DANGEROUS POSITION OF THE BELL ROCK.--SIR ALEXANDER COCHRANE’s
LETTER TO THE LIGHT-HOUSE BOARD.--DESIGNS FOR THE BELL ROCK
LIGHT-HOUSE.--BILL BY LORD ADVOCATE HOPE IN 1803.--REPORT OF TRADERS
OF LEITH.--RESOLUTION OF THE LIGHT-HOUSE BOARD TO APPLY AGAIN TO
PARLIAMENT.--MEMORIAL TO THE BOARD OF TRADE.--BILL BY LORD ADVOCATE
ERSKINE.--REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.--THE BILL
PASSED.
_Dangerous Position of the Bell Rock._
[Sidenote: Dangerous Position of the Bell Rock.]
Whatever may have been the early state of the Inch Cape or Bell Rock,
as an Island, its present character is strictly that of a sunken rock;
and, as such, its relative situation on the eastern shores of Great
Britain has long rendered it one of the chief impediments to the
free navigation of that coast. It is almost unnecessary to remark,
that there are only three great inlets or estuaries upon this coast,
to which the mariner steers, when overtaken by easterly storms in
the North Sea or German Ocean. These are the Humber, and the Friths
of Forth and Moray; of which the Firth of Forth is the principal
rendezvous. The mouth of the River Thames, excepting in certain narrow
and intricate channels, has not a sufficient depth of water, and is
so much encumbered with sand-banks, that no vessel can enter it under
night, or approach it in bad weather. On the coast and shores in the
neighbourhood of the Humber, the land is flat, and defective in those
bold and characteristic features which are essential to the situation
of an anchorage for ships in bad weather when they cannot keep at
sea. The entrance of the Humber is also considerably obstructed with
sand-banks, of which the mariner is, if possible, more afraid than
of rocks, because more liable to uncertainty, by the shifting of
their position, and thereby changing the direction of the accustomed
channels. The great places of resort for ships, therefore, in the
North Sea, are the Roads of Leith and Cromarty, lying in the Friths of
Forth and Moray, as will be seen from Plate III., in both of which
we find the natural advantages of an ample entrance, and a coast so
strongly marked as to be easily recognised by the mariner. But from the
dangerous position of the Bell Rock, his approach to the shores of this
coast, prior to the erection of the Light-house there, was liable to
the greatest peril and uncertainty.
[Sidenote: Great storm in December 1799.]
A memorable example of this occurred during a storm from the
south-east, in the month of December 1799. This storm having continued
with little intermission for three days; a number of vessels were
driven from their moorings in the Downs and Yarmouth Roads; and these,
together with all vessels navigating the German Ocean at this time,
were drifted upon the coast of Scotland. Many found shelter, both in
Leith and Cromarty Roads, which, from the state of the winds, lay quite
open for their reception. But still, from the dread of the Bell Rock,
in the one case, and the danger of mistaking the entrance to the Firth
of Dornoch for that of Moray, by taking the northern instead of the
southern side of Tarbetness, in the other, a great number of vessels
were lost, or much hardship was sustained by the mariner in seeking
safety in higher latitudes. It has even been reckoned, that seventy
sail of ships were either stranded or lost upon the eastern coast of
Scotland during that gale, when many of their crews perished.
At the Bullers of Buchan, near Peterhead, alone, on the first night
of this storm, the wrecks of seven vessels were found in a small
cove, without one survivor of the crews, to give an account of their
disaster. As a remarkable instance of escape on this occasion, it may
be mentioned, that a coal-ship, in ballast, returning from London to
Newcastle, was carried completely round the coast of Great Britain and
Ireland, the first land made by this vessel, after leaving Flamborough
Head in Yorkshire, being the Land’s End of Cornwall. Having put
into Falmouth to refit the ship and refresh the exhausted crew, she
continued her voyage up the British Channel to the Straits of Dover,
and so to Newcastle, thus making a complete circuit of the British
shores. In the summer of 1800, the writer saw the wrecks of two fine
vessels on the Orkney Islands; one of which, on her way to Gibraltar,
had been as far as Ushant on the coast of France, when, by contrary
winds, she had been driven back to the Downs, and, in the month of
December 1799, she was ultimately stranded on the Island of Sanday,
along with the other vessel, which in that gale had been driven from
Yarmouth Roads.
From the situation and circumstances attending the Bell Rock, it may
well be supposed, that this dangerous sunken reef was found to be
either the direct or ultimate cause, in many cases of shipwreck upon
the eastern coast of Great Britain, and as such, every scheme which
had for its object the fixing of some distinguishing mark upon it, was
regarded as a matter of public interest, claiming a degree of attention
proportionate to its apparent practicability and usefulness. The
traditionary story of the Bell said to have been erected by the Abbots
of Aberbrothock upon this rock may, perhaps, have given rise to many
plans of this nature. But, on account of the limited advantages which
must have attended any erection merely in the form of a beacon, without
a light, upon a sunken rock, at so great a distance from land,--none of
the many proposals of this kind which were from time to time suggested,
ever met with the serious attention of the public. It was evident, that
nothing but a light-house could not be essentially useful, and that all
temporary erections in a situation of this kind were to be avoided.
[Sidenote: Sir Alex. Cochrane’s Letter.]
The following letter from Sir Alexander Cochrane, while stationed on
the eastern coast in the year 1793, is particularly deserving of a
place in this work, as well from being the first official application
made to the Commissioners on the subject of the Bell Rock, as on
account of that officer’s great experience in nautical affairs, and the
clear and decided manner in which the advantages which would result
from the erection of a light-house there, are pointed out.
“_On board his Majesty’s ship Hind, Leith Roads, January 7. 1793._
Gentlemen, I think it a duty I owe to the public, to call your
attention, as Trustees for the Northern Lights, to the great hazard and
peril that the trade of the east of Scotland is subject to, from the
want of a light-house being erected on the Bell or Cape Rock, the only
dangerous one upon this coast, from the Staples to Duncansbay-head,
except the Carr, which lies so close to Fifeness and the Isle of May as
to render it comparatively of less consequence.
“The situation of the Cape being about 12 miles from the nearest
shore, bearing off the Redhead, by compass, S. ¾ W.--Taybar, SE.
by E. ¼ E.--Fifeness, NE. by E.--Isle of May Light, NE. 17 miles,
(consequently, too distant to be useful to shipping during the night);
this rock is therefore placed in the most dangerous situation possible,
for the trade of the Friths of Forth and Tay; the more so, from the
prevailing winds on the coast, being from the W.NW. to SW., which
occasion vessels bound inwards, to stretch across from shore to shore,
that is, from the south to the north, or the opposite, according to
their situations. This they can do in the day time; but at night, the
danger of falling in with the Cape Rock, prevents them from standing
to the northward of the Firth of Forth, and they are thereby prevented
from taking the advantage of working up under the land in St Andrew’s
Bay, by which they would get into smooth water, and avoid the heavy
swell and gusts of wind that are always met with in the opening of this
Firth .
“Ships from the Baltic, which have not made the land, are often
driven off the coast, from the caution they are obliged to take, in
consequence of their not knowing what their situation is respecting
this rock; which, from being covered early in the tide, and having
little or no sea or breakers on it in moderate weather, the wind being
off the shore, the soundings are no guide whatever; for, within one
mile of the south-east side, the depth of water is 32 fathoms, (the
general soundings on the coast); from all which circumstances, a ship
standing in for the shore, perhaps without having had an observation of
the sun for some days, runs the utmost danger of being wrecked. From
the experience I have, in consequence of cruizing on this coast, I
give it as my most decided opinion, that the greatest good consequence
would arise to the trade of Scotland, were a light-house erected on it;
but, in the event of its being so, a distinction must be made between
it and the light of May, such as is adopted at Scilly and the Caskets,
the light on which revolves, I believe, once in a minute, so as to be
obscured and visible alternately.”
[Sidenote: Expence of a Light-house on the Bell Rock, as estimated by
the Public.]
[Sidenote: Designs for the Bell Rock Light-house.]
Although the subject of this letter had occasionally occupied the
attention of the Commissioners of the Northern Light-houses, yet the
Bell Rock, as the site of a light-house, was then for the first time
brought formally under the notice of the Board; and some erection
there, was considered a primary object, whenever the funds should be
in a state to meet the expence of such a work. But, the estimates
for such an undertaking admitted of an almost unlimited range of
amount, both from the nature of the buildings which were proposed,
and on account of works of this kind being subject to unavoidable
risk in all their stages, from the commencement till the completion.
In conversation, it was common to compare the situation of the Bell
Rock with the rocks of the Eddystone off Plymouth Sound, and Corduan
at the mouth of the Garonne. The expence of erecting a light-house
on the Eddystone, though understood to have been about L. 20,000, has
never been communicated to the public by the lessees of the light-house
duties, from the consideration, perhaps, of their being obliged, by
their agreement with the Trinity Board of London, to erect and uphold
the building, and also from claims which they afterwards made, for
having the value of the light-house reimbursed to them at the end of
their lease; but it was well known that the present building is no less
than the third erection which the lessees had made upon the Eddystone,
between 1696 and 1759, or in the space of 63 years. It was therefore
natural to conclude that a building on the Bell Rock, situate under a
greater depth of water, being nearly on a level with low-water mark,
would be a work of greater difficulty and expence, than the Eddystone
light-house, where the top of the rock is on a level with high-water
mark. We are also left in the dark in forming any opinion on the
important point of expence with regard to the French work at Corduan,
but we know that it met with repeated misfortunes while in progress,
and that it occupied from 1584 till 1610, or 26 years in building. The
main rock here is about a mile in length, and half a mile in breadth,
and, in its position as a sunken reef, it resembles the Bell Rock more
than the Eddystone. From the difficulties which attended the erection
of these two celebrated light-houses,--both of which the writer
has visited,--the erection of a light-house upon the Bell Rock, in
comparison with these, was estimated by the public at so wide a range
as from L. 20,000 even to L. 100,000.
[Sidenote: Funds for the Light-house Board inadequate.]
In the year 1793, when Admiral Cochrane addressed his letter to the
Light-house Board, its surplus funds amounted only to a few hundred
pounds; a sum so inadequate to meet the necessary expenditure of such
a work, that the Commissioners judged it better for the interests of
navigation, to go forward with the less expensive improvements on other
parts of the coast, aware that nothing essential could be undertaken at
the Bell Rock without the effectual aid of Government.
In this state, matters were allowed to rest till the great storm in
December 1799, already noticed, which roused the public mind to fresh
speculations about the necessity of some erection being made upon the
Bell Rock; not merely as a local improvement, but as one essentially
calculated to benefit the ships navigating the German Ocean, by
opening the Firth of Forth more effectually as a place of safety in
easterly storms, so that the Bell Rock, in place of being the dread
of mariners, might in future become a point from which they would
take their departure, and for which they might steer in sailing for
the coast. Nautical and commercial men, especially, were interested,
and felt this state of things in its fullest extent. Remarks were
accordingly made in several of the periodical publications of the day,
calling the attention of the public to the erection of a light-house
there, as a subject of national importance.
In order to advance this object, the Corporation of the Trinity-House
of Leith, made public advertisements, calling on persons likely to
produce some practical plan that might lead to the means of making the
erection in question. This, of course, produced various propositions on
the subject.
_Designs for the Bell Rock Light-house._
[Sidenote: Designs by Captain Brodie and Mr Couper.]
The late Captain Joseph Brodie of the Royal Navy, prepared and brought
forward a model of a cast-iron light-house, supported upon four
pillars, to be built and connected together in a very strong manner.
This model was made by Mr Joseph Couper, Iron-Founder in Leith, who,
in conjunction with Captain Brodie, proposed to erect a light-house on
this plan on the Bell Rock, on being authorised to draw certain duties
from shipping for their mutual remuneration. With this view, they sent
their model, and made certain propositions to the different commercial
towns on the coast, as Newcastle, Dundee, and Aberdeen. After having
been at considerable trouble and expence with this scheme, as a private
adventure, these gentlemen applied to the Commissioners of the Northern
Light-houses, requesting their inspection of this model. The design,
however, was not altogether approved of by the Light-house Board, in
the form in which it had been modelled; yet such was the confidence
of its projectors, that at different times, in pursuance of their
plan, they erected two temporary beacons, constructed with spars of
fir-timber; these unfortunately were almost immediately washed down.
The Merchants of Leith, applauding the great perseverance of these
gentlemen, aided their exertions by a subscription of about L. 150,
when they erected a third beacon on the Bell Rock on a more extended
scale. It consisted of four spars of fir-timber, each about 40 feet
in length, strengthened by flat bars of iron, laid the lengthway of
the spars, which were kept in their places by rings or hoops of iron,
firmly wedged over them. These spars, when erected upon the rock,
formed a common diameter of about 20 feet at the base, and crossed
each other about 6 feet from the top. They were let into holes made in
the rock, of about ten inches in depth, and were fixed by straps of
iron, forming bats of about two inches square, and about six inches
in length, which were also let into the rock, and run up with melted
lead. At the place of junction, near the top, the spars were bolted
together with iron, and above this, they were connected with small
pieces of timber, nailed to the principal spars. After much labour and
difficulty, with the assistance of a number of workmen, this temporary
erection was fixed on the Bell Rock, in the month of July 1803. In
the month of August the writer landed on the rock and examined it;
but when the gales of winter set in, this erection also disappeared,
having never been seen after the 20th of December. Nothing further
was attempted to be done upon the Bell Rock till the author commenced
the Light-house operations in the year 1807, by direction of the
Commissioners of the Northern Light-houses.
[Sidenote: Make further proposals to the Light-house Board.]
Not discouraged, however, by the failure of these trifling works,
Captain Brodie and Mr Couper addressed a letter to the Light-house
Board, in which an offer was made to erect a cast-iron light-house, in
the space of two years, agreeably to the model already alluded to, and
on the following terms, viz. L. 6000 to be paid over to them during the
first year of the work, together with the produce of a certain Duty for
the erection, to be exacted from shipping, as a Northern Light, until
the original cost of the work should be paid off. But this description
of building having been considered objectionable, Captain Brodie
proposed to construct a new model, upon an improved plan, by which the
base of the building, instead of being raised on pillars, was to be
continuous, with small interstices or holes in its circumference, or
outer casing, to admit the water into the interior void, with a view
to lessen the weight and expence of metal, and check the force of the
sea. But this also appeared to the Commissioners to be defective, when
compared with an erection of stone, like the Eddystone and Tour de
Corduan Light-houses.
[Sidenote: Captain Brodie’s remuneration.]
Captain Brodie having, however, shewn a most laudable zeal in this
work, and considering that he must have expended a sum of money beyond
what had been subscribed for the erection of the Spar Beacon, the
Commissioners proposed to make him a liberal allowance for the last
model, to the preparation of which they had given their countenance.
He was accordingly requested to state the expence of this model,
with a view to his reimbursement. But, under an erroneous impression,
he brought forward an account, containing an enumeration of charges
connected with the Bell Rock, from the year 1792; and by applying
these items to the imaginary profits of trade, the sum amounted to
several thousand pounds. This appeared so contrary to the views of the
Commissioners, that the account was returned, with an offer of L. 400
in full of all claims. This sum, however, was refused, and another
proposition made, that the Board should apply to Government to have his
services publicly rewarded. But it was finally intimated, that L. 400
were at his disposal; and here the matter rested till after Captain
Brodie’s decease, when that sum, with interest, was, in 1816, paid to
his widow.
[Sidenote: The Author’s early designs for the Bell Rock Light-house.]
In noticing the progress of the designs of the Bell Rock Light-house,
it will here be necessary to give some detail of the writer’s own
exertions in the preliminary stages of this measure, in his capacity
of Engineer for the Light-house Board. In the summer of 1794, when on
a voyage to the Northern Light-houses, in passing the Bell Rock, he
directed the vessel to be brought near it, when he had an opportunity
of observing the sea breaking heavily upon it. From this period, the
difficulties which must attend the erection of a habitation on this
rock, appeared in a stronger point of view than they had hitherto
done. He, nevertheless, was resolved to embrace every opportunity
of forwarding this great object. In the year 1796, he visited the
operations of the Kilwarlin light-house, then erecting on the South
Rock, a sunken reef, situate three miles off the coast of Downshire in
Ireland, as a work resembling that which was in contemplation for the
Bell Rock.
[Sidenote: His pillar-formed Light-house.]
The disastrous shipwrecks which occasionally happened at the entrance
of the Friths of Forth and Tay, deeply impressed every one conversant
in nautical affairs, with the most convincing proofs of the necessity
for some distinguishing mark being erected upon the Bell Rock. As
yet, the writer had not landed upon the rock; though he had begun to
prepare a model of a pillar-formed light-house, to be supported upon
six columns of cast-iron, under the impression that this description of
building was alone suitable to its situation. The general features of
this model may be understood, by examining Plate VII., which represents
the author’s original designs for the Bell Rock Light-house.
In the summer of the year 1800, this model was presented to the
Light-house Board, when an official application was made to the
Commissioners of his Majesty’s Customs, for the use of the Osnaburgh
cutter, then lying in the harbour of Elie, on the coast of Fife, to
carry the writer to the Bell Rock, that, by landing there, he might be
enabled to judge of the applicability of his pillar-formed design to
the situation of the rock. Upon reaching Elie, the Osnaburgh was found
to be under repair, and could not possibly go to sea for several days,
by which time the spring-tides would be over. On consulting with the
commander, as to the most advisable course to be followed, in order to
avoid losing these tides, it was resolved to go to St Andrew’s in quest
of a boat; but being there also disappointed, the journey was continued
along the coast to West Haven, on the northern side of the Firth of
Tay, where a large boat was procured, and manned with fishermen who
were in the habit of visiting the rock to search for articles of
shipwreck.
[Sidenote: His first visit to the Bell Rock, with Mr Haldane,
architect.]
On this first visit to the Bell Rock, the writer was accompanied by his
friend Mr James Haldane, architect, formerly principal assistant to the
late eminent Mr John Baxter. The crew being unwilling to risk their
boat into any of the creeks in the rock, very properly observing that
the lives of all depended upon her safety, and as we could only remain
upon the rock for two or three hours at most, we landed upon a shelving
part on the south side of the rock, at the spot marked “First Landing”
on Plate VI. Having been extremely fortunate both as to the state of
the weather and tides, an opportunity was afforded of making a sketch
of the rock at low water: meantime, the boatmen were busily employed in
searching all the holes and crevices in quest of articles of shipwreck,
and by the time that the tide overflowed the rock, they had collected
upwards of 2 cwt. of old metal, consisting of such things as are used
on shipboard. A few of these were kept by the writer, such as a hinge
and lock of a door, a ship’s marking-iron, a piece of a ship’s coboose
(or _kambuis_, cover of the cooking-place), a soldier’s bayonet,
a canon ball, several pieces of money, a shoe-buckle, &c.; while
the heavier and more bulky articles, as a piece of a kedge-anchor,
cabin-stove, crowbars, &c. were left with the crew, who were, however,
disposed to make very light of their booty, when it was urged in
extenuation of an extravagant demand which they made for the boat’s
freight, being at the rate of one guinea _per_ man, and one guinea for
the use of the boat, besides expences, amounting altogether to about
eleven guineas.
[Sidenote: He concludes that a building of stone is most suitable for
the Bell Rock.]
The immediate result of this visit on the mind of the writer and of
Mr Haldane, was a firm conviction of the practicability of erecting a
building of stone upon the Bell Rock; and from that moment the idea
of a pillar-formed light-house was rejected, as unsuitable to the
situation. This opinion was chiefly founded upon the area or extent of
the part which dried, or was exposed to view in the spring-tides, being
found to measure about 280 by 300 feet, and consequently affording a
sufficient space for a foundation, and even a degree of shelter from
the force of the waves, for the lower courses of a building.
[Sidenote: Pillar-formed building compared with one of stone.]
The depth at high-water upon the Bell Rock was much against the design
of a building with pillars, as a vessel drawing 12 feet water, and
loaded with 100 or even 200 tons, may come with full sail against
any erection made there. Were such a circumstance to happen to a
pillar-formed building, and a ship to get thus entangled among the
openings of the under part of the light-house, there is little doubt
that the event would prove fatal to a building of that construction,
however strongly framed. On the contrary, supposing a vessel to strike
a building of stone, under these circumstances, it is not at all
likely, that she could have any effect upon a mass of matter extending
to 2000 or 3000 tons, so as to injure such a fabric.
[Sidenote: Author’s designs and models of a stone-building.]
Under these impressions, the writer, after his first visit to the Bell
Rock, in the year 1800, made a variety of drawings, and constructed
new models for a building of stone, shewing various methods of
connecting the stones, by dove-tailing them laterally, like those of
the Eddystone light-house, and also course to course into one another
perpendicularly. Other methods were likewise modelled, for connecting
the whole building in a more simple manner, by means of joggles, or
square blocks of stone, and also by dove-tailed bats of iron cased in
lead, as delineated in the various designs of Plate VII. These plans
and models were duly submitted to the Light-house Board, accompanied
with estimates of the expence, amounting to the maximum sum of L.
42,685, 8s.
[Sidenote: Mr Telford requested to visit the Bell Rock.]
Sir William Pulteney having taken an interest in forwarding a bill for
this measure in Parliament in the year 1803, gave Mr Thomas Telford,
engineer, instructions to inquire into the circumstances of the Bell
Rock, in the course of his journey to the Works of the Caledonian
Canal. Mr Telford had accordingly taken some preparatory steps for
making a Design; and, with this view, he had engaged Mr Murdoch
Downie, author of several Marine Surveys, to accompany him to the Bell
Rock. But the weather proved unfavourable at the time for effecting
a landing upon the rock; and, the bill then in progress having been
withdrawn before another opportunity occurred, Mr Telford’s visit was
not resumed.
[Sidenote: Mr Downie’s pillar-formed Light-house of Stone.]
Mr Downie, however, who had previously been upon the rock, when making
his Nautical Survey of the Eastern Coast of Scotland, prepared a
drawing and an estimate of the expence of erecting a light-house upon
it, which he stated at about L. 29,000. His light-house was to have
consisted of eight columns of stone, of an elliptical or egg form, as
he expressed it, ranged round a common centre, having the longer axis
and smaller end towards a circular column in the centre of the plan.
These columns were to support a circular building of stone for the
habitation of the light-keepers and the site of the light room. By
this plan it was meant to give less resistance to the waves. But it
did not seem to be well adapted for the situation, as it wanted that
solidity and unity of parts which are so essential to the stability of
a building upon a sunken rock. Such a work would have been of difficult
execution. It would have required similar apparatus with the solid
masonry for its construction, and while in progress, it would have been
in greater danger of being destroyed than a solid fabric. There seemed,
therefore, upon the whole, to be but two opinions as to the proper
description of a light-house for this situation, viz. either that it
should be constructed of iron, as was maintained by Captain Brodie, or
of solid masonry, as proposed by the writer.
_Bill by Lord Advocate Hope._
[Sidenote: Bell Rock Light-house proposed at a Meeting of the Royal
Burghs.]
The erection of a light-house upon the Bell Rock had been occasionally
alluded to at the Convention of the Royal Burghs of Scotland, which
meets annually at Edinburgh; and, in consequence of recent losses on
that reef, the Convention of 1802 was moved, by Provost Duncan of
Arbroath, to take this subject under its serious consideration. It
was accordingly resolved, That the Lord Advocate Hope, one of the
Commissioners of the Northern Light-houses, and Member of Parliament
for the City of Edinburgh, should be requested to use his influence in
forwarding this desirable object. His Lordship being present, readily
engaged to undertake the measure, and declared that he would not allow
it to rest until something satisfactory should be done.
The Commissioners of the Light-houses having afterwards furnished the
particulars, the heads of a bill were arranged, which, in the session
of 1803, was brought forward by his Lordship and the late Sir William
Pulteney, who took a great interest in the Scotch business before
the House of Commons. This bill had for its object to empower the
Commissioners to borrow L. 30,000, and to exact the Northern Light-duty
of 1½d. _per_ ton upon British shipping, and 3d. _per_ ton upon
Foreigners, from all vessels bound to or from any port on the eastern
coast of Great Britain, that should cross the latitude of the Bell Rock.
[Sidenote: Bill lost in the House of Lords.]
This bill passed the House of Commons in the session of 1803; but
having met with opposition from the corporation of the City of London,
as including too great a range of coast in the collection of the
duties, such amendments and alterations were proposed in the House of
Lords, as rendered it necessary for the Lord Advocate to withdraw the
bill.
[Sidenote: Works proposed of less expence than a stone building.]
The expectations of nautical and commercial men were severely
disappointed by the loss of this bill, which occasioned a delay of
several years in the prosecution of the object. It was obvious, that,
without considerable funds at command, it was impossible to undertake
a work of such magnitude. The annual funds of the Light-house Board
at this period amounted only to about L. 4000, and the maintenance
of the light-houses already erected was equal to one-half of this
sum, which would leave a surplus fund of about L. 2000 _per annum_.
But, as the Commissioners found it to be their duty to go on with
their improvements on the other parts of the coast, without confining
their attention to one object, however important, it was impossible
that this great work could be undertaken for a series of years,
without the direct aid of the Government, or an extension of the
Light-house duties, on the security of which money might be borrowed.
In consequence of the loss of this bill, the dangers of the Bell Rock
now became very generally the topic of conversation; and various
schemes were again suggested for constructing economical and temporary
buildings to remedy the evil.
[Sidenote: Difficulty of determining among these proposals.]
In a work of so much apparent difficulty, it was not easy for the
Light-house Board to determine what was the most advisable design. The
pillar-formed building was supported by many arguments. It would have
been executed in a very short period, and would not, perhaps, have cost
one-sixth part of the expence of a building of stone. A light-house,
supported upon wooden pillars, had also stood for many years, and still
remains, upon the Smalls Rocks, off St David’s-Head, in Pembrokeshire,
although the sea, in high tides, and stormy weather, occasionally
breaks over the building. But a fabric of stone, for such a situation
as the Bell Rock, was evidently preferable, and the examples of the
Tour de Corduan, the Eddystone, and the Kilwarlin light-houses, already
noticed, were all in favour of it.
[Sidenote: Mr Rennie consulted and agrees with the Author in
recommending a building of stone.]
Amidst a diversity of opinion as to the practicability of the
undertaking, and especially as to the description of the building,
whether it should be of cast-iron or stone, and in the form of pillars
or solid, the Commissioners ultimately determined upon submitting
the several views of the subject to Mr John Rennie, engineer. In the
year 1804, Mr Rennie and the writer accompanied Mr Hamilton, Sheriff
of Lanarkshire, one of the Commissioners, and who had turned much of
his attention to the subject, on a visit to the Bell Rock. They made
a favourable landing; and Mr Rennie had only been a short time upon
the rock, when he gave his decided opinion upon the practicability of
the proposed erection of stone. He had examined the author’s designs
and models, and afterwards made a Report, in which he coincided with
him in recommending to the Board the adoption of a building of stone,
on the principles of the Eddystone Light-house. Sanctioned with such
authority, the Commissioners were finally confirmed in the resolution,
that the Bell Rock Light-house should be a tower of masonry similar to
that of the Eddystone.
[Sidenote: The Light-house Board takes the sense of the Mercantile
Interest in this measure.]
Hitherto the general opinion throughout the country, and especially
at all the sea-ports, had been anxiously expressed for the erection
of a light-house of some kind on the Bell Rock. But before going a
second time to Parliament with this measure, the Commissioners thought
it advisable to take the sense of the mercantile interest at the
ports more immediately connected with the navigation of the Firth
of Forth, such as Leith, Aberdeen, Dundee, Montrose, Arbroath, and
Berwick-upon-Tweed, as to the utility of the light-house, and the
propriety of obtaining an act of Parliament, to empower them to levy
duties for the erection and maintenance of the proposed building. A
number of Reports were accordingly received, all approving of the
measure; but one of these only need be inserted, from the Corporation
of Traders in Leith, as it may be considered as conveying the
sentiments of all the others.
[Sidenote: Report of the Traders of Leith.]
REPORT of the COMMITTEE appointed by the Incorporation of the Traders
in Leith, relative to the expediency of erecting a Light-house on the
Cape or Bell Rock.
“The Committee, justly sensible of the great importance of the
object referred to their consideration, have endeavoured to inform
themselves, more especially on those points to which their attention
is particularly called by the letter of the Commissioners.
“The result of these inquiries, as far as regards the number of
vessels known, from the safety of the crews, to have been wrecked
upon the Bell Rock, within these last ten years, amount to four, viz.
two smacks trading between London and Banff, one brig from Holland,
and a sloop from Hamburgh.
“These losses, although the vessels were all valuable, may at first
view appear comparatively small, but to your Committee, they serve
as a powerful evidence, in support of the opinion given by all
maritime people, of the fatal position and nature of this rock,
where, from the tremendous sea which even a moderate gale occasions,
total destruction is almost the inevitable consequence of any vessel
striking upon it.
“Situate off the openings of the two Friths of Tay and Forth, the
Bell Rock stands a frightful bar, to deter vessels making the land
from attempting it in the night-time, when they require most to seek
its shelter; and, if unhappily overtaken with a gale at SE., when
near the latitude of this rock, the alternative, dangerous as it must
appear, of stretching to the northward, along a scarce less frightful
coast, to gain the Murray Firth , is frequently, in such perilous
cases, had recourse to.
“In the beginning of 1800, fifty or sixty vessels were cast away;
and, from the circumstances of most of them being bound south of the
Forth, but driven towards it by the violence of the storm, there can
be no reason to doubt, that, had it been possible for these vessels
to have attempted with safety the shelter of the Firth of Forth, many
lives and much property would by this means have been preserved.
“The dread, however, of the Bell Rock, induced them on that occasion
to prefer hauling to the northward, and encountering a sea and tide
surpassed in few places of the globe. This fatal apprehension was
followed by the disastrous consequences already mentioned.
“The Committee have, indeed, no hesitation in giving it as their
opinion, that the greater part of the losses which occur, even from
the Coquet Island, as far as the Murray Firth , arise from vessels
either actually striking upon, or from an over-solicitude to keep
at a distance from, this fatal rock. To the latter cause, there is
great reason to believe, from many concurrent circumstances attending
her loss, and from parts of her wreck being washed ashore near
Buchanness, his Majesty’s ship York, of 64 guns, fell a sacrifice,
with all her crew. Indeed, if the number of vessels is calculated,
which, within these last ten years, have been cast away within the
above-mentioned extent of coast, they will be found to amount to more
than one hundred.
“That the erection of a light-house upon the Bell Rock would obviate
many of these dangers is sufficiently evident, and merchants, as well
as seafaring men, trading to the east coast of Scotland, as well as
to the north of England, are alike interested in the accomplishment
of this desirable object.
“In a national point of view, the advantages that would result from
it are incalculable; but none more forcible need be adduced, than
that of its serving as the direct means of preservation to the
invaluable lives of numerous British seamen.
“All these considerations induce your Committee to give this measure
their full approbation; and that such a necessary object has not
been sooner attained, must rather have proceeded from the supposed
difficulty of the execution, than any hesitation as to the expediency
of it.
“Your Committee, in reply to that part of the letter of the
Commissioners, in which the Traffickers of Leith are required to
signify, in the event of their concurrence in the measure, whether
they will support the application of the Commissioners by petition
to Parliament, have again to state, that giving, as they do, their
full approbation to the expediency of erecting a light-house on the
Bell Rock, they can have no hesitation in joining in any petition to
Parliament to that effect. But the funds of this Incorporation being
appropriated to specific purposes, no pecuniary aid can be afforded
by them as a Society.
“To so great a national benefit as this will certainly prove, they
will contribute, by willingly submitting to a tax on all shipping
passing the Bell Rock, provided the duty so imposed does not exceed
that laid on for any light in England, whose situation may bear
resemblance to that to be erected upon the Bell Rock.
“The Trinity-House of Leith, to whom, the Committee is informed,
the Commissioners have likewise applied, must be supposed better
qualified to give detailed information upon the whole of this subject
than your Committee; and the more especially, as one among their
number has, for a period exceeding twenty years, made the dangers
of the Bell Rock, and the means to be applied to avoid or lessen
them, his peculiar study. Captain Joseph Brodie has, at great risk,
and certainly at no little expence, and without any expectation of
recompence, beyond that of having served his country, frequently
visited the Bell Rock, and at one time succeeded in erecting a Beacon
upon it, which withstood the fury of the sea for several months.
“The Committee, therefore, consider him well qualified to give the
Commissioners information on the subject; and the various models of
light-houses applicable to this rock, which, with much labour and
ingenuity, he has invented, will be found highly valuable, whenever
the execution of the business shall come to be taken into final
consideration.--(Signed) James Searth, Master; Wm. Mowbray, Assist.;
Wm. Dougal, Assist.; Arch. Geddes, James Pillans _junior_.”
[Sidenote: Report of the Merchants of Berwick.]
The dangerous situation of the Bell Rock, and the losses which have
either occurred upon, or in consequence of it, were also strongly
expressed in all the other documents communicated to the Light-house
Board; and we may further form a judgment of the extent of the serious
consequences of this rock to the shipping on the coast, by what was
stated in the communication from Berwick-upon-Tweed. It was therein
mentioned, that two vessels had struck upon this rock in one night; and
that other two, which had been built at Berwick, and sold to a Shipping
Company at Banff, were afterwards lost upon the same reef. It also
deserves notice, that Captain Allardice, who commanded one of those
vessels, had the misfortune, in the course of his profession, to have
been twice wrecked upon the Bell Rock.
[Sidenote: Resolution of the Light-house Board to apply again to
Parliament.]
These statements, furnished upon unquestionable authority, of the
losses occasioned by the Bell Rock, satisfied the Commissioners of
the propriety of persisting in their original plan of obtaining an
act of Parliament and a loan for this special purpose. After various
meetings of the Board, for adjusting the heads of a bill, the measure
was finally resolved upon at a meeting, held on the 19th February
1806, at which the following members were present: Mr James Clerk,
Sheriff-Depute of Edinburghshire, Mr Robert Hamilton, Sheriff-Depute
of Lanarkshire, Mr William Rae, Sheriff-Depute of Orkney and Shetland,
Mr James Trail, Sheriff-depute of Caithness, Mr John Connell,
Sheriff-Depute of Renfrewshire, Mr Edward M’Cormick, Sheriff-Depute of
Ayrshire, and Mr David Monypenny, Sheriff-Depute of Fife.
This meeting having also taken into consideration a memorial, prepared
by Mr Hamilton, pointing out the importance and urgency of the measure,
ordered it to be printed; and requested him to proceed to London, to
submit the memorial, and the documents on which it was founded, to
the consideration of His Majesty’s Ministers, and other Members of
Parliament.
[Sidenote: Mr Hamilton and the Author go to London.]
Mr Hamilton went to London in the month of April 1806, when the author
also attended, with his plans and estimates, to prove the preamble of
the bill. Mr Hamilton having transmitted the memorial to the heads of
the departments of the Treasury, the Admiralty, and the Board of Trade,
requested an audience from them on the subject. He had a meeting with
the Board of Trade, and urged the proposition for a loan, or advance
from Government, of L. 25,000, on the security of the duties which the
proposed light-house would produce. It was, however, recommended that
application should also be made to the other two Boards. Some time
thereafter, a conference on the matter was held with Lord Howick, then
at the head of the Admiralty, and Admiral Markham,--when the plans of
the projected building were shewn to them,--it was stated that all that
was wanting to enable the work to be proceeded with, was the advance
from Government,--and the importance of the proposed light-house was
at this interview pointed out, not only as to trade, but as a guide
and protection for the Navy while cruising in the German Ocean. But
their Lordships still considered the undertaking chiefly as of a
local nature, and comparatively of little benefit to the Navy. Not
discouraged, however, by this unsuccessful application, Mr Hamilton
soon after obtained an audience of Lord Grenville, First Commissioner
of the Treasury, who examined the charts, plans, elevations and
sections of the projected building with much attention,--declared
himself fully convinced of the importance and expediency of the
measure,--and promised that the loan by Government, and every other
expedient for the advancement of the design, should have his support.
The patronage of the First Minister of State having been thus obtained,
Mr Hamilton returned to his public duties in Scotland, leaving the
farther proceedings in the application to the charge of the writer,
with the assistance of Mr Longlands, solicitor for the Light-house
Board in London.
_Bill by Lord Advocate Erskine._
[Sidenote: The Loan from Government becomes doubtful.]
The Hon. Henry Erskine, Lord Advocate of Scotland, took charge of the
Bill in Parliament. But, notwithstanding his Lordship’s attention to
the business, so much time was lost in furnishing various statements,
relative to the probable amount of the new duties to be levied, and the
security to be given for repayment of the loan, that little progress
was made with the bill, till the middle of the month of June. By this
time, the prospect of the loan became so doubtful, that it was thought
advisable by some friends to the measure to take the bill without it.
But the Commissioners, after considering the tendency of such a bill,
in tying up their funds for an indefinite period for one object, and
thus preventing the extension of the benefit of additional light-houses
to other parts of the coast, were of opinion, that, unless the loan
was granted, they must withdraw their petition for the bill, and allow
the business to lie over till the duties were in such a condition as
to enable the work to be undertaken. The author was therefore directed
to consider himself as at liberty to leave London, if it should appear
that the loan could not be obtained.
[Sidenote: Board of Trade favourable to the Loan.]
Lord Auckland, President of the Board of Trade, was favourable to the
proposal of the loan; and Sir Joseph Banks, the Vice-President, having
entered warmly into the measure, and at a meeting of the 7th June,
urged its necessity so strongly, that the Board desired a Memorial to
be presented on the following points:--Of the coast to be subjected
to the Duty of the Northern Lights, by the erection of the Bell
Rock light-house;--of the trade and mercantile interest to pay this
additional duty;--of the security to be given to Government for the
repayment of the loan of L. 25,000;--and of the assurance to be given,
that this sum, together with the surplus funds in the possession of the
Commissioners, would accomplish a building of so much hazard.
The following Memorial was accordingly presented.
“To the Right Hon. the Lords of the Committee of Council, relating
to Trade,--The Humble Memorial of the Commissioners, for erecting
Light-Houses on the Northern parts of Great Britain;
_Sheweth_,
[Sidenote: Memorial to the Board of Trade.]
“That the memorialists have taken the liberty of stating, in a former
Memorial hereunto annexed, the reasons that have induced them to
apply to the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty’s Treasury, for
their support to an application to Parliament, for the loan of so
much money as will enable them to build a light-house upon the Cape
or Bell Rock,--an object of much consequence to the navigation of
the North Sea, from the many fatal shipwrecks it has occasioned. The
Memorialists have been much pressed and solicited by the commercial
interest of the country, to get this accomplished; and by opening
the Firth of Forth as a place of safety, by the erection of this
light-house, the navigation of the northern coasts of the kingdom
will be greatly facilitated.
“It now appears, by the accompanying Custom-House returns, on an
average of three years, that the duties which would be received for a
light-house on the Bell Rock would amount to L. 2617:3:9½; and by
the accounts of the Commissioners of Northern Lights, annually laid
before Parliament, it will be seen, that the memorialists have of
annual surplus duties L. 1350, amounting together to L. 3967, which,
it is thought, will be considered a sufficient security for the
interest of the sum that may be advanced by the public.
“On erecting a light-house on the Bell Rock, the Commissioners, by
the existing acts, would be empowered to levy the above duties of L.
2617, 3s. 9½d.; and it appears by the representations from the
ports more immediately interested, that they highly approve of the
measure.
“The memorialists have received several estimates of the expence
of erecting a light-house upon the Bell Rock. They have more
particularly had recourse to the professional abilities and advice
of Mr Rennie and Mr Stevenson, Civil Engineers, from whose reports
they have reason to believe that the sum will not exceed L. 48,000.
The memorialists have already in the 3 _per cent._ consols L. 28,000
of surplus duties, (about L. 16,800). If the public, therefore, are
induced to advance L. 25,000 by instalments in the course of three
years, making together about L. 41,800, the memorialists presume,
that, with the application of the whole surplus duties for a time,
this sum will be perfectly sufficient to enable them to complete
a work so long recommended, and so anxiously desired.” (For the
statements above referred to, see Appendix, No. III.)
[Sidenote: Sir Joseph Banks makes further exertions for the Loan.]
Observations by the several members of the Board of Trade having
been made upon this memorial, it was more especially referred to Sir
Joseph Banks, to give an opinion, as having himself sailed along that
coast. Sir Joseph, knowing from experience the horrors of sunken
rocks, supported the proposition of the loan, not only as one of
expediency, but of necessity and humanity to the seafaring people of
a great portion of the kingdom, and gave his most decided and hearty
concurrence to the recommendation to the Treasury. After describing the
extensive advantages to be derived by shipping from the establishment
of a light-house upon the Bell Rock, he pointedly alluded to the
probable loss of the York Man-of-war upon it; and observed, that the
security and facility to be derived to the extensive shipping of this
coast, should not be overlooked for the advance of so small a sum as L.
25,000. After the matter had been deliberated on for some time at the
Board, Lord Auckland intimated to Mr Longlands, and the author, that a
report would be made to the Treasury.
[Sidenote: Bill Read a first time in the House of Commons.]
This was communicated to the Lord Advocate, who, at an early day,
moved for leave to bring in a bill, “To enable the Commissioners of
the Northern Light-houses to levy certain duties upon the shipping,
and also to enable the Lords of His Majesty’s Treasury to grant a loan
of L. 25,000 from the 3 _per cent._ consolidated fund for the erection
of a light-house upon a certain dangerous sunken reef, called the Bell
Rock, lying at the distance of twelve miles from the nearest land, at
the entrance of the Friths of Forth and Tay, upon the eastern coast
of Scotland.” His Lordship had no sooner made the motion, than Lord
Henry Petty, then Chancellor of the Exchequer, stated, that he could
not answer for the support which this bill might ultimately meet with
from his Majesty’s Ministers;--that he spoke not from his own knowledge
of the subject, but merely from the views of the First Lord of the
Admiralty, who had expressed his doubts as to the propriety of the
loan in the then low state of his Majesty’s Exchequer, and the great
demands which were made upon the country; but that he did not mean to
oppose the present motion, only, under these circumstances, he thought
it proper to state this much, in absence of the noble Lord alluded to.
Leave having been given to bring in the bill, it was accordingly read a
first time.
[Sidenote: Second Reading of the Bill.]
On the second reading of the bill, the Lord Advocate introduced the
business with his usual display of eloquence, pointing out, in forcible
language, the horrors of a sunken rock so situate as the Bell Rock; and
concluded, by observing, that, as there could be but one opinion as
to the important object of this bill, he hoped, through the exertions
of the Light-house Board, to which he had the honour to belong, and
of other public functionaries, appointed for similar purposes, on
other parts of the coast, the day would come, when every sunken rock
and dangerous shoal, of similar importance to navigation, would be
distinctly pointed out to the mariner. The only reply made was by Mr
Spencer Perceval, who remarked, that he had no intention to oppose
the present measure, the importance of which he would not call in
question, but he must agree with those who thought that this was not a
favourable time for granting loans of public money. The bill was then
read a second time. In its progress through the House of Commons, it
was detained, from various causes, beyond the regular time. The Lord
Advocate had also unfortunately been taken ill; but in his absence, Sir
John Sinclair attended to the bill in the Committee, of which he was
chairman, and brought up the following Report:
_Report of the Committee of the House of Commons._
[Sidenote: Report of the Committee.]
[Sidenote: Report brought up by Sir John Sinclair.]
“The Committee, to whom was referred the Petition of the
Commissioners of the Northern Light-houses, and to report the matter
to the House, as it shall appear to them,
“Proceeded to examine Mr ROBERT STEVENSON, Civil Engineer, who, in
his capacity of engineer for the Northern Light-houses, has erected
six light-houses in the northern parts of the kingdom; and has
made the erection of a light-house on the Cape or Bell Rock, more
particularly his study,--especially, since the loss of about 70 sail
of vessels, in a storm which happened upon the coast in the month of
December 1799, by which numerous ships were driven from their course
along the shore, and from their moorings in Yarmouth Roads, and other
places of anchorage, southward of the Firth of Forth, and wrecked
upon the eastern coast of Scotland, as referred to in the report made
to this House, in the month of July 1803; the particulars of which he
also confirms: That the Bell Rock is most dangerously situate, lying
in a track which is annually navigated by no less than about 700,000
tons of shipping, besides his Majesty’s ships of war, and revenue
cutters: That its place is not easily ascertained, even by persons
well acquainted with the coast, being covered by the sea about half
flood, and the land-marks, by which its position is ascertained,
being from 12 to 20 miles distant from the site of danger.
“That from the inquiries he made at the time the York Man-of-war was
lost, and pieces of her wreck having drifted ashore upon the opposite
and neighbouring coast; and from an attentive consideration of the
circumstances which attend the wreck of ships of such dimensions,
he thinks it probable that the York must have struck upon the Bell
Rock, drifted off, and afterwards sunk in deep water: That he is well
acquainted with the situation of the Bell Rock, the yacht belonging
to the light-house service, having, on one occasion, been anchored
near it for five days, when he had an opportunity of landing upon it
every tide: That he has visited most of the light-houses on the coast
of England, Wales and Ireland, particularly those of the Eddystone,
the Smalls, and the Kilwarlin or South Rock, which are built in
situations somewhat similar to the Bell Rock: That at high-water,
there is a greater depth on the Bell Rock than on any of these, by
several feet: and he is therefore fully of opinion, that a building
of stone, upon the principles of the Eddystone light-house, is alone
suitable to the peculiar circumstances which attend this rock, and
has reported his opinion accordingly to the Commissioners of the
Northern Light-houses as far back as the year 1800; and having given
the subject all the attention in his power, he has estimated the
expence of erecting a building of stone upon it at the sum of L.
42,685, 8s.
“Your Committee likewise examined Mr JOHN RENNIE, civil-engineer,
who, since the report made to this House in 1803, has visited
the Bell Rock, who confirms the particulars in said report, and
entertains no doubt of the practicability of erecting a light-house
on that rock, is decidedly of opinion that a stone light-house
will be the most durable and effectual, and indeed the only kind
of building that is suited to this situation: That he has computed
the expence of such a building, and, after making every allowance
for contingencies, from his own experience of works in the sea, it
appears to him that the estimate or expence will amount to L. 41,843,
15s.
“It appears further to your Committee, from the accounts presented to
this House by the Commissioners of the Northern Light-houses, in the
years 1803, 1804, and 1805, that, on an average of these years, the
surplus duties arising from the light-houses already erected by that
Board, is L. 512:18:8. But your Committee find, that the average of
general expenditure for these years has been higher than usual, owing
to the erection of additional light-houses, viz. one on the Island
of Inchkeith, in the Firth of Forth, and a revolving light upon the
Start-Point of Sanday, one of the Orkney Islands, on which there was
expended, during these years, about L. 4800, causing an annual extra
charge of L. 1600 upon the duties collected in that period.
“That, agreeably to the act of the 26th of the King, the said
Commissioners of the Northern Light-houses have invested in the
public Funds L. 28,000, affording dividends to the annual amount of
L. 840.
“That the duties that would be collected for the Bell Rock light, as
appears by the returns from the customs presented to this House, and
the resolution they have come to, would amount to about L. 2617: 3:
9 annually.
“That if the sum of L. 25,000 was to be advanced, by way of loan,
from the consolidated fund, this, with the L. 28,000 now invested
in the 3 _per cent._ Consolidated Annuities, would enable the
Commissioners to erect the proposed light-house, and that there would
remain a sufficient fund for the payment of interest of the loan from
the surplus duties, as well as for the repayment of the principal, in
a reasonable time.”
[Sidenote: Bill meets with some opposition at the third reading.]
The bill passed through the Committee of the Commons without any
impediment, but, on the third reading, it met with some opposition in
the House, upon new and unexpected grounds. One of the members for
Liverpool opposed the loan, on the ground that that Port maintained its
own sea-lights, and that the trade of the Firth of Forth ought also to
support its lights. But this objection was withdrawn, upon explaining
the position of the Bell Rock relatively to the Firth of Forth, and the
difficulty and expence of the proposed building, and shewing that the
collection of its Light-duties were proportionally as much confined to
the Firth of Forth, though extending between Berwick to the south, and
Peterhead to the north, as the more limited sphere of the Liverpool
lights were to the ports and havens in the Mersey. This difficulty was
no sooner got over, than the bill was likely to have met with another
check, from a clause which had been introduced, exempting this work
from the duty on stone carried coastwise, which, it was calculated,
would have amounted to between L. 2000 and L. 3000. This clause was
withdrawn, by the advice of Mr Vansittart, Secretary to the Treasury,
as being improper to appear in the shape of an enactment.
[Sidenote: Is Passed, and receives the Royal Assent.]
The bill then went through the third reading, and passed the House
Commons on the 16th of July. It was afterwards brought up to the
House of Lords, where it went through the Committee, and the several
readings; and having received the Royal Assent, became an act of the
Legislature.
The writer immediately returned to Scotland, with feelings of the
greatest satisfaction, on the accomplishment of a measure which, in
its tendency, was so eminently calculated to meet the wishes of the
mercantile interest of the country. But, along with these sensations,
there was also a degree of responsibility, and a crowd of difficulties,
which still presented themselves, in the execution of a work of so
peculiar a nature. Hitherto this undertaking had been viewed only at a
distance, clogged with many previous obstacles, which, by the passing
of the bill, were removed; and the whole measure now pressed fully upon
his mind.