Hon. JAMES R. MANN, COMMITTEE ON MILITARY AFFAIRS, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: Referring to our conversation of yesterday relative to range lights for Munising, on the south shore of Lake Superior, for which I introduced a bill (H. R. 20452), which is now pending before your subcommittee, I wish to state that Munising is by far the best natural harbor of refuge on the entire south shore of Lake Superior, and would be of infinite advantage to the commerce that passes by it each year could a few improvements be made therein. The most important of these are the establishment of range lights. Munising Harbor is formed by a deep indentation in the south shore of the lake, in the center of which lies Grand Island. This leaves an entrance to the harbor on each side of the island. That on the east side is somewhat dangerous when the wind is blowing toward the shore, because of the high, precipitous, rocky shore. That on the west side would be safe in almost all weathers if the lights asked for could be established. There are now range lights which direct vessels into this harbor by the westward entrance, but the difficulty is about making the turn. A sand bar extends well out into the harbor from the western extremity of Grand Island. The banks of the island and mainland at this point rise somewhat precipitously and are heavily timbered. At night this entrance is as dark as a pocket, and there is nothing to indicate where the turn should be made. It is desired that range lights may be placed on the mainland to the west of the entrance to the harbor, which will indicate where the turn is to be made, so that the sand bar upon the island and that which extends out from the mainland may be avoided. Only a short time ago one of the large lake freighters, the Fayette Brown, in attempting to make this entrance, ran upon this sandbar and sacrificed a considerable portion of her cargo, besides seriously damaging the vessel. The danger and difficulty of making this entrance is so well known to vesselmen that they now generally run by Munising Harbor to Marquette, 40 miles distant, taking the chances of the storm rather than attempt the entrance. A somewhat similar condition prevails as to the eastern entrance where range lights are desired to be substituted instead of the present light. In regard to this matter the Light-House Board said in its report for June 30, 1905, on page 140: 358. Grand Island Harbor, Lake Superior, Michigan. The Grand Island Light no longer serves the purpose for which it was originally intended. Vessels coming down the easterly side of Grand Island to enter Munising Harbor or the harbor of refuge at the south end of Grand Island can not see the Grand Island Harbor light until close to it. Bad shoals exist on both sides. A wreck now lies partly exposed a short distance north of the narrowest part of the channel. Shipping men ask the establishment of range lights instead of the maintenance of the present light. The present light and dwelling is difficult and expensive to maintain. Range lights would be of much greater service to navigation and would involve less expense for maintenance. It is estimated that ranges could be established upon the mainland at an estimated cost of $13,200. If this appropriation is now made it will save the large outlay necessary to renew the buildings of the present harbor light. The Board recommends that an immediate appropriation of this amount be made therefor. It again recommended these lights in its report for 1906. I am informed by the board that owing to the increased cost of material, etc.. that $15,000 will not be any too much to do the work. These lights are also asked for by the Lake Carriers' Association and were deemed most essential by that association in its late hearings before your committee. So I was informed by Mr. Goulder, and he showed me the paragraph in their memorial relating to Munising, or Grand Island, as it is sometimes called. I may add that Munising itself is a rapidly growing town whose business is greatly increasing each year and that it is headquarters of one steamship company owning 16 large lake freighters. Yours, truly, H. O. YOUNG, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR, LIGHT-HOUSE BOARD, Washington, January 30, 1907. SIR: In accordance with your verbal request the following information in regard to the appropriation for Horn Island light station, Mississippi, is sent you. Q. How does it stand?-A. No appropriation has been made; $10,000 is required. Q. Has contract been made?-A. No. Q. Will money asked for be needed next fiscal year?-A. Yes. This is an important light station and should be reestablished. It is proposed to remove the present structure at Mobile Bay light station, Alabama, and reerect it on the Horn Island site, which method will save the expense of purchasing material for a new light-house. The Mobile Bay light station can be reestablished with a simple pile beacon. Respect fully, THOS. L. CASEY, Lieutenant-Colonel, Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army, INTERSTATE AND FOREIGN COMMERCE, House of Representatives. SIR: Referring to the committee's letter of February 7, 1906, inclosing for the consideration of this Department and for report thereon a copy of H. R. bill No. 14183, providing "for the establishment of two beacon lights at the mouth of La Trappe River, Maryland, and for other purposes," I have the honor to state, at the instance of the Light-House Board, as follows: This river has been improved by the United States at a cost of about $9,000. The project for improvement calls for a channel 150 feet wide and 11 feet deep across the bar at the mouth of the river. It is proposed to mark this dredged cut by two lighted beacons. Three steamers and 81 sailing vessels and barges are reported as plying in the river. Its commerce is valued at $303,426, and it is aggregated at 11,466 tons in 1903 and at 13,601 tons in 1904. As the commerce of this river is increasing and as range lights would lessen the dangers to passing craft, this Department recommends the passage of the bill in question. Respectfully, V. H. METCALF, Secretary. HEARINGS, 1906-H. R. 14183. The CHAIRMAN. The next bill is H. R. 14183, a bill for the establishment of two beacon lights at the mouth of La Trappe River, Maryland, at a cost not to exceed $10,000. Captain SEBREE. Those beacon lights at the mouth of La Trappe River, Maryland; yes. If the Light-House Board should decide that they are necessary, they could be constructed out of the general appropriation without any action of Congress. STATEMENT OF HON. T. A. SMITH. TRAPPE RIVER, MARYLAND. Mr. SMITH. Mr. Chairman, the bill about which I wish to speak is H. R. 14183, with reference to the establishment of two beacons at the mouth of Trappe River. I have furnished a typewritten statement to the committee. I do not know that I can say anything more except that it is a fertile section and that it is far from a railroad station. The river is the principal outlet for perishable products. On dark and stormy nights it is impossible to get in there. Mr. MANN. What do they raise there mostly? Mr. SMITH. Fruit, vegetables, and grain. Mr. MANN. What stream does the Trappe River run into? Mr. MANN. You recommend that lights be established so that steamers can go in there? Mr. SMITH. Yes, sir; the bar goes out there. makes it very dangerous. Mr. MANN. How much commerce is there there? It dovetails and Mr. MANN. Have you any record of the number of vessels going in there? Mr. SMITH. I do not think that I can give you that. A great many sailing vessels go in there and Baltimore boats ply there. Mr. ADAMSON. What will it cost? Mr. SMITH. The bill says $10,000, or as much thereof as may be necessary. The town of Trappe, Md., is located at the head of navigation on the Trappe River and in the midst of a fertile and populous agricultural district, and is dependent upon this river for transportation of its merchandise, coal, lime, fertilizers, etc., brought into this section, as well as for its agricultural products, canned goods, lumber, etc., shipped out. The nearest railroad station is about 4 miles distant and the steamboat wharf on the Choptank River about the same distance, while the Trappe River runs practically to the town of Trappe. There are three large carriage houses, coal and lumber yard, two roller flour mills, sawmill, and a number of small mills within a few miles, all dependent upon this river for shipping facilities. The value of products shipped by this river from Trappe in one year exceeds a half million dollars. Because of the interlocking bars at the mouth of this river navigation, both for vessels and steamers, is difficult and dangerous on dark and stormy nights, so much so that vessels never and steamers seldom attempt it on such occasions, thereby causing great inconvenience to travelers, loss and delay to shippers, and often ruin to perishable goods. When steamers fail to come in on returning from Baltimore, passengers are carried up the Choptank River from 5 to 10 miles from their homes and freight landed from thirteen to thirty-six hours late. We have two steamers, one each night, to and from Baltimore, two sailing vessels, and an innumerable number of smaller craft in summer and fall, all overtaxed in freighting the agricultural products to market, and returning laden with merchandise, lime, fertilizers, etc. |