A year after the first lighthouse was built, on November 26, 1838 Lieutenant C. T, Platt, U.S. Navy, wrote in a report that the Black River Beacon was lit with 8 fixed lamps, each with a reflector in need of re-silvering. The Beacon leaked badly, its frame needed soldering and the windows needed puttying, all of which could be done for $25. The first lighthouse extended 680 feet into the lake but it was too close to the water. At least 3 times in 1837 people who were trying to light it were washed over the side and one drowned.