For the performance of its work the Bureau of Lighthouses has to maintain a large number of vessels. These may be subdivided into three classes: (1) Those acting as light vessels; (2) those acting as relief ships to take the place of light vessels which are swept from their moorings by storm, or are removed for purposes of repair or other reasons; and (3) those acting as tenders and supply boats to place and repair buoys and other aids to navigation, to convey supplies to lightships, and perform other work of a like character. The outlines of organization show in detail the names of these vessels and the districts in which stationed. The light vessels perform the duties of the lighthouse stations on the shore. A commanding officer is in charge, who is responsible for the safety and proper navigation of the vessel and the care of the public property on board. He has command of the officers (known as "deck officers" and "engineer officers") and the crew. An officer of the deck is always on duty. He is the officer on watch in charge of the ship. Some of the light vessels maintain wireless equipment. Record books consisting of the deck log, steam log, and record of fog signal are kept. The commanding officer is directed to report to the inspector all important hydrographic or other information he may gather concerning the navigation of ships and to the collectors of customs and local inspectors of steam vessels such violations of navigation and inspection laws as come within his notice. The record books (which form a part of the official record of the vessel) consist of the deck log and the steam log. Daily, monthly, and annual reports of various kinds, are submitted for light tenders. The lighthouse tenders have the same personnel as light vessels. Their functions, as stated, consists in the placing, replacing, changing, or moving of all floating aids to navigation, the delivery of fuel, supplies, construction material, and in such other lighthouse duties as may be required of them. (Regulations 1910.) Masters of lighthouse tenders are vested with police powers in matters pertaining to Government property and smuggling. LIGHT STATIONS. Each light station is in charge of a keeper (official title), who generally has one or more assistants-first assistant keeper, second assistant keeper, etc. The keepers and assistants must be able to read and write. The keepers make personal weekly inspection of the station, including quarters of all assistants and laborers. Where there is an assistant, watches must be constantly kept; and lights are exhibited from sunset to sunrise. As official records of the station a journal (which contains a complete record of the important events at the stations having resident keepers), an expenditure book (which contains a record of the expenditures of stations having resident keepers), a watch book (containing a record of time of going on and leaving watch and a record of the morning conditions of the light), and fog-signal books are kept at the stations. All employees on vessels and at stations are employed by the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, on the nomination of inspectors under regulations prescribed by the Commissioner of Lighthouses and the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, and in accordance with the rules of the Civil Service Commission. The Secretary of Commerce and Labor is authorized to regulate the salaries of the respective keepers of lighthouses, it being provided that the whole sum allowed for such shall not exceed an average of $600.1 1 Each appointed light keeper is by law entitled to receive one ration per day, which is commuted at the rate of 30 cents per ration. 37542-H. Doc. 670, 62-2—11 LABOR, BUREAU OF LIGHTHOUSES. Department of Commerce and Labor. 2. Bureau of Lighthouses. 1. General administration.. 2. Engineering construction division. 4. Hydrographic division... 5. Field service districts.. Reference page. 5 6 Department of Commerce and Labor. 2. Bureau of Lighthouses. 1. General administration. 1. Office proper of the Commissioner of Lighthouses.. 3. Chief clerk. 1. Personnel.. 2. Contracts.. 3. Files.. 4. Accounts division.. Refer ence page. Reference page. Department of Commerce and Labor. 2. Bureau of Lighthouses. 5. Field service. 1. First district, Portland, Me... 5 12 17 22 27 32 37 42 47 52 57 62 67 68 69 70 73 78 83 |