922  Omthe LightHouse System of the United States. 
_ That. the present large sums annually required for renewing, 
renovating and repairing towers and buildings, are the conse- 
ences of the want of an ‘efficient organization, which could 
afford the necessary professional ability for plans, drawings, and 
superintending of constructions and repairs. f 
That the towers are deficient in the necessary proper accom- 
modations for oil and other supplies; in the mode of fitting them 
up, in the materials employed for the interior work ; and the 
buildings ill-adapted to the comfortable accommodation of the 
epers. ‘ 
That the lanterns are as a general rule, of improper dimensions, 
constructed of ill-adapted, and, in the end, not economical mate- 
rials, without professional or scientific skill ; and, in many instan- 
ces, not suited to the use for which they are designed 
That there is no proper system of ventilation for lanterns. 
. That-the means said to be employed for ventilating are wholly 
inadequate, and contrary to true scientific principles. 
That there is very little attention paid to the painting of the 
interior of the lanterns and astragals, and in glazing. 
That, under a well organized system, the lights, and other aids - 
to navigation might be greatly increased in number.and efficiency, 
at a large saving upon the present annual cost. = 
_ That there has never been an efficient systematic plan of con- 
struction, illumination, inspection, and superintendence of lights, 
c., int 
That towers and buildings have been constructed without re- 
gard to the wants of the service, and to the peculiarities of lo- 
calities, and the special design of the lights themselves. ; 
That the light-house. towers, buildings, and vessels visited by 
the board were not, in general, found to be in a creditable state 
of preservation and repair ! 
- That. the inferiority of illuminating apparatus in the light- 
of the United States renders its renewal: frequently neces 
sary, at great expense, and never produces as effective a light as 
it 1s capable of making. 3 
That the reflector apparatus employed in the light-houses of 
the United States is greatly inferior to the requirements of the 
service, being. defective in form, materials, and finish. 
That the illuminating apparatus in the United States is of a 
That our sea-coast reflector lights are not fitted with a suf- 
ficient number of lamps and reflectors to produce the greatest 
amount of usefulness, which the imperfect system of lighting 
with the reflectors will produce. ie de 
