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CAPE DISAPPOINTMENT
October 24, 1850: "Passed during the First Session of the 31st Congress, appropriations for: a light house on Cape Disappointment." (New Orleans Commercial Bulletin)
November 14, 1856: "On the 15th of October, the Fresnal Light shown for the first time from the new light house at the mouth of the Columbia river. It may be seen in good weather about 25 miles distant. There is also a fog bell weighing 1600 ibs. placed on the point in front of the light house. We trust these improvements will hereafter prevent the loss of many vessels entering the Columbia river.---Democratic Standard." (Pioneer and Democrat)
May 13, 1867: "The undersigned feel it to be only their duty, in this public manner, to commend in the highest terms of praise the brave and generous conduct of J.W. Munson, Principal Keeper, James Anderson and John G. Belfrage, Assistants, of Cape Hancock Lighthouse, and the four soldiers of that military post, for their prompt action in manning the life boat at that station as soon as the condition of the boat was seen from the lighthouse, and coming four or five miles to our assistance, while the tide and smooth water permitted it, on the occasion of the recent wrecking of the bark W.B. Scranton, on the Columbia river bar--thereby enabling the passengers and all who could be of no use on the vessel to get off safely with their baggage and personal effects.
The prompt action of Mr. Munson in manning the boat possibly prevented the loss of any lives with the wreck, or any other calamity such as has too often befallen those who have had the misfortune to be wrecked on the Columbia bar." (Morning Oregonian)
September 12, 1867: "I left Astoria for Cape Disappointment, on my was to Olympia, having determined to go the coast and Chehalis river route. At the Cape, Mr. Munson, the Lighthouse keeper, showed me through the Lighthouse (always an object of interest and beauty). I found it in the most perfect order. Everything about it is kept as bright and clean as the neatest parlor. This monster lamp consumes one gallon and a half of oil every night, and is supplied with oil by force pump propelled by clock machinery. The light is magnificent, and may be seen thirty or forty miles. It stands two hundred and thirty feet above the water." (Morning Oregonian)
July 17, 1871: "On Wednesday last the military authorities at Cape Disappointment fired off the huge 15-inch gun situated on the point of the Cape, about fifty feet from the lighthouse. The charge consisted of a shell and 45 pounds of powder. The concussion was so great that it broke eleven plates of glass in the large glass globe (or house) surrounding the great lamp in the lighthouse. The glass is over one-third of an inch in thickness and of the best material. It also crushed to atoms the house surrounding the great fog bell at the base of the lighthouse." (Morning Oregonian)
August 14, 1871: "Plans have gone forward with specifications for the erection of a keeper's dwelling at Cape Disappointment. A new house for the fog bell at Cape Disappointment is in process of erection and will soon be completed." (Morning Oregonian)
November 13, 1872: "The old oil house which has been attached to the lighthouse at Cape Disappointment for some years past, will soon be torn down, and a larger one erected at a cost of several thousand dollars. The old house had been deemed for some time inadequate to answer the requirements of the lighthouse. Report to that effect was forwarded to Washington some time since, and an estimate made of the cost of a new and larger building. In accordance with the recommendation, an appropriation has been made by the Government, and work on the new oil house will begin at once." (Morning Oregonian)
November 30, 1872: "A large quantity of brick, lumber and building material will be shipped in a few days to Astoria, and from thence to Cape Disappointment. The material will be used in constructing a new house in connection with the lighthouse at that point, as recommended some months ago by Major Robert." (Morning Oregonian)
October 24, 1873: "Mr. L. S. Wass, of Astoria, has been appointed to fill the vacancy of assistant lighthouse keeper at Cape Disappointment, occasioned by the transfer of Mr. Anderson to Shoalwater Bay." (Morning Oregonian)