LIGHTED BEACON AT MOUTH OF PUNGOTEAGUE CREEK, VIRGINIA.

SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith, for the consideration of Congress, a communication from the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, of the 14th instant, submitting an estimate of appropriation for the establishment of a lighted beacon at the mouth of Pungoteague Creek, Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, $8,000.

Respectfully,

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR,
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY,
Washington, December 14, 1903.

SIR: This Department, at the instance of the Light-House Board, has the honor to recommend that an appropriation of $8,000 be made for the establishment of a lighted beacon at the mouth of Pungoteague Creek, Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, or near the site occupied by a lighted beacon which was established on November 1, 1854, and was carried away on February 2, 1856, and which has not been replaced.

The reestablishment of this lighted beacon is recommended in a petition of many vessel men, which was transmitted to this Office by the superintendent of the Baltimore, Chesapeake and Atlantic Railway Company through the inspector of the Fifth light-house district.

A private light is now maintained near the mouth of Pungoteague Creek by private persons.

It is the opinion of the Light-House Board, in which this Department concurs, that as a light is so much needed here that it is maintained at private expense, it is evident that the Government should establish and maintain such a light in the interests of general commerce.

Respectfully,

GEO. B. CORTELYOU, Secretary.
The honorable the SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY.