REPORT by the COMMISSIONERS of NORTHERN LIGHTHOUSES on Inspection of LOCAL LIGHTS in 1893. Sir, Northern Lighthouse Board, 84, George-street, Edinburgh, 7 February 1894. I AM directed by the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses to transmit, for the information of the Board of Trade, copy of a Report by the Commissioners' Engineer, dated 29th ultimo, on his inspection of Harbour Lights in Scotland, during 1893, under the "Merchant Shipping Act Amendment Act, 1862," 25 & 26 Vict. c. 63, s. 43, ss. 4. Excerpts from the Report have been sent to the various Harbour Authorities. The Assistant Secretary, Harbour Department, Board of Trade, London. I am, &c. (signed) James Murdoch, REPORT of Inspection of HARBOUR and LOCAL LIGHTS. I BEG to report the result of the Inspections of Harbour and Local Lights made druing the year 1893 : Ayr Harbour.-These lights were found to be in good order and well kept, with the exception that one of the red panes of the lantern of the light at the entrance was badly cracked, and that the burner in the north light required renewal. The harbour master undertook to get these defects at once remedied. Millport. The lights here are only used during winter for a short time, and when steamers are expected; they were not in use at the time of the inspection, and were in a dirty state. Girvan. This light was in good order, except that the red glass shade was found to be badly chipped, but it has since been replaced. North Queensferry.-These lights are seldom used, the traffic being now almost entirely conducted by the Forth Bridge. The apparatus and lamps were in a dirty condition. Inverkeithing. The lights here were found to be fairly well kept. The red pane of one of the lights was badly cracked, and the harbour master promised to have it renewed. Boness. The lights were found to be not so well kept as they should be, and the burners were not in good order, but have, since the inspection, been put right. Kennetpans. The lamp was found to be clean and in good working order, but the bull's-eyes were dirty. This light is, however, only lighted when a vessel is expected. Eyemouth. The lights at this harbour were found to be badly kept, and in need of repair. Since the date of the inspection these defects have been remedied. Dunbar.—Victoria Key Light was found to be burning properly, but the red glass pane was cracked, and the silvered glass reflector was also badly cracked, and the silvering was off at some places. The Harbour Authorities promised to make good these defects. The Battery Pier Light was in good order, and cleanly kept. Goldingham.-New lanterns have been provided for this fishing harbour, but they had not been erected at the date of inspection. Dundee Dundee Harbour.-These lights were again found in an unsatisfactory state; and, on my making a strong representation on the subject, the Harbour Trustees resolved to improve the lights, and these improvements are in course of being carried out. Burntisland-The ferry and new pier lights at Burntisland were found to be badly kept; the burners and apparatus were not properly attended to. On these defects being pointed out, the station master, in whose charge they are, undertook that they would be better cared for in future. Methil Harbour.-The pier head light, which is lighted by electricity, was found not to be acting properly, the incandescent lamp not being in the focus of the lens and mirror; and the apparent light was very badly kept. The best method of improving these lights was pointed out to the harbour master, who undertook to see the improvements carried out. Montrose. The lights were found to be cleanly kept, but the burners required to be repaired, and this has since been done. Gourdon. The lamp fountains were found to be of glass fixed in pieces of timber. It was pointed out to the Harbour Authorities that metal fountains should be provided, and the lights improved by having proper mirrors fitted up. Johnshaven.-The lights were in good order and well kept. The fishermen complained that owing to the town lights not being masked to seawards they had difficulty in picking up the harbour light. I suggested that this difficulty might be easily overcome by glazing the town lamps on the seaward side with green glass, and this proposal has been given effect to. The following lights were found in good order, viz :— Burnmouth, Grangemouth, Alloa, Clackmannan, Railway Bridge across the Forth at South Alloa, St. David's, Kirkcaldy, Dysart, Buckhaven, West Wemyss, Elie, Pittenweem, St. Monance, Crail, St. Andrew's, Abertay Lightship, Cellardyke, Buddouness Lighthouses, Tayport Lights, Newport, Broughty Ferry, Tay Railway Bridge, Stonehaven, Banff, Whitehalls, Kirkwall, Stranraer, Troon, Irvine, Keppel Pier, Largs, Oban, Portree, Dunollie, Broadford and Uig. I AM directed by the Commissioners of Irish Lights to forward herewith, for the information of the Board of Trade, copies of reports furnished by the Inspecting Committee of this Board, on the lights, buoys, and beacons under the jurisdiction of the Harbour Commissioners of Wexford, Waterford and of New Ross respectively, as inspected by that Committee recently. The Assistant Secretary, Harbour Department, Board of Trade. I am, &c. (signed) Owen Armstrong, REPORTS of Local Inspections. Wexford Harbour, Tuesday, 31st October 1893.-At 7.30a.m. on the above date, the following members of the Inspecting Committee went on board the Wexford Harbour Commissioners' Steamer, viz.: Mr. Watson, Captain Riall, R.N., and Mr. G. B. Thompson, and inspected the buoys, and beacons in the harbour, and on the Bar. The Committee recommend that the buoys on the port side of the channel should be painted entirely red, instead of only.red tipped, as at the present, and that the buoy on the heap of stones near the outer perch, be painted green. The present Admiralty Chart does not seem to have all the buoys marked on it. A chart should be sent to the Wexford Harbour Board, with a request that all may be marked on it. (signed) William Watson. Waterford, Tuesday, 31st October 1893.-The committee found the buoys, beacons, lights, &c., under the jurisdiction of the Waterford Harbour Commissioners, in good order. (signed) William Watson. New Ross, Tuesday, 31st October 1893.-On the return of the committee to Wexford they went by train to New Ross, and were there met by one of the Waterford Harbour Commissioners, their Engineer and Secretary, who took them in their steamer down to Passage and thence returning to Waterford. The Committee found only two buoys in position on the Barrow, below New Ross, and recommend that the New Ross Harbour Commissioners be written to drawing their attention to the state of things, and that they be called on to replace the buoys in position. (signed) William Watson. A. G. Riall. G. B. Thompson. |