1898-99 Keeper Logs

January 1898

1: Fresh breeze East with fair weather these 24 hours - Sea smooth - General duties for the day - Barometer 29.98 today.

2: Light East to S. East wind damp first part of 24 hours last part of 24 hours light wind to moderate breeze N. West fair weather - Sea moderately smooth - General duties for the day - Barometer 29.93 to 29.90 today - 1st asst went fishing.

3: Light East to S.E. and south these 24 hours with fair weather - Sea very rough - Barometer 29.90 to 29.80 today - Keeper and assts polishing Lenns Lamp and all brass work about the station - Keeper & 1st asst scrubbing stairs and landings.

4: Light S. East wind these 24 hours - first part of 24 hours light rain showers - last part of 24 hours little damp and fair weather - Sea rough - Barometer 29.95 - 1st asst went fishing - Keeper & assts scrubbing hall oil-room and office floors.

5: Light South to N. West wind these 24 hours - first part of 24 hours thick fog showers - last part of 24 hours fair weather and light rain showers - Keepers & assts cleaning out the Lenns Lamp - the mineral oil is so bad have to clean it out every two or three months - Barometer 29.90 - Keeper went to Newport after supplies - Sea quite smooth - 1st asst went fishing.

6: Fresh breeze West to N. West these 24 hours with frequent rain squalls - Sea very rough - General duties for the day - Keeper sawing wood for furnace and writing in office - 1st asst went fishing - Barometer 29.80 to 29.90 today.

Journal of Light-house Station at Yaquina Head Oregon

1898

January 7: Light N.W. to S.East wind first part of 24 hours with dry and fair weather - last part of 24 hours fresh breeze south damp and rain - sea quite smooth- 1st asst went fishing - Barometer 30.10 to 29.90 - Keeper went over 1/2 mile from station to repair windows for a neighbor.

8: Fresh breeze S. to W. and N. West these 24 hours with frequent rain and hail squalls - sea very rough - General duties for the day - Keeper went to Newport after supplies and get the mail - 1st asst went fishing - Barometer 29.80.

9: Light N. West to North wind these 24 rain hail and snow first part of 24 hours - last part of 24 hours fair and cool weather- sea very rough - General duties for the day - 1st asst went fishing - Barometer 29.90 today.

10: Light North to East wind these 24 hours with clear fine cold weather - Sea rough - Barometer 30.00 to 29.90 today - 1st asst went fishing - Keeper putting dressing on his garden - Keeper and 1st asst changing burner on lamp.

11: Moderate breeze East to fresh beeze S. East to South these 24 hours - First part of 24 hours fair weather - last part of 24 hours rain showers - Sea very rough - 1st asst went to Newport after supplies - Keeper working in shop - Barometer 29.50 today.

12: Moderate breeze to light South wind these 24 hours with fair weather - Sea rough - General duties for the day. Barometer 29.96 today.

13: Fresh to moderate breeze S.W. to N. West with rain first part of 24 hours - Last part of 24 hours light variable winds and calm with fair weather - Sea smooth - General duties for the day - 1st asst went fishing - Barometer 29.95 to 30.05.

14: Light wind to moderate and fresh breeze S.E. to S. and N. West these 24 hours - First part of 24 hours rain - Last part of 24 hours rain showers - Sea smooth - General duties for the day - Barometer 30.10 to 30.02 today.

15: Light variable winds these 24 hours - First part of 24 hours thick fog - Last part of 24 hours light rain showers and fair weather - Sea moderately smooth - General duties for the day - 2nd asst showing three visitors in the tower - 1st asst went to Newport and fishing today.

16: Fresh breeze South to S. East these 24 hours with frequent rain showers - Sea quite rough - General duties for day - Barometer 29.70 - 1st asst went fishing.

17: Fresh and moderate breeze to light W.N.W. wind these 24 hours with frequent rain and hail squalls - sea very rough - General duties for the day - Keeper went to Newport after supplies and mail - Barometer 29.90 to 30.10 today.

18: Moderate to fresh breeze and gale S. E. to S. & S.W. these 24 hours - First part of 24 hours little damp - Last damp - Last part of 24 hours hard rain - Sea rough - General duties for the day - Barometer 29.70 to 29.85 today - Keeper working in shop today.

19: Fresh breeze to light wind W.N.W. these 24 hours with frequent rain & hail squalls - Sea very rough - Keeper and 2nd asst empting 200 Gallons of Mineral Oil in Oil butts - 1st asst went to Newport after mail & supplies - Barometer 29.90 to 30.30.

20: Moderate to fresh breeze S.W. to N. West these 24 hours - First part of 24 hours rain showers - Last part of 24 hours fair weather - Sea very rough - 1st asst went fishing - Keeper went after clams on beach - The President entered Yaquina - Barometer 30.25 today.

21: Light wind N.W. to moderate to fresh breeze S. E. to S. and S. West these 24 hours - First part of 24 hours fair weather - Last part of 24 hours rain and fair weather - Sea quite smooth - General duties for the day - The President sailed from Yaquina - Barometer 30.00.

22: Fresh and strong breeze West these 24 hours with frequent rain and hail squalls - Sea rough - General duties for the day - 1st asst went to Newport after mail and supplies - Barometer 30.05 to 29.96 today.

23: Fresh breeze to Gale N.W. to light North wind these 24 hours - First part of 24 hours rain hail and strong ? squalls - Last part of 24 hours clear fine and cool weather - Sea rough - General duties for day - Keeper went to Newport after supplies - Barometer 29.90 to 30.10.

24: Light East wind to moderate breeze East these 24 hours - First part of 24 hours snow - Last part of 24 hours fair & cool weather - Sea smooth - General duties for day.

25: Light East wind dry fair and cold weather - Sea moderately smooth - General duties for the day - Barometer 30.28 today.

JOURNAL of Light-house Station at Yaquina Head Oregon

1898

February 13: Light wind to moderate breeze S. with thick damp fog these 24 hours. Sea smooth. General duties for day. 1st asst went fishing. Barometer 30.20

14: Light S. wind and calm with thick fog showers first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours clearing weather. Sea smooth. 1st asst went fishing. Barometer 30.20. General duties for day.

15:Fresh breeze to light wind South to W.N.West these 24 hours. First part of 24 hours rain. Last part of 24 hours light rain showers. Sea moderately smooth. General duties for the day. Barometer 29.80. Keeper went on the beach after clams. 1st asst went fishing.

16: Fresh and moderate breeze to light wind W.N.West these 24 hours. First part of 24 hours rain hail & snow squalls. Last part of 24 hours clearing weather. Sea rough. Keeper and assts putting 200 gallons of Oil in Oil Butts. 1st asst went to Newport. Keeper went fishing. Barometer 29.98.

17: Light wind N.W. to moderate and fresh breeze S.E. to South these 24 hours with frequent rain and hail showers. Sea quite rough. General duties for the day. Barometer 29.80 to 29.60.

18: Fresh breeze S. to S.W. and West with frequent rain showers these 24 hours. Sea quite rough. General duties for the day. Barometer 29.60 today. Keeper went to Newport after supplies. Left the station at 9.30 A.M.

19: Moderate breeze W.N.W. to South with rain showers first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours cloudy and little damp. Sea moderately smooth. General duties for day. Barometer 29.60. Keeper returned to the station at 2 P.M.

20: Gale S. to moderate breeze S.W. to West with hard rain these 24 hours. Sea rough. General duties for the day. Barometer 29.40 to 29.47.

21: Moderate to fresh breeze S.W. to West these 24 hours with frequent rain and hail squalls. Sea rough. General duties for the day. Keeper putting dressing on his part of garden. Barometer 29.45 to 30.00. 2nd asst went over to Mr. Briggs one mile from the station.

22: Light wind moderate and fresh breeze these 24 hours - First part of 24 hours damp weather - Last part of 24 hours rain - Sea moderately smooth - General duties for the day - Keeper hoisted American ensign for Washington berth day - Barometer 29.90.

23: Moderate to fresh breeze East these 24 hours - First part of 24 hours rain - Last part of 24 hours fair weather - Sea smooth - General duties for the day - Barometer 29.40 - 1st Asst went to Newport after mail and supplies.

24: Fresh and moderate breeze to heavy gale S.E. to South these 24 hours - First part of 24 hours rain showers. Last part of 24 hours damp weather. Sea rough. General duties for the day. Keeper went to Newport after supplies. Barometer 29.18 today.

25: Gale to fresh & moderate breeze South these 24 hours. First part of 24 hours rain. Last part of 24 hours fair weather. Sea rough. General duties for the day. 2nd Asst went over to Mr. Briggs one mile from the station to see his Daughter who is sick. Barometer 29.73.

26: Fresh to moderate breeze E to S.East these 24 hours. First part of 24 hours fair weather. Last part of 24 hours rain. Sea smooth. General duties for the day. 2nd Asst went over to Mr. Briggs one mile from station to see his Daughter who is sick. Barometer 29.67.

27: Moderate breeze East to light variable winds these 24 hours with frequent rain showers. Sea smooth. General duties for the day. 2nd Asst Daughter was brought home from Mr. Briggs where she has been sick. Barometer 29.60.

28: Moderate breeze S.W. to light S.E. wind with frequent light rain showers. Last part of 24 hours light variable winds fair warmer weather. Sea smooth. General duties for day. Keeper went to Newport to mail monthly reports. Barometer 30.20. 1st Asst went fishing.

March 1: Fresh breeze to light East wind these 24 hours with fair and warm weather. Sea smooth. Keeper and 1st Asst polishing oil carriers measures and reflectors. 1st Asst went fishing and to Newport after mail. Barometer 30.10 to 29.92 today.

2: Light East wind these 24 hours. First part of 24 hours light rain showers. Last part of 24 hours moderate rain. Sea smooth. Keeper went to Newport to mail pay-rolls. 2nd asst cleaning lenns lamp lantern oil filler etc. Barometer 29.85.

3: Light South wind to moderate and fresh breeze N. West these 24 hours. First part of 24 hours rain. Last part of 24 hours [cont'd on next page].

Journal of Light-house Station at Yaquina Head Oregon

1898

[in a different hand in the far left column]: Circular Letter Hereafter in opening oil cases care must be taken not to break the lids, and after the cans are emptied, they must be replaced in the case and the lid of the same be secured. In opening the oil cans do not make a larger hole than is absolutely necessary. By order of Commander Geo. C. Resiter Inspector 13th Light-House District]

March 3: [Cont'd from previous page] fair weather. Sea quite smooth. General duties for the day. Keeper putting dressing on his garden. 1st asst went fishing. Barometer 29.90 to 30.00

4: Moderate breeze N.W. these 24 hours with fair weather and light frost. Sea smooth. General duties for the day. Keeper spading in his garden. Barometer 29.85. 1st asst Edward Rice went to Newport to take the train for Portland to procure supplies. Left station at 11:45 A.M.

5: Fresh breeze to light East wind these 24 hours with fair and warm weather. Sea smooth. General duties for the day. Barometer 29.70 to 29.85. Keeper planting potatoes, peas, and doing other work in his part of garden.

6: Light wind South to N. West these 24 hours. First part of 24 hours thick damp fog. Last part of 24 hours high dry fog. Sea smooth. General duties for the day. Had six visitors. 2nd asst showing visitors in the tower. Barometer 29.85.

7: Moderate to fresh breeze N.W. to North these 24 hours. First part of 24 hours damp weather. Last part of 24 hours fair weather. Sea moderately smooth. General duties for the day. Barometer 29.85 to 30.00.

8: Fresh to moderate breeze N.W. to North these 24 hours with clear fine and cool weather. Sea quite smooth. General duties for the day. 2nd having his garden spaded up and some of it planted. Barometer 30.10 today.

9: Moderate to fresh breeze these 24 hours. First part of 24 hours rain showers. Last part of 24 hours fair weather. Sea smooth. General duties for the day. Keeper went to Newport after supplies and get mail. Barometer 30.00 to 30.10 today. 1st asst Edward Rice returned from Portland at 11.45 A.M. 1st asst went up the north beach at 2. P.M. to deliver a letter to a miner.

10: Light wind to moderate and fresh breeze these 24 hours with clear, fine and cool weather. Sea quite smooth. General duties for the day. 1st asst planting peas, potatoes, etc. today in his part of his garden. Barometer 30.10 today.

11: Fresh breeze to light North wind these 24 hours. First part of 24 hours thick fog fog showers. Last part of 24 hours fair weather. Sea quite smooth. General duties for the day. Barometer 30.10. Keeper went trout fishing up on North beach.

12: Fresh breeze S. to W.N. West these 24 hours. First part of 24 hours rain. Last part of 24 hours frequent rain and hail squalls. Sea rough. General duties for the day. Barometer 29.70 to 29.80. 1st asst went to Newport after supplies.

13: Fresh and strong breeze West with frequent rain and hail squalls. Last part of 24 hours moderate breeze to light wind West and S.W. rain showers. Sea very rought. General duties for the day. Barometer 29.70 to 29.90 today.

14: Fresh and strong breeze S.W. to West first part of 24 hours with frequent rain and hail squalls. Last part of 24 hours light West wind rain & hail. Sea rough. General duties for the day. Keeper sawing wood for funace. Barometer down to 29.62.

15: Light variable winds with rain hail and snow these 24 hours. Sea rough. General duties for the day. Keeper went to Newport after supplies. Barometer 29.65. 1st asst takeing covers off of Coal Oil cases preparing to empty them.

16: Light East wind to moderate breeze North these 24 hours with clear, fine and cool weather. Sea moderately smooth. 1st asst spadeing up his part of garden. Keepers & assts putting 200 Gallons of Oil in Oil butts. Keeper went after clams on Beach.

17: Moderate breeze to light North wind first part of 24 hours with clear and cool weather. Last part of 24 hours light variable winds fair weather & warmer. Sea smooth. General duties for the day. Keeper & 2nd asst digging clams on beach. 1st asst went fishing. Barometer 29.80.

18: Light North to variable winds these 24 hours with clear fine and cool weather. Sea smooth. General duties for the day. 1st asst went fishing. Keeper went over 1/2 mile from the station on important business. Barometer 29.90 to 30.10 today.

19: Light wind to moderate breeze S.West these 24 hours with frequent rain showers. Sea moderately smooth. Keeper went to Newport after mail and supplies. barometer 30.00 today. 1st asst went fishing.

Journal of Light-house Station at Yaquina Head Oregon

1898

March 20: Moderate to fresh breeze W. to N.W. with frequent rain & hail squalls. Sea rough. General duties for the day. Barometer 29.95 to 29.85 today.

21: Fresh breeze N. West these 24 hours. First part of 24 hours frequent rain & hail squalls. Last part of 24 hours clear fine & cool weather. Sea rough. General duties for the day. Barometer 29.85 to 30.15. 1st asst went to Newport after supplies.

22: Light North to East and variable winds these 24 hours with clear fine and cool weather. Sea very smooth. General duties for the day. Barometer 30.10 to 30.35 today. Keeper working on Quarterly returns to Inspector and Engineer. U.S. Light-House tender Manzanita arrived off the Yaquina bar from the S. at 4.30 P.M. planted a buoy and steamed N. passed this Light at 6.30 P.M.

23: Light North to East wind dry clear and fine weather first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours moderate to fresh breeze S.E. to South cloudy. Sea smooth. General duties for the day. 1st asst went fishing. Barometer 30.25 to 29.98.

24: Fresh breeze S. to W.N.W. first part of 24 hours with rain showers. Last part of 24 hours light variable winds rain & hail. Sea quite rough. General duties for the day. Barometer 29.60. 1st asst went fishing. Keeper went to Newport after supplies.

25: Light variable winds these 24 hours with snow showers first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours hail and fair weather. Sea moderately smooth. General duties for the day. 1st asst went fishing. Barometer 29.62 to 29.72 today.

26: Light variable winds these 24 hours with snow first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours cloudy and fair weather. Sea quite smooth. General duties for the day. 1st asst went to Newport after supplies and went fishing. Barometer 29.80 to 30.15.

27: Gale to moderate breeze S. to W.N. West these 24 hours. First part of 24 hours rain. Last part of 24 hours light rain showers and fair weather. Sea quite smooth. General duties for the day. 1st asst went fishing. Barometer 30.25.

28: Light N.West wind these 24 hours with frequent light rain showers first part of 24 hours. Last part of 24 hours fair weather. Sea quite rough. 1st asst putting dressing on his part of garden. Keeper working on Quarterly returns. Barometer 30.35 today.

29: Light N.W. to East wind these 24 hours. First part of 24 hours light rain showers. Last part of 24 hours damp and fair weather. Sea very smooth. General duties for the day. 1st asst went fishing today. Barometer 30.35 to 30.22. Circular letter - By order of Commander Geo. C. Reiter Inspector 13th Light House District. Hereafter all official communications from Assistant Keepers addressed to their office, must be forwarded through the Light-House Keeper.

30: Light wind to moderate and fresh breeze North these 24 hours with fair weather. Sea moderately smooth. General duties for the day. Keeper working on Quarterly returns. 1st asst and Keeper spadeing in there part of garden. Barometer 30.08 today.

31: Moderate breeze North to light East wind these 24 hours with fair weather. Sea smooth. General duties for the day. Keeper went to Newport to mail Quarterly and monthly reports. 1st asst went fishing. 2nd asst haveing his garden spaded. Barometer 29.98.

April 1: Light South wind to moderate and fresh breeze N.W. these 24 hours. First part of 24 hours rain. Last part of 24 hours fair weather. Sea quite rough. General duties for the day. Keeper went trout fishing. 1st asst went ocean fishing. Barometer 29.95 to 30.10.

2: Light wind to moderate and fresh breeze North these 24 hours. First part of 24 hours rain showers. Last part of 24 hours fair weather. Sea moderately smooth. Keeper planting potatoes and peas in garden. 1st asst went to Newport after supplies. barometer 30.20.

3: Light wind to moderate and fresh breeze North these 24 hours with clear fine and cool weather. Sea smooth. General duties for the day. 1st asst went fishing. 2nd asst went over on the south beach for a walk. Barometer 30.30 today.

4: Light wind North to fresh breeze East with clear fine and cool weather. Last part of 24 hours light wind to moderate breeze South heigh dry fog. Keeper and 2nd asst changing Lenns lamp. 1st asst cleaning burner. 1st asst went to Newport after supplies. Barometer 29.98.