in the cost of this material has been an object of constant solicitude to the board, and they have anxiously endeavored to avail themselves of any discovery or improvement which might offer a substitute for so expensive a combustible. With this view, a few years ago they imported from Europe a quantity of rape seed, which they distributed gratuitously through the Patent Office, and from which colza oil is now being cultivated in several of the western States. During the present year 6,000 gallons of this oil have been purchased for light-house use, principally on the western lakes. It appears from photometrical measurements, made in Europe, that the light from colza is about 5 per cent. superior in intensity to that derived from sperm oil, while the quantity consumed is about 1 per cent. greater. Its practical value for the production of light is, therefore, about the same as that of sperm oil, while its cost is nearly one-half less. Were a sufficient quantity of this oil produced in the country, a great saving of expense would result from its general introduction; but this is not the case, and the board some time since directed experiments to be made, relative to the introduction of lard and petroleum oil; they were, however, unsuccessful. The lard oil did not stand the usual adopted test of congelation and burning in the ordinary trial lamp; and the petroleum, when first brought to market, was too volatile and combustible to be safely employed for light-house purposes. During the past year a new series of investigations have been made relative to the last-mentioned oils, by the committee on experiments, in person; from this it is expected, with considerable confidence, that lard oil may be economically substituted for spermaceti oil, in light-houses of all denominations; its photometrical power is slightly greater than that of sperm oil, while the quantity consumed is but little increased. It is true that it congeals with less degree of cold, and on this account, at first sight, might appear not to be as well adapted to our northern coast in winter, but the committee have found that during its combustion it evolves a greater amount of heat, both of radiation and of conduction, than an equal quantity of sperm oil, and may, therefore, apparently be made to retain its fluidity at a lower temperature. After an elaborate series of experiments on the relative qualities of this oil, and the means of testing its purity, and after having studied its peculiarities while burning in lamps of all the different orders now used on the coast, the committee have put it to the test of actual use in a light-house of the first order, and thus far the experiments, which are still continued, have been entirely satisfactory. The committee, however, do not as yet venture to pronounce with absolute certainty as to its general introduction, since this will depend on the amount of supply of the oil of a suitable quality, and, perhaps, on other contingencies not now apparent; they are, however, confident that through its means an important reduction can be made in the cost of the materials of illumination. A series of experiments have also been made with kerosene oil, a material which they have found of much more difficult management than lard oil, but which, they think, may be introduced into the lower order of lamps, provided some changes are made in the parts of the apparatus at which the combustion takes place. All changes in the system or materials of lighting are, however, required to be made with great caution, since they involve the serious responsibility of the risk of life and property. The board avails itself of this occasion to acknowledge valuable assistance received from the War and Navy Departments and the Coast Survey. I am, very respectfully, Hon. S. P. CHASE, W. B. SHUBRICK, Secretary of the Treasury. LIGHT-HOUSE Board, Treasury Department, October 25, 1863. The committee to which was assigned the duty of visiting certain places on the northern and western lakes, and in New England, for the purpose of determining the necessity for certain lights and buildings in those places, has the honor to submit the following report. The committee turned its first attention to the lights on the lakes, regarding them as the least accessible, particularly on account of the lateness of the season; and it will confine itself, at present, to communicating to the board the information concerning these lights, specially required by the letter of instructions of the chairman, of August 20, taking them up in the order in which they are mentioned in that letter. I. Mission point, or the north point of the peninsula dividing the two arms of Grand Traverse bay. The committee recommends the adoption of this light. It appears from the notes of Colonel Graham, furnished to this committee, that there is an extensive trade in the two arms of this bay, the coasts and back country of which are quite thickly settled. At the heads of both these arms there are excellent harbors and good anchorage, and vessels should be aided in reaching them. At their very heads at least three fathoms of water are found, and below from four to twenty fathoms. The trade in both now consists of lumber, amounting to about eighteen millions of feet, of 10,000 cords of wood, of $100,000 worth of furs, and $50,000 worth of agricultural products, per annum, altogether about $378,000 per annum. Traverse City, situated at the head of the west arm, is the terminus of an extensive railroad, which will probably be completed within two years. The land is private, and it is understood that it can be obtained on reasonable terms. II. A light-house on Bertraw bay. This site was examined to settle this question, in August, 1861, by Captain, now General Meade, the superintendent of the lake surveys. From this examination it appears that Bertraw bay is merely an indentation in the land on the west shore of Green bay, about four and a half miles from Menomonee river. Light-houses are required either for local or for general purposes. There is no object of a local character in the proposed light-house, since the position is without trade, manufacturers or inhabitants, and for general purposes the question has already been settled by the erection of a light on Green island, opposite to Bertraw bay. This light is nearly if not quite completed; and if not lit now, will be very soon. III. One or two beacon-lights at the entrance of Grand Traverse bay and harbor. There is, at present, a light on the northern extremity of Grand island, which is simply a coast light, and suited to serve the general purpose of navigating the southern shore of the lake. The question before us now is, whether lights shall be established for local purposes, and especially for the purpose of bringing the harbor of refuge at the bottom of the bay into convenient use. It will be very easy to satisfy the board that not only one but three lights should be erected in this vicinity. There are two harbors at the bottom of the bay, well sheltered and affording good anchorage for vessels of all size. One of them is on the south side of Grand island, and the other is opposite, on the main land. There are fine entrances both on the east and west side, but both of these entrances must be lighted to make them secure; and the lights on the west entrance should be so placed as to afford a range both by day and night. From the southwest end of Grand island a plateau of shoal ground makes out, which is dangerous to vessels turning into the bay; and on the east entrance there is a similar shoal making out from the main land just to the southward of the Pictured Rocks. To avoid these dangers, two range-lights on the west side, may be advantageously placed on Williams's island, where they would serve the double purpose of guarding the seaman on entering the bay, and afterwards in clearing the shoal ground above mentioned. At the east entrance a light might be placed, either on the extremity of Sand Point shoal, (in which case it would be a screw pile,) or on a rocky point of the island opposite. In both of these situations it would not only afford sufficient direction for entering the bay and clearing Sand Point shoal, but it would also show at the lower part of the west entrance, and keep the seaman clear of the shoal ground south of Grand island. The statement by which the committee expects to satisfy the board of the expediency of these lights is this: that there is no other harbor of refuge on this bare, rocky, and inhospitable coast from White Fish point to Copper harbor, a distance of about one hundred and fifty miles direct, and one hundred and eighty miles by the coast, with the exception of Marquette, which harbor enjoys a natural protection from northwest and north storms only, and is open to northeast storms. To this is to be added that this reach of coast between White Fish point and Copper harbor is a lee shore to the worst storms of this tempestuous climate, throughout the greater part of its extent. This statement contains the urgent reasons for making both the entrances to Grand Island bay safe and easy of access by range and other lights. It is, also, a reason for putting a fog whistle, bell or trumpet, on White Fish point, of which we may speak in another report. It will be observed, by looking on the map, that the harbor at the bottom of Kencewaw bay is good for all winds, but it is out of the way. It is proper, however, to notice its connexion with the statement we have just made, and to say that if a small light were placed at the entrance of the harbor of l'Anse it would convert it into a safe harbor of refuge in all weathers, at night as well as by day. The light should be placed on the northwest point of the entrance; this is the turning point into the bay, and has, moreover, a sand spit running off from it. Williams's island, on the west side of Grand Island bay, on which the rangelights are to stand, is, as the committee learned at the land office at Marquette, not sold; and the committee recommend that application be made for its reservation for light-house purposes. The land on which the light is to stand, on the east side of the bay, would, according to the representation of Mr. Barney, of the lake survey, be readily given up by its owner. IV. Range-lights for Copper harbor. This is the finest harbor on this part of the coast. It possesses good water, affords a perfect protection, and has sufficient depth on the bar for all vessels navigating the lakes, fifteen feet. The entrance, which is on one end near the light, is narrow, and though straight, very difficult, because bounded by dangerous reefs. In fact, it would be impossible to enter the harbor in the clearest night without range-lights, and, accordingly, they are maintained at private expense. There is a dry range also. At this point is Fort Wilkins, now entirely deserted. The property, which is of much value, is rapidly going to ruin. The committee suggests the propriety of directing the attention of the War Department to this subject The accompanying sketch exhibits the several peculiarities of the harbor, and the position of the public buildings at Fort Wilkins. The importance of improving this and other harbors is evinced by the fact that, just before the committee entered the lake, a vessel was compelled to run, during a storm, one hundred and sixty miles before she could find protection." The range-lights proposed by the committee, which will take the place of the private lights, will stand on the reservation which embraces Fort Wilkins and its grounds and buildings. The value of Copper harbor cannot possibly be over-estimated. It is not only the finest in this part of the lake, but it is in itself a grand basin, destined to become the seat of a rich trade. The valuable mines in its vicinity have already attracted a considerable population, and built up a town which is respectable in size and appearance, and its future increase is as certain as the natural growth from infancy to maturity. Indeed, it was one of the general views, repeatedly forced upon the attention of your committee. that it was necessary to make an effort of the mind to comprehend the remarkable progress of this region up to this time, and its certain rate of growth hereafter. Out of this view arose the conviction that the best service which the committee could render the board would be to show the necessity for a great exertion to keep pace with the wants of this new community. (V. Round Island light, river Ste. Marie, above the Sault.) One of the inquiries confided to the committee related to the renewal of this light. Your committee does not know what reason was assigned for the discontinuance of this light, and finds it difficult to believe that this recommendation could have proceeded from any one acquainted with the ground and vesred in the art of piloting. The direct channel running north, from Round island to Point Iroquois, lies between a long and broad sand spit to the eastward, and shoals and rocks to the westward; it is, moreover, very narrow. This light, taken in combination with Point Iroquois light, insures the safe navigation of the channel. If this channel be not used, it is necessary to take a circuitous route around the bay. It frequently happens, however, that for want of this light, vessels actually wait until daylight, when they can have the light-house building for a guide through this dangerous reach. Such a detention, occurring in the track of a regular navigation, and falling upon vessels carrying rich freights of copper, and exposed to the long nights and inclemencies of a high latitude, is a serious distress, which, happily, the board has it in its power to remove by its own action. The committee recommend that Round Island light be relighted. (VI. Port Clinton, Ohio.) The removal of this light, which has also been discontinued, was one of the questions which the committee was requested to investigate. The committee requested Colonel Graham to send one of his assistants to examine into this question, and to report the result to the chairman. He has not yet been heard from. Port Clinton is an obscure town, off from the fixed line of travel. To have gone to it would have occupied more of the committee's time than it was thought to be worth. This is the last of the special cases consigned to the committee, but having pursued the usual route of navigation from Detroit to Ontonagon, in the extreme northwest county of Michigan, on Lake Superior, the committee becam acquainted with its wants, and were enabled to make some observations which will be of interest to the board. a. A fog-bell, or trumpet, on White Fish Point has already been mentioned. This is the turning point on entering the river Ste. Marie, and it affords a snug anchorage in bad weather. b. A light of the lowest order on Granite island, a large rock, or small island with trees on it, off Marquette, would be acceptable. This rock is not easily seen in bad weather, and it is right in the way. c. A light of good size on one of the Huron islands would render valuable service as a coast light. There is no light visible after losing Marquette until Portage river light heaves in sight. This light, however, is shut off by Huron islands, and the trend of the coast to one approaching it in this direction. The light is required as a general guide in both directions; for it is near this spot that the course changes, whether going west to Portage lake, or east to Marquette. d. A small light is wanted at the entrance to Portage river, on the end of the pier. The channel is not much wider than the largest steamers, and in order to enter it in the night time it is necessary to lower a boat and send out a lantern to mark the entrance-a very inconvenient detention in bad weather. This small light can be tended by the keeper of the main light, the distance between the two being a walk of fifteen minutes. It is only needed from the opening of navigation to the first of December, at the furthest. An increase of salary of two hundred dollars would sufficiently compensate the present keeper for this additional duty. e. There exists a similar necessity for range-lights in Eagle harbor as in Copper harbor, similar in kind, but not in degree. There is less water over the bar at Eagle harbor, where the depth is below ten feet, and the bottom is rocky. But here, as at Copper harbor, a day range was necessarily established by private individuals, and if two very small lights were put up, of the character of bug lights, small vessels would profit by them. The land belongs to the Eagle Harbor Company, which will gladly transfer the small quantity necessary for this purpose, on account of the advantage which the company would expect to derive from its use in this way. f. Manitou light is admirably situated for the general navigation of the lake. But the commerce and navigation of Lake Superior are very much influenced by the configuration and contents of the southern coast. From this there extends into the lake a remarkable projection, called Keweenaw Point, which immediately attracts the attention on a glance at the map. It is in the form of an immense horn, slightly curving to the east, about eighty miles long, and about forty-five miles wide where it joins the main land. Along the whole length of this projection there extends a belt of trap rock, in which is found the peculiar riches of this district. This is in the masses of pure copper, of such magnitude that their bulk becomes the principal obstacle to their easy mining. The points of entrance to the copper mines on the projection, which is the location in which the metal is known to occur, are on the east and west sides, and consequently there is a much greater amount of commerce from point to point along the shore of the lake than formerly, and this change requires additional lights, while those which now exist still retain their original importance. The light which was intended to direct the mariner in his course from the head of the lake, in rounding this great projection, is placed on the outer side of a large island lying beyond the extremity of the point; and although this is still of the same importance to the object for which it was originally thus placed, it is of no value to the vessels which pass from points of interest on the west side of the projection to those on the east, since the course of these vessels is be tween the island mentioned and the extreme point of the projection. An additional light is therefore called for on Keweenaw Point. This report has reached so great a length that it will be better, perhaps, to |