A LIGHTHOUSE INSIDE A PALACE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12609, 25 June 1904, Page 5 (Supplement)

A LIGHTHOUSE INSIDE A PALACE.

A .remarkably attractive exhibit for the St. Louis Exposition is an exact copy, onefourth size, of the South-west Pass Lighthouse. I There is, of course, nothing either striking or novel in erecting .a lighthouse in ( the, open grounds of an exposition, but the peculiarity and great attraction of the St. ; Louis exhibit is the fact that the big light will be erected inside the Palace of Liberal Arts, which will render -it a thousand times more effective than if it were placed by itself in the most conspicuous part of the grounds. That its beams will be fairly far-reaching may be understood when it is stated that the Palace of Liberal Arts covers no less a space than nine acres. The original lighthouse from which this model was built stands at the entrance to the Mississippi River, and is the most famous marine sentinel on the American coast. It was erected in 1872, and is exactly 139 feet in height. The shape is octagonal, and it rises on a pyramidal skeleton enclosing stair-cylinder and dwelling. The cylinder terminates in the service room, which in turn communicates with the watch-room "above, while the lantern proper surmounts' the - entire structure. This latter contains a magnificent lens, flashing a perfectly white light 123 ft above mean high water and 126 ft above the; top of the foundation. The light is visible a distance of eighteen miles. ••• In the construction of the model there will be included' many* touches of realism which will depict, in a striking manner the lonely lives the watchers on a lighthouse lead. To the pinnacle of the lantern gulls, cormorants, and kittiwakes : will be leashed, and these pretty creatures will fly round in widening circles through the vast space of the palace. '.., Many experiments in thus holding captive these various sea birds have already been made, when it was proved that, though they were at first frightened and agitated on "finding that they, could fly a certain distance only, they soon become philosophical, and after enjoying their restricted flight for a few moments they would return to rest on the top of the lighthouse, plume themselves for a while ,and then - take another flight through space. At the foot of the lighthouse there is to be a waste of dreary sand, seaweed, and ocean verdure, and a number of live pelicans, which will

give a very clear idea of the desolate ppot over which the original lighthouse flashes its beams. :''■■-'■•': '..■■■ : ]i ; J<i';-j^>- :^"'.'i'::'<: This remarkable model has' been built by the Western Gas Association, who will also show specimens of every kind of illuminant invented since the world was in need of light,'■'. The model is 34ft 10in high, while the diameter at the base is 10$ ft. It is made : of structural steel and wroughtiron pipe, with a balcony l^ffc v < above the ■platform,'- upon which are constructed the living-rooms. From the house to the lan- ; tern extends the tube, inside 'of which are ladders for the watchers to make their ascent. Bdow the lamp in another balcony known as the " look-out," which will be open to visitors. :.. On the original of this model two men only, keep watch and ward, which is contrary to the rules > governing British lighthouses, which stipulate that the number shall be three. The spot where the Southwest Pass Lighthouse is situated is particularly lonely, for, with the exception of mudbanks swarming with pelicans and sea* gulls, the scene is cue of utter desolation.