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TrXUltit Section C Sunday, Jan. 13, 1963 I
Emerald Empire Living
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65 la" h0 ocean'' ,
- SURREALISTIC PICTURE is created when eye of coast guarisman peers through
a'lens which magnifies power of 1,000 watt light bulb.
Silent
Sentinel
Umpqua Lighthouse, standing near Reedsport close to
the mputh' of the Umpqua River, has been' burning .
.nightly to guide navigators for nearly 70 years. Its
predecessor, built on the dunes near the ocean, was the
first lighthouse to be erected in what is now the state
of Oregon. Following six shipwrecks due to the lack
of navigation aids, that structure was erected in 1857,
but iour years later erosion caused it to topplodnto the
sea. For the next 30 years the area again was without
' navigation aid until 1893, when Congress appropriated
funds for. the construction of the present light.- Since
1894 it has shone every night; with the exception of
one two-hour period in 1958. The light is visible for 18
miles across the water a silent sentinel for many who.
go down'; to the sea in ships.
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(Register-Guard photoi by Phil Wolcott)
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PHILLIP R. GORRELL, SN'BM, one of 20 U.S. Coast Guardsmen who man the
Umpqua River Lifeboat Station, stands in alley way between center lens struc
ture and protective outside windows of lighthouse.
THE 1,000 WATT BULB which burns 'nightly in the lighthouse is changed
every 800 hours.' Only blackout, since " 1894;' was two-hour period" on i" winter"
night in 1958, ' when 'overheating caused- electrical - difficulty.