Report for Point Bonita Light Station (California) - 1907
| General |
| District: | 12th |
| Inspector: | John F. Ingersoll, Keeper |
| Location: | |
| Date of Report: | 07/02/1907 |
| Latitude: | 37° 48' 51" |
| Longitude: | 122° 31' 47" |
| Premises |
| Site: | On military reservation. Given to lighthouse by military authorities. |
| Date of Reservation: | |
| Date of Deed: | |
| Date of Permission: | |
| Date of Lease: | |
| Area of the Entire Site: | About 70 acres |
| Area Inclosed: | About 70 acres |
| Character of Soil: | Sandy loam |
| Distance of tower from Nearest High-Water Mark: | 20' |
| Inclosures to Premises / Type of Fence: | 5; Keeper's yard & dwelling; assistant's yard & dwelling; around windmill, pasture & Life-Saving Station. |
| Wharf or Landing on Premises: | Wharf with derrick & hoisting engine for lighthouse & wharf with derrick for quartermaster. |
| Road to Land or Wharf Chararacter of and Distance: | Narrow walk to lighthouse wharf, RR about 1,000' from tower. |
| Means to Reach Light Station: | By boat from San Francisco & by wagon from Sausalito |
| Distance to Nearest Road: | 7 miles to Sausalito via Fort Baker. |
| Distance to Post Office: | 7 miles |
| Distance to Village: | 7 miles |
| Facilities for Public Conveyance: | Hire a team in Sausalito or take quartermaster's steamer to Bonita Point. |
| Facilities for Private Conveyance: | Horse & cart furnished by Government to go to Sausalito, 7 miles distant |
| Means Used for Support of Lantern: | Brick tower |
| Number of Separate Lights: | 1, 2nd order |
| First Built or Established: | 1855 |
| Last Rebuilt, Repaired, or Renovated: | 1877, repaired 1904 |
| Condition at This Date: | Good, except iron storm door does not fit tightly. |
| Shape of Tower in Plan: | Square base |
| Form of Tower: | |
| Height from Base to Ventilator Ball: | 32' 6" |
| Height of Focal Plane Above Mean High Water: | 124' above mean high water. |
| Background of Lighthouse as Seen from Sea: | High mountains |
| Color of Tower: | Base, white, lantern black |
| Color of Tower/ How Produced: | Brick, whitewashed; iron & wood painted. |
| Tower Connection: | Detached |
| Object of Navigation: | Seacoast, for general navigating purposes. |
| Building Materials: | Brick, iron, copper, wood & cement. |
| General Description: | |
| Wall Thickness at Base: | 2' 3.5" |
| Wall Thickness at Parapet: | 15" |
| Diameter at Base: | 12' 9" x 14' |
| Diameter at Parapet: | 12' 9" x 14' |
| Kind of Stairway and Steps: | Cast iron steps, wrought iron rails. |
| Number of Landings: | 1 into watchroom; 1 from watchroom to gallery. |
| Size of Glass: | Bottom: 2' 7 7/8" x 2' 3 3/4"; center: 2' 7 7/8" x 2' 7 3/8"; top: 2' 7 7/8" x 2' 10 3/4" |
| Number of Windows and Size of Sash: | 2 |
| Number of Doors: | 2 |
| Kind of Foundation and Depth Below Surface: | Rock |
| Character of Soil Surrounding the Lighthouse: | Rock |
| Soil Susceptibility: | Bare rock near tower |
| Miscellaneous Remarks: |
| Lantern and Fixtures |
| Order of Lantern: | 2nd |
| Shape of Lantern: | Polygonal |
| Diameter to Glass: | 10' |
| Diameter in the Clear: | |
| Number of Sides: | 12 |
| Type of Bars: | Vertical |
| Thickness of Bars: | |
| Height Glazed: | 8' |
| Number of Plates in Height: | 3 |
| Number of Plates Each Side: | 3; total 36; sash 1 1/8" x 4" |
| Thickness of Plates: | 1/4" |
| Size of Plates: | Bottom: 2' 7 7/8" x 2' 3 1/4"; center: 2' 7 7/8" x 2' 7 3/8"; top: 2' 7 7/8" x 2' 10 3/4" |
| Number of Storm Panes: | 3 |
| Unglazed Side of Lantern: | None |
| What Bearings: | None |
| Construction Material Lantern: | Iron sash, glass & copper roof. |
| Construction Material Roof / Cowl: | Copper |
| Ventilator / Cowl: | Copper |
| Lightning Spindle: | None |
| Description of Lightning Rod: | None |
| Balustrade: | Cast iron floor with diamond shape perforations with brass banisters & railing. |
| Lantern Doors: | 1 wooden door 2' 2.5" x 6' 2.5" & 1 iron door leading out to parapet 2' 7 1/4" x 6' 1 1/4" |
| Floor of Lantern: | Cement |
| Watchroom Doors: | Bottom part of lantern is used as watchroom & door leading into it is wood |
| Parapet Diameter: | 10' polygonal |
| Ventilators |
| Location / Number: | Lower part of lantern |
| Ladders / Cleaning Arrangement: | None |
| Curtain Hooks / Hanger: | Pieces of wood bolted on to tie rods. |
| Watchroom |
| How is Watchroom Fitted: | Lined with beaded tongue & groove 7/8" redwood, with linoleum on floor. 1 Howard clock, telephone, service table & chair |
| How is Relief Called: | 6-point intercommunicating telephone system. |
| Where is Call System Led: | To keeper's, 1st, 2nd, 3rd asst's quarters & to fog signal (6 phones) |
| Illuminating Apparatus |
| Kind of Apparatus: | |
| Intensity in Candles: | |
| Name of Maker: | L. Sautter & Co, Paris |
| Year Made: | Probably 1854 |
| Marks and Number: | None to be found; plate is gone. |
| Order of Apparatus: | 2nd |
| Inside Diameter: | 4' 7.5" |
| Light Characteristic: | Fixed white, visible 17 miles. |
| Time of Revolution: | |
| Flash Interval: | |
| Duration of Flash: | |
| Arc of Each Fixed Part: | Light is seen from 10 sides of 12, there being a metal reflector on NE side. |
| Number of Panels: | 5 |
| Number of Flash Panels: | None |
| Arc of Each: | |
| Number of Elements in Central Drum: | 1 |
| Number of Prisms Above Center Drum: | 18 |
| Number of Prisms Below Center Drum: | 11 |
| 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: | Hollow cast iron shaft 8" dia. with 18" flange set in brick & concrete arch. |
| Service Table: | Redwood stand containing 2 drawers & 2 lockers under drawers with double rolling castors. |
| Draft Tube Description: | Sheet iron 3 3/4" dia with elbow at top to dodge center of metal ring or spider, as there is a bolt thru center running up into ventilator ball. |
| Revolving Machinery: | No |
| Standby and Description: | |
| Chariot Float or Balls: | No |
| Chariot Description: | None |
| Length of Drop Tube: | None |
| Clock Weight: | |
| Length of Winding Time: | |
| Drive During Rewind: | |
| Machinery Protection: | |
| Regulated: | |
| Lens Protection: | |
| How Color is Produced: | |
| Red Sectors Description: | |
| Where Color Attached: | |
| Form of Colored Glass: | |
| Lamp Description: | U.S. 3 wick mineral oil lamp |
| Type of Illuminant: | |
| Number of Spare Lamps: | 1 |
| Number of Spare Burners: | 7 burners in all; 4 fair, 3 not very good. |
| Candle Power: |
| Closets and Store Rooms |
| Tower Closet Use: | Base of tower is used for storing chimneys, storm panes, plate glass etc. Is 8' 3" dia., has 4 shelves fitted to 1 side of circle. Shelves 2' 2" wide. |
| Oil House Description: | Connected to & made a part of tower; provided with shelves on 1 side & 1 end, a made oil table to keep oil carrier's measures etc, & 1 double sash window with 2 14" x 24" lights in each sash. |
| Oil House Inside Dimension: | |
| Oil House Construction Material: | |
| Oil House Capacity: | |
| Other (Describe): | There is a room, connected to & made part of the tower which is entered before going upstairs to lantern. Has a cupboard with 4 shelves, 5' 6" x 16" with bottom fitted with 6 drawers 2' deep. There is also a closet in 1 corner equipped with patent toilet. |
| Suitability: | Damp, suited to purposes for which intended. |
| Fog Signal General |
| Fog Signal Kind: | Brown's steam fog sirens operated with counter shaft & 2 belts instead of 1. Belt from engine to counter shaft works with 1/4 turn. |
| Time to Start: | 5 minutes |
| How Long Will Pressure Last: | |
| Manufacturer: | Spear & Hague, San Francisco |
| Year of Manufacture: | 1877 |
| Characteristic: | There is a heater connected with furnace for burning oil, with 2 pumps mounted on it. Pumps are Worthington. Sirens connected to boilers by 2.5" galv. pipe. 5 sec blast every 35 sec. |
| Duplication: | Every part except water supply pump, oil heater & smokestack. |
| Timing Device: | Worm & worm wheel connected with engine shaft by a belt. |
| If whistle, siren, or trumpet, Pressure at Which Blown: | Siren blown at 70 lbs |
| Height Above Water: | 102' 6" |
| Compass Direction: | About SW 1/8 W |
| Location: | Aid vessels into & out of bay during fog. |
| Distance and Direction: | 60' W |
| Water Supply: | Obtained by windmill & pump on N side of reservation. |
| Reached from Lighthouse: | By concrete steps, signal base being 10' lower than tower base. |
| Description of Fog Signal Building: | Brick structure measuring inside 25' 2" x 27' 2" with hip roof, 14" high walls with an air space, 4 truss beams. There is a tool room on S side measuring inside 12' 7.5" x 13' 3", Walls 10' 6" high, containing tool closets, bench & phone. |
| Pressure And Recording Gauge: |
| Steam Signal |
| Steam Boiler: | 2 - 3.5 x 12' boilers with 41, 3" tubes, 2.6" Metropolitan injectors & 1 Worthington pump, No. 166454 |
| Kind: | Horizontal |
| Tube: | Flue tube |
| Dimensions: | |
| Length: | 12' |
| Diameter: | 3.5' |
| Tube Description: | 41 - 12' long |
| Steam Tube Diameter: | 3" |
| Steam Furnace Kind: | Brick |
| Furnace Length: | 12' |
| Furnace Width: | 4' |
| Furnace Height: | 2.5' |
| Steam Heat Surface: | 430 sq. ft. |
| Steam Grate Surface: | 16 sq. ft. |
| Number of Grate Bars: | 18 when using coal, 6 when using crude oil. |
| Kind of Grate Bars: | Common double leaf |
| Steam Fuel: | Crude oil |
| Steam Safety Valve: | Ashton lock-up pop safety valve 2.5" |
| Steam Maximum Pressure: | 140 lbs |
| Steam Working Pressure: | 70 lbs |
| Steam Diameter of Smokestack: | 20" inside |
| Smokestack Height: | 39" |
| Drum Dimension: | Length 4' |
| Steam Drum Diameter: | 2' 4" |
| Steam Covering: | Asbestos & canvas. |
| Steam Boiler Condition: | Good |
| Steam Boiler Built: | 1902 |
| Where Built: | San Francisco |
| Manufacturer: | T.J. Moynihan Boiler Works |
| Steam Heater: | False |
| Kind: | |
| Size: | |
| Heater Time Affect: | |
| Steam Engine Kind: | Horizontal |
| Steam Engine Revolutions: | 150 rpm |
| Steam Engine Cyl. Diameter: | 5" |
| Steam Engine Piston Stroke: | 5" |
| Steam Engine Pipe Size: | 3/4" |
| Steam Engine When Built: | 1877 |
| Steam Engine Where Built: | San Francisco |
| Manufacturer: | Spear & Hage |
| Siren Signal |
| Siren: | Disk |
| Siren Diameter: | 3 3/4" |
| Siren Built Date: | 1877 |
| Siren Manufacturer: | Spear & Hage |
| Siren Ports: | 12; 1/8" to 5/16" - 3/4" |
| Siren Revolutions: | 1500 rpm |
| Siren Governor: | Gardner's adjustable |
| Siren Condition: | Good |
| Trumpet Signal |
| Trumpet: | Brown's |
| Trumpet Length: | 16' |
| Trumpet Diameter: | Small end 5"; large end 2' 4" |
| Trumpet Material: | Cast iron in 4 sections. |
| Dwelling |
| Location: | Keeper's dwelling about 1/4 mi N of tower. Asst's dwelling in old signal bldg. 300' E of tower. |
| Coloring: | White, lead-color trimmings, green blinds, red sash, painted inside light lead color. |
| Construction Materials: | Wood, with brick foundation, brick chimneys with iron tops. |
| Number of Rooms: | Keeper's dwelling, 6 & bathroom; assts - 3. |
| Number of Dwellings: | |
| Heating Plant: | |
| Number of Keepers: | Keeper & family in large house; 1st asst in engineer's office; 2nd & 3rd assts in old signal bldg. |
| Furnished Quarters: | |
| NOT Furnished Quarters: | |
| Outhouses: | Storeroom 16' x 24'; kitchen; chicken house 8' x 14'; Rustic barn 14' x 20' wood foundation. Assts storeroom 12' x 14' with 2 toilets. Bldg near hoisting engine 12' x 48' used as paint shop, blacksmith shop, coal shed & bunk house. |
| Outhouse Coloring: | Storeroom painted white, lead color trim; chicken house whitewashed. |
| Paths and Walks: | Narrow road leading from dwellings on hill to coal shed, & thence to tower, distance 2270' |
| Area Inclosed: | About 70 acres, by fence running across point about 2640' from tower. |
| Area of Garden: | In flowers, about 50' x 50' |
| Area Timber or Shrubbery: | About 20 acres partially covered with pea bush & some tube grass. |
| Cultivation Area Available: | About 15 acres |
| Area Cultivated: | About 2 acres |
| Character of Surroundings: | Some sand, mostly rock with light soil covered with brush or grass. |
| Stove, Maker: | |
| Stove, Size: | |
| Sink, Maker: | |
| Sink, Size: | |
| Pump, Maker: | |
| Pump, Size: | |
| Lamps: |
| Water |
| How Procured: | By windmill & surface force pump 3.5" suction x 10" stroke |
| Quality: | Poor |
| Quantity: | Sometimes qty is not ample |
| Injury Possible: | Not liable |
| Purity Precaution: | 2 cisterns in which rain water is kept - 1 at keeper's house & 1 at old double house. Water is run by pipes from roofs to cisterns. Cisterns are cleaned annually & kept closed. |
| Tank Capacity: | 2 - 14,000 gal tanks near signal; 1 - 5,000 gal tank back of keeper's house; 2 cisterns - 1 about 14' dia. 8' deep; 1 - 13" dia 8' deep |
| Tank Material: | Redwood tanks, brick & cement cisterns |
| Distilling Apparatus: | False |
| Distilling Manufacturer: | |
| Well Description: | 2 wells or cisterns under windmill 16 & 18' deep |
| Well Diameter: | 1- 6'; 1 - 8' |
| Well Lining: | 1 brick, 1 concrete |
| Pump or Bucket: | Force pumping by windmill |
| What Power Used: | |
| Distance from Dwelling: | 1300' N; Water is seepage caught in ravine & run into wells by ditch & pipe |
| Healthfulness |
| General Opinion: | Generally healthy |
| Diseases: | Colds & rheumatism |
| Prevalency: | Mostly in winter during prevalence of NE winds |
| Local Causes: | No |
| Recommended Improvements: |
| Miscellaneous |
| Access to Lighthouse: | 2 wharves on reservation, 1 belonging to lighthouse & 1 to quartermaster. Former is abt 1000' from tower & equipped with derrick & can be connected with hoisting engine 80' above wharf which is 30' above water & located on point of rocks. |
| Distance and Direction: | Wharves are abt NE of light. Lighthouse wharf is about 600' from light on an air line & 1000' the way one has to go to reach it; other wharf is about 1100' on an air line from tower & about 2000' the way one has to walk. |
| Miscellaneous Remarks: | Lighthouse wharf reached by car track. Quartermaster's wharf is about 500' N of lighthouse wharf & is reached from land by tramway or trail. There is abt 26' of water at low tide around this wharf. |
| Hoisting Engines |
| Hoisting Engine Kind: | Ledgerwood, horizontal single engine |
| Engine RPMs: | 100 to 200 |
| Engine Diameter: | 6" |
| Engine Stroke: | 8" |
| Engine Boiler: | Vertical tubular |
| Engine Maker and Date: | |
| Serial Number: | |
| Cylinders and Size: | |
| Horsepower: | |
| Fuel: | |
| Hoist Starter: | |
| Hoist Miscellaneous: |