Applicability of the Electric Light to Lighthouses. 333 



cost £6,626 6s. 3d.; and the annual expense of maintaining 

 the light is £724 16s. 4d. But they admit that, as yet, no 

 definite opinion can be formed on this point. In the report 

 made to the French government, it is stated that, when a first- 

 class lighthouse is to be erected, the cost will be considerably 

 less, if the electric light is used ; that, if the electric light is 

 merely substituted for an oil light, there will still be a saving, 

 though not to such an extent ; and that the cost of maintaining 

 the electric light is far less than that of maintaining an ordinary 

 oil light. There can, however, be no doubt that the necessity 

 for keeping duplicates of the apparatus, including even the 

 steam-engine and boiler, and an oil apparatus, all ready to 

 work at a moment's notice, as required by the Trinity House, 

 must seriously augment the expense, both of first construction 

 and maintenance. The complexity of the apparatus increases 

 the liability to derangement, and the cost of repairs. It can 

 be worked only by men of a superior class, and, therefore, who 

 demand higher pay than the ordinary lighthouse employes. 

 The engineer, especially, who keeps the apparatus in order, 

 must be such a person as cannot always be had ; and in the 

 case of misconduct, sickness, or death, it might be difficult to 

 replace him, particularly at remote stations. But there is 

 nothing to prevent one engineer from having charge of several 

 neighbouring lighthouses. 



The last consideration to which we shall direct the attention 

 of our readers, is the most important of all — the reliability of 

 the electric light. If it cannot be entirely depended on, it can 

 never come into general use for lighthouses. It has, indeed, 

 attained a certainty and steadiness that has given entire satis- 

 faction to the Elder Brethren ; nevertheless, they insist on 

 precautions in using it, which add very much to the expense. 

 In justification of their strictness, in this regard, it must be 

 admitted that, both in this country and on the continent, the 

 electric light has occasionally gone out, and, in some instances, 

 for not inconsiderable periods of time. In most cases, but not 

 all, these interruptions have arisen from neglect on the part of 

 those in charge of the apparatus ; but this is precisely a source 

 of failure which it will always be most difficult effectually to 

 guard against. The management must necessarily be carried 

 on in two places — the engine-room and light-room. In the 

 former there is great danger of disarrangement, or neglect ; in 

 the latter, there can be no absolute security against some 

 unfortunate accident. The electric lamp now in use, is, it is 

 true, very certain in its operation ; but it is of extremely 

 delicate construction, and cannot, without risk of derangement, 

 be committed to the charge of inexperienced and unskilful 

 persons. 



