GENERAL REPORT UPON THE LIGHTHOUSES COMPLETED & IN COURSE OF COMPLETION
Owen Sound
Dec. 28th, 1857
Sir,
As the building season on Lake Huron is brought to a close, I beg leave to submit the following report upon the extent of the work performed by Mr. Brown, contractor for the light houses on Lake Huron
The towers and dwelling houses of five light houses are completed according to the plans.
Nottawasaga Island 2nd order Revolving
Christian 4th Fixed
Griffiths 3rd Fixed
Isle of Coves 2nd Flashing
Chantry Island 2nd Fixed
The tower of the sixth light house, at Point Clarke is built up to the commencement of the parapet, and the dwelling house is built two feet above the basement course.
The Nottawasaga Island light house is built upon the solid rock and required no extra work connected with the foundation.
The nature of the bottom at Christian Island, being composed of gravel and sand required a timber foundation, which is formed by two thickness of one foot timber placed close together and laid the upper course transversely to the lower, the dimensions of the platform being 22 x 20 feet presents a surface of 440 feet to resist the pressure of the weight of the tower.
At Griffiths Island the tower is built upon a bed of concrete fifteen inches in depth, laid with cement upon a good clay bottom.
At the Isle of Coves the bottom is of solid rock and required no extra work upon the foundation.
At Chantry Island concrete was used, as the bottom was composed of gravel and boulders.
At Point Clarke the bottom is of sand and gravel, and it was considered necessary to put in a timber foundation. The dimensions of the platform being 30 x 30 feet it presents a surface of 900 feet to support the tower.
When the light houses are completed and in operation, mariners will have but little to complain of the system of the lights from the Detroit River to Collingwood, but at the same time the chain would be beautifully complete if a light, even of the fourth order were placed upon the most westerly island of the Fishing or Gheheto Islands (called the Scotch bonnet) and which lies on the south side of the channel leading to the back of an island called Main Station, where there is good shelter for vessels, which may be in want of a harbour of refuge.
Vessels drawing twelve feet water can run in with perfect safety.
The light upon Nottawasaga Island is the main light for vessels making the harbour of Collingwood, the terminus of the Northern Rail Road, and it being made a revolving light prevents the captains of vessels mistaking the town lights, fires on shore &c. for it.
Wheat has commenced, this fall to be delivered at Collingwood from Chicago to proceed by the Northern Rail Road en transit to the Eastern States. Elevators are now erected at Collingwood to facilitate the transhipment of grain.
The next light is on the Christian Island bearing from the Nottawasaga light North by East 1/2 ??? distance 20 miles. It is upon the south east point or rather spit of the island and on the west side of the entrance into the harbour. It is also the leading light for all vessels going to Penetanguishene, Stingene (?) Bay, Cold Water and the different saw mills on the north side of the bay. Christian Island Harbour is one of the best if not the best harbour upon our lakes, having through its southern channel not less than sixteen feet water. In the two other channels at the north end the water is very deep and in the harbour itself. The water is from five to 12 fathoms. The harbour is well sheltered from the prevalent winds.
The next light is on Griffiths Island, which lays on and forms a part of the west side of the Owen Sound. By this light mariners are enabled to make with safety Owen Sound Harbour, a place which is already of great importance and rapidly increasing. It also enables vessels to run into Colpoys Bay for safety, where behind White Cloud Island there is good shelter and good holding ground in from two to ten fathoms of water.
The next light is on the North point of the Isle of Coves, and is the most important light of the whole system, as it points out the entrance into Georgian Bay from the main Lake of Huron.
Quite close to this light pass the steamers and vessels from Chicago to Collingwood. It being made a flashing light, and presenting a different appearance from the others on the coast, the mariners will be prevented from making any mistake.
To the North of this light, at a distance of about three miles, there is a sunken rock with about four feet of water upon it. It is very dangerous for vessels passing through, as they do not expect to meet one in such a position.
3 vessels have already struck upon it, two of which went to pieces, the other, as there was hardly any wind, backed off and escaped.
I would suggest that a large buoy and fog bell be placed here as the entrance to the Georgian Bay is continually closed in with fogs, the intensity of which is increased during the South West winds.
The next light, that on Chantry Island, is also one of great importance, as which the Island a great number of vessels take shelter, and ride out some of the heaviest storms of Lake Huron. The improvement made here by running out a pier from the North east point of the island, by allowing vessels to moor themselves to the snubbing posts, also enhance the value of this island as a place of refuge.
It would be essentially necessary to place a buoy and fog bell on the extreme point of a reef running due Sout West 66 chains from the most Southerly point of the Island.
A large tug boat was lost in daylight upon this reef this fall, which would scarcely have happened if it had been buoyed out and the end shown.
Vessels can bring up at the back of the island in from twelve to eighteen feet water, but the holding ground is far from good.
The light house at Point Clarke makes itself of great importance by warning vessels of a dangerous reef running westerly a considerable distance into the lake. This is to be a revolving light to distinguish it from Chantry Island and Goderich light houses.
All of which is respectfully submitted
Sir
I have the honor to be
your ob. servant
A. G. Robinson
C. Eng.
Thos. A. Begly, Esq.
A. G. ROBINSON – REPORT UPON HIS RETURN FROM VISITING THE SEVERAL LIGHTHOUSES & ENCLOSING AN A/C OF DISBURSEMENTS MADE BY HIM ALSO PAY LISTS OF MEN’S TIME
Toronto June 10th 1858
Sir,
I beg leave to report my having visited the different works upon Lake Huron commencing at Point Clark Light House.
The dwelling house was raised four feet above the foundation and there were employed four masons and four labourers. The shaft of the tower of the light house is built up to the top of the projection under the parapet as reported last fall.
I told the foreman not to do anything towards completing the tower till further orders.
At Chantry Island the dwelling house is not perfectly impervious to rain, and till a further examination I am unable to suggest any work to remedy this defect. The work has all the appearance of being well done.
Then I was joined by Mr. Scott and returned with him to Point Clarke having examined the pier at Saugeen and the new work at Port Elgin. It was too late when we arrived at Kincardine and we left too early in the morning on our way to Point Clarke to examine the works there as Mr. Scott was extremely anxious to lose no time in visiting the light houses.
At the Isle of Coves the light house tower and dwelling house are completed and a person of the name of Collins had arrived on the 22nd of May and erected a temporary light shining a white light which is seen between four and five miles distance and is extremely useful to vessels entering Georgian Bay.
At Griffiths Island the tower and dwelling house are both completed but there is no person there in charge. A temporary light placed here would be of great advantage to vessels entering and leaving Owen Sound, and I think if the light house keeper is already appointed it would be well to send him there without delay, to take care of the buildings. The keys of this house are left at Collingwood Express office for Mr. Smyth, Inspector of Light Houses.
At Nottawasaga Island the light house and dwelling house are completed and a temporary white light is erected and in charge of a man of the name of Mills.
At Christian Island the dwelling house and tower are completed and a temporary light shining white is erected under the charge of a man of the name of Grace.
I would beg leave to suggest that chimney pots be placed upon the chimneys of the different dwelling houses and also tin spouts placed along the eaves.
As there is no established route between Goderich and Collingwood by water, it was necessary to hire a fishing boat at Goderich for which I agreed to pay one dollar per diem, and engaged two men to act as boatmen. This boat can on its return leave the cast iron girders at Griffiths Island and the Isle of Coves. It is waiting my return at Collingwood.
I also enclose the acount of my disbursements for provisions along with the paylists of the men employed up to the 1st of this month.
There is also a stone cutter employed at Chantry Island in cutting the holed for placing the uprights of the lantern. He has also two men employed assisting him in drilling but I cannot return their time till I arrive at Chantry Island.
Sir
I have the
honor to be
your obt. servt.
A. G. Robinson
C. Eng.
Thos. A. Begly, Esq.
Sec. D. P. Wks.
Toronto
A. G. ROBINSON SENDS ESTIMATE FOR JOHN BROWN FOR WORK AT LIGHT HOUSES, WITH REMARKS
Saugeen December 5th 1857
Sir,
I beg leave to enclose an estimate in ??? of John Brown, Contractor for light houses in Lake Huron.
The amount is predicated upon £3,500 being the contract price for building both dwelling house and tower.
The tower is finished with the exception of the parapet above the projection and the dwelling house is build 9 feet from foundation or ten feet above the surface of ground.
I am informed that the light house at Griffiths Island is finished but it would be extremely difficult at this time of year to visit it.
Might I be allowed to suggest that Mr. Browns contract prices should be furnished (?) me without delay.
Sir,
I have the
honor to be
your obt. servant
A. G. Robinson
C. Eng
Thos. A. Begly, Esq.
Secr. Depart. Pub. Works
Toronto
A. G. ROBINSON SENDS ESTIMATES FOR CONTRACTOR FOR LIGHTHOUSES, WITH REMARKS
Jan. 19, 1857
Toronto
Sir,
I beg leave to enclose Mr. Brown’s estimate of work done on Lake Huron to Jan. 1st.
Sufficient stone has been cut at Owen Sound for the base (?) of the light house on Griffiths Island, of which also the foundation has been dug.
The light house at Chantry Island is built up to within two feet of the projection, so that but little remains to be done as all the material is ready upon the spot.
In the light house at Point Clark which Mr. Brown intends to build of brick (?), the necessary cut stone for base course ??? are all cut at Owen Sound.
The pier at Chantry Island is finished. At Inverhuron the crib keeps sinking through the sand and it would not be wise to heavy the superstrucutre till all subsidence had ceased. All of which is respectfully submitted
I have the
honor to be
Your ob. Servant
Thos. A. Begly, Esq.
S. Board of Works
Toronto
A. G. ROBINSON – REMARKS RESPECTING THE DRAWINGS OF LIGHT HOUSE APPARATUS
Owen Sound
December 29th, 1857
Sir,
I beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 24th enclosing two tracings of the light house parapets, one of the first order and one of the second. I think there must be some mistake in the height of the parapet walls above the ???. There is no first order in the light houses on Lake Huron, and perhaps it may be but a mistake in the heading, however it is all important, that I should be certain. In some of the engravings I have of the top of the light houses the 2nd order is put down 7.’2."60 in the third order 6.’6."74 and this is very close to what the french mechanics tell me.
What I meant in my letter mentioning the necessity of working plans was, the details and working plans accompanied with measurements of the lantern and apparatus itself, which the engineer would find very convenient to have and which could be supplied by Mr. Sautter of Paris.
Sir
I have the
honor to be
yout ob. svt.
A. G. Robinson
C. Eng.
Thos. A. Begly, Esq.
Sec. Dep. P. Wks.