CHAPTER VII.

ACCOUNT OF THE BELL ROCK LIGHT-HOUSE, FROM ITS COMPLETION IN 1810

TILL THE YEAR 1823, INCLUDING A STATEMENT OF THE EXPENCE OF THE WORK.

[Sidenote: 1811, January.]

When the artificers left the Bell Rock, on the 27th of December 1810,

Mr Forrest’s first object was to take down the rope-ladder, distended

in a horizontal position between the entrance-door of the Light-house

and the mortar-gallery of the Beacon, as it prevented the door from

being conveniently shut, and thereby occasioned a draught of air

through the several apartments, rendering the house uncomfortable, and

proving injurious to the lustre of the reflectors. In lieu of this,

another rope-ladder, fitted with wooden steps, was suspended from a

Lewis-bat, inserted into the sill of the door. This ladder, when hauled

up, was stowed in the passage, and thus admitted of the door being shut.

[Sidenote: Fresh Provisions fall short at the Light-house.]

During the last fortnight of the month of January 1811, the weather had

been very unsteady, with gales of wind chiefly from the eastward; which

prevented the Light-house Yacht, now acting as Tender, from sailing

for the Rock till Thursday the 17th. Mr Forrest and the light-keepers

were found in good health, and busily employed in their respective

operations, now nearly brought to a close. No communication having been

had with the shore for the last three weeks, their stock of fresh meat

and vegetables was expended; and, looking forward to the possibility of

a continuation of similar weather, they had begun to economise the fuel

and water before this day’s supply came to hand.

[Sidenote: A supply is received.]

The next trip which the Yacht made to the Rock was on Tuesday the 29th.

A letter from Mr Forrest stated, that he had received a very full

supply of every thing, both for the light-room and provision-store,

and added, “Let the weather be how it will, we shall not be in want

even of the most trifling article, for a month to come.”

[Sidenote: February.]

[Sidenote: Friday, 1st.]

[Sidenote: The Light is exhibited.]

The day long wished for, on which the mariner was to see a light

exhibited on the Bell Rock, at length arrived. Captain Wilson, as

usual, hoisted the Float’s lanterns to the topmast on the evening

of the 1st of February; but the moment that the light appeared on

the Rock, the crew, giving three cheers, lowered them, and finally

extinguished the lights. The Yacht had sailed on the 31st of January,

for the purpose of taking this ship in tow for Leith, as being no

longer necessary here; but in the course of that night, it came to blow

so excessively hard from E.SE., that she was obliged to bear away for

the Firth of Forth, leaving the Floating-light at her moorings.

[Sidenote: Friday, 8th.]

[Sidenote: A Storm occurs when the House is lighted.]

On the 9th, the Yacht returned, and, although a very heavy sea then

ran upon the Rock, a landing was effected with a boat-load of coals,

water, and fresh provisions. Mr Forrest states in his letter at this

time, that every thing on the 1st of February, had been found to answer

to his entire satisfaction. He, however, mentions, that the wind blew

excessively hard during the three first days after the house was

lighted, and that the sprays had risen to the height of 80 feet upon

the building. He adds, that, in the course of this gale, all hands

had kept watch without intermission for twenty-four hours, with the

storm-window-frames at hand, in case of accident, as the plates of

glass on the windward side of the light-room had shaken loose, and, by

the continued violence of the wind, the putty had been “wrought quite

thin, and was softened like mortar.” These plates of glass, measuring

each 32½ inches by 26¼ inches, were so fitted with brass-guards

that they could not possibly be blown out, in an entire state, but were

in some danger of being broken, by pressing upon the window-sashes

while the putty was thus softened. Mr Taylor, who upon this occasion

commanded the Yacht, had considerable difficulty in approaching the

Light-house, and observes, “There being now no attending-boat to

accompany our landings at the Rock, I find we must not run such risks

as formerly, as, in the event of an accident happening to us singly,

no assistance can be got. To-day, one of those heavy rolling seas

struck the boat, and pitched her upon one of the ledges, but she was

got afloat again before the next breach of the sea reached her, and was

afterwards carried like a shot out of the creek.”

[Sidenote: Tuesday, 12th.]

[Sidenote: Floating-light puts into Anstruther.]

The wind having shifted to the west, with moderate weather, the Yacht

sailed from Arbroath to-day, to take charge of the Floating-light.

Having accordingly received a hawser on board, she cast off the

chain-cable moorings, on which a buoy was placed, it being impossible,

at this time, to lift the mushroom-anchor. The wind was then at

N.NE., and the crew were all extremely happy in the prospect of soon

finishing their task, declaring that they had been more tired of the

Floating-light during the last twelve days, than all the time they

had been on board of her. At 10 P. M., the wind suddenly shifted to

W.NW., and when abreast of the Island of May they wore-ship, for the

Floating-light was so unmanageable that she could not be stayed or

tacked in the usual manner. They then stood to the north shore, and

anchored off Crail during the night, in seven fathoms water. On the

14th, the wind being still down the Firth , it occupied the whole period

of the flood-tide to get about six miles to windward, and night coming

on, Captains Wilson and Taylor concluded that it would be most prudent

for them to put into Anstruther harbour, and there wait for a fair

wind. While the Floating-light lay here, the Yacht made a trip to the

Bell Rock, and relieved the Light-keepers, when all was found well.

[Sidenote: Some of her Crew get married.]

At Anstruther a great deal of interest was felt, and people even

flocked from a considerable distance, to see a vessel which had been

moored, for nearly four years, off the Bell Rock. The singularity and

simplicity of her rigging attracted the attention particularly of

nautical men, while the thick bed of sea-weed and shell-fish on her

bottom, was matter of surprise to every one. The crew had also become

so well acquainted in this port, and the neighbouring fishing-towns,

that some of them had got married, and if the vessel had remained

another week or two in port, the probability is that she would not have

had an unmarried man on board.

[Sidenote: State of the Floating-light’s bottom.]

[Sidenote: 1811, March.]

The Floating-light at length arrived at Leith, on the 8th of March,

after a passage of no less than three weeks from her station. The

account given of the marine productions on the ship’s bottom, had

excited the curiosity of several of the writer’s friends; and, on her

arrival, he was accompanied by the Reverend Dr Fleming of Flisk, Dr

Leach of the British Museum, and Mr Patrick Neill, Secretary to the

Wernerian Society, who examined, with great attention, the numerous

crustaceous, testaceous and molluscous animals, and zoophytes, which

still adhered in great numbers to her bottom. Mussels of the species

called Mytilus pellucidus, were abundant: they were of a large size,

the striæ on the shells measuring 3½ inches in length, by 1¼ inch

in breadth. Some of the common acorn-shell, Balanus communis, were

so large as 1½ inch in diameter. The sea-weeds were chiefly Fucus

digitatus and esculentus, and were in general 4 or 5 feet in length.

During the time the Floating-light had rode off the Bell Rock, the crew

had made a regular practice of picking off considerable quantities of

the mussels for fishing-bait for the several vessels in the Light-house

service, and also for the artificers at the Rock. It was therefore

chiefly in the runs and lower parts of the bottom, where they had never

been disturbed, that the animals were in the greatest numbers; and

here also the fuci were longest. Next to the keel, the writer measured

a compact bed of these mussels and vermes, of the depth of from six

to eight inches; and Captain Wilson, upon first seeing her bottom at

Anstruther, described it in his letter to be a “complete mussel-scalp.”

The timber of the ship, however, was quite sound.

[Sidenote: Sunday, 24th.]

[Sidenote: The Light-keepers get their turns of liberty ashore.]

The Light-house Yacht had no sooner got her troublesome charge safely

into port, to be dismantled and sold, than she returned to the Rock,

to supply the Light-house and shift the keepers; but such was the

boisterous state of the weather, that no landing could be made till the

22d, when Mr John Reid relieved Mr John Bonyman, who went ashore in his

turn. The Yacht then steered for Leith, when the command of that vessel

was given to Captain Wilson, while Captain Taylor took charge of the

Bell Rock Tender,--situations for which their services had respectively

qualified them.

[Sidenote: Letter from the Superintendant Light-keeper.]

The Yacht, when last at the Rock, brought a letter from Mr Forrest, in

answer to a number of queries, on points to which his attention had

been directed, during his residence in the Light-house. He replied with

so much intelligence and correctness of observation, that it may be

proper here to give his letter verbatim.

_Bell Rock Light-house, 14th March 1811._

“SIR,

“I received your letter of the 7th of January, desiring me to give

you an account of every particular occurrence at the Bell Rock during

the winter, including the effects of the sea on the building, the

comfortableness of the Light-house as a dwelling, and the ability of

the light-keepers for their duty. In answer, I will now endeavour to

give you the information wanted, which I shall do in the order of

the particulars which you sent me, having, in consequence of your

instructions, noticed every thing about the place.

[Sidenote: Effects of the sea on the building.]

“Nothing extraordinary happened from the time I came here, on

the 15th day of December, till the 1st day of February, when the

house was lighted to the public. On that night, it appeared as if

nature, on the first lighting of the house, were making trial of the

sufficiency of the building. During all that night and the following

day, there was nothing to be seen but the sea covered with foam as

far as the eye could reach. The only damage we sustained, was the

loosening of a number of the panes of glass, which I noticed to you

in a former letter. During the gale, the sprays did not rise higher

than the bed-room windows, or about 70 feet above the level of the

sea. I paid particular attention to your directions, as to whether

I could feel the house shake; but I was not then very sensible of

this effect, the tides being neap, though, at the time of high-water,

there was a kind of vibration felt when the sea did not break till

it reached the building. The most sensible feeling, however, of this

kind which we have, is when there is a very heavy ground-swell after

a gale at N.E. On these occasions, the sea rises at intervals on the

building, till the sprays are stopped in their course upwards by

the cornice; but this only happens when the heavy swell occurs with

spring-tides. On the 15th of February, we felt the vibration very

sensibly, which had not so much the effect of shaking, as that of the

tremor produced by the striking of the alarm bells, on the balcony of

the Light-house, in foggy weather, when the storm-shutters, windows,

and hatches are shut. During some gales from the S.E., especially

when the wind continues two or three days from that quarter, the seas

rise to a great height. At high-water, on these occasions, I have

observed the Beacon-house, for perhaps a second or two, completely

covered with waves and sprays. But every thing about that fabric

remains quite entire, without the least damage that I can discover.

[Sidenote: State of the Wagon-ways.]

“I have done all in my power, with the assistance of the

light-keepers, to preserve the waggon-ways, and we have frequently

forgot ourselves in working at them, till the tide was too far

advanced; and, in stormy weather, have been obliged to make a

precipitate retreat up the rope-ladder, after a complete wetting.

Some of the reaches are notwithstanding much broken up, and it will

be a great pity if the remainder do not stand till the summer

months, when they can be properly secured; for, at times, in the

course of this winter, the Tender’s boat has brought us supplies,

when, but for the waggon-ways, it would have been just the same as

going to destruction, to have attempted a landing.

[Sidenote: Remarkable effects of the sea in lifting a piece of lead.]

“I often take pleasure in looking at the seas breaking upon the

Light-house, and it is awfully grand, at the time of high-water, to

observe the sprays rising to such a height on the building, and even

to be on the Rock at low-water, when the waves are about to break.

Being in a manner only a few yards distant, they approach as if they

were about to overwhelm us altogether. But now that we are accustomed

to such scenes, we think little of it. You will perhaps form a better

idea of the force of the sea, during these gales, when I relate to

you, that, on the 15th of February, the large piece of lead that was

used as the back weight of the balance-crane, weighing 4 cwt. 3 qrs.

17 lb., or nearly a quarter of a ton, was fairly lifted by the sea,

and carried to the distance of six feet from the hole, in which it

had lain since the month of August. It was now found turned with the

ring-bolt downwards, and it was with great difficulty that four of us

could muster strength enough to return it to its former shelf in the

Rock.

[Sidenote: Direction of the seas which have most effect upon the

Light-house.]

“All the observations which I have made regarding the effects of the

seas and weather on the Light-house, while I have been here, lead me

to conclude, that when the wind is from the S., S.W., W., N.W., and

even N., the sea has little effect on the building; but, from south

to north-easterly, the force of the waves is considerable, especially

when it comes to blow hard. During the gale of the 22d February, I

remarked, that even the heaviest seas, if they broke before they came

to the foot of the building, slipped past without giving the least

shock to the house; and it is only a very few of the waves that reach

the building, in the course of a tide, which cause the vibration

alluded to; but we fear those seas only which come from the NE., as

they break close upon the house. I may say, in general, that the

higher or stronger the wind is, the less power the sea has on the

Light-house; the heaviest seas being accompanied with little wind, or

occurring after the gale has abated.

[Sidenote: Comfortable state of the building.]

“With regard to the comfort of this building as a dwelling, I had no

other expectation but that, on account of the sea-air, and newness of

the walls, the house would have, in the first instance, been damp. It

is, however, the very reverse of this, and I may confidently say,

that it is as dry round the inside walls, and on the floors, as any

house in Edinburgh. This may be chiefly occasioned by the smoke-tube

which passes from the kitchen through the upper floors to the cupola

of the Light-room, which contributes greatly to the dry state of the

building; but we even find the store-rooms and stair-case, which,

as yet, have not the benefit of a fire, also comparatively free of

dampness. As a proof of this, it may be noticed, that the lower

parts of the house dry pretty readily when the floors are washed,

excepting, indeed, when a heavy sea runs, and some water comes in at

the checks of the windows, and partially wets the lower apartments.

It is, however, impossible entirely to keep out wetness at windows,

which, for conveniency, must be made to open, especially when so

great a body of water occasionally presses upon them. As to the

warmth of the house, ever since we got _The Jacob’s ladder_ taken

down, and the Entrance-door shut, we have been very comfortable.

I never heard the least complaint on this head from any of the

Light-keepers, and it is a general remark that we are warmer here

than ashore.

[Sidenote: Qualifications of the Light-keepers.]

“With regard to your inquiries about the Light-keepers, I may

remark, that Mr John Reid, the principal keeper, appears to like

his situation very well, though, at first, when the sea struck hard

upon the building, he seemed rather sad, and was perhaps not so

confident about it. When he was in that mood, I used to cheer him

by telling him it was only a fancy; and as he is a very sensible

man, and originally bred a seaman and carpenter, his mind readily

complies with a belief in our safety. Mr John Bonyman, the principal

assistant, appears to take well with his situation; and having been

personally employed as a mason from first to last in the erection,

and more fully understanding its nature, he always keeps himself very

easy upon this point. Mr Henry Leask, though formerly a shipmaster,

yet having for several years been a light-keeper, has been much at

home with his family, and his attention is naturally drawn more

towards them; however, he appears quite satisfied, though he does

not speak very confidently about our habitation, but shrugs up his

shoulders, and looks strange when he feels the tremor of the house.

As to their qualifications as light-keepers, I have not the least

hesitation in stating, that Mr Reid and his assistants are now

fully competent for their duty. We proceed agreeably to our written

instructions, though there are some parts of them which I shall take

the liberty of submitting to you for alteration.

[Sidenote: 1811, April.]

[Sidenote: Manner in which they spend their time.]

“I will now let you know how we come on with what I may call our

_domestic life_. When the duty of the house is over for the day,

we generally take a walk on the waggon-ways, and search about the

crevices of the rock for small fishes, when the state of the tides

and weather permit; but when that is not the case, we content

ourselves without it, and find amusement in reading a small library,

consisting of about a dozen of volumes of one kind or other,

collected among us; and you know we have the progressive numbers of

the Scots Magazine and the Weekly Chronicle, which we receive as

regularly as the situation of the place will admit. I may further

notice, that it gives the Light-keepers much pleasure to learn that

Mr Slight has received orders, in fitting up the strangers’ room, to

provide it with a book-case, which we understand the Commissioners

are to supply with books. On Sunday, we attend to the general rule of

the service, doing no more work in the Light-room than is necessary,

cleaning only the reflectors, lamp-glasses and windows, operations

which are usually over at this season about 12 o’clock, after which

we meet for prayers, and read two or three chapters of the Bible.

“I have perhaps tired you with this long letter, but I could not

give you the description you wanted in fewer words. I shall only

further add, that we all remain in good health, and that every thing

connected with the Light-room apparatus is in good order.--I am, &c.

&c.

“JOHN FORREST”

“_To Mr Robert Stevenson_,

“_Engineer for Northern Light-houses_.”

[Sidenote: Friday, 2d.]

[Sidenote: They are left in full possession of the house.]

From this very satisfactory communication, it was evident that the

Light-house might now be left under the charge of Mr Reid and his

assistants. The Tender accordingly sailed this morning, carrying off Mr

Bonyman, who had been at Arbroath on leave; when Mr Forrest, who had

been upwards of three months at the Rock, came on shore, leaving Mr

Reid to instruct his third assistant, Michael Wishart, the mason who

had been so severely hurt on the 30th June 1809, by the fall of the

moveable beam-crane.

[Sidenote: Progress of the ulterior works.]

[Sidenote: 1811, May.]

The houses erecting at Arbroath for the families of the Light-keepers,

were roofed over in the month of May; at which period, the signal-tower

for communicating with the Light-house, represented in Plate XII.,

had attained to half its height, or about 30 feet. The shipping at

this station consisted only of the Smeaton as Bell Rock Tender, the

other vessels which had been employed in carrying on the work, having

been disposed of by public sale. As soon as the weather permitted,

the artificers went off to the Rock to put the Railways in a state of

repair after the gales of winter; for this purpose, the Beacon-house

was still extremely useful as a smith’s shop, while it also served as a

store for the implements and bulky articles connected with the fitting

up of the interior of the Light-house.

[Sidenote: The Lord Justice-Clerk Hope, and a party embark for the Bell

Rock.]

On the 24th of July, Lord Justice-Clerk Hope, Lord Boyle, Dr Hope, Mr

Hamilton, and Mr James Spreull, besides Lady Charlotte Hope and Mrs

Hamilton, embarked at Leith in the Light-house Yacht, to visit the Bell

Rock. The wind being at SW., and blowing hard, the vessel had to put

into Arbroath till the 26th, which prevented the Lord Justice-Clerk

and his Lady from visiting the Light-house; but the rest of the party

having remained, they had a most convenient landing on the Rock; were

highly gratified with their visit, and returned in the Yacht to Leith

on the 28th.

[Sidenote: 1811, September.]

[Sidenote: State of things at the Rock.]

In the course of his annual voyage to the Northern Light-houses,

the writer, on the 27th September, touched at Arbroath, and had the

satisfaction to find that the Light-keepers’ houses were nearly in a

habitable state, while the Signal-tower was ready for the plaster-work.

Having landed on the following day at the Bell Rock, with Mr James

Haldane, who had accompanied him thither on his first visit in the

year 1800, they did not fail to express their mutual congratulations

on the successful result of those operations which, on the former

occasion, had been contemplated at a very distant view. On examining

the Light-house, every thing was found to be in good order, and Mr

Reid, and his assistants, quite satisfied with their habitation. Mr

Dove had completed the copper flag-staff, and also the iron-grating

on the outside of the Light-room, for the greater conveniency of

cleaning the windows: Mr Slight had made great progress in fitting

up the oak partitions, beds, and interior finishing of the house;

and had dismantled the upper parts of the Beacon-house, which was

now reduced to its state in 1809, as represented in Plate VIII. At

low-water, all hands were engaged at the Railways to fortify them also

for withstanding the storms of winter; and it was chiefly for this

purpose that the principal beams of the Beacon-house were preserved on

the Rock. It had been originally intended to erect a stone-slip for the

conveniency of landing, till, from experience, it was found that the

iron Railways were more suitable to the circumstances of the place than

solid masonry; the waves acting with much more force on the solid wall,

than on the open railways.

[Sidenote: Tender goes adrift.]

On the 12th of this month, the Smeaton having been, for several days,

at the Rock, landing stores and articles for the artificers, unluckily

broke adrift by the failure of the mooring-chain. As it came to blow

fresh from W. NW., she narrowly escaped shipwreck; and having been

driven eastward as far as Dunnottar Castle, it was not till Tuesday

the 15th that she returned. This shewed the uncertainty of making the

Tender fast to moorings at the Rock, excepting in fine weather, and

pointed out the propriety of keeping her under-way, during her future

casual attendance for the supply of the Light-house. This arrangement,

however, required that the mate and one seaman should be left on board,

while the master and other two were at work in the boat.

[Sidenote: Boats suitable for the Bell Rock.]

[Sidenote: “Bruce’s boat.”]

It may here be noticed, that a boat, in order to be at once safe and

convenient for landing at the Bell Rock, should measure not more than

from 14 to 16 feet in length of keel. A boat, therefore, of a proper

size for parties visiting the Light-house from the shore, will be

found too large for landing at the Rock; because, when she has still

a depth of water to float her into the several creeks, the tide has

not sufficiently ebbed to afford shelter from the breach of the sea,

even when there is but a slight swell on the Rock. In like manner, she

requires to lie too long in floating off again, and is consequently

more apt to be damaged than a smaller boat. A decked vessel, with

a float-boat of the dimensions mentioned above, is the safest; or,

if a large open boat is used to go from the shore, it should not be

less than 20 feet in length of keel, carrying a small boat, upon the

plan of “Bruce’s Two-half boat.” This description of craft may be

conveniently stowed into the fore-peak of a large boat, and, when put

to use, the two-halves are screwed together with great facility, and

used with perfect safety as one boat. For this ingenious contrivance,

the public are indebted to the late Mr James Bruce, of the Naval Yard

establishment, Leith.

[Sidenote: Light-house Stove takes fire.]

Owing to inattention on the part of the Light-keepers, the chimney

of the temporary stove, which, for the present, was fitted up in the

kitchen, had been allowed, on the 20th of this month, to take fire; and

though the surrounding apparatus was proof against burning, yet the

heat of the tube, which passes through the Light-room, so cracked and

damaged six of the squares of plate-glass, that it was judged proper to

replace them with others from the stock on hand.

[Sidenote: 1811, November.]

[Sidenote: Sprays rise to the height of the Light-room.]

The month of November set in with S.E. winds, and the tides and sea

upon the shores of the Firth of Forth, rose higher than had been

observed for the last thirty years. During this gale, while Mr Leask,

one of the keepers, was standing upon the balcony, a considerable

quantity of sprays broke over the cornice, so as to wet all his

clothes, and to strike against the glass of the Light-room so forcibly,

as to alarm those who were within. This was the first instance observed

of the sea rising to the height of about 108 feet above the surface of

the Rock. The Light-keepers also stated, that when the tide was at the

highest, they expected every minute that the Beacon would have been

swept away, as it was frequently wholly under water when the sea broke

around the Light-house; nor were they altogether at ease as to their

own situation. Several large masses of stone were, upon this occasion,

thrown upon the Rock; a mass of about two tons, completely blocked up

one of the landing-places until it was broken and removed. The Railways

also suffered severely, having been dislocated in several places.

[Sidenote: Advantage of double windows.]

In the course of the month of December, the Light-house had been

visited with very severe gales, but the keepers were now gaining more

confidence in the stability of their habitation. Captain Taylor, who

commanded the Tender, on questioning them when he landed on the Rock,

how they had stood out the bad weather, they, to his surprise, replied,

“There has been nothing remarkable in the weather.” They further

stated, “that, when the doors and storm-shutters were made fast, and

the double windows shut, all was quiet in the several apartments:

it was only when they went to the Balcony that they heard the wind:

and that the house had little or no motion by the sea striking it,

excepting in storms from the north-east, east, or south-east, but

especially from the north-east.”

[Sidenote: 1812.]

[Sidenote: The Light-house excites much interest.]

The light had now been exhibited for twelve months; and it was highly

gratifying to the Board to find, from almost every quarter of the

coast, by the testimony of those who had seen it at sea, that this

important edifice gave universal satisfaction, appearing in all

respects to answer the fullest expectations of the mariner. It appeared

also from the _Album_, or book kept at the Light-house, for inserting

names, that nearly 500 strangers had landed to see it, in the course of

the summer season.

[Sidenote: 1812, August.]

[Sidenote: Sir William Rae and Mr Duff visit the Rock with parties.]

On the 21st of August, Sir William Rae, Baronet, the Lord Chief-Baron

Dundas, General Francis Dundas, Mr Jardine of the Exchequer, and

Mr Russell, accountant to the Board, visited the Light-house, when

the Chief-Baron expressed his entire approbation of the work and

establishment in general. About the same period, Mr Duff landed,

accompanied by Mr Foulerton, one of the Elder Brethren of the

Trinity-House, Mr Menzies of Pitfoddels, and the late Mr Taylor of

Kirktonhill, who were in like manner much pleased. It was, upon

this occasion, gratifying to hear Captain Foulerton’s remarks of

approbation, as his official connection with the English Light-house

Board, more especially qualified him for judging of the Bell Rock works.

[Sidenote: The Beacon is removed from the Rock.]

On Friday the 4th September, at 5 A. M., the writer landed at the Rock

with Mr James Slight, clerk of works, who, with eight artificers,

was to commence taking down the frame or principal beams of the

Beacon-house. This useful fabric might have remained for an indefinite

period, but for the ravages of the insect already described, which

had now affected the beams so much where they rested upon the Rock,

as to render its removal advisable. In this operation the artificers

were only employed for about three weeks, although it had occupied

nearly the whole of two working seasons to erect it. The Tender made

occasional trips ashore with the timber, the great iron stanchions,

bracing-bars, and numerous bolts, which were to be employed in the

erection of the buildings at Arbroath, and in the works of the Carr

Rock Beacon.

[Sidenote: Mode of securing timber against the insect.]

The only remark which the writer has to make, regarding the erection of

such a building as the Beacon-house is, that due precaution should be

used in protecting the soles or feet of the beams, where they rest upon

the Rock, and are inaccessible to the application of pitch or other

preventives. Sheathing with copper might, perhaps, be found the best

protection; but, in such situations, the copper should be coated with

tin, to prevent any action between it and the iron-work.

[Sidenote: Light-house assailed by a gale.]

On the 1st of October, Mr Slight, accompanied by several artificers,

went again off to the Light-house with the remaining apparatus for

finishing the interior of the house, having still the bed-room to fit

up, the brass-plates for the safety of the sill and lintel of the

entrance-door, and a variety of other small works to complete. The

railways were also in want of some additional stays, to fit them for

withstanding the storms of winter. These operations, however, were

conducted much more slowly since the removal of the Beacon; and it now

became necessary to erect the smith’s forge upon the balcony of the

Light-house, for sharpening tools, and other little operations.

[Sidenote: 1812, November.]

[Sidenote: Remarkable shock of the sea.]

On Saturday the 14th of November, a very severe storm took place,

accompanied with a heavy sea from the S.E. A letter from the

Light-house stated, that, “at high-water in the evening, a tremendous

sea struck the house, the effect of which was the most alarming that

had been experienced perhaps since it was erected. The locks upon the

doors were heard to rattle; and what makes this the more singular is,

that not another sea of consequence struck the house during the whole

tide.” Upon further inquiry into this matter, the writer found that the

artificers, and two of the light-keepers were then in the kitchen; upon

the shock taking place, the whole sprung up to the balcony, imagining

for the moment that some vessel must have got upon the Rock, and that

the report heard was the discharge of a gun, so sudden and sharp was

the sensation which it occasioned. But they soon found that their alarm

was occasioned by the sea alone.

[Sidenote: Professor Robison’s opinion on this subject.]

The writer has often thought of this surprising effect of the force of

the sea; and he finds it difficult to assign a cause for the motion

of the doors in so low a position of the building as the kitchen;

otherwise than by supposing a disturbance in the equilibrium of the

air, by the sudden displacement of the column of water, which, upon

these occasions, rises upon the building. The tremor felt in leaning

against the walls in the upper apartments, when it blows fresh, or when

the house is struck by a sea, or by a boat coming suddenly against it,

may be compared to that which is perceptible in a common house, upon

the slamming of particular doors, or when a carriage makes a rattling

noise in passing along the streets; but it is attended with no real

danger. In confirmation of this, it may be mentioned, that when the

late Professor Robison of Edinburgh visited the Edystone Light-house,

something having forcibly struck the building, he was sensible of a

vibratory motion in one of the rooms in which he was then sitting. But,

instead of producing any alarm in the mind of the Professor, he assured

his friends, that it was to him the strongest proof of the unity and

connection of the fabric in all its parts. This anecdote the writer is

desirous of preserving, as it was communicated to him by this eminent

person.

[Sidenote: View of the Sea, from which the Frontispiece is delineated.]

[Sidenote: 1812, December.]

The writer being in Forfarshire at this time, was desirous of seeing

the effects of the sea upon the Light-house, after the Beacon had been

removed. He accordingly embraced the opportunity of sailing from

Arbroath with the Tender, in a pretty hard gale from north-east, at 4

o’clock in the morning of the 9th of December, and, at 7, got close to

the Rock. The Light-house now appeared in one of its most interesting

aspects, standing proudly among the waves, while the sea around it

was in the wildest state of agitation. The Light-keepers did not seem

to be in motion; but the scene was by no means still, as the noise

and dashing of the waves were unceasing. The seas rose in the most

surprising manner to the height of the kitchen windows, or about 70

feet above the Rock; and after expending their force in a perpendicular

direction, successively fell in great quantities round the base of

the Light-house, while considerable portions of the spray were seen

adhering as it were to the building, and guttering down its sides in

the state of froth as white as snow. Some of the great waves burst, and

were expended upon the Rock before they reached the building; while

others struck the base, and, embracing the walls, met on the western

side of the house, where they dashed together, and produced a most

surprising quantity of foam. Upon this view of the breaking of the seas

at the Light-house, the frontispiece for this work has been delineated.

[Sidenote: The Sea overruns the Rock at low-water.]

Though there was no possibility of effecting a landing to-day, yet the

vessel lay off-and-on till low-water, that the writer might also then

see the state of the waves upon the Railways. He found that they still

continued to make a constant run over them; and that no one could have

stood upon any part of the rock, even for the space of one minute,

without having been thrown down and carried away by their force. After

lying-to till 10 o’clock, the Tender bore away for the Firth of Forth,

leaving the inhabitants of the Rock surrounded, and even enveloped by

the sea in its utmost fury, yet in a state of comparative comfort, and

enjoying feelings of the most perfect security.

[Sidenote: Mode in which the Light-house is attended.]

The regulations observed in attending the Bell Rock are these. The

vessel stationed at Arbroath goes off every fortnight, or in the

course of each set of spring-tides, to relieve the Light-keepers, and

to supply the house with necessaries; but when the weather does not

admit of this, the master’s instructions direct him to embrace the

first favourable opportunity thereafter. Of the four keepers belonging

to this establishment, three are always at the Light-house, while one

is ashore on liberty. The regular term ashore is a fortnight, and the

duty at the Rock is six weeks. During the rotations, however, in the

course of the winter and spring, some of the keepers were detained

upwards of three months upon the Rock, while others were four or five

weeks ashore. The Tender had made several unsuccessful attempts to

effect a landing during this period, and had been twice forced to Leith

Roads, and once to the northward as far as Aberdeen. The light-keepers,

however, seemed, upon the whole, pleased with their situation; and

talked in a feeling manner of the hardships of mariners, whom they

often saw tossed about during the storms of winter.

[Sidenote: 1813.]

[Sidenote: Establishment for the Light-keepers at Arbroath completed.]

In the course of the year 1813, the Light-keepers’ houses, at Arbroath,

signal-tower, and sea-wall connected with them, were completed; and

a garden of upwards of an acre was enclosed, and laid out for the

use of the families of the light-keepers, and for supplying the

Light-house and Tender with vegetables. These buildings formed no part

of the original design; but the Commissioners were resolved that this

establishment should be complete. Had houses been hired in the town of

Arbroath, for the light-keepers, much inconvenience would have arisen

to the service, especially when the attending vessel was going off to

the Rock under night. Besides the principal building occupied by the

light-keepers, there are store-houses, and accommodation for the master

and crew of the attending vessels, in an adjoining building, where each

family has two or three rooms. The top of the signal-tower is formed

into a small observatory, furnished with a 5 feet achromatic telescope,

a flag-staff, and copper signal-ball measuring 18 inches in diameter.

[Sidenote: Signals observed at the Rock.]

By means of this, and a corresponding ball at the Light-house, certain

signals are daily kept up between Arbroath and the Rock. The chief of

which consists in hoisting the ball at the latter place to the top of

the flag-staff, where it is kept, _when all is well_, every morning,

between the hours of 9 and 10. But in case the weather should prove

so foggy or cloudy at this hour, that the signals cannot be seen, the

watch is again set at 1 P. M., and should it then become clear, the

ball is again elevated, and allowed to remain till 2 o’clock. This

signal is watched by the light-keeper who, in his turn, happens to be

ashore on liberty, and who immediately answers it by hoisting the ball

at Arbroath. Should the ball at the Rock, however, be allowed to remain

down, as is the case when any thing is particularly wanted, or in the

event of sickness, the Tender immediately puts to sea.

[Sidenote: 1814.]

[Sidenote: Thunder-rod.]

The mechanical operations at the Bell Rock, during the year 1814,

consisted principally in fitting up a thunder-rod or electrical

conductor, on the exterior and western side of the building, as may be

observed on the elevation of the Light-house in Plate XVI. This rod

is continuous from the top to the foundation of the building, being

connected with the sash-frames of the light-room, and the Railways upon

the Rock. The best construction and application of rods for conducting

the electric fluid, is a problem upon which scientific men are not

altogether agreed; some being of opinion, that the conducting-surface

should be large; while the slender bell-wires in dwelling-houses are

found capable of conveying it in a body sufficient to destroy the

premises. The fixing of a plate of any considerable breadth upon

the exterior of the Light-house would have been attended with much

difficulty; and the writer having consulted Professors Playfair and

Leslie, and Dr Brewster, a rod was prepared by Mr Adie, optician, 2¼

inches in breadth, and, where thickest, 1 inch, the external side being

slightly rounded, to suit the circle of the wall, and thus presenting

the least possible resistance to the sea. The composition of this rod

was one ounce and a half of tin to a pound of pure copper; and with its

bats, screws, and connecting pieces, it weighed 556 pounds, or about

one-quarter of a ton.

[Sidenote: Method of fixing it.]

In order to fix it to the building, a groove was cut in the exterior

wall, as high as the solid part, about half an inch in depth, which

was sufficient to receive the edge or thinnest part of the rod. On

the higher parts of the building the wall was not cut, the flat side

of the rod being simply applied to it; and in its track, brass-bats,

previously perforated and screwed, were sunk in the wall to the depth

of three inches, and run up with melted lead, at about two feet

apart. The rod being cast in lengths of seven feet, the pieces were

successively applied to the building, when the precise positions of

the holes in the brass-bats were ascertained, marked on the rod, and

bored on the spot for screw-nails of ⅝ths of an inch in diameter;

the several lengths of the rod being half checked at each end, and the

nail-heads counter-sunk, as shewn in Plate XIX. Fig. 10. The cutting

of this groove and the bat-holes in the masonry, was done in a very

masterly manner by the late Thomas Selkirk, of whom notice is here

more particularly taken, as this was the last piece of work which

he executed, as well as from his having been acknowledged by his

companions to have been one of the best stone-cutters in Scotland.

[Sidenote: 1814.]

[Sidenote: A party of the Commissioners and Sir Walter Scott visit the

Light-house.]

On the 30th of July this year, Mr Hamilton, Mr Erskine, and Mr Duff,

Commissioners, along with Mr (now Sir) Walter Scott, and the writer,

visited the Light-house; the Commissioners being then on one of their

voyages of Inspection, noticed in the Introduction. They breakfasted

in the library, when Sir Walter, at the entreaty of the party, upon

inscribing his name in the _album_, added the interesting lines, of

which the reader will find a fac-simile on the second title-page.

[Sidenote: 1815.]

[Sidenote: Permanent Railways began to be fitted.]

[Sidenote: Lord President Hope lands at the Rock.]

Though the temporary railways originally fitted up for the building

operations had been thoroughly repaired, they were often found much in

disorder, and required a still stronger mode of construction. In the

course of this summer, therefore, part of the western-reach of the new

or permanent Railway was fitted up, which was named Hope’s Wharf; Lord

President Hope having landed upon it in the month of August, from the

Latona Frigate.

[Sidenote: 1816.]

[Sidenote: Pharos Tender built.]

The sloop Smeaton having been originally constructed as a

stone-lighter, was not well adapted for sailing, or doing the duty

of a Tender. A vessel, of 51 tons register, properly fitted for this

service, was therefore built at Leith by Mr Morton, and launched in the

summer of 1816, under the appropriate name of The Pharos. Besides her

stern-boat, this vessel carries another upon deck, measuring 15 feet in

length of keel; she is also sheathed with copper, and laid out with a

fore and after cabin.

[Sidenote: The Light-house is Painted.]

Owing to the sprays of the sea, the colour of the upper part of the

Light-house had become much changed, and had acquired a dark olive

hue, while, on the western side, the granite courses below were of a

whitish-grey; so that the building had now a party-coloured appearance.

To remedy this, and especially to prevent the sandstone from imbibing

moisture, it was, in the summer of 1816, painted in oil colour, of a

greyish tint. The whole of the interior of the house being of polished

masonry, was at the same time painted white; while the walls and roof

of the library were decorated with pannelled work, in a very tasteful

manner. Mr Macdonald of Arbroath the painter, having remained a

considerable period in the Light-house, had several opportunities of

observing the effects of the sea upon the Rock, and made some striking

sketches of its appearance upon the building in storms, which have

afforded useful hints to the artist who furnished the draught from

which the frontispiece to this work is taken.

[Sidenote: 1818.]

[Sidenote: Fuci disappear from the Rock.]

On visiting the Light-house in the summer of 1818, the writer was

struck with the naked appearance of the Rock, the _fuci_ having in a

great measure disappeared. On examination he found that they had been

cut off by vast numbers of a species of limpet, curiously striated with

blue lines, (the Patella pellucida of naturalists). Among various other

changes incidental to the plants and animals on the Rock, the barnacle

was found to be fully more prevalent than formerly, and covered all the

higher parts, like a greyish coloured scurf. One good effect connected

with the disappearance of the sea-weed, was a more complete exposure of

several large holes or inequalities in the Rock. Some of those, on the

north-eastern side of the Light-house, being of a large size, varying

from two to four feet in depth, the writer considered necessary to have

filled with ruble-building, which, in an imbedded state, when executed

with pozzolano-mortar, had been found to withstand the utmost force of

the sea.

[Sidenote: 1819.]

[Sidenote: Permanent Railways completed.]

In the course of the summer of 1819, Mr James Slight, and his brother

Alexander (who had assisted throughout the works in making moulds for

the stone-cutters, and in other operations requiring neat and ingenious

workmanship), together with Messrs George Dove, Robert Selkirk, James

Glen, James Scott, Alexander Brebner, and John Mitchell, completed the

remaining parts of the western and southern-reaches of the railways,

by the addition of a number of large cast-iron stays or braces, as

represented in Figs. 13, 14, and 15, of Plate X. The bats of these new

railways were wedged with timber and iron in the usual manner, and the

feet of the supports, with their bats and spear-bolts, were plastered

over with Roman-cement, with a view to secure them against the effects

of oxidation.

[Sidenote: Improvement on the entrance to the Light-house by a ladder

of brass.]

By taking the stores from the railways to the entrance of the

Light-house up the sloping exterior wall, the joints of the courses at

that part had been somewhat injured. The access also to the door had

hitherto been only by a rope-ladder, or, to strangers, by a suspended

chair, which was hoisted up by the crane fixed to the building. Both

of these were liable to accidents and decay, from the wearing of the

ropes by frequent use. In order, therefore, to prevent injury to the

building, and to remove these defects, two strong bars of brass, of

the same composition as the thunder-rod, were fixed on the building,

from the door down to the rock, to answer the purpose of _skids_; and

steps of the same metal, being attached to these bars by screw-bolts, a

substantial and convenient ladder, or rather flight of steps, was thus

constructed; and, as this apparatus became a fixture, ready entrance

to the Light-house was provided for, and could on all occasions of

emergency be safely obtained. A connection being also formed between

this metallic-stair and the kitchen-chimney, a thunder-rod was thus

obtained for the interior as well as the exterior of the house; the

whole including the stair, weighing about 3133 pounds, or about 1 ton 8

cwt. of brass.

[Sidenote: Sprays rise 105 feet.]

In the course of the three last winters, the weather had been so

uncommonly mild, that the sea, as appears from the Light-house Returns,

had rarely risen upon the building higher than from 30 to 50 feet.

But, in October 1819, there were some very severe gales, accompanied

with heavy seas, the sprays of which, on the 24th, rose to the height

of 105 feet above the Rock. The water had struck the light-room with

such force at this time, that one of the assistants, then on watch,

started from his seat, imagining that some serious accident had

occurred. The writer having landed on the 20th November following,

examined into the precise state of matters upon that occasion, when it

was stated, that it appeared as if a bucket or two of water had been

thrown with violence against the Light-room windows. Mr Reid, principal

Light-keeper, and Mr Taylor, commander of the Tender, also confidently

observed, that this was the most severe gale which they had experienced

since they were connected with the service. It may, perhaps, therefore,

be concluded, that the maximum force of the sea at the Bell Rock is to

raise the sprays to the height of about 105 feet above the surface of

the Rock.

[Sidenote: A piece of the highest part of the Rock carried away.]

These storms had proved so severe, that the Rock actually lost about 18

inches of its height, a fragment of that thickness having been carried

away from the highest part. This spot the workmen had significantly

termed “The Last-hope,” as marked on Plate VI., in allusion to the

imminent hazard which the party on the Rock had incurred in the year

1807. The removal of this highest stratum is the more particularly

noticed, as forming a link in the chain of probabilities, leading to

the conclusion of the Bell Rock having once been of much greater extent.

[Sidenote: 1820.]

[Sidenote: Improvements on the Light-house, Brass-door, &c.]

Though the Light-house might be considered as long since finished,

various improvements have still at different times been made on it. In

the course of the year 1820, an inner entrance-door was hung in the

passage, chiefly to prevent the necessity of shutting the outer-door

so frequently during the continuance of westerly winds. To save room,

and cutting the walls, this door was constructed of brass-pannelled

work, and the upper part glazed with plate-glass, to preserve the

light. In the original fitting up of the interior of the house, the

machinery-weight had been carried through the centre of the several

apartments; but this having been found incommodious, the rope was now

conducted close to the wall, in a small case; and, by introducing a

double-pulley, the weight does not require to be brought higher than

the floor of the Light-room-store, from which it descends into the

drop-hole formed in the solid part of the building, as shewn in Plate

XVI. The store-room for water, fuel, and provisions, was also fitted

up this year in a more commodious manner, with cast-iron cisterns, an

enlarged magazine for fuel, and a complete set of lockers. The water,

which hitherto had been carried from the store to the kitchen in

buckets, was now raised by a pump, fitted up after the manner of the

beer-pumps in general use in London.

[Sidenote: 1821.]

[Sidenote: A new machine for taking up the stores.]

The weather during 1821 was comparatively mild, and no storm of any

consequence occurred at the Rock. The only work deserving notice that

year, was the removal of the small crane from the entrance-door,

to the provision-store; where a machine, upon a new principle, was

constructed, the barrel or drum of which moves vertically upon its

axis, instead of horizontally, while it winds up the chain. By means

of this machine, the stores are now taken up to the entrance-door more

conveniently; while both the door and passage are entirely relieved

of the encumbrance of the crane-apparatus; as will be understood by

examining Plate XIV. Fig. 7. and Plate XVI.

[Sidenote: Mr Reid retires from the Light-house service.]

In the course of this year, Mr John Reid, the principal light-keeper,

on account of the state of his health, resigned his situation, and was

succeeded by Mr Thomson Milne, reflector-maker. In consideration of Mr

Reid’s faithful services, the Board put him on the half-pay list, at

the rate of 30 guineas per annum.

[Sidenote: 1822.]

[Sidenote: Light-house works and model completed. Design for Wolf Rock.]

In the year 1822, the several large holes in the Rock, formerly alluded

to, were filled up, and that important work completed. The writer may

here mention, that he is possessed of a complete model of the Bell

Rock Light-house as executed, and of the chief implements mentioned in

this work, which he will take measures for preserving to the Public;

from a recollection of the interest he should have felt in examining

any model of the Edystone Light-house, before he had an opportunity of

seeing that work itself. He also, for similar reasons, gives a design,

in Plate XXIII., founded on experience, as applicable to the erection

of Light-houses on sunken rocks, which more particularly occurred to

him after his first visit to the Wolf Rock situate between the Land’s

End and the Scilly Islands, in the year 1813, under the auspices of the

Admiralty, in the Orestes sloop of war, commanded by Captain Smith.

[Sidenote: 1823.]

[Sidenote: Severe storm. Carrier-pigeon sent from the Rock.]

The year 1823 set in with perhaps as severe a storm as has occurred on

this coast since the Light-house was erected. The Pharos, in the course

of her attendance on the Rock, was driven first into the Firth of Tay,

and thereafter into the Forth, where she was forced to anchor above

Queensferry, about 70 miles from her station; and in the course of the

winter, it was fully two months before she could effect a landing at

the Light-house. The only accident, however, which happened during that

period, was the breaking of the ratchet-wheel spring, which keeps the

reflector-frame in motion, while the machinery is winding up. Though

only of a trivial nature, and unconnected with the stormy effects of

the sea, it nevertheless created considerable alarm among the families

of the Light-keepers ashore, as the signal-ball was very properly

kept down upon this occasion. Their anxiety, however, was relieved

in the course of the day, by the arrival of a carrier-pigeon, with a

billet from the principal light-keeper, intimating what had happened.

A pair of these curious birds had originally been presented to the

establishment by Captain Samuel Brown of the Royal Navy. They have

now multiplied considerably; and two or more are generally conveyed

to the Rock at every trip of the Tender, and let off occasionally for

amusement. Their flight between the Light-house and the Signal-tower at

Arbroath, upwards of 11 miles, has been ascertained to have been at the

rate of about one mile per minute.

[Sidenote: Expence and cubic contents of the Work.]

In concluding these details, it may be proper to state, from the

Abstract Accounts of the expence, quantity of materials, and

description of workmanship, given in Appendix, No. VI., that the

expence of this important national work amounted to L. 61,331:9:2; and

that the cubical contents of the materials used in its erection were

about 28,530 feet, and would weigh about 2078 tons.

[Illustration:

GENERAL VIEW OF THE BELL ROCK WORKS.

_Drawn by G. C. Scott from a Painting by A. Carse._

_Engraved by Will^m. Miller._

_PLATE XVIII._]

APPENDIX.

No. I.

CONTAINING A NOTICE OF ADDITIONAL LIGHT-HOUSE STATIONS,

LIGHT-KEEPERS’ INSTRUCTIONS, FORMS OF MONTHLY AND SHIPWRECK RETURNS.

ADDITIONAL LIGHT-HOUSE STATIONS.

[Sidenote: Additional Light-houses.]

In noticing the different points alluded to, at page 60., as the

most prominent stations for additional Light-houses on the coast of

Scotland, we shall follow a course from east to west, including the

Orkney and Shetland Islands.

[Sidenote: Eastern Coast.]

On the eastern coast two light-houses seem particularly to be required,

in addition to the present Light on Kinnaird-Head. One of these, at

Buchan-Ness, near Peterhead, which becomes a _turning-point_ in the

navigation of that coast, as will be seen from Plate III., would be

an excellent guide to the southward, for shipping on the long flat

shores of Aberdeenshire, and not less useful as a direction for the

foul ground or sunken rocks called Rattray Briggs to the northward

of Buchan-Ness. Some are also of opinion, that Girdle-Ness, at the

entrance of Aberdeen harbour, would be a proper station for a sea or

public Light. The next station in the order of position on the eastern

coast, is Tarbetness, a centrical point of land extending into the

Moray Firth , which leads to Cromarty Roads, a great rendezvous for

shipping in stormy weather. A Light upon this projecting point would

also be extremely useful as a direction to the numerous small ports of

this district, and would prevent the losses which occasionally happen

on Culloden Rock, and Halliman’s Scars, and by the Firth of Tain being

mistaken for a continuation of the Moray Firth . It would also serve as

a guide to the narrow passage of Fort George, leading to the eastern

entrance of the Caledonian Canal.

[Sidenote: Northern Coast.]

Several Light-houses are still wanted for the protection of shipping

on the Northern Coast. In particular we notice, that although the

eastern entrance of the Pentland Firth is already well marked by

the Light-house on the Skerries; yet the western approach to this

dangerous, but important channel, requires a light upon Dunnet-head

in Caithness, which would prevent vessels from mistaking Murkle Bay

for the Pentland Firth , and, at the same time, form an excellent guide

for the south-western coast of Orkney. Cape Wrath in Sutherland is

the north-western point of the Mainland of Scotland, as will be seen

from Plate III. A Light-house upon that promontory would be of great

importance to the navigation of the dreary coast of Caithness and

Sutherland, and as a direction for the sunken rock called the Nun,

surveyed by Captain Ramage, in H. M. S. Cherokee in the year 1814; and

by him found to lie 15 miles in a north-eastern direction from that

shore. A light upon Cape Wrath would likewise serve as an excellent

guide to the northern entrance of the Great and Little Minish, or

Friths of Lewis and Uist, a central track in the navigation of the

Hebrides, now much frequented by shipping since the erection of the

Light-house upon Glass, one of the Harris Isles.

[Sidenote: Orkney and Shetland Islands.]

Perhaps the only additional light still wanted in Orkney, to which it

is here necessary to allude, is one upon Nouphead of Westra, to direct

shipping on the north-western side of these Islands. In addition to

Sumburgh-head Light-house in Shetland, one upon the Out-skerries of

Whalsey, on the east, another upon the Scaw of Unst, in the north;

and a third on the Skerries of Ve, on the western side, would seem to

render these Islands complete in regard to Light-houses.

[Sidenote: Western Coast.]

The opening of the sheltered passage through the Friths of Lewis and

Uist, by the Light-house on Glass, has, in a great measure, superseded

the use of the outward course of shipping by St Kilda, which is now

seldom taken by coasting vessels, though a Light upon that island

would be extremely useful to ships making the land from the Western

Ocean. The next Light-house that seems wanting in connection with the

navigation of the Minish is one upon the Island of Bara, as a direction

to its western entrance by the Firth of Uist. It will only further be

necessary, on this coast, to direct our attention to the position of

the Rocks of Skerryvore, in order to perceive the importance of a light

upon that dangerous reef, which lies about 12 miles south-west from the

Island of Tiree. The principal rock here is a circular mass of granite,

about 60 feet in diameter, and elevated about 20 feet above the highest

tides. The rocks of Skerryvore prove not only a great bar to ships

making the coast from foreign voyages, but, it is feared, have been

fatal to many vessels sailing along these western shores.

The Rhins, a promontory forming the south-western extremity of the

Island of Islay, is another position of importance for pointing out the

northern side of the passage from the Atlantic to the Clyde and Irish

Sea, between Islay and Bengore Head in Ireland. The Commissioners,

at their meeting in the month of January 1823, having ordered a

Light-house to be built at this station, it is accordingly in progress.

The navigation of the sounds and tracks among the Western Isles would

also be greatly facilitated by the erection of four Light-houses, of

the smallest class of sea-lights, on stations connected with the inner

Sounds of Skye and Mull. One of these lights, erected at the south

entrance of the Sound of Mull, would not only be important to that

passage, but to the various tracks leading to the Sounds of Islay,

and by those of Linnehe and Loing, to the western entrances of the

Caledonian and Crinan Canals. The Island Devaar, at the entrance of the

much frequented anchorage of Campbeltown Loch, is another station for a

small Light, to which the attention of the Board has been directed by

the Shipping Interest of the Western Coast.

[Sidenote: Southern Coast.]

Although the lights upon the Point of Corsewall and Isle of Man, form

a good direction for the southern coast of Scotland, yet a light upon

the Mull of Galloway would still be of much utility in preventing

northern-bound ships from mistaking Glenluce Bay for the Irish Channel;

and in leading them along the Scotch side, between the Firth of Clyde

and the Irish Sea. Application has also been made for the erection

of a small Light upon the Little-Ross Island, at the entrance of

Kirkcudbright-anchorage.

INSTRUCTIONS for the BELL ROCK LIGHT-KEEPERS.

[Sidenote: Instructions to Light-Keepers.]

I.--The Keepers of the Bell Rock Light-house are hereby instructed and

directed to keep the lamps of the reflecting-apparatus burning bright

and clear, from the going away of day-light in the evening till the

return of day-light in the morning. The better to obtain this purpose,

the period of night is to be divided into Watches, and each keeper in

rotation will mount guard for three hours. The fountains of the lamps

being daily supplied with oil, the wicks must be frequently trimmed in

the course of the night, but more particularly at the end of each watch.

II.--The motion of the machinery of the reflector-frame must be so

regulated, that one of the lights of the natural appearance, and one

of those coloured red, shall be exhibited to the mariner in their

most brilliant effect, in the course of every four minutes; or the

reflector-frame must make one entire revolution in the space of eight

minutes.

III.--The keeper on watch will look out for the occurrence of foggy or

snowy weather, and during the continuance of either, the bells must be

kept tolling both day and night.

IV.--At the end of each watch, the keeper respectively on duty must

ring the house or bed-room bell, as the case may be, and thereafter

remain at his post until he is relieved by the keeper in person whose

turn it is to mount guard.

V.--In the event of any thing getting out of order about the machinery

of the reflector-frame, so as to prevent its operation, the Lights, and

also the Bell-hammers, if required, must be moved by hand, as nearly to

the periodic time as possible, until the repair of the machine can be

accomplished.

VI.--Should the stock of Oil in the Light-house by any means be

reduced to 150 gallons, between the 1st day of October and the last

day of February; or to 50 gallons between the 1st day of March and

the 30th day of September, the number of lights on each side of the

reflector-frame shall be reduced to three; but in the event of the

stock of Oil being respectively lessened to one-half of the above

quantities, or that any of the other stores essential to the support of

the Light, are getting so low as to endanger its total failure, only

one burner shall be lighted on each side of the reflector-frame, or

four burners in all.

VII.--Unless, under these circumstances, a supply comes to hand,

recourse must ultimately be had to the use of the Wax Candles in store.

VIII.--During any period that the stores or provisions appear to the

acting Principal Light-keeper to be in danger of falling short, or in

the event of sickness, or under any other circumstances considered of

a calamitous and hazardous nature, the signal of distress shall be

observed, by ceasing to hoist the Signal-ball at the stated periods,

until the arrival of the Attending-vessel.

IX.--In all cases of difficulty, especially such as are referred to by

the tenor of the Articles VI. VII. and VIII. of these Instructions, the

acting Principal Light-keeper shall use his discretion and judgment in

lessening the daily allowance of provisions, water, and fuel, according

to his view of the circumstances of the case.

X.--No lights of any kind are to be left in such a situation as to

endanger accident by fire. If at any time it should be found necessary

to enter the store-room under night, the light must be carried in a

lantern.

XI.--The better to ensure regularity and good order in the

Light-house-duty, it shall be performed in three distinct departments.

The keepers to shift in rotation weekly, from the performance of

one department to another. These changes are to take place every

Saturday-night.

XII.--The light-keeper performing the duty of the first department,

shall, in the course of the day, supply the lamp-fountains with oil,

and the burners with cotton; he shall clean the reflecting-apparatus,

and all the utensils connected with the trimming of the lights. He

shall also take his turn in mounting guard both day and night.

XIII.--The day-work of the second department includes the cleaning of

the machinery-case, windows, walls, floors, and apparatus connected

with the light-room, not already specified as coming under the first

department; he shall likewise clean the balcony and library; the books

of which must be dusted or cleaned on the first Saturday of every

month. The keeper in this department will also take his turn at day and

night watches.

XIV.--The third department includes the cleaning of the bed-room,

kitchen, and provision store-room; together with the passages, stairs,

and whole utensils connected with these apartments. He shall likewise

cook the provisions, and take charge of them from the time of their

being served out, until they are set upon the table in a prepared

state. The keeper acting in this department shall only be subject to

the performance of night-watches.

XV.--The acting Principal Light-keeper will mount guard in his turn by

day and night, and do the duty of the first and second departments,

but he is hereby exempted from personally performing the duty of the

third department; he will, however, serve out the stores, and keep the

light-room store in a cleanly and orderly state.

XVI.--The chimney or smoke-tube of the kitchen-range, and the windows

of the several apartments, are to be cleaned on the last Saturday of

every month, or as soon thereafter as the weather will permit: The

performance of which is to be entered into the Monthly Return.

XVII.--The wharfs or cast-iron railways, rope-ladder (now brazen

stair), shall, in like manner, be overhauled and examined during the

period of spring-tides, on the full and change days of the moon. The

condition of these works to be also regularly entered into the Monthly

Returns.

XVIII.--The light-keeper on guard is to give immediate notice to the

acting Principal-Keeper of the appearance of the Tender, or of any

other vessel or boat, which is seemingly approaching the Rock; when

the proper signals will be made as to the practicability and safety

of landing, and the necessary attendance given; according to the

instructions of the Signal-Book.

XIX.--The Keeper on watch between the hours of 9 and 10 in the morning,

shall hoist the signal-ball to the flag-staff-head (if the weather

will permit), and, in this position, allow it remain during that hour,

when _all is well_; but in the event of foggy or stormy weather, such

as shall obstruct the view with the telescope between the Light-house

and the Signal-tower at Arbroath, the ball shall be hoisted between

the hours of 1 and 2 in the afternoon, should the weather have then

improved. These circumstances are to be stated in the Monthly Returns.

XX.--The keepers, in rotation, shall have leave, and be carried ashore

in the Attending-vessel, at such periods as may best suit the service.

When this occurs in regular succession, each of the four keepers will

remain six weeks at the Light-house, and two weeks at Arbroath with

their families.

XXI.--The keeper who for the time being is on leave at the

establishment at Arbroath, will there attend the duty of the

signal-room, from 9 to 10 every morning, and likewise from 1 to 2 in

the afternoon, when, from the state of the weather, the signals at the

Bell Rock cannot be seen and repeated at the appointed hour in the

morning, agreeably to Article XIX.

XXII.--The rotation for leave on shore must be so regulated, that the

turns of the Principal and Principal-assistant Light-keepers do not

immediately or successively follow each other.

XXIII.--When at the Light-house, the keepers will have Rations of

provisions and other allowances, as stated in the annexed Schedule, but

while they are on shore they provide for themselves.

XXIV.--In case the Rations served out should not at any time be used,

the same must be returned to the store, as no provisions of any kind

are permitted to be taken away from the Light-house.

XXV.--The Principal Light-keeper, and, in his absence, the Acting

Principal-keeper, is held responsible for the due performance of the

duty of the other keepers; for the correctness of the Requisitions

made for stores; for the Monthly Returns written by the Assistant or

Expectant Light-keepers; for all Entries made in the store and journal

books; for the regular and properly serving out of the daily allowance

of light-room stores and provisions; for the regular use and cleanly

state of the bed and table linen; for the good order of the Light-house

furniture, apparatus and appurtenances; that none of the stores be

wasted or embezzled, but that the strictest economy and careful

management be observed, yet so as to preserve a good and sufficient

light.

XXVI.--The light-keepers are hereby prohibited from receiving,

bringing, or allowing to be brought to the Light-house, any spiritous

liquors, as private stores. The Acting Principal Light-keeper is held

responsible for the conduct of his assistants; and the Master of the

Tender for the conduct of his men in this respect.

XXVII.--The Bell Rock being the chief station at which Light-keepers

are instructed in their duty for the service of the Northern Lights,

the Principal, or, in his absence, the Acting-principal Keeper, is

directed to superintend this department, and they are respectively held

responsible for the certificate they may ultimately give as to the

qualifications of Expectant-keepers. Upon production of the certificate

to the Engineer, the light-keepers will be found entitled to the

premium stated in the annexed Schedule of Allowances.

XXVIII.--Each Expectant-light-keeper is to be resident for at least six

weeks at the Bell Rock. In the course of this period he is to practise

the whole duty performed in the light-room; to write the Monthly

Returns; and carefully to peruse these Instructions. If, at the end

of this period, he is found qualified, he will receive a certificate

to the following effect: “Bell Rock Light-house,” (_here insert the

date_.) “These certify, That” (_here insert the name_,) “has resided”

(_here insert the number of_) “days at this Light-house; and having

been duly instructed in the whole practice of the Keeper’s duty in

the Light-room, he is considered qualified to act as an Assistant

Light-keeper,” _or is found deficient in certain points_, (_here state

the case as it may be_.) “Witness my hand,” (_Signature of Principal,

or, in his absence, of the Principal Assistant Light-keeper_.)

XXIX.--The Inventory of the Light-house apparatus, books, furniture,

and utensils, is to be compared with the Inventory-book upon the first

Friday of the months of May and November half-yearly, or as soon

thereafter as the Principal and Principal Assistant Light-keepers

are both upon the Rock. Any deficiency in the articles of the

Inventory-Book is to be stated in the respective Returns for these

months.

XXX.--It being a rule in the Service of the Commissioners of the

Northern Light-houses, that access to their establishments shall

be free and open to the Public, the keepers are enjoined to pay

attention to Strangers, shewing them every civility in their power;

and, particularly, to afford their aid and assistance, in cases of

Ship-wreck; yet so as not to neglect any thing incumbent upon them, in

the proper discharge of their duty as light-keepers.

XXXI.--It is recommended to the light-keepers to be cleanly in their

persons and linens, and proper in their apparel in general.

XXXII.--The Light-keepers are enjoined to assemble in the Library, for

the purpose of reading the Scriptures, and for Prayers, every Sunday,

at 12 o’clock noon, in their Uniform-dress. This service is to be

performed by the Acting Principal Light-keeper, or Principal Officer of

the Board present. The table is to be covered during this service with

a flag; and, when the weather is moderate, the Light-house flag is, at

the same time, to be hoisted to the mast-head, and allowed to remain

till sunset.

XXXIII.--Should any difference of opinion arise among the Light-keepers

about the meaning of these Instructions, the duty shall in such cases

be performed agreeably to the explanation and orders of the Acting

Principal Light-keeper. In the same manner, in all matters to which

these Instructions may not seem fully to apply, the orders of the

Acting Principal Light-keeper are hereby declared to be binding upon

the respective Light-keepers.

XXXIV.--In case of neglect of duty on the part of any of the

Assistant-keepers, the Principal shall, according to the nature of

the offence, communicate the circumstances to the Superintendant

Light-keeper, on his first visit, or immediately by letter to the

Engineer, that the offending party may be reprimanded, put under

stoppages, or ultimately dismissed from the service, as the case may

require.

XXXV.--These Instructions, with such additional orders as may be

issued from time to time, are to be read by the officiating Officer,

immediately before reading Prayers, on the first Sunday of the months

of May and November.

_Edinburgh, 1st August 1823._

ROBERT STEVENSON,

Engineer to the Commissioners of the Northern Light-houses.

* * * * *

SCHEDULE referred to in the XXIII. and XXVII. Articles of the

INSTRUCTIONS.

Daily Allowance per Man, 1 lb. Beef; 1 lb. Bread; 2 oz. Oatmeal;

2 oz. Barley; 2 oz. Butter; 3 quarts Beer; Vegetables and Salt no

stated allowance; For Tea and other necessaries 4d. per day; For

instructing each Expectant-Light-keeper L. 2, distributed as follows,

viz. Principal Light-keeper 15s., Principal-Assistant 10s., each of

the two Ordinary Assistants 7s. 6d.

MONTHLY RETURN from the BELL ROCK LIGHT-HOUSE, for _November 1812_.

[Sidenote: Monthly Return.]

Key:

A Spermaceti Oil, in Gallons.

B Wicks in Dozens

C Lamp glasses

D Beef, in Lib.

E Bread, in Lib.

F Oatmeal in Lib.

G Barley, in Lib.

H Butter, in Lib.

I Beer, in Qrts.

J Water, in Gallons

K Coals in Cwts

L Vegetables in Dozens

M Number of People victualled

+--------------------------+--------------------------------------+

|Light-House | |

|Stores received. |Provisions, Water, and Fuel, received.|

+--------------------------+--------------------------------------+

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

| Nov. 1812. | A | B | C | D | E |F |G |H | I | J | K| L | M |

| | | | | | | | | | | | | |

+-------------+----+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--+---+---+

|Stock on |313 |593|360|263|243|72 |32 | 2 |200|615|60|11 | |

| hand, | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

+-------------+----+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--+---+---+

|Sunday, 1.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8|

|Monday, 2.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8|

|Tuesday, 3.|200 | | | 60|112| | | |160|200|12| 6 | 9|

|Wednesd. 4.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 9|

|Thursday, 5.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 9|

|Friday, 6.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8|

|Saturday, 7.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8|

|Sunday, 8.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8|

|Monday, 9.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8|

|Tuesday, 10.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8|

|Wednesd. 11.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8|

|Thursday, 12.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8|

|Friday, 13.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8|

|Saturday, 14.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8|

|Sunday, 15.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8|

|Monday, 16.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8|

|Tuesday, 17.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8|

|Wednesd. 18.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8|

|Thursday, 19.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8|

|Friday, 20.|100 | | | 37| | | | | 80| | 4| 3 | 3|

|Saturday, 21.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 3|

|Sunday, 22.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 3|

|Monday, 23.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 3|

|Tuesday, 24.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 3|

|Wednesd. 25.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 3|

|Thursday, 26.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 3|

|Friday, 27.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 3|

|Saturday, 28.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 3|

|Sunday, 29.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 3|

|Monday, 30.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 3|

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

+-------------+----+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--+---+---+

|Received, |613 |593|360|360|355|72 |32 |25 |440|815|76|20 |188|

+-------------+----+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--+---+---+

|Expended, |111¼| 12| 36|188|188|23½|23½|23½|376|260|19|13½| |

+-------------+----+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--+---+---+

|Remainder } |501¾|581|324|172|167|48½| 8½| 1½| 64|555|57| 6¼| --|

|in Store, } | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

+-------------+----+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--+---+---+

Key:

AA Spermaceti Oil.

AB „ Galls.

AC „ Qs.

AD „ Pts.

BB Wicks in Dozens

CC Lamp Glasses

DD Number of Lamps in Light-Room.

EE Beef in Lib.

FF Bread, in Lib.

GG Oatmeal in Lib.

HH Barley, in Lib.

II Butter, in Lib.

JJ Beer, in Qts.

KK Water, in Gallons

LL Coals in Cwts

MM Vegetables used.

+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+

| Light-House Stores | Provisions, Water, and Fuel, |

| served out. | served out. |

+-------------+---------+--------+-------------------------------------+

| | AA | | | | | | | | | | | | |

| Nov. 1812. +---+--+--+BB|CC|DD| EE| FF| GG| HH | II | JJ| KK|LL| MM|

| | AB|AC|AD| | | | | | | | | | | | |

+-------------+---+--+--+--+--+--+---+---+---+-----+----+---+---+--+---+

|Stock on | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

| hand, | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

+-------------+---+--+--+--+--+--+---+---+---+-----+----+---+---+--+---+

|Sunday, 1.| 3| 2| | | |24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16| | | 6|

|Monday, 2.| 3| 2| | | |24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16| | | 6|

|Tuesday, 3.| 13| 2| | | 6|24| 9| 9|1 2| 1 2 | 1 2| 18| 30| | 6|

|Wednesd. 4.| 3| 2| | | |24| 9| 9|1 2| 1 2 | 1 2| 18| | 2| 6|

|Thursday, 5.| 3| 2| | | |24| 9| 9|1 2| 1 2 | 1 2| 18| | 1| 6|

|Friday, 6.| 3| 2| | | |24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16| | | 6|

|Saturday, 7.| 3| 2| | 6| |24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16| | 2| 6|

|Sunday, 8.| 3| 2| | | 6|24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16| | | 6|

|Monday, 9.| 3| 3| | | |24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16| 40| | 6|

|Tuesday, 10.| 3| 2| | | |24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16| | 2| 6|

|Wednesd. 11.| 4| 0| | | |24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16| | | 6|

|Thursday, 12.| 4| 0| | | |24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16| | 2| 6|

|Friday, 13.| 3| 2| | | |24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16| | | 6|

|Saturday, 14.| 3| 2| | | 6|24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16| | | 6|

|Sunday, 15.| 3| 3| | | |24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16| | 2| 6|

|Monday, 16.| 3| 3| | | |24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16|150| | 6|

|Tuesday, 17.| 3| 3| | | |24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16| | | 6|

|Wednesd. 18.| 3| 3| | | |24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16| | 2| 6|

|Thursday, 19.| 3| 3| | | |24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16| | | 6|

|Friday, 20.| 3| 3| | | 6|24| 3| 3|0 6| 0 6 | 0 6| 6| | | 4|

|Saturday, 21.| 3| 3| | | |24| 3| 3|0 6| 0 6 | 0 6| 6| | 2| 4|

|Sunday, 22.| 3| 2| | | |24| 3| 3|0 6| 0 6 | 0 6| 6| | | 4|

|Monday, 23.| 4| 0| | | |24| 3| 3|0 6| 0 6 | 0 6| 6| | | 4|

|Tuesday, 24.| 4| 0| | | |24| 3| 3|0 6| 0 6 | 0 6| 6| | | 4|

|Wednesd. 25.| 3| 3| | | 6|24| 3| 3|0 6| 0 6 | 0 6| 6| | 2| 4|

|Thursday, 26.| 4| 0| | | |24| 3| 3|0 6| 0 6 | 0 6| 6| | | 4|

|Friday, 27.| 3| 3| | | |24| 3| 3|0 6| 0 6 | 0 6| 6| 40| | 4|

|Saturday, 28.| 4| 0| | | |24| 3| 3|0 6| 0 6 | 0 6| 6| | | 4|

|Sunday, 29.| 3| 3| | | |24| 3| 3|0 6| 0 6 | 0 6| 6| | | 4|

|Monday, 30.| 4| 0| | 6| 6|24| 3| 3|0 6| 0 6 | 0 6| 6| | 2| 4|

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

+-------------+---+--+--+--+--+--+---+---+---+-----+----+---+---+--+---+

|Received, |111| 1| |12|36| |188|188|23 |23 0½|23 0|376|260|19| 13|

+-------------+---+--+--+--+--+--+---+---+---+-----+----+---+---+--+---+

|Expended, | |

+-------------+ |

|Remainder } | Carried to return for next month. |

|in Store, } | |

+-------------+--------------------------------------------------------+

Written by _M. Wishart, Assis^t._

Principal or Principal Assistant } _John Reid, Prin^l._

Light-Keeper’s Signature, }

JOURNAL relative to the Duty of the Light-Keepers, and the State of the

Weather, &c. at the Bell Rock, for _November 1812_.

+-------------+---------+-------+------+----------+-------+-------+-------+

| | | | | | | | |

| | Time of |Time of|Night-| Keeper |Keeper |Tolling|Tolling|

| | Extin- | Light-|Watch | on |absent | of | of |

| Nov. 1812. |guishing,| ing, | Set, | First | on |Bells |Bells |

| | A.M. | P.M. | P.M. | Watch. |Leave. |begun. |ceased.|

+-------------+---------+-------+------+----------+-------+-------+-------+

|Sunday, 1.| 6.50 | 4.55 | 5 |J. Reid |Wishart| | |

|Monday, 2.| 6.20 | 4.55 | - |J. Bonyman| | | |

|Tuesday, 3.| 6.30 | 4.55 | - |H. Leask | | | |

|Wednesday, 4.| 6.25 | 5. | - |Reid |Bonyman| | |

|Thursday, 5.| 6.25 | 4.45 | - |Leask | | | |

|Friday, 6.| 6.40 | 4.45 | - |M. Wishart| |8 A.M. |10 A.M.|

|Saturday, 7.| 6.45 | 4.40 | - |Reid | | | |

|Sunday, 8.| 6.50 | 4.40 | - |Leask | | | |

|Monday, 9.| 6.40 | 4.45 | - |Wishart | | | |

|Tuesday, 10.| 6.45 | 4.35 | - |Reid | | | |

|Wednesd. 11.| 6.30 | 4.35 | - |Leask | | | |

|Thursday, 12.| 7. | 4.30 | - |Wishart | | | |

|Friday, 13.| 6.55 | 4.30 | - |Reid | | | |

|Saturday, 14.| 6.30 | 4.30 | - |Leask | | | |

|Sunday, 15.| 7. | 4.20 | - |Wishart | | | |

|Monday, 16.| 6.55 | 4.20 | - |Reid | | | |

|Tuesday, 17.| 7. | 4.20 | - |Leask | | | |

|Wednesd. 18.| 7.5 | 4.20 | - |Wishart | | | |

|Thursday, 19.| 7. | 4.15 | - |Reid | | | |

|Friday, 20.| 7.15 | 4.10 | - |Leask | | | |

|Saturday, 21.| 7.15 | 4.10 | - |Wishart | | | |

|Sunday, 22.| 7. | 4.10 | - |Reid | | | |

|Monday, 23.| 7. | 4.10 | - |Leask | | | |

|Tuesday, 24.| 7.10 | 4.10 | - |Wishart | | | |

|Wednesd. 25.| 7.10 | 4.15 | - |Reid | | | |

|Thursday, 26.| 7.20 | 4.10 | - |Leask | | | |

|Friday, 27.| 7.15 | 4.5 | - |Wishart | | | |

|Saturday, 28.| 7.20 | 4.15 | - |Reid | | | |

|Sunday, 29.| 7.10 | 4.10 | - |Leask | |12 noon|10 P.M.|

|Monday, 30.| 7.10 | 4.10 | - |Wishart | | | |

+-------------+---------+-------+------+----------+-------+-------+-------+

+-------------+--------+------------+----------+-------+-------+

| |Prevailing State of the Weather.|Barom. |Therm. |

| +--------+------------+----------+ in | in |

| | Foggy, | Hazy, H. | |Inches |Degrees|

| Nov. 1812. | | Rain, R. | Wind | at | at |

| | Snowy. | Clear, C. | Calm, C. |8 A.M. |8 A.M. |

+-------------+--------+------------+----------+-------+-------+

|Sunday, 1.| | R.H. | S.W. | 29.40 | 46 |

|Monday, 2.| | C. | W.S.W. | 29.50 | 42 |

|Tuesday, 3.| | C. | West. | 29.68 | 42 |

|Wednesday, 4.| | C. | N.N.W. | 29.69 | 43 |

|Thursday, 5.| | C. | North. | 29.70 | 45 |

|Friday, 6.| Foggy, | C. | North. | 29.50 | 45 |

|Saturday, 7.| | C. | N.N.E. | 29.60 | 50 |

|Sunday, 8.| | H. | Variable.| 29.88 | 50 |

|Monday, 9.| | C. | S.E. | 30.10 | 49 |

|Tuesday, 10.| | C. | Variable.| 30.12 | 48 |

|Wednesd. 11.| | C. | N.E. | 30.30 | 48 |

|Thursday, 12.| | H.R. | N.E. | 29.90 | 45 |

|Friday, 13.| | H.R. | S.E. | 29.52 | 42 |

|Saturday, 14.| | H.R. | S.S.E. | 29.60 | 43 |

|Sunday, 15.| | H.R. | N.E. | 29.65 | 41 |

|Monday, 16.| | H.R. | N.E. | 29.92 | 41 |

|Tuesday, 17.| | H. | East. | 29.41 | 44 |

|Wednesd. 18.| | H. | N.E. | 29.70 | 43 |

|Thursday, 19.| | C. | N.N.E. | 29.22 | 45 |

|Friday, 20.| | C. | Variable.| 29.50 | 45 |

|Saturday, 21.| | H. | N.W. | 29.47 | 50 |

|Sunday, 22.| | H. | W.S.W. | 29.58 | 49 |

|Monday, 23.| | H. | W.S.W | 29.60 | 46 |

|Tuesday, 24.| | H.R. | Variable.| 29.50 | 45 |

|Wednesd. 25.| | R.H. | N.E. | 29.86 | 45 |

|Thursday, 26.| | R.H. | E.N. | 29.66 | 49 |

|Friday, 27.| | C. | S.S.E. | 29.97 | 48 |

|Saturday, 28.| | H. | S. by E. | 30.23 | 47 |

|Sunday, 29.| Foggy, | H. | Variable.| 30.34 | 43 |

|Monday, 30.| | C. | S.W. | 30.15 | 43 |

+-------------+--------+------------+----------+-------+-------+

30) 892.25 | 1356

------- |------

Average, 29.742 | 45.2

+-------------+-----------------+-------------------+------+-------------+

| |Supposed rise at | |Sick, | Number |

| |High Water on the| Tender’s Boat | and | of |

| | Building of | |unable| Strangers |

| Nov. 1812. +-------+---------+--------+----------+ for | on the |

| | Tide. | Spray. |Arrives.| Departs. |Duty. | Rock. |

+-------------+-------+---------+--------+----------+------+-------------+

|Sunday, 1.| 8 | 40 | | | |5 Artificers.|

|Monday, 2.| 9 | 40 | | | | |

|Tuesday, 3.| 10 | 40 | 8 A.M.| 10 A.M.| |2 Surveyors. |

|Wednesday, 4.| 11 | 40 | 8 A.M.| 9.30 A.M.| |2 depart. |

|Thursday, 5.| 11 | 50 | 10 A.M.|10.15 A.M.| | |

|Friday, 6.| 11 | 70 | | | | |

|Saturday, 7.| 10 | 40 | | | | |

|Sunday, 8.| 9 | 40 | | | | |

|Monday, 9.| 9 | 40 | | | | |

|Tuesday, 10.| 8 | 40 | | | | |

|Wednesd. 11.| 8 | 50 | | | | |

|Thursday, 12.| 7 | 50 | | | | |

|Friday, 13.| 7 | 40 | | | | |

|Saturday, 14.| 8 | 60 | | | | |

|Sunday, 15.| 8 | 96 | | | | |

|Monday, 16.| 9 | 60 | | | | |

|Tuesday, 17.| 9 | 70 | | | | |

|Wednesd. 18.| 10 | 60 | | | | |

|Thursday, 19.| 11 | 50 | 7 A.M.| 10 A.M.| |5 depart. |

|Friday, 20.| 11 | 50 | | | | |

|Saturday, 21.| 10 | 40 | | | | |

|Sunday, 22.| 10 | 50 | | | | |

|Monday, 23.| 9 | 40 | | | | |

|Tuesday, 24.| 9 | 50 | | | | |

|Wednesd. 25.| 8 | 90 | | | | |

|Thursday, 26.| 8 | 40 | | | | |

|Friday, 27.| 8 | 40 | | | | |

|Saturday, 28.| 8 | 40 | | | | |

|Sunday, 29.| 9 | 30 | | | | |

|Monday, 30.| 9 | 30 | | | | |

+-------------+-----------------+--------+----------+------+-------------+

Written by _M. Wishart, Assis^t._

Principal or Principal Assistant } _John Reid, Prin^l._

Light-Keeper’s Signature, }

REMARKS regarding any Accident or Particular which occurred connected

with the Bell Rock Light-house during the Month of _November 1812_.

1812.

Nov. 1. The first part of these twenty-four hours strong gales, with

much rain, middle and latter parts moderate and changeable.

... 3. Blowing fresh breezes to-day, with fine clear weather. At 8 A.

M. the Light-house Yacht’s boat landed twenty ankers of spermaceti

oil. Mr John Steedman, and Mr William Lorimer, from Mr Stevenson’s

office, also came to the Rock to do business at the House. Returned

by the boat one anker of dregs of oil, with a box of broken

lamp-glasses, together with 20 empty casks. One mason went ashore.

... 4. At 8 A. M. the Yacht’s boat landed, and made two trips with

a variety of articles and materials for the joiners, and provisions

for the use of the house. Returned some extra bolts. Mr Steedman and

his assistant employed with their instruments measuring the Rock at

low-water.

... 5. These twenty-four hours, strong breezes with clear weather.

At 10 A. M. the Yacht’s boat landed, and took off Mr Steedman and Mr

Lorimer.

... 15. A constant gale, with much rain until the 19th, when it fell

moderate. The signal-ball was not hoisted to-day, as an intimation

ashore that the artificers were ready to leave the Rock.

... 20. Variable weather to-day, with flying showers. At 7 A. M.

the Tender’s boat landed at three trips, with water, fuel, and

provisions, for the use of the House, and ten ankers of oil for the

use of the Light-room. At 10 o’clock the boat departed, when Mr

Slight, James Glen, Robert Selkirk, and two others, left the Rock to

proceed to the shore for the season.

... 23. All these twenty-four hours it blew strong gales, with very

hazy weather. Signal-ball not hoisted, owing to the state of the

weather.

... 25. Blowing a gale with much rain. Signal-ball not hoisted.

... 26. Do. weather with much sea.

... 29. First and middle parts of these twenty-four hours hazy and

variable. Middle parts foggy and calm, with frost. Bells tolling.

Signal-balls not hoisted.

... 30. Fine clear weather. Cleaned the chimney to-day.

Written by, _M. Wishart, Assis^t_.

Principal or Principal Assistant } _John Reid, Prin^l._

Light-keeper’s Signature. }

To ROBERT STEVENSON, Esq.

Engineer for Northern Light-houses,

Edinburgh.

_Note._--Similar Monthly Returns are also sent from the other

Light-house Stations, independently of which, the Light-keepers are

directed to correspond with the Engineer as often as the circumstances

of the Service require.

SHIPWRECK RETURN from _Pladda_ Light-House.

[Sidenote: Shipwreck Return.]

DESCRIPTION of Vessels or Boats Wrecked within Fifty Miles of any of

the Northern Light-House Stations, to be immediately communicated

to the Engineer, in so far as the circumstances can be ascertained

by the observation or diligent inquiries of the respective

Light-Keepers; who are also instructed to render every assistance in

their power to Shipwrecked Mariners; without however neglecting the

proper duties of their charge.

---------+------------+-----------+---------+-----------+---------------

|Ship, Brig, | Belonging | Name of | Name of | Where

Date. |Schooner, or| to what | the | the | Wrecked.

| Sloop, &c. | Port. | Vessel. | Commander.|

---------+------------+-----------+---------+-----------+---------------

| | | | |

Tuesday, | Sloop, | Greenock, | Atlas, | Alexander | Island of

18th | | | | Duncan. | Pladda, to the

February | | | | | S. W. of the

1823. | | | | | Light-house.

| | | | |

---------+------------+-----------+---------+-----------+---------------

----------------+---------------+-------------------+-------------------

At what Hour | In what kind | No. of the Crew | No. of the Crew

Wrecked, | of Weather. | or Passengers | or Passengers

A. M. or P. M. | | Saved. | Lost.

----------------+---------------+-------------------+-------------------

| | |

At | Stormy, Hazy | 5 | none.

5 A. M. | Weather. | |

| Wind S. S. E. | |

| | |

| | |

----------------+---------------+-------------------+-------------------

-------+----------+--------+--------+-----------+-----------

Whence| Where | | | Supposed | Supposed

from. | Bound. | Cargo. |Tonnage.| Value of | Value of

| | | |the Vessel.|the Cargo.

-------+----------+--------+--------+-----------+-----------

| | | | |

Sydney.|Greenock. |British | 75 | £ 400 0 0 | £ 200 0 0

| | Oak | | |

| |Timber. | | |

| | | | |

| | | | |

-------+----------+--------+--------+-----------+-----------

Principal or Assistant’s } _William Soutar, Prin^l._

Signature, }

_Note._--It fortunately happens that no instance of Shipwreck has

occurred at the Bell Rock since its erection; and therefore a

Return from one of the other Light-house Stations is given.

LETTER accompanying the foregoing Shipwreck Return.

_Pladda Light-House_, _18th February 1823_.

SIR,

I beg leave to inform you, that this vessel was observed by the keeper

on watch in the Light-room to be ashore at 5.30 A.M., who gave the

alarm to all the inmates of the Light-house; but no assistance could

be given to the crew by us till 8.30 A.M., when the tide ebbed so far

that they could heave us a rope; then we assisted them in getting

their clothes, and themselves, and some other articles, ashore. It is

thought by the Captain and crew that the vessel will not be got off. As

it happened to be about high-water when she came ashore, she is very

far up on the shore, and ebbs almost dry at low-water, although it be

neap-tides.

The report given us by the Captain and crew is, that they thought to

have weathered this island, as they had the light three points on their

weather-bow; but having so little sail set at the time, they observed

they were so near the shore they thought the vessel would not stay.

Their jib and top-sail was all the sail they could carry to the storm.

They say they were in the act of setting a small bit of the peak of

their mainsail when the vessel struck, to enable them to keep more to

windward of the island.

Wednesday, 19th. At low-water, the Captain and crew, with other

assistance, stripped the vessel of her sails and materials, which were

carefully laid aside, and partly got into the store-house. Nothing more

particular about the wreck at this date; but we shall be as serviceable

to the unfortunate men as we can.

I remain,

SIR,

Your most obedient humble Servant,

WILLIAM SOUTAR.

To ROBERT STEVENSON, Esq. }

Engineer for Northern Light-Houses, Edinburgh.}

No. II.

INCHCAPE ROCK.

_Extracted, by Mr SOUTHEY’s permission, from his Minor Poems_, Vol.

III. p. 148.

[Sidenote: Inchcape Ballad.]

An old writer mentions a curious Tradition, which may be worth

quoting. “By east of the Isle of May,” says he, “twelve miles from

all land in the German Seas, lyes a great hidden rock, called

Inchcape, very dangerous for navigators, because it is overflowed

every tide. It is reported in old times, upon the saide rocke there

was a bell, fixed upon a tree or timber, which rang continually,

being moved by the sea, giving notice to the saylers of the danger.

This bell or clocke was put there and maintained by the Abbot of

Aberbrothok, and being taken down by a sea pirate, a yeare thereafter

he perished upon the same rocke, with ship and goodes, in the

righteous judgment of God.”