324 On the Light-House System of the United Siates. 
That many of the small lights have an unnecessary number 
of lamps and reflectors, while sea-coast lights are greatly deficient 
in them. As . 
That in the form and adjustment of the reflectors, sufficient 
attention is not paid to the range and other circumstances of the 
required lights, involving scientific principles. 
That there is not, in useful effect, a single first class light on 
the coast of the United States.. 
That the lights at Navesink (two lenses) and the second order 
Jens light at Sankaty Head, Nantucket, are the best lights on the 
coast of the United States. 
That there are very few, if any, reflector lights on the coasts 
of the United States better in useful effect than the third order 
lens light (larger model) erected by the Topographical bureau on 
Brandywine shoal, while the economy of the lens light is in the 
ratio of at least 4 to 1. 
That the lens lights at Navesink, Sankaty Head, and Brandy- 
wine shoal are considered to be, as a general rule, equal to Ku- 
ropean lights of the same classes. 
That the Fresnel lens is greatly superior to any other mode of 
light-house illumination, and in point of economy is nearly four 
times as advantageous as the best system of reflectors and Ar- 
gand lamps. 
That the buoys in ‘the waters of the United States are defect- 
ive in size, shape, and distinction, as a general rule, and that suf- 
ient care is*not taken, nor competent persons employed, to 
place, moor, and replace them. : 
hat the moorings of buoys are not sufficiently heavy, and 
the chains not properly tested as to size and strength. 
That the sea-coast lights along the sonthern coast from the 
highlands of Navesink are comparatively useless to the marimer 
for want of sufficient power and range. dey 
That the dangerous obstructions to navigation around Cape 
Florida, from the Gulf of Mexico, are not properly lighted and 
otherwise marked to aid navigators. ae pe 
That the evtire southern coast of the United States requires 
additional lights and other aids to navigation to render human 
life and property safe, . 
at, for want of an efficient organization, there is no system- 
atic plan adopted on any part of the coast of the United States 
for rendering navigation safe and easy by means of lights, bea- 
cons, buoys, &c. 
That lights and other aids to navigation are provided, as 4 
general rule, through the action of Congress upon petitions ema- 
nating from persons having a local interest, or from boards of 
pilots, insurance offices, chambers of commerce, & 
