CHAPTER LXIV.

Coast Survey.

1. THE coast survey, the naval observatory and light houses are all of a similar character-government works in their purposes, and in their utility. The plan of making a survey of the whole coast, and of keeping it lighted, is one founded in a wise and generous policy. It aids commerce and encourages navigation, by making known the hidden dangers of the sea, and by giving directions how to avoid them.

2. This government undertaking has not been as vigorously prosecuted as some other enterprises conducted by it. As early as 1807, Congress passed an act authorizing the President to have this work done. Much of it has been done, yet it is not finished at this day. Our acquisition of Florida, Texas and California has greatly extended our sea coast since the work was commenced, and its accomplishment has cost more time and labor than was anticipated at the beginning, yet we think it ought to have been completed in much less than 60 years.

3. This work, like that relating to light houses, is under the management of a board, consisting of a superintendent, two principal assistants, two naval officers and four officers of the army. These nine constitute the board. Then there are as many officers of the army and navy employed in the execution of the work as are deemed necessary. And the public vessels, by direction of the President, may be used in order to fa

cilitate the work, for much of it must be done at sea. The survey extends 20 leagues from the shore. The surveyors must make accurate charts (which I will call sea maps), of the whole coast, in which are laid down all the islands, shoals, roads or anchorage grounds within twenty leagues of any part of the shore of the United States. The courses or distances between the principal capes or headlands must be laid down, together with the soundings (depth of water) and every thing else necessary to make a complete and accurate chart of every part of our coasts.

4. An annual report of this work must be made to Congress in December of each year, accompanied with charts, showing the progress of the work, the number of persons employed, the expenses incurred, the amount of work finished, and what is unfinished. These reports and charts are carefully preserved, and copies of them may be had at Washington for the use of our naval and merchant ships, to which they are of great service, as guides whenever they are on or near the coast. This work, in its utility, is not confined to ourselves; but the important information obtained by it is of great use to the navigators of all nations who come into our ports or cruise on our coasts. They derive the same benefits from this work that we derive from theirs of the same kind. It is creditable to any nation to do such things as are beneficial to the world, such acts as contribute to the welfare of humanity. Shipwrecks belong to the list of terrible calamities which often befall those "who go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters." Whoever diminishes these is a public benefactor.

CHAPTER LXV.

Light Houses, Buoys and Beacons.

1. THESE are all government establishments, and we must therefore notice them. They are built, lighted, repaired, and taken care of, wholly by the government. Every body knows the object for which they are constructed. Guided by them, the mariner may approach the coast in the night with safety; while without them many noble ships would be wrecked, which now safely arrive in port. Humanity and interest both dictate their construction near the entrance to every sea port; and at the most dangerous and prominent points all along the sea coast. This our government has wisely done, not only on the sea coasts, which stretch for thousands of miles along our borders, but also along the shores of our navigable lakes and rivers.

2. Keepers are appointed by the government to keep them in repair, and to see that they are properly lighted every night. We have no means of knowing the number of these useful establishments, but there must be several hundred of them; for we have more sea coast than any other nation upon the globe, with a still greater length of lake and river shore. They are located at prominent points, and at dangerous places, all along the extensive lines of coast and shores.

3. All this work, like everything else done by the government, must be done according to law. To the end that light houses should be constructed and kept in repair, and that competent men might have the

whole matter in charge, a law of 1852 authorized the President to appoint two officers of the navy of high rank, one officer of the corps of engineers of the army, one officer of the topographical engineers, and two civilians of high scientific attainments, to form a LIGHT HOUSE BOARD for the United States. This board is attached to the Treasury Department, and the Secretary of the Treasury superintends its operations. The board has in charge the building, illumination, and inspection of light houses, light vessels, buoys, beacons, sea marks and their appendages.

4. The Secretary of the Treasury is president of the board, and may convene them whenever he deems it necessary.

The law makes it the duty of the board to divide the whole of the sea, gulf, and lake coasts, into lighthouse districts; not exceeding 12 in number. An officer of the army or navy is assigned to each district, as a light-house inspector.

We have not in detail enumerated all the duties devolving on this board, and therefore say in general terms that they have the control of everything relating to light houses, light ships, buoys, beacons, or other means of directing vessels in and out of port, or of guiding them while sailing along the coast in the night.

5. As foreign vessels receive the same benefits from our light houses as our own, there is nothing unfair or illiberal in requiring them to contribute something towards the expense of maintaining them. For this purpose Congress has imposed a tax, or laid a duty of 50

cents per ton on all foreign vessels entering any ports of the United States. This is called "LIGHT MONEY,' and needs no explanation. It is collected in the same way as tonnage duties are, i. e. by the collector of the port where the ship arrives. Light money is not required of vessels owned by citizens of the United States, provided that they are regularly registered as the law directs, or have a sea letter.

7. A sea letter is a document or certificate, given by the collector of a port, to the captain of an American vessel, certifying that she belongs to a citizen or citizens of the United States. Armed with this, the captain can prove to all whom it may concern, anywhere in the world, the ownership and nationality of his vessel. This is a protection to her and her cargo, especially in times of war. It is one of a ship's papers.