LIGHTHOUSE BOARD OF THE UNI TED STATES. A body organized in accord ance with an act of Congress, approved August 31, 1852, and having the control and manage ment of all lights, buoys, beacons. etc.. on the coasts of the United States, and the custody of all archives. drawings, apparatus. and other prop erty pertaining to the lighthouse establishment. This board consists of the Secretary of the Treas ury as ex-officio president, two naval officers of high rank, two army officers, and two civilians, all appointed by the President. For administra tive purposes the United States is divided (1003) into 16 districts, to each of which is assigned a naval officer as inspector, who has charge of all the floating aids to navigation, the supplies of the light stations. the salaries of keepers, and the disbursement of funds relating to the above ob jects. The inspectors are required to inspect the lights at least once every three months, at which time they ascertain the condition of the station and report it to the board. Every district has also an engineer officer of the army as district engineer: his duty is to superintend the construc tion and renovation of the fixed aids to naviga tion. 1Vhen the Lighthouse Board receives pe
titions for the erection of new lights the matter is referred to both the district officers for their opinions as to the necessity of the light and its proper location; the district engineer also sub mits plans and estimates of the cost of the pro posed structure. The board then decides as to what should be done and makes a report to Con gress through the Secretary of the Treasury. Should Congress make an appropriation. the dis trict engineer is charged with the erection of the light, which must be done by contract after due advertisement. When the lighthouse is completed the keepers are appointed and the structure placed in charge of the district inspector. The Light house Board has offices in Washington, depots for supplies in various districts, and a number of vessels for conveying supplies and perform ing other necessary duties.