Toil of a different character was associated with the building of the Race Rock lighthouse, eight miles from New London, Connecticut. This peril is a submerged ledge off Fisher’s Island Sound, and is of formidable magnitude, since the ledge is at the mouth of the race, where the waters, according to the tide, sweep along with great velocity and force, while in heavy weather the waves get up high and thunder with awful power. The main ledge bristles with ugly sharp spurs, some of which rise above the main cluster, known as Race Rock, which is about 3 feet below mean low-water. The situation of this lurking danger called for the erection of an efficient beacon, though not demanding a light of the calibre of Minot’s Ledge, because even in rough weather the water does not mount in the form of thick curtains of spray. A smaller and different type of light, therefore, was considered to be adequate for the purpose. [Illustration: POINT PINOS LIGHT STATION, CALIFORNIA. This mariners’ friend has been tended by a woman for the past 30 years.] Even then, however, erection was not an easy matter by any means. The velocity of the water and the submerged character of the reef demanded the aid of divers to prepare the ledge-face and to complete the foundations. The rock was levelled as much as possible by the aid of small broken stone and riprap. On this a heavy circular stepped plinth of solid mass-concrete was laid. This foundation is 9 feet in thickness, and is disposed in four concentric layers, the lowermost of which is 60 feet in diameter by 3 feet in thickness. The concrete was laid in huge hoops of iron, of the desired height and diameter for the respective layers, to prevent the mass from spreading. When this task was completed, there was a level platform, as solid as the rock itself, and projecting 8 inches above mean low-water. On this a conical stone pier was built to a height of 30 feet, by 57 feet in diameter at the base. The top was crowned with a projecting coping 55 feet in diameter. The outer face of this pier is composed of massive blocks of stone backed with concrete; while in its heart are the spaces for cisterns and cellars. From one side of this pier stretches a short jetty, to form a landing-place. [Illustration: THE FARALLON ROCK AND LIGHT. The light of 110,000 candle-power is placed on the highest peak of the rock, 358 feet above the sea.] [Illustration: THE FARALLON LIGHTHOUSE OFF SAN FRANCISCO. Owing to the height of the rock, a tower 29 feet high was adequate to carry the lantern and its equipment.]