on the approaches from three sides. A light-house should be built, and a fog-signal established. The rock lies in the track of all vessels running to the north side of the western portion of Lake Superior, and is an object of great concern, especially on dark nights and during the almost interminable fogs which prevail in this vicinity during the greater part of the season of navigation. The construction of this station will greatly benefit the large, growing, and valuable commerce of the Lake Superior region. This is the proper time to begin it, as it can be built now cheaper than at any future time, as the costly apparatus and machinery used in building the light-house at Spectacle Reef is now available, and is especially adapted to works of this nature. The rock is nearly 20 miles distant from the nearest land, and 40 miles from a suitable harbor; and as it will have to be placed in from 10 to 12 feet of water, it will require a structure of the most costly and substantial character. It is estimated that the cost will not be less than $300,000, but no acenrate estimate can be given in advance, on account of the liability to accidents and delay while the work is in progress. Large as this sum is, its outlay is fully warranted by the necessities of the navigation of the lakes, and it is recommended that an appropriation of $200,000 be made to begin the work. - L'Anse, Lake Superior, Michigan.-Efforts have been made to secure a title to the site on several occasions, but thus far without success. It is recommended that the appropriation made by act approved March 3, 1873, which is still available, be so worded that the Light House Board may be authorized to erect the light-house any where in the near vicinity that may be determined upon. 659. Eagle Harbor, Lake Superior, Michigan.-An appropriation of $8,000 was made by act approved March 3, 1875, for re-establishing range-lights at Eagle Harbor, Lake Superior. Negotiations having in view the acquisition of title to the site for the light are now pending. If there is no delay in procuring a valid title, the lights will be exhibited before the close of the present season. 661. Portage Lake Ship Canal, Lake Superior, Michigan.-This station was completed and lighted on the 20th of November, 1874. 663. Outer Island, Lake Superior, Wisconsin.-This station was completed and lighted on October 30, 1874. A steam fog-signal has been erected, and was put in operation on November 5, 1874. 669. Isle Royale, Lake Superior, Michigan.-Work was begun on this station as soon as navigation opened in the spring. It will probably be completed and lighted by September 15, in this year. The light-house is located on Menagerie Island, the most easterly of the small islands forming Siskiwit Bay, south side of Isle Royale. Passage Island, Lake Superior, Michigan.-Congress, at its last session, made an appropriation of $18,000 for establishing a light at this place, conditioned upon the building, by the government of the Domin ion of Canada, of a light-house on Colchester Reef, to the eastward of the mouth of Detroit River. The board is not aware that any steps have yet been taken by the Canadian government to establish a light at that point, and therefore nothing has been done toward the erection of a light at Passage Island. REPAIRS. Repairs of greater or less extent have been made, or are in process of execution, at the following stations: 559. Windmill Point, entrance to Lake St. Clair, Michigan. 560. St. Clair Flats, Michgan. 561. St. Clair Flats beacon, Michigan. 563. St. Clair Flats Canal, Michigan. 564. Fort Gratiot, Lake Huron, Michigan. 565. Point aux Barques, Lake Huron, Michigan. 566. Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron, Michigan. 567. Charity Island, Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron, Michigan. 568. Tawas, on Ottawa Point, Saginaw Bay, Michigan. 571. Thunder Bay Island, Lake Huron, Michigan. 574. Presque Isle, Lake Huron, Michigan. 575. Spectacle Reef, entrance to the Straits of Mackinac, Lake Huron, Michigan. 576. Detour, river Sault Ste. Marie, Lake Huron, Michigan. 577. Bois Blanc, Straits of Mackinac, Michigan. 578. Cheboygan, near eastern entrance to the Straits of Mackinac, Michigan. 579. McGulpin's Point, Straits of Mackinac, Michigan. 580. St. Helena, Straits of Mackinae, Michigan. 581. Waugoshance, Straits of Mackinac, entrance to Lake Michigan, Michigan. 582. Skilligallee, (Ile aux Galets,) Lake Michigan, Michigan. 583. Bearer Island Harbor, Lake Michigan, Michigan. 584. Beaver Island, Lake Michigan, Michigan. 585. South Fox Island, Lake Michigan, Michigan. 586. Grand Traverse, Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan, Michigan. 587. Mission Point, Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan, Michigan. 588. South Manitou, Lake Michigan, Michigan. 589. Point Betsey, (Point aux Becs Scies,) east side of Lake Michigan, Michigan. 590. Frankfort pier head, Lake Michigan, Michigan. 591. Manistee, Lake Michigan, Michigan. 592. Grande Pointe au Sable, Lake Michigan, Michigan. 593. Pere Marquette, Lake Michigan, Michigan. 594. Pentwater, Lake Michigan, Michigan. 595. Petite Pointe au Sable, Lake Michigan, Michigan. 597. White River pier-head, Lake Michigan, Michigan. 598. Muskegon, Lake Michigan, Michigan. 600. Grand Haren. Lake Michigan, Michigan. 602. Holland, (Black Lake,) Lake Michigan, Michigan. 603. Kalamazoo, on the north side of the mouth of Kalamazoo River, Lake Michigan, Michigan. 604. South Haren, Lake Michigan, Michigan. 605. St. Joseph, Lake Michigan, Michigan. 607. Michigan City, Lake Michigan, Indiana. 608. Michigan City pier-head, Lake Michigan, Indiana. 609. Calumet, Lake Michigan, Illinois. 611. Chicago pier-head, Lake Michigan, Illinois. 612. Grosse Point, Lake Michigan, Illinois. 613. Waukegan, Little Fort River, Illinois. 614. Kenosha, on Warrenton Island, Lake Michigan, Wisconsin. 616. Racine, Lake Michigan, Wisconsin. 617. Racine pier-head, Lake Michigan, Wisconsin. 618. Milwaukee pier head, Lake Michigan, Wisconsin. 619. Milwaukee, (north point,) Lake Michigan, Wisconsin. 620. Port Washington, Lake Michigan, Wisconsin. 621. Sheboygan pier-head, Lake Michigan, Wisconsin. 622. Sheboygan, Lake Michigan, Wisconsin.. 624. Manitowoc, Manitowoc River, Lake Michigan, Wisconsin. 626-27. Bailey's Harbor ranges, Lake Michigan, Wisconsin. 629. Port du Mort, Pilot Island, Green Bay, Lake Michigan, Michigan. 630. Pottawatomie, Rock Island, Green Bay, Lake Michigan, Michigan. 632. Point Peninsula, on the point between Little and Big Bays de Noquet, Lake Michigan, Michigan. 633. Escanaba, Little Bay de Noquet, Lake Michigan, Michigan. 638-39. Grassy Island ranges, Green Bay, Lake Michigan, Wisconsin. 643. Big Sable, Lake Superior, Michigan. 644. Grand Island, Lake Superior, Michigan. 645. Grand Island Harbor, Lake Superior, Michigan. 646-47. Grand Island Harbor ranges, Lake Superior, Michigan. 648. Marquette, Lake Superior, Michigan. 649. Granite Island, Lake Superior, Michigan. 650. Huron Island, Lake Superior, Michigan. 651. Portage River, Keweenaw Bay, Lake Superior, Michigan. 652–653. Portage River ranges, Keweenaw Bay, Lake Superior, Michigan. 654. Manitou Island, Lake Superior, Michigan. 655. Gull Rock, Lake Superior, Michigan. 656. Copper Harbor, Lake Superior, Michigan. 660. Eagle River, Lake Superior, Michigan. 662. Ontonagon, Lake Superior, Michigan. 663. Outer Island, (Apostle group,) Lake Superior, Wisconsin. 664. Michigan Island, Lake Superior, Wisconsin. G65. La Pointe, Lake Superior, Wisconsin. 666. Raspberry Island, (Apostle group,) Lake Superior, Wisconsin. 667. Minnesota Point, mouth of Saint Louis River, Lake Superior, Minnesota. 668. Du Luth, Lake Superior, Minnesota. 670. Rock Harbor, Lake Superior, Michigan. FOG SIGNALS. Since the last annual report three new fog-signals have been erected in this district, namely, at South Manitou Island, Lake Michigan, and Outer and Manitou Islands, Lake Superior. These, with the other six that existed in the district, seem to have given general satisfaction to the commerce of the lakes. A steam-siren has been ordered at each of the three following sta tions, namely: Grand Haven, Skilligallee, and Port du Mort, all in Lake Michigan. These are all in course of erection. BUOYS. The buoyage of this district has been carefully attended to during the year, and it is in conformity with the printed buoy-list, and generally in good order. A complete set of new buoys for Saint Clair Flats was furnished and located in the spring, the old channel being used almost exclusively by vessels towing rafts, as difficulty is experienced in using the canal for that purpose when there is much wind or sea. LIGHT-HOUSE DEPOT. Detroit, Michigan.-Congress, at its last session, made an appropria tion of $10,000 to complete the work on this important depot. Work under this appropriation was begun in May. The new dock is nearly completed, and all the iron shutters and doors for the fire-proof storehouse are in place. TWELFTH DISTRICT. CALIFORNIA. This district embraces all aids to navigation on the Pacific coast of the United States between the Mexican frontier and the southern boundary of Oregon, and includes the coast of California. Inspector.-Commodore James H. Spotts, United States Navy, until December 1, 1874; Commander A. T. Snell, U. S. N., present inspector. Engineer.-Lieut. Col. R. S. Williamson, Corps of Engineers, United States Army. In this district there are Light-houses and lighted beacons Day or unlighted beacons.. Light-ships Fog-signals operated by steam or hot-air engines. Buoys actually in position.... Spare buoys for relief and supply losses. Tender Shubrick, common to twelfth and thirteenth districts, used for inspector's and engineer's purposes 21 17 0 9 31 29 1 The numbers preceding the names of stations correspond with those of the "Light-house List of the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific Coasts of the United States," issued January 1, 1875. LIGHT-HOUSES. 433. Point Loma, entrance to San Diego Bay, sea-coast of California.— Some slight repairs and renovations have been made at this station during the past year; but as the keeper's dwelling is in bad condition, considerable repairs are necessary. It is also proposed to fit up two rooms in a portion of the wood-house for the better accommodation of the keepers. These repairs and changes will be made during September, as that is deemed the best time for doing the work. 434. Point Fermin, sea coast of California.-The light at this station was exhibited for the first time on the evening of December 15th, 1874. It is recommended that an appropriation of $300 be made for the purchase of additional land at this station. 435. Point Hueneme, sea-coast of California.-The light at this station was exhibited for the first time on the evening of December 15, 1874. Plenty of water for irrigation is had from the artesian well on the reservation. It is important that a steam fog-signal should be established here. The numerous passenger and other steamers, in going up and down the coast, pass inside Anacapa Island, and very near the coast, which here makes a considerable elbow. The land at this point is quite low, and is so for ten miles inland, so that it is difficult to see it if there is any fog. An appropriation of $7,000 for the establishment of a first-class steam fog-signal at this place is recommended. 436. Santa Barbara, sea-coast of California.-Slight repairs have been made t this station. The light-house reservation is separated from the nearest public road by land owned and occupied as an orchard by a private citizen. A road to the public highway is necessary. The owner offers to sell a piece of land sufficient for a right of way, at the rate of $200 per acre, gold coin. This is not an exorbitant price; an appropriation of $500 is therefore recommended. 437. Point Conception, sea coast of California.-The old dwelling at this station is in a bad condition, and the best plan is to pull it down, learing the tower by itself, and to build for the accommodation of the keepers two more cottages similar to the one built last year. This being a first-order light and having a steam fog-signal, four keepers are required. One corner of the house has settled, making a serious crack. As the tower is in the center of the house, the latter having been built around it, when the walls of the house are removed the tower will be isolated and complete in itself. An appropriation of $12,000 is asked for the purpose of building the new dwellings. The tenure by which the Government holds 160 acres of land at this point has been a matter of correspondence during some years past. A portion of this is of no value to the Government for light house purposes, and can be abandoned without detriment to the public service. Negotiations are now in progress having in view the settlement of dispute in this regard. 438. Piedras Blancas, sea coast of California.-The tower at this station was completed and the light put in operation on February 15th, 1875, the keepers being accommodated in the shanties built for use of the mechanics and laborers. Congress at its last session appropriated $15,000 for completing the station and establishing a steam fog-signal. This amount being deemed insufficient for the purpose, no work has been done under it. It is now necessary to erect the dwelling, as the shanties will not afford the necessary shelter during the rainy season. Plans for the structures have been made and the buildings will soon be commenced. In order that the fog signal may be efficient, it will be necessary to blast off the highest point of Piedras Blancas rock, a rock that rises in the form of a seal, some distance from the main-laud. But as the highest part of it is about 100 feet high, this will be attended with considerable expense. An appropriation of $20,000 will be required for this purpose, and in the event of the appropriation not being made, it will be better to delay establishing the signal. -. Point Sur, sea coast of California.-This dangerous point, on which the steamer Ventura was lost on April 20, 1875, has been surveyed during the present season. A steam fog-signal would be of as much value here as a light. The expense of establishing either will be heavy, owing to the difficulty of securing a proper site. Both a light and fog-signal will eventually be established at this point, but the board does not ask an appropriation therefor this year. 439. Point Pinos, sea-coast of California.-Repairs and renovations have been made during the past year. Considerable repairs to the parapet-wall of the lantern are needed, and will be made during September. 443. Point Montara, sea-coast of California.-Having secured a good title to the land, the work of erecting a fog-signal structure and a keeper's dwelling was commenced in October last, and completed in February, 1875. The signal was put in operation on March 1, 1875. An abundant supply of water has been obtained from two sources-a creek running through the reservation, and from a spring near it southern border. Water from the creek is forced by a hydraulic ram to the |