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Southern Coast Beacons Harper's Weekly published this article describing the "beacons of the sunny seas" in January, 1892. Illustrations by EJ Meeker; text extracted from the original article:  "Lights along the shore have been used from the earliest days, mention of them being made by Herodotus, the father of historians. Among those of ancient times the most renowned was the Pharos of Alexandria, which was finished in 280BC. In this country the erection of light-houses was begun by the colonies nearly two centuries ago. The coasts of the United States are divided into sixteen districts, to each of which is assigned an inspector. It is made the duty of the inspector to visit every light station in his district four times a year, and to report its condition to the light-house board. These visits are made without notice to the keeper, who must see that his lights and station are in constant good order." Georgetown, South Carolina  "Among the sixteen districts into which our coasts are divided, the most extensive and one of the most interesting is the sixth, which reaches from the mouth of the Cape Fear River (North Carolina) to Jupiter Inlet (Florida).
The duties of inspector of this district are now ably discharged by Commander James G. Green, to whom I am indebted for many courtesies during my voyage among the light-houses of his district." Cape Fear, North Carolina 
"The thousands who annually make the trip to and from Florida by steamer see the flashing lights along the shores. Three light ships are passed – one at Frying Pan Shoals, near the mouth of the Cape Fear River; another at Rattlesnake Shoals, and the third at Martin’s Industrial Shoals. These are all two-mast, schooner-rigged vessels with sails, so that if the violence of the storm should wrench them from their moorings, they will not be entirely at the mercy of the winds and waves.
Each vessel has a crew of eight men, to whom provisions are supplied every quarter by the light-house tender. Their life is, of course, a very monotonous one, and they are constantly tossed by the waves. But there is no lack of applicants for the position." Frying Pan Lightship, North Carolina 
"Voyagers by one of the best-known and most popular lines running to Florida must enter Charleston Harbor, and will see some of the most interesting points on our coasts. The light-house on Morris Island towers in the air to the height of 158 feet, and is painted alternating horizontal bands of black and white. Its light is visible at a distance of eighteen and three-quarters miles. Some idea of its size may be had when the fact is stated that seventeen persons can stand within the lamp, and that the consumption of oil if seven gallons a night." Morris Island, South Carolina 
"Not far distant is Fort Sumter, who history is so well known that it need not be repeated here. Once almost completely demolished by shot and shell, in its rehabilitated condition it is surmounted by two small towers, in one of which a white light is placed, and in the other a fog-bell." Fort Sumter, Charleston, South Carolina 
"Very near is Castle Pinckney, which too has its history, now used as a depot for supplies. There are seen long lines of buoys, which are to be placed to mark the entrance to the various harbors of the district. Of different shapes, sizes, colors, and construction, they are known as nun, can, spar, bell, and whistling. The whistling buoys are so constructed that air rushes into them as they rise, and is forced out with a whistling sound as they descend." Castle Pickney, South Carolina  "The slender iron structure not far distant is within a few feet of the site of Fort Ripley, and bears its name. It has fixed red light, and a bell to be used in foggy weather.
Few can realize the loneliness of the life of the brave men, and in some instances women, who fill the position of light-house keepers and assistants, and the dangers to which they are exposed. They are instructed to stand by their lights, even though their property and their families are swept to destruction before their eyes. Days, weeks, even months may pass during which they do not see the faces of any of their fellow men, save those one or two who are associated with them."
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