The number of light vessels and light-vessel stations diminished by a slight amount, two vessels and stations during the five years' period, the increase which might normally have been expected having been offset by the large in crease in gas buoys, many of ' them equipped with whistles, bells and submarine bells, thus supplying important aids to a much larger num ber of localities and at much less expense than would have been possible with light vessels. There was, however, a steady construction of new light vessels to replace those worn out in service.
Typical of the more important aids which were established or materially improved dur ing a recent year are: New light vessels with flashing lights and compressed air fog signals at Poe Reef, Straits of Mackenac, Lake Huron, Mich., and Buffalo Entrance, Lake Erie, N. Y. Both of these were former light-vessel stations which had been temporarily discontinued, one having been discontinued during 1915. New light and fog signal stations were constructed at Brandywine Shoal, Del., and Thimble Shoal, Va., in place of former structures. A complete new system of lighted aids was established at the approaches to the Cape Cod Canal, Mass.; important coast lights were changed from fixed to flashing or occulting in Alaska, Washington, Hawaii and Florida, while fog signals, electric bells, electric and automatic sirens, submarine bells, important gas buoys, flashing acetylene gas lights and systems of minor aids and buoy age were established, extensively rearranged or improved in important localities, all over the States and dependencies. The systematic in spection and relief of all buoys at least once a year is carried out throughout the service with a greater degree of completeness than in prior years, particularly in those districts where diffi culties had been previously experienced on ac count of the large number of inaccessible buoys.
A systematic plan was developed of keeping records of extinguishments of various types of automatic gas lights, both on fixed and floating aids, with arrangements for reporting the per centage of nights extinguished as compared to the entire period under observation. This is be lieved to be.useful in compiling information as to the comparative efficiency of various types in service and the degree of reliance which may be placed on such lights. Further improve ments in publishing notices to mariners were undertaken during the year, by adopting a more concise form, giving only such facts as are of principal interest to the mariner. The light lists for the Atlantic, Lake and Pacific coasts were each issued in octavo form, which, it was believed, would increase their usefulness to mariners. Special effort was made to publish
the seacoast light lists as soon after the first of the calendar year as possible, and the Lake list was issued immediately prior to the open ing of the season of navigation.
During the five years from 1910 the organi zation and business methods of the lighthouse service were thoroughly examined and revised wherever it appeared advantageous to do so; 19 persons were appointed as civilian lighthouse inspectors, all selected solely on their technical qualifications; 15 of these were promoted in the Lighthouse Service, where each had served from 5 to 40 years, and the other four had had experience of from 8 to 13 years each on other government vessels engaged in related technical work. The two offices in each district were combined into one, and the office force and the use of the lighthouse tenders rearranged on a business basis. A general inspector and an ex aminer were appointed, who make petiodic in spections of the technical and business methods in each district. A cost-keeping system for the whole service was inaugurated. The regulations and instructions were thoroughly revised. An nual conferences of lighthouse inspectors are held, and a monthly lighthouse bulletin is issued to the service. Aids and cadets have been ap pointed for training in lighthouse engineering and nautical work. The lighthouse publications have been simplified and systematized. Import ant economies and improvements have been in troduced in the use and handling of supplies and accounting for property. The form of ap propriations has been simplified. Full co-opera tion has been arranged between the Lighthouse Service and other branches of the Department of Commerce, other correlated bureaus of the government and maritime interests. Radio in stallations have been made on several tenders, and many improvements of apparatus have been perfected or introduced.
In securing increased efficiency and economy the welfare of the staff and assistants has also been constantly considered. Legislation has been secured providing for compensation for injuries received in hazardous work of the Lighthouse Service, the subsistence arrange ments on vessels and the accommodations for crews have been improved, leave of absence has been granted to employees engaged by the day, a medical handbook has been published and the co-operation of the Public Health Service ar ranged for. A retirement system is also being persistently advocated for deserving employees who have earned this consideration.