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CAPE FLATTERY
October 24, 1850: "Passed during the First Session of the 31st Congress, appropriations for: a light house on an island off Cape Flattery." (New Orleans Commercial Bulletin)
October 21, 1854: "The following items of appropriations relating to Washington Terrirory, from the civil and diplomatic bill passed at the late session of Congress:
For the two lighthouses at Cape Flattery and New Dunginess, authorized by act of Congress approved September twenty-eight, eighteen hundred and fifty, in addition to any balance that may remain in the Treasury of that appropriation after the completion of the light at Cape Disappointment, thirty-nine thousand dollars." (Pioneer and Democrat)
June 25, 1858: "Franklin Tucker, the keeper of the Tatoosh Island Light, arrived at this place (Port Townsend) a few days since and handed me his resignation as keeper, and the resignation of his three assistants. The cause given is as follows:
The Indians claiming the Island on which the Light is erected have always objected to the Light being put there till the Island was bought from them. Col. Simmons, Mr. Ford and others, visited the Island a short time since and had a talk with the Indians. At that time they were contrary and threatened, since which they have continued to be troublesome, so that the keeper has had to resign. The office has succeeded in securing the services of another keeper and assistants, and Capt. Hyde, commanding Revenue Cutter Jeff. Davis, has volunteered to take them down to the Light and place them in charge, and at the same time tell the Indians that these men were to stay there, and if they were molested that Government would punish them. Considering the active service that the cutter has been employed in and is required for, it is a great accommodation for him to visit the Light to attend to this request. I am in hopes that the steamer Shubrick, belonging to the Light House Department, will be up in these waters soon. In the mean time we have to depend upon the kindness of Capt. Hyde, who is always ready to act for the people of this Territory. Morris H. Foster, Collector." (Pioneer and Democrat)
October 3, 1872: "The U.S. Lighthouse Board gives notice that a steam fog whistle has been established at Cape Flattery Lighthouse, on Tatoosh Island, mouth of the Straits of Fuca, Washington Terrirory. It will be sounded on and after the 1st day of November 1772 during thick and foggy weather at intervals of 52 seconds, the length of each blast being eight seconds." (Morning Oregonian)
March 4, 1873: "Capt. Thos. J. Winship, U.S. Inspector of Lighthouses, is putting in order the new fog whistle at Cape Flattery." (Weekly Oregon Statesman)
January 13, 1875: "For several months past work has been going forward at Cape Flattery lighthouse. Buildings for keepers are being repaired, new sheds constructed, and various improvements made. No intelligence has been received from that point for some time and probably ere the present writing the work there is completed." (Morning Oregonian)
August 31, 1876: "Repairs to the fog-signal boiler have been completed at Cape Flattery light station." (Morning Oregonian)
June 1, 1877: "The President has by executive order reserved the Island of Tatoosh, in Washington Territory, for light-house purposes." (The New Northwest)
April 5, 1878: "Mr. Wheeler will start for the Sound next week to make a thorough examination of all the fog signals to see what if any repairs are required. The boat house which was carried away by the tidal wave in March at Cape Flattery, will be rebuilt at an early day." (Morning Oregonian)
May 10, 1878: "The damage done at Cape Flattery by the heavy sea in March will be repaired during the month." (Morning Oregonian)
June 7, 1878: "Messrs. Holt and Abbott, from Astoria, passed through Port Townsend this week on their way down to Tatoosh light-house, to build a new house in place of the one washed away from there some months ago." (Puget Sound Weekly Argus)
January 2, 1879: "Capt. J. C. Floyd, has been reinstated as principle keeper at the Cape Flatery lighthouse, and last week departed for that place. Captain Floyd has long been principal keeper at that important station, and has from the first discharged faithfully and efficiently the duties of that position, and his reappointment is but a proper appreciation of his past services." (Puget Sound Weekly Argus)
March 24, 1892: "The Cape Flattery lighthouse, stationed on the lonely Tatoosh rock, called by courtesy an island, is an interesting place to visit for the first time. It is a dangerous trip even in smooth weather. At first sight it seems impossible to land on the island. The top of the rock stands eighty feet above you, and a perpendicular bluff in front to climb. Visitors would have to be hoisted up with a derrick were it not for the fact that the island is honeycombed with tunnels or caves, made by the action of the waves. The boat went into one of these caves, down to which a pathway had been hewn which could be climbed. The lighthouse is in charge of Keeper Sampson and three assistants, who have a comfortable two-story dwelling house. The house is well ballasted and weighted down with stone to prevent its being blown into the sea. The duties of the lighthouse keepers are easy, but the life is one of excessive monotony and dreariness. Each man has three hours watch in twelve. Mr. Sampson, the head keeper, has kept his vigil on the rock for the past twenty eight years, and has no notion of resigning either. The island is four acres in extent, and the little community takes pride in a small but well cultivated garden, some chickens and several cows. Besides the heavy storms there is danger sometimes from the breakers. Although the lighthouse tower stands 230 feet in all above the ocean the lighthouse keeper has seen waves dash over the top of it.
A weather observer and signal officer, R.F. Beahan, is stationed on the island. His wife and two children live with him. The house is built close to the edge of the bluff, and from his office all vessels passing in and out of the straits are in plain view. Over the house are heavy chains well-fastened at both ends and the floors are ballasted heavily with stone. The wind frequently blows at the tremendous rate of 150 miles an hour. The rainfall will average over nine feet each year.--Post-Intelligencer." (Aberdeen Herald)
February 3, 1905: "A new light keeper has been appointed for Tatoosh light station by the name of Williams. He with his wife and family arrived here yesterday on the Lydia Thompson and left later on a tug for the scene of his future duties." (Port Townsend Leader)
July 6, 1907: "Edward Cunningham, aged 69, was ordered away from Neah Bay by Indian Agent anf Physician C.L. Woods, and later was found on the beach by J.M. Coleman, lighthouse-keeper at Tatoosh, and carried half dead to Clallam. Cunningham had gone to Neah Bay to look for land, but the Indian agent warned him away. He started but was adised to wait for a regular boat. The Indian agent saw him again and repeated his warning.
The old man, unfamiliar with beach conditions, tried to walk to the nearest town, and was driven into the rocks by the tides and storms. When found Sunday by the light-house-keeper he was jammed between rocks and he was nearly dead." (The Coos Bay Times - Marshfield, Oregon)
October 14, 1910: "Some days ago the Leader published a statement made by Captain Allen of the steamship Henley, relative to the Tatoosh island light and fog station, to the effect that the light could not be seen at a sufficient distance, and that the blasts of the fog horn could not be heard at times a greater distance than two miles. Commander J.M. Ellicott, U.S.N., lighthouse inspector for the 17th district, differs with Captain Allen and writes to A.B. Wyckoff, lieutenant U.S.N., in charge of branch hydrographic office here as follows:
'Referring to yours of the 7th inst., regarding statements of Captain Allen of the British steamship Henley. With regard to his statement that he has frequently failed to see the light at a distance of two miles, you are advised that the Cape Flattery light is a first order one and there has never been a single prior complaint registered against it. In regard to his failure to hear the fog signal (a twelve-inch whistle, such as used at important fog signals), you are advised that exhaustive experiments have demonstrated that there are silent zones in the vicinity of Tatoosh island, making too much dependence on the signal inadvisable. Nothing, however, can be done to remedy this defect.' " (Port Townsend Leader)
February 23, 1911: "Three members of the colony of government employes stationed at Tatooch Island, at the mouth of the Straits of Juan de Fuca, lost their lives by drowning Friday morning, when the gasoline boat in which they were making a trip to Neah Bay for supplies capsized in a heavy sea. Forest Cowan, M. Waddell and Mrs. G. L. Talmadge were the victims.
G. L. Talmadge and I. D. Shoonmore, the other members of the party, were picked up by the tug Lorue and rushed to Neah Bay for medical aid.
Cowan was keeper of the Tatoosh Island light and the others of the party were employes of the government wireless telegrph station.
Cowan was head light keeper at Tatoosh and had lived there more than 10 years. He has a large family on the island. Mrs. Talmadge was a bride of only three months, having been married to Talmadge in Port Townsend last November.
Cowan was at one time keeper of the lighthouse at Bandon." (Coquille Herald - Oregon)