Description: | |
| Wall Thickness at Base: | 4' 3"; outer wall 20", air space 19", inner wall 12" |
| Wall Thickness at Parapet: | 2' 4"; outer wall 16", air space 4", inner wall 8" |
| Diameter at Base: | 16' 6" |
| Diameter at Parapet: | 12' 8" |
| Kind of Stairway and Steps: | Circular winding cast iron perforated pattern, pipe stair rail. |
| Number of Landings: | 3; 1 - 5/8 & 2 - 1/2 of cast iron |
| Size of Glass: | 10" x 16" |
| Number of Windows and Size of Sash: | 6 windows, 4 lt.; inside & storm, sash casing. |
| Number of Doors: | Plate iron door 3' x 7.5' into passage (size 14' x 37 3/4") |
| Kind of Foundation and Depth Below Surface: | Rubble masonry 73' below surface on bed rock. |
| Character of Soil Surrounding the Lighthouse: | Sand of varying depths above sand stone bed rock. |
| Soil Susceptibility: | No, though small second growth has sprung up about the clearing in which bldg stands. |
| Miscellaneous Remarks: | Main point on which lighthouse stands has been cleared of timber for 1/4 mile each way from station to facilitate visibility of light to E'd & W'd. This clearing has grown up to second growth - small stuff. |
| Lantern and Fixtures |
| Order of Lantern: | 3rd |
| Shape of Lantern: | Polygonal |
| Diameter to Glass: | 8' 1 3/4" |
| Diameter in the Clear: | 7' 8.5" |
| Number of Sides: | 10 |
| Type of Bars: | Vertical |
| Thickness of Bars: | |
| Height Glazed: | 5' 9 1/4" |
| Number of Plates in Height: | One |
| Number of Plates Each Side: | One |
| Thickness of Plates: | 5/16" |
| Size of Plates: | 5' 9 5/8" x 31 1/8". 2 extra panes on hand. |
| Number of Storm Panes: | None |
| Unglazed Side of Lantern: | None |
| What Bearings: | |
| Construction Material Lantern: | Cast iron base ring segments; wrought iron verts. Lower part of lantern is circular of brick line with vert 2.5" wood ceiling |
| Construction Material Roof / Cowl: | Copper dome lined with zinc held with pinching strips of wrought iron. |
| Ventilator / Cowl: | Copper |
| Lightning Spindle: | Copper, platinum tip. |
| Description of Lightning Rod: | 3/4" gas pipe leads from gallery dock down NW side of tower into dry ground. Twisted copper rope leads from stairs thru wall at floor level of tower & into dry ground. |
| Balustrade: | Gallery circular of cast iron 35.5" wide, rail 40" high of 2 - 3/4" x 2" flat bar rails, 1.5" stanchions, ball top & 3/4" verticals, rail & gallery to lantern. |
| Lantern Doors: | Double wood door to main gallery from lower part of lantern. Inside door is 2-fold wood paneled, outside single fold wood paneled. |
| Floor of Lantern: | Cast iron, cut out for stair well. Lantern gallery, at lens level of cast iron, ext. outside to form circular gallery 20.5" wide with rail of 1 - .5" x 2" flat & 1" stanchions. |
| Watchroom Doors: | None. Open stairwell leads to upper part of lantern. Trap door of iron plate is in floor of lower part of lantern. |
| Parapet Diameter: | No parapet. Inside dim. of lower part of lantern is 7' 11.5"; circular & lined with wood ceiling. |
| Ventilators |
| Location / Number: | In lower part of lantern. 5 ventilators with brass ring valve registers inside & cast iron hoods outside. |
| Ladders / Cleaning Arrangement: | 1 ladder 7' long, 12" wide of 7/16" x 2" flat bar strings & double treads of 2.5" |
| Curtain Hooks / Hanger: | Brass hooks screwed to soffit. |
| Watchroom |
| How is Watchroom Fitted: | Stair landing below lower lantern floor serves as watchroom, has 3 windows, & is fitted with a closet of shelves set in wall for lamp supplies. Service room, fitted with bench, table & glass box is situated in dwelling near passage to tower. |
| How is Relief Called: | None |
| Where is Call System Led: |
| Illuminating Apparatus |
| Kind of Apparatus: | |
| Intensity in Candles: | |
| Name of Maker: | L. Sautter & Cie, Paris |
| Year Made: | None given |
| Marks and Number: | None |
| Order of Apparatus: | 3rd |
| Inside Diameter: | 39 7/16" |
| Light Characteristic: | Fixed |
| Time of Revolution: | |
| Flash Interval: | |
| Duration of Flash: | |
| Arc of Each Fixed Part: | Each panel is 72 degrees of arc. There is 1 dark panel in lens apparatus, central belt of which is closed by curved brass door to protect lamp. This panel bears SE. |
| Number of Panels: | 4 |
| Number of Flash Panels: | |
| Arc of Each: | |
| Number of Elements in Central Drum: | Central belt. 6 ele above, 6 below |
| 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: | |
| How Flash is Produced: | |
| Number of Vertical Elements Panel: | |
| Fixed Lens Covered: | |
| Pedestal: | Cast iron, resting over newel on floor of lower part of lantern. |
| Service Table: | Base of lens apparatus has cast iron floor which serves as service table; upon which stands a lamp pedestal of ring & 3 stanchions. |
| Draft Tube Description: | In 3 parts. Lower damper tube of Russia iron over top of chimney 2 1/8" dia. 7" high, above which is a flaring sleeve of Russia iron to top of lens 17" high. Top of lens to spider is 2.5" x 10" brass tube. |
| Revolving Machinery: | None |
| Standby and Description: | |
| Chariot Float or Balls: | |
| Chariot Description: | |
| Length of Drop Tube: | 75' Drop tube is not used. |
| Clock Weight: | |
| Length of Winding Time: | |
| Drive During Rewind: | |
| Machinery Protection: | |
| Regulated: | |
| Lens Protection: | |
| How Color is Produced: | Light is white |
| Red Sectors Description: | |
| Where Color Attached: | |
| Form of Colored Glass: | |
| Lamp Description: | Funck Heap Hydraulic |
| Type of Illuminant: | |
| Number of Spare Lamps: | Total number of lamps at station - 2 |
| Number of Spare Burners: | Total burners - 3 |
| Candle Power: |
| Vapor Oil Lamp |
| Number of Wicks or Mantels: | 2 wick |
| Diameter of Outside Wick: | 1 7/8" |
| Diameter of Mantel: | |
| Diameter of Circum Circle: |
| Closets and Store Rooms |
| Tower Closet Use: | 1 small closet of shelves on top landing for lamp supplies. |
| Oil House Description: | 50' S of dwelling & tower, fitted with wood shelves. |
| Oil House Inside Dimension: | 5' 4" x 7' 2" |
| Oil House Construction Material: | Brick walls, concrete floor, hip roof of #22 galv. iron on steel L rafters, steel door, 10" globe ventilator. |
| Oil House Capacity: | 72 5-gal cans = 360 gals. |
| Other (Describe): | |
| Suitability: | All closets in present use are dry & suitable. |
| Fog Signal General |
| Fog Signal Kind: | 10" steam whistle |
| Time to Start: | 40 to 45 min. |
| How Long Will Pressure Last: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| Year of Manufacture: | Built Aug. 1897 |
| Characteristic: | Blast 3 sec; silent interval 17 sec. |
| Duplication: | All parts |
| Timing Device: | Spur & worm gear operating cam. |
| If whistle, siren, or trumpet, Pressure at Which Blown: | Whistle, 75# |
| Height Above Water: | |
| Compass Direction: | |
| Location: | Same locality with lighthouse |
| Distance and Direction: | E 800' |
| Water Supply: | From lake. Well at outer end of landing: #2 American Fire Plug 202' of 1" steam pipe; 202' of 1 1/4" discharge pipe. |
| Reached from Lighthouse: | By plank walk, to be replaced 1909 with concrete walk. |
| Description of Fog Signal Building: | Of red brick, metal slate roof, red, 22' x 40' plan, 12' to plates. |
| Pressure And Recording Gauge: |
| Steam Signal |
| Steam Boiler: | |
| Kind: | Open bottom marine design of 1896 |
| Tube: | Flue tube |
| Dimensions: | Ht. 7' 5" |
| Length: | 6' 6 3/4" |
| Diameter: | 4' 9 3/4" wide |
| Tube Description: | 102, 4' 9.5" long (order 4' 10") |
| Steam Tube Diameter: | 2.5" |
| Steam Furnace Kind: | Internal |
| Furnace Length: | 6' |
| Furnace Width: | 4' 3" |
| Furnace Height: | 19" |
| Steam Heat Surface: | 406 sq. ft.; Steam space 50.11 cu. ft. |
| Steam Grate Surface: | 21.5 sq. ft. Water space 66.64 cu. ft. |
| Number of Grate Bars: | 18 |
| Kind of Grate Bars: | Double, 5' long, spade ends. |
| Steam Fuel: | Bituminous coal |
| Steam Safety Valve: | Lever, 2.5" single side outlet. |
| Steam Maximum Pressure: | 150# |
| Steam Working Pressure: | 75# |
| Steam Diameter of Smokestack: | 20" |
| Smokestack Height: | 40' brick chimney |
| Drum Dimension: | 5' long |
| Steam Drum Diameter: | 30" |
| Steam Covering: | Compound; asbestos, felt paper, canvas. |
| Steam Boiler Condition: | Fair. Must be retubed in 2 years. |
| Steam Boiler Built: | 1897 |
| Where Built: | Cleveland, OH |
| Manufacturer: | Variety Iron Works |
| 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: | 1897 |
| Steam Engine Where Built: | Detroit, MI |
| Manufacturer: | Russell 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: | Present dwelling attached to tower on E side by passage. This remodeled to double dwelling; also a new & separate dwelling built in 1909. |
| Coloring: | Natural color of red brick |
| Construction Materials: | Red brick walls, red metal slate roof, stone sills & lintels. |
| Number of Rooms: | 8 rooms, pantry & cellar |
| Number of Dwellings: | 3 |
| Heating Plant: | |
| Number of Keepers: | Keeper & 2 assts.and families |
| Furnished Quarters: | |
| NOT Furnished Quarters: | |
| Outhouses: | Oil house, woodshed, privy, hennery; Woodshed 12' x 14' x 9' to plates. |
| Outhouse Coloring: | Oil house, red brick & iron roof; woodshed frame buff with green trim & red metal slate hip roof; red brick privy, with red metal plate roof, old board & batten lined, whitewashed. |
| Paths and Walks: | Present walks of plank, from dwelling to all out bldgs, boathouse, fog signal & dock. |
| Area Inclosed: | None |
| Area of Garden: | None |
| Area Timber or Shrubbery: | About 300 acres |
| Cultivation Area Available: | None |
| Area Cultivated: | None |
| Character of Surroundings: | Premises & along shore line is sand on sandstone bed rock. Practically all remainder of reservation is cedar swamp. |
| Stove, Maker: | |
| Stove, Size: | |
| Sink, Maker: | |
| Sink, Size: | |
| Pump, Maker: | |
| Pump, Size: | |
| Lamps: |
| Water |
| How Procured: | Direct from lake |
| Quality: | Excellent |
| Quantity: | Ample |
| Injury Possible: | No |
| Purity Precaution: | None |
| Tank Capacity: | 700 gals in NE corner of cellar |
| Tank Material: | Of brick, plastered |
| Distilling Apparatus: | False |
| Distilling Manufacturer: | |
| Well Description: | Curbed well at fog signal for emergency. |
| Well Diameter: | |
| Well Lining: | |
| Pump or Bucket: | By pump for signal. By bucket for domestic use. |
| What Power Used: | |
| Distance from Dwelling: |
| Healthfulness |
| General Opinion: | Excellent |
| Diseases: | None |
| Prevalency: | |
| Local Causes: | Large cedar swamp S of premises that seems to have an affect on health. |
| Recommended Improvements: | None needed |
| Miscellaneous |
| Access to Lighthouse: | Boat landing 99' x 19' with an ell at end 14' x 38.5' all of log cribs filled with stone. A crib breakwater is built on W side of landing at outer end. 32' long, 5' wide & 40' high. Log bulkhead continues along remainder of W side to shore. |
| Distance and Direction: | 900' E of lighthouse. |
| Miscellaneous Remarks: | Retaining wall of rubble masonry 5' high & 6.5' long extends from SW corner of boat landing W'd, resting on sandstone rock & holding sand bank in front of fog signal. |
| Hoisting Engines |
| Hoisting Engine Kind: | Single cylinder, CC Woomer & Co. Detroit |
| Engine RPMs: | |
| Engine Diameter: | 7" |
| Engine Stroke: | 10" |
| Engine Boiler: | Steam from fog signal boiler; 1 3/4" steam pipe. |
| Engine Maker and Date: | |
| Serial Number: | |
| Cylinders and Size: | |
| Horsepower: | |
| Fuel: | |
| Hoist Starter: | |
| Hoist Miscellaneous: |