WORLD SOUNDSCAPE PROJECT TAPE LIBRARY
VANCOUVER/BC COLLECTION

REEL 117

POINT ATKINSON LIGHTHOUSE July 23, 1973

A

Photo Van106, Photo Van108, Photo Van110, Photo Van111

1. FOGHORN 6'25"

B

2. INTERVIEW WITH LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER 7'55"

 

REEL 117 COMMENTARY

1. This horn is an old diaphone. A huge noise, with billowing reverb from the forested point behind, and from the water in front of the horn. 140 dBA @ 20 ft. The weather was not foggy, so this is not a definitive recording. The lighthouse keeper however, obliged us by turning it on for the microphones.

2'00" diesel engine which powers the horn.

*3'00" Babloom! 6 cycles follow, at 30" intervals.

2. The keeper (Gordon Odlum) explains the history and operation of the horn, and goes on to talk about automation. He was close to retirement then, and pulls no punches on his opinion of government wisdom in this. Since then the horn has been converted to an "imitation diaphone" of Bob Swanson's design. Walking into the foghorn building and up to the horn and piston assembly itself in a small attic on the second floor.


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