Spencer, J. C.; et al. Appropriations for a Light-House on Flynn's Knoll (Doc. No. 193) Letter from the Secretary of War, transmitting A report of the amount of money expended of the appropriation made for the erection of a light-house on Flynn's Knoll. Washington DC: Government Printing Office, 1842. [11669]
Removed, 8 3/4 x 5 5/8 inches, 7 + 74 clean pp. Good. Pamphlet.
27th Congress, Second Session, House of Representatives, War Department, Doc. No. 193.
Flynn's Knoll on Governor's Island, south of Manhattan, was the site for a light house to be built by the US government. As a military outpost the island played a role in the Revolutionary War and in the War of 1812. It was used by the US Coast Guard until the end of the 20th century. Governor's Island was also known as Light-House Island.
This report begins with an inspection of the site recently destroyed by two large storms. It then relates the repairs done to restore the site. The following 74 pages are a detailed account of the costs incurred for the building of the lighthouse, chronologically arranged from 1837 to 1840, totaling $51,541.54.
If you ever wanted to know what materials were used in building a lighthouse at that time, this has the information. It includes everything from the cost of pine boards to the salaries of the corps of engineer officers visiting the site.
An amazing snapshot of United States maritime history.
