The artificers landed upon the Rock this morning at half-past 11, and,

from the advanced state of the building, they were enabled to continue

at work for six hours and a half, being the longest tide’s work which

had yet been got upon the Rock by the building artificers. During this

tide only four stones were laid, but the time was otherwise occupied

in boring, trenailing, wedging, and grouting the joints of the stones

last built. From the great waste of mortar, owing to the wash of the

sea, in the present stage of the building, the usual proportions of

its ingredients were not found sufficient for the courses in hand; and

having no conveniency for keeping more than a few casks on the Beacon,

while it was an object to have the lime always fresh, it was found

necessary to dispatch a boat to-day express to Arbroath, for additional

supplies of pozzolano, lime and sand.

[Sidenote: Friday, 23d.]

The work commenced at 12 noon, and continued six hours and a quarter;

but, owing to the roughness of the weather, no stones were laid

to-day, as, notwithstanding every precaution in pointing the joints

with cement, the mortar was continually washed away. This tide was,

therefore, occupied in the operation of grouting, and securing the

mortar with tow, loaded with pieces of iron laid horizontally along

such of the joints as were accessible to this, which had the effect

of preserving them until the cement dried sufficiently to defend it

against the wash of the sea.

[Sidenote: Saturday, 24th.]

[Sidenote: 57 Stones laid.]

[Sidenote: Cooking commenced on the Beacon.]

Mr Peter Logan, the foreman builder, and his squad, twenty-one in

number, landed this morning at 3 o’clock, and continued at work

four hours and a quarter, and, after laying 17 stones, returned to

the Tender. At 6 A. M., Mr Francis Watt, and his squad of twelve

men, landed, and proceeded with their respective operations at the

Beacon and Railways, and were left on the Rock during the whole day,

without the necessity of having any communication with the Tender,

the kitchen of the Beacon-house being now fitted up. It was to-day

also, that Peter Fortune,--a most obliging and well known character

in the Light-house service,--was removed from the Tender to the

Beacon, as cook and steward, with a stock of provisions as ample as

his limited store-room would admit. At 2 P. M. the building-artificers

again landed, and continued at work till a quarter past 8, when 40 of

the stones, formerly landed, were now laid, making no fewer than 57

blocks which had been built to-day in the course of both tides. The

weather being extremely fine, with light airs of wind from the S.E.,

the landing-master’s crew discharged the Patriot into the praam-boats,

which were then towed to their moorings, as the stones could not at

this time be received at the Rock.

[Sidenote: Situation of the Mortar-makers and smiths.]

When as many stones were built as comprised this day’s work, the

demand for mortar was proportionally encreased, and the task of the

mortar-makers on these occasions was both laborious and severe. This

operation was chiefly performed by John Watt,--a strong active quarrier

by profession,--who was a perfect character in his way, and extremely

zealous in his department. While the operations of the mortar-makers

continued, the forge upon their gallery was not generally in use;

but, as the working-hours of the builders extended with the height

of the building, the forge could not be so long wanted, and then

a sad confusion often ensued upon the circumscribed floor of the

mortar-gallery, as the operations of Watt and his assistants trenched

greatly upon those of the smiths. The casks with the ingredients for

the mortar, consisting of pozzolano, lime, and sand, were laid to hand

by the sailors. These materials were lifted in spadefulls, and thrown

into the cast-iron mortar tubs, represented in Plate X. Fig. 12., where

they were beat with an iron-shod pestle, to a consistency suitable to

the respective purposes of the work. Under these circumstances, the

boundary of the smiths was much circumscribed, and they were personally

annoyed, especially in blowy weather, with the dust of the lime in its

powdered state. The mortar-makers, on the other hand, were often not a

little distressed with the heat of the fire and the sparks elicited on

the anvil, and not unaptly complained that they were placed between the

“Devil and the Deep-sea.”

[Sidenote: Sunday, 25th.]

[Sidenote: 27 stones laid.]

[Sidenote: Rope-ladder distended.]

The work being now about 10 feet in height, admitted of a Rope-ladder

being distended between the Beacon and the Building, as represented

in Plate IX. By this “Jacob’s-Ladder,” as the seamen termed it,

a communication was kept up with the Beacon, while the Rock was

considerably under water. One end of it being furnished with

tackle-blocks, was fixed to the beams of the Beacon, at the level

of the mortar-gallery, while the further end was connected with

the Upper-course of the building by means of two Lewis-bats, which

were lifted from course to course as the work advanced. In the same

manner, a rope furnished with a travelling-pulley, was distended,

for the purpose of transporting the mortar-buckets, and other light

articles, between the Beacon and the building, which also proved a

great conveniency to the work. At this period the rope-ladder, and

tackle for the mortar, had a descent from the Beacon to the building;

by and by they were on a level; and, towards the end of the season,

when the solid part had attained its full height, the ascent was

from the mortar-gallery to the building; as will be understood by

examining the second year’s work, as shewn in the Plate above alluded

to, and when viewed in connection with the progress of the work. The

building-artificers were accordingly enabled to land this morning at

3 A. M., and to continue at work five hours and a quarter, when 27

stones were laid of the Seventh course. The praam-boats were brought

from their moorings, where they lay loaded with 43 stones, besides a

supply of pozzolano, lime, sand, cement, trenails, and wedges. The

Smeaton having made a trip ashore for a supply of the castings for the

western Reach of the Railway, she discharged 15 tons of cast-iron work,

and returned to Arbroath for a cargo of stones. At 12 noon, all hands,

fifty-seven in number, being collected upon the deck of the Tender,

prayers were read as usual. At three quarters past 2 o’clock P. M.,

the building-artificers again landed, and had five hours’ and three

quarters’ work, at boring, trenailing, wedging, and grouting the stones

laid during the two previous tides, which completed the Seventh course

of the building.

[Sidenote: Monday, 26th.]

[Sidenote: 21 stones laid.]

[Sidenote: Builders stopped by a simple mistake.]

The weather still continuing to be very favourable for the operations,

the building-artificers landed on the Rock at a quarter past 3 A.

M., and continued at work five hours and a half, when 21 stones were

laid. In the course of this tide, it was discovered that the Patriot

had by mistake carried off the trainer or gauge-rule to be used for

regulating the position of the stones in building the Eighth course,

which, for a time, stopped the progress of building. A fast rowing

boat was dispatched to Arbroath for this useful implement, a diagram

of which will be seen in Plate X. In the mean time, the remainder of

the landing-master’s crew were employed in laying the cast-iron work in

order upon the Rock, so as to be at hand in the course of fitting up

the Railways. In the evening, at a quarter past 4 P. M., the artificers

landed, and had five hours and a half at boring, trenailing, wedging,

and grouting the last laid course of the building.

[Sidenote: Tuesday, 27th.]

[Sidenote: 33 stones laid, and 66 landed.]

The Joiners’ squad of artificers, with Mr Fortune, their cook and

steward, landed this morning at 5 A. M. for the day, and the Builders’

squad continued on the Rock till a quarter past 10. They again landed,

at half-past 4, and returned on board of the Tender with all hands,

at 10 P. M. The express-boat came from Arbroath with the trainer this

forenoon: 33 stones were laid to-day, and the weather being extremely

fine the landing-master’s crew delivered no fewer than 66 blocks at the

Rock.

[Sidenote: Wednesday, 28th.]

[Sidenote: 32 stones laid.]

[Sidenote: Artificers now at work while the Rock is under water.]

As the work was daily getting higher, the artificers landed on the

Beacon, and began this morning at a quarter before 6 o’clock, having

passed along the rope-ladder, distended between it and the Building,

while the Rock was yet under water, when the builders got five hours

and a quarter’s work. In the evening, they landed again at 6 o’clock,

and remained till 11. In the course of this day 32 stones were laid,

but, owing to the wind blowing fresh from N.NE., the praams could not

approach the eastern creek, and the western reach of Railway being yet

unfinished, no materials were landed. The Joiners’ squad, as usual,

remained all day on the Rock, and were enabled to make great progress

with the lodging part of the Beacon or “Hurricane-house,” as the seamen

termed it.

[Sidenote: Thursday, 29th.]

[Sidenote: 25 stones laid, and 50 landed.]

The wind was still in the N.E., but being more moderate, the work, in

all its departments, proceeded with great spirit; 50 blocks of stone

were accordingly landed to-day, with the necessary proportions of

lime and other materials. At half-past 6, the whole of the artificers

landed, and remained till half-past 11, having been five hours on the

Rock. The builders again landed at 6 P. M.; and at midnight, all hands

left the Rock. The builders having to-day been no less than ten hours

and a half at work, had laid 25 stones. The roughness of the weather

yesterday washed a great part of the mortar out of the joints, and this

morning’s tide was chiefly occupied in grouting and pointing the Eighth

course, which being closed, the work was brought to the height of about

11 feet above the lower bed of the Foundation-stone.

[Sidenote: Friday, 30th.]

[Sidenote: 18 stones are laid.]

[Sidenote: Michael Wishart meets with a serious accident.]

The artificers landed on the Rock this morning at a quarter past 6, and

remained at work five hours. The cooking apparatus being now in full

operation, all hands had breakfast on the Beacon at the usual hour,

and remained there throughout the day. The crane upon the building had

to be raised to-day from the Eighth to the Ninth course, an operation

which now required all the strength that could be mustered for working

the guy-tackles; for, as the top of the crane was at this time about

35 feet above the Rock, it became much more unmanageable. This will

be better understood by examining the apparatus in Plate IX., and

comparing the appearance of the crane-tackle of the second year’s work

with that of the first. In order, to give an additional purchase in

tightening the tackle, one of the blocks of stone was suspended at the

end of the moveable-beam of the crane, which, by adding greatly to

the purchase or weight, tended to slacken the guys in the direction

to which the beam with the stone was pointed, and thereby enabled the

artificers more easily to brace them one after another. While the beam

was thus loaded, and in the act of swinging round from one guy to

another, a great strain was suddenly brought upon the opposite tackle,

with the end of which the artificers had very improperly neglected to

take a turn round some stationary object, which would have given them

the complete command of the tackle. Owing to this simple omission, the

crane, with the large stone at the end of the beam, got a preponderancy

to one side, and the tackle alluded to having _rended_, the crane fell

upon the building with a terrible crash. The surrounding artificers

immediately flew in every direction to get out of its way; but Michael

Wishart, the principal builder, having unluckily stumbled upon one

of the uncut trenails, fell upon his back. His body fortunately got

between the moveable-beam and the upright shaft of the crane, and

was thus saved; but his feet got entangled with the wheels of the

crane, and were severely injured. Wishart being a robust young man,

endured his misfortune with wonderful firmness: he was laid upon one

of the narrow framed beds of the Beacon, and dispatched in a boat to

the Tender; where the writer was when this accident happened, not a

little alarmed, on missing the crane from the top of the building, and

at the same time seeing a boat rowing towards the vessel with great

speed. When the boat came alongside with poor Wishart stretched upon a

bed, covered with blankets, a moment of great anxiety followed, which

was, however, much relieved, when, on stepping into the boat, he was

accosted by Wishart, though in a feeble voice, and with an aspect pale

as death, from excessive bleeding. Directions having been immediately

given to the coxwain to apply to Mr Kennedy at the work-yard, to

procure the best surgical aid, the boat was sent off without delay to

Arbroath. The writer then landed at the Rock, when the crane was in a

very short time got into its place, and again put in a working state.

The builders commenced work with it at 7 o’clock in the evening, and

continued till midnight, and in the course of this day 18 stones were

laid. Robert Selkirk was appointed by Mr Logan to succeed Wishart, as

principal builder.

[Sidenote: 1809, July.]

[Sidenote: Saturday, 1st.]

[Sidenote: Artificers have no less than ten hours’ work, and lay 59

stones.]

The artificers landed this morning at half-past 7, and as the building

was gradually rising out of the reach of the tide, the work was

continued no less than six hours and a half at this time, being the

longest tide’s work which the builders had hitherto had. They again

landed at half-past 7 in the evening, and did not leave off till

midnight, having, to-day, had ten hours and a half’s work, when no

fewer than 59 blocks of stone were built; 56 of which were landed on

the Rock to-day, being the entire cargo of the Patriot, including

six casks of pozzolano, and a similar quantity of lime and sand;

besides twenty parcels containing 200 trenails and 200 pairs of

wedges; together with six sacks of moss (_hypnum_), two bales of green

woollen-cloth, a bale of red binding tape, with nails, &c. for lining

the cabins of the Beacon-house.

[Sidenote: Sunday, 2d.]

[Sidenote: The Writer visits the Carr Rock. Some of the vessels slip

their moorings.]

After a trip which he had taken in the Light-house Yacht to examine

the Carr Rock, with a view to the erection of a Beacon, as described

in the Introduction of this work, page 53., the writer landed on the

Bell Rock this evening. He found that the artificers had commenced

work at a quarter from 8 o’clock A. M., and continued for seven hours

and a quarter, when seven blocks of stone were laid, with which the

Ninth course of the building was completed. The remainder of this long

tide’s-work was occupied in boring trenail holes, driving trenails

and wedges, and in filling the perpendicular joints of the course

with thin mortar, mixed up into that consistency which is technically

termed Grout. Having again landed in the evening, the same operation

was continued from 8 till 11 o’clock P. M.; but the wind having shifted

from south to E.NE., it blew so fresh that the torches could not be

kept burning, being now more exposed, and without the shelter which

the foundation-pit formerly afforded. The work was, therefore, obliged

to be dropt, before the tide had overflowed the Rock. From the state

of the weather, it was also judged necessary to give directions to the

landing-master to employ his crew in removing the iron-jumpers and

other implements to the Beacon; and to remove every encumbrance from

the boats, so as to lighten them as much as possible, and fit them the

better for carrying the artificers, thirty-two in number. At midnight,

all hands left the Rock in four boats, two of which belonged to the

Tender, one to the Light-house Yacht, and one to the Smeaton; and,

after much difficulty, they reached their respective vessels. The Yacht

and Smeaton then slipped their moorings, and proceeded for Arbroath, as

they rode very hard, but the Tender kept her position.

[Sidenote: Monday, 3d.]

[Sidenote: No landing on the Rock to-day.]

The wind still continued to blow so fresh, that no landing could be

made to-day on the Rock. As the Tender’s stock of provisions was

getting low, a considerable effort was made by the Patriot, which had

come from Arbroath with supplies, to prevent the necessity of her

leaving her moorings. After several vain attempts however, the Patriot

was obliged to bear away for the Firth of Forth to wait a change of

weather.

[Sidenote: Michael Wishart is recovering.]

The writer having come to Arbroath with the Yacht, had an opportunity

of visiting Michael Wishart, the artificer who had met with so severe

an accident at the Rock on the 30th ult., and had the pleasure to find

him in a state of recovery. From Dr Stevenson’s account, under whose

charge he had been placed, hopes were entertained that amputation

would not be necessary, as his patient still kept free of fever or

any appearance of mortification; and Wishart expressed a hope that he

might, at least, be ultimately capable of keeping the light at the Bell

Rock, as it was not now likely that he would assist farther in building

the house.

[Sidenote: Progress of the Works at Arbroath.]

In the work-yard, the operations were going on as usual, under the

direction of Mr David Logan, and the stone-cutters were now working at

the Twenty-third course. The Twentieth course being nearly finished, it

was partly laid on the platform, and ready to be fitted, marked, and

numbered for shipping to the Bell Rock. Dispatch was also making in the

joiners’ shop where Mr James Slight, was preparing the moulds for the

succeeding courses, diagrams of which will be seen in Plate X.

[Sidenote: Tuesday, 4th.]

The Tender had kept her station at the Rock. Though the wind was still

at N.E., it had abated a little, and the artificers landed at 11 A.

M., to the number of twenty-four, and were employed for three hours in

completing the trenailing of the Ninth course. At 3 P. M., the building

artificers, fourteen in number, left the Rock, and went on board of

the Tender, but the joiners and smiths remained upon the Beacon till

half-past 9 P. M., when they also returned on board of the vessel.

[Sidenote: Wednesday, 5th.]

[Sidenote: 19 stones laid.]

[Sidenote: Joiners left on the Beacon.]

The wind having shifted to the east, and the weather being moderate,

the artificers landed at half-past 11 this forenoon, when 19 stones

were laid after four hours work. At 8 P. M. the boats again left the

vessel, and made an attempt to land on the Rock, but it was found

impracticable, there being then too much sea. The joiners’ squad were

therefore left on the Beacon all night.

[Sidenote: Thursday 6th.]

[Sidenote: 16 stones laid.]

[Sidenote: Joiners resolve to remain on the Beacon.]

The building artificers having landed at a quarter past 12 to-day, 16

stones were laid, when they again left the Rock at a quarter past 4,

having been four hours at work. The weather having a very unfavourable

appearance, the landing-master expressed a wish to bring all hands

with him; but the Joiners’ squad, with Mr Fortune their cook, had

now resolved to continue their quarters on the Beacon-house, instead

of having “the continual plague of boating;” and being now better

provided with necessaries, they felt much more at ease. The boats

were now less crowded, and this arrangement was a great relief to the

landing-master’s crew. The writer was at Arbroath when the Beacon was

thus taken possession of; and though he felt no uneasiness as to its

permanency in withstanding the effects of the sea, yet he was not

without scruples about the danger of accidental fire, from the chips

of wood which unavoidably encumbered the place while the joiners were

at work. Considering, therefore, the awful circumstances to those

inhabiting the Beacon under such a possible calamity, together with

its disastrous consequences to the work, it became a matter of much

solicitude to guard against such a misfortune.

[Sidenote: Favourable to the possession of the Light-house.]

This practical expression of the opinion of the mill-wrights, joiners

and smiths, with regard to the safety of the Beacon, was nevertheless

highly satisfactory to the writer, as it shewed a degree of confidence

in this temporary erection, which left no doubt as to its utility

in the future operations. It was also an excellent prelude to the

inhabitation of the Light-house itself when completed, as some were

even doubtful if light-keepers would be found disposed to take up

their residence permanently upon a rock, which, every tide, was sunk

under water to the depth of from 10 to 16 feet, of which no instance

had hitherto occurred, as the First entire course of the Edystone

Light-house is understood to have been on a level with high-water mark.

[Sidenote: Friday, 7th.]

[Sidenote: 15 stones laid.]

The wind having shifted to the S.E. to-day, with easy weather, the

Patriot returned from Largo Bay to her moorings, when the praam-boats

discharged 19 stones of her cargo, and landed them on the Rock. The

artificers landed at 10 A. M. and remained at work no less than nine

hours and a half, when 15 stones of the Tenth course were laid. The

builders then went on board of the Tender, leaving the mill-wrights,

joiners and smiths, in possession of the Beacon-house.

[Sidenote: Saturday, 8th.]

[Sidenote: 11 stones laid.]

[Sidenote: The Tide, for the first time, does not overflow the

Building.]

The builders landed to-day at a quarter past 12 noon, and remained

seven hours and three quarters, when they laid 11 blocks, while the

landing-master’s crew transported 46 stones to the Rock. The tide’s

work was now so much lengthened, that time was afforded for boring the

trenail holes into the course below, fixing the trenails and wedges,

and grouting up the perpendicular joints with pozzolano mortar, in

a more deliberate manner than when the work was lower in the water.

It was remarked to-day, with no small demonstration of joy, that the

tide--being neap--did not, for the first time, overflow the building

at high-water. Flags were accordingly hoisted, on the Beacon-house,

and crane on the top of the Building, which were repeated from the

Floating-light, Light-house Yacht, Tender, Smeaton, Patriot, and the

two Praams. A salute of three guns was also fired from the Yacht at

high-water, when all the artificers being collected on the top of the

building, three cheers were given, in testimony of this important

circumstance. A glass of rum was then served out to all hands on the

Rock, and on board of the respective ships.

[Sidenote: Number of Joiners reduced. Balance Crane begun.]

Having thus got the Light-house above the sea-level in ordinary

neap-tides, and the Beacon into a habitable state, while the Railway

operations were confined to the western reach, it was now found

expedient to diminish the number of mill-wrights and joiners at

the Rock. At this period, the writer went to Edinburgh to attend a

general meeting of the Commissioners of the Northern Light-houses,

and to report the advanced state of the works,--news which was

received with the greatest satisfaction by the Board. He also

visited the Shotts Iron-works, and took measures for the immediate

construction of a Crane, upon a new principle. This had occupied his

attention, along with the general scheme of the work. But, since the

unfortunate accident which happened to Wishart, by the fall of the

Moveable-beam-crane, it had became more apparently necessary, as the

increasing height of this machine rendered the guy-tackles too _taunt_,

to use a sailor’s expression for any thing that is high, or when the

ropes, which support a spar or mast, form too small an angle at the

top. Instead of these unmanageable tackles, the upright shaft of the

new crane was to be kept in an erect position by a balance-weight

acting upon the opposite end of the loaded working-beam, which was

thus to be kept in a state of equilibrium. As Mr Watt, foreman of the

Beacon and Railway works, could now be spared from the Rock for a time,

he was sent to Shotts to get the patterns made for this machine, and

other implements connected with the progress of the higher parts of the

building; from whence the castings were sent to Edinburgh to be fitted

up.

[Sidenote: Sunday, 9th.]

[Sidenote: Tenth course completed.]

On the writer’s return to the Bell Rock to-day, it appeared from the

notes of the foreman builder, and log-book of the landing-master, that

the work had made very good progress, of which the building itself bore

testimony, being now about 13 feet in height. The wind was at N.E.

this morning, and blowed so fresh that a landing could not be made

till a quarter past 4 o’clock P. M., when the closing-stone of the

Tenth course was laid, after three hours and a quarter’s work; but the

landing-master’s crew could not approach the Rock with the praam-boats.

[Sidenote: Monday, 10th.]

Twenty of the artificers landed this morning at half-past 5, and

continued at work till half-past 7. Again, in the evening, the work was

resumed at 6, and continued till a quarter from 9. The artificers were

employed to-day in dressing off and completing the last laid course.

Still the wind being from the N.E., accompanied with a heavy sea, the

praams could not approach the Rock, and consequently no materials were

landed.

[Sidenote: Tuesday, 11th.]

[Sidenote: 31 stones laid, and numerous articles landed.]

The wind having shifted to the westward, the sea was greatly run

down; and the landing-master’s crew being early at work this morning,

transported no fewer than 65 blocks to the Rock in the course of the

day. At 6 A. M. the artificers landed, when 19 stones of the Eleventh

course were laid. They again landed at 4 P. M. and laid 22, making

altogether nine hours and a quarter upon the Rock to-day, when 31

stones were built. The Patriot had left Arbroath last night, and got

to the Rock this morning with 43 pieces of stone, twelve bundles

containing 396 wedges, five bundles containing 165 trenails, three

casks of cement, six casks of pozzolano, six casks of lime, six casks

of sand, besides provisions for the use of the Beacon-house and Tender,

viz. five hogsheads of water, five bags of coals, three casks of beef,

five bags of biscuit, one cask of oatmeal, one firkin of butter, one

cask of flour, one cask of pot barley, with salt and vegetables.

[Sidenote: Wednesday, 12th.]

[Sidenote: 37 stones laid.]

At a quarter past 5 this morning, the artificers, 21 in number, landed,

and remained eight hours on the Rock, when 21 stones were laid. They

landed again in the afternoon at half-past 3, and remained till 9 P.

M., when 16 stones were laid. The landing-master’s crew transported

three stones to the Rock to-day, which completed the Eleventh course.

The Smeaton arrived from Leith this forenoon, with 53 casks of

pozzolano earth, 39 of which were stowed on board of the Tender to be

at hand: the Smeaton then proceeded with the remainder to Arbroath,

where she loaded stones for the Rock.

[Sidenote: Thursday, 13th.]

[Sidenote: 29 stones laid.]

The weather still continuing favourable, the artificers landed this

morning at half-past 6 and remained till half-past 11, when 15 stones

were laid. They landed again at 5 and remained till 11 P. M., when 14

stones were laid. 29 stones were transported to the Rock to-day in the

praam-boats.

[Sidenote: Friday, 14th.]

[Sidenote: 27 stones laid.]

The artificers landed this morning at a quarter from 7, and remained

six hours and a quarter on the Rock, when 18 stones were laid. They

landed again in the evening and remained four hours and a quarter, when

9 stones were laid, which completed the Twelfth course; the praam-boats

having landed 27 stones.

[Sidenote: Saturday, 15th.]

[Sidenote: 52 Stones landed and laid.]

The wind was southerly, with occasional showers of rain to-day, but

the sea was smooth. The artificers landed at a quarter past 7 this

morning, and as the water did not overflow the building, they continued

on the Rock till midnight, being 16 hours and a half, and laid no fewer

than 52 stones, which, in the early part of the day, had also been

transported to the Rock by the landing-master’s crew. This was the most

successful day’s work which had hitherto been made. The Twelfth course

was thus completed, which brought the building to the height of 15 feet

above the lower bed of the foundation-stone.

[Sidenote: Sunday, 16th.]

[Sidenote: 32 Stones laid.]

Hitherto no order had been given for loading the Bell Rock vessels with

stones on Sundays, but Mr Kennedy, to whose department this belonged,

had, with his usual unwearied attention, commenced on Sunday night, at

12 o’clock, which enabled the Patriot to sail at 5, and reach the Rock

at 10 A. M., with a cargo of stones. The artificers landed at half-past

7, and laid 21 stones in the course of seven hours and a half; and

having again landed in the evening at 7, they laid 11 stones in four

hours, all of which had been landed on the Rock to-day from the praams.

Besides laying, boring, trenailing, wedging, and grouting these stones,

several other operations were proceeded with on the Rock, at low-water,

when some of the artificers were employed at the Railways, and at

high-water at the Beacon-house. The seamen having prepared a quantity

of tarpaulin, or cloth laid over with successive coats of hot tar, the

joiners had just completed the covering of the roof with it. This sort

of covering was lighter and more easily managed than sheet-lead in

such a situation. As a farther defence against the weather, the whole

exterior of this temporary residence was painted with three coats of

white-lead paint. Between the timber-framing of the habitable part of

the Beacon, the interstices were to be stuffed with moss, as a light

substance that would resist dampness, and check sifting winds: the

whole interior was then to be lined with green baize-cloth, so that

both without and within the cabins were to have a very comfortable

appearance.

[Sidenote: Monday, 17th.]

[Sidenote: 9 Stones laid.]

The artificers landed this morning at half-past 7, and remained at work

five hours and a half, when 9 stones were laid; but the wind having

shifted to the N.E., which increased to a hard gale, in the course of

this afternoon, both the Smeaton and Patriot were obliged to slip their

moorings, when they proceeded in company to Leith Roads for shelter.

The Tender, however, being in a more light trim, and better adapted for

riding, continued at her station.

[Sidenote: One of the Artificers is accidentally killed in the

work-yard.]

While some of the masons were employed to-day in raising a large stone

in the work-yard at Arbroath, the purchase unfortunately slipped,

and the stone fell upon William Walker, one of the labourers, who

was putting a prop under it, to preserve its position till a better

purchase could be taken. By this accident, Walker’s thigh-bone was

unfortunately broken, and, though medical assistance was procured

without delay, the poor man died in the course of a few hours, leaving

a wife and two young children. The Commissioners of the Light-houses,

in consideration of the circumstances of this case, settled an annuity

of L. 5 upon his widow.

[Sidenote: Tuesday 18th.]

[Sidenote: One of the workmen remains in the Beacon alone.]

The wind still continued to blow fresh from the N.E., but the

artificers were enabled to land on the Rock at a quarter from 11, where

they remained two hours and three quarters, employed in shifting the

crane on the building, and making other preparations for laying the

Thirteenth course. Although the building-artificers generally remained

on the Rock throughout the day, and the mill-wrights, joiners, and

smiths, while their number was considerable, remained also during

the night, yet the Tender had hitherto been considered as their

night-quarters. But the wind having, in the course of the day, shifted

to the N.W., and as the passage to the Tender, in the boats, was likely

to be attended with difficulty, the whole of the artificers, with

Mr Logan, the foreman, preferred remaining all night on the Beacon,

which had, of late, become the solitary abode of George Forsyth, a

jobbing-upholsterer, who had been employed in lining the Beacon-house

with cloth, and in fitting up the bedding. Forsyth was a tall, thin,

and rather loose-made man, who had an utter aversion at climbing upon

the trap-ladders of the Beacon, but especially at the process of

boating, and the motion of the ship, which he said, “was death itself.”

He, therefore, pertinaciously insisted with the landing-master in being

left upon the Beacon, with a small black dog as his only companion. The

writer, however, felt some delicacy in leaving a single individual upon

the Rock, who must have been so very helpless, in case of accident.

This fabric had, from the beginning, been rather intended by the writer

to guard against accident from the loss or damage of a boat, and as a

place for making mortar, a smith’s shop, and a store for tools, during

the working months, than as permanent quarters: nor was it at all meant

to be possessed until the joiner-work were completely finished, and his

own cabin, and that for the foremen, in readiness, when it was still

to be left to the choice of the artificers to occupy the Tender or the

Beacon. He, however, considered Forsyth’s partiality and confidence in

the latter, as rather a fortunate occurrence.

[Sidenote: Wednesday, 19th.]

[Sidenote: Artificers remove with Peter Fortune to the Beacon.]

The whole of the artificers, 23 in number, now removed, of their own

accord, from the Tender, to lodge in the Beacon, together with Peter

Fortune, a person singularly adapted for a residence of this kind, both

from the urbanity of his manners, and the versatility of his talents.

Fortune, in his person, was of small stature, and rather corpulent.

Besides being a good Scotch cook, he had acted both as groom and

house-servant; he had been a soldier, a suttler, a writer’s clerk,

and an apothecary, from which he possessed the art of writing and

suggesting recipes, and had hence, also, perhaps acquired a turn for

making collections in natural history; but in his practice in surgery,

on the Bell Rock, for which he received an annual fee of three guineas,

he is supposed to have been rather partial to the use of the lancet.

In short, Peter was the _fac-totum_ of the Beacon-house, where he

ostensibly acted in the several capacities of cook, steward, surgeon,

and barber, and kept a statement of the rations or expenditure of the

provisions, with the strictest integrity.

[Sidenote: Thursday, 20th.]

[Sidenote: Praam-boats cannot approach the Rock.]

The wind was at the S.E. to-day, accompanied with a considerable

swell of sea; and, although the Smeaton and Patriot had returned

from Leith Roads, and the praams had been loaded, and were riding at

their moorings, yet they could not approach the Rock. The building

artificers, however, found employment in boring, trenailing, wedging,

and grouting the last laid course. The smiths and mill-wrights worked

at the western Railway, and the joiners at sundry jobs about the

Beacon-house.

[Sidenote: Friday, 21st.]

[Sidenote: 18 Stones laid and 69 landed.]

The weather having improved, the Smeaton was entirely discharged to-day

of her cargo of 69 stones, which were also landed on the Rock, with a

due proportion of other building materials, as pozzolano, lime, and

sand, &c.; and 18 stones of the Thirteenth course were laid to-day.

[Sidenote: Saturday, 22d.]

[Sidenote: An embargo is laid on Shipping.]

In the present important state of the building, when it had just

attained the height of 16 feet, and the upper courses, and especially

the imperfect one, were in the wash of the heaviest seas, an

express-boat arrived at the Rock, with a letter from Mr Kennedy of the

work-yard, stating, that, in consequence of the intended Expedition

to Walcheren, an embargo had been laid on shipping at all the ports

of Great Britain; that both the Smeaton and Patriot were detained

at Arbroath, and that, but for the proper view which Mr Ramsay, the

port-officer, had taken of his orders, neither the express-boat,

nor one which had been sent with provisions and necessaries for the

Floating-light, would have been permitted to leave the harbour. The

writer set off without delay for Arbroath, and, on landing, used every

possible means with the official people; but their orders were deemed

so peremptory, that even boats were not permitted to sail from any

port upon the coast. In the mean time, the collector of the Customs

at Montrose applied to the Board at Edinburgh, but could, of himself,

grant no relief to the Bell Rock shipping.

[Sidenote: Mr Sheriff Duff corresponds with the Board of Customs.]

At this critical period, Mr Adam Duff, then Sheriff of Forfarshire, now

of the county of Edinburgh, and _ex officio_ one of the Commissioners

of the Northern Light-houses, happened to be at Arbroath. Mr Duff took

an immediate interest in representing the circumstances of the case to

the Board of Customs at Edinburgh. But such were the doubts entertained

on the subject, that, on having previously received the appeal from the

Collector at Montrose, the case had been submitted to the consideration

of the Lords of the Treasury, whose decision was now waited for.

[Sidenote: Operations at the Rock while the vessels were under embargo.]

In this state of things, the writer felt particularly desirous to

get the Thirteenth course finished, that the building might be in

a more secure state, in the event of bad weather. An opportunity

was therefore embraced on the 25th, in sailing with provisions for

the Floating-light, to carry the necessary stones to the Rock for

this purpose, which were landed and built on the 26th and 27th. But

so closely was the watch kept up, that a Customhouse-officer was

always placed on board of the Smeaton and Patriot while they were

afloat, till the embargo was specially removed from the Light-house

vessels. The artificers at the Bell Rock had been reduced to fifteen,

who were regularly supplied with provisions, along with the crew

of the Floating-light, mainly through the port-officer’s liberal

interpretation of his orders. After completing the Thirteenth course,

they were employed in erecting a kind of stool or prop of masonry on

the western side of the building, for which the stones had fortunately

been landed previous to the embargo. This prop, as will be understood

by examining the second year’s work of Plate IX., consisted of large

blocks of stone, measuring 5 feet in length, 2 feet 6 inches in

breadth, and 15 inches in thickness, and, when completed, it was 6 feet

in height, and 6 feet square at the top, so that the men in working the

crane had a sufficient space for standing. By this means, the foot of

the lower crane was elevated 6 feet above the Rock, which, added to the

length of the working-beam, made a height of about 18 feet, and, in the

present state of the building, the stones were thus raised to the level

of the last built course. The crane on the top of the building, with

which the stones were laid, was, therefore, now only employed to take

them from the lower crane, instead of lifting them at once from the

waggons on the Railway. During this period, also, the Beacon-house and

Railways were completely overhauled, and matters of minor importance

attended to, which were obliged to be left behind when the works were

going on briskly.

[Sidenote: 1809, August.]

[Sidenote: The embargo is taken off the Light-house vessels.]

The Lords of the Treasury had no sooner received the appeal from

the Board of Customs at Edinburgh, than an order was issued for all

vessels and boats belonging to the service of the Commissioners of the

Northern Light-houses, to be released and permitted to sail upon their

respective voyages. But before this order could be made effective,

ten days of the finest weather of the season had elapsed. Every one

connected with the work had now become impatient to be again at work,

when the writer had the happiness to receive a letter from Mr Charles

Cuningham, Secretary to the Commissioners of the Northern Light-houses,

stating that an order might be expected to reach the Collector of the

Customs at Montrose on the 30th. Mr Kennedy was consequently sent to

Montrose to wait the arrival of the post, which happened at midnight,

when Mr Paton the Collector, with much attention, gave immediate orders

for the liberation of the Bell Rock vessels; and as both the Smeaton

and Patriot were loaded and ready for sea, they sailed from Arbroath on

Sunday the 30th, with the wind at E.S.E., and arrived at their moorings

at the Rock early on the 31st.

[Sidenote: The necessity of stopping the Bell Rock shipping doubted,

under any circumstances.]

On the subject of this embargo, as applicable to the boats and vessels

in the Bell Rock service, it would be difficult, and perhaps improper,

to give any opinion regarding the discretion or prudence exercised by

the Officers of the Customs, especially as the Board itself found it

necessary to appeal to the Treasury for instructions. If, however, the

Superior Officers at Montrose, aware of all the circumstances of this

peculiar case, had allowed the work at the Bell Rock to proceed, till

special orders could have been received on this peculiar point, there

is reason to believe it would not have been called in question by the

Board of Customs at Edinburgh. But when the vessels were peremptorily

stopped, and the matter brought formally under its notice, an appeal to

the Treasury was considered indispensable.

[Sidenote: Tuesday, 1st.]

[Sidenote: 78 stones landed, and 40 laid.]

[Sidenote: 24 artificers inhabit the Beacon.]

There being a considerable swell and breach of sea upon the Rock

yesterday, the stones could not be got landed till the day following,

when the wind shifted to the southward, and the weather improved.

But to-day no less than 78 blocks of stone were landed, of which 40

were built, which completed the Fourteenth, and part of the Fifteenth

courses. The number of workmen now resident in the Beacon-house were

augmented to 24; including the landing-master’s crew from the Tender,

and the boat’s crew from the Floating-light, who assisted at landing

the stones. Those daily at work upon the Rock at this period amounted

to 46. A cabin had been laid out for the writer on the Beacon, as will

be seen from Plate VIII. but his apartment had been the last which

was finished, and he had not yet taken possession of it; for though he

generally spent the greater part of the day, at this time, upon the

Rock, yet he always slept on board of the Tender.

[Sidenote: Wednesday, 2d.]

[Sidenote: Mr Sheriff Duff visits the works at the Rock.]

To-day the wind was from the S.E., accompanied with a pretty heavy

swell of sea, which, in the early part of the season, would perhaps

have been sufficient to deter the attempt of landing building

materials; but such was the dexterity of the landing-master and his

crew, that 23 stones were transported to the western creek, and

afterwards, by great exertions, got along the Rock, though the Railways

were still in an incomplete state. With these, the builders were

enabled to finish the Sixteenth course, consisting of 53 stones. The

work was visited to-day by Mr Sheriff Duff, who, with his accompanying

friends, were much gratified in landing on the Bell Rock, and viewing

the advanced state of the works.

[Sidenote: Thursday, 3d.]

[Sidenote: 23 stones laid.]

The wind being from south-east, a heavy swell of sea ran upon the Rock,

so that no stones were landed to-day. The building being now about 19

feet in height, it was found to produce a smoothness on the lee-side,

and as the north-east wind produced the heaviest seas, the lower crane,

erected on the prop, being placed on the south-west side, was somewhat

sheltered from that quarter, and admitted of a considerable quantity of

materials being occasionally laid around it; and, therefore, although

none were landed to-day, yet 23 blocks of the Seventeenth course were

built.

[Sidenote: Friday, 4th.]

[Sidenote: 2 stones laid.]

The weather proved very fine, and the seamen were employed on board

of the Floating-light in shifting her winter cable, and inspecting

her chain-moorings, as she had just undergone such repair in her

upper-works, as could be conveniently given her while afloat. The

artificers on the Rock laid two stones to-day, and were otherwise

employed in trenailing and grouting the Seventeenth course.

[Sidenote: Saturday, 5th.]

[Sidenote: 8 stones laid.]

The weather still continued favourable, and the landing-master’s crew

discharged the Patriot of her cargo, of which 40 stones were landed

on the Rock, and the remaining 12 were kept on board of one of the

Praam-boats at her moorings. The artificers built 8 stones to-day,

so that 32 of the 40 which had been landed, were either laid without

mortar, upon the building, or ranged round the stool of the lower

crane, in readiness for next tide.

[Sidenote: Sunday, 6th.]

In the course of the last night, however, the wind had shifted to the

N.E., accompanied by a heavy swell of sea, and it was impossible for

the landing-master’s boats to approach the Rock. But the artificers

being now stationary upon the Beacon, they could pass from it to the

building at all times of tide, by means of the rope-ladder, formerly

noticed, as will be understood by examining the second year’s work,

represented in Plate IX. They accordingly laid 25 stones to-day,

and completed the Seventeenth course, consisting of 60 blocks. The

Praam-boat, with the remaining 12 stones of the Patriot’s cargo on

board, rode at her moorings with great ease, and although the swell was

very considerable, yet she had very little motion; and even when deeply

loaded, these decked boats shipped no water. So easily did they ride

at anchor, that the _sickly artificers_, while on board of the Tender,

though much easier than the Floating-light, were often heard to express

a wish that their births could be shifted to a Praam-boat.

[Sidenote: Narrow escape from ship-wreck.]

At day-break, this morning, a large schooner, the Fly of Bridport,

Green, master, bound from London to Dundee, was observed standing right

upon the Bell Rock, when she was suddenly taken _aback_ on seeing the

Beacon and works on the Rock. The crew of this vessel being entire

strangers, had hoisted a signal, when the landing-master immediately

went on board, and after some consultation, Pool, the master of the

Smeaton, was sent to conduct the Fly into the Firth of Tay.

[Sidenote: Monday, 7th.]

The wind had shifted to the S.W. to-day, but still a heavy swell of

the sea prevented the landing of materials, and the artificers were

accordingly employed in shifting the crane on the building, and at

low-water they were all engaged in fixing and extending the Railways

towards the western creek.

[Sidenote: Tuesday, 8th.]

[Sidenote: 12 stones laid.]

[Sidenote: Mr Sheriff Hamilton visits the works.]

The sea having fallen considerably, the loaded Praam-boat got to the

Rock, and the artificers laid the 12 stones which had now been on

board of her since the 5th. The works at the Rock were visited to-day

by Mr Robert Hamilton, Sheriff of Lanark, and _ex officio_ one of

the Commissioners of the Northern Light-houses, who expressed much

satisfaction at the progress of the operations.

[Sidenote: Wednesday, 9th.]

[Sidenote: 36 stones laid.]

[Sidenote: Additional supports for the Beacon landed to-day.]

The number of artificers were augmented from 24 to 26, and measures

were taken for leveling the necessary sites on the Rock for some

additional supports for the legs or principal beams of the Beacon.

These supports had been prepared in the course of the winter, but

had not yet been applied, from the pressing nature of the building

operations. They consisted both of iron and of timber, the former to

connect the principal beams horizontally, and the latter diagonally,

in order that, by every possible means, this essential part of the

establishment might be preserved through the winter, and divested of

the _twist_ so expressively felt and complained of by Mr Logan, on the

30th of May. To-day 36 stones were landed and built, which finished the

Nineteenth course, and brought the building to the height of about 23

feet.

[Sidenote: Thursday, 10th.]

To-day 26 stones of the Twentieth course were landed and laid.

[Sidenote: Friday, 11th.]

[Sidenote: Sheer-crane broken by the force of the sea.]

The wind was at S.E. on the 11th, and there was so very heavy a swell

of sea upon the Rock, that no boat could approach it. Such indeed

was the force of its breach, that one of the legs of the cast-iron

Sheer-crane at the eastern creek, represented in Plate XI., was

again broken. It is not a little remarkable, that these bars, which

contained about 16 square inches of section, should nevertheless have

been snapped, by the force of the sea, on three different occasions.

It must, however, be remarked, that these sheers, in their operation,

had necessarily a certain action laterally, in effecting the laying of

a stone upon the waggon; in heavy seas, therefore, the apparatus was

subject to a jerking motion, which proved sufficient to break it; so

essential is it, that every thing within the range of the sea should be

Dead-fast, as workmen emphatically express it, or as firm and steady as

possible.

[Sidenote: Saturday, 12th.]

[Sidenote: Some of the Artificers become alarmed and leave the Beacon.]

The gale still continuing from the S.E., the sea broke with great

violence both upon the Building and the Beacon. The former being 23

feet in height, the upper part of the crane erected on it having been

lifted from course to course as the building advanced, was now about

36 feet above the Rock. From observations made on the rise of the sea

by this crane, the artificers were enabled to estimate its height to

be about 50 feet above the Rock, while the sprays fell with a most

alarming noise upon their cabins. At low-water, in the evening, a

signal was made from the Beacon, at the earnest desire of some of

the artificers, for the boats to come to the Rock; and although this

could not be effected without considerable hazard, it was however

accomplished, when twelve of their number, being much afraid, applied

to the foreman to be relieved, and went on board of the Tender. But

the remaining fourteen continued on the Rock, with Mr Peter Logan, the

foreman builder. Although this rule of allowing an option to every man

either to remain on the Rock or return to the Tender, was strictly

adhered to; yet, as it would have been extremely inconvenient to have

had the men parcelled out in this manner, it became necessary to

embrace the first opportunity of sending those who had left the Beacon

to the workyard, with as little appearance of intention as possible,

lest it should hurt their feelings, or prevent others from acting

according to their wishes, either in landing on the Rock or remaining

on the Beacon.

[Sidenote: Sunday, 13th.]

[Sidenote: Effects of the late gale.]

All hands were employed at low-water to-day, in refitting the

sheer-crane at the eastern landing-place, and in adjusting other things

about the Beacon and Rock, which had been scattered and deranged during

the late gale. In particular, the guy-ropes of the cranes required to

be tightened; for, although they were of patent-cordage, and had often

been well tried, yet, upon this occasion, they were stretched and much

relaxed with the excessive motion of the sea. The whole appurtenances

of the mortar-gallery had been sent adrift; even the blacksmith’s

anvil was upset! and found lying at the foot of the Beacon, while his

bellows, and the greater part of the deals with which the floor was

laid, were forced up and carried away, with all the lime and cement

casks.

[Sidenote: Monday, 14th.]

The wind still continued from the S.E., and though blowing with less

force, yet the sea rolled over the Rock too heavily for approaching it

with building materials. But, in the course of the day, efforts were

made for getting the landing-apparatus again into a working state.

[Sidenote: Tuesday, 15th.]

[Sidenote: 5 stones laid.]

[Sidenote: The Writer takes possession of his cabin in the Beacon.]

The wind had fortunately shifted to the S.W. this morning, and though a

considerable breach was still upon the Rock, yet the landing-master’s

crew were enabled to get one Praam-boat, lightly loaded with five

stones, brought in safety to the western creek: these stones were

immediately laid by the artificers, who gladly embraced the return of

good weather to proceed with their operations. The writer had this day

taken possession of his cabin in the Beacon-house. It was small, but

commodious, and was found particularly convenient in coarse and blowing

weather, instead of being obliged to make a passage to the Tender in an

open boat, at all times, both during the day and the night, which was

often attended with much difficulty and danger.

[Sidenote: Wednesday, 16th.]

[Sidenote: 52 stones landed and 18 built.]

The sea was much run down to-day, but the wind from the west, prevented

the landing of stones on the western side of the Rock, and the repairs

of the sheer-crane were still incomplete. Captain Wilson undertook,

however, to land two Praam-boats of stones on the top of the building

at high-water. He accordingly laid the Hedderwick and Fernie in

succession, alongside of the building, and in this manner 30 stones

were landed; the repairs of the sheer-crane were completed, and during

the evening tide, other two praam-loads were landed at low-water at the

eastern creek, making in all 52 stones, of which 18 of the Twentieth

course were built.

[Sidenote: Thursday, 17th.]

The wind had shifted from W. to N.E. to-day, but the weather being

fine, 29 stones were landed, and 25 built.

[Sidenote: Friday, 18th.]

The weather is rather boisterous to-day, accompanied with rain, and

a considerable swell of sea. The two praam-boats, however, were got

to the Rock, when 16 stones were landed, which, with those already at

hand, finished the Twentieth and commenced the Twenty-first course.

[Sidenote: Saturday, 19th.]

[Sidenote: Floating-light boat loses her way.]

For some days past, the weather had been occasionally so thick and

foggy, that no small difficulty was experienced in going even between

the Rock and the Tender, though quite at hand. But the Floating-light’s

boat lost her way so far in returning on board that the first land

she made, after rowing all night, was Fifeness, a distance of about

14 miles, as will be seen from Plate IV. The weather having cleared

in the morning, the crew stood off again for the Floating-light, and

got on board in a half famished and much exhausted state, having been

constantly rowing for about 16 hours.

[Sidenote: 29 stones built.]

The wind shifted this morning from E. to S.W. with much rain. The sloop

Patriot returned from the Firth of Forth this forenoon, to which she

had been driven by the late gales. The weather being more favourable

to-day, 31 stones were landed on the Rock, and 29 stones were built,

with which the Twenty-first course was finished, which brings the

building to the height of 25 feet. The crane was also shifted, and

every preparation made for commencing with the next course.

[Sidenote: Sunday, 20th.]

[Sidenote: An entire course laid to-day. Prayers read on the Rock.]

The weather being very favourable to-day, 53 stones were landed,

and the builders were not a little gratified in having built the

Twenty-second course, consisting of 51 stones, being the first course

which had been completed in one day. This, as a matter of course,

produced three hearty cheers. At 12 noon, prayers were read for the

first time on the Bell Rock: those present, counting thirty, were

crowded into the upper apartment of the Beacon, where the writer took a

central position, while two of the artificers joining hands supported

the Bible.

[Sidenote: Monday, 21st.]

[Sidenote: Smeaton arrives with the last course of the solid.]

The wind was from the S.W. this morning, blowing fresh, with rain. The

Praam-boats, however, landed thirty-two stones, which were also built.

At 6 P. M. the Smeaton arrived from Arbroath, having on board the last

cargo of the solid part of the building. She was, of course, decorated

with all her colours; and, in compliment to the advanced state of the

work, there was a display of flags from the Floating-light and the

other vessels on the station, and also from the Beacon-house and the

Building itself.

[Sidenote: Tuesday, 22d.]

[Sidenote: Floating-light breaks adrift.]

During last night it blew excessively hard, and the operations to-day

were much interrupted by the breaking loose of the Floating-light. At

5 o’clock this morning an alarm was given throughout the Beacon-house

of this circumstance, when a signal was instantly made for the Tender

to get under way; at the same time one of her boats came to the Rock,

and the writer left the Beacon, and sailed with the Tender to the

assistance of the Floating-light. It was some time before the watch on

the deck had observed, by their greater distance from the buoy upon the

spare moorings, that the vessel had actually got adrift. Mr John Reid,

acting master, was immediately called, when the best bower anchor was

let go with a sufficient scope of cable, about a mile from her original

station. Here she was obliged to be left till the weather should become

moderate enough to admit of her being towed to her former station.

[Sidenote: Wednesday, 23d.]

From the untoward circumstance of the Floating-light’s breaking adrift,

the landing-master and his crew were fully employed with the Tender

in this service, so that no materials could be got landed on the Bell

Rock, either yesterday or to-day.

[Sidenote: Thursday, 24th.]

The wind was still from the westward, but had now moderated

considerably, when 28 stones of the Smeaton’s cargo were landed on the

Rock, and 14 blocks were laid, with which the Twenty-third course was

completed.

[Sidenote: Friday, 25th.]

[Sidenote: Building operations concluded for the season.]

To-day, the remainder of the Smeaton’s cargo was landed, and the

artificers laid 45 stones, which completed the Twenty-fourth course,

reckoning above the first entire one, and the twenty-sixth above the

Rock. This finished the solid part of the building, and terminated the

height of the outward casing of granite, which is 31 feet 6 inches

above the Rock or site of the foundation-stone, and about 17 feet above

high-water of spring-tides. Being a particular crisis in the progress

of the Light-house, the landing and laying of the last stone for the

season was observed with the usual ceremonies.

[Sidenote: Probable height of waves in free space.]

[Sidenote: Inducements for stopping the building operations.]

From observations often made by the writer, in so far as such can be

ascertained, it appears that no wave in the open seas, in an unbroken

state, rises more than from 7 to 9 feet above the general surface of

the ocean. The Bell Rock Light-house may therefore now be considered

as from 8 to 10 feet above the weight of the waves; and, although the

sprays and heavy seas have often been observed, in the present state

of the building, to rise to the height of 50 feet, and fall with a

tremendous noise on the Beacon-house, yet such seas were not likely

to make any impression on a mass of solid masonry, containing about

1400 tons: its form being at the same time circular, and diminishing

in diameter from the base to the top, as represented in the second

year’s work, Plate IX. It had for some time been a matter of doubt

with the writer, whether he might not attempt to carry the building to

the top of the stone stair-case, or 13 feet above the solid, the wall

being here of the medium thickness of 6 feet. Several considerations,

however, induced him to stop for the season with the completion of the

solid, especially as it left the work in a more entire and defensible

condition than if the door and part of the void had been built. One of

the chief objections to continuing the operations, was the dread of

encountering the gales experienced in former years early in the month

of September. Another special obstacle was the difficulty and danger

attending the guying or fixing of the present crane on the top of the

building, which had now got to too great a height for its stability,

as the guy-ropes which supported it were of the unmanageable length of

about 80 feet. Even in the month of July, as before noticed, this state

of things had become so obvious, that it was then determined to make

the crane upon a new construction, which was to be kept in equilibrium

by means of a balance-weight, and thus do away with the guy-ropes

altogether. This crane had accordingly been prepared, but, like most

machines upon a new construction, it was not found to operate in so

satisfactory a manner as to warrant its immediate removal to the Bell

Rock. It was therefore resolved rather to perfect the Balance-crane in

the course of the winter months, and begin with a better prospect of

success in the spring. The building operations were therefore brought

to a conclusion; and the writer now took his leave of the Bell Rock

till the ensuing season, excepting in so far as an occasional visit

might occur.

[Sidenote: Tuesday, 29th.]

The Floating-light had been made fast to the spare moorings to-day,

but those which had given way were again fished up, when she was towed

back to her former station for the winter. It appeared that one of the

shackles had got loose when she went adrift.

[Sidenote: Wednesday, 30th.]

[Sidenote: Tender to continue her station, and Beacon to be occupied

for a time.]

From the 25th till the 30th, the seamen and artificers were busily

employed, at the proper time of tide, in removing every thing from the

Rock that was not farther wanted for the season, and in securing such

things as were to be left. It was still necessary, however, to keep

the Tender on the station, and also to occupy the Beacon-house, and to

retain the floor of the open gallery for the smiths, as an additional

strut or support was to be erected on the inside of each of the six

principal beams of the Beacon. There were also 36 strong tie-bars of

malleable-iron to be bolted to these beams, in a horizontal direction,

as represented in Plate VIII., in lieu of the bracing-chains, which

were not found to answer, for connecting the whole together.

[Sidenote: Congratulations on the Artificers returning ashore after

several months’ absence.]

These operations being arranged with Mr Francis Watt, as foreman, the

whole of the artificers left the Rock at mid-day, when the Tender

made sail for Arbroath, which she reached about 6 P. M. The vessel

being decorated with colours, and having fired a salute of three

guns on approaching the harbour, the work-yard artificers, with a

multitude of people, assembled at the harbour, when mutual cheering

and congratulations took place between those afloat and those on the

quays. The Tender had now, with little exception, been six months on

the station at the Bell Rock, and, during the last four months, few of

the squad of builders had been ashore. In particular, Mr Peter Logan,

the foreman, and Mr Robert Selkirk, principal builder, had never once

left the Rock. The artificers having made good wages during their stay,

like seamen upon a return-voyage, were extremely happy, and spent the

evening with much innocent mirth and jollity.

[Sidenote: 1809, September.]

[Sidenote: Reflections on the very proper conduct of the Artificers.]

In reflecting upon the state of matters at the Bell Rock, during the

working months, when the writer was much with the artificers, nothing

can equal the happy manner in which these excellent workmen spent

their time. They always went from Arbroath to their arduous task

cheering, and they generally returned in the same hearty state. While

at the Rock, between the tides, they amused themselves in reading,

fishing, music, playing cards, drafts, &c. or in sporting with one

another. In the work-yard at Arbroath, the young men were almost,

without exception, employed in the evening at school, in writing and

arithmetic, and not a few were learning architectural drawing, for

which they had every convenience and facility, and were, in a very

obliging manner, assisted in their studies by Mr David Logan, Clerk of

Works. It therefore affords the most pleasing reflections, to look back

upon the pursuits of about 60 individuals, who, for years, conducted

themselves, on all occasions, in a sober and rational manner.

[Sidenote: Tuesday, 5th.]

[Sidenote: Tender again returns to her station at the Rock.]

The operations at the Bell Rock for the remainder of the season being

confined to the lower parts of the Beacon and Railways, were chiefly

low-water works. The Tender had again been fitted out for her station,

with a supply of provisions and necessaries for ten seamen and nineteen

artificers, carrying with her supplies for the Floating-light and

Beacon-house. At 11 A. M. she left Arbroath on this service; but the

wind being S.E., it was not till Thursday the 7th, at 8 o’clock P. M.

that she was made fast to her moorings.

[Sidenote: Friday, 8th.]

[Sidenote: Experiences very bad weather.]

At 6 o’clock this morning, Mr Watt, with eighteen artificers, landed on

the Rock, commenced the work, and remained on the Beacon till Thursday,

the 14th, when the vessel returned to Arbroath, having had extremely

boisterous weather, and been twice obliged during that period to

slip and leave her moorings. The prevailing winds were S.E., and the

barometer oscillated between 29.5 and 29.60.

[Sidenote: Monday, 17th.]

[Sidenote: Writer makes a trip to Flamborough-head Light-house.]

Looking forward with confidence to the completion of the Bell Rock

Light-house in the course of the next year, the writer, with much

expectation, began to prepare every part of the establishment. He had

early anticipated the necessity of fixing upon the description of light

which would be necessary for characterising and distinguishing its

range or compartment of the coast. With this in view, he had already

made a train of experiments with shades of different coloured glass

at Inchkeith Light-house, the result of which tended to shew that

light passing through Red-coloured shades, alternating with periodic

intervals of Darkness, and light of the Natural appearance, were

the most effectual and suitable means for answering this purpose.

Notwithstanding that his opinion on this subject was quite decided,

he was still desirous of seeing the effect produced by the light of

Flamborough-head, on the coast of Yorkshire, which was the first

erection of this description on the British coast, and had, indeed,

been only lately exhibited. That his observations might therefore be

the more certain and complete, he embarked in the sloop Smeaton, on the

16th of this month, reached the Yorkshire coast on the 18th, and in the

course of that night had the light in view, at various distances, both

in clear and foggy weather, which extended the range of his remarks.

[Sidenote: Experiences a sudden gale of wind.]

In the course of this night, the wind blew fresh from the S.W., and

an immense number of large vessels, chiefly in the Coal-trade, passed

our small ship, which obliged the crew to keep a sharp look-out, to

avoid the imminent danger of being run down, especially after the

weather became thick. As our course lay close to Flamborough-head,

we had several hairbreadth escapes; for the vessel had no sooner put

about to avoid the land, than she was in danger of being run foul of

by the passing vessels. In this situation things remained from about 1

o’clock on the morning of the 19th till 5, when, all of a sudden, the

wind shifted, in the most surprising manner, from W.SW. to N.W., when

the weather immediately clearing, was succeeded by a heavy gale, which

forced our ship into Burlington-Bay, where she was safely anchored.

[Sidenote: Storm described.]

[Sidenote: Great want of a Public Harbour on this coast.]

As this was one of the most extraordinary tornadoes that the writer

ever witnessed, he will endeavour to give some account of it. On the

morning of the 18th, the day preceding the storm, when off Scarborough,

he had requested to be called early, that he might see the coast, and

enjoy the sight of the rising sun. The weather was then extremely

fine, but the sun had a most piercingly brilliant appearance as it

came into view upon the horizon; and he was assured by Captain Pool,

that the general aspect of the heavens indicated a change of weather

for the worse. In the course of the 18th the sky became cloudy, and

the wind shifted from point to point, but prevailed chiefly from the

S.W. At midnight, the weather was foggy, and the wind blew so fresh

that the second reef was taken into the Smeaton’s mainsail, and her

topmast was struck. During the whole of the night, a fleet of vessels

passed to the northward with a fair wind: these were understood to be

colliers, in ballast, on their return voyage from London to Sunderland

and Newcastle. At 5 A. M., however, while the Smeaton was lying-to,

and waiting for day light, the wind shifted so suddenly to N.W., that

it appeared to those below as if she had been upset, or had run upon

a rock. In an instant all was bustle and confusion, till the vessel

was got before the wind. The writer being in bed, immediately sprung

up, and, on inquiring into the matter, the answer was, “It blows mere

fire.” The man at the helm, at the same time, pointed out a vessel in

a disabled state, having been dismasted with the sudden change of the

wind. Our small bark was fortunately in the opening of Burlington Bay,

where she got to an anchor about 6 o’clock A. M. In the course of the

day, not fewer than 160 vessels took shelter in the same place, many of

them in a mutilated and dismantled state, having, to use a sea phrase,

had their sails “split in ribbons;” and two were towed into the Bay,

one of which, a large brig, already alluded to, was totally dismasted.

Such a scene, arising from what may be termed a “Summer’s Gale,” had

rarely been seen on this coast. Three vessels were also driven ashore

and wrecked in Robin Hood Bay, a few miles north of Flamborough-head,

and several others, as the writer afterwards learned, had been stranded

on various parts of the coast, between Yarmouth Roads and the Shetland

Islands. The want of some place of refuge for the extensive shipping

of this coast in disastrous circumstances like the present, is very

apparent. Had there been a harbour at Bridlington of sufficient

capacity for large ships, perhaps not fewer than 100 sail would have

refitted there, which were obliged to go to sea in a very crippled

condition. Probably a _Northern Ramsgate_ could not be better set down

than here or somewhere upon the Norfolk coast.

[Sidenote: Progress of the gale along the coast.]

The writer is the more particular in noticing the anomalous state of

the weather on this occasion, because the progress of this gale seems

to have been comparatively slow. It appeared upon inquiry, from the

date of various shipwrecks, to have visited Shetland on the evening

of the 17th, Peterhead on the 18th, and Yarmouth at noon of that day.

Now, as the distance between Sumburgh-head in Shetland and Yarmouth

is about 430 miles, and if we allow 42 hours, as nearly as could be

ascertained, for the progress of the wind between these points, it thus

appears that the N.W. gale had not made its way against the S.W. wind,

at a greater rate than about 10 miles per hour, though, from a train of

experiments made in the neighbourhood of Leith, by Mr Andrew Waddell,

F. R. S. E., and obligingly communicated to the writer, he has often

observed the velocity of the wind to be about 60 miles per hour. But

here we cannot enough regret the want of an efficient Anemometer, or

instrument for measuring the force of the wind. Indeed, we hardly know

any desideratum of more universal interest, for, notwithstanding the

labours of Lind and others on this subject, from the want of a proper

scale, we are still groping in the dark with the use of such indefinite

terms, as “Light airs, inclining to calm,”--“Fresh breezes,”--“Fresh

gales,”--“Hard gales,”--and “Very hard gales;” for it rarely happens

that the sailor will admit the term “Storm” into his nomenclature.

[Sidenote: Monday, 25th.]

[Sidenote: Mr B. Mills suggests distinguishing-lights with colours.]

Having landed at Bridlington on the 20th, the writer had the pleasure

of meeting with Mr Benjamin Mills, Collector of the Customs there, and

agent for Flamborough-head Light-house. This gentleman accompanied

the writer to the Light-house, about six miles distant. He was also

at pains to explain the mode in which he had originally proposed the

erection of a Distinguishing-light, from oil, with reflectors, for

this station; as a Coal-light, formerly here, had long since been

actually extinguished, on account of its being often mistaken for other

lights on the coast. Mr Mills, observing the consequent disasters to

shipping on these shores, proposed to construct a Revolving-light,

distinguishable by means of colours, the machinery to be kept in motion

by the agency of a neighbouring rill of water. Though the apparatus

described to the writer seemed, upon the whole, not very applicable

in practice, yet it is believed that Mr Mills was the first who

suggested the idea of a distinguishing light, by means of coloured

shades of glass. Some useful remarks having been made on the effects of

Flamborough-head light, the writer sailed for the Firth of Forth, and

reached Edinburgh on Monday the 25th.

[Sidenote: Voyage to the Northern Lights.]

Soon afterwards, he embarked at Greenock in the Light-house Yacht, on

his annual voyage for the inspection of the Northern Light-houses,

proceeding down the Clyde by the Mull of Kintyre, through the sounds

of the Western Islands to Cape Wrath and the Orkneys, and from thence,

along the eastern coast to the Firth of Forth, which he reached in the

beginning of November; when he found the Bell Rock works about to be

concluded.

[Sidenote: 1809, November.]

[Sidenote: State of the works when concluded for the season.]

The complement of artificers which had been employed at the Rock, and

lodged in the Beacon-house, from the period of completing the building

operations in the month of August, till November, was twenty-four, who,

as before noticed, were chiefly employed in fixing additional supports

to the Beacon, and in extending and completing the Railways leading

to the western creek. The works therefore, were only continued during

the period of spring-tides; and in neap-tides the artificers returned

to the work-yard. The plate-iron-forge, anvil, and other weighty

articles, had been removed from the Beacon, and set up in a centrical

position on the top of the building, where the smiths had been for

some time at work: the rope-ladder of communication, which had been

found so useful this season, was taken down, and every thing arranged

in the most compact and orderly manner for the winter. In the course

of these latter operations, the Tender had been twice obliged to slip

her moorings, and leave the artificers upon the Beacon. At one of these

times, she proceeded for Leith Roads, when Mr Watt stated that very

bad weather had been experienced on the Beacon, and that, on several

occasions, considerable alarm was felt, more particularly when the

Tender was driven off her station, the artificers conceiving themselves

in a more forlorn and helpless situation while she was out of view.

Having made the necessary arrangements for the Rock being visited

during the winter months, the writer left the works on the 8th November.

[Sidenote: Wednesday, 22d.]

[Sidenote: The prop of the crane is demolished.]

The Tender sailed to-day at 2 P. M., and next morning at 8, Mr Watt and

five artificers were landed from two boats, and remained on the Rock

till 11, when they had great difficulty in returning to the vessel, as

the wind blew fresh from the N.E. The boats were no sooner hoisted on

board, than, instead of sailing for Arbroath, the Tender was obliged to

steer for Leith Roads, where she lay till the 29th: she then again made

sail for Arbroath; but, from the severity of the weather, was put past

her port, and went into Montrose. When the artificers landed, at this

time, they found that the prop of the lower building-crane had been

demolished during the late gales, and that the stones were scattered

about the Rock in every direction, having done considerable damage to

the contiguous Railways.

[Sidenote: 1809, December.]

[Sidenote: Thursday, 14th.]

[Sidenote: Artificers again visit the Rock. A large buoy has drifted.]

The Tender sailed early in the morning of the 14th December for the

Rock, having on board six artificers and twelve seamen, with a supply

of provisions for the Floating-light. The artificers landed in the

evening, and though the tide did not leave the Railways, every thing

appeared to be in the same state as at their former visit. Two of the

large stones which had formed the prop of the crane, had been thrown

forcibly against the Beacon; but it was impossible, under the present

circumstances, to effect their removal. The large buoy placed upon the

spare moorings of the Floating-light, had drifted between the night of

the 9th and the morning of the 10th December, the wind then blowing

hard at S.SW.; and the two spar-beacons, attached to small mushroom

anchors, used as a direction to the western creek, had also been washed

away during the same gale. But, on the whole, no material damage had

been sustained either at the Rock or on board of the Floating-light.

[Sidenote: Saturday, 8th.]

[Sidenote: Artificers visit the Rock. Floating-light has had bad

weather.]

At 3 o’clock this morning, the Tender sailed for the Rock, and carried

off a mushroom-anchor and chain, which were laid down as spare-moorings

for the Floating-light, to be in readiness in case of her accidentally

drifting, as the season would not admit of the old moorings being

grappled for. On landing the artificers, they found every thing much

in the same state as at their former visit, excepting two additional

lengths of the Railways, extending to about eight feet, which had

been broken by the loose stones of the prop of the crane. The crew of

the Floating-light had also experienced some very bad weather, and on

several occasions the ship is represented as having laboured much.

In particular, on the 15th, with the wind at S.E., when in the act

of swinging round to the tide, she was boarded by a heavy sea which

unshipped the boats; and found its way below, in such quantity, that it

extinguished the fires, and created considerable alarm; but the vessel,

being strongly built, and well found in all her materials, sustained no

damage.

Having now gone through the journal of the Bell Rock operations for the

year 1809, we shall proceed with a narrative of the works for the year

1810, in the course of which the Bell Rock Light-house was completed.