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ward, of Norwalk, from Providence for New York, ran aground on the reef north of the island. The fog bell is wholly inadequate for the wants of navigation, and a steam-signal of the most approved pattern should be established. The estimated cost of protecting the site and establishing a steam fog-signal is $7,500, for which an appropriation is recommended.

168. Southwest Ledge, entrance to New Haven Harbor, Connecticut.— The operations under the contracts for building a light-house at this station have been confined to the completion of the foundation-tube, filled with concrete, and the commencement of the manufacture of the iron superstructure, which, it is feared, will be completed too late to be erected this season.

171. Middle Ground, Stratford Shoals, Long Island Sound, New YorkThe contract for the concrete foundation and stone pier was made too late in the last season to justify commencement of the work at that time. During the winter large accumulations of gravel were made within the riprap ring. The removal of this gravel became a necessity under the plan proposed for the foundation and pier, and for the stability of the structure. This caused delay in the commencement of the contractor's operations, who had collected material for concrete, and had received a quantity of the heavy pier stone from eastern quarries. It is expected that the laying of the concrete will be completed by the end of July, and the commencement of the courses of cut-stone work of the pier will be made in August. Much of the first course of the pier has already been brought to the site, with the view of an early beginning, and large quantities of the other courses of cut-stone have been shipped from the quarries, and are now stored at convenient distances from the work.

173. Bridgeport, entrance to Bridgeport Harbor, Connecticut.-The work of coping the granite break water, which protects this light-station, by heavy blocks of stone has been completed during the year by contract, made under the appropriation of Congress therefor.

178. Lloyd's Harbor, north shore of Long Island, New York.—The protection of the site of this light-house from the abrasion of the sea by an enrockment of large stones has been completed during the year, and general repairs made at the station.

Cold Spring Harbor, north shore of Long Island, New York.-An appropriation of $20,000 was made by act approved March 3, 1875, for building a light-house or range-lights. The purchase of land for sites of the range-lights proposed for marking the channel has not been made, because of objections by one of the owners of the land. In case the purchase be made, the lights cannot be erected during the present year, as cession of jurisdiction cannot be secured from the State of New York until some time subsequent to January next.

182. Stepping Stones, Long Island Sound, New York.-The operations at this station have been limited to the completion of the riprap foundation. A contract for the concrete foundation, granite pier, dwelling, and tower has been made, and the material for the work is being prepared. The sheltered position of the site will admit of the continuance of operations until late in the season, and it is thought that the contractor will fulfill his engagement to complete the work within the time required, namely, one year from the time of actual commencement.

183. Throgg's Neck, Long Island Sound, New York.-This station was in a dilapidated condition, and should have been rebuilt, as recommended, last year. In the absence of an appropriation for that purpose, how

ever, repairs have been made during the present year, and are now in progress to put the building in a condition fit for habitation.

190-191. Highlands of Navesink, New Jersey.-The repairs and fencing authorized under the appropriation of June 23, 1874, have been completed, and the station is in good order, with the exception of the roadway to the landing.

193. East Beacon, Sandy Hook, New Jersey.—The brush jetties for protecting the beach and station from the encroachments of the sea have fulfilled in a great measure the purpose intended. It is found that a more secure method of fortifying the ends is necessary by means of a few piles. A siren of improved pattern was purchased during the year and put up at this station. The number of hours during which the sig. nal was in operation was 531.

194. West Beacon, Sandy Hook, New Jersey. The rebuilding of the crib work protection at this station and its extension, for which there is an appropriation of $6,000, will be commenced as soon as a working party now at Sandy Hook, East Beacon, shall have finished work there. 204. Robbin's Reef, New York Harbor, New York.--New and improved parts have been fitted to the fog-bell striking-machine, and general repairs and improvements have been made, for the greater comfort of the keeper, as well as the efficiency of the station. The board is now making experiments in the use of mineral oil at this station.

210. Stony Point, Hudson River, New York.-The fog-bell frame at this station is being changed, preparatory to erecting a striking machine in place of the old apparatus at the station, which was inefficient. The materials have all been ordered, and the changes will be made during the month of August.

213. Rondout, Hudson River, New York.-The dike on the north side of the entrance to Rondout Creek needs a light to prevent collision of passing vessels. During the construction of the dike it was lighted by the Engineer Department of the Army. Its maintenance should now devolve upon the Light-House Establishment. If the dike itself is substantial enough for the base of a frame support, it will cost bat a small amount, estimated at $1,600. If the light be built on a separate foundation of piles, behind the dike, which is preferable on account of security from passing vessels, the cost will not be less than $3,200. An appropriation of the latter amount is asked to establish this light.

215. Hudson City, Hudson River, New York.-The structure has been completed during the year, and the light was first exhibited on November 1, 1874.

This station was in a
Some repairs have been
There should be a new

487. Split Rock, Lake Champlain, New York. dilapidated condition, and unfit for habitation. made, but this is only a temporary expedient. dwelling-house, the estimated cost of which is $6,000.

489, 490. Burlington Beacons, Burlington Breakwater, Vermont.-The dwelling-house for the keeper of these beacons has been completed. The two beacons have been moved to the extremities of the breakwater.

491. Colchester Reef, Lake Champlain, Vermont.-The enrockment for the protection of the foundation of this station has been completed during the present summer.

REPAIRS, ETC.

At each of the following stations in the third district, repairs, more or less extensive, have been made during the year:

126. Beaver Tail, Rhode Island.

128. Newport, Rhode Island.
129. Rose Island, Rhode Island.
130. Dutch Island, Rhode Island.
131. Poplar Point, Rhode Island.
132. Muscle Bed Shoal, Rhode Island.
133. Prudence Island, Rhode Island.
134. Bristol Ferry, Rhode Island.
135. Warwick, Rhode Island.
136. Conimicut, Rhode Island.
Nyatt Point, Rhode Island.
137. Bullock's Point, Rhode Island.
139. Pumham Rock, Rhode Island.
142. Point Judith, Rhode Island.
143. Block Island, Rhode Island.
146. Montauk Point, New York.
147. Stonington, Connecticut.
149. Morgan's Point, Connecticut.
150. North Dumpling, Connecticut.
151. New London, Connecticut.
154. Little Gull Island, Connecticut.
156. Plum Island, Connecticut.
158. Cedar Island, New York.
159. Saybrook, Connecticut.
161. Brockway's Reach, Connecticut.
164. Horton's Point, New York.
165. Faulkner's Island, Connecticut.
166. New Haven Harbor, Connecticut.

167. New Haven Long Wharf, Connecticut.
169. Stratford Point, Connecticut.
172. Old Field Point, New York.
174. Black Rock, Connecticut.
175. Penfield Reef, Connecticut.
176. Norwalk Island, Connecticut.
177. Eaton's Neck, New York.
178. Lloyd's Harbor, New York.
179. Great Captain's Island, Connecticut.
180. Execution Rocks, New York.

181. Sand's Point, New York.

183. Throgg's Neck, New York.

184. North Brother Island, New York.

186. Great West Bay, New York.

187. Fire Island, New York.

190, 191. Highlands of Navesink, New Jersey.

192. Sandy Hook, New Jersey.

193. Sandy Hook, East Beacon, New Jersey.

195. Conover Beacon, New Jersey.

198. Chapel Hill, New Jersey.

197. Point Comfort, New Jersey.

198. Waackaack, New Jersey.

199. Elm Tree, New York.
200. New Dorp, New York.
201. Princess Bay, New York.
202. Fort La Fayette, New York.
203. Fort Tompkins, New York.
204. Robbins' Reef, New York.
205. Fort Columbus, New York.

206. Bergen Point, New Jersey.

208. Passaic, New Jersey. 210. Stony Point, New York.

214. Saugerties, New York.

216. Four-Mile Point, New York.
217. Coxsackie, New York.
218. Stuyvesant, New York.

220. New Baltimore Dyke, New York.
222. Coeyman's Bar, New York.
223. Roha Hook, New York.
225. Nine Mile Tree, New York.
226. Cow Island, New York.
229. Cross Over, New York.
230. Cuyler's Dyke, New York.
486. Barber's Point, New York.
487. Split Rock, New York.
488. Juniper Island, New York.
491. Colchester Reef, New York.
496. Point aux Roches, New York.
498. Windmill Point, New York.
Light-House Depot, New York.

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LIGHT-SHIPS.

125. Brenton's Reef, No. 11, off Brenton's Reef, entrance to Newport Harbor, Rhode Island.-Since the last report this vessel has received new casing for pumps, cast-iron whelps for windlass, and sundry other small matters. She is in need of extensive repairs, and will soon be taken off her station for that purpose. The estimated cost is about $18,000. During the past winter she held her ground against masses of floating ice without a parallel in many years.

148. Eel Grass Shoal, No. 25, off Mystic, Connecticut, in Fisher's Island Sound. This vessel has had no repairs since the date of last report. She is unsound, and too small for the service. The cost of necessary repairs is estimated at $6,000.

152. Bartlett's Reef, No. 13, off New London, Connecticut, in Long Island Sound. This vessel was carried from her station by the ice and was towed into New London. Her metal sheathing was repaired, sundry minor defects remedied, and the vessel was then returned to duty after an absence of twelve days. Some of her timbers are unsound, but she is in a sufficiently good condition for another year's service.

163. Cornfield Point, No. 12, Long Island Sound, off the mouth of the Connecticut River.-This vessel has been thoroughly repaired, at a cost of $16,488.33. She has been furnished with two mushroom-anchors and one hundred and eighty-five fathoms of chain. She was, during the winter, carried from her station by ice; and the cost of repairing her sheathing amounted to $731.25. Total expenditure upon this vessel during the year, $19,523.72.

170. Stratford Shoal, No. 15, on Middle Ground, off Stratford Point, Long Island Sound.-This vessel was carried from her station by ice on February 9, and went ashore near Orient, Long Island. She was hauled off by the tenders Cactus and Mistletoe, and was towed to New London, where it was found that she had sustained no serious damage. Her metal, boats, berth-deck, and pump-boxes were repaired, at a cost of $301.91. The vessel, however, is much decayed, and to put her in good condition will cost $15,000.

188. Sandy Hook Light-Ship, No. 16, off entrance to New York Bay, six miles from Sandy Hook and Highlands of Navesink Lights.-This vessel during the past year received a new deck; her top sides were recalked, and she was otherwise overhauled, at a cost of $1,723.29. She is now in good condition, and, as heretofore, is creditably kept. Total expend iture upon this vessel, $3,072.52.

Light-ressel No. 17.-This vessel, when on station temporarily at Stratford Shoal, was damaged by ice. She was repaired at a cost of $1,609.51. She is now doing duty on Brenton's Reef, and is in a sound condition. The total cost of her repairs during the year was $3,826.76.

Light-vessel No. 20.-This vessel is now at the light-house depot, Staten Island. Considerable repairs are needed, the estimate for which is $2,500.

189. Wreck of the "Scotland," Light-vessel No. 23, off Sandy Hook.This vessel was authorized by act of Congress, approved June 23, 1874, and an appropriation of $40,000 was made for that purpose. As the vessel was much needed upon the station, and a considerable time must necessarily elapse before one could be built, an old vessel which had been used for a relief was placed there, and the light exhibited for the first time on the evening of September 10, 1874, giving great satisfac tion to the coasting-vessels trading to and from New York. The old vessel now upon the station is in need of slight repairs, which it is esti mated will cost $2,500.

New light-vessel, No. 39.-This vessel, built under contract with David Carll, of City Island, N. Y., was successfully launched on June 5th. She is now at New London, receiving on board her boilers and the machinery for a fog-signal. She will, when completed, be placed upon Sow and Pigs Reef, western entrance to Vineyard Sound.

FOG-SIGNALS OPERATED BY STEAM OR HOT-AIR ENGINES.

126. Beaver Tail, Rhode Island.-A first-class Daboll trumpet, operated by 24-inch Ericsson hot-air engine, duplicated.

142. Point Judith, Rhode Island.-First-class steam-siren, duplicated. 144. Block Island light-station, southeasterly.-First-class steam siren in duplicate.

146. Montauk Point, New York.-First-class Daboll trumpet, operated by 24-inch Ericsson hot-air engines, in duplicate.

151. New London, Connecticut.-Second-class Daboll trumpet, operated by 18-inch Ericsson caloric-engines, in duplicate.

154. Little Gull Island, New York.-Second-class steam-siren, in duplicate.

177. Eaton's Neck, New York.-Second-class steam siren, in duplicate. 180. Execution Rocks, New York.-Third-class Daboll trumpet, operated by 18-inch Ericsson hot-air engine, in duplicate.

193. Sandy Hook, (East Beacon,) New Jersey, entrance to New York Bay-First-class steam-siren, in duplicate.

New light-ship, No. 39.- The experiment of operating a steam fog-sigual on board a light-ship will be tried in this vessel. The machinery for the purpose will be two boilers, a whistle-boiler, and an evaporating-boiler of locomotive tubular form, distillers, circulating and feed pumps, and horizontal non-condensing steam engine operating a whistle twelve inches in diameter. It is proposed to place her, when completed, which will be late in the autumn, at the western entrance Vineyard Sound, to mark Sow and Pigs Rocks, where a fog signal is much needed.

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