file which includes the remarkable original illustrations4 ,see #dhdad-;h4htm or #dhdad-;h4zip3 7https3_/_/www4gutenberg4org_/cache_/epu b_/#dhdad_/pg#dhdad-;images4html7 or 7https3_/_/www4gutenberg4org_/files_/#dh dad_/dhdad-;h4zip7 ,images of the original pages are available through ,internet ,archive4 ,see https3_/_/archive4org_/details_/stevenso nbell#ahbdstev ,transcriber's note ,text enclosed by underscores is in italics 7italics74 ,text enclosed by tilde characters is underlined 7underlined74 ,a carat character is used to denote superscription4 ,a single character following the carat is superscripted 7example3 ,,tho,s74 ,illustration3 ,,bell ,,rock ,,light ,,house ,,during ,a ,,storm ,,from ,,the ,,north ,,east4 ,drawn by ,j4 ,m4 ,w4 ,turner ,r4 ,a4 ,engraved by ,j4 ,horsburgh4 ,,an ,,account ,,of ,,the ,,bell ,,rock ,,light-,,house1 ,including the ,details of the ,erection and ,peculiar ,structure of ,that ,edifice4 ,to ,which ,is ,prefixed a ,historical ,view of the ,institution and ,progress of the ,northern ,light-,houses4 ,illustrated with ,twenty-,three ,engravings4 ,drawn ,up by ,desire of the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-,houses1 by ,,robert ,,stevenson1 ,civil ,engineer2 ,fellow of the ,royal ,society of ,edinburgh2 ,member of the ,society of ,scotish ,antiquaries1 of the ,wernerian ,natural ,history ,society1 and of the ,geological ,society of ,london2 ,engineer to the ,northern ,light-,house ,board1 and to the ,convention of ,royal ,boroughs of ,scotland4 ,edinburgh3 ,printed for ,archibald ,constable ,co4 ,edinburgh2 ,hurst1 ,robinson ,co4 #ij4 ,cheapside2 and ,josiah ,taylor1 #ej4 ,high ,holborn1 ,london4 #ahbd4 ,,to ,,the ,,king4 ,,sire1 ,it is with much diffidence that the author now lays before ,your ,majesty1 an ,account of the arduous national undertaking of erecting a ,light-house on the ,bell ,rock1--a sunk reef1 lying about eleven miles from the shore1 and so situated as to have long proved an object of dread to mariners on the eastern coast of ,scotland1 especially when making for the ,friths of ,forth and ,tay4 ,this edifice being of the utmost consequence to the safety of ,your ,majesty's ,ships of ,war upon the ,north ,sea station1 and of the commercial shipping of this part of the empire1 he presumes to hope for ,your ,majesty's favourable acceptance of his work4 ,from the known partiality1 also1 of ,your ,majesty for naval excursions1 which so recently led the ,royal ,squadron within a comparatively short distance of the ,bell ,rock ,light-house1 in the course of ,your ,majesty's most gracious ,visit to your ancient ,kingdom of ,scotland1 he flatters himself that ,your ,majesty may feel an additional interest in the subject of this volume4 ,the ,introduction to this work brings generally under ,your ,majesty's notice1 the important labours of the ,scottish ,light-house ,board1 appointed by an act of the #bfth ,parliament of ,your ,majesty's illustrious ,,father4 ,since that period1 ,light-house stations have been partially extended over the whole northern shores of ,your ,majesty's ,british dominions1 from ,inchkeith in the ,firth of ,forth1 to the ,isle of ,man in the ,irish ,sea1 including in this circuit the ,hebrides1 and ,orkney and ,shetland ,islands4 ,much1 however1 still remains to be done2 and the ,board is gradually proceeding1 as the state of its funds will permit1 in placing additional ,sea-,lights on certain intermediate points of the coast4 ,it cannot fail to be gratifying to ,your ,majesty to learn1 as the result of the exertions of this ,board1 that the mariner may now navigate those regions with a degree of security and confidence quite unknown to ,your ,majesty's ,royal ,ancestor ,,james ,,the ,,fifth1 when he sailed around this coast in the #afth century1 or even1 at a recent period1 to ,your ,majesty's ,royal ,brother ,,william ,,henry ,duke of ,clarence1 when in early life he traversed those seas4 ,with unfeigned sentiments of loyalty and attachment1 the author subscribes himself1 ,your ,,majesty',s ,most devoted ,subject and ,servant1 ,,robert ,,stevenson4 ,,the ,,contents4 ,,introduction4 ,,historical ,,narrative ,,of ,,the ,,institution ,,of ,,the ,,board ,,of ,,commissioners1 ,,and ,,progress ,,made ,,in ,,the ,,erection ,,of ,,the ,,northern ,,light-,,houses4 ,page ,early ,voyages of the ,scots4 ,extension of ,trade4 ,charts of the ,coast4 #a-d #aghf4 ,proposition for the establishment of a ,light-house ,board in ,scotland4 ,original act passed in #aghf4 ,commissioners appointed4 ,first ,meeting of the ,board4 ,mode of raising ,funds4 #e-f #aghg4 ,kinnaird-,head and ,mull of ,kintyre ,light-houses4 #f-h #aghh4 ,light ,duty found to be too small4 ,act of #aghh4 #i #aghi4 ,island ,glass1 ,north ,ronaldsay1 and ,pladda ,light-houses4 ,collectors of the ,light-,duties appointed4 #aj-aa #agia4 ,pladda distinguishing ,light4 ,annual ,supply and ,inspection of the ,light-houses4 ,light-keepers' ,salary4 ,economical plan of early ,light-houses4 #ab-ad #agic4 ,application for ,additional ,lights4 ,state of the ,light-house ,funds4 #ad-ae #agid4 ,pentland ,skerry ,light-house4 ,writer's first ,voyage to the ,north4 ,loss of the ,sloop ,elizabeth4 ,mr ,balfour and ,mr ,riddoch of ,orkney presented with ,pieces of ,plate4 #ae-ag ,act ,incorporating the ,commissioners into a ,board or ,body ,politic4 ,additional works at the ,light-houses already built4 ,proposition for altering ,kinnaird-,head ,light-house4 #ah-ai #ahja4 ,numerous ,shipwrecks on the ,island of ,sanday4 ,proofs of a severe winter in ,orkney4 ,quarries at ,sanday and ,eda4 ,encroachments of the ,sea4 ,remarks on ,ruble ,building1 and ,houses with double walls4 ,foundation-,stone of ,start ,point ,light-house laid4 ,reverend ,walter ,traill's ,address upon this occasion4 #ai-bc #ahjc4 ,inchkeith ,light-house4 ,originally proposed as a ,leading ,light4 ,duty for ,inchkeith modified4 ,light-keepers ,accommodations extended4 ,construction of ,light-rooms and ,reflectors improved4 ,inscription upon ,inchkeith ,light-house4 ,pilot's guard-room4 ,shipwrecked ,seamen sheltered4 #bd-bi #ahjf4 ,start-,point ,light exhibited1 and ,north ,ronaldsay ,light-house converted into a ,beacon4 ,list of #bb ,shipwrecks on the ,island of ,sanday1 in the course of ,twelve ,years4 ,foreman and ,artificers lost in the ,traveller4 ,captain ,manby's ,apparatus1 #cj-cd ,island of ,may ,light-house4 ,patent ratified #afda2 the ,duty for that ,light complained of after the ,union4 ,family of ,scotstarvet become ,proprietors4 ,chamber of ,commerce get that ,light improved4 ,portland ,family become ,proprietors4 ,loss of the ,nymphen and ,pallas ,frigates4 ,lord ,melville1 ,first ,lord of the ,admiralty1 applies to the ,light-house ,board1 by whom the ,duties and ,island of ,may are purchased4 ,additional apartments provided at the ,isle of ,may4 ,notice of the alteration of this ,light and that of ,inchkeith4 ,pilot's guard-room4 #cf-da #ahae4 ,corsewall ,light-house4 ,foundation-stone laid4 ,light exhibited4 #db-dd #ahah4 ,isle of ,man ,light-houses4 ,writer's ,report in the year #ahjb1 relative to the erection of ,light-houses on the ,isle of ,man4 ,trade of ,liverpool applies to the ,commissioners to erect them4 ,act of #ahae1 obtained by ,sir ,w4 ,rae1 with regard to these ,lights4 ,difficulty of fixing their ,sites4 ,lights exhibited #ast ,february #ahah4 ,sum expended by the ,light-house ,board1 on the ,east ,coast1 in the course of #aj years4 #dd-dh #ahba4 ,sumburgh-head ,light exhibited4 ,this ,house built with double walls1 #eb ,carr ,rock ,beacon4 ,list of #af vessels wrecked there in the course of nine years4 ,floating-,buoy moored off this dangerous ,reef4 ,beacon of ,masonry designed1 with ,tide-machine and ,bell-apparatus4 ,dimensions of ,carr ,rock4 ,difficulties of this work4 ,it is frequently damaged in ,storms4 ,the upper part ultimately completed with cast-iron1 without the ,alarm-,bell4 #ef-fb ,duties exigible4 ,expence of ,management4 ,accounts of the ,light-house ,board made public4 ,application of the ,funds1 and disposal of the ,surplus4 ,practical ,management4 #fc-fd ,,account ,,of ,,the ,,bell ,,rock ,,light-,,house4 ,,chap4 ,i4 ,,name1 ,,situation1 ,,dimensions1 ,,and ,,natural ,,history1 ,,of ,,the ,,bell ,,rock4--,,depth ,,of ,,water1 ,,and ,,current ,,of ,,the ,,tides ,,in ,,its ,,vicinity4 ,page ,origin of the ,names ,inch-,cape and ,bell ,rock4 ,tradition of a ,bell erected by one of the ,abbots of ,aberbrothock4 #fg-fh ,situation1 ,dimensions1 and ,mineralogy of the ,rock4 ,wasting effects of the ,sea4 ,proofs of its having occupied a higher ,level4 #fi-ga ,plants1 ,animals1 ,insect destructive to ,timber4 ,experiment with pieces of ,timber fixed to the ,rock4 ,mussels attempted to be planted upon it4 ,habits of ,fishes4 #gb-gd ,depth of ,water upon the ,rock1 and at the distance of #ajj yards from it4 ,tides at the ,rock4 ,not accounted for by ,writers on the subject4 ,progress of the great ,waves of the ,tide4 ,periods of ,high-water at different places in the ,firth of ,forth4 ,currents at the ,mouth of the ,river ,dee4 ,water salt at bottom and fresh at top4 ,phenomenon of in and off shore ,tides4 ,tides of ,mediterranean and ,baltic ,seas4 #ge-ha ,,chap4 ,,ii4 ,,position ,,of ,,the ,,bell ,,rock4--,,designs ,,for ,,the ,,light-,,house4--,,bill ,,by ,,lord ,,advocate ,,hope ,,in #ahjc4--;,,bill ,,by ,,lord ,,advocate ,,erskine ,,in #ahjf4--,,report ,,of ,,the ,,committee ,,of ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,commons4--,,passing ,,of ,,the ,,bill4 ,dangerous ,position of the ,rock4 ,sir ,alexander ,cochrane's ,letter to the ,light-house ,board4 ,great ,storm in #agii4 ,expence of the ,light-house1 as estimated by the ,public4 ,designs by ,captain ,brodie and ,mr ,cooper4 ,captain ,brodie's remuneration4 ,the ,writer's first visit to the ,rock in the year #ahjj4 ,pillar-formed ,building compared with one of ,stone4 ,mr ,telford requested to give a ,design4 ,mr ,downie's ,pillar-formed ,design4 #ha-ic ,bell ,rock ,light-house proposed at the ,convention of ,royal ,burghs4 ,lord ,advocate ,hope's ,bill is lost in the ,house of ,lords in #ahjc4 #id-ie ,the ,light-house ,board consults ,mr ,rennie1 who visits the ,rock with ,mr ,hamilton1 and the ,writer4 ,the ,commissioners take the sense of certain ,ports relative to the measure4 ,reports of the ,traders in ,leith and ,berwick4 ,resolution of the ,board to apply again to ,parliament4 #id-ih ,lord ,advocate ,erskine's ,bill #ahjf4 ,mr ,hamilton and the ,writer go to ,london on this business4 ,loan from ,government doubtful4 ,board of ,trade favourable to the ,loan4 ,memorial to the ,board of ,trade4 ,sir ,joseph ,banks's exertions4 ,bill read first and second times4 ,report brought up by ,sir ,john ,sinclair4 ,report of the ,committee4 ,bill meets with some opposition at the third reading1 but is passed4 #ajj-aje ,,chap4 ,,iii4--#ahjg4 ,,floating-,,light ,,ship4--,,commencement ,,of ,,the ,,operations ,,on ,,the ,,rock4--,,erection ,,of ,,the ,,beacon-,,house1 ,,and ,,progress ,,of ,,the ,,works4 ,the ,act provides for the mooring of a ,floating-,light4 ,fishing ,dogger purchased1 fitted out and moored1 under the direction of a ,committee of the ,trinity-,house of ,leith1 and named the ,pharos4 ,peculiar construction of her ,lanterns and ,moorings4 ,she sails for her station4 ,a ,committee from ,arbroath joins the party at the ,isle of ,may4 ,is anchored in a temporary birth4 ,her moorings unexpectedly slip over-board1 and are recovered with much difficulty4 ,description of the ,pharos4 #ajg-aad ,commencement of the ,operations at the ,rock4 ,sloop ,smeaton4 ,positions of the ,beacon and ,light-house fixed upon4 ,first trip of the ,artificers to the ,rock on the #gth ,august4 ,rate of ,wages4 ,letter from ,aberdeen ,masons4 ,lines from ,dibdin4 #aae-abj ,erection of the ,beacon-,house4 ,work commenced #ahth ,august4 ,method of fixing iron-bats into the ,rock4 ,landing-master's duty4 ,indications of the state of the ,weather4 ,dangerous situation of the ,rock in ,foggy weather4 ,artificers amuse themselves with fishing while the ,rock is under water4 ,the fixing of the ,smith's ,forge completed4 ,valuable services of the ,smiths on the ,bell ,rock4 ,much wanted at the ,edystone4 ,the ,seals desert the ,rock4 #abj-abf ,hampered state of the ,artificers on ship-board4 ,inconveniencies of the ,pharos as a ,tender4 ,difficulty of getting on board4 ,artificers become expert rowers4 ,their rations of ,provisions4 8,saturday-,night at ,sea40 #abg-acj ,reasons for continuing the works upon the ,rock during part of ,sundays4 ,preparations for having ,prayers on deck4 ,prayer composed by the ,reverend ,dr ,a4 ,brunton4 ,some of the ,artificers decline working on ,sunday4 ,additional ,pay for ,sunday's work4 #aca-ace ,artificers work knee-deep in water during neap-tides4 ,operations at the ,rock entirely confined to the ,beacon4 ,description of the operation of boring holes in the ,rock4 ,difficult situation of the ,smiths4 #ace-acg ,wind-,gauge much wanted1 to afford a better nomenclature to ,seamen4 ,difficult passage with the boats from the ,rock to the ,tender4 ,life-,buoy streamed on this occasion4 ,a ,tender is ordered exclusively for the service of the ,rock4 ,some of the ,artificers apply for leave ashore4 ,landing made upon the ,rock after a gale4 #ach-ada ,method of fixing the great iron-stanchions into the ,rock4 ,longest day's work hitherto had upon it4 ,smeaton brings off a cargo of stones for making the experiment of landing them4 ,various methods suggested for this critical operation4 ,stones first landed on the ,rock4 ,mode originally adopted for attaching the ,stone-lighters to their moorings4 ,smeaton breaks adrift4 ,perilous situation of those on the ,rock4 ,pilot-boat fortunately comes to their relief4 ,the ,boats have a rough passage to the ,floating-light4 ,the ,smeaton bears away for ,arbroath4 ,indispensable utility of the ,beacon-house4 ,eighteen of the ,artificers decline embarking for the ,rock4 ,the boats1 nevertheless1 proceed with the remaining eight4 ,captain ,pool's account of the drifting of the ,smeaton1 #adb-aeb ,the comparative level of the site of the ,building ascertained4 ,full complement of ,buoys moored4 ,floating-light rides out a strong gale4 ,state of the vessel4 ,the ,writer consults with the ,officers of the ship relative to the probable effect of her breaking adrift4 ,the gale takes off4 ,appearance of the ,sea on the ,rock4 ,the ,floating-light breaks adrift4 ,her cables supposed to have been cut by a piece of wreck4 ,difficulty of managing this vessel4 ,she is anchored and moored in a new station4 ,her ,light is first exhibited on the #aeth of ,september #ahjg4 #aec-afd ,light-house ,yacht for a time becomes the ,tender at the ,rock4 ,artificers agree to continue on board of her beyond the term of their engagement4 ,an accident happens to one of the ,boats4 #afd-afe ,the ,smeaton arrives at the ,rock1 #ahth ,september1 with the ,beams of the ,beacon-house4 ,preparations made1 and four of the principal ones erected4 ,method of raising them1 and fixing the great ,iron-,stanchions4 ,seven hours' work upon the ,rock in one ebb-tide4 ,the remaining two principal1 and four of the supporting beams1 erected4 #aff-aga ,the ,boats have some difficulty in leaving the ,rock4 ,shipping dispersed in a gale4 ,land again after an absence of four days4 ,smith's ,forge removed from the ,rock to the ,beacon4 ,writer lands at ,arbroath1 after having been four weeks afloat4 #agb-agd ,the vessels are again separated in a gale4 ,a landing effected at the ,rock4 ,state of the ,beacon4 ,working hours extended4 ,beacon-works finished for the season4 ,mr ,john ,rennie1 and his son ,mr ,george1 visit the ,rock4 ,number of days during which the ,artificers were at work4 #age-ahj ,progress of ,operations in the ,work-yard4 ,writer visits the ,rock #bb;d ,november4 ,state of the ,beacon4 ,professor ,playfair's observations about the unlocking of ,screws4 ,state of the ,floating-light4 #aha-ahh ,,chap4 ,,iv4--#ahjh4 ,,shipping4--,,implements4--,,building ,,materials2 ,,and ,,progress ,,of ,,the ,,works4 ,praam-boats built with a water-tight ceiling or lining4 ,method of mooring the ,praam-boats4 ,attending boats1 one of which is fitted up as a ,life-boat4 #ahg-ahh ,railways1 ,waggons1 ,sheer-crane1 ,moveable-beam-crane1 ,sling-cart1 ,carpenters' ,jack1 ,lewis-bat1 ,moulds1 ,coffer-dam1 ,pumps1 ,winch-machine4 #ahi-aif ,mineralogy of eastern coast4 ,report of ,messrs ,rennie and ,stevenson1 about ,stone4 ,the use of ,granite resolved upon4 ,mortar of the ,ancients4 ,attention of the ,moderns to this subject4 ,mortar of the ,edystone and ,bell ,rock1 ,lime1 ,pozzolano1 ,sand1 ,water1 ,cement4 ,oaken trenails1 and ,wedges4 #aif-bjd ,the ,writer visits the ,rock #cjth ,march4 ,floating-light's crew4 ,light comparatively feeble4 ,landing at the ,rock difficult4 ,state of the ,beacon4 ,propriety of converting it into a ,barrack4 ,bread and ,water chest4 ,advantages of the ,beacon to ,shipping4 #bje-bjh ,impress-service affects the ,operations4 ,protection-,medal and ,descriptive ,ticket4 ,light-house ,yacht on the station as a ,tender4 ,preparatory works4 ,use of ,granite restricted to lower courses of the building4 ,use of ,sandstone extended4 ,mr ,skene's contract for supplying ,granite4 #bji-bab ,the ,sir ,joseph ,banks ,schooner takes her station as ,tender at the ,rock4 ,the ,writer begins the operations of the season #beth ,may4 ,state of the ,foundation-pit4 ,difficult landing4 ,it is found necessary to excavate the ,rock further1 to a greater depth4 ,artificers much afflicted with sea-sickness4 ,misunderstanding about their ,pay4 ,sailors men of all-works1 #bab-bah ,mortar ,gallery fitted up4 ,smeaton ballasted from the ,bell ,rock4 ,fish caught in great abundance4 #bah-bai ,first entire course completed in the hewing1 and laid on the platform in the ,work-yard at ,arbroath1 on the #dth ,june4 ,its cubical contents4 ,certainty of commencing the building operations this season4 ,arrangements with the artificers4 ,how employed4 ,interesting appearance of the ,rock4 ,they remain there all day4 ,tender bears away for ,leith ,roads4 ,the work is continued on the ,rock till midnight4 ,its appearance4 ,artificers backward in landing1 owing to the appearance of the weather4 #bbj-bbf ,first entire course of the building removed from the platform1 to be shipped for the ,rock1 #adth ,june4 ,trial of the ,landing apparatus4 ,fifty ,artificers land4 ,small ruble-walls built instead of coffer-dam4 ,advantages of a ,bell as a signal in foggy weather4 ,force of the ,sea upon the ,rock4 ,artificers sail for ,arbroath4 ,pay and premiums of the ,artificers this month4 ,they embark again for the ,rock on the return of ,spring-tides4 ,how employed4 #bbg-bce ,foundation-stone prepared1 landed at high-water4 ,laid #ajth ,july1 with masonic ceremony4 #bce-bcg ,price of ,granite advanced4 ,a raft of ,timber goes adrift4 ,state of things at night on extinguishing the torches at the ,rock4 ,first or foundation course1 consisting of #ah stones1 finished #bfth ,july4 ,force of habit exemplified in landing on the ,rock4 ,cargo of the first entire course landed #bhth ,july4 ,the ,smeaton makes a second trip in twenty hours4 #d stones are laid4 ,advantage of cranes compared with sheer-poles4 ,mr ,smeaton's plan in the use of trenails and wedges followed4 #bci-bdd ,a party of gentlemen have a narrow escape at the ,rock4 ,first entire course completed #abth ,august4 ,one of the artificers disabled in the work-yard at ,arbroath4 ,he receives an annuity4 ,granite stones much wanted for the work4 ,second entire course completed4 ,pumping of water discontinued at the ,rock #ajth ,september4 ,one of the artificers1 by an accidental bruise1 loses a finger4 ,progress of the works stopped for want of ,granite4 ,the ,building brought to a level with the higher parts of the ,rock4 #bdd-bdi ,great difficulty of landing4 ,two stones are loosened by the force of the ,sea4 ,praam-boats ride out a gale with great ease4 #ca stones laid in #f hours4 ,one of the boats cannot be got out of the eastern-creek4 #ae stones laid4 ,weather very boisterous4 ,engineer's ,clerk most active4 #bej-bec ,unfortunate loss of ,james ,scott1 a sailor4 ,his mother gets a small annuity4 #ag stones laid4 ,building closed for the season #bast ,september4 ,summary of ,operations4 ,shipping dispersed in a gale4 ,state of things at the ,rock after the gale4 ,the ,writer sails on his annual trip to the ,northern ,light-houses4 ,visits the ,bell ,rock on his return4 ,arrangements for the ,winter months4 #bec-bef ,,chap4 ,v4--#ahji4 ,,progress ,,of ,,the ,,works4 ,railways injured4 ,bracing-chains unlocked4 ,proofs of strong currents in the ,sea4 ,travellers or ,drift-stones found upon the ,rock4 ,progress of works in the ,yard at ,arbroath4 ,exertions in the ,quarries4 ,captain ,calder's letter to ,mr ,stevenson4 ,drift-stones removed4 ,joisting of platform lifted4 ,a vessel in danger of being wrecked at the ,rock4 ,cast-iron anchors4 #beg-bfb ,purchase of sloop ,patriot4 ,floating-,light encounters heavy ,seas4 #abth course completed by the stone-cutters4 ,employment of ,shipping4 ,patriot condemned4 ,opinion of ,mr ,solicitor-,general ,boyle4 ,two ,praam-boats launched4 ,floating-light under the charge of ,mr ,john ,reid4 ,two sets of moorings laid down4 ,tender slips her moorings4 ,other three sets of moorings are laid down4 #bfc-bff ,artificers cannot land4 ,the sailors account for the unsettled state of the weather4 ,the ,writer visits the ,rock #ast ,may4 ,some timber is landed4 ,tender in danger of drifting upon the ,rock4 ,joiners and millwrights get high premiums4 ,works make rapid progress4 ,one of the floating-buoys gets water-logged4 ,great exertions made to complete the circular reach of the railway laid round the ,building4 ,attempt made to erect a crane4 #bff-bga ,the ,smeaton sails for the ,rock with the first cargo of stones this season4 ,floating-,light's moorings examined4 ,state of her moorings4 ,plants and ,animals observed on the building4 ,builders commence operations #bgth ,may4 ,lay #e stones4 ,tender rides out a hard gale4 ,apparatus on the ,rock1 and state of the ,sea1 viewed from a boat at a distance4 ,landing very difficult4 ,state of the ,weather4 #bgb-bgg ,zeal of the ,writer's ,assistants4 ,eleven ,artificers left upon the ,beacon4 ,they encounter a severe gale4 ,the ,tender at this time is very uncomfortable4 ,artificers relieved4 ,mr ,p4 ,logan's account of the ,beacon during the gale4 ,james ,glen's exertions4 ,state of matters at the ,rock after the gale4 ,tender obliged to leave her station4 ,progress of the works at ,arbroath4 ,patriot slips her moorings4 ,artificers divided into squads4 ,shipping belonging to the ,light-house service4 ,building goes on1 laying at the rate of from #ab to #bj blocks per day4 ,great exertions made to supply materials4 #bgf-bhd ,artificers are unavoidably left all night upon the ,beacon4 ,smeaton and ,patriot slip their moorings4 ,remarkable breach of the ,sea upon the ,rock4 #c stones are in danger of being washed away4 ,great waste of mortar4 #eg stones are laid in one day4 ,cooking commenced on the ,beacon #bdth ,june4 ,situation of mortar-makers and smiths upon the ,beacon4 ,rope-ladder extended between the ,beacon and ,building4 ,work stopped by a simple mistake4 #ff stones landed1 and #ch laid on the #bgth of ,june4 ,the work can now be continued after the ,rock is overflowed by the tide4 #bhd-bij ,one of the artificers meets with a severe accident1 of which1 however1 he recovers4 ,have #aj hours' work to-day1 and lay #ei stones4 ,writer visits the ,carr ,rock1 with a view to the erection of a ,beacon4 ,joiners1 at their own desire1 are now left on the ,beacon4 ,considered a favourable omen for the inhabitation of the ,light-house4 #bij-bid ,tide for the first time does not overflow the building1 #hth ,july4 ,number of joiners reduced4 ,balance-crane begun to be made4 ,tenth course completed4 ,building at the rate of #bi to #eb stones per day4 ,the stone-lighters not loaded at ,arbroath on ,sundays1 #bid-bih ,william ,walker1 accidentally killed at ,arbroath4 ,his widow receives an annuity4 ,one of the artificers remains alone on the ,beacon4 ,artificers take possession of it1 along with ,peter ,fortune4 ,his character4 ,the ,praam-boats cannot approach the ,rock4 #bih-cjj ,an embargo is laid on shipping throughout the ,kingdom4 ,mr ,sheriff ,,duff',s exertions to get the ,light-house shipping relieved4 ,operations at the ,rock while the vessels are detained in port4 ,the embargo is taken off the ,light-house shipping4 ,the propriety of stopping the ,bell ,rock vessels doubted4 #gh stones landed1 and #dj built1 on the #ast ,august4 ,twenty-four artificers inhabit the ,beacon-house4 ,mr ,sheriff ,,duff visits the ,rock4 ,building proceeds at the rate of from #bb to #bc stones per day4 ,the ,fly of ,bridport narrowly escapes shipwreck on the ,bell ,rock4 ,mr ,sheriff ,,hamilton visits the ,rock4 ,additional supports for the ,beacon-house landed4 ,sheer-crane broken4 ,some of the artificers get alarmed1 and leave the ,beacon4 ,effects of the late gale4 #cjj-cjf ,the ,writer takes possession of his cabin on the ,beacon #aeth ,august4 #eb stones landed1 and eight built4 ,one of the boats of the ,floating-light loses her way in thick weather4 ,an entire course of the building is laid in one day4 ,prayers read for the first time in the ,beacon-house4 ,the ,smeaton arrives with the last cargo of stones for the solid part of the ,building4 ,building operations for the season concluded1 #beth ,august4 ,notice of the very proper conduct of the artificers4 ,floating-light breaks adrift4 ,probable height of the waves of the sea in free space4 ,inducements for stopping the building at this early period of the season4 ,the ,tender continues on the station1 and the artificers occupy the ,beacon-house for a time4 ,experience bad weather4 #cjf-caa ,the ,writer makes a trip to see the distinguishing-light at ,flamborough-head in ,yorkshire4 ,is overtaken with a gale1 which he describes4 ,great want of a ,public ,harbour on the eastern coast of ,england4 ,progress of this gale traced from ,shetland to ,yarmouth ,roads4 ,mr ,b4 ,,mills of ,bridlington1 probably the first who suggested ,distinguishing-lights with red colour4 #caa-cac ,the ,writer sails for the ,northern ,lights4 ,state of the works when closed for the season4 ,stool or prop for a crane upon the ,rock demolished in a gale of wind4 ,artificers visit the ,rock4 ,large ,buoy has drifted and ,floating-light has had bad weather4 #cac-cae ,,chap4 ,,vi4--#ahaj4 ,,progress ,,and ,,completion ,,of ,,the ,,works4 ,the ,tender visits the ,rock and ,floating-light1 #eth ,january4 ,the ,artificers cannot land again until the #aath ,march4 ,beacon rendered very secure4 ,landing extremely precarious in winter4 #cag-cai ,retrospective view of the works4 ,mylnefield and ,craigleith quarries4 ,practical inferences about concluding the works4 ,timber ,gangway or ,bridge4 ,operations commence for the season4 ,bridge erected at the ,rock4 ,one of the artificers gets himself hurt4 #cbj-cbd ,writer proceeds to the ,rock to begin the building operations1 #ast ,may4 ,praam-boats ride easily4 ,state of the ,building1 ,beacon and ,timber-bridge4 ,balance-crane landed upon the ,rock4 ,position of the entrance-door4 ,artificers take possession of the ,beacon for the working season4 #cbd-cbi ,the ,smeaton arrives with the first cargo of stones for the season4 ,no communication with the ,rock1 #abth ,may4 ,balance-crane ready for use4 ,theory of ,sea and ,land breezes4 ,smeaton slips her moorings1 and is driven up to ,leith4 #cbi-cca ,patriot sent to ,mylnefield quarry for the last cargo of stones to be carried to ,arbroath for the ,light-house1 #agth ,may4 ,state of the lower part of the ,beacon1 from the effects of a marine insect4 #bc blocks of stone landed1 and raised with the new tackle4 ,one of the stones in danger from the breaking of a bolt4 ,the ,smeaton makes rapid trips from ,arbroath to the ,rock with materials4 ,prayers read for the first time on the ,building4 ,exertions of ,landing-master's crew4 #ceth course completed4 ,arrangements for the conduct of the works1 and safety of the ,beacon4 ,balance-crane shaft unfortunately breaks4 #ccb-ccf ,the ,writer is welcomed in at the door of the ,light-house1 #bfth ,may4 ,fixtures of the ,hinges of the ,door and ,windows4 ,great expedition of the ,shipping with the ,materials4 ,patriot makes one trip in #cc hours4 #cfth course laid4 ,king's ,birth-day observed1 #dth ,june4 #ccf-cci ,stair-case of the ,light-house completed1 #eth ,june4 ,progress of works at ,edinburgh4 ,artificers liable to accident4 ,boat and ,life ,buoy provided for the ,beacon4 ,trenailing of the stones of the building discontinued4 ,number of persons inhabiting the ,beacon4 ,fitting of the window-hinges tedious4 ,comforts of good weather4 ,balance-crane shifted4 #cdj-cdb ,moveable beam-crane erected on ,western ,wharf4 #b stones upset by the force of the sea4 ,a praam-boat is sent from the ,rock without delivering her cargo4 ,floor of the ,lightroom-store laid1 #acth ,june4 ,mr ,john ,reid gets leave on shore1 after having been about three months afloat4 #cda-cdd ,first letter written from the ,bell ,rock ,light-house4 ,its floors1 and those of the ,edystone described4 #ca persons lodged in the ,beacon4 ,pay and premiums of the artificers at the ,rock4 ,seamen find one of the lost sets of moorings4 ,experiment of collecting ,gas from ,fishes4 ,cause of ground swells4 #cdd-cdg ,landing-master's dress1 and activity of his crew4 ,want of the ,western ,wharf seriously felt4 ,operation of shifting the ,balance-crane4 ,western ,wharf finished1 #agth ,june4 ,remarkable state of the sea at the ,rock4 ,landing-master's crew have now more leisure4 ,disagreeable state of the weather4 ,responsible situation of the principal workmen4 #cdg-ceb ,carpenter of ,floating-light leaves the service4 ,patriot makes a trip to and from ,arbroath in #bd hours4 ,attempts made to land stones at high water with the bridge apparatus4 ,process of landing stones4 ,seamen become discontented4 ,the ,writer's correspondence on this occasion4 ,he goes on board of the ,tender4 ,dismisses two of the seamen4 #ceb-ceg ,progress of the works at ,arbroath4 #fb;d course built at the ,rock4 ,the artificers are wetted by the sea on the top of the walls4 ,mr ,john ,reid's report regarding the ,floating-light4 ,narrow escape of ,william ,kennedy1 one of the masons4 #ceg-cfa ,writer describes his cabin4 ,the distressing case of ,george ,dall1 an impressed seaman4 ,magistrates of ,arbroath visit the ,rock4 ,number of artificers reduced to #bb4 ,narrow escape of the ,smeaton at the ,bell ,rock4 ,advantage of alarm-bells4 ,artificers in the ,beacon-house greatly alarmed4 #cfb-cfe ,progress of the ,light-room works4 ,mrs ,dixon1 the late ,mr ,smeaton's daughter1 visits the ,bell ,rock works at ,edinburgh4 ,mr ,d4 ,logan joins the works at the ,rock4 ,the ,patriot is #g days in being cleared of a cargo4 ,progress of raising the stones to the top of the ,light-house1 #cfe-cfi ,last cargo of stones at ,arbroath shipped for the ,rock1 #ith ,july4 ,library floor laid4 ,ring-bar-course laid4 ,the ,dome-course occupies much time in building4 #cfi-cgb ,landing-master's crew reduced in number4 ,patriot driven from the ,rock4 ,ceremony observed at loading the last stone at ,leith4 ,many strangers visit the works in their present state4 ,difficulty of raising and laying the stones of the cornice4 #hdth course completed4 ,eight stones of ,balcony course laid4 ,this course completed #bgth ,july4 ,ceremony at landing the last stone4 #cgb-cgg ,machinery partly dismantled1 #cast ,july4 ,foot of ,balance-crane taken down4 ,the ,earl of ,kellie1 and ,mr ,sheriff ,monypenny1 land at the ,rock4 ,centre-stone of floor laid #c;d ,august4 ,artificers leave the ,rock4 ,the ,writer meets with his ,assistants at ,arbroath4 #cgg-cgi ,plans arranged for building the ,houses at ,arbroath for the families of the ,light-keepers4 ,the duty on stone charged upon these buildings4 ,three years of the unexpired lease of the work-yard given up4 ,base-line measured on the ,sands of ,barry4 ,trigonometrical ,survey of ,great ,britain alluded to4 #cgi-chc ,artificers return to the ,rock4 ,smeaton obliged to leave her station4 ,mortar gallery completely broken up by the sea4 ,the ,tender returns to the ,rock4 ,the ,smith's anvil and bellows washed off the ,beacon4 #chc-chf ,light-room sash-frames landed #bc;d ,august4 ,captain ,wilson is accidentally hurt by one of them4 ,last stone of the ,light-house laid1 #b;d ,september4 #chf-chh ,the ,sir ,joseph ,banks ,tender sails for ,leith to be sold4 ,praam-boat drifts from the ,rock4 ,artificers for the erection of the ,light-room landed upon the ,rock on the #adth of ,october4 ,the ,writer sails for the ,northern ,light-houses1 accompanied by his friends ,dr ,barclay1 ,mr ,oliphant1 and ,mr ,neill4 ,progress of the ,light-room works on his return4 ,unfortunate loss of ,charles ,henderson4 ,difficulty of procuring red-coloured glass4 ,ventilating or ,finishing ball fixed upon the ,cupola of the ,light-room1 #bb;d ,october4 ,light-room glazed4 ,light-house ,yacht loses one of her boats off the ,bell ,rock4 ,great dexterity of the ,landing-master and his crew4 #chh-cid ,state of the ,railways1 ,beacon1 and ,light-house4 ,condition of the several apartments4 ,house put under the charge of ,mr ,reid1 principal ,light-keeper1 #cjth ,september4 ,small boat washed off the ,beacon4 ,sprays rise #ajd feet upon the ,light-house4 ,seas fly from stem to stern of the ,floating-light4 ,mr ,reid left with ,peter ,fortune in charge of the ,light-house4 ,they experience a severe gale4 ,their description of the effects of the ,sea4 #cid-cii ,the ,red-coloured ,glass arrives at ,edinburgh1 #fth ,december4 ,reflecting apparatus shipped for the ,rock1 and landed on the #aeth4 ,the ,light is advertised to the ,public on the #agth4 ,list of ,newspapers in which the advertisement is inserted4 ,the ,light-keepers are left in possession of the ,house1 together with ,mr ,forrest1 general superintendant4 #cii-djb ,,chap4 ,,vii4--#ahaa4 ,,account ,,of ,,the ,,bell ,,rock ,,light-,,house1 ,,from ,,its ,,completion ,,till ,,the ,,year #ahbc1 ,,including ,,statements ,,of ,,the ,,expence1 ,,quantity ,,of ,,materials ,,and ,,workmanship ,,connected ,,with ,,the ,,work4 #ahaa4 ,the ,light is exhibited on the #ast of ,february1 when the ,floating-,light is extinguished4 ,a ,storm occurs on the night that the ,house is lighted4 ,floating-,light puts into ,anstruther1 on her return voyage to ,leith4 ,state of her bottom4 #djd-dje ,the ,light-keepers get their turns of liberty on shore4 ,letter from ,mr ,forrest to the writer4 ,effects of the ,sea on the building4 ,state of the ,railways and ,wharfs4 ,remarkable force of the ,sea in lifting a large piece of lead4 ,direction of the ,seas which have the greatest effect upon the ,light-house4 ,comfortable state of the building4 ,qualifications of the ,light-keepers4 ,mr ,forrest leaves them in full possession of the house4 #djf-daj ,progress of ,ulterior works4 ,lord ,boyle and a party land at the ,rock4 ,boats suitable for landing there4 ,bruce's 8two-half ,boat40 ,light-house stove takes fire4 ,sprays rise to the height of the ,light-room4 ,advantage of double windows4 #daa-dac #ahab4 ,light-house excites much interest4 ,sir ,william ,rae and ,mr ,duff1 visit the ,rock4 ,the ,beacon is taken down1 and removed from the ,rock4 ,mode of securing timber against the ,oniscus insect4 ,light-house encounters another gale4 ,remarkable shock of the ,sea4 ,professor ,robison's opinion on this subject4 ,state of the ,sea from which the ,frontispiece is delineated4 ,it overruns the ,rock at low-water4 ,mode in which the ,light is attended4 #dad-daf #ahac4 ,establishment of the ,light-keepers at ,arbroath completed4 ,signals observed at the ,rock4 ,thunder-rod4 ,method of fixing it4 #dag-dah #ahad4 ,a party of the ,commissioners1 with ,sir ,walter ,scott1 visit the ,light-house4 #dai #ahae4 ,permanent ,railways begun to be fitted up4 ,lord ,president ,hope visits the ,rock4 #dai #ahaf4 ,pharos ,tender built4 ,exterior of ,light-house painted4 #dai #ahah4 ,fuci disappear from the ,rock4 #dbj #ahai4 ,permanent ,railways completed4 ,improved ,access to the ,light-house by a brazen ladder4 ,sprays rise #aje feet4 ,a piece of the highest part of the rock carried away by the violence of the ,sea4 #dba #ahbj4 ,improvements on the ,light-house4 ,inner door of brass1 c4 #dba #ahba4 ,a new ,machine for taking up the ,stores4 ,mr ,john ,reid retires from the ,light-house service on half-pay4 #dba #ahbb4 ,light-house ,works and ,model completed4 ,design for ,wolf ,rock4 #dbb #ahbc4 ,severe ,storm4 ,carrier-pigeons sent from the ,rock4 ,expence of the ,work4 ,cubic contents of the ,materials4 #dbc ,,appendix4 ,page ,no ,i4 ,additional ,light-houses proposed on the ,coast4 ,light-,keepers' ,instructions4 ,rations of ,provisions at the ,bell ,rock4 ,monthly1 and ,ship-wreck ,returns4 #dbe-dcg ,,ii4 ,poem on ,sir ,ralph the ,rover1 extracted from ,mr ,southey's ,works4 #dch ,,iii4 ,abstract ,account of ,light-house ,duties4 #dci ,,iv4 ,reports relative to the ,bell ,rock ,light-house1 by ,mr ,rennie1 and the ,writer4 #ddj-dfh ,v4 ,remarks relative to the ,ground-,swells of the ,sea4 #dfi-dgj ,,vi4 ,schedules of ,materials and ,workmanship4 #dga-dgd ,,vii4 ,abstract ,account of ,expence4 ,average ,price ,provisions4 #dge-dhc ,,description ,,of ,,plates4 ,plate ,i4 ,inchkeith ,light-house4 #dhg ,,ii4 ,carr ,rock ,beacon4 #dhg-dhi ,,iii4 ,chart of ,great ,britain1 with ,sections of the ,depths of the ,sea4 #dij ,,iv4 ,chart1 shewing the position of the ,bell ,rock1 in relation to the opposite ,shores4 #dij ,v4 ,chart1 shewing the ,position of the ,rock1 in relation to the ,shipping4 #dia ,,vi4 ,plan of the ,rock1 shewing the ,position of the ,light-house4 #dib-dii ,,vii4 ,original ,designs for the ,light-house4 #dii-eja ,,viii4 ,beacon ,house4 #eja-ejc ,,xi4 ,progress of the ,works4 #ejc-eje ,x4 ,implement and ,apparatus connected with the ,work4 #eje-ejh ,,xi4 ,sheer-crane1 ,praam-boat discharging1 c4 #ejh-eaj ,,xii4 ,work-yard1 ,light-,keepers' ,houses at ,arbroath4 #eaa ,,xiii4 ,plan of the several ,courses of the ,masonry of the ,light-house4 #eaa-eae ,,xiv4 ,moveable ,beam ,crane4 #eae-eag ,,xv4 ,foundation-,pit of the ,light-house4 #eah ,,xvi4 ,elevation and ,section of the ,light-house4 #eah-eai ,,xvii4 ,balance-,crane4 #ebj-ebb ,,xviii4 ,general ,view of the ,works4 7,see page #dbd47 #ebj-ebc ,,xix4 ,door and ,window ,hinges1 and ,thunder-rod4 #ebc-ebe ,,xx4 ,balcony and ,light-,room4 #ebf-ebi ,,xxi4 ,frontispiece explained4 7,see ,title-page47 #ebi ,,xxii4 ,vignette on ,second ,title-page4 7,see page #fb47 #ecj ,,xxiii4 ,design for a ,light-house1 suggested on visiting the ,wolf ,rock1 #ecj-ecc ,,introduction4 ,,account ,,of ,,the ,,institution ,,of ,,the ,,board ,,of ,,commissioners ,,and ,,of ,,the ,,progress ,,made ,,in ,,the ,,erection ,,of ,,the ,,northern ,,light-,,houses4 ,sidenote3 ,institution of ,board of ,northern ,light-houses4 ,among the ,nations of ,europe1 the ,,scots have always been allowed to possess a considerable share of maritime enterprise4 ,the local situation and circumstances of ,scotland necessarily directed the genius of its people to the pursuit of nautical affairs4 ,their voyages to the ,hanseatic ,towns1 and to all the commercial countries of ,europe1 were naturally longer than those of their more southern neighbours of ,england1 who were separated from the ,continent only by a narrow channel1 which must have rendered their communication in the rude periods of maritime discovery comparatively easy4 ,the voyages of the ,scots even to the most contiguous parts of ,france and the ,low ,countries were upwards of #adj leagues1 along a coast intersected by innumerable shoals2 and1 in the time of war1 lay so open to the attacks of ,english ships1 that1 in prosecuting them1 the navigators were obliged to abandon the usual track1 and hold a course far from the shelter of the land1 exposed to all the dangers of the seas and the vicissitudes of the weather4 ,in those early periods of our national history1 when ,britain was divided into two separate and independent states1 jealous of each other1 it became necessary for ,scotland to form alliances with foreign powers1 when distant voyages1 and much intercourse by sea was indispensable4 ,the frequent struggles with the marauding powers of the ,north1 obliged her to keep a more considerable navy than would otherwise have been required for the protection of her commerce4 ,the connection likewise1 with ,denmark and ,norway1 through the marriage of ,james ,,iii4 with ,margaret daughter of ,christian ,i41 in #adfi1 was attended with the final annexation of the ,orkney and ,shetland ,islands to the ,crown of ,scotland2--circumstances which naturally extended her foreign traffic1 and completely united the dominion and the navigation of the whole line of her coast4 ,it was reserved1 however1 for the influence and happy effects of the ,union of the ,crowns and ,kingdoms of ,england1 ,scotland and ,ireland1 to draw forth the full energies of these countries4 ,during the long and glorious reign of his late ,majesty1 the name and character of the ,united ,kingdom have been highly advanced in arms1 while her works of industry1 have not only flourished at home1 but been extended to the remotest parts of the world4 ,sidenote3 ,improvement of the ,highlands4 ,about the middle of the last or eighteenth century1 the true value of the ,highlands of ,scotland1 and the best interests of these extensive districts1 may be said for the first time to have been understood4 ,since that period1 the object of the ,government has been more especially directed to the industry of the inhabitants1 in giving every encouragement and facility to the establishment of fisheries1 towns and harbours1 along the shores of the north and west of ,scotland2 and in opening interior communications1 by the introduction of a system of roads1 the formation of an extensive inland navigation1 and the execution of other national works4 ,sidenote3 ,extension of ,trade4 ,soon after the internal disturbances which marked the year #agde1 the trade on the coast of ,scotland with sloops or vessels of small tonnage1 became considerable1 in consequence of the bounties and encouragement given to the extension of the ,british fisheries4 ,about this time also1 the important manufacture of kelp or marine alkali1 from certain species of fuci abundant on the northern and western shores of ,scotland1 was introduced4 ,besides carrying the kelp to market1 a considerable number of small vessels was employed in conveying salt and other articles required for the fisheries1--in the ,irish coasting trade1--in carrying slates from ,argyleshire1--and in transporting the rich iron-ore of ,cumberland to the foundries on the eastern shores of the kingdom4 ,a trade was likewise carried on from the ,firth of ,clyde1 ,liverpool1 and the west of ,england in general1 and north of ,ireland1 with ,norway1 the ,baltic1 and the other ,states in the north of ,europe1 in timber1 iron1 tar and other commodities2 and in exchange for these were received coal1 salt1 and the various exports of ,britain4 ,these all became sources of commerce1 which created a demand for shipping1 and promoted numerous voyages along the northern and western coasts of ,scotland1 which now became more known and frequented4 ,but such was the length and peril of a voyage round the coast of ,scotland1 by the ,orkneys and ,western ,islands1 without the aid of light-houses1 or even of correct charts1 that the traffic along these shores was still comparatively small4 ,sidenote3 ,inland ,navigation4 ,it was to remove these difficulties in some measure1 that the formation of a navigable canal between the ,friths of ,forth and ,clyde1 had long been in agitation2 and in the year #agfg1 the measure was brought forward in the ,house of ,commons4 ,this canal1 upon a voyage from the ,forth to the ,clyde1 is calculated to save no less than about #fbh miles2 the distance1 by the inland navigation being reduced to about #ce miles4 ,this work having been carried into execution1 was opened from sea to sea in #agij1 forming an important step in the progressive intercourse by water-carriage1 a system which has since been so remarkably extended to all parts of the united kingdom4 ,but the usefulness of the ,forth and ,clyde ,canal was greatly marred by an unfortunate error in its construction1 its depth having been limited to #i feet1 and its consequent incapacity for carrying sea-borne ships of large burden2 so that the inconveniences of a circuitous voyage round ,scotland still remains for all the larger classes of shipping4 ,in the formation of the ,caledonian ,canal1 the error of the ,forth and ,clyde navigation has been avoided2 this noble work being capable of receiving ships which draw #ba feet of water4 ,sidenote3 ,voyage of ,james ,v4 in #aedj4 ,notwithstanding these great improvements1 it was still found necessary1 from the increasing state of trade1 to give further facilities to the navigation of the northern shores1 by the ,orkney and ,western ,islands4 ,the first step taken towards this object1 was to procure accurate surveys of the coast2 for it is a curious fact1 deserving of notice1 that the little journal and chart of the enterprising voyage of ,james ,v41 with many of the ,scottish ,nobles1 from the ,firth of ,forth to the ,solway ,firth 1 by the ,orkneys1 was long consulted as the only guide for these seas4 ,this voyage1 so honourable to the naval annals of ,scotland1 was undertaken by ,james with twelve ships in the year #aedj1 under the direction of ,alexander ,lindsay1 the most skilful pilot of his time4 ,sidenote3 ,original ,charts4 ,at the request of the ,philosophical ,society 7now the ,royal ,society7 of ,edinburgh1 the ,rev4 ,alex4 ,bryce of ,kirknewton1 about the year #agdj1 made a geometrical survey of the ,north-west coast of ,scotland1 including the shores of ,caithness and ,sutherland4 ,this paved the way for the more extensive labours of ,mr ,murdoch ,mackenzie1 who1 after finishing his excellent charts of the ,orkney ,islands in the year #agej1 was employed by ,government in a survey of the whole of the ,western ,highlands and ,islands1 from ,cape ,wrath in ,sutherlandshire to the ,mull of ,kintyre4 ,but long after the publication of these valuable charts1 the navigation of the sounds and sheltered seas of this district was seldom ventured upon by the larger class of shipping employed in foreign trade4 ,the danger of falling in prematurely with the land during the night1 and the rapidity of the tides on these shores1 induced the mariner to keep along the extreme points and headlands of the coast1 holding his course even to the northward of ,orkney and ,shetland1 and to the westward of the ,lewis ,isles by ,st ,kilda1 exposed to the heavy seas of the ,atlantic ,ocean4 ,in this way1 much hazard to shipping1 and loss of time1 were incurred2 and when overtaken with gales of wind1 such vessels were unable to avail themselves of the numerous bays and anchorages of the ,highlands2--considerations of much importance to heavy laden ships1 but especially to the smaller classes of coasting and fishing vessels4 ,it therefore appeared1 that nothing but the erection of ,lighthouses1 by which the mariner might identify the land under night1 would render this navigation at all a safe one4 ,sidenote3 ,proposition of a ,light-house ,board4 ,representations had often been made by shipmasters to their owners1 of the difficulties and dangers encountered in sailing along the coast of ,scotland4 ,the establishment of a ,light-house ,board1 and the erection of ,light-houses on our ,northern ,shores1 became the topic of conversation among mercantile men2 and the subject was at length brought forward at the meeting of the ,convention of the ,royal ,boroughs of ,scotland1 in the year #aghd1 by the late ,mr ,,dempster of ,dunnichen1 then ,provost of ,forfar1 and ,member of ,parliament1 as worthy of the notice of the ,legislature4 ,sidenote3 ,passing of the ,original ,act1 #aghf4 ,a bill was accordingly framed by the late ,mr ,,john ,,gray1 writer to the ,signet1 agent for the ,royal ,boroughs1 which was brought into ,parliament by ,mr ,dempster1 in the session of #aghf4 ,by this act1 the #bfth ,geo4 ,,iii4 chap4 #aja41 a ,board was appointed1 for the erection of ,light-houses on the coast of ,scotland2 the preamble stating that 8it would conduce greatly to the security of navigation and the fisheries1 if four lighthouses were erected in the northern parts of ,great ,britain10 viz4 one on ,kinnaird ,head1 in ,aberdeenshire2 one on the ,orkney ,islands2 one on the ,harris ,isles1 and one at the ,mull of ,kintyre1 in ,argyleshire2 for which a duty of one penny per register ton1 for ,british1 and twopence per ton upon foreign ships1 should be paid by every ship or decked vessel which should pass one or all of these lights4 ,sidenote3 ,commissioners ex ,officio4 ,the ,commissioners appointed for putting this act in execution1 are1 8,his ,majesty's ,advocate and ,solicitor-,general for ,scotland2 the ,lord ,provost and ,first ,bailie of ,edinburgh2 the ,lord ,provost and ,first ,bailie of ,glasgow2 the ,provosts of ,aberdeen1 ,inverness and ,campbeltown2 the ,sheriffs of the ,counties of ,edinburgh1 ,lanark1 ,renfrew1 ,bute1 ,argyle1 ,inverness1 ,ross1 ,orkney1 ,caithness1 and ,aberdeen20 and to these have since been added1 the ,sheriffs of the ,counties of ,ayr1 ,fife1 ,forfar1 and ,wigton1 agreeably to a clause which authorises the ,commissioners to add to their number4 ,sidenote3 ,first ,meeting of the ,board4 ,the first meeting of the ,commissioners was held at ,edinburgh on the #ast day of ,august #aghf2 and consisted of the following members3 ,his ,majesty's ,solicitor-,general1 ,robert ,dundas of ,arniston4 ,the ,lord ,provost of ,edinburgh1 ,sir ,james ,hunter-,blair1 ,bart4 ,the ,first ,bailie of ,edinburgh1 ,james ,dickson1 ,esq4 ,the ,sheriff of the ,county of ,bute1 ,bannatyne ,macleod1 ,esq4 ,the ,sheriff of the ,county of ,aberdeen1 ,alexander ,elphinston1 ,esq4 ,the ,sheriff of the ,county of ,lanark1 ,sir ,william ,honyman1 ,bart4 ,sidenote3 ,mode of raising ,funds4 ,the meeting having elected ,sir ,james ,hunter-,blair to be their ,preses1 and appointed ,mr ,gray to be their ,secretary1 deliberated upon the measures to be taken for giving effect to the statute4 ,the first object of the ,board was to borrow the sum of ,l4 #abjj1 which they were authorised to raise4 ,as all the ,commissioners were acting ex officio1 it was suggested1 that the most convenient method of arranging the security for the funds to be borrowed1 would be for the ,magistrates of the five boroughs mentioned in the act to become security1 upon assignment of the duties leviable for the lights1--a mode which was accordingly adopted4 ,sidenote3 ,progress of ,northern ,light-houses4 ,sidenote3 ,information about ,light-houses4 ,the preses informed the meeting1 that he had corresponded with persons the most likely to afford information relative to the best construction of ,light-houses1 and had received answers from ,liverpool to a variety of queries regarding ,light-houses1 where the use of coal-fires had been laid aside1 and where oil lights1 with reflectors1 had been introduced3 ,that he had also got various plans and estimates for ,light-houses lighted with oil3 ,that the ,chamber of ,commerce of ,edinburgh had furnished a plan of the ,light-house on the ,island of ,may1 in the ,firth of ,forth1 and also a description of the light on the ,island of ,cumbraes1 in the ,firth of ,clyde1 both of which were then open coal-fires3 ,in particular1 that he had received from the late ,mr ,,thomas ,,smith of ,edinburgh1 plans and observations on the construction of ,light-houses with ,lamps and ,reflectors2 which having been ultimately approved of1 ,mr ,smith was nominated ,engineer to the ,board4 ,after appointing a ,committee for preparing matters for a general meeting1 they adjourned till the #bc;d of ,january #aghg4 ,sidenote3 ,transactions of #aghg4 ,in pursuance of the act of ,parliament1 the ,commissioners gave directions that a correspondence should be opened with the several proprietors of the land where the four original ,light-houses were specified to be erected4 ,an answer was immediately received from ,mr ,traill of ,westness in ,orkney1 requesting the ,board's free acceptance of the ground necessary for erecting the ,light-house proposed for the ,northern ,isles of ,orkney1 on any part of his property4 ,application was made to the ,duke of ,argyle1 as to the ground for the erection of a ,light-house on the ,mull of ,kintyre2 to ,lord ,saltoun1 relative to the station of ,kinnaird-,head1 in ,aberdeenshire2 and to ,mr ,macleod of ,harris1 as to the site of a ,light-house on ,island ,glass4 ,measures were also taken for obtaining fit persons to contract for erecting the necessary buildings1 and for conducting the operations at the different stations4 ,kinnaird ,head4 ,sidenote3 ,kinnaird-,head ,light-house4 ,the result of the correspondence with ,lord ,saltoun1 was the purchase of the old building of ,kinnaird ,castle from his ,lordship1 on which a lantern or light-room was erected4 ,after encountering considerable difficulties in the outset of this establishment1 the house was got ready for the exhibition of the light by the month of ,december #aghg1 and the following notice to mariners was officially given by the ,secretary in the ,london ,gazette1 and in the ,edinburgh1 ,glasgow1 and ,aberdeen newspapers4 8,by order of the ,commissioners appointed by ,act of ,parliament for erecting four ,light-houses in the northern parts of ,great ,britain1 a ,light-house is now erected on ,kinnaird ,castle1 at ,kinnaird-,head1 near ,fraserburgh1 in the county of ,aberdeen1 ,lat4 #eg #db1 and ,long4 #b #ai ,west of ,london1 ,cairnbulg from the ,light-house bearing1 by compass1 ,s4,e41 distant #b miles2 and ,trauphead ,w4,,nw41 distant #i miles4 ,the lantern is #abj feet above the level of the sea at high-water1 and will be seen from ,,se4 to ,w4,,nw4 and intermediate points of the compass on the north of these points4 ,the lantern will be lighted on the night of the first day of ,december #aghg1 and every night thereafter1 from the going away of day-light in the evening till the return of day-light in the morning40 ,mull of ,kintyre4 ,sidenote3 ,mull of ,kintyre ,light-house4 ,at the ,mull of ,kintyre1 one of the most inaccessible and difficult of the ,northern ,light-house stations1 the buildings were nearly prepared for the light-room by the month of ,november2 but the season being too far advanced1 and it appearing from ,mr ,smith's report1 that there would be some risk in conveying the apparatus to the light-house at this inclement season1 the ,commissioners resolved to delay the further progress of the work at ,kintyre till the following spring4 ,sidenote3 #aghh4 ,the operations at the ,mull of ,kintyre were recommenced in the month of ,april1 but1 owing chiefly to the inaccessible great difficulty that was experienced in transporting the building materials connected with the lantern or light-room1 over the mountainous district of ,kintyre1 it was the month of ,october before the light could be announced for exhibition1 when public advertisement was made of the lighting of the house to the following effect4 8,the ,mull of ,kintyre ,light-house is situated immediately above the rocks known to mariners by the name of ,the ,merchants1 in ,north ,lat4 #ee #ag1 and ,long4 #e #db west of ,london2 the eastern entrance of the ,sound of ,isla1 bearing from the ,light-house by compass1 ,n4 by ,e41 distant #cc miles2 the ,mull of ,kinho in the ,island of ,isla ,n4 ,,nw41 distant #be miles2 and the northern extremity of ,rathlin ,island1 on the coast of ,ireland1 ,,nw4 ,w4 distant #ac miles2 the ,maiden ,rocks ,s4 by ,w4 ,w41 distant #ba miles2 and ,copland ,light-house ,s4 by ,w4 ,w41 distant #dj miles4 ,the light-room is elevated #bdj feet above the medium level of the sea1 and will be seen from ,n4 ,,ne4 to ,s4 by ,w41 and all intermediate points of the compass north of these points4 ,the light will be exhibited on the #ast day of ,december #aghh1 and every night thereafter1 from the going away of day-light in the evening till the return of day-light in the morning40 ,sidenote3 ,light-house duty too small4 ,in the progress of the works of the ,northern ,light-houses1 it soon became evident1 from the diminished state of the funds1 that the light-house duty of #a;d4 per ton upon ,british vessels1 and #b;d4 upon foreign bottoms1 was too small4 ,by the original act1 also1 this duty was only to be levied after the whole of the lights at the four stations had been exhibited to mariners2 but the ,board having found that it would be expedient to commence the collection of the duties so soon as two were lighted1 resolved on applying to ,parliament for a new act4 ,sidenote3 ,act of #aghh4 ,a bill was accordingly brought into the ,house of ,commons by ,sir ,ilay ,campbell1 ,m4 ,p41 when ,lord ,advocate for ,scotland1 and ex officio one of the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 which passed in the session of #aghh1 empowering the ,commissioners to levy a duty of #a;d41 or one halfpenny more per ton upon ,british ships1 and #c;d41 or one penny per ton additional upon foreigners2 and1 in the mean time1 to commence collecting half duties till the whole of the four light-houses mentioned in the former act were lighted1 when the full duties were to become exigible4 ,already about ,l4 #djjj had been expended on the light-houses of ,kinnaird-,head and ,kintyre4 ,by this new act1 however1 the ,commissioners being empowered to borrow a further sum of ,l4 #cjjj1 were not only enabled to forward the operations already commenced1 but1 with this additional duty1 it was expected that they would soon be in a condition to answer the calls of the shipping interest for additional erections on the coast4 ,island ,glass4 ,sidenote3 #aghi4 ,considerable progress had been made in the course of the former season with the erection of the ,light-house at ,island ,glass in ,harris1 which was finished and lighted on the #ajth day of ,october #aghi1 the following being its specification3--,the ,point of ,island ,glass1 one of the ,harris ,isles1 is situated in ,north ,lat4 #eg #ej1 and ,long4 #f #cc west of ,london4 ,ru-,ushiness bears from the light-house1 per compass1 ,e4 ,,ne4 ,e41 distant #h miles2 northern extremity of ,shiant ,isles ,e41 ,s41 southern extremity of ditto ,e4 by ,s4 ,s41 distant #aa miles2 ,skerne ,rock ,,se41 ,e41 distant #c miles2 ,skergraidish ,rock ,s4 ,,se4 ,e41 distant #i miles2 ,point of ,trotternish in ,sky ,s4 ,,se4 ,e41 distant #af miles2 ,point of ,vaternish ,s4 ,,sw4 ,w41 distant #ae miles2 ,dunvegan-,head ,,sw4 ,s41 distant #bj miles2 ,point of ,roudil1 at the entrance of the ,sound of ,harris1 ,w4 by ,s41 distant #ad miles4 ,the light-room is elevated #gj feet above the medium level of the sea1 and will be seen from ,e4 ,,ne4 ,e41 from ,w4 by ,s41 and intermediate points of the compass south of these points4 ,sidenote3 ,north ,ronaldsay ,light-house4 ,while the works of ,island ,glass were proceeding1 a light-house was also erected1 and lighted #ajth ,october #aghi1 on the island of ,north ,ronaldsay1 in ,orkney2 but1 as the light at this station was afterwards removed to the neighbouring island of ,sanday1 it will fall more properly to be noticed in the form of a ,tower or ,beacon1 into which the building was converted1 after a ,light-house had been established at the ,start ,point of ,sanday4 ,pladda4 ,sidenote3 ,application for ,pladda ,light-house4 ,the erection of the four light-houses of ,kinnaird ,head1 ,north ,ronaldsay1 ,island ,glass1 and the ,mull of ,kintyre1 completed the operations of the ,northern ,light-house ,board1 referred to in the original act of #aghf2 and at the time of passing that act1 it was not foreseen that a greater number would be required on the coast of ,scotland for a series of years4 ,but the benefit of the lights which had already been erected1 in affording much greater safety and facility to the mariner in those dangerous seas1 became so apparent1 that they were no sooner exhibited than applications from different quarters for new erections followed4 ,among these1 a memorial was presented to the ,commissioners by the ,merchants' ,house of ,greenock1 accompanied by a letter from the ,chamber of ,commerce of ,glasgow1 setting forth the advantages which the shipping of the ,clyde would derive from the erection of a light-house upon the small island of ,pladda1 situated at the southern extremity of the island of ,arran1 and entrance of the ,firth of ,clyde4 ,this memorial concluded by requesting1 that the ,commissioners would 8take such measures as should to them seem most proper1 for procuring an act of ,parliament1 in order to carry the erection of a light-house on the island of ,pladda into execution as soon as possible40 ,sidenote3 ,act of #aghi4 ,sidenote3 ,collectors appointed4 ,an act was accordingly obtained1 in the session of #aghi1 not only for the erection of ,pladda ,light-house1 but for extending the powers of the ,commissioners to the erection of such other light-houses on the coast of ,scotland as to them should seem necessary1 whenever the free produce of the duties of #a;d4 and #c;d4 per ton respectively on ,british and foreign ships should enable the ,board to do so4 ,in consequence of the act of #aghh1 authorising the collection of half duties so soon as two of the four light-houses mentioned in the original act should be lighted1 collectors at the different customhouses of all the ports of ,great ,britain were appointed to receive the ,northern ,light-house duty1 and for their trouble they were to be paid at the rate of #aj per cent4 upon the sums they should respectively receive3 ,but the business being scarcely organized in #aghi1 and only half duties being exigible1 the whole money collected in that year amounted but to ,l4 #bij3ad3f1 and even this small sum formed part of two years' collection4 ,from the smallness of the duties1 and the extent of the operations which the ,commissioners had now on hand1 they were much pressed for the necessary funds1 and but for the liberality of their bankers ,sir ,william ,forbes and ,company1 the operations of the ,board must have been greatly hampered4 ,indeed1 ,sir ,james ,hunter ,blair1 one of the partners of that house1 when ,lord ,provost of ,edinburgh1 and ex officio a member of the ,board1 had been highly instrumental in forwarding the establishment of the ,northern ,light-houses2 and it was1 perhaps1 from such adventitious circumstances1 together with the economy of the measures originally pursued1 that the progress of the ,light-house works proceeded1 without experiencing any interruption from want of funds4 ,sidenote3 #agij4 ,the light-house of ,pladda was finished in the course of the year #agij1 and lighted on the #ast day of ,october4 ,as before noticed1 it is situated in the ,firth of ,clyde1 on the small island of ,pladda1 near the south-west point of the island of ,arran1 in ,north ,lat4 #ee #cj and ,long4 #e #d west of ,london2 the entrance of ,campbeltown ,loch bearing1 by compass1 ,w4,,nw4 ,n41 distant #ah miles2 ,island of ,sana ,w41 distant #bj miles2 ,craig of ,ailsa ,,sw4 by ,s41 distant #ae miles2 entrance to ,loch ,ryan ,s4,,sw41 distant #be miles2 and the ,heads of ,ayr ,e4,,se41 distant #af miles4 ,the light-room is elevated above the medium level of the sea #gj feet2 and the light is seen from ,,ne4 by ,e4 to ,,nw4 by ,w4 and intermediate points of the compass south of these points4 ,sidenote3 #agia4 ,sidenote3 ,distinguishing light at ,pladda4 ,in order to distinguish ,pladda ,light-house from the light upon the ,promontory of ,kintyre on the one hand1 and that upon the island of ,cumbrae1 further up the ,firth of ,clyde1 and also from the ,copeland light on the ,irish coast1 it was found necessary1 in the course of the year #agia1 to erect a small ,light-room1 immediately under the principal light1 that1 by shewing two distinct lights at this station1 the one #bj feet higher than the other1 it might be distinguishable from those above alluded to4 ,this small light-room being rather of a temporary construction1 the ,board have it in view to erect one upon a more efficient plan1 when certain repairs which are in contemplation at ,pladda shall be made4 ,sidenote3 ,annual supply and inspection of the ,lights4 ,the ,northern ,light-houses being situated in parts of the country remote and inaccessible1 it became necessary to arrange some systematic and proper plan for managing the ordinary business of the ,board1 which1 at this time1 had only one stated meeting1 held by act of ,parliament in the month of ,july annually4 ,a special meeting was accordingly convened by the ,secretary1 in the month of ,march #agia2 at which there were present1 the ,lord ,advocate of ,scotland2 the ,lord ,provost of ,edinburgh2 the ,sheriff of ,aberdeen2 the ,sheriff of ,renfrew2 and the ,sheriff of ,orkney1 ,mr ,charles ,hope1 now ,lord ,president of the ,court of ,session4 ,this meeting having taken into consideration the proper mode of supplying the light-houses1 and of attending to the conduct of the light-keepers1 it was resolved1 ,that the engineer should charter a vessel annually1 to carry a full complement of stores and other necessaries for the use of the lights1 and such artificers1 implements and materials as might1 from time to time1 be found necessary for making repairs at the light-houses2 and also1 that the engineer should annually visit each light-house1 and report upon the state and condition of the buildings1 and upon the conduct of the respective light-keepers in keeping the lights1 and in the management of the stores and appurtenances committed to their charge2 with power to dismiss them for neglect of duty4 ,sidenote3 ,light-keepers' ,salary4 ,the light-keepers already engaged in the service1 had been verbally informed by the engineer1 that they would be paid ,l4 #cj of yearly salary2 and this meeting having before it a range of salaries paid to light-keepers both in ,england and ,scotland1 varying from ,l4 #bj to upwards of ,l4 #gj1 it was resolved1 ,that in ordinary situations1 the salary of the light-keepers in the service of the ,northern ,light-houses should be ,l4 #cj per annum1 with a piece of garden-ground and pasture for a cow1 and a sufficient quantity of fuel for the use of their families4 ,sidenote3 ,first voyage of the ,engineer4 ,sidenote3 ,light-house keeper dismissed the service4 ,in consequence of this arrangement1 a vessel of about #ajj tons burden was chartered and fitted out with stores and other necessaries for the use of the ,northern ,light-houses2 and in the course of the summer of #agia1 ,mr ,smith made his first annual visit by sea to the light-houses--the journeys of the engineer having hitherto been performed chiefly by land4 ,on this voyage1 every thing was reported to be in good order at the several stations1 excepting at the ,light-house of ,north ,ronaldsay1 which he found to be very improperly kept3 it appeared also that the light-keeper at this station had been embezzling the stores committed to his charge4 ,this person was formerly a ship-master1 who1 finding it difficult to get employment in the line of his profession1 had been very improperly recommended to the attention of the ,light-house ,board4 ,under circumstances of such misconduct1 the engineer immediately dismissed him from the service1 and his conduct was further taken cognizance of by the ,sheriff of the county4 ,sidenote3 ,economical plan of the early ,light-houses4 ,the business of the ,light-houses was now so arranged1 that matters went on in a very prosperous and successful manner4 ,so well1 indeed1 had the plans and buildings of their engineer been considered1 and made to meet the slender funds of the ,board1 that1 with an expenditure of little more than ,l4 #aj1jjj1 five lights had been exhibited upon the coast4 ,though these buildings were unavoidably very much circumscribed in their accommodations1 and even temporary in their construction1 yet the speedy exhibition of the lights was of great benefit to navigation1 while the improving state of the light-house duties enabled the ,commissioners to extend their influence along a greater range of coast2 and the different buildings have since been enlarged and completed in a much more substantial manner1 by applying the surplus funds to these purposes4 ,sidenote3 #agic4 ,sidenote3 ,application for additional light-houses4 ,in the year #agic1 the prosperous state of funds induced and enabled the ,commissioners to attend to the applications of mariners for additional light-houses on the coast4 ,in particular a letter1 to be afterwards more fully noticed1 was addressed to the ,light-house ,board by ,admiral ,sir ,alexander ,cochrane1 then commanding his ,majesty's ship ,hind upon the ,leith station1 setting forth the great benefit that would accrue to shipping1 from the erection of a light-house upon the ,bell ,rock4 ,representations were likewise made at this time by the merchants of ,liverpool1 regarding the propriety of erecting a light-house upon the ,skerries1 situated in the middle of the ,pentland ,firth 1 which separates the ,orkney ,islands from the ,mainland of ,caithness4 ,the object of a light here1 was to open this ,firth as a passage to shipping in general1 and to enable the mariner to avoid a circuitous and dangerous voyage to the northward of the ,orkney ,islands4 ,sidenote3 ,state of the ,light-house funds4 ,at this period1 however1 the ,commissioners could not venture to undertake a work of such magnitude and difficulty1 as the erection of a light-house upon the ,bell ,rock4 ,the amount of the light-house duties at first was extremely limited2 and though in a progressive state1 yet1 for #aghi1 as before stated1 they only amounted to ,l4 #bdi3ad3f4 ,for #agij1 the sum was ,l4 #adgg3e3a2 for #agia1 it was ,l4 #bgcf3i3b2 for #agib1 it rose to ,l4 #cafj3ah3a4 ,but in the year #agic1 of which we are now treating1 the duties rather declined1 and they only netted ,l4 #bhfh1 #cs4 #e;d4 ,the ,commissioners were nevertheless enabled to pay off ,l4 #dbjj1 which1 by the acts of #aghf and #aghh1 they had been empowered to borrow1 and likewise to discharge the advances made by ,sir ,william ,forbes and ,company2 still leaving a balance of about ,l4 #bjjj of surplus duties in the hands of their treasurer4 ,the funds being1 therefore1 still very limited1 and only in a condition to enable the ,board to erect a light-house of the ordinary construction1 the erection of the light-house on the ,pentland ,skerries was resolved on2 and the further consideration of the ,bell ,rock light-house reserved1 until the funds should be in a more advanced state4 ,pentland ,skerries4 ,sidenote3 ,regarding the site of the ,pentland ,firth ,light-house4 ,some difference of opinion arising among the gentlemen and merchants of ,orkney1 whether the light-house proposed for the ,pentland ,skerries should not rather be erected upon the island of ,copinsha1 situate about fifteen miles northward of the ,portland ,firth 1 the matter was referred to the opinion of the ,association of ,ship-owners of ,liverpool1 and to the ,chambers of ,commerce of ,glasgow and ,greenock1 when these public bodies unanimously and strongly recommended the erection of the light-house on the ,pentland ,skerries1 as the site best calculated for a direction to the ,pentland ,firth 2 which was accordingly fixed upon by the ,board4 ,to mark this ,light-house from the other lights upon the coast1 it was necessary to make it a ,distinguishing-light1 which was effected by the erection of a higher and lower light-house tower1 respectively #hj and #ajj feet above the medium level of the sea1 built at the distance of #fj feet asunder1 and each having a light-room with reflectors1 so as to show two distinct stationary lights1 for as yet the ,revolving-light had not been introduced upon this coast4 ,sidenote3 #agid4 ,sidenote3 ,the author's first voyage to the north4 ,the works at the ,pentland ,skerries were begun early in the spring of #agid4 ,the masonry was executed by builders of ,orkney2 and the materials having been prepared1 were partly landed on these small islands in the course of the preceding summer4 ,the ,skerries consist of two uninhabited islands1 with some contiguous sunken rocks4 ,they lie exposed to the uninterrupted force of the waves of the ,north ,sea1 and to the rapid tides and currents of the ,pentland ,firth 1 and present many convincing proofs of the wasting state of the land1 by the action of the sea4 ,the works here had been so laid out1 that the towers should be in readiness for the erection of the light-rooms by the month of ,august2 and it was expected that the lights would be ready for exhibition in the month of ,october4 ,the author1 to whose superintendance the completing of these light-houses was to be entrusted1 as his first work for the ,board1 sailed from ,leith on this service on the #b;d ,july #agid2 and after touching at ,kinnaird ,head ,light-house1 he landed at the ,pentland ,skerries on the #aath of that month1 and found the masonry of the two light-house towers in such a state of forwardness1 as to be then nearly ready for the light-rooms4 ,in the month of ,september1 these works were completed1 and the lights were exhibited on the #ast day of ,october #agid4 ,these lights are from oil1 with reflectors1 and may be described as erected on the largest of the ,pentland ,skerries1 in ,lat4 #eh #dc and ,long4 #c #c west of ,london2 the northmost or highest light-room being elevated #ajj feet1 and the lower light-room #hj feet above the medium level of the sea4 ,the two light-rooms1 relatively to each other1 bear ,s4 ,,sw4 and ,n4 ,,ne41 distant #fj feet4 ,the bearings1 as taken from the highest light-room1 by compass1 are the western extremity of the ,little ,pentland ,skerry ,s4 by ,w41 distant #a mile2 extremity of the foul ground off that ,skerry ,,se41 distant #a mile2 ,duncan's ,bay ,head in ,caithness2 ,w4 ,,sw4 distant #d miles2 ,noss ,head ,,sw4 by ,w41 distant #ad miles2 northmost point of the ,island of ,stroma ,,nw4 by ,w41 distant #f miles2 south-western extremity of the ,loather ,rock on the ,orkney shore ,n4 by ,w41 distant #c miles2 ,island of ,copinsha ,,ne4 by ,e4 ,e41 distant #ag miles4 ,sidenote3 ,loss of the sloop ,elizabeth4 ,the author1 having remained to complete the works at the ,pentland ,skerries1 and to see the house lighted1 sailed from ,orkney on the #ith of ,october1 in the sloop ,elizabeth of ,stromness4 ,on the following day1 the vessel got within three miles of ,kinnaird ,head ,light-house1 in ,aberdeenshire2 but the wind having suddenly shifted to the south-east1 ,mr ,sinclair1 the master1 with much attention and kindness1 landed the author1 who continued his journey to ,edinburgh by land4 ,a very different fate1 however1 awaited his shipmates2 for the ,elizabeth having put back to ,cromarty ,roads1 was afterwards driven to ,orkney1 and ultimately lost1 when all on board perished4 ,sidenote3 ,mr ,balfour and ,mr ,riddoch presented with pieces of ,plate4 ,in the affairs connected with the erection of light-houses in ,orkney1 ,mr ,balfour of ,elwick1 and ,mr ,riddoch1 collector of the customs at ,kirkwall1 having respectively taken much friendly interest and trouble in the advancement of the ,light-house works in the ,orkney islands1 the ,commissioners of the ,light-houses presented a small piece of plate to each of these gentlemen1 with a suitable inscription1 in testimony of the services they had thus rendered to the public4 ,sidenote3 ,act for ,incorporating the ,commissioners4 ,some inconveniency having been experienced in conducting the business of the ,light-house ,board1 in consequence of its not being an incorporated body1 and not having a common seal1 particularly in the holding of stock and other property1 in laying out and investing the surplus funds arising from the light-house duties1 application was made to ,parliament1 and an act passed in #agih1 #chth ,geo4 ,,iii4 c4 #eg4 erecting the ,commissioners into a ,board or ,body-politic1 by the name of 8,the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses20 and under that title to have perpetual succession1 and hold a common seal4 ,sidenote3 ,additional ,works at the first erected ,light-houses4 ,after the completion of these two light-houses on the ,pentland ,skerries in #agid1 a period of ten years elapsed before the erection of any additional light-house was undertaken on the coast of ,scotland4 ,this delay was rendered necessary1 chiefly on account of the necessity of extending the accommodation of the light-keepers at the different stations1--in making landing places and roads1--enclosing grounds1--and1 in short1 putting the whole establishment of the light-houses into a more complete and finished state4 ,sidenote3 ,light-,house proposed as a direction for ,cromarty ,firth 4 ,in the mean time1 several propositions for new light-houses were brought under the notice of the ,commissioners4 ,in the year #agig1 for example1 the late ,mr ,dempster of ,dunnichen proposed the erection of a light-house as a direction for the entrance of ,cromarty ,firth 1 one of the principal inlets for shipping on the eastern coast of ,great ,britain4 ,mr ,dempster also suggested1 in connection with this1 that a ,beacon should be erected1 and a floating buoy moored1 to point out the dangerous channel of ,dornoch ,firth 1 which is too often fatally mistaken for the entrance to ,cromarty ,firth 4 ,the proposition of a beacon and buoy for ,dornoch1 was considered by the ,commissioners as not strictly in the high seas1 and therefore not properly belonging to the concerns of the ,board1 and1 together with the light-house1 were delayed for the present1 that attention might be paid to more urgent demands on other parts of the coast4 ,sidenote3 ,proposition for altering the site of ,kinnaird ,head ,light-,house4 ,notwithstanding the benefit derived from the erection of ,kinnaird ,head light-house1 shipwrecks were still occurring on a dangerous reef of rocks called ,rattray ,brigs1 situate about #ab miles southward of ,kinnaird ,head1 and #f miles north of ,peterhead4 ,in the year #agih1 petitions were presented to the ,commissioners from certain merchants and traders1 setting forth1 that the light-house upon ,kinnaird ,head would be much more beneficial to shipping1 were it removed to ,rattray ,head4 ,this matter was remitted to the author to report upon1 who accordingly made a survey of this part of the coast4 ,after maturely considering the subject1 it was deemed advisable to decline the removal of the light-house from ,kinnaird ,head1 which was found to be extremely useful for directing ships into the ,moray and ,cromarty ,friths1 and also to vessels making the land from the northward4 ,although it might not1 perhaps1 be so useful to coasters bound from the south1 yet the ,commissioners found1 that it would be better1 under all circumstances1 to preserve ,kinnaird ,head as a light-house station1 and1 at some future period1 to erect an additional light upon this important part of the coast1 at or near ,peterhead1 in a position calculated to be useful as a guide for the sunken reef of ,rattray ,brigs1 and also for the south-eastern shores of ,aberdeenshire4 ,start ,point ,beacon4 ,sidenote3 #ahja4 ,sidenote3 ,numerous ,wrecks on the ,island of ,sanday4 ,among the several applications brought before the ,board for additional light-houses1 something still appeared to be necessary for averting the misfortunes which were annually happening on the low shores of the ,northern ,isles of ,orkney4 ,it had now been found1 by the experience of about twelve years1 that the light-house of ,north ,ronaldsay was not calculated to prevent the numerous wrecks on the islands of ,sanday and ,stronsay4 ,in the year #agif1 when the author was on his annual visit to the ,northern ,light-houses1 he was struck at seeing the wreck of three homeward-bound ships upon the island of ,sanday1 though situate only about eight miles southward of the light-house of ,north ,ronaldsay4 ,again1 in #agig1 he found one wrecked ship on ,sanday2 but in #agih he saw the remains of no fewer than five vessels upon that fatal island2 and1 in the month of ,december #agii1 two of the numerous vessels which were driven from ,yarmouth ,roads in a dreadful gale of wind at south-east1 were also wrecked there4 ,the author having laid this continued and alarming state of things before the ,light-house ,board1 in his annual report of #ahja1 it was resolved1 that a beacon or tower of masonry should be erected upon the ,start ,point or eastern extremity of the low shores of the island of ,sanday2 the building to be constructed in such a manner that it might1 if found necessary1 be converted into a light-house4 ,sidenote3 #ahjb4 ,sidenote3 ,proofs of a severe winter in ,orkney4 ,in the year #ahjb1 the author sailed on his annual voyage to the ,northern ,light-houses so early as the #adth of ,april1 in the ,pharos of ,leith1 carrying with him a foreman and sixteen artificers1 to commence the works of the ,start ,point ,tower4 ,after rather a boisterous passage1 the vessel reached ,orkney in six days1 and1 at this advanced period of the season1 these ,islands were found covered to the depth of six inches with snow4 ,this1 at any time1 is rather uncommon in ,orkney2 but such had been the severity of the season in the northern regions1 that a flock of wild swans which1 in severe winters1 visit this country1 were still seen in considerable numbers upon the fresh-water lakes of ,sanday4 ,these large birds are supposed to migrate from ,iceland1 but are rarely seen here later than the month of ,march1 so that their appearance in the latter end of the month of ,april1 was considered by the ,orcadians as a mark of a very severe and long-continued winter in the higher latitudes4 ,sidenote3 ,quarries at ,sanday and ,eda4 ,sidenote3 ,encroachments of the ,sea upon the ,land4 ,sidenote3 ,of ,ruble ,building4 ,sidenote3 ,houses built with ,double walls4 ,it having been ascertained that there was no workable sandstone on the island of ,sanday1 where the ,beacon was to be erected1 permission was granted by ,mr ,laing1 the proprietor of the contiguous island of ,eda1 to open a quarry at ,calf ,sound1 where sandstone of a pretty good quality was obtained4 ,with a view to render this building substantially water-tight1 it had been originally intended to make it wholly of hewn stone1 built in regular courses1 technically called ashlar or aisler-work1 a term derived from the aisle of a church1 where this sort of masonry predominates2 but the quarry of ,eda being about fourteen miles distant from the work1 the stones had to be brought by sea through rapid tides2 and there being but indifferent creeks or havens both at the quarry and at the ,start ,point1 it was found necessary to make only the principal stones of hewn-work1 while the body of the work was executed in ruble-building1 for which excellent materials were got at the ,start ,point1 the property of the ,right ,honourable ,lord ,dundas1 consisting of sandstone-slate1 of a greyish-smoke colour1 intermixed with shining particles of mica4 ,the rock here is disposed in strata1 from #a to #h inches in thickness1 and could easily be raised in pieces containing from #ae to #bj square feet4 ,indeed1 the encroachments of the sea had heaped up immense quantities of these schistose stones at high-water mark1 all round the ,start ,point1 the shores of which appeared like the ruins of the wall of some large city4 ,these stones1 however1 were more applicable for the purposes of dike-building1 or interior walls1 than for external work2 for1 after having been exposed on the beach for ages to the alternate changes of moisture and dryness1 heat and cold1 they were found to have many small fissures1 or were split horizontally2 and although the pieces still seemed to adhere closely1 yet they were sufficiently open to admit moisture into the heart of the walls1 which1 in these stormy and exposed situations1 is forced through the building3 hence it is1 that houses built with drift-stones of this description1 are said by the cottagers of these islands to keep out moisture much better when built with puddle or clay1 than with the best lime-mortar1 which1 under certain circumstances1 is known to attract moisture1 while the clay resists it4 ,but after all the care that can be taken in building with these slaty stones1 even when taken fresh from the quarry1 they still have a tendency to split into lamell1 after they are built in the walls4 ,experienced builders1 therefore1 generally lay the outward stones of such walls with a slight inclination downwards1 or dip1 as the workmen term it1 the more readily to prevent the admission of wetness4 ,i have been thus particular1 because it is hardly possible to prevent walls built of these materials from drawing moisture1 until they have been rough cast1--an operation which is so very troublesome1 from requiring to be occasionally renewed1 that ,i have found it necessary1 in these exposed situations1 to build the outward walls double1 as the only effectual method of obtaining a comfortable house free of dampness4 ,sidenote3 ,laying the foundation stone of ,beacon4 ,the weather continued to be so extremely boisterous here1 that it was the middle of the month of ,may before a sufficient stock of materials was laid down for commencing the building at the ,start ,point4 ,a wish having been expressed by the workmen1 to have the foundation-stone of the ,beacon laid with masonic ceremony2 and considering the dreary prospect which the artificers had before them1 the author was the more willing to embrace so fair an opportunity of affording them the enjoyment of a little convivial happiness4 ,the influx of so many strangers to the island of ,sanday for this work1 and the novelty of the intended ceremony1 made the news soon find its way to every house4 ,preparations were accordingly made2--the year of our ,lord #ahjb1 was cut upon the foundation-stone1 in which a hole was perforated for depositing a glass phial1 containing a small parchment scroll1 setting forth the intention of the building2 the official constitution of the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses2 and the name of their ,engineer4 ,it also contained several of the current coins of ,george ,,iii4 in gold1 silver1 and copper4 ,the day fixed for the ceremony was the #aeth of ,may4 ,the weather was dry and tolerably agreeable1 though cold1 with snow upon the ground2 the thermometer by ,fahrenheit's scale indicating #ce in the shade at noon4 ,a number of the principal inhabitants1 and a crowd of cottagers assembled4 ,things being arranged for the ceremony1 the author1 assisted by ,mr ,james ,cleghorn1 foreman for the works1 applied the square and plummet-level to the foundation-stone1 in compliance with the ancient custom of the craft4 ,the phial was then deposited in the cavity prepared for it in the stone1 and carefully covered up with sand1 when the masonic ceremony concluded in the usual manner4 ,the ,reverend ,walter ,traill1 minister of the parish1 who obligingly attended on this occasion1 now stood forward1 and1 after a most impressive prayer1 imploring the blessing of heaven upon the intended purposes of the building1 delivered an address1 which1 from the singularity of the subject1 and the excellency of the matter1 shall here be inserted4 ,sidenote3 ,rev4 ,walter ,trail's ,address4 8,this moment is auspicious4 ,the foundation-stone is laid of a building of incalculable value2--a work of use1 not of luxury4 ,pyramids were erected by the pride of kings1 to perpetuate the memory of men1 whose ambition enslaved and desolated the world4 ,but it is the benevolent intention of our ,government1 on this spot to erect a tower1 not to exhaust1 but to increase the wealth1 and protect the commerce of this happy kingdom4--,to the goodness of ,,god1 in the first place1 we are indebted for a degree of prosperity unknown to other nations4 ,in the next place1 we owe our happiness to our insular situation1 and attention to maritime affairs4 ,faction and civil war have1 at this period1 laid waste the fairest countries of ,europe2 while peace has flourished within our walls4 ,agriculture1 commerce1 and their kindred arts1 have prospered in our land4 ,british oak hath triumphed2 victory hath been attached to the ,british flag2 and ,british fleets have ridden triumphant on the wings of the wind4--,consider the great national objects for which this building will be erected4 ,to protect commerce1 and to guard the lives of those intrepid men who for us cheerfully brave the fury of the waves1 and the rage of battle4 ,the mariner1 when he returns to the embraces of his wife and children1 after ascribing praise to the ,great ,giver of safety1 shall bless the friendly light which guided him over the deep1 and recommend to the protection of heaven1 those who urged1 who planned1 and who executed the work4--,this day shall be remembered with gratitude4 ,it shall be recorded1 that at the beginning of a new century1 the pious care of ,government was extended to this remote island4 ,those rocks1 so fatal to the most brave and honourable part of the community1 shall lose their terror1 and safety and life shall spring from danger and death4--,even you1 my friends1 who are employed in the execution of this work1 are objects of regard and gratitude4 ,you have1 for a season1 left the society of your families and friends1 to perform a work of high interest to your country and to mankind4 ,i am confident1 that you will act1 in all respects1 so as to deserve and obtain the esteem of the people who now surround you4 ,i hope that they will discharge to you every duty of ,christian hospitality1 and that you will have no occasion to feel that you are strangers in a strange land4--,it becomes us to remember1 that all the affairs of men are dependent on ,providence4 ,we may exert talents and industry1 but ,,god only can bless our exertions with success4 ,let our trust be in him4 ,let us humbly hope that he will bless this day and this undertaking4 ,through his aid1 may there arise from this spot1 a tower of safety and protection to the mariner of every tongue and nation40 ,the whole of this scene was very impressive2 and the plain1 decent1 and respectable appearance of the people collected on the occasion1 was none of the least interesting parts of it4 ,sidenote3 ,beacon ,completed4 ,having now got the works at the ,start ,point of ,sanday fairly commenced1 and some progress made in opening the quarries1 the author left the ,orkney ,islands1 and continued his voyage westward to the other ,light-houses on the coast4 ,every thing having succeeded well at the ,start ,point1 the ,beacon was finished in the month of ,september4 ,it was terminated at the height of #ajj feet above the medium level of the sea1 with a circular ball of masonry measuring fifteen feet in circumference4--,but this tower having been afterwards converted into a light-house1 it seems to be unnecessary here to enter into a more particular specification of the building4 ,inchkeith ,light-house4 ,sidenote3 #ahjc4 ,much inconveniency had been experienced1 and many fatal accidents had occurred1 in the ,firth of ,forth1 from the want of a light to direct ships past the island of ,inchkeith into the ,roads of ,leith4 ,in the course of the winter of #ahja1 from this cause1 a very severe misfortune happened at the rocks lying off ,kinghornness1 on the ,fifeshire coast1 by the loss of the smack ,aberdeen1 ,freeman1 master1 one of the traders bound from ,aberdeen to ,london4 ,this vessel had been put up the ,firth in a storm1 loaded with a general cargo1 which was valued at upwards of ,l4 #aj1jjj1 and had on board #ac passengers1 besides the ship's crew1 all of whom perished1 excepting the master1 the mate1 and a lady4 ,so very distressing an accident1 with other instances of a similar nature1 produced a strong sensation with the public4 ,it was also found1 that vessels which1 by the direction of the light of ,may1 had entered the ,firth of ,forth in the course of a long winter night1 could not yet venture to hold on their course1 up the ,firth 1 owing to the difficulty of passing the island of ,inchkeith1 and the foul and rocky ground in its neighbourhood4 ,the mariner was thus obliged to lie off and on in this narrow sea1 without being able to run for the anchorage of ,leith ,roads till day-light3 but1 before morning1 the wind perhaps had shifted2 and1 instead of being in a safe anchorage1 he was too often driven to sea4 ,the author has1 indeed1 known of a ship in this situation1 which drifted before the wind even to the coast of ,norway4 ,sidenote3 ,inchkeith ,light-house resolved on4 ,it was from considerations of this kind that an application was brought forward by the ,corporation of the ,trinity ,house of ,leith1 for the erection of a light-house upon ,inchkeith2 and the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 also viewing ,leith ,roads as a naval station and rendezvous for his ,majesty's ships on the ,north ,sea station1 resolved upon the propriety and expediency of this measure in the year #ahjb4 ,various difficulties occurred about procuring the ground necessary for this establishment1 not indeed with the noble proprietor of the island1 the ,duke of ,buccleuch1 who forthwith ordered every facility to be given to the work2 but time was lost in arranging matters with his ,grace's agent4 ,it was not1 therefore1 till the summer of the year #ahjc1 that the building on ,inchkeith commenced1 and the masonry of the light-house was not ready for the light-room till the following year1 when the light was exhibited on the #ast day of ,september #ahjd4 ,its position is described as follows3 ,sidenote3 ,description of ,inchkeith ,light-house4 8,the ,light-house erected on the island of ,inchkeith1 situate in the ,firth of ,forth and county of ,mid-,lothian1 in ,north ,lat4 #ef #b1 and ,long4 #c #h4 west of ,london1 is elevated #bbj feet above the medium level of the sea1 of which height the building forms #de feet4 ,the light is from oil with reflectors1 and will be seen from every point of the compass as a ,stationary light0 7since altered to a ,revolving light1 as shall be afterwards noticed74 8,from the light-house ,ely-ness bears1 by compass1 ,e4 ,,ne41 distant #af miles2 ,light of ,may ,e4 ,n41 distant #bc miles2 ,fidra ,island ,e4 by ,s41 distant #ad miles2 ,craig ,waugh ,rock ,,se4 by ,s4 ,s41 distant #d miles2 ,leith-,harbour ,light ,,sw4 ,s41 distant #c miles2 ,gunnet ,rock ,w41 distant #a mile2 ,ox-,scares ,w4 by ,n4 ,n41 distant #d miles2 ,inchcolm ,w4 ,,nw4 ,n41 distant #f miles2 ,pettycur ,light ,n4 ,,nw4 ,n41 distant #b miles2 ,kinghorn-ness ,n4 ,,nw4 ,n4 distant #b miles40 ,sidenote3 ,originally proposed to be a ,leading light4 ,this light-house was originally proposed to have been made a double or leading light1 to guide ships up the ,firth 1 and especially past the dangerous rock called the ,ox-,scares1 to the anchorage above ,queensferry2 but it was thought advisable to erect a light1 in the first instance1 upon the top of the island1 and to defer the erection of a lower or western light till the effect of a single light should be tried4 ,such1 however1 appears to have been the benefit of the light on the top of the island1 together with a cast-iron ,beacon1 which1 at this time1 was erected on the ,ox-,scares1 that the want of a second light-house on ,inchkeith does not seem to have been much felt4 ,sidenote3 ,light duty for ,inchkeith modified4 ,by the existing acts of ,parliament1 the light-house ,board is entitled to take the full duties of three halfpence per ton1 from the local trade of the ,firth of ,forth1 for the light of ,inchkeith1 instead of which1 only one halfpenny per ton is exacted from such vessels as are not liable to the duty1 in consequence of passing some other of the ,northern ,light-houses4 ,the great utility of this light-house1 and the equitable and liberal manner in which these duties are exacted1 gave much satisfaction to the maritime and commercial interests of the country4 ,sidenote3 ,accommodation of ,light-keepers' houses extended4 ,it may here be proper to observe1 that the erection of ,inchkeith ,light-house1 forms a new era in the works of the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses2 which1 as formerly observed1 had been necessarily executed on the smallest1 plainest and most simple plan that could be devised1 and with such materials as could be easily transported1 and most speedily erected1 so as to meet the urgent calls of shipping1 and answer the very limited state of the funds4 ,but from the thriving condition of the trade of the country1 the yearly duties which1 in #agij1 amounted only to ,l4 #adgg3e3a2 in the year #ahjb encreased to ,l4 #dchf3g3e4 ,it was1 therefore1 considered advisable1 from its being ultimately more economical1 to erect and finish the several works of the light-house ,board in the most substantial manner1 and more like the buildings of a permanent ,national ,establishment4 ,sidenote3 ,houses covered with leaden roofs4 ,sidenote3 ,disadvantage of slated roofs4 ,from the vicinity of ,inchkeith to sandstone quarries1 the buildings there were executed of aislar masonry4 ,a platform roof covered with lead1 and defended by a parapet wall1 was adopted for the light-keepers' house1 instead of a slated roof1 with garrets of the common construction2 a slated roof being not only more liable to be injured by high winds1 but when the attic apartments of such houses are occupied1 the premises became more exposed to accident from fire4 ,the slated roof1 with iron nails1 is also subject to decay1 owing to the saline particles with which the air is impregnated1 and the sprays of the sea1 which1 even in such situations as ,inchkeith1 are often blown over the island1 though the site of the light-house is about #age feet in height4 ,indeed1 at all the original light-house stations in the north1 the nails were soon rusted1 and the slates getting loose1 were often blown off in great numbers1 so that in the very depth of ,winter1 the light-keepers have been obliged to make such a requisition as the following3 8,a slater is much wanted here1 to repair the roof of the house1 as upwards of #ej slates have been blown away during the late gales40 ,instead1 also1 of a dwelling-house consisting of only two small apartments as formerly1 the house at ,inchkeith has four rooms1 with other conveniencies1 laid out for the accommodation of the families of a principal light-keeper and an assistant1 who are now appointed to the charge of each of the ,northern ,light-houses4 ,sidenote3 ,construction of ,light rooms improved4 ,sidenote3 ,rendered ,fire-proof4 ,an entire change also took place at this period upon the construction of the ,light-rooms and the reflecting apparatus1 as well as in the extension and enlargement of the accommodation for the light-keepers4 ,the early light-rooms were constructed wholly of timber1 excepting the window-sash frames1 which were made of cast-iron4 ,the outside of the wooden cupola1 covered with sheet copper1 and the ceiling and floor with fire-proof plates of tinned iron4 ,but it soon appeared that this construction was liable to great objections1 particularly to the risk of accidental fire4 ,the timber roof being also unavoidably shut up from the air1 and exposed to a degree of heat sufficient to dry it to the state of tinder1 its strength and fibrous qualities were soon lost1 and the buildings in danger of being destroyed by the storms of winter4 ,at ,inchkeith1 on the contrary1 the roof is framed of iron1 and covered with copper1 and the floor is laid with flag-stones2 while the window-frames1 and all the materials exposed to the immediate action of the weather1 are made of copper2 the windows are glazed with plates of polished glass1 measuring #bi inches by #ah inches1 and of an inch in thickness1 instead of sash panes of crown-glass1 measuring only #ab inches by #h inches1 by which so many astragals were unavoidably introduced into the windows1 that much of the light was obstructed and lost4 ,sidenote3 ,reflectors of ,silvered ,mirror-glass4 ,sidenote3 ,reflectors of ,copper1 plated with ,silver4 ,sidenote3 ,the use of ,argand lamps and ,spermaceti ,oil introduced4 ,the reflectors of the first of the ,northern ,light-houses were formed to the parabolic curve1 upon principles susceptible of considerable accuracy2 their powers were1 however1 small from their reflecting surfaces being composed of facets of silvered mirror-glass1 and one point only of each facet coinciding with the curve of the parabola4 ,as many of the rays are thus lost or weakened by transmission through the glass of the reflector1 the light is much less brilliant than when reflected from a metallic speculum of a uniform parabolic figure1 of a more white and dense body1 such as silver4 ,another objection to mirror-glass reflectors1 is the great number of interstices or subdivisions between the pieces of glass1 which unavoidably induces a want of cleanliness and uniformity in the reflecting surface as a whole4 ,the improvement upon this part of the reflecting apparatus1 as more recently fitted up1 consists in employing sheets of copper1 plated or coated with silver1 which1 with much labour and great nicety of workmanship1 are formed as nearly as may be into the parabolic curve1--a subject to which we shall again recur1 in treating of the reflectors for the ,bell ,rock ,light-house4 ,instead1 also1 of whale oil1 and the use of the ,common lamp1 spermaceti oil1 and the ,argand lamp1 were introduced at ,inchkeith4 ,upon these principles1 all the new erections of the ,northern ,light-houses are constructed2 and such of the original light-houses1 as require considerable repairs1 are directed by the ,board to be altered to the improved construction4 ,but the erection of such a light-house as that of ,inchkeith1 in place of requiring an expenditure of only about ,l4 #ajjj like the original establishments1 cost upwards of ,l4 #ejjj4 ,sidenote3 ,inscription on ,inchkeith ,light-house4 ,the light-house of ,inchkeith having been erected before the late ,mr ,smith1 the author's predecessor1 had retired from the situation of ,engineer for the ,northern ,light-houses1 and being the first of the light-houses erected upon the coast of ,scotland on the recently improved principles1 it is thought proper to give a plan and elevation of the house and offices1 in one of the plates of this work1 as a specimen of what is considered a very complete light-house establishment4 ,it may also be noticed here1 that the elevation of the light-house tower bears a tablet with the following inscription3--8,for the direction of ,mariners1 and for the benefit of ,commerce1 this ,light-house was erected by order of the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses4 ,it was founded on the #ahth day of ,may1 in the year #ahjc1 and lighted on the #ast of ,september #ahjd4 ,,thomas ,,smith1 ,engineer40 ,sidenote3 ,pilots and ,shipwrecked ,seamen receive shelter4 ,as part of the establishment at ,inchkeith1 a guard-room is provided for pilots4 ,in the event also of shipwreck upon the coast1 in the neighbourhood of any of the light-house stations1 from the more extended state of the buildings1 the unfortunate seamen are not only directed to be lodged in the best manner that the circumstances of the case will admit1 but1 in necessitous cases1 ship-wrecked mariners have even been allowed a sum of money by the ,light-house ,board1 to clothe and carry them to their respective homes4 ,in this way1 it has not unfrequently fallen to the lot of the keepers of the ,northern ,light-houses1 to save the lives of perishing seamen1 to succour many poor fishermen and pilots1 as well as the half starved and unlucky individuals of water parties1 when driven by stress of weather to these lone places of abode1 for safety and shelter4 ,in these varied forms1 it will not be too much to suppose1 that the practice of protecting the navigator in distress1 which is said to have formed a chief part of the design of the ,fire ,towers and ,nautical ,colleges of the ancients1 is thus in some measure restored4 ,start ,point ,light-house4 ,sidenote3 #ahjf4 ,sidenote3 ,shipwrecks still take place on ,sanday4 ,sidenote3 ,striking examples of this4 ,notwithstanding the precautions which had been taken to prevent the frequent occurrence of shipwreck upon the island of ,sanday1 by the erection of a ,beacon or ,tower of masonry on the ,start ,point1 the loss of ships did not appear to be diminished4 ,it had even become proverbial with some of the inhabitants to observe1 8that if wrecks were to happen1 they might as well be sent to the poor island of ,sanday as any where else40 ,on this and the neighbouring islands1 the inhabitants have certainly had their share of wrecked goods2 for here the eye is presented with these melancholy remains in almost every form4 ,for example1 although quarries are to be met with generally in these islands1 and the stones are very suitable for building dikes1 yet instances occur of the land being inclosed1 even to a considerable extent1 with ship timbers4 ,the author has actually seen a park paled round1 chiefly with cedar wood and mahogany from the wreck of a ,honduras built ship2 and in one island1 after the wreck of a ship laden with wine1 the inhabitants have been known to take claret to their barley meal porridge1 instead of their usual beverage4 ,on complaining to one of the pilots of the badness of his boat's sails1 he replied to the author with some degree of pleasantry1 8,had it been ,his 7,god's7 will that you came na here wi' these lights1 we might a' had better sails to our boats and more o' other things40 ,it may further be noticed1 that when some of ,lord ,dundas's farms are to be let in these islands1 a competition takes place for the lease1 and it is bona fide understood1 that a much higher rent is paid than the lands would otherwise give1 were it not for the chance of making considerably by the agency and advantages attending shipwrecks on the shores of the respective farms4 ,the author was so struck with some of these circumstances1 that he collected1 and shall here insert a list of shipwrecks for the twelve years immediately following the erection of ,north ,ronaldsay light-house1 in procuring which he was obligingly assisted by the ,rev4 ,william ,grant1 minister of ,cross-kirk parish1 including the island of ,north ,ronaldsay1 and part of ,sanday4 ,sidenote3 ,list of ,shipwrecks for ,twelve ,years4 ,,list ,,of ,,wrecks on the contiguous islands of ,north ,ronaldsay1 ,sanday and ,stronsay1 during a period of ,twelve ,years1 immediately after the erection of ,north ,ronaldsay ,light-house1 in #aghi4 ,key3 ,a3 ,year4 ,b3 ,voyage4 ,c3 ,cargo4 ,d3 ,tonnage4 ,e3 ,supposed ,value of ,ship and ,cargo4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- ,a ,b ,c ,d ,e ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- #aghi4,norway to ,america1 ,spirits1 c4 #aej ,l4 #cejj #j #j #agij4;,hamburgh to do4 ,cordage1 c4 #ajj #bhjj #j #j #agib4,norway to ,wales1 ,wood and ,iron1 #ij #aajj #j #j ---- ,sweden to ,liverpool1 ,grain1 #abj #cajj #j #j ---- ,do4 to ,greenock1 ,timber1 #djj #cdjj #j #j #agic4,norway to ,spain1 ,fish and ,oil1 #ajj #bjjj #j #j ---- ,copenhagen to ,santa ,cruz1,silks1 c4 #bej #ce1jjj #j #j #agid4;,copenhagen to ,surinam1 ,muslins1 c4 #bej #bj1jjj #j #j ---- ,do4 to ,dundee1 ,flax1 c4 #ij #bjjj #j #j #agie4 ,do4 to ,america1 ,cloth1 c4 #cjj #ab1bjj #j #j #agif4 ,do4 to ,liverpool1 ,timber1 #bej #bejj #j #j ---- ,do4 to ,whitehaven1,timber1 #aej #acjj #j #j ---- ,liverpool to ,ostend1 ,wine and ,rum1 #djj #ae1cjj #j #j #agig4;,baltic to ,liverpool1 ,grain1 #abj #cjjj #j #j #agih4,sweden to ,hull1 ,timber and ,iron1 #bjj #bejj #j #j ---- ,norway to ,liverpool4 ,timber1 #bjj #ahjj #j #j ---- ,do4 to ,america1 ,cloth1 c4 #bjj #ejjj #j #j ---- ,altona to ,do4 ,spirits and ,cloth1 #dej #ah1jjj #j #j ---- ,london to ,gibraltar1 ,stores1 #cjj #ejjj #j #j #agii4 ,do4 to ,dublin1 ,staves1 #aej #bbjj #j #j #ahjj4;,hamburgh to ,america1 ,cambric and ,linen1 #bjj #de1jjj #j #j ---- ,dantzic to ,liverpool1 ,timber1 #ijj #aj1jjj #j #j ---------- #bb vessels wrecked in #ab years1 supposed value ,l4 #aif1djj #j #j ---------------------------------------- ----------------------------- ,sidenote3 ,start ,point ,tower proposed to be converted into a ,light-house4 ,sidenote3 ,north ,ronaldsay ,light-house to be converted into a ,beacon4 ,this list of shipwrecks strongly points out the dangerous nature of the navigation of the seas and friths of the northern islands of ,orkney4 ,from a consideration of these numerous accidents1 being almost at the rate of two wrecks in the year1 and seeing the mangled remains of some fine ships which still appeared upon the island of ,sanday1 the author was induced to bring this matter again under the notice of the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 in his report to the ,board in the year #ahje1 when he proposed that the ,start ,point ,beacon should be converted into a light-house1 and that ,north ,ronaldsay light should be discontinued1 and its tower converted into a beacon1 as wrecks were found to happen comparatively seldom upon that island1 while hardly a year passed without instances of this kind on the island of ,sanday2 for1 owing to the projecting points of this strangely formed island1 the lowness and whiteness of its eastern shores1 and the wonderful manner in which the scanty patches of land are intersected with lakes and pools of water1 it becomes even in day-light a deception1 and has often been fatally mistaken for an open sea4 ,the removal of the light from ,north ,ronaldsay to ,sanday1 was also calculated to be equally1 if not more1 useful to the navigation of ,north ,ronaldsay ,firth 2 the ,start ,point being only four miles from the sunken rock called the ,reef-dyke1 as will be seen from the general chart of the coast which accompanies this work4 ,it therefore appeared that if only a single light were allowed for the protection of this coast1 it would be much better upon ,sanday than on ,north ,ronaldsay4 ,sidenote3 ,opinion of persons conversant with the ,navigation of these ,seas4 ,on this subject1 however1 the author was instructed to take the opinion of persons acquainted with the navigation of these seas4 ,accordingly1 when on his annual voyage to the ,northern ,light-houses1 he submitted the subject to the consideration of ,mr ,william ,ellis1 ,commander of the ,ross ,revenue ,cutter1 who had then been cruising for several months off these islands1 by order of ,government1 for intelligence relative to the motions of the ,dutch fleet1 which then threatened to attempt a landing on the ,western ,coast of ,ireland4 ,it was also submitted to ,mr ,riddoch1 ,collector1 and ,mr ,manson1 ,comptroller of the ,customs1 at ,kirkwall2 to ,mr ,john ,traill1 ,mr ,fotheringham1 and ,mr ,strang of ,sanday2 and to the ship-masters of ,kirkwall and ,stromness4 ,these gentlemen all united in opinion as to the superior usefulness of a light upon the island of ,sanday4 ,sidenote3 ,light-house resolved on4 ,this measure having been resolved on by the ,board1 the plans were remitted1 with powers to proceed1 to ,mr ,william ,rae1 7now ,sir ,william ,rae1 ,bart4 ,lord ,advocate of ,scotland17 who was then ,sheriff of the county of ,orkney4 ,the works at the ,start ,point were accordingly commenced early in the summer of #ahje2 by the month of ,november the light-room was finished1 and the light exhibited on the #ast day of ,january #ahjf4 ,intimation was at the same time given to the public1 that the beacon or tower of masonry erected in the year #ahjc1 upon the island of ,sanday1 having been found insufficient for preventing the numerous shipwrecks upon the low shores of that island1 had been converted into a light-house4 ,sidenote3 ,description of ,start ,point ,light4 ,the ,start ,point of ,sanday is situate in the county of ,orkney1 in ,north ,lat4 #ei #bj1 and ,long4 #b #cd west of ,london1 from which ,north ,ronaldsay light-house ,tower bears by compass1 ,n4 ,,ne4 ,e41 distant #h miles1 and the ,lamb ,head of ,stronsay ,,sw41 distant #ae miles4 ,the light at the ,start ,point is from oil with reflectors1 elevated #ajj feet above the medium level of the sea1 and is visible from all points of the compass1 at the distance of #ae miles1 in a favourable state of the atmosphere4 ,to distinguish this light from the other lights on this coast1 it is known to mariners as a ,revolving light1 without colour1 exhibiting a brilliant light once in every minute1 and becoming gradually less luminous2 to a distant observer it totally disappears4 ,in this manner1 each periodic revolution of the reflector-frame1 alternately shows a brilliant light1 and a light becoming fainter and more obscure1 until it be totally eclipsed4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,foreman and ,artificers sail for ,leith in the ,traveller4 ,the alteration of the ,start ,point beacon into a light-house1 and the erection of houses for the light-keepers1 were placed under the management of ,mr ,george ,peebles1 an experienced mason1 and executed with every possible attention4 ,when the works were completed1 he1 and such of the artificers as had been retained1 proceeded to ,stromness on the mainland of ,orkney1 from whence they were most likely to get a passage to the southward4 ,the party consisted of six in number2 and ,charles ,peebles1 the foreman's brother1 wishing to go directly to his native place1 took his passage in a vessel bound from ,stromness to ,anstruther1 while ,mr ,george ,peebles1 and the remaining four men1 embarked on board of a schooner1 called the ,traveller1 ,cruickshanks master1 bound for ,leith4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,traveller is wrecked4 ,sidenote3 ,captain ,manby's ,apparatus much wanted4 ,this vessel sailed with a fair wind early on the #bdth of ,december #ahjf4 ,on the following morning they got sight of ,kinnaird ,head light-house1 in ,aberdeenshire1 and had the prospect of speedily reaching the ,firth of ,forth2 but the wind having suddenly shifted to the south-east1 increased to a tremendous gale1 which did much damage on the coast4 ,the ,traveller immediately put about1 and steered in quest of some safe harbour in ,orkney4 ,at two o'clock in the afternoon1 she passed through the ,pentland ,firth 1 and got into the bay of ,long ,hope2 but could not reach the proper anchorage2 and1 at three o'clock1 both anchors were let go in an outer roadstead4 ,the storm still continuing with unabated force1 the cables parted or broke1 and the vessel drifted on the island of ,flotta4 ,the utmost efforts of those on board to pass a rope to the shore1 with the assistance of the inhabitants of the island1 proved ineffectual1 7for want of some apparatus like ,captain ,manby's72 the vessel struck upon a shelving rock1 and1 night coming on1 sunk in three fathoms water4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,foreman and four of the ,artificers are drowned4 ,some of the unfortunate crew and passengers attempted to swim ashore1 but in the darkness of the night1 they either lost their way1 or were dashed upon the rocks by the surge of the sea2 while those who retained hold of the rigging of the ship1 being worn out with fatigue and the piercing coldness of the weather during a long winter night1 died before morning1--when the shore presented the dreadful spectacle of the wreck of no fewer than five vessels1 with many lifeless bodies1 the mournful subjects of the care and pity of the islanders4 ,in one of these wrecks1 all on board were lost2 and1 in the ,traveller1 only the cabin-boy escaped4 ,this poor boy1 from whom these particulars were learned1 had1 for a time1 been sheltered from the severity of the blast1 by one of the crew1 but being at length left alone1 he clung to the top-mast1 from which he was with great difficulty removed in the morning1 when the storm had somewhat abated4 ,a very trifling circumstance prevented the vessel bound for ,anstruther1 from leaving ,stromness along with the ,traveller1 so that ,charles ,peebles escaped this gale1 and arrived with the sad tidings of the fate of his brother and companions4 ,in ,mr ,george ,peebles1 the light-house service lost a most active and faithful servant1 whose next charge would have been at the operations of the ,bell ,rock light-house4 ,from the peculiar circumstances of this case1 the ,commissioners were pleased to grant small annuities to the mother of the foreman1 and also to the family of another of the sufferers4 ,bell ,rock ,light-house4 ,sidenote3 #ahjg4 ,in the prosecution of the plan of this introductory account of the ,northern ,light-houses1 we may observe that the attention of the ,commissioners was occupied with the erection of the ,bell ,rock ,light-house1 during the years #ahjg1 #h1 #i1 and #aj4 ,but as the detail of the operations of these four years forms the chief object of this work1 it is not necessary that they should be further noticed here4 ,we therefore proceed to the next operations of the ,board1 in the order of time4 ,north ,ronaldsay ,beacon4 ,sidenote3 #ahji4 ,sidenote3 ,north ,ronaldsay ,light extinguished1 and its ,tower converted into a ,beacon4 ,it having been considered superfluous to have two light-houses on this part of the coast1 within #h miles of each other1 the ,light-house ,board resolved to extinguish ,north ,ronaldsay light1 and convert its tower into a sea-mark1 or beacon without a light4 ,it was accordingly intimated in the newspapers of the principal ports of the ,united kingdom that the light on the ,island of ,north ,ronaldsay1 in ,orkney1 situated in ,north ,lat4 #ei #dj1 ,long4 #b #ae west of ,london1 would be discontinued1 and cease to be lighted from and after the #ast day of ,june #ahji2 but that the ,light-house ,tower would be preserved as a ,beacon on the coast1 by the erection of a ,circular ,ball of masonry1 measuring #h feet in diameter1 instead of a ,light-room4 ,this beacon bears from the revolving light on the ,start ,point of ,sanday1 ,n4,,ne41 ,e4 by compass1 distant #h miles1 which continues to be lighted as heretofore1 the ,start ,point having been found the most centrical position for a light-house to warn the mariner of his approach to the low shores of the ,north ,isles of ,orkney4 ,isle of ,may4 ,sidenote3 #ahad4 ,sidenote3 ,light of ,may first ,lighted #afce4 ,sidenote3 ,patent ratified #afda4 ,the island of ,may holds a prominent position at the entrance of the ,firth of ,forth1 as will be seen by referring to the charts of the coast which accompany this work4 ,from its connection also with the estuary leading to the ,capital of ,scotland1 and the principal ports of her commerce1 the light of ,may seems to have been the earliest public light on our shores4 ,over the entrance door of the old light-house tower1 a stone1 neatly cut into the figure by which the sun is usually represented1 bears the date #afce4 ,it appears1 also1 from the printed acts of the ,scottish ,parliament1 ,vol4 v4 p4 #ehe41 that power was granted1 in the reign of ,charles ,i41 to ,james ,maxwell of ,innerwick1 and ,john ,cunninghame of ,barnes1 to erect a light-house upon the ,isle of ,may1 and collect certain duties from shipping for its maintenance3 ,the patent for this purpose1 was ratified by the ,scots ,parliament in #afda4 ,sidenote3 ,much complained of after the ,union4 ,the duties leviable for the light of ,may produced much dissatisfaction after the ,union1 ,english and ,irish vessels having been charged with double rates1 as foreigners4 ,there was1 besides1 a general dislike to any thing that was payable in the form of a tax being held as private property4 ,this light being also a coal-fire1 exposed in an open choffer to the vicissitudes of the weather1 was found to be very insufficient4 ,after the appointment of a ,light-house ,board in ,scotland1 in the year #aghf1 the shipping interest often expressed a desire that the light of ,may should be included as one of the ,northern ,lights2 that it might undergo the most recent improvements2 that1 according to the spirit and conditions of the ,northern ,light-house acts1 the invidious distinction between the shipping of the same kingdom1 with regard to the light-house duties1 might be done away2 and also that there might be some prospect of the duties being modified1 and ultimately ceasing4 ,in the year #ahji1 the author foreseeing1 that notwithstanding the erection of the ,bell ,rock light-house1 the navigation of this part of the coast would still be very incomplete1 unless the light of ,may were improved1 took an opportunity of bringing this subject under the notice of the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses2 but it did not then appear that this could be taken up by the ,board1 unless it were at the instance of the proprietor4 ,sidenote3 ,family of ,scotstarvit become ,proprietors of the ,island4 ,sidenote3 ,chamber of ,commerce get the ,light ,improved4 ,sidenote3 ,wemyss ,coal preferred for the ,lights4 ,the family of ,scotstarvit1 into whose hands the property of the island and light of ,may came by purchase1 in #agad1 along with the estate of ,westbarnes1 in ,east ,lothian1 had long been solicited by the trade of the ,firth of ,forth1 to have the light made better1 either by enlarging the choffer for containing the coals1 or by altering it to an oil light with reflectors4 ,statements to this effect having been laid before the proprietor1 by the ,chamber of ,commerce of ,edinburgh1 a ,committee of that body visited the island in the year #aghf1 and reported on the state of the light4 ,in consequence of the representation of this ,committee1 the choffer was enlarged to the capacity of a square of three feet2 and1 instead of about #bjj tons of coal per annum1 formerly consumed1 the quantity of fuel was now doubled4 ,the ,chamber further recommended1 that the stock of coals1 hitherto exposed to the open air on the island1 should in future be kept under cover1 and that the supply should be invariably got from the collieries of ,wemyss1 which were preferred as fittest for maintaining a steady light1 ,wemyss coal being then used at ,heligoland1 and other coal-lights upon the ,continent4 ,sidenote3 ,light of ,may considered the best ,coal-,light in the kingdom4 ,sidenote3 ,portland ,family get possession of the ,island4 ,these conditions were most readily complied with by the tutors of ,miss ,scott1 the proprietor2 and the light of ,may1 from that period1 was found to be very considerably improved1 the choffer for containing the fuel being about double the capacity of any other light-house choffer on the coast of ,great ,britain4 ,the light of ,may1 from this period1 may therefore be described as the most powerful coal-light in the kingdom1 although1 from its exposure1 it was still found to be very unsteady1 in bad weather1 when most required by the mariner4 ,lime-kilns and other accidental open fires upon the neighbouring shores1 were also apt to be mistaken for the ,isle of ,may choffer4 ,to obviate such dangerous mistakes1 there was no other method but the introduction of a light from oil1 with reflectors1 inclosed in a glazed light-room4 ,the ,trinity-house of ,leith1 in the year #agij1 presented a memorial to this effect1 to the ,duke of ,portland1 into whose possession the light and ,isle of ,may had come by his ,grace's marriage with ,miss ,scott of ,scotstarvit4 ,but after many fruitless applications urged from time to time by the ,merchants of ,leith1 to have the light altered1 the measure was at length given up by them as hopeless4 ,sidenote3 ,loss of the ,nymphen and ,pallas ,frigates4 ,sidenote3 ,their prize-ship arrives in safety4 ,sidenote3 ,nine men drowned4 ,early in the morning of the #aith day of ,december #ahaj1 however1 two of his ,majesty's ships1 the frigates ,nymphen and ,pallas1 had the misfortune to be wrecked near ,dunbar1 in consequence1 it is believed1 of the light of a lime-kiln on the coast of ,haddingtonshire having been mistaken for the coal light of the island of ,may4 ,these frigates having come along the northern coast of ,scotland1 their situation1 as may be seen from the annexed maps1 was very different from that of ships approaching the land from a distant voyage1 who are much more liable to mistakes of this kind4 ,but what renders the error in this instance more unaccountable is1 that one of the ships had even sent a boat ashore at ,johnshaven1 on the opposite coast of ,kincardineshire1 in the afternoon of the day preceding their loss2 and the other1 about the same time and place1 dispatched a small prize for ,leith ,roads1 under the command of a ,midshipman1--who1 in his course up the ,firth of ,forth1 saw the ,bell ,rock floating light1 7for at this time the light-house was not completed71--then the lights on the islands of ,may and ,inchkeith in succession1 and before day-light in the morning of the #aith he anchored his little vessel in the ,roads4 ,in reporting the prize to the ,admiral at ,leith1 this young gentleman expressed his surprise that the frigates had not reached their station before him4 ,in the course of the forenoon of the same day1 however1 an express arrived1 stating the circumstance of the loss of the ,pallas1 which had happened in the course of the night1 about two miles to the eastward of ,dunbar4 ,soon afterwards1 another notice arrived announcing to the ,admiral the loss of the ,nymphen ,frigate in the same manner1 and from the same mistake4 ,it is not a little surprising1 that although these ships had sailed in company1 and were wrecked within a few miles of each other1 their similar fate was perfectly unknown by the respective crews1 till late in the day on which the accidents happened4 ,it was1 however1 so far fortunate1 that although the ships became total wrecks1 only nine men were lost of their joint crews1 amounting to about #fjj men2 all of whom might probably have perished1 from the rocky and exposed shore on which they were stranded1 had not the weather been very moderate4 ,sidenote3 ,lord ,melville applies to the ,light-house ,board about the ,isle of ,may ,light4 ,sidenote3 ,duke of ,portland proposes to alter the ,light2 ,sidenote3 ,and proposes that the ,commissioners should become ,lessees1 which is rejected4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,duke demands ,l4 #fc1jjj for the ,light duties and ,island4 ,immediately after the loss of these two fine frigates1 valued at not less than ,l4 #ajj1jjj1 ,lord ,viscount ,melville1 first ,lord of the ,admiralty1 applied to the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 proposing that the light of ,may should be assumed as one of the northern lights1 and forthwith put under proper regulations4 ,it may here be proper to notice1 that1 prior to this accident1 the ,duke of ,portland entertained serious intentions of altering this light2 and the author had been employed to report to his ,grace on its alteration1 from the use of pit-coal to oil1 with reflectors1 the expence of which he had estimated at the annual sum of ,l4 #fjj4 ,the communication from the ,admiralty gave rise to a correspondence between the ,light-house ,commissioners and the ,duke of ,portland1 who proposed to give the ,light-house ,board an allowance of ,l4 #fjj per annum1 for taking burden of the light of ,may1 while his ,grace was to continue to levy the duties4 ,this proposal was rejected on the part of the ,commissioners1 who declined becoming lessees1 under the existing acts or constitution of their ,board2 and it was ultimately concluded1 that they could only take up this measure as purchasers for the public1 in order to abolish the charge on ,english and ,irish vessels paying as foreigners1 and to lessen the duty for that light to the trade in general4 ,in the present state of the light-house funds1 this purchase could only be made by a special act of ,parliament1 and with pecuniary aid from ,government3 as the sum demanded by the ,duke for the island1 and the right to the light-duties1 was unavoidably great1 amounting to no less than ,sixty ,thousand ,guineas4 ,sidenote3 ,memorial presented to the ,admiralty4 ,sidenote3 ,isle of ,may and ,duties purchased at ,l4 #fj1jjj4 ,in the mean time1 ,mr ,cuningham1 ,secretary to the ,light-house ,board1 was directed to acquaint ,mr ,walker1 the ,duke of ,portland's agent1 that the ,commissioners could not treat for upholding the light of ,may for payment of an annual sum4 ,a memorial was then drawn up for the ,admiralty1 of the whole proceedings in this measure1 which was presented by ,sir ,william ,rae1 ,bart41 on the part of the ,light-house ,board2 when their ,lordships were pleased to give their countenance and support to a bill for the purchase of the light duties and island of ,may4 ,this bill was accordingly brought into ,parliament1 and passed in the ,session of #ahad1 authorising a loan of ,l4 #cj1jjj to be made from the ,treasury to the ,commissioners of ,northern ,light-houses1 and empowering them to make the purchase from the ,duke of ,portland1 for the sum of ,l4 #fj1jjj4 ,sidenote3 ,duty of the ,light of ,may reduced by the ,act of #ahad4 ,this important transaction having been closed1 the ,light-house ,board1 in terms of this act 7#dfth ,george ,,iii4 chap4 cxxxvi47 were empowered to reduce the light-duty of the ,isle of ,may1 to all ,british vessels1 from one penny half-penny1 as collected heretofore1 to one penny per ton1 when ,english and ,irish ships were no longer treated as foreigners1 by paying double dues4 ,immediate measures were also taken for altering and improving the light4 ,it was1 however1 too late at the end of the session of #ahad1 to commence operations on the island2 but1 in the following summer1 the new light-house was erected1 and a light from oil with reflectors was exhibited1 on the #ast day of ,february #ahaf1 after a coal-light had been continued here for #aha years1 or from #afce4 ,sidenote3 ,additional ,apartments at the ,isle of ,may4 ,as the island of ,may lies about half way between the light-houses of ,inch ,keith and the ,bell ,rock1 it was thought proper to have two or three apartments in the ,may ,light-house for the reception of such members of the ,light-house ,board1 as might happen to be detained by contrary winds in occasional visits to the ,bell ,rock1 upon which landing is often very difficult and precarious1 depending both on the state of the weather and the tides4 ,the dwelling-house at the ,isle of ,may1 therefore1 is larger than would otherwise have been required for the accommodation of the two light-keepers and their families4 ,sidenote3 ,notice given of the alterations at ,isle of ,may and ,inchkeith4 ,in consequence of this change upon the light of ,may1 notice was given to the public1 that it had been assumed one of the ,northern ,light-houses1 and that the ,commissioners had directed a new light-house1 upon improved principles1 to be erected1 which would not only alter its former appearance1 but also occasion a change on the light of ,inchkeith1 situate about twenty-two miles farther up the ,firth of ,forth4 ,the following description of the ,isle of ,may light was published4 ,sidenote3 ,description of the ,light of ,may4 ,sidenote3 ,old ,light-house converted into a ,pilot's ,guard-room4 8,the light-house on the ,island of ,may1 is situate at the entrance of the ,firth of ,forth1 in ,north ,lat4 #ef #ab1 and ,long4 #b #cf west of ,london4 ,from the light-house1 ,fifeness bears1 by compass1 ,n4 by ,e4 ,e41 distant five miles1 and the ,staple ,rocks lying off ,dunbar1 ,s4 by ,w4 ,w41 distant ten miles4 ,the light being formerly from coal1 exposed to the weather in an open grate or choffer1 was discontinued on the night of the #ast day of ,february #ahaf1 when a light from oil1 with reflectors1 known to mariners as a ,stationary ,light1 was exhibited4 ,the new light-house tower1 upon the ,island of ,may1 is contiguous to the site of the old one1 and is elevated #bdj feet above the medium level of the sea1 of which the masonry forms #eg feet1 and is therefore similar to the old tower in point of height4 ,the new light is defended from the weather in a glazed light-room1 and has a uniformly steady appearance1 resembling a star of the first magnitude1 and is seen from all points of the compass1 at the distance of about seven leagues1 and intermediately according to the state of the atmosphere40--,the old light-house tower on the ,island of ,may1 has been reduced in height to about #bj feet1 and by directions of the ,light-house ,board1 it has been converted into a guard-room like that upon ,inchkeith1 for the use and conveniency of pilots and fishermen4 ,inchkeith ,revolving ,light4 ,sidenote3 ,description of ,inchkeith ,revolving ,light4 ,the above description1 in so far as regards the appearance of the light of ,may being exactly applicable to that of ,inchkeith1 described at page #be4 of this ,introduction1 it was found expedient to alter it from a stationary to a revolving light1 that it might be distinguished from the light of ,may1 where a revolving light would have been liable to be mistaken for the ,bell ,rock light1 owing to the more contiguous position of the ,may island to the ,bell ,rock4 ,the light upon ,inchkeith1 hitherto a stationary light from oil1 with reflectors1 was therefore altered and converted into that description of light known to mariners as a ,revolving light without colour1 on the same night that the change took place upon the ,isle of ,may4 ,the light of ,inchkeith is seen from all points of the compass1 at the distance of five leagues in favourable weather1 exhibiting a bright light once in every minute1 and gradually becoming less luminous1 it totally disappears to a distant observer4 ,in this manner1 each periodic revolution of the reflector-frame1 alternately shows a brilliant light1 which becomes fainter1 and more obscure1 until it is totally eclipsed4 ,by this alteration1 the same description and appearance of the other lights upon the coast is preserved1 and the possibility of mistaking ,inchkeith light for the numerous lights on the land1 with which it is surrounded1 is now also effectually prevented4 ,corsewall4 ,sidenote3 #ahae4 ,sidenote3 ,additional ,light proposed for the western coast on ,corsewall ,point4 ,it had long been the wish of the mercantile interest of the ,firth of ,clyde and ,st ,george's ,channel1 to have a light on the coast of ,galloway1 to direct ships1 on the ,scotch side1 into the ,irish ,channel4 ,from the great amount of light-house duties collected upon the western coast1 and the extent of light-house works which had of late years been erected upon the eastern shores1 including the ,bell ,rock and ,isle of ,may light-houses1 the ,commissioners were desirous of accommodating the trade of the western coast1 as far as the demands of shipping required1 or the state of the light-house funds would permit4 ,it was accordingly resolved1 that a report upon this subject1 made to the ,light-house ,board by the author1 should be submitted to the trade of ,liverpool1 ,glasgow and ,greenock1 for their observations4 ,having in this manner procured the necessary information1 it was resolved that a light-house should be erected for the benefit of this coast1 upon the northern extremity of the ,mull of ,galloway in ,wigtonshire1 on the point of ,corsewall2 because1 in addition to the advantages of this situation1 as an excellent direction both for the entrance of the ,irish ,channel and ,firth of ,clyde1 it would answer as a guide to the ,roadstead or anchorage of ,loch ,ryan4 ,sidenote3 ,light-houses necessary for the navigation of the ,irish ,channel4 ,in the course of the correspondence on this subject1 it had been stated by ,mr ,quintin ,leitch1 ,chief ,magistrate of ,greenock1 a gentleman well acquainted with the navigation of these seas1 that if light-houses were erected upon the ,isle of ,man1 these1 with the lights of ,copeland and ,kilwarlin1 on the ,irish side of the channel1 together with the proposed light on ,corsewall ,point1 and another on the ,hulin or ,maiden rocks1 off the coast of ,antrim1 would fully protect this important part of the coast4 ,sidenote3 ,foundation-stone of ,corsewall ,light-house laid4 ,after considering the subject in its various bearings1 the ,board resolved1 as before noticed1 on the erection of a light-house on ,corsewall ,point1 in the month of ,january #ahae1 and on the #agth day of ,june following1 the foundation-stone was laid1 by ,mr ,quintin ,leitch1 as master mason1 when ,mr ,james ,spreull1 ,chamberlain of the city of ,glasgow1 ,mr ,lachlan ,kennedy1 under whose charge the works were placed1 and the ,engineer1 assisted at the ceremony4 ,in the course of the ,summer and ,autumn1 the tower of this light-house was got to the height of #ce feet1 and some progress was also made with the walls of the house for the light-keepers4 ,sidenote3 #ahaf4 ,sidenote3 ,light-house finished4 ,the works at ,corsewall being suspended during winter1 were again resumed in the ensuing spring4 ,the light-room was completed in the autumn1 and the light was exhibited to the public on the night of the #aeth day of ,november #ahaf1 agreeably to the following description4 ,sidenote3 ,description of ,corsewall ,light4 8,corsewall light-house is situate in the county of ,wigton1 in ,north ,lat4 #ee #a1 and ,west ,long4 #e #e4 ,it bears by compass1 from ,millour ,point1 on the western side of the channel leading into ,loch ,ryan1 ,w4 by ,s41 distant about two miles2 from ,turnberry ,point1 ,,sw4 #ba miles2 from the ,craig of ,ailsa ,,ss4 ,w4 #ae miles2 from the ,mull of ,kintyre ,s4 ,e4 ,s4 #ca miles2 from the ,hulin or ,maiden rocks on the coast of ,antrim1 ,e4 by ,s4 #bj miles2 from ,copeland ,light-house1 near the entrance of ,belfast loch1 ,,ne4 ,e4 #bb miles1 and from ,laggan point in ,galloway1 ,,ne41 distant #c miles4 ,to distinguish this light1 which is from oil1 with a reflecting and revolving apparatus1 from the other lights upon the coast1 it is known to mariners as a ,revolving light with colour1 and exhibits from the same light-room a light of the natural appearance1 alternating with a light tinged with a red colour4 ,these lights1 respectively1 attain their greatest strength1 or most luminous effect1 at the end of every two minutes4 ,but1 in the course of each periodic revolution of the reflector-frame1 the lights become alternately fainter and more obscure1 and1 to a distant observer1 are totally eclipsed for a short period4 ,the light-room at ,corsewall is glazed all round1 but the light is hid from the mariner by the high land near ,laggan ,point1 towards the south1 and by ,turnberry ,point towards the north4 ,this light is elevated #aab feet above the medium level of the sea1 and its most luminous side may be seen like a star of the first magnitude1 at the distance of five or six leagues1 but the side tinged red being more obscured by the colouring shades1 is not seen at so great a distance40 ,isle of ,man4 ,sidenote3 ,rate of ,light-house duties for the ,isle of ,man4 ,the subject of the erection of the light-houses on the ,isle of ,man1 having again been agitated by the merchants of ,liverpool1 the rates of duty which would probably be demanded for the erection of a light-house upon the ,calf of ,man1 was procured from one of the agents of the ,trinity-,house of ,london upon that coast4 ,this schedule of duties appearing to be high1 a correspondence took place between ,mr ,william ,laird of ,liverpool1 and ,mr ,quintin ,leitch of ,greenock1 respecting the rate of ,scotch light-house duties1 which was ultimately brought under the notice of the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-,houses1 by ,sir ,william ,rae1 ,bart4 ,sidenote3 #ahjb4 ,sidenote3 ,author's ,report on this subject4 ,reference having been made to the author relative to the expence of erecting a light-house upon the ,calf of ,man1 he stated to the ,board1 that1 in the course of a tour which he had made in the year #ahjb1 round the coast of ,great ,britain1 he visited the ,isle of ,man1 with a view to ascertain the most eligible places for light-houses on that island1 where he considered two light-house stations to be indispensably necessary1 viz4 one on the ,calf of ,man1 to the south1 and another on the ,point of ,ayre1 towards the north of the island4 ,from the numerous shipping of that district1 he only calculated upon the duty of one farthing per ton upon shipping for the light-houses of both stations4 ,the ,commissioners took this matter under consideration at the time1 as appears from their minutes of the #adth ,january #ahjc1 which state1 that 8,mr ,stevenson had reported very strongly of the great utility which would attend the erection of light-houses on the ,isle of ,man2 but that island not being within the jurisdiction either of the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses or ,trinity ,board of ,london1 both boards seem thereby to be prevented from accomplishing an object so much wished for by mariners1 as such an improvement upon the coast would prove a great additional security to the navigation of those seas1 and especially to the trade of a great number of the ports of ,england and ,ireland4 ,in order1 therefore1 that this circumstance might not be overlooked1 the ,commissioners direct this notice to be taken of it in their minutes1 that if an application to ,parliament should1 at a future period1 be deemed necessary1 they may judge how far it may not be proper in them to apply for power to erect lights upon the ,isle of ,man40 ,sidenote3 ,scotch ,light-house ,board applied to for lights on the ,isle of ,man4 ,when these circumstances were intimated to the merchants of ,liverpool1 and especially that the rate of one farthing per ton was considered a sufficient rate of duty1 the business was brought under the notice of the ,association of ,shipowners and other public bodies of ,liverpool1 by ,mr ,john ,gladstone1 when a representation and petition from them was presented to the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 praying1 that they would bring a bill into ,parliament1 to enable them to erect the necessary light-houses on the ,isle of ,man4 ,sidenote3 ,act of #ahae4 ,this application having been complied with1 ,sir ,william ,rae was requested to attend to the progress of the bill1 and to take the assistance of any of the other members of the light-house board who might happen to be in ,london at the time4 ,the ,isle of ,man ,light-house ,bill was accordingly brought forward by ,mr ,huskisson1 in absence of ,mr ,canning1 member of ,parliament for ,liverpool1 as a measure in which that port was specially interested4 ,but when the subject was communicated to the late ,mr ,rose1 ,m4 ,p41 one of the elder brethren of the ,trinity ,house of ,london1 he requested that nothing might be done in this measure1 until he should have an opportunity of consulting with the gentlemen of the ,trinity-,house1 as he considered the ,isle of ,man to be within the district of that board4 ,after repeated meetings1 at which ,mr ,rose attended1 he ultimately stated1 that the ,trinity ,board did not consider the ,isle of ,man as coming under their line of coast2 and that the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses might1 therefore1 go on with their bill4 ,it was accordingly brought forward in the ,house of ,commons1 and the author attended to prove the preamble of the bill in the ,house of ,lords2 and in ,june #ahae it received the ,royal assent4 ,sidenote3 ,difficulty in fixing the position of the ,isle of ,man lights4 ,in returning towards ,scotland1 ,i embarked in the ,light-house ,yacht at ,liverpool1 and visited the ,isle of ,man4 ,it appeared1 on examining the site for the erection of a light-house on the ,point of ,ayre1 or northern extremity of the island1 that there would be no difficulty in fixing its place4 ,but the case was different at the ,calf ,island1 as there seemed an evident advantage in having the house on a low situation1 to keep it more free from fog1 and where it might also be more in the line of direction with a dangerous reef called the ,chickens1 lying about a mile into the offing4 ,on this low position1 called ,kaager ,point1 the high land of the ,calf would have shut in the light very much from the northward4 ,another situation1 however1 presented itself2 but1 as this last station was considerably higher1 it might perhaps be found more uncertain with regard to fog resting upon it in thick and hazy weather2 and it was therefore thought prudent to place a trusty person on the island1 with directions for observing and communicating the state of the weather for about six months1 previously to determining the site of the light-house on the ,calf of ,man4 ,this mode of inquiring into the subject1 was strengthened by the report of some intelligent persons relative to the prevailing state of the weather at the ,isle of ,man1 who represented that the ,calf ,island was less liable to be enveloped in fog than the higher parts of the ,main ,island4 ,sidenote3 ,a person stationed on the ,island to observe the state of the weather4 ,in the month of ,august #ahae1 when ,sir ,william ,rae1 ,bart4 then ,sheriff of the shire of ,edinburgh1 ,mr ,robert ,hamilton1 ,sheriff of ,lanarkshire1 and ,mr ,adam ,duff1 ,sheriff of ,forfarshire1 ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 visited this island1 they concurred in judging it highly proper to make special observations on the state of the weather at the ,calf ,island4 ,in the beginning of ,november following1 the author accordingly sent ,mr ,macurich1 a shipmaster in the light-house service1 to that island1 with directions to reside there1 and make monthly returns of the state of the weather1 agreeably to a printed form4 ,during his stay of seven months1 it appears1 upon the whole1 that the fog rested only twice upon the highest land of the ,calf1 while it cleared partially below4 ,on one of these occasions1 ,i was on board of the ,light-house yacht1 then at anchor off the island1 when the fog was for a time general2 and as the weather became clear1 ,i observed that it first disappeared upon the lower parts of the island2 and that in half an hour the whole of the ,calf was seen4 ,in the journal of the weather alluded to1 the ,calf ,island is represented as often perfectly free of fog1 while the higher parts of the opposite mainland of ,man1 was hid in mist4 ,to account for this1 it may be noticed1 that the mass of matter in the ,calf island is much less1 and the land is also much lower1 than in the main island4 ,part of this effect may also be ascribed to the rapidity of the tides1 which create a current of wind1 particularly in the narrow channel between the ,main and ,calf islands2 which have a direct tendency to clear away the fog2 as ,i have observed at the ,skerries in the ,pentland ,firth 1 and in similar situations on different parts of the coast1 where rapid currents prevail4 ,sidenote3 #ahaf4 ,sidenote3 ,distinguishing ,light for the ,calf of ,man4 ,from these observations1 the author was led to report to the ,commissioners1 that the light-house on the ,calf of ,man should hold an intermediate position between the highest part of the island1 called ,bushel's ,hill1 and the lower site called ,kaager ,point2 and1 further1 that by erecting two light-house towers in a certain relative position to each other1 they would point out the line of direction of the dangerous sunken rocks called the ,chickens1 and by adopting that description of light known to mariners as a ,revolving light without ,colour1 this station would be sufficiently distinguished from the lights which surround the ,isle of ,man on the ,scotch1 ,irish1 and ,english shores4 ,sidenote3 #ahag4 ,sidenote3 ,lights of the ,isle of ,man completed4 ,a difficulty occurred in proceeding with the ,isle of ,man light-houses1 from the want of funds to enable the ,commissioners to proceed with the works4 ,the ,board had already become liable for a large sum to liquidate the payment of the purchase-money of the private right of the ,portland ,family to the duties of the light of ,may4 ,on this measure1 and in the erection of the ,bell ,rock light-house1 as before noticed1 there had been expended upwards of ,l4 #afj1jjj in the course of the last ten years2 so that it became necessary to borrow ,l4 #aj1jjj1 agreeably to the act1 for the ,isle of ,man4 ,in this state of things1 the works at the ,isle of ,man were delayed for a time2 but1 in the month of ,august #ahaf1 they were commenced4 ,the light-rooms were completed in the month of ,december #ahag2 and1 on the night of the #ast of ,february #ahah1 the lights1 both at the stations of the ,point of ,ayre1 and ,calf ,island1 were exhibited to the public1 agreeably to the following descriptions4 ,point of ,ayre4 ,sidenote3 #ahah4 ,sidenote3 ,description of the ,point of ,ayre ,light-house4 ,the only consideration to be taken into view in fixing the site of the ,point of ,ayre ,light-house1 was the wasting appearance of the shores by the effects of the sea at this part of the coast4 ,although1 therefore1 it would have answered fully better1 for the purposes of the light1 to have erected the tower close upon high-water-mark1 yet the beach being composed of a loose shifting gravel1 it became a matter of prudence rather to keep the buildings at some distance from it4 8,the ,point of ,ayre light-house is situate about #fej feet from the sea1 at high-water of spring tides1 upon an extensive plain in the ,main ,island of ,man1 in north latitude #ed #bg1 and longitude #d #bj west of ,london4 ,the light-house bears1 by compass1 from the ,mull of ,galloway1 ,s4 ,s4 ,e4 and is distant #bb miles2 from ,burrowhead1 ,s4 ,s4 ,w4 ,w4 distant #af miles2 from ,st ,bees1 in ,cumberland1 ,w4 by ,n4 ,n4 distant #bi miles2 and from ,rue ,point1 ,e4 by ,s4 distant #d miles4 8,the light is from oil1 with a reflecting and revolving apparatus1 and is known to mariners as a 8,revolving-coloured-light10 exhibiting from the same ,reflector-frame a light of the natural appearance1 alternating with one tinged red4 ,these lights respectively attain their most luminous effect1 at the end of every two minutes4 ,but1 in the course of each periodic revolution of the reflector-frame1 both lights become alternately fainter and more obscure1 and1 to a distant observer1 are totally eclipsed for a short time4 8,the ,light-room at the ,point of ,ayre is glazed all round1 but the light is hid from the mariner by the high land of ,maughold ,head towards the south1 and by ,rue ,point towards the west4 ,being elevated #ajf feet above the medium level of the sea1 its most luminous side may be seen1 like a star of the first magnitude1 at the distance of five leagues2 but the side tinged red1 being somewhat obscured by the coloured shades1 cannot be seen at so great a distance40 ,calf of ,man4 ,sidenote3 ,description of ,calf of ,man ,light4 8,there are two leading lights on the ,calf of ,man1 situate on the western side of the small island called the ,calf1 in north ,lat4 #ed #e1 and ,long4 #d #df west of ,london4 ,these two light-houses are distant from each other #efj feet4 ,the higher light bears by compass from the ,mull of ,galloway1 ,s4 ,,sw4 distant #cg miles2 ,peelhead1 in the ,isle of ,man1 ,,sw4 distant #aa miles2 ,langness ,point1 ,w4 by ,n4 ,n4 distant #f miles2 and from the sunken rocks1 called the ,chickens1 ,,ne4 ,e4 distant about #a mile4 8,these lights are from oil1 each light-room being furnished with a distinct reflecting and revolving apparatus1 by which they are distinguished from the other lights on the coast1 and rendered useful as leading lights for passing the dangerous rocks called the ,chickens4 ,the light-house towers1 as before noticed1 are built at the distance of #efj feet apart1 bearing from each other ,,ne4 ,e4 and ,,sw4 ,w4 ,consequently1 to an observer1 in the direction of the ,chickens1 both lights will appear in one1 or be seen in the same line of direction1 and be known to mariners as 8,double-revolving and ,leading-lights without colour40 ,these lights will respectively attain their most luminous effect at the end of every two minutes2 but1 in the course of each periodic revolution of the reflector frames1 they alternately become fainter and more obscure1 and1 to a distant observer1 are totally eclipsed for a short time4 ,the two light-rooms at the ,calf of ,man are glazed all round1 but are hid from the mariner by the high land of ,peel ,head towards the ,,ne4 and by ,spanish ,head in an eastern direction2 both lights1 however1 will be visible at about of a mile from ,langness ,point4 ,the lower light is elevated #cje feet above the medium level of the sea1 and the high light #cif feet1 and they will be seen like two stars of the first magnitude1 at the distance of six or seven leagues1 in a favourable state of the atmosphere40 ,sidenote3 ,extension of the ,northern ,lights to the ,irish ,sea4 ,by the extension of the works of the ,scotch ,light-house ,board to the ,isle of ,man1 the system of the ,northern ,light-houses may now be said1 in a general way1 to extend over the whole of the coast of ,scotland1 while the lights of ,man are of immediate importance to the extensive shipping of the coasts of ,england and ,ireland1 which bound the ,irish ,sea4 ,the trade of ,dublin and ,newry1 c4 on the one side1 and of ,liverpool1 ,lancaster1 ,whitehaven1 and ,workington1 c4 on the other1 find the traffic with those ports much more safe since the erection of these lights4 ,instead of shunning the ,isle of ,man1 as formerly1 owing to the projecting points1 sunken rocks1 and sand-banks connected with it1 the mariner now steers boldly for this island1 and takes shelter under it in stormy weather4 ,sumburgh ,head4 ,sidenote3 ,shetland ,islands4 ,according to the existing acts of ,parliament relative to the ,northern ,lights1 no additional duty is exigible for any new erections of the ,board1 as the only part of the coast not liable1 prior to the extension of the ,scots ,light-house ,acts to the ,isle of ,man1 was that of the ,solway ,firth 1 now also subject to the duty4 ,these acts1 however1 empower the ,commissioners to erect additional light-houses2 and when a sufficient number shall have been exhibited on the coast1 and a surplus fund provided for their maintenance1 the duty on shipping is ultimately to cease1 and be no longer payable4 ,presuming1 therefore1 upon the prosperity of the commerce of the country1 for an increase of funds1 the ,commissioners1 though there were large sums to pay1 both in the form of interest for ,government loans1 and instalments for borrowed money1 taking into consideration the unprotected state of the ,shetland ,islands1 a part of their district still without the immediate benefit of light-houses1 had in view to erect an additional ,light-house1 as soon as their funds would admit1 on some of the most prominent points of that group of ,islands4 ,the winters of #ahag and #ahah having been very unfortunate to the shipping of the ,north ,seas1 and some very distressing shipwrecks having occurred at ,shetland1 ,mr ,william ,erskine1 now ,lord ,kineddar1 then ,sheriff of the ,county of ,orkney and ,shetland1 and ex officio one of the ,commissioners1 brought the subject again under the notice of the ,board2 and1 in the month of ,january #ahai1 it was finally resolved that a ,light-house should be erected on ,sumburgh ,head in ,shetland1 the position of which will be seen by inspecting ,plate ,,iii4 ,this work having been accordingly contracted for by ,mr ,john ,reid1 builder1 of ,peterhead1 the first stone of the building was laid on the #ajth day of ,may #ahbj1 and the light exhibited on the night of the #aeth day of ,january #ahba1 agreeably to the following specification of the position of the house1 and appearance of the light3 ,sidenote3 ,description of ,sumburgh ,head ,light-house4 8,sumburgh ,head ,lighthouse is situate on the southern promontory of the ,mainland of the ,shetland ,islands1 in north latitude #ei #eb1 and longitude #a #ae west of ,london4 ,the ,lighthouse1 by compass1 bears from ,hangcliff-head in ,noss ,island ,,sw4 by ,w4 ,west1 distant #ba miles4 ,from ,fair ,island ,,ne4 by ,e4 ,east1 #bf miles4 ,and from the ,island of ,foula1 ,,se4 by ,s4 ,south1 distant #bh miles4 ,in reference to these bearings1 the light is visible to the mariner from the southward1 between ,noss and ,foula ,islands4 ,this light is known to mariners as a 8,stationary light from oil with reflectors20 and being elevated #cjj feet above the medium level of the sea1 it is seen1 like a star of the first magnitude1 at the distance of seven or eight leagues1 and at intermediate distances1 according to the state of the atmosphere40 ,sidenote3 ,built with double walls4 ,from the very exposed situation of the promontory of ,sumburgh ,head1 and the great difficulty experienced in preserving the walls of light-houses in a water-tight state1 the writer followed a new plan with the buildings at this station1 in having made the whole of the external walls double2 the masonry of the outward wall being lined with brick instead of lath-work1 with a space of three inches left between the double walls4 ,this method was of course1 more expensive in the first instance1 but will ultimately be much more economical1 as repairs1 in these remote situations1 are unavoidably very expensive4 ,this house is free of dampness1 and has not admitted a single drop of water through any part of the walls during the storms of two successive winters1 although the force of the wind is such1 that the light-keepers1 when out of doors1 are frequently obliged to move upon their hands and knees1 to prevent their being blown off the high land4 ,in such states of the weather1 accompanied by rain1 it is hardly possible to prevent a single wall from admitting water4 ,carr ,rock4 ,the ,carr forms the seaward termination of a reef of sunken rocks which appear at low-water1 extending about a mile and three quarters from the shore of ,fifeness1 on the northern side of the entrance of the ,firth of ,forth4 ,the very dangerous position of this rock1 as a turning point1 in the navigation of the northern-bound shipping of the ,firth 1 will be seen from the chart of the coast1 ,plate ,,iv4 ,it seemed necessary1 therefore1 for the safety of navigation1 that the ,carr ,rock1 in connection with the several light-houses of the ,bell ,rock1 ,isle of ,may1 and ,inchkeith1 should be made as easily distinguishable to the mariner as possible4 ,sidenote3 ,shipwrecks at the ,carr ,rock4 ,the author1 while occupied with the works at the ,bell ,rock1 having been often struck with the frequent and distressing occurrence of shipwreck at the ,carr ,rock1 was induced to collect information as to the probable numbers of these wrecks2 and he accordingly obtained1 from persons who had good access to know1 the following list of wrecked vessels1 for a period of nine years prior to the commencement of the works at the ,carr ,rock4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------------ ,list of ,shipwrecks off ,fifeness1 between the ,years #ahjj and #ahji4 ---------------------------------------- --------------------------- ,,vessels' ,,names4 ,,masters' ,,names4 ,,descriptions4 ,,port ,,belonging ,,to4 ---------------------------------------- --------------------------- ,unknown4 ,simpson4 ,sloop4 ,south ,ferry4 ,martha4 ,clark4 ,do4 ,crail4 ,leven4 ,phillip4 ,do4 ,leven4 ,neptune4 ,finlay4 ,do4 ,dundee4 ,unknown4 ,brown4 ,do4 ,kincardine4 ,aurora4 ,leslie4 ,brig4 ,arbroath4 ,lady ,charlotte4 ,duncan4 ,sloop4 ,aberdeen4 ,two ,brothers4 ,carfrae4 ,brig4 ,dundee4 ,expedition4 ,nicol4 ,sloop4 ,kincardine4 ,isabella4 ,rintoul4 ,do4 ,perth4 ,unknown4 ,johnston4 ,do4 ,do4 ,do4 ,unknown4 ,do4 ,john's ,haven4 ,new ,deer4 ,banks4 ,do4 ,kirkaldy4 ,unknown4 ,hamson4 ,galliot4 ,christiansand4 ,countess of ,elgin4 ,gowans4 ,sloop4 ,john's ,haven4 ,unknown4 ,small4 ,do4 ,south ,ferry4 ---------------------------------------- --------------------------- ,sidenote3 ,floating-buoy moored off the ,carr4 ,by this melancholy list we find1 that no fewer than sixteen vessels have1 in the course of nine years1 been either lost or stranded on the ,carr ,rocks1 being almost at the rate of two wrecks in the year4 ,from this alarming state of things1 it was thought advisable to bring the subject under the notice of the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 when the ,board immediately ordered a ,floating-buoy1 of a large size1 to be moored off the ,carr4 ,the moorings for this buoy were laid down1 upon the #ahth of ,september #ahji1 in #aj fathoms water1 at the distance of about #bjj fathoms1 in a north-eastern direction1 from the rock4 ,but1 owing to the heavy swell of sea1 and the rocky sandstone bottom on this part of the coast1 it was found hardly possible to prevent the buoy from occasionally drifting1 even although it had been attached to part of the great chain1 made from bar-iron1 measuring #a inch square1 with which the ,bell ,rock floating light had been moored for upwards of four years1 without injury4 ,the moorings of the ,carr ,rock-buoy1 from the continual rubbing upon the sandstone bottom1 were worn through with the friction in the course of ten months2 and during the four years which it rode here1 though regularly examined and replaced1 in the proper season of the year1 it was no less than five times adrift1 to the great inconveniency and hazard of shipping4 ,sidenote3 ,a ,beacon of masonry is resolved on4 ,under these circumstances1 the ,light-house ,board was induced to erect a ,beacon of masonry upon the ,carr ,rock itself1 instead of the ,floating-buoy4 ,this work was commenced in the month of ,june1 in the year #ahac1 under the direction of the writer4 ,the stone for this building was taken from an excellent sandstone quarry on the property of ,lord ,kellie1 near the mouth of ,pitmilly ,burn3 ,but1 owing to the smallness of the rock1 the depth of water upon it1 and the exposed nature of the situation1 the work was afterwards attended with very great difficulty4 ,sidenote3 ,dimensions of the ,carr ,rock4 ,the length of the ,carr ,rock1 from south to north1 measures #ge feet2 but its greatest breadth1 as seen at low-water of spring-tides1 being only #bc feet1 it was found to be impracticable to obtain a base for a building of greater diameter than #ah feet4 ,such also was the fractured and rugged state of the surface of this rock1 that it became necessary to excavate part of the foundation-pit of the building to the depth of seven feet4 ,the difficulties of this part of the work were also greatly increased1 owing to the foundation1 on the eastern side1 being under the level of the lowest tides3 so that it became necessary to construct a coffer-dam4 ,part of this coffer-dam it was necessary to remove1 and carry ashore1 after each tide's work2 and on the return of the workmen at ebb-tide1 a considerable time was unavoidably occupied in fixing the moveable part of the coffer-dam1 and in pumping the water out of the foundation-pit4 ,sidenote3 ,difficulties of this work compared with those of the ,bell ,rock4 ,but1 to enable the reader to form a comparative estimate of the difficulties attending the early stages of the ,carr ,rock ,beacon1 with those of the ,bell ,rock ,light-house1 it may be noticed1 that the period which the artificers were actually at work upon the ,carr ,rock1 as ascertained by the foreman during the first season1 or the summer of #ahac1 was #da hours2 and in #ahad1 after the experience of one year's work1 these were only extended to #ec hours4 ,now1 if we compare #ahjg and #ahjh1 the two first years' work at the ,bell ,rock1 we find the artificers were respectively about #ahj and #bfe hours upon that rock4 ,the first two years at the ,carr ,rock were entirely occupied in excavating and preparing the foundation1 and in laying #aj stones1 or the half-course of masonry1 which brings the foundation to a uniform level1 for the first entire course of the building1 as shewn in ,plate ,,ii42 while1 at the ,bell ,rock1 in the two first seasons three courses were erected1 as represented in ,plate ,,ix41 of a building situate #ab miles from the shore1 and measuring #db feet in diameter at the base1 besides the erection of a ,beacon-house or ,barrack for the workmen4 ,the establishment for the works at the ,bell ,rock was of course on a much larger scale than that of the ,carr ,rock2 but still the latter was equally effective1 and the same apparatus1 artificers and seamen1 were employed at both4 ,sidenote3 ,third year's work at the ,carr ,rock4 ,during the third year's work1 or #ahae1 the second course of the masonry was completed upon the ,carr1 and nine stones of the third course had been got laid by the #c;d of ,october1 when a heavy ground-swell obliged the artificers precipitately to leave the rock and take to their boats4 ,this swell was immediately accompanied by a gale of easterly wind1 and before the cement had taken bond or firmness1 the surge of the sea washed it out2 when the oaken trenails1 used as a temporary fixture during the progress of the work1 were wrenched off1 and the stone-joggles broken asunder4 ,the whole of the nine blocks of stone were thus swept off the rock and lost in deep water1 though they had been completely dove-tailed1 and fitted on the same principles as the masonry of the ,bell ,rock ,light-house1 where not a single stone was lost during the whole progress of the work4 ,sidenote3 ,fourth year's work4 ,in the year #ahaf1 or fourth season1 the work was continued till the month of ,november1 when the building had attained the height of about #bj feet1 or the #afth course1 and still wanting #ah courses to complete the masonry4 ,in this state1 it was left till the following season1 having been previously loaded with about four tons of lead1 cast in suitable pieces1 and suspended within the void or central hollow of the building4 ,the operations of the fourth season had been also much retarded by several untoward accidents4 ,in particular1 a heavy gale overtook the workmen while they were laying the #gth course1 which obliged them to leave the rock before the precautionary measures could be taken1 for closing and completing the work immediately in hand2 in consequence of which1 the stones on the eastern1 or weather-side of this course1 were lifted off their bases1 the oaken trenails broken1 and five of the blocks of stone swept away4 ,at another period1 the ,pozzolano mortar of the beds of two of the stones was washed out1 and so much injured1 that the stones required to be lifted and relaid4 ,the works were this season intended to have been closed early in the month of ,october1 when another unlucky gale sprung up1 just as the sixteenth course had been laid1 which lifted seven of the stones off their beds2 but they were fortunately held by the oaken trenails1 and in this state they remained for about three weeks1 before a landing could possibly be effected1 to replace them4 ,sidenote3 ,fifth year's work4 ,in the month of ,june #ahag1 the fifth year's work was begun1 and the remaining courses of the masonry were built2 but in the month of ,november1 the coast was visited with a gale of wind at south-east1 accompanied with a heavy swell of sea1 which1 unfortunately1 washed down the upper part of the building1 and reduced it to the height of the fifth course1 which formed part of the fourth year's work4 ,sidenote3 ,beacon finished with cast-iron pillars and ball4 ,instead1 therefore1 of completing this ,beacon with masonry1 as had been originally intended1 and providing the ,machine and large ,bell1 which was to have measured #e feet across the mouth1 to be tolled by the alternate rise and fall of the tide1 it now became a matter of consideration in what form the upper part of this design should be finished4 ,the ,board ultimately determined on the erection of six columns of cast-iron upon the remaining courses of masonry4 ,these columns are put together with spigot and facet joints1 strongly connected with collars and horizontal bars of malleable iron2 the whole terminating with a cast-iron ball1 formed in ribs1 elevated about #be feet above the medium level of the sea4 ,in this manner the ,carr ,rock ,beacon was at length completed1 in the month of ,september #ahba1 after six years work4 ,the following is the notice and description of it given to the public3 ,sidenote3 ,bearings and ,description of the ,carr ,rock ,beacon4 8,the ,carr ,rock forms the seaward ledge of a range of sunken rocks1 extending about two miles from ,fifeness1 on the eastern coast of ,scotland1 in ,north ,latitude #ef #ag'1 and ,longitude #b #ce west of ,london4 ,by compass the ,carr ,rock ,beacon bears ,,sw4 by ,w4 from the ,bell ,rock1 distant #aa miles2 and from the ,isle of ,may ,light-house ,n4,n4,e4 ,e41 distant #f miles4 8,the lower part of the beacon is a circular building of masonry1 #ah feet in diameter1 forming a basement for six pillars of cast-iron1 terminating in a hollow ball of that metal1 which measures #c feet across1 and is elevated about #be feet above the medium level of the sea4 8,the erection of this beacon has been attended with much difficulty1 having occupied six years in building2 in the course of which the works sustained occasional damage4 ,mariners are therefore warned1 when they run for the ,carr ,rock ,beacon1 to do so with caution1 both on account of its exposure to the breach of the sea1 and its liability to receive damage from vessels under sail40 ,sidenote3 ,application of the tide-machine described4 ,the form and construction of the ,carr ,rock ,beacon1 both as originally intended1 and ultimately executed1 will be better understood by referring to ,plate ,,ii41 and to the annexed ,description of the ,plates4 ,the motion to be given to the bell-apparatus1 or tide-machine1 was to be effected by admitting the sea water through a small aperture1 of three inches in diameter1 perforated in the solid masonry1 communicating with a cylindrical chamber1 in the centre of the building1 measuring two feet in diameter1 in which a float or metallic air-tank1 was to rise and fall with the tide4 ,the train of machinery for this apparatus was calculated for a perpendicular rise of only six feet1 being equal to the lowest neap-tides on this coast4 ,during the period of flood-tide1 the air-vessel1 in its elevation1 by the pressure of the water1 was to give motion to machinery for tolling the bell1 and winding up a weight2 which last1 in its descent1 during ebb-tide1 was to continue the motion of the machine1 until the flood-tide again returned to perform the joint operation of tolling the bell and raising the weight4 ,a working model of a machine upon this principle having been constructed1 it was kept in motion for a period equal to several months3 this was effected by water run through a succession of tanks1 raised by a pump from the lower one to the higher1 thus producing the effect of flood and ebb tides4 ,the time during which this apparatus was in action1 having been ascertained by an index1 a constant attendance upon the machine1 during this protracted experiment1 became unnecessary4 ,sidenote3 ,general application of tide-machinery4 ,the upper termination of the ,beacon1 in its present form1 does not admit of the application of the tide-machine with the bell-apparatus4 ,experiments as applicable to this have1 however1 been tried with a wind-instrument1 to be sounded by the pressure of the sea water2 but it has not succeeded to the extent that seems necessary for a purpose of this kind4 ,we have indeed thought1 that the application of pressure as a power1 communicated by the waters of the ocean1 in mechanical operations1 might be carried to almost any extent1 by simply providing a chamber or dock1 large enough for the reception of a float or vessel1 of dimensions equivalent to the force required4 ,this description of machinery is more particularly applicable in situations where the tides have a great rise1 as in the ,solway ,firth 1 ,bristol ,channel1 and other parts of the ,british seas2 and at ,st ,malo1 on the coast of ,france4 ,sidenote3 ,leading ,lights suggested4 ,a ,beacon of any form1 unprovided with a light1 must always be considered an imperfect land-mark1 and therefore various modes have been contemplated1 for more completely pointing out the position of the ,carr ,rock4 ,it has been proposed that phosphoric lights should be exhibited from the top of the ,building4 ,this object1 however1 would be more certainly accomplished1 by the erection of leading lights1 upon the ,island of ,may and ,mainland of ,fife4 ,but these1 with other plans which have been under the writer's consideration1 would necessarily be attended with a great additional expence1 which1 in the present instance1 it is not thought advisable to incur4 ,sidenote3 ,expence of the ,carr ,rock works4 ,owing to the necessarily slow progress of the operations at the ,carr ,rock1 the works were carried on partly in connection with the new ,light-house on the ,isle of ,may1 and with the assistance of the ordinary shipping of the ,light-house establishment4 ,this renders it difficult to give a distinct estimate of the expence of the ,beacon2 but in so far as it can be collected1 it may be stated1 including all charges1 at about ,l4 #ejjj4 ,stations on the ,coast of ,scotland1 where ,light-houses have been suggested as still necessary4 ,having now taken notice of the works of the ,light-house ,board1 so far as they have been completed1 up to and including part of the year #ahbc4 ,we may farther advert to the ,light-house on the ,rhins of ,ilay1 founded on the #bc;d of ,august last4 ,the ,northern ,light-houses accordingly amount to seventeen1 erected at fourteen stations2 and besides these1 there are the ,beacons of ,north ,ronaldsay and the ,carr ,rock4 ,the position of these establishments has not been chosen in regard to their respective distances from each other1 but agreeably to the commercial importance and dangers connected with particular parts of the coast4 ,six of them1 for instance1 are on the ,friths of ,forth and ,clyde1 at not more than from #bj to #be miles apart2 while ,kinnaird-,head1 on the east coast1 is about #gb miles from the ,bell ,rock1 and #gj miles from the ,pentland ,skerries4 ,the ,light-house upon ,island ,glass1 is about #acj miles south-west from the ,pentland ,skerries1 and #abj miles northward from the ,rhins of ,ilay1 being a stretch of #bej miles of coast1 with only one ,light-house intervening4 ,it must therefore be obvious1 that fourteen ,light-house stations1 which include two on the ,isle of ,man1 are too few for the ,scottish coast1 rendered formidable and dangerous1 by a vast number of islands and sunken rocks4 ,the ,commissioners have still1 accordingly1 a wide field of operations before them1 which they are gradually occupying1 as their funds will admit1 and as the demands of navigation and commercial intercourse seem to require4 ,in the ,appendix1 ,no4 ,i4 notice is taken of the most prominent points of land on the coast1 which have been brought under consideration as fit ,stations for additional ,light-houses2 and of these1 one at ,buchan-,ness1 on the east coast1 has already been fixed on by the ,board4 ,constitution of the ,board1 and ,system of ,management4 ,sidenote3 ,constitution of the ,board4 ,the affairs of the ,northern ,light-houses are managed by the ,commissioners named in the different acts already noticed2 but the direction of the whole concerns of the establishment almost entirely devolves upon the ,commissioners resident in ,edinburgh1 viz4 ,the ,lord ,advocate and ,solicitor-,general1 the ,lord ,provost1 and ,senior ,magistrate of that ,city1 and the different ,sheriffs1 ,commissioners ex officio1 who attend the ,courts of ,law4 ,they hold frequent meetings1 and bestow their time and labour without any salary or remuneration whatever4 ,at their ,meetings1 all matters falling under the economy1 and connected with the arrangement of the ,light-houses1 are regulated2 full powers being conferred upon them as a ,board to erect and maintain such additional ,light-houses as they shall deem necessary2 so that the system in this respect will at no very distant period be rendered complete4 ,sidenote3 ,rate of ,duties4 ,by the ,statutes1 the general rate of duty upon ,british ships is #b;d4 per register ton for passing one of1 or all the ,scottish ,lights2 together with certain local duties of d4 per ton1 connected with the ,lights of ,may and ,inchkeith2 and for vessels which only pass the ,lights on the ,isle of ,man1 one farthing per ton is the sole duty4 ,foreign ships in all cases pay double rates4 ,these duties are exigible at all the ,ports in the ,united ,kingdom1 and are remitted to the ,general ,collector at ,edinburgh1 at the end of three or six months1 according to the extent of the respective collections4 ,the application of the ,funds1 and disposal of the ,surplus1 are fixed by the ,acts2 which also require1 that an account of the moneys received and expended by the ,board1 be annually presented to the ,lords of the ,treasury1 the ,convention of ,royal ,burghs of ,scotland1 and that two copies be sent to the ,board of ,customs at ,edinburgh1 to be laid before both ,houses of ,parliament4 ,sidenote3 ,expence of ,management1 c4 ,the only permanent expence of management in the way of remuneration to the ,officers of the ,board1 are a salary of ,l4 #ejj to the ,engineer2 ,l4 #chj to the ,clerk1 who is also ,cashier1 and a fee of #ej guineas to the ,auditor or ,accountant4 ,the revenue of the ,board may be stated at about ,l4 #bd1jjj yearly2 and as the department of the ,engineer is unconnected with the financial arrangements1 this fund is1 in fact1 managed for about ,l4 #dcb1 #ajs4 per annum4 ,as to the practical arrangement1 the ,engineer visits all the ,light-houses annually1 and ,reports to the ,board upon the various works and operations connected with the different ,light-houses1--the conduct of the light-keepers1--and also upon the stores and supplies required for the ensuing year1--and these1 when approven of1 are authorised and ordered by the ,commissioners4 ,all accounts for supplies are laid before the ,board1 and paid twice in the year4 ,at each ordinary ,light-house1 a ,principal and an ,assistant ,light-keeper are appointed1 whose salaries are respectively ,l4 #de1 and ,l4 #ce per annum1 besides a piece of ground1 not less than #aj acres1 with fuel1 a suit of uniform clothes every three years1 and some other small perquisites4 ,at the ,bell ,rock1 there are four light-keepers1 three of whom are always at the ,light-house1 while one is1 by rotation1 on shore at the establishment at ,arbroath for the families of the light-keepers4 ,their salaries are respectively ,l4 #fc1 and ,l4 #eg1 #aes41 and for each of the two ordinary ,assistants ,l4 #eb1 #ajs4 with provisions for themselves while at the ,rock1 and apartments for their families ashore4 ,the light-keepers act under certain ,instructions1 and make ,monthly ,returns to the ,engineer's office1 copies of which will be found under ,appendix1 ,no4 ,i4 ,sidenote3 ,shipping of the ,establishment4 ,the shipping belonging to the ,light-house service1 besides attending boats1 for visiting ,light-houses on insulated situations1 consists of a vessel of about #ej tons register1 which is chiefly employed in attending the ,bell ,rock1 to supply the house with necessaries1 and relieve the light-keepers in their turn4 ,for general service1 another vessel of #adj tons is kept1 which carries oil and other stores for the lights1 together with fuel and necessaries1 for the use of the light-keepers1 and artificers1 with their implements and apparatus1 for making repairs at the different stations4 ,the ,engineer makes his annual voyage of inspection in this vessel1 which is provided with cabins suitable for the reception of such of the ,commissioners as may occasionally visit the ,light-houses4 ,sidenote3 ,voyages of ,inspection4 ,this duty has been undertaken by various members of the ,board4 ,in the ,summer of #ahad a ,committee1 consisting of ,mr ,hamilton1 ,sheriff of ,lanarkshire1 ,mr ,erskine1 ,sheriff of ,orkney1 and ,mr ,duff1 ,sheriff of ,forfarshire1 with the ,engineer1 made a voyage to inspect the different ,light-houses already erected1 as also the most prominent of the stations on the coast1 suggested for the erection of ,additional ,lights4 ,they sailed from ,leith in the ,yacht1 having for their companion ,mr ,walter ,scott1 and having visited the ,light-houses on the ,isle of ,may and ,bell ,rock1 with the establishment at ,arbroath1 and that upon ,kinnaird-,head in ,aberdeenshire1 they next landed at ,sumburgh-head in ,shetland1 on which a ,light-house has since been erected4 ,returning southward1 they visited the ,light-houses on the ,start ,point of ,sanday1 and the ,pentland ,skerries in ,orkney4 ,then steering westward1 they landed at ,cape ,wrath1 one of the projected ,stations for a ,light-house4 ,they next touched at the ,light-house on ,island-,glass1 one of the ,harris ,isles4 ,from thence they proceeded and landed upon the ,rock called ,skerryvore1 lying off the ,island of ,tiree1 and were satisfied of the practicability of erecting a ,light-house there4 ,having visited the ,light-house on ,ennistrahul1 on the coast of ,donegal1 one of the ,irish ,lights1 and inspected their own establishments on the ,mull of ,kantire and ,isle of ,pladda1 the ,commissioners landed at ,greenock1 after a voyage of nearly seven weeks4 ,in ,july #ahae1 ,mr ,hamilton and ,mr ,duff1 accompanied by the writer1 sailed in the ,yacht from the ,troon for ,liverpool1 where they were joined by ,sir ,william ,rae2 and after having had a meeting with ,mr ,gladstone on the subject of the ,lights on ,man1 they sailed thither1 and fixed on the ,stations for the ,lights on that ,island1 and on the ,calf4 ,they then proceeded to ,dublin1 and communicated with the ,irish ,board for the affairs of ,light-houses1 regarding certain arrangements for the advancement of the public service committed respectively to their charge4 ,mr ,crossthwaite1 and other ,members of the ,irish ,board1 accompanied them to the ,light-house upon ,houth3 and having visited the ,tuskar ,light-house1 situate on an insulated rock off the coast of ,wexford1 they bent their course to ,holyhead1 landed at the ,light-house on the ,south ,stack2 and on their return surveyed the operations at the ,light-house at ,corsewall in ,galloway then building1 and having visited ,pladda1 landed at ,greenock4 ,in the ,summer of #ahah1 ,messrs ,hamilton and ,duff1 with the writer1 sailed from ,clyde1 and inspected the ,light-houses of ,corsewall and on the ,isle and ,calf of ,man4 ,the ,yacht being then bound through the ,british ,channel1 they availed themselves of the opportunity to visit some of the ,english ,light-houses1 particularly the ,smalls1 off ,st ,david's ,head1 the ,longships1 off the ,land's ,end1 the ,edystone1 the ,caskets off ,alderney1 ,hurst ,castle1 ,dungeness1 and the ,north ,foreland4 ,by these voyages1 the ,commissioners greatly enlarged their knowledge of the important concerns entrusted to their charge4 ,some of them had thus seen and examined all the ,light-houses already established on the coast of ,scotland1 and most of the ,sites in contemplation for new erections on the northern parts of the ,island4 ,,account ,,of ,,the ,,bell ,,rock ,,light ,,house ,illustration3 ,drawn by ,miss ,stevenson4 ,engraved by ,j4 ,horsburgh4 ,pharos loquitur ,far in the bosom of the deep ,o'er these wild shelves my watch ,i keep ,a ruddy gem of changeful light ,bound on the dusky brow of ,night ,the ,seaman bids my lustre hail ,and scorns to strike his timorous sail ,see page #ecj4 ,,bell ,,rock ,,light-,,house4 ,,account ,,of ,,the ,,bell ,,rock ,,light-,,house4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,,name ,,of ,,the ,,rock1--,,situation ,,and ,,dimensions1--,,natural ,,history1--,,depth ,,of ,,water1 ,,and ,,current ,,of ,,tides4 ,in the ,introduction1 ,i have given an account of the institution of the ,board of ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses2 of the progress made in the erection of ,light-houses on the coast of ,scotland2 the probable future operations of the ,board1 and the general economy or management of its affairs4 ,i now come to treat in detail of the ,bell ,rock ,light-house1 as the chief object of this work2 and1 in the present chapter1 ,i propose to give the general history1 and a description of this dangerous ,rock4 ,name of the ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,name4 ,sidenote3 ,origin of the ,name4 ,there is perhaps nothing in history more arbitrary1 or difficult to account for1 than the origin of proper names1 nor1 in general1 any research more unsatisfactory1 than a prolix inquiry into their etymology4 ,the charts of the nautical surveyor are the proper records for the names of places upon the sea-coast2 but such maps are comparatively of late invention4 ,the first sea-chart which we hear of in ,england1 was that brought from ,spain in #adhi1 by ,bartholomew ,columbus1 to illustrate his brother's theory of the discovery of ,america2 and the earliest1 applicable to the coast of ,scotland1 is the chart of the voyage of ,james ,v41 from the ,firth of ,forth1 by the ,orkney and ,western ,islands1 to the ,firth of ,clyde and coast of ,galloway1 in the year #aedj4 ,this map was published at ,paris by ,nicolay ,d',arfiville1 ,seigneur ,du d',aulphinois1 c4 chief ,cosmographer to the ,king of ,france1 in #aehc2 and afterwards in ,edinburgh1 in the year #afhh1 by ,john ,adair1 ,f4 ,r4 ,s41 ,geographer for ,scotland4 ,sidenote3 ,inch ,cape4 ,the ,french writer gives a hydrographical description of the coast of ,scotland1 in relation to the ,royal voyage1 from ,leith to the ,solway ,firth 1 noticing the distances of places1 the tides1 and the rocks and sand-banks1 or 8dangers10 as they are more generally termed1 which it was necessary to avoid4 ,in adverting to the course from ,leith by the east coast to ,duncansby-,head1 in ,caithness1 he observes1 8,entre ,finismes ,fifeness et la pointe nomm ,redde1 xii mille l'est sud-est du cost de la dicte pointe ,redde1 gist un danger appel ,inchkope40 ,this is unquestionably the ,bell ,rock1 the inch or island of the ,cape1 and with a reference to the ,redhead1 to the north of ,aberbrothock1 the highest and most remarkable point on that coast4 ,in ,adair's collection of nautical charts1 and descriptive account of the eastern coast of ,scotland1 published in #agjc1 the ,bell ,rock is indifferently termed ,scape and ,cape2 and the fishermen on the shores of ,angus uniformly call it the ,cape ,rock4 ,in some old charts1 particularly by the ,dutch1 whose name for a headland is kappe1 it is also called skape and scaup4 ,it does not1 however1 seem that any inference can be drawn from these various appellations2 and1 although it were to be conjectured1 that the ,inch ,cape was1 at a very remote period1 permanently above water1 and in all respects an island1 the most rational hypothesis would still remain1 and be indeed confirmed1 that this name was given it on account of the relation it bore1 especially in situation1 to the cape of ,redhead4 ,sidenote3 ,bell ,rock4 ,it is perhaps more difficult to assign the true origin for the modern term of ,bell ,rock1 by which this dangerous reef is now universally known4 ,there is a tradition1 that an ,abbot of ,aberbrothock directed a bell to be erected on the ,rock1 so connected with a floating apparatus1 that the winds and sea acted upon it1 and tolled the bell1 thus giving warning to the mariner of his approaching danger4 ,upon similar authority1 the bell1 it is said1 was afterwards carried off by pirates1 and the humane intentions of the ,abbot thus frustrated4 ,this story has1 by a modern poet1 been made the subject of the ballad of 8,sir ,ralf the ,rover10 which1 for the reader's amusement1 is inserted in the ,appendix1 ,no4 ,,ii4 ,sidenote3 ,erection of a ,bell4 ,of the erection of the ,bell1 and of the machinery by which it was rung1 if such ever existed1 it would have been interesting to have had some authentic evidence4 ,but1 though a search has been made in the chartularies of the ,abbey of ,aberbrothock1 preserved in the ,advocates' ,library1 and containing a variety of grants and other deeds1 from the middle of the #acth to the end of the #aeth century1 no trace is to be found of the ,bell ,rock1 or any thing connected with it4 ,the erection of the bell is not1 however1 an improbable conjecture2 and we can more readily suppose that an attempt of that kind was made1 than that it had been intentionally removed1 which in no measure accords with the respect and veneration entertained by seamen of all classes for land-marks2 more especially1 as there seems to be no difficulty in accounting for the disappearance of such an apparatus unprotected1 as it must have been1 from the raging element of the sea4 ,it is not therefore unlikely1 that the popular appellation by which this ,rock has more recently been known1 may owe its origin to the tradition of the ,abbot's humanity and public spirit2 and when we consider that the churchmen of those days were well acquainted with the history of the celebrated ,pharos of ,alexandria1 and may have heard of the fire-towers and sea-marks1 which ,mr ,bryant1 in his ,mythology1 conjectures existed in very remote times1 it is natural to suppose1 that these learned persons had1 at a pretty early period1 turned their attention to the subject1 and had attempted1 in the mode which has been figured1 to point out and guard against the danger4 ,amidst these speculations1 it must not1 however1 be overlooked1 that this ,rock may have acquired its present name from its shape or figure2 for at the commencement of the author's operations1 he remarked1 that the site of the light-house1 at some distance1 had much the appearance of a large bell2 and although this part was not more than four feet above the general level of the ,rock1 yet by supposing it to have been the nucleus of a larger mass1 in the central part of the ,rock1 gradually wasted away by the washing of the sea1 it may at a former period1 from that resemblance1 have obtained the appellation it now retains4 ,situation and ,dimensions4 ,sidenote3 ,situation4 ,the ,bell ,rock may be described as a most dangerous sunken reef1 situate on the northern side of the entrance of the great estuary or arm of the sea called the ,firth of ,forth2 and as such directly affecting the safety of all vessels entering the ,firth of ,tay4 ,its position1 as will be seen from the ,charts1 ,nos4 #c4 and #d41 which accompany this work1 is in west longitude from ,greenwich #b #bb1 and in north latitude #ef #bi4 ,from ,st ,abb's ,head in ,berwickshire1 it bears north by east per compass1 7variation #bg #bj west in the year #ahai71 and is distant about #cj miles2 from the ,island of ,may north-east #ag miles2 and from the promontory or cape called the ,redhead1 in ,forfarshire1 it bears south-west1 and is distant #ad miles4 ,but in easterly directions no land intervenes between the ,bell ,rock and the coasts of ,norway1 ,denmark1 ,germany and ,holland4 ,sidenote3 ,dimensions4 ,the dimensions of the north-eastern or higher compartment of the ,rock where the light-house is built1 are about #dbg feet in length1 and #bcj feet in breadth4 ,besides these dimensions1 the south-western reef extends about #ajjj feet from the main rock4 ,the greatest length1 therefore1 of the ,bell ,rock1 which may be said to be dangerous to shipping1 is about #adbg feet1 and its greatest breadth is about #cjj feet2 but the outline or margin of the ,rock is quite irregular1 as will be seen from the ,plates marked ,nos4 #e4 and #f4 ,natural ,history4 ,sidenote3 ,mineralogy4 ,the ,bell ,rock consists of sandstone of a reddish colour1 which in some places contains whitish and greenish spots of circular and oval forms1 irregularly interspersed through the rock4 ,it is of a fine granular texture1 containing minute specks of mica4 ,it is very hard1 and1 in the language of the artificer1 is tough1 and rather difficult to work2 and in some parts it is found to rise in masses having a conchoidal fracture4 ,its angle of inclination with the horizon is about #ae degrees1 dipping towards the south-east4 ,the strata are thick and unequal1 strongly cemented together1 and running in the direction of north-east and south-west4 ,the surface of the ,rock is rugged1 and full of cavities1 so that walking upon it becomes rather difficult4 ,a longitudinal section of the ,bell ,rock1 taken in a north-easterly and south-westerly direction1 may be described as consisting of a higher and a lower level4 ,the cross section1 taken in a south-easterly and north-westerly direction1 exhibits the abrupt and pointed terminations of the strata1 though it appears level when seen from a distance4 ,sidenote3 ,wasting effects of the ,sea4 ,sidenote3 ,natural ,history4 ,it would be a speculation highly interesting to the geologist1 to inquire into the probable early history of the ,bell ,rock1 and the changes produced on it by the wasting effects of the waters of the ocean4 ,when we consider the similarity of the red sandstone of this rock with the ,redhead of ,forfarshire1 and opposite shores of ,berwick in the neighbourhood of ,dunglass1 and take into view that there is a ridge or shallower part of the bottom1 which extends a considerable way from the ,bell ,rock in the direction of these shores1 we may infer1 that the ,rock itself had extended at one time much further4 ,we are also enabled to trace the same formation1 penetrating to the northward through ,ross-shire1 and quite across the kingdom1 in a southern direction1 to ,cumberland4 ,at a period indefinitely remote in the history of the globe1 we may therefore imagine that one continuous bed of red sandstone had stretched across the ,firth 1 forming a barrier by which the great collection of waters of the ,forth and ,tay have been pent up4 ,sidenote3 ,proofs of the ,sea having occupied a higher level4 ,in support of this opinion1 we have the most unequivocal proofs of the waters of those friths having formerly occupied a much higher level4 ,of these we may notice the general appearance of their water-worn shores1 and a bed of oyster-shells near ,borrowstounness1 which has been traced to the extent of three miles in length1 and about two fathoms in thickness1 lying in their natural state1 but now upwards of #ce feet above the present level of the sea4 ,under these circumstances1 and many others which might be adduced1 it is not improbable that the ,bell ,rock has at one time been connected with the opposite coasts2 and when we consider the general waste of the land1 which is apparent in all directions from the impulse of the sea1 it may at least be concluded1 that at no very remote period1 the ,rock has been of much greater superficial extent1 and above the level of the highest tides4 ,nor need we be surprised that such changes upon this remote and insulated spot should have been lost sight of1 owing to their gradual and almost imperceptible effects1 compared with the short period of the life of man1 and in absence of all testimony excepting that which is oral4 ,sidenote3 ,plants4 ,with regard to the marine ,plants which grow upon the ,bell ,rock1 we may observe that the lower parts of it are covered with the stronger or larger sorts1 as the great tangle1 ,fucus digitatus1 the roots of which rarely appear above the water1 while it is seen at the depth of several fathoms1 growing with the greatest luxuriance1 and has often been observed by the author from a boat in fine weather1 as a means for ascertaining1 by the direction of the leaf1 the changes of the currents of the tide at the bottom4 ,the ,badderlock1 or ,henware1 ,fucus esculentus1 is found only on the north-eastern and south-eastern extremities of the ,rock1 growing at low water-mark of spring-tides1 and seems to prefer the most rapid currents of the sea1 and places where the heaviest breach takes place4 ,in such situations it grows in great abundance at the ,bell ,rock1 where it has been measured of the length of eighteen feet1 and of proportionally increased breadth4 ,perhaps some of these plants are of considerable age2 but at the works of the ,carr ,rock ,beacon1 off ,fifeness1 it was found that the growth of the badderlock was so very rapid1 that the plant attained to the length of seven feet upon the new building1 in the course of the winter and spring months4 ,the higher parts of the ,bell ,rock abound with the smaller fuci1 as ,fucus mamillosus1 and ,f4 palmatus1 or common dulse4 ,f4 lycopodiodes1 alatus1 and coccineus1 are found on the older stalks of the great tangle1 and ,f4 subfuscus and confervoides occupy the smaller pools4 ,in some places1 the rocks are rendered slippery with ,ulva compressa and umbilicalis2 and the higher parts of the ,rock1 and the basement or lower courses of the light-house1 are so covered with ,conferva rupestris1 as to produce the appearance of a sward of grass4 ,sidenote3 ,animals4 ,of the feathered tribe of animals at the ,bell ,rock1 we notice the shag1 cormorant1 and herring-gull1 which sometimes rest upon the ,rock when in search of codlings and other small fishes4 ,it also formed the resting-place of numerous seals at the commencement of the operations of the ,light-house1 but these amphibious animals1 as well as the birds1 have now almost entirely left it4 ,the common crab and lobster are sometimes found here in the crevices of the rock4 ,the ,lepas balanoides1 or acorn-shell1 the common limpet1 mussels of a small size1 and the white buckey or ,buccinum lapillus1 abound on the rock4 ,the ,actinia crassicornis1 ,asterias glacialis and oculata1 are common4 ,a minute crustaceous insect1 called1 by ,dr ,leach1 ,limnoria terebrans 7,lin4 ,trans1 vol4 ,,xi4 p4 #cga471 appeared in great numbers in the submersed wood work of the temporary erections on the ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,insect destructive to ,timber4 ,so destructive to timber is this small insect1 that the ,norway logs1 laid down to support the temporary railways in #ahjg1 when lifted in #ahaa1 were found to have been reduced by its ravages from #aj inches square to #g inches1 or at the rate of about an inch in the year4 ,the author having had occasion afterwards to examine the timber-bridge of ,montrose1 found the attacks of this insect upon the wooden piers to be so alarming as to endanger that fabric2 and after many trials for the preservation of timber in such situations1 the ,trustees were ultimately induced to cover the upright beams with sheet-copper4 ,upon another occasion1 when the author was called to inspect the ,crinan ,canal1 he found the gates of the sea-locks so destroyed1 chiefly by this little animal1 that the locks lost seven feet of their depth of water in the course of the night4 ,it is further remarked1 that the deserted cavities1 formed by the perforations of the ,limnoria1 frequently become the residence of larger marine insects1 belonging to the ,linnan genus ,oniscus4 ,sidenote3 ,experiments with pieces of timber trenailed to the ,rock4 ,in the year #ahad1 with a view to experiment on the effects of these destructive vermes1 ,i fixed down specimens of teak-wood1 oak1 black birch1 ,memel and ,norway fir timber1 on the ,bell ,rock4 ,the only specimen which remained imperforate till #ahbj1 was the teak-wood4 ,the rest were almost entirely destroyed in the course of two or three years4 ,this may be regarded as a matter of some importance1 in a national point of view1 in directing the employment of teak-wood for the sea-lock gates of canals and for ship-timbers4 ,from the excellency of the situation of the ,bell ,rock for such experiments1 ,i have caused another set of timbers to be trenailed to the rock1 in a situation where1 like the former1 they are occasionally uncovered by the water4 ,these last pieces of timber were laid down in the month of ,october #ahba4 ,they are eighteen in number1 each measuring #e inches square1 and #cj inches in length2 and are of the following kinds1 viz4 ,british and ,american oaks and firs1 ,memel fir1 ,scotch elm1 beech1 sycamore1 larch1 teak-wood1 mahogany1 bullet-tree1 locust-wood1 and blue gum-wood from ,van ,dieman's ,land4 ,sidenote3 ,attempt to plant ,muscles on the ,rock4 ,when the workmen first landed upon the ,bell ,rock1 limpets of a very large size were common1 but were soon picked up for bait4 ,as the limpets disappeared1 we endeavoured to plant a colony of muscles1 from beds at the mouth of the river ,eden1 of a larger kind than those which seem to be natural to the rock4 ,these larger muscles were likely to have been useful to the workmen1 and might have been especially so to the light-keepers1 the future inhabitants of the rock1 to whom that delicate fish would have afforded a fresh meal1 as well as a better bait than the limpet2 but the muscles were soon observed to open and die in great numbers4 ,for some time this was ascribed to the effects of the violent surge of the sea1 but the ,buccinum lapillus having greatly increased1 it was ascertained that it had proved a successful enemy to the muscle4 ,the buccinum being furnished with a proboscis capable of boring1 was observed to perforate a small hole in the shell1 and thus to suck out the finer parts of the body of the muscle2 the valves of course opened1 and the remainder of the fish was washed away by the sea4 ,the perforated hole is generally upon the thinnest part of the shell1 and is perfectly circular1 of a champhered form1 being wider towards the outward side1 and so perfectly smooth and regular1 as to have all the appearance of the most beautiful work of an expert artist4 ,it became a matter extremely desirable to preserve the muscle1 and it seemed practicable to extirpate the buccinum4 ,but after we had picked up and destroyed many barrels of them1 their extirpation was at length given up as a hopeless task4 ,the muscles were thus abandoned as their prey3 and in the course of the third year's operations1 so successful had the ravages of the buccinum been1 that not a single muscle of a large size was to be found upon the rock2 and even the small kind which breed there1 are now chiefly confined to the extreme points of the rock1 where it would seem their enemy cannot so easily follow them4 ,sidenote3 ,habits of ,fishes4 ,in speaking of the habits of fishes1 it deserves notice that they have their particular grounds and shores which they frequent2 for while the vessels attending the works at the ,bell ,rock were stationed there1 different kinds of fish were caught as the depth and bottom varied4 ,about high-water1 and especially during ebb-tide1 when the sea is smooth on the rock1 the ,podley 7chiefly the fry of the coal-fish1 but including also the young of the ,gadus virens7 is so numerous1 as almost entirely to cover it from view4 ,near the rock1 the small red cod is often found in abundance3 at some distance1 as the bottom1 which is covered with marine plants near the rock1 alters to coral1 gravel1 shell sand1 fine sand and mud1 all of which occur in a range of depths from #d to #bc fathoms towards the north1 different kinds of fish are found2 first1 the codling1 which ceases to be wholly red1 but becomes only speckled with reddish spots2 then1 upon the finer or mud grounds in the track of the tides of the ,firth of ,tay1 whiting1 haddock1 flounder1 and occasionally the sole4 ,on the southern side of the rock1 where the water deepens to #ce fathoms1 the large white cod1 in company with ling1 conger-eel1 halibut1 skate1 thornback1 plaise1 turbot1 wolf-fish and large coal-fish are found4 ,the dog-fish appears to be very general1 and seems to prey chiefly upon the haddock and cod4 ,the mackerel and gurnard are found together near the surface1 and do not seem to be confined to particular grounds1 but occur wherever the water is of a considerable depth4 ,herrings are found in the bays of the opposite shores in great abundance at the fishing season1 when they are understood to be migrating towards the south4 ,it has often been observed1 in the course of the ,bell ,rock operations1 that1 during the cold weather of spring and autumn1 and even at all seasons1 in stormy weather1 when the sea is much agitated by wind1 the fishes disappear entirely from the vicinity of the rock1 probably retreating into much deeper water1 from which they do not seem to return1 until a change of weather has taken place2 so much was this attended to by the seamen employed on this service1 that they frequently prognosticated and judged of the weather from this habit of the fishes1 as well as from the appearances of the sky4 ,depth of ,water4 ,sidenote3 ,depth of ,water4 ,sidenote3 ,depth of ,water upon the ,bell ,rock4 ,at the time of high-water of spring-tides1 the south-western reef is about #af feet1 or nearly the whole rise of the tide1 under the surface of the water2 while the part of the rock on which the light-house is built1 is about #ab feet below high water-mark of spring-tides3 ,at low-water of neap-tides1 hardly any part of the rock is visible3 ,but at low-water of spring-tides1 the general level of the north-eastern end where the light-house is built1 is about four feet perpendicular above the level of the sea1 though particular points measure six or even seven feet in height above the low-water mark of spring-tides4 ,sidenote3 ,depth at the distance of #ajj yards1 and upwards from it4 ,at the distance of about #ajj yards from the rock in all directions1 excepting on the south-western reef1 there is a depth of water varying from two to three fathoms at low water of spring tides4 ,on the north-west side1 or in the direction of the shores of ,forfar and ,fife1 the greatest depth is #bc fathoms2 but on the south-eastern or seaward side1 in the direction of the dip or inclination of the strata1 the water deepens more suddenly to #ce fathoms2 in the same direction from the rock1 however1 the soundings again become less1 being only #bb fathoms upon ,mars ,bank1 distant about #cc miles2 this bank appears to be a deposition formed by the joint operation of the waters of the ,friths of ,forth and ,tay1 influenced by the great tidal wave of the ,german ,ocean4 ,it may here be noticed as a fact connected with the depth of the ,german ,ocean1 that at ,queensferry passage1 in the ,firth of ,forth1 the depth of the water is about #ce fathoms1 while the greatest depth of the sea across to ,denmark1 does not exceed #de fathoms4 ,the depths of the ,german ,ocean will be seen1 by inspecting ,chart ,no4 #c41 where sectional lines are delineated between various points of ,great ,britain and the opposite ,continent1 on which the reader will see the relative depths marked by shaded lines1 in a new and it is hoped a perspicuous manner4 ,current of the ,tides4 ,sidenote3 ,currents of the ,tide4 ,sidenote3 ,tides at the ,bell ,rock4 ,the tides at the ,bell ,rock1 are observed to follow the same laws as on the opposite shores of the ,firth of ,forth4 ,the currents along the coast take their direction from the figure of the land1 and1 in their course1 they are therefore occasionally deflected from1 and inclined towards it4 ,at the ,bell ,rock the flood-tide sets south-west1 and the ebb-tide north-east1 being nearly in the direction of the shores of ,forfar and ,kincardine4 ,the velocity of the water in spring-tides1 or when the sun and moon are in conjunction1 and in opposition1 is about three miles per hour1 but in neap-tides1 or at the quadratures of the moon1 the current is only at the rate of about one mile per hour4 ,on the days of new and full moon it is high-water upon the ,bell ,rock at half past one o'clock1 being about the same periodic time as at the harbour of ,arbroath1 or nearest point of the mainland4 ,in the ordinary state of the weather1 the perpendicular rise and fall of the sea at the ,bell ,rock1 in spring-tides1 is #ae feet1 and in neap-tides1 #h feet2 but so much depends upon the direction of a prevailing tract of winds1 that the tides are often found to vary from #a to #c feet above and below these numbers4 ,this irregularity in the tides of the ,german ,ocean and its subsidiary friths or inland seas will be easily accounted for1 by considering the effect of westerly winds passing for a length of time over the ,atlantic1 which must naturally force an undue quantity of water from thence into the entrance of the ,north ,sea1 between the coasts of ,scotland and ,norway2 while the ,strait of ,dover1 to the southward1 from the same cause1 is gorged by the surplus waters of the ,british ,channel flowing in an opposite direction1 and checking the tide of the ,german ,ocean4 ,when the winds blow from southerly and easterly directions1 the reverse of this happens1 and the waters are then proportionally low4 ,sidenote3 ,in and ,off shore ,currents4 ,a curious anomaly connected with the flowing and ebbing of the sea1 in the early part of each tide1 is observable in the contrary currents which take place along the shore1 and at a distance from it4 ,for example1 the flood-tide begins to flow in many situations two or even three hours sooner on the shore than at the distance of from one mile to four miles in the offing4 ,the same thing also happens with regard to the ebb-tide1 which begins to fall and run in a contrary direction to the flood-tide1 two or three hours sooner on the shore than at a distance4 ,these effects are very different from the state of things three or four leagues from the land1 or in the open sea1 where the lateral motion of the tide-waters is scarcely sensible4 ,that an extensive tract of coast should produce changes on the current of the tides1 is perhaps what we should expect2 but it is somewhat curious to find the same appearances connected with small islets1 and1 as in the case of the ,bell ,rock1 even with an insulated reef1 situate at the distance of #ab miles from the land1 and sunk to the depth of from #b to #c fathoms under the surface of high-water4 ,so strikingly observable is this1 that the tide begins to ebb about two hours sooner on the ,bell ,rock than at the short distance of one mile from it4 ,in the course of the light-house operations this was rendered sufficiently obvious1 by the swinging round of the several vessels at their moorings according to the flood and ebb tides4 ,for example1 the ,floating ,light-ship was moored about three miles in a north-west direction from the ,bell ,rock1 and the moorings of the ,tender and two ,stone ,lighters1 were respectively laid down at the distance of and mile from it1 as will be seen from ,plate ,v4 ,now1 these vessels were all found to swing to the tide at periods proportional to their distance from the rock4 ,although it may1 therefore1 seem strange1 that this comparatively small object should affect the tides in its vicinity in a manner similar to the shores of an extensive coast2 yet1 as the rock shelves outwards1 with an extensive base1 especially on the northern side1 it must impede the under current of the tide1 and indeed forcibly proves the existence of such under currents4 ,sidenote3 ,not accounted for by ,writers on the subject4 ,to account for these in and off shore tides1 or central and marginal streams1 would be interesting4 ,but to what cause shall we ascribe them8 ,sir ,isaac ,newton1 and the other eminent philosophers who have followed that great man in considering the theory of the tides1 confine their attention chiefly to an explanation of the influences of the sun and moon1 and the laws of gravitation1 in affecting the waters of the ocean1 leaving it to the result of experience and observation to account for such anomalies as those to which we now allude4 ,it is noticed by ,adair1 ,mackenzie1 and other nautical surveyors1 that the tides run longer upon the shore than in the offing1 and the advantage of working a ship with in and off shore tides1 is familiar to every mariner4 ,the existence of these opposite currents was also known to the author1 prior to the commencement of the ,bell ,rock works1 but they had not struck him so forcibly till that period4 ,for here1 even after the flood-tide had overflowed the rock1 and put a stop to the operations1 the boats in carrying the artificers on board of the ,tender1 had still to row against the current of a strong ebb-tide4 ,sidenote3 ,currents along ,shore considered as ,eddy-tides4 ,it would be foreign to this work to enter into the theory of the tides generally2 all1 therefore1 that is here proposed1 is to endeavour to account for these in and off shore currents4 ,in doing this1 however1 it will be necessary to observe1 that the great wave or 8theoretical tide10 as it has been termed by the late eminent ,professor ,robison1 is produced by the united attraction of the sun and moon1 which1 between the ,tropics1 has been calculated by philosophers to raise the water from #h to #ad feet perpendicularly4 ,it is observable1 that the attractions of these heavenly bodies elevate the parts of the ocean to which they are vertical1 without having any direct tendency to progressive or lateral motion4 ,the currents along our coasts1 may therefore be considered merely as ,eddy-tides1 occasioned by the interposition of the land1 which obstructs the undulating motion incident to the rise or fall of a fluid4 ,in this manner the land may be said to displace a portion of the tidal waters which have been elevated above the medium level of the sea2 and were it not for such obstruction1 the great waves of the tide might be supposed to undulate indefinitely over the expanse of the ocean4 ,to compare small things with great1 these effects may be conceived as in some degree exemplified1 by the disturbing effect of a vessel passing along a navigable canal1 or the undulations which are observable in the wake of a ship or wheels of a steam-boat in motion on a smooth sea4 ,sidenote3 ,progress of the ,great ,waves of the ,tides4 ,the great wave which supplies the ,british tides1 appears to be propagated between the coast of ,labrador and ,greenland1 on the one hand1 and the ,european shores on the other2 and this great wave seems to be divided into two lesser waves4 ,one of these flows between ,ireland and the coast of ,france1 into the ,british and ,st ,george's ,channels2 while the other enters by the ,north ,sea into the ,german ,ocean2 and in its course from north to south1 supplies all the friths1 rivers1 and bays connected with it1 invariably in the form of ,in and ,off shore tides1 which are every where observable along the margin of this great basin4 ,this northern wave is found to occupy about #ab hours in flowing southward from the #ehth to the #eb;d degree of latitude1 or from the ,orkney ,islands to the numerous ,sand-banks which pervade and encumber the apex of the ,german ,ocean1 where the currents become extremely desultory and irregular4 ,the coast of the ,british ,isles1 accordingly1 may be said to1 displace a portion of this northern wave1 and thus to produce the irregularities which we are endeavouring to account for4 ,sidenote3 ,progressive periods of ,high-,water in the ,firth of ,forth4 ,at present1 we shall confine our attention to the tides of the ,firth of ,forth4 ,here1 as on other parts of the coast1 the tidal waters have a tendency to flow towards the shores and higher parts of the ,forth1 till the instant of high-water upon the shore1 when the tide begins to ebb1 and run in a contrary direction4 ,a central stream1 however1 continues to run with unabated force1 as flood-tide1 during two or even three hours longer1 as before noticed1 according to the situation and local circumstances of the coast4 ,it appears1 from a comparison of the several periods of high-water on the shores of the ,firth of ,forth1 as nearly as some of them could be ascertained1 that the precise time of high-water becomes later and later in the same tide1 as we proceed westward2 at the ,bell ,rock1 for example1 it is high-water on the days of new and full moon1 as before noticed1 at past #a o'clock2 at the ,carr ,rock1 at past #a2 at ,elie1 still further up the ,firth 1 at #b2 ,kinghornness1 at past #b2 ,queensferry1 at past #b2 and at ,alloa1 at past #c o'clock4 ,the off-shore stream of the tide continues to flow proportionally longer till it has supplied the higher parts of this estuary with its portion of tidal waters2 and in like manner1 the central stream of ebb-tide continues its course till these waters are again run off4 ,sidenote3 ,currents at the ,mouth of the ,dee and other ,rivers4 ,in many points1 it is found1 that the operation of the tidal waters of extensive arms of the sea1 bears a close resemblance to what is observable upon the small scale in the currents of rivers1 especially at their junction with the ocean4 ,an interesting example of this occurs on the river ,dee1 which falls rapidly into the harbour of ,aberdeen4 ,here the author having occasion to make some observations on the tides in the summer of #ahab1 stationed several assistants at low-water mark1 between the entrance of the harbour and the bridge1 about two miles up the river4 ,the waters of the ,dee1 even at the entrance of the harbour1 have almost a constant current seaward1 notwithstanding the opposite direction of the flood-tide of the ,ocean4 ,on the occasion alluded to1 one of his assistants1 a very intelligent shipmaster1 continued at his post while the water flowed up to his middle2 and1 when accosted about his situation1 he significantly observed1 8,that it was rather extraordinary1 as the stream had never ceased to indicate the continuance of an ebb-tide1 while the water was still rising upon his body40 ,sidenote3 ,water salt at bottom and fresh at top4 ,in connection with these observations on the tides1 some experiments were also made with an instrument adapted for lifting water from considerable depths1 without the possibility of its intermingling with the surface water4 ,by means of this instrument1 the water at the bottom of the ,dee1 at ,aberdeen1 was found to be salt1 while that at the surface was quite fresh4 ,these streams of fresh and salt water run in distinct currents1 and in contrary directions1 the salt water1 from its greater specific gravity1 flowing at the bottom of the river1 and fluctuating with the level of the ocean1 while the fresh water is actually lifted upwards1 and continues all the while to flow seaward on the surface of the salt water4 ,towards the point of high-water1 however1 the flood-tide gains strength on the margin of the basin of the harbour1 where the water becomes salt1 and forms an eddy-tide in a contrary direction to the central stream1 which is observed still to run toward the sea4 ,having made similar observations on the waters of the ,thames1 the ,garonne1 and other rivers1 with nearly the same results1 after making allowance for the more level state of the country1 in the track of these great streams1--it is concluded1 that the currents at the embouchure of rivers bear a strong resemblance to the operation of the in and off shore tides of the ocean4 ,sidenote3 ,phenomena of in and off shore ,tides accounted for4 ,we further observe1 that the great wave of the ,german ,ocean produces its tides in regular succession1 and at stated periods1 as it moves from north to south2 but the tides of the more inland seas are subject to many irregularities1 both in their periodic times1 and in the direction of their currents4 ,let us suppose1 then1 that we have arrived at the instant of high-water on the shores at the entrance of the ,firth of ,forth1 and that the tidal waters are then moving in a body1 and with a certain pressure1 towards the higher parts of the ,firth 1 and even affecting the river above the bridge of ,stirling4 ,we find1 that at the entrance of this estuary1 on the days of new and full moon1 it is high-water at a quarter past one o'clock2 but at ,alloa1 situate #gj miles above the ,bell ,rock1 it is not high-water till about two hours and a half later4 ,the in-shore tidal waters having to encounter the shelving shores1 islands1 sunken rocks1 and projecting points of land1 which lie in their course up the ,firth 1 acquire lateral as well as perpendicular motion1 and being thus checked in their progress1 are brought sooner to a maximum state than the off-shore stream1 which flows in deeper water1 and comparatively free of obstruction1 till it reaches its ultimate limits2 though it gradually diminishes in breadth1 till the stream of the new tide gaining strength becomes general2 and the central current1 formerly running in a contrary direction1 at length disappears1 and takes the course of the new tide4 ,we would1 therefore1 be understood to ascribe this anomaly in the flowing and ebbing of the sea1 to the obstruction which the current of its waters meets not only at the surface or margin1 but at the bottom1 which1 from the variety of the soundings of the depths1 appears to be as various as the face of the land4 ,a striking proof of this is afforded at the ,bell ,rock3 on the northern side of which there are #aa fathoms1 at the distance of about three quarters of a mile2 while1 on the southern side1 and at a similar distance1 the water deepens to #ce fathoms2 so that a perpendicular section of this rock under water forms a precipitous declivity1 such as we are quite accustomed to see on the land4 ,now1 if we apply this irregular conformation of the bottom of the sea1 to the production of the in and off shore tides1 and conceive that the tidal currents extend their motion to the bottom1 it must be evident1 that this obstruction presented to the stream will bring the tides to a maximum state sooner on the northern side of the rock1 where the water is so much shallower1 than on the southern side4 ,this is also agreeable to observation2 for1 the tides upon the ,bell ,rock begin to flow and ebb one hour sooner than at the distance of about three quarters of a mile from it on the northern side1 and about two hours and a half sooner than at the same distance on the southern side4 ,the marginal current is thus checked by the shallowness of the water1 and the projecting points of land2 while the central stream1 flowing comparatively without obstruction1 continues to run till the most inland creeks are supplied with tidal water2 and vice vers1 it continues its stream outwards1 till these waters are again run off4 ,sidenote3 ,progressive times of high-water4 ,the progressive times of high-water1 at intermediate points between the ,bell ,rock and the port of ,alloa in the ,firth of ,forth1 appear to follow the same general law1 as the great wave of the ,german ,ocean in its progress from the ,orkneys southward4 ,these observations on the tides of the ,forth apply equally to the ,firth and ,river of ,tay1 and indeed to all the tributary streams and arms of the sea which communicate with the ,german ,ocean1 according to their local situations and magnitudes4 ,sidenote3 ,tides of the ,mediterranean and ,baltic ,seas4 ,if due allowance be made for the peculiar situation and circumstances of the ,mediterranean and ,baltic seas1 it is apprehended1 from all that we have been able to learn of the operation of the currents at the ,strait of ,gibraltar1 and ,sound of the ,cattigate1 that these seas are supplied and discharged by in and off shore tides or currents1 under certain modifications1 and making due allowance for local circumstances1 in the same manner as on all other parts of the coast4 ,i have been thus particular relative to the in-shore and off-shore tides1 because they appear in a very puzzling form to the mariner1 while writers on the theory of the tides are almost silent on this subject4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,dangerous ,,position ,,of ,,the ,,bell ,,rock4--,,sir ,,alexander ,,cochrane's ,,letter ,,to ,,the ,,light-,,house ,,board4--,,designs ,,for ,,the ,,bell ,,rock ,,light-,,house4--,,bill ,,by ,,lord ,,advocate ,,hope ,,in #ahjc4--,,report ,,of ,,traders ,,of ,,leith4--,,resolution ,,of ,,the ,,light-,,house ,,board ,,to ,,apply ,,again ,,to ,,parliament4--,,memorial ,,to ,,the ,,board ,,of ,,trade4--,,bill ,,by ,,lord ,,advocate ,,erskine4--,,report ,,of ,,the ,,committee ,,of ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,commons4--,,the ,,bill ,,passed4 ,dangerous ,position of the ,bell ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,dangerous ,position of the ,bell ,rock4 ,whatever may have been the early state of the ,inch ,cape or ,bell ,rock1 as an ,island1 its present character is strictly that of a sunken rock2 and1 as such1 its relative situation on the eastern shores of ,great ,britain has long rendered it one of the chief impediments to the free navigation of that coast4 ,it is almost unnecessary to remark1 that there are only three great inlets or estuaries upon this coast1 to which the mariner steers1 when overtaken by easterly storms in the ,north ,sea or ,german ,ocean4 ,these are the ,humber1 and the ,friths of ,forth and ,moray2 of which the ,firth of ,forth is the principal rendezvous4 ,the mouth of the ,river ,thames1 excepting in certain narrow and intricate channels1 has not a sufficient depth of water1 and is so much encumbered with sand-banks1 that no vessel can enter it under night1 or approach it in bad weather4 ,on the coast and shores in the neighbourhood of the ,humber1 the land is flat1 and defective in those bold and characteristic features which are essential to the situation of an anchorage for ships in bad weather when they cannot keep at sea4 ,the entrance of the ,humber is also considerably obstructed with sand-banks1 of which the mariner is1 if possible1 more afraid than of rocks1 because more liable to uncertainty1 by the shifting of their position1 and thereby changing the direction of the accustomed channels4 ,the great places of resort for ships1 therefore1 in the ,north ,sea1 are the ,roads of ,leith and ,cromarty1 lying in the ,friths of ,forth and ,moray1 as will be seen from ,plate ,,iii41 in both of which we find the natural advantages of an ample entrance1 and a coast so strongly marked as to be easily recognised by the mariner4 ,but from the dangerous position of the ,bell ,rock1 his approach to the shores of this coast1 prior to the erection of the ,light-house there1 was liable to the greatest peril and uncertainty4 ,sidenote3 ,great storm in ,december #agii4 ,a memorable example of this occurred during a storm from the south-east1 in the month of ,december #agii4 ,this storm having continued with little intermission for three days2 a number of vessels were driven from their moorings in the ,downs and ,yarmouth ,roads2 and these1 together with all vessels navigating the ,german ,ocean at this time1 were drifted upon the coast of ,scotland4 ,many found shelter1 both in ,leith and ,cromarty ,roads1 which1 from the state of the winds1 lay quite open for their reception4 ,but still1 from the dread of the ,bell ,rock1 in the one case1 and the danger of mistaking the entrance to the ,firth of ,dornoch for that of ,moray1 by taking the northern instead of the southern side of ,tarbetness1 in the other1 a great number of vessels were lost1 or much hardship was sustained by the mariner in seeking safety in higher latitudes4 ,it has even been reckoned1 that seventy sail of ships were either stranded or lost upon the eastern coast of ,scotland during that gale1 when many of their crews perished4 ,at the ,bullers of ,buchan1 near ,peterhead1 alone1 on the first night of this storm1 the wrecks of seven vessels were found in a small cove1 without one survivor of the crews1 to give an account of their disaster4 ,as a remarkable instance of escape on this occasion1 it may be mentioned1 that a coal-ship1 in ballast1 returning from ,london to ,newcastle1 was carried completely round the coast of ,great ,britain and ,ireland1 the first land made by this vessel1 after leaving ,flamborough ,head in ,yorkshire1 being the ,land's ,end of ,cornwall4 ,having put into ,falmouth to refit the ship and refresh the exhausted crew1 she continued her voyage up the ,british ,channel to the ,straits of ,dover1 and so to ,newcastle1 thus making a complete circuit of the ,british shores4 ,in the summer of #ahjj1 the writer saw the wrecks of two fine vessels on the ,orkney ,islands2 one of which1 on her way to ,gibraltar1 had been as far as ,ushant on the coast of ,france1 when1 by contrary winds1 she had been driven back to the ,downs1 and1 in the month of ,december #agii1 she was ultimately stranded on the ,island of ,sanday1 along with the other vessel1 which in that gale had been driven from ,yarmouth ,roads4 ,from the situation and circumstances attending the ,bell ,rock1 it may well be supposed1 that this dangerous sunken reef was found to be either the direct or ultimate cause1 in many cases of shipwreck upon the eastern coast of ,great ,britain1 and as such1 every scheme which had for its object the fixing of some distinguishing mark upon it1 was regarded as a matter of public interest1 claiming a degree of attention proportionate to its apparent practicability and usefulness4 ,the traditionary story of the ,bell said to have been erected by the ,abbots of ,aberbrothock upon this rock may1 perhaps1 have given rise to many plans of this nature4 ,but1 on account of the limited advantages which must have attended any erection merely in the form of a beacon1 without a light1 upon a sunken rock1 at so great a distance from land1--none of the many proposals of this kind which were from time to time suggested1 ever met with the serious attention of the public4 ,it was evident1 that nothing but a light-house could not be essentially useful1 and that all temporary erections in a situation of this kind were to be avoided4 ,sidenote3 ,sir ,alex4 ,cochrane's ,letter4 ,the following letter from ,sir ,alexander ,cochrane1 while stationed on the eastern coast in the year #agic1 is particularly deserving of a place in this work1 as well from being the first official application made to the ,commissioners on the subject of the ,bell ,rock1 as on account of that officer's great experience in nautical affairs1 and the clear and decided manner in which the advantages which would result from the erection of a light-house there1 are pointed out4 8,on board his ,majesty's ship ,hind1 ,leith ,roads1 ,january #g4 #agic4 ,gentlemen1 ,i think it a duty ,i owe to the public1 to call your attention1 as ,trustees for the ,northern ,lights1 to the great hazard and peril that the trade of the east of ,scotland is subject to1 from the want of a light-house being erected on the ,bell or ,cape ,rock1 the only dangerous one upon this coast1 from the ,staples to ,duncansbay-head1 except the ,carr1 which lies so close to ,fifeness and the ,isle of ,may as to render it comparatively of less consequence4 8,the situation of the ,cape being about #ab miles from the nearest shore1 bearing off the ,redhead1 by compass1 ,s4 ,w4--,taybar1 ,,se4 by ,e4 ,e4--,fifeness1 ,,ne4 by ,e4--,isle of ,may ,light1 ,,ne4 #ag miles1 7consequently1 too distant to be useful to shipping during the night72 this rock is therefore placed in the most dangerous situation possible1 for the trade of the ,friths of ,forth and ,tay2 the more so1 from the prevailing winds on the coast1 being from the ,w4,,nw4 to ,,sw41 which occasion vessels bound inwards1 to stretch across from shore to shore1 that is1 from the south to the north1 or the opposite1 according to their situations4 ,this they can do in the day time2 but at night1 the danger of falling in with the ,cape ,rock1 prevents them from standing to the northward of the ,firth of ,forth1 and they are thereby prevented from taking the advantage of working up under the land in ,st ,andrew's ,bay1 by which they would get into smooth water1 and avoid the heavy swell and gusts of wind that are always met with in the opening of this ,firth 4 8,ships from the ,baltic1 which have not made the land1 are often driven off the coast1 from the caution they are obliged to take1 in consequence of their not knowing what their situation is respecting this rock2 which1 from being covered early in the tide1 and having little or no sea or breakers on it in moderate weather1 the wind being off the shore1 the soundings are no guide whatever2 for1 within one mile of the south-east side1 the depth of water is #cb fathoms1 7the general soundings on the coast72 from all which circumstances1 a ship standing in for the shore1 perhaps without having had an observation of the sun for some days1 runs the utmost danger of being wrecked4 ,from the experience ,i have1 in consequence of cruizing on this coast1 ,i give it as my most decided opinion1 that the greatest good consequence would arise to the trade of ,scotland1 were a light-house erected on it2 but1 in the event of its being so1 a distinction must be made between it and the light of ,may1 such as is adopted at ,scilly and the ,caskets1 the light on which revolves1 ,i believe1 once in a minute1 so as to be obscured and visible alternately40 ,sidenote3 ,expence of a ,light-house on the ,bell ,rock1 as estimated by the ,public4 ,sidenote3 ,designs for the ,bell ,rock ,light-house4 ,although the subject of this letter had occasionally occupied the attention of the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 yet the ,bell ,rock1 as the site of a light-house1 was then for the first time brought formally under the notice of the ,board2 and some erection there1 was considered a primary object1 whenever the funds should be in a state to meet the expence of such a work4 ,but1 the estimates for such an undertaking admitted of an almost unlimited range of amount1 both from the nature of the buildings which were proposed1 and on account of works of this kind being subject to unavoidable risk in all their stages1 from the commencement till the completion4 ,in conversation1 it was common to compare the situation of the ,bell ,rock with the rocks of the ,eddystone off ,plymouth ,sound1 and ,corduan at the mouth of the ,garonne4 ,the expence of erecting a light-house on the ,eddystone1 though understood to have been about ,l4 #bj1jjj1 has never been communicated to the public by the lessees of the light-house duties1 from the consideration1 perhaps1 of their being obliged1 by their agreement with the ,trinity ,board of ,london1 to erect and uphold the building1 and also from claims which they afterwards made1 for having the value of the light-house reimbursed to them at the end of their lease2 but it was well known that the present building is no less than the third erection which the lessees had made upon the ,eddystone1 between #afif and #agei1 or in the space of #fc years4 ,it was therefore natural to conclude that a building on the ,bell ,rock1 situate under a greater depth of water1 being nearly on a level with low-water mark1 would be a work of greater difficulty and expence1 than the ,eddystone light-house1 where the top of the rock is on a level with high-water mark4 ,we are also left in the dark in forming any opinion on the important point of expence with regard to the ,french work at ,corduan1 but we know that it met with repeated misfortunes while in progress1 and that it occupied from #aehd till #afaj1 or #bf years in building4 ,the main rock here is about a mile in length1 and half a mile in breadth1 and1 in its position as a sunken reef1 it resembles the ,bell ,rock more than the ,eddystone4 ,from the difficulties which attended the erection of these two celebrated light-houses1--both of which the writer has visited1--the erection of a light-house upon the ,bell ,rock1 in comparison with these1 was estimated by the public at so wide a range as from ,l4 #bj1jjj even to ,l4 #ajj1jjj4 ,sidenote3 ,funds for the ,light-house ,board inadequate4 ,in the year #agic1 when ,admiral ,cochrane addressed his letter to the ,light-house ,board1 its surplus funds amounted only to a few hundred pounds2 a sum so inadequate to meet the necessary expenditure of such a work1 that the ,commissioners judged it better for the interests of navigation1 to go forward with the less expensive improvements on other parts of the coast1 aware that nothing essential could be undertaken at the ,bell ,rock without the effectual aid of ,government4 ,in this state1 matters were allowed to rest till the great storm in ,december #agii1 already noticed1 which roused the public mind to fresh speculations about the necessity of some erection being made upon the ,bell ,rock2 not merely as a local improvement1 but as one essentially calculated to benefit the ships navigating the ,german ,ocean1 by opening the ,firth of ,forth more effectually as a place of safety in easterly storms1 so that the ,bell ,rock1 in place of being the dread of mariners1 might in future become a point from which they would take their departure1 and for which they might steer in sailing for the coast4 ,nautical and commercial men1 especially1 were interested1 and felt this state of things in its fullest extent4 ,remarks were accordingly made in several of the periodical publications of the day1 calling the attention of the public to the erection of a light-house there1 as a subject of national importance4 ,in order to advance this object1 the ,corporation of the ,trinity-,house of ,leith1 made public advertisements1 calling on persons likely to produce some practical plan that might lead to the means of making the erection in question4 ,this1 of course1 produced various propositions on the subject4 ,designs for the ,bell ,rock ,light-house4 ,sidenote3 ,designs by ,captain ,brodie and ,mr ,couper4 ,the late ,captain ,joseph ,brodie of the ,royal ,navy1 prepared and brought forward a model of a cast-iron light-house1 supported upon four pillars1 to be built and connected together in a very strong manner4 ,this model was made by ,mr ,joseph ,couper1 ,iron-,founder in ,leith1 who1 in conjunction with ,captain ,brodie1 proposed to erect a light-house on this plan on the ,bell ,rock1 on being authorised to draw certain duties from shipping for their mutual remuneration4 ,with this view1 they sent their model1 and made certain propositions to the different commercial towns on the coast1 as ,newcastle1 ,dundee1 and ,aberdeen4 ,after having been at considerable trouble and expence with this scheme1 as a private adventure1 these gentlemen applied to the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 requesting their inspection of this model4 ,the design1 however1 was not altogether approved of by the ,light-house ,board1 in the form in which it had been modelled2 yet such was the confidence of its projectors1 that at different times1 in pursuance of their plan1 they erected two temporary beacons1 constructed with spars of fir-timber2 these unfortunately were almost immediately washed down4 ,the ,merchants of ,leith1 applauding the great perseverance of these gentlemen1 aided their exertions by a subscription of about ,l4 #aej1 when they erected a third beacon on the ,bell ,rock on a more extended scale4 ,it consisted of four spars of fir-timber1 each about #dj feet in length1 strengthened by flat bars of iron1 laid the lengthway of the spars1 which were kept in their places by rings or hoops of iron1 firmly wedged over them4 ,these spars1 when erected upon the rock1 formed a common diameter of about #bj feet at the base1 and crossed each other about #f feet from the top4 ,they were let into holes made in the rock1 of about ten inches in depth1 and were fixed by straps of iron1 forming bats of about two inches square1 and about six inches in length1 which were also let into the rock1 and run up with melted lead4 ,at the place of junction1 near the top1 the spars were bolted together with iron1 and above this1 they were connected with small pieces of timber1 nailed to the principal spars4 ,after much labour and difficulty1 with the assistance of a number of workmen1 this temporary erection was fixed on the ,bell ,rock1 in the month of ,july #ahjc4 ,in the month of ,august the writer landed on the rock and examined it2 but when the gales of winter set in1 this erection also disappeared1 having never been seen after the #bjth of ,december4 ,nothing further was attempted to be done upon the ,bell ,rock till the author commenced the ,light-house operations in the year #ahjg1 by direction of the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses4 ,sidenote3 ,make further proposals to the ,light-house ,board4 ,not discouraged1 however1 by the failure of these trifling works1 ,captain ,brodie and ,mr ,couper addressed a letter to the ,light-house ,board1 in which an offer was made to erect a cast-iron light-house1 in the space of two years1 agreeably to the model already alluded to1 and on the following terms1 viz4 ,l4 #fjjj to be paid over to them during the first year of the work1 together with the produce of a certain ,duty for the erection1 to be exacted from shipping1 as a ,northern ,light1 until the original cost of the work should be paid off4 ,but this description of building having been considered objectionable1 ,captain ,brodie proposed to construct a new model1 upon an improved plan1 by which the base of the building1 instead of being raised on pillars1 was to be continuous1 with small interstices or holes in its circumference1 or outer casing1 to admit the water into the interior void1 with a view to lessen the weight and expence of metal1 and check the force of the sea4 ,but this also appeared to the ,commissioners to be defective1 when compared with an erection of stone1 like the ,eddystone and ,tour de ,corduan ,light-houses4 ,sidenote3 ,captain ,brodie's remuneration4 ,captain ,brodie having1 however1 shewn a most laudable zeal in this work1 and considering that he must have expended a sum of money beyond what had been subscribed for the erection of the ,spar ,beacon1 the ,commissioners proposed to make him a liberal allowance for the last model1 to the preparation of which they had given their countenance4 ,he was accordingly requested to state the expence of this model1 with a view to his reimbursement4 ,but1 under an erroneous impression1 he brought forward an account1 containing an enumeration of charges connected with the ,bell ,rock1 from the year #agib2 and by applying these items to the imaginary profits of trade1 the sum amounted to several thousand pounds4 ,this appeared so contrary to the views of the ,commissioners1 that the account was returned1 with an offer of ,l4 #djj in full of all claims4 ,this sum1 however1 was refused1 and another proposition made1 that the ,board should apply to ,government to have his services publicly rewarded4 ,but it was finally intimated1 that ,l4 #djj were at his disposal2 and here the matter rested till after ,captain ,brodie's decease1 when that sum1 with interest1 was1 in #ahaf1 paid to his widow4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,author's early designs for the ,bell ,rock ,light-house4 ,in noticing the progress of the designs of the ,bell ,rock ,light-house1 it will here be necessary to give some detail of the writer's own exertions in the preliminary stages of this measure1 in his capacity of ,engineer for the ,light-house ,board4 ,in the summer of #agid1 when on a voyage to the ,northern ,light-houses1 in passing the ,bell ,rock1 he directed the vessel to be brought near it1 when he had an opportunity of observing the sea breaking heavily upon it4 ,from this period1 the difficulties which must attend the erection of a habitation on this rock1 appeared in a stronger point of view than they had hitherto done4 ,he1 nevertheless1 was resolved to embrace every opportunity of forwarding this great object4 ,in the year #agif1 he visited the operations of the ,kilwarlin light-house1 then erecting on the ,south ,rock1 a sunken reef1 situate three miles off the coast of ,downshire in ,ireland1 as a work resembling that which was in contemplation for the ,bell ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,his pillar-formed ,light-house4 ,the disastrous shipwrecks which occasionally happened at the entrance of the ,friths of ,forth and ,tay1 deeply impressed every one conversant in nautical affairs1 with the most convincing proofs of the necessity for some distinguishing mark being erected upon the ,bell ,rock4 ,as yet1 the writer had not landed upon the rock2 though he had begun to prepare a model of a pillar-formed light-house1 to be supported upon six columns of cast-iron1 under the impression that this description of building was alone suitable to its situation4 ,the general features of this model may be understood1 by examining ,plate ,,vii41 which represents the author's original designs for the ,bell ,rock ,light-house4 ,in the summer of the year #ahjj1 this model was presented to the ,light-house ,board1 when an official application was made to the ,commissioners of his ,majesty's ,customs1 for the use of the ,osnaburgh cutter1 then lying in the harbour of ,elie1 on the coast of ,fife1 to carry the writer to the ,bell ,rock1 that1 by landing there1 he might be enabled to judge of the applicability of his pillar-formed design to the situation of the rock4 ,upon reaching ,elie1 the ,osnaburgh was found to be under repair1 and could not possibly go to sea for several days1 by which time the spring-tides would be over4 ,on consulting with the commander1 as to the most advisable course to be followed1 in order to avoid losing these tides1 it was resolved to go to ,st ,andrew's in quest of a boat2 but being there also disappointed1 the journey was continued along the coast to ,west ,haven1 on the northern side of the ,firth of ,tay1 where a large boat was procured1 and manned with fishermen who were in the habit of visiting the rock to search for articles of shipwreck4 ,sidenote3 ,his first visit to the ,bell ,rock1 with ,mr ,haldane1 architect4 ,on this first visit to the ,bell ,rock1 the writer was accompanied by his friend ,mr ,james ,haldane1 architect1 formerly principal assistant to the late eminent ,mr ,john ,baxter4 ,the crew being unwilling to risk their boat into any of the creeks in the rock1 very properly observing that the lives of all depended upon her safety1 and as we could only remain upon the rock for two or three hours at most1 we landed upon a shelving part on the south side of the rock1 at the spot marked 8,first ,landing0 on ,plate ,,vi4 ,having been extremely fortunate both as to the state of the weather and tides1 an opportunity was afforded of making a sketch of the rock at low water3 meantime1 the boatmen were busily employed in searching all the holes and crevices in quest of articles of shipwreck1 and by the time that the tide overflowed the rock1 they had collected upwards of #b cwt4 of old metal1 consisting of such things as are used on shipboard4 ,a few of these were kept by the writer1 such as a hinge and lock of a door1 a ship's marking-iron1 a piece of a ship's coboose 7or kambuis1 cover of the cooking-place71 a soldier's bayonet1 a canon ball1 several pieces of money1 a shoe-buckle1 c42 while the heavier and more bulky articles1 as a piece of a kedge-anchor1 cabin-stove1 crowbars1 c4 were left with the crew1 who were1 however1 disposed to make very light of their booty1 when it was urged in extenuation of an extravagant demand which they made for the boat's freight1 being at the rate of one guinea per man1 and one guinea for the use of the boat1 besides expences1 amounting altogether to about eleven guineas4 ,sidenote3 ,he concludes that a building of stone is most suitable for the ,bell ,rock4 ,the immediate result of this visit on the mind of the writer and of ,mr ,haldane1 was a firm conviction of the practicability of erecting a building of stone upon the ,bell ,rock2 and from that moment the idea of a pillar-formed light-house was rejected1 as unsuitable to the situation4 ,this opinion was chiefly founded upon the area or extent of the part which dried1 or was exposed to view in the spring-tides1 being found to measure about #bhj by #cjj feet1 and consequently affording a sufficient space for a foundation1 and even a degree of shelter from the force of the waves1 for the lower courses of a building4 ,sidenote3 ,pillar-formed building compared with one of stone4 ,the depth at high-water upon the ,bell ,rock was much against the design of a building with pillars1 as a vessel drawing #ab feet water1 and loaded with #ajj or even #bjj tons1 may come with full sail against any erection made there4 ,were such a circumstance to happen to a pillar-formed building1 and a ship to get thus entangled among the openings of the under part of the light-house1 there is little doubt that the event would prove fatal to a building of that construction1 however strongly framed4 ,on the contrary1 supposing a vessel to strike a building of stone1 under these circumstances1 it is not at all likely1 that she could have any effect upon a mass of matter extending to #bjjj or #cjjj tons1 so as to injure such a fabric4 ,sidenote3 ,author's designs and models of a stone-building4 ,under these impressions1 the writer1 after his first visit to the ,bell ,rock1 in the year #ahjj1 made a variety of drawings1 and constructed new models for a building of stone1 shewing various methods of connecting the stones1 by dove-tailing them laterally1 like those of the ,eddystone light-house1 and also course to course into one another perpendicularly4 ,other methods were likewise modelled1 for connecting the whole building in a more simple manner1 by means of joggles1 or square blocks of stone1 and also by dove-tailed bats of iron cased in lead1 as delineated in the various designs of ,plate ,,vii4 ,these plans and models were duly submitted to the ,light-house ,board1 accompanied with estimates of the expence1 amounting to the maximum sum of ,l4 #db1fhe1 #hs4 ,sidenote3 ,mr ,telford requested to visit the ,bell ,rock4 ,sir ,william ,pulteney having taken an interest in forwarding a bill for this measure in ,parliament in the year #ahjc1 gave ,mr ,thomas ,telford1 engineer1 instructions to inquire into the circumstances of the ,bell ,rock1 in the course of his journey to the ,works of the ,caledonian ,canal4 ,mr ,telford had accordingly taken some preparatory steps for making a ,design2 and1 with this view1 he had engaged ,mr ,murdoch ,downie1 author of several ,marine ,surveys1 to accompany him to the ,bell ,rock4 ,but the weather proved unfavourable at the time for effecting a landing upon the rock2 and1 the bill then in progress having been withdrawn before another opportunity occurred1 ,mr ,telford's visit was not resumed4 ,sidenote3 ,mr ,downie's pillar-formed ,light-house of ,stone4 ,mr ,downie1 however1 who had previously been upon the rock1 when making his ,nautical ,survey of the ,eastern ,coast of ,scotland1 prepared a drawing and an estimate of the expence of erecting a light-house upon it1 which he stated at about ,l4 #bi1jjj4 ,his light-house was to have consisted of eight columns of stone1 of an elliptical or egg form1 as he expressed it1 ranged round a common centre1 having the longer axis and smaller end towards a circular column in the centre of the plan4 ,these columns were to support a circular building of stone for the habitation of the light-keepers and the site of the light room4 ,by this plan it was meant to give less resistance to the waves4 ,but it did not seem to be well adapted for the situation1 as it wanted that solidity and unity of parts which are so essential to the stability of a building upon a sunken rock4 ,such a work would have been of difficult execution4 ,it would have required similar apparatus with the solid masonry for its construction1 and while in progress1 it would have been in greater danger of being destroyed than a solid fabric4 ,there seemed1 therefore1 upon the whole1 to be but two opinions as to the proper description of a light-house for this situation1 viz4 either that it should be constructed of iron1 as was maintained by ,captain ,brodie1 or of solid masonry1 as proposed by the writer4 ,bill by ,lord ,advocate ,hope4 ,sidenote3 ,bell ,rock ,light-house proposed at a ,meeting of the ,royal ,burghs4 ,the erection of a light-house upon the ,bell ,rock had been occasionally alluded to at the ,convention of the ,royal ,burghs of ,scotland1 which meets annually at ,edinburgh2 and1 in consequence of recent losses on that reef1 the ,convention of #ahjb was moved1 by ,provost ,duncan of ,arbroath1 to take this subject under its serious consideration4 ,it was accordingly resolved1 ,that the ,lord ,advocate ,hope1 one of the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 and ,member of ,parliament for the ,city of ,edinburgh1 should be requested to use his influence in forwarding this desirable object4 ,his ,lordship being present1 readily engaged to undertake the measure1 and declared that he would not allow it to rest until something satisfactory should be done4 ,the ,commissioners of the ,light-houses having afterwards furnished the particulars1 the heads of a bill were arranged1 which1 in the session of #ahjc1 was brought forward by his ,lordship and the late ,sir ,william ,pulteney1 who took a great interest in the ,scotch business before the ,house of ,commons4 ,this bill had for its object to empower the ,commissioners to borrow ,l4 #cj1jjj1 and to exact the ,northern ,light-duty of #a;d4 per ton upon ,british shipping1 and #c;d4 per ton upon ,foreigners1 from all vessels bound to or from any port on the eastern coast of ,great ,britain1 that should cross the latitude of the ,bell ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,bill lost in the ,house of ,lords4 ,this bill passed the ,house of ,commons in the session of #ahjc2 but having met with opposition from the corporation of the ,city of ,london1 as including too great a range of coast in the collection of the duties1 such amendments and alterations were proposed in the ,house of ,lords1 as rendered it necessary for the ,lord ,advocate to withdraw the bill4 ,sidenote3 ,works proposed of less expence than a stone building4 ,the expectations of nautical and commercial men were severely disappointed by the loss of this bill1 which occasioned a delay of several years in the prosecution of the object4 ,it was obvious1 that1 without considerable funds at command1 it was impossible to undertake a work of such magnitude4 ,the annual funds of the ,light-house ,board at this period amounted only to about ,l4 #djjj1 and the maintenance of the light-houses already erected was equal to one-half of this sum1 which would leave a surplus fund of about ,l4 #bjjj per annum4 ,but1 as the ,commissioners found it to be their duty to go on with their improvements on the other parts of the coast1 without confining their attention to one object1 however important1 it was impossible that this great work could be undertaken for a series of years1 without the direct aid of the ,government1 or an extension of the ,light-house duties1 on the security of which money might be borrowed4 ,in consequence of the loss of this bill1 the dangers of the ,bell ,rock now became very generally the topic of conversation2 and various schemes were again suggested for constructing economical and temporary buildings to remedy the evil4 ,sidenote3 ,difficulty of determining among these proposals4 ,in a work of so much apparent difficulty1 it was not easy for the ,light-house ,board to determine what was the most advisable design4 ,the pillar-formed building was supported by many arguments4 ,it would have been executed in a very short period1 and would not1 perhaps1 have cost one-sixth part of the expence of a building of stone4 ,a light-house1 supported upon wooden pillars1 had also stood for many years1 and still remains1 upon the ,smalls ,rocks1 off ,st ,david's-,head1 in ,pembrokeshire1 although the sea1 in high tides1 and stormy weather1 occasionally breaks over the building4 ,but a fabric of stone1 for such a situation as the ,bell ,rock1 was evidently preferable1 and the examples of the ,tour de ,corduan1 the ,eddystone1 and the ,kilwarlin light-houses1 already noticed1 were all in favour of it4 ,sidenote3 ,mr ,rennie consulted and agrees with the ,author in recommending a building of stone4 ,amidst a diversity of opinion as to the practicability of the undertaking1 and especially as to the description of the building1 whether it should be of cast-iron or stone1 and in the form of pillars or solid1 the ,commissioners ultimately determined upon submitting the several views of the subject to ,mr ,john ,rennie1 engineer4 ,in the year #ahjd1 ,mr ,rennie and the writer accompanied ,mr ,hamilton1 ,sheriff of ,lanarkshire1 one of the ,commissioners1 and who had turned much of his attention to the subject1 on a visit to the ,bell ,rock4 ,they made a favourable landing2 and ,mr ,rennie had only been a short time upon the rock1 when he gave his decided opinion upon the practicability of the proposed erection of stone4 ,he had examined the author's designs and models1 and afterwards made a ,report1 in which he coincided with him in recommending to the ,board the adoption of a building of stone1 on the principles of the ,eddystone ,light-house4 ,sanctioned with such authority1 the ,commissioners were finally confirmed in the resolution1 that the ,bell ,rock ,light-house should be a tower of masonry similar to that of the ,eddystone4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,light-house ,board takes the sense of the ,mercantile ,interest in this measure4 ,hitherto the general opinion throughout the country1 and especially at all the sea-ports1 had been anxiously expressed for the erection of a light-house of some kind on the ,bell ,rock4 ,but before going a second time to ,parliament with this measure1 the ,commissioners thought it advisable to take the sense of the mercantile interest at the ports more immediately connected with the navigation of the ,firth of ,forth1 such as ,leith1 ,aberdeen1 ,dundee1 ,montrose1 ,arbroath1 and ,berwick-upon-,tweed1 as to the utility of the light-house1 and the propriety of obtaining an act of ,parliament1 to empower them to levy duties for the erection and maintenance of the proposed building4 ,a number of ,reports were accordingly received1 all approving of the measure2 but one of these only need be inserted1 from the ,corporation of ,traders in ,leith1 as it may be considered as conveying the sentiments of all the others4 ,sidenote3 ,report of the ,traders of ,leith4 ,,report of the ,,committee appointed by the ,incorporation of the ,traders in ,leith1 relative to the expediency of erecting a ,light-house on the ,cape or ,bell ,rock4 8,the ,committee1 justly sensible of the great importance of the object referred to their consideration1 have endeavoured to inform themselves1 more especially on those points to which their attention is particularly called by the letter of the ,commissioners4 8,the result of these inquiries1 as far as regards the number of vessels known1 from the safety of the crews1 to have been wrecked upon the ,bell ,rock1 within these last ten years1 amount to four1 viz4 two smacks trading between ,london and ,banff1 one brig from ,holland1 and a sloop from ,hamburgh4 8,these losses1 although the vessels were all valuable1 may at first view appear comparatively small1 but to your ,committee1 they serve as a powerful evidence1 in support of the opinion given by all maritime people1 of the fatal position and nature of this rock1 where1 from the tremendous sea which even a moderate gale occasions1 total destruction is almost the inevitable consequence of any vessel striking upon it4 8,situate off the openings of the two ,friths of ,tay and ,forth1 the ,bell ,rock stands a frightful bar1 to deter vessels making the land from attempting it in the night-time1 when they require most to seek its shelter2 and1 if unhappily overtaken with a gale at ,,se41 when near the latitude of this rock1 the alternative1 dangerous as it must appear1 of stretching to the northward1 along a scarce less frightful coast1 to gain the ,murray ,firth 1 is frequently1 in such perilous cases1 had recourse to4 8,in the beginning of #ahjj1 fifty or sixty vessels were cast away2 and1 from the circumstances of most of them being bound south of the ,forth1 but driven towards it by the violence of the storm1 there can be no reason to doubt1 that1 had it been possible for these vessels to have attempted with safety the shelter of the ,firth of ,forth1 many lives and much property would by this means have been preserved4 8,the dread1 however1 of the ,bell ,rock1 induced them on that occasion to prefer hauling to the northward1 and encountering a sea and tide surpassed in few places of the globe4 ,this fatal apprehension was followed by the disastrous consequences already mentioned4 8,the ,committee have1 indeed1 no hesitation in giving it as their opinion1 that the greater part of the losses which occur1 even from the ,coquet ,island1 as far as the ,murray ,firth 1 arise from vessels either actually striking upon1 or from an over-solicitude to keep at a distance from1 this fatal rock4 ,to the latter cause1 there is great reason to believe1 from many concurrent circumstances attending her loss1 and from parts of her wreck being washed ashore near ,buchanness1 his ,majesty's ship ,york1 of #fd guns1 fell a sacrifice1 with all her crew4 ,indeed1 if the number of vessels is calculated1 which1 within these last ten years1 have been cast away within the above-mentioned extent of coast1 they will be found to amount to more than one hundred4 8,that the erection of a light-house upon the ,bell ,rock would obviate many of these dangers is sufficiently evident1 and merchants1 as well as seafaring men1 trading to the east coast of ,scotland1 as well as to the north of ,england1 are alike interested in the accomplishment of this desirable object4 8,in a national point of view1 the advantages that would result from it are incalculable2 but none more forcible need be adduced1 than that of its serving as the direct means of preservation to the invaluable lives of numerous ,british seamen4 8,all these considerations induce your ,committee to give this measure their full approbation2 and that such a necessary object has not been sooner attained1 must rather have proceeded from the supposed difficulty of the execution1 than any hesitation as to the expediency of it4 8,your ,committee1 in reply to that part of the letter of the ,commissioners1 in which the ,traffickers of ,leith are required to signify1 in the event of their concurrence in the measure1 whether they will support the application of the ,commissioners by petition to ,parliament1 have again to state1 that giving1 as they do1 their full approbation to the expediency of erecting a light-house on the ,bell ,rock1 they can have no hesitation in joining in any petition to ,parliament to that effect4 ,but the funds of this ,incorporation being appropriated to specific purposes1 no pecuniary aid can be afforded by them as a ,society4 8,to so great a national benefit as this will certainly prove1 they will contribute1 by willingly submitting to a tax on all shipping passing the ,bell ,rock1 provided the duty so imposed does not exceed that laid on for any light in ,england1 whose situation may bear resemblance to that to be erected upon the ,bell ,rock4 8,the ,trinity-,house of ,leith1 to whom1 the ,committee is informed1 the ,commissioners have likewise applied1 must be supposed better qualified to give detailed information upon the whole of this subject than your ,committee2 and the more especially1 as one among their number has1 for a period exceeding twenty years1 made the dangers of the ,bell ,rock1 and the means to be applied to avoid or lessen them1 his peculiar study4 ,captain ,joseph ,brodie has1 at great risk1 and certainly at no little expence1 and without any expectation of recompence1 beyond that of having served his country1 frequently visited the ,bell ,rock1 and at one time succeeded in erecting a ,beacon upon it1 which withstood the fury of the sea for several months4 8,the ,committee1 therefore1 consider him well qualified to give the ,commissioners information on the subject2 and the various models of light-houses applicable to this rock1 which1 with much labour and ingenuity1 he has invented1 will be found highly valuable1 whenever the execution of the business shall come to be taken into final consideration4--7,signed7 ,james ,searth1 ,master2 ,wm4 ,mowbray1 ,assist42 ,wm4 ,dougal1 ,assist42 ,arch4 ,geddes1 ,james ,pillans junior40 ,sidenote3 ,report of the ,merchants of ,berwick4 ,the dangerous situation of the ,bell ,rock1 and the losses which have either occurred upon1 or in consequence of it1 were also strongly expressed in all the other documents communicated to the ,light-house ,board2 and we may further form a judgment of the extent of the serious consequences of this rock to the shipping on the coast1 by what was stated in the communication from ,berwick-upon-,tweed4 ,it was therein mentioned1 that two vessels had struck upon this rock in one night2 and that other two1 which had been built at ,berwick1 and sold to a ,shipping ,company at ,banff1 were afterwards lost upon the same reef4 ,it also deserves notice1 that ,captain ,allardice1 who commanded one of those vessels1 had the misfortune1 in the course of his profession1 to have been twice wrecked upon the ,bell ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,resolution of the ,light-house ,board to apply again to ,parliament4 ,these statements1 furnished upon unquestionable authority1 of the losses occasioned by the ,bell ,rock1 satisfied the ,commissioners of the propriety of persisting in their original plan of obtaining an act of ,parliament and a loan for this special purpose4 ,after various meetings of the ,board1 for adjusting the heads of a bill1 the measure was finally resolved upon at a meeting1 held on the #aith ,february #ahjf1 at which the following members were present3 ,mr ,james ,clerk1 ,sheriff-,depute of ,edinburghshire1 ,mr ,robert ,hamilton1 ,sheriff-,depute of ,lanarkshire1 ,mr ,william ,rae1 ,sheriff-,depute of ,orkney and ,shetland1 ,mr ,james ,trail1 ,sheriff-depute of ,caithness1 ,mr ,john ,connell1 ,sheriff-,depute of ,renfrewshire1 ,mr ,edward ,m',cormick1 ,sheriff-,depute of ,ayrshire1 and ,mr ,david ,monypenny1 ,sheriff-,depute of ,fife4 ,this meeting having also taken into consideration a memorial1 prepared by ,mr ,hamilton1 pointing out the importance and urgency of the measure1 ordered it to be printed2 and requested him to proceed to ,london1 to submit the memorial1 and the documents on which it was founded1 to the consideration of ,his ,majesty's ,ministers1 and other ,members of ,parliament4 ,sidenote3 ,mr ,hamilton and the ,author go to ,london4 ,mr ,hamilton went to ,london in the month of ,april #ahjf1 when the author also attended1 with his plans and estimates1 to prove the preamble of the bill4 ,mr ,hamilton having transmitted the memorial to the heads of the departments of the ,treasury1 the ,admiralty1 and the ,board of ,trade1 requested an audience from them on the subject4 ,he had a meeting with the ,board of ,trade1 and urged the proposition for a loan1 or advance from ,government1 of ,l4 #be1jjj1 on the security of the duties which the proposed light-house would produce4 ,it was1 however1 recommended that application should also be made to the other two ,boards4 ,some time thereafter1 a conference on the matter was held with ,lord ,howick1 then at the head of the ,admiralty1 and ,admiral ,markham1--when the plans of the projected building were shewn to them1--it was stated that all that was wanting to enable the work to be proceeded with1 was the advance from ,government1--and the importance of the proposed light-house was at this interview pointed out1 not only as to trade1 but as a guide and protection for the ,navy while cruising in the ,german ,ocean4 ,but their ,lordships still considered the undertaking chiefly as of a local nature1 and comparatively of little benefit to the ,navy4 ,not discouraged1 however1 by this unsuccessful application1 ,mr ,hamilton soon after obtained an audience of ,lord ,grenville1 ,first ,commissioner of the ,treasury1 who examined the charts1 plans1 elevations and sections of the projected building with much attention1--declared himself fully convinced of the importance and expediency of the measure1--and promised that the loan by ,government1 and every other expedient for the advancement of the design1 should have his support4 ,the patronage of the ,first ,minister of ,state having been thus obtained1 ,mr ,hamilton returned to his public duties in ,scotland1 leaving the farther proceedings in the application to the charge of the writer1 with the assistance of ,mr ,longlands1 solicitor for the ,light-house ,board in ,london4 ,bill by ,lord ,advocate ,erskine4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,loan from ,government becomes doubtful4 ,the ,hon4 ,henry ,erskine1 ,lord ,advocate of ,scotland1 took charge of the ,bill in ,parliament4 ,but1 notwithstanding his ,lordship's attention to the business1 so much time was lost in furnishing various statements1 relative to the probable amount of the new duties to be levied1 and the security to be given for repayment of the loan1 that little progress was made with the bill1 till the middle of the month of ,june4 ,by this time1 the prospect of the loan became so doubtful1 that it was thought advisable by some friends to the measure to take the bill without it4 ,but the ,commissioners1 after considering the tendency of such a bill1 in tying up their funds for an indefinite period for one object1 and thus preventing the extension of the benefit of additional light-houses to other parts of the coast1 were of opinion1 that1 unless the loan was granted1 they must withdraw their petition for the bill1 and allow the business to lie over till the duties were in such a condition as to enable the work to be undertaken4 ,the author was therefore directed to consider himself as at liberty to leave ,london1 if it should appear that the loan could not be obtained4 ,sidenote3 ,board of ,trade favourable to the ,loan4 ,lord ,auckland1 ,president of the ,board of ,trade1 was favourable to the proposal of the loan2 and ,sir ,joseph ,banks1 the ,vice-,president1 having entered warmly into the measure1 and at a meeting of the #gth ,june1 urged its necessity so strongly1 that the ,board desired a ,memorial to be presented on the following points3--,of the coast to be subjected to the ,duty of the ,northern ,lights1 by the erection of the ,bell ,rock light-house2--of the trade and mercantile interest to pay this additional duty2--of the security to be given to ,government for the repayment of the loan of ,l4 #be1jjj2--;and of the assurance to be given1 that this sum1 together with the surplus funds in the possession of the ,commissioners1 would accomplish a building of so much hazard4 ,the following ,memorial was accordingly presented4 8,to the ,right ,hon4 the ,lords of the ,committee of ,council1 relating to ,trade1--,the ,humble ,memorial of the ,commissioners1 for erecting ,light-,houses on the ,northern parts of ,great ,britain2 ,sheweth1 ,sidenote3 ,memorial to the ,board of ,trade4 8,that the memorialists have taken the liberty of stating1 in a former ,memorial hereunto annexed1 the reasons that have induced them to apply to the ,lords ,commissioners of his ,majesty's ,treasury1 for their support to an application to ,parliament1 for the loan of so much money as will enable them to build a light-house upon the ,cape or ,bell ,rock1--an object of much consequence to the navigation of the ,north ,sea1 from the many fatal shipwrecks it has occasioned4 ,the ,memorialists have been much pressed and solicited by the commercial interest of the country1 to get this accomplished2 and by opening the ,firth of ,forth as a place of safety1 by the erection of this light-house1 the navigation of the northern coasts of the kingdom will be greatly facilitated4 8,it now appears1 by the accompanying ,custom-,house returns1 on an average of three years1 that the duties which would be received for a light-house on the ,bell ,rock would amount to ,l4 #bfag3c3i2 and by the accounts of the ,commissioners of ,northern ,lights1 annually laid before ,parliament1 it will be seen1 that the memorialists have of annual surplus duties ,l4 #acej1 amounting together to ,l4 #cifg1 which1 it is thought1 will be considered a sufficient security for the interest of the sum that may be advanced by the public4 8,on erecting a light-house on the ,bell ,rock1 the ,commissioners1 by the existing acts1 would be empowered to levy the above duties of ,l4 #bfag1 #cs4 #i;d42 and it appears by the representations from the ports more immediately interested1 that they highly approve of the measure4 8,the memorialists have received several estimates of the expence of erecting a light-house upon the ,bell ,rock4 ,they have more particularly had recourse to the professional abilities and advice of ,mr ,rennie and ,mr ,stevenson1 ,civil ,engineers1 from whose reports they have reason to believe that the sum will not exceed ,l4 #dh1jjj4 ,the memorialists have already in the #c per cent4 consols ,l4 #bh1jjj of surplus duties1 7about ,l4 #af1hjj74 ,if the public1 therefore1 are induced to advance ,l4 #be1jjj by instalments in the course of three years1 making together about ,l4 #da1hjj1 the memorialists presume1 that1 with the application of the whole surplus duties for a time1 this sum will be perfectly sufficient to enable them to complete a work so long recommended1 and so anxiously desired40 7,for the statements above referred to1 see ,appendix1 ,no4 ,,iii47 ,sidenote3 ,sir ,joseph ,banks makes further exertions for the ,loan4 ,observations by the several members of the ,board of ,trade having been made upon this memorial1 it was more especially referred to ,sir ,joseph ,banks1 to give an opinion1 as having himself sailed along that coast4 ,sir ,joseph1 knowing from experience the horrors of sunken rocks1 supported the proposition of the loan1 not only as one of expediency1 but of necessity and humanity to the seafaring people of a great portion of the kingdom1 and gave his most decided and hearty concurrence to the recommendation to the ,treasury4 ,after describing the extensive advantages to be derived by shipping from the establishment of a light-house upon the ,bell ,rock1 he pointedly alluded to the probable loss of the ,york ,man-of-war upon it2 and observed1 that the security and facility to be derived to the extensive shipping of this coast1 should not be overlooked for the advance of so small a sum as ,l4 #be1jjj4 ,after the matter had been deliberated on for some time at the ,board1 ,lord ,auckland intimated to ,mr ,longlands1 and the author1 that a report would be made to the ,treasury4 ,sidenote3 ,bill ,read a first time in the ,house of ,commons4 ,this was communicated to the ,lord ,advocate1 who1 at an early day1 moved for leave to bring in a bill1 8,to enable the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses to levy certain duties upon the shipping1 and also to enable the ,lords of ,his ,majesty's ,treasury to grant a loan of ,l4 #be1jjj from the #c per cent4 consolidated fund for the erection of a light-house upon a certain dangerous sunken reef1 called the ,bell ,rock1 lying at the distance of twelve miles from the nearest land1 at the entrance of the ,friths of ,forth and ,tay1 upon the eastern coast of ,scotland40 ,his ,lordship had no sooner made the motion1 than ,lord ,henry ,petty1 then ,chancellor of the ,exchequer1 stated1 that he could not answer for the support which this bill might ultimately meet with from his ,majesty's ,ministers2--that he spoke not from his own knowledge of the subject1 but merely from the views of the ,first ,lord of the ,admiralty1 who had expressed his doubts as to the propriety of the loan in the then low state of his ,majesty's ,exchequer1 and the great demands which were made upon the country2 but that he did not mean to oppose the present motion1 only1 under these circumstances1 he thought it proper to state this much1 in absence of the noble ,lord alluded to4 ,leave having been given to bring in the bill1 it was accordingly read a first time4 ,sidenote3 ,second ,reading of the ,bill4 ,on the second reading of the bill1 the ,lord ,advocate introduced the business with his usual display of eloquence1 pointing out1 in forcible language1 the horrors of a sunken rock so situate as the ,bell ,rock2 and concluded1 by observing1 that1 as there could be but one opinion as to the important object of this bill1 he hoped1 through the exertions of the ,light-house ,board1 to which he had the honour to belong1 and of other public functionaries1 appointed for similar purposes1 on other parts of the coast1 the day would come1 when every sunken rock and dangerous shoal1 of similar importance to navigation1 would be distinctly pointed out to the mariner4 ,the only reply made was by ,mr ,spencer ,perceval1 who remarked1 that he had no intention to oppose the present measure1 the importance of which he would not call in question1 but he must agree with those who thought that this was not a favourable time for granting loans of public money4 ,the bill was then read a second time4 ,in its progress through the ,house of ,commons1 it was detained1 from various causes1 beyond the regular time4 ,the ,lord ,advocate had also unfortunately been taken ill2 but in his absence1 ,sir ,john ,sinclair attended to the bill in the ,committee1 of which he was chairman1 and brought up the following ,report3 ,report of the ,committee of the ,house of ,commons4 ,sidenote3 ,report of the ,committee4 ,sidenote3 ,report brought up by ,sir ,john ,sinclair4 8,the ,committee1 to whom was referred the ,petition of the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 and to report the matter to the ,house1 as it shall appear to them1 8,proceeded to examine ,mr ,,robert ,,stevenson1 ,civil ,engineer1 who1 in his capacity of engineer for the ,northern ,light-houses1 has erected six light-houses in the northern parts of the kingdom2 and has made the erection of a light-house on the ,cape or ,bell ,rock1 more particularly his study1--especially1 since the loss of about #gj sail of vessels1 in a storm which happened upon the coast in the month of ,december #agii1 by which numerous ships were driven from their course along the shore1 and from their moorings in ,yarmouth ,roads1 and other places of anchorage1 southward of the ,firth of ,forth1 and wrecked upon the eastern coast of ,scotland1 as referred to in the report made to this ,house1 in the month of ,july #ahjc2 the particulars of which he also confirms3 ,that the ,bell ,rock is most dangerously situate1 lying in a track which is annually navigated by no less than about #gjj1jjj tons of shipping1 besides his ,majesty's ships of war1 and revenue cutters3 ,that its place is not easily ascertained1 even by persons well acquainted with the coast1 being covered by the sea about half flood1 and the land-marks1 by which its position is ascertained1 being from #ab to #bj miles distant from the site of danger4 8,that from the inquiries he made at the time the ,york ,man-of-war was lost1 and pieces of her wreck having drifted ashore upon the opposite and neighbouring coast2 and from an attentive consideration of the circumstances which attend the wreck of ships of such dimensions1 he thinks it probable that the ,york must have struck upon the ,bell ,rock1 drifted off1 and afterwards sunk in deep water3 ,that he is well acquainted with the situation of the ,bell ,rock1 the yacht belonging to the light-house service1 having1 on one occasion1 been anchored near it for five days1 when he had an opportunity of landing upon it every tide3 ,that he has visited most of the light-houses on the coast of ,england1 ,wales and ,ireland1 particularly those of the ,eddystone1 the ,smalls1 and the ,kilwarlin or ,south ,rock1 which are built in situations somewhat similar to the ,bell ,rock3 ,that at high-water1 there is a greater depth on the ,bell ,rock than on any of these1 by several feet3 and he is therefore fully of opinion1 that a building of stone1 upon the principles of the ,eddystone light-house1 is alone suitable to the peculiar circumstances which attend this rock1 and has reported his opinion accordingly to the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses as far back as the year #ahjj2 and having given the subject all the attention in his power1 he has estimated the expence of erecting a building of stone upon it at the sum of ,l4 #db1fhe1 #hs4 8,your ,committee likewise examined ,mr ,,john ,,rennie1 civil-engineer1 who1 since the report made to this ,house in #ahjc1 has visited the ,bell ,rock1 who confirms the particulars in said report1 and entertains no doubt of the practicability of erecting a light-house on that rock1 is decidedly of opinion that a stone light-house will be the most durable and effectual1 and indeed the only kind of building that is suited to this situation3 ,that he has computed the expence of such a building1 and1 after making every allowance for contingencies1 from his own experience of works in the sea1 it appears to him that the estimate or expence will amount to ,l4 #da1hdc1 #aes4 8,it appears further to your ,committee1 from the accounts presented to this ,house by the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 in the years #ahjc1 #ahjd1 and #ahje1 that1 on an average of these years1 the surplus duties arising from the light-houses already erected by that ,board1 is ,l4 #eab3ah3h4 ,but your ,committee find1 that the average of general expenditure for these years has been higher than usual1 owing to the erection of additional light-houses1 viz4 one on the ,island of ,inchkeith1 in the ,firth of ,forth1 and a revolving light upon the ,start-,point of ,sanday1 one of the ,orkney ,islands1 on which there was expended1 during these years1 about ,l4 #dhjj1 causing an annual extra charge of ,l4 #afjj upon the duties collected in that period4 8,that1 agreeably to the act of the #bfth of the ,king1 the said ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses have invested in the public ,funds ,l4 #bh1jjj1 affording dividends to the annual amount of ,l4 #hdj4 8,that the duties that would be collected for the ,bell ,rock light1 as appears by the returns from the customs presented to this ,house1 and the resolution they have come to1 would amount to about ,l4 #bfag3 #c3 #i annually4 8,that if the sum of ,l4 #be1jjj was to be advanced1 by way of loan1 from the consolidated fund1 this1 with the ,l4 #bh1jjj now invested in the #c per cent4 ,consolidated ,annuities1 would enable the ,commissioners to erect the proposed light-house1 and that there would remain a sufficient fund for the payment of interest of the loan from the surplus duties1 as well as for the repayment of the principal1 in a reasonable time40 ,sidenote3 ,bill meets with some opposition at the third reading4 ,the bill passed through the ,committee of the ,commons without any impediment1 but1 on the third reading1 it met with some opposition in the ,house1 upon new and unexpected grounds4 ,one of the members for ,liverpool opposed the loan1 on the ground that that ,port maintained its own sea-lights1 and that the trade of the ,firth of ,forth ought also to support its lights4 ,but this objection was withdrawn1 upon explaining the position of the ,bell ,rock relatively to the ,firth of ,forth1 and the difficulty and expence of the proposed building1 and shewing that the collection of its ,light-duties were proportionally as much confined to the ,firth of ,forth1 though extending between ,berwick to the south1 and ,peterhead to the north1 as the more limited sphere of the ,liverpool lights were to the ports and havens in the ,mersey4 ,this difficulty was no sooner got over1 than the bill was likely to have met with another check1 from a clause which had been introduced1 exempting this work from the duty on stone carried coastwise1 which1 it was calculated1 would have amounted to between ,l4 #bjjj and ,l4 #cjjj4 ,this clause was withdrawn1 by the advice of ,mr ,vansittart1 ,secretary to the ,treasury1 as being improper to appear in the shape of an enactment4 ,sidenote3 ,is ,passed1 and receives the ,royal ,assent4 ,the bill then went through the third reading1 and passed the ,house ,commons on the #afth of ,july4 ,it was afterwards brought up to the ,house of ,lords1 where it went through the ,committee1 and the several readings2 and having received the ,royal ,assent1 became an act of the ,legislature4 ,the writer immediately returned to ,scotland1 with feelings of the greatest satisfaction1 on the accomplishment of a measure which1 in its tendency1 was so eminently calculated to meet the wishes of the mercantile interest of the country4 ,but1 along with these sensations1 there was also a degree of responsibility1 and a crowd of difficulties1 which still presented themselves1 in the execution of a work of so peculiar a nature4 ,hitherto this undertaking had been viewed only at a distance1 clogged with many previous obstacles1 which1 by the passing of the bill1 were removed2 and the whole measure now pressed fully upon his mind4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,pharos ,,floating ,,light-,,ship4--,,commencement ,,of ,,the ,,operations ,,on ,,the ,,bell-,,rock4--,,erection ,,of ,,the ,,beacon-,,house1 ,,and ,,further ,,progress ,,of ,,the ,,light-,,house ,,works ,,in #ahjg4 ,sidenote3 ,floating-,light4 ,the ,act of ,parliament1 by which the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses were empowered to undertake the works at the ,bell ,rock1 having only received the ,royal ,assent late in the month of ,july #ahjf1 there was not sufficient time for making the necessary preparations for their commencement that season4 ,but the writer1 on his return from ,london1 received instructions from the ,board to have such preliminary steps in view1 as would enable him to begin the operations early in the summer of #ahjg4 ,this being arranged1 he sailed in the month of ,august1 on his annual voyage1 for the inspection of the ,northern ,light-houses4 ,sidenote3 ,act provides for a ,floating-,light and ,beacon4 ,the bill for the ,bell ,rock ,light-house was drawn up1 under a strong impression of the uncertainty which must attend the whole of the works at the rock1 and doubts were accordingly entertained as to the estimated expence being adequate to the accomplishment of the undertaking4 ,a clause had1 therefore1 been introduced1 authorising the collection of the light-house duties of one penny halfpenny per register ton from ,british vessels1 and threepence per ton from foreigners1 8immediately upon mooring or anchoring a ship or vessel1 and exhibiting a floating or other light1 at or near the ,bell ,rock10 and 8half the amount of the said duties respectively10 on the erection of 8a proper beacon or distinguishing mark or object on the said ,bell ,rock40 ,the measures first in order were1 consequently1 to fit out and moor a floating-light and to erect a beacon on the ,bell ,rock1 that shipping might derive immediate advantage from them1 while the light-house was in progress2 and also that the funds of the ,board might1 as early as possible1 have the benefit of the additional duties4 ,we therefore proceed to give an account of the outfit and mooring of this vessel1 and of the erection of the beacon-house1 without attending strictly to the chronological order of the works4 ,the writer had frequent communications with the late ,captain ,huddart1 of the ,trinity-,house of ,london1 and other nautical men1 both as to the form of a vessel1 and the moorings proper for a situation like the ,bell ,rock3 here the depth of water could not be less than from seventeen to nineteen fathoms at the lowest tide1 whereas1 on the ,english coast1 the depth where floating lights are1 in general1 moored1 does not exceed seven or eight fathoms1 and their moorings1 consequently1 much more easily managed4 ,the writer had also visited the floating light of the ,nore1 at the entrance of the river ,thames2 and he was induced1 upon the whole1 to conclude1 that a vessel built after the manner and construction of the ,dutch fishing-doggers1 would be the most suitable for riding at anchor in the open sea1 and that her moorings should consist partly of an iron chain1 and partly of a hempen cable4 ,pharos ,floating ,light-ship4 ,sidenote3 ,fishing ,dogger purchased1 and named ,the ,pharos4 ,in the year #ahjf1 a great number of vessels were taken by our cruizers1 upon the coasts of ,holland1 ,denmark1 and ,norway1 many of which were carried into ,leith to be sold4 ,one of these1 a ,prussian1 which happened to be captured while fishing on the ,dogger ,bank1 was purchased for the ,bell ,rock service4 ,this vessel was of a flat construction1 rounded off both at the stem and stern1 agreeably to the ordinary make of these doggers4 ,she was called the ,tonge ,gerrit1 but was afterwards named the ,pharos1 in allusion to the celebrated ,pharos of ,alexandria4 ,she measured #fg feet in length1 and #af feet in breadth1 upon deck1 #h feet depth of hold1 and was #hb tons register4 ,it was1 however1 only the form of her hull that fitted her for our purpose2 her rigging and whole equipment having to undergo a complete alteration1 for the light-house service4 ,sidenote3 ,fitted out under the direction of the ,trinity-,house1 ,leith4 ,the establishing of a floating-light being quite new upon the coast of ,scotland1 and that every thing connected with this vessel might be done upon the best principles1 the writer procured the assistance of ,mr ,joseph ,webb1 an experienced pilot of ,yarmouth1 who had attended the fitting up of one of the floating lights stationed off that coast1 and who had been recommended by the ,trinity ,board of ,london as a person of skill1 for instructing the master of the vessel in all the details of the service4 ,several of the ,captains of the ,trinity-,house of ,leith also obligingly formed themselves into a committee1 and from time to time assisted in giving directions as to the necessary repairs and outfit of the vessel4 ,agreeably to this arrangement1 the ,prussian dogger was put into one of the graving docks of ,leith1 in the month of ,march #ahjg1 and underwent a complete examination1 when it was found that she required a few new timbers in her bottom2 and that to strengthen her upper works1 several new beams and additional knees were necessary4 ,her bottom had to be new trenailed and caulked1 and then sheathed with fir plank4 ,her ceiling1 or interior lining1 was also caulked1 and made water-tight1 in case of accident to the outer plank1 in the event of her breaking adrift1 and getting upon the ,bell ,rock4 ,her deck-plank and upper works were also entirely renewed2 and from stem to stern1 under deck1 her accommodations were laid out anew4 ,she was furnished with three masts1 of a length calculated to enable her to ride with as little incumbrance as possible in a storm2 the main-mast being only thirty-five feet above the deck1 while the fore and mizen masts were each twenty-five feet4 ,the rigging was also made of light cordage1 and she was provided with storm-sails1 to be used in the event of her breaking adrift in bad weather4 ,by the time1 therefore1 that this vessel came from the hands of the carpenters1 very little of the old work remained1 as nothing had been omitted1 which could1 in any manner1 add to her strength and durability4 ,she was fitted up with births for about thirty artificers1 besides her ordinary crew and officers1 amounting to thirteen in number1 independently of her hold for oil and stores of various descriptions4 ,in the distribution of these1 the fore-peak of the ship was allotted for the sailors2 the waist for the artificers2 and galley appropriated to the cooking of the victuals4 ,next to this1 a large cabin was set off for the master1 mate1 and principal light-keeper1 and for the foremen of the works2 while the after or stern part of the ship formed a cabin for the use of the engineer4 ,sidenote3 ,peculiar construction of ,lanterns4 ,the ,pharos was furnished with a large copper lantern for each mast1 containing ten lamps1 with small silver-plated reflectors1 ranged upon a chandelier1 moveable at pleasure1 in a horizontal direction1 for the conveniency of turning the lamps to trim them and clean the reflectors4 ,to make the vessel ride as easily as possible1 in a situation so exposed1 the lanterns were made of a peculiar construction1 so as to screw together upon the masts1 in two pieces1 longitudinally1 as represented in ,plate ,x41 ,figs4 #a1 #b1 and #c4 ,by these means1 the light could be seen in every direction1 without the necessity of suspending them in the usual manner from yards1 or other weighty apparatus1 which tend not only to obscure the light1 but also to make the ship ride heavily in bad weather4 ,sidenote3 ,construction of ,moorings4 ,the moorings of the floating light consisted of a large mushroom anchor1 of cast-iron1 weighing about a ton and a half1 and made with a shank and head1 resembling in form1 as nearly as may be1 the vegetable from which it takes its name4 ,this anchor was made with a malleable iron shank1 but latterly these mushroom anchors were made wholly of cast-iron1 as represented in ,plate ,x41 ,fig4 #d4 ,a chain of fifty fathoms in length1 was attached to the anchor1 made of inch and half bars of iron1 to which a hempen cable1 of #ad inches in circumference1 and #abj fathoms in length1 was connected1 to be veered out according to the state of the weather4 ,sidenote3 ,pharos is towed to the ,roads4 ,the ,pharos being ready for sea1 was1 on the #ith of ,july1 towed out of the harbour of ,leith to the ,roads1 by the ,light-house ,yacht1 a cutter-rigged vessel attached to the general service of the ,northern ,light-houses4 ,the ,yacht had the ,pharos' moorings on board1 and was appointed to conduct her to the ,bell ,rock1 and lay them down4 ,a curious enough circumstance took place1 when the crew of the floating-light was mustered1 before leaving the harbour3 two of the seamen having taken alarm1 at the destination of the ship1 and the nature of the service in which they were about to embark1 suddenly turned about1 and1 to the great surprise of their comrades1 ran with the utmost precipitation from the ship2 to which they never again returned4 ,their places1 however1 were supplied with others1 without much inconvenience4 ,sidenote3 ,committee of the ,trinity-,house go to the ,bell ,rock4 ,as the gentlemen of the ,trinity-house of ,leith1 had all along taken a particular interest in the fitting out of the floating-light1 the ,commissioners requested their assistance in fixing upon the precise spot in which she should be moored1 for the direction of ships passing the ,bell ,rock4 ,this they readily complied with1 suggesting1 at the same time1 that some of the shipmasters of ,arbroath1 who were locally acquainted with the coast1 should also be invited to give their opinion and advice upon this point4 ,a few of the most experienced ship-masters and merchants of ,arbroath were accordingly invited to come off1 when the floating light should make her appearance in their neighbourhood4 ,matters being thus arranged1 the writer went on board of the ,light-house ,yacht1 on the #ajth1 accompanied by ,mr ,thomas ,grindlay1 master of the ,trinity-house of ,leith1 with ,mr ,john ,hay1 and ,mr ,thomas ,ritchie1 ,assistant-,masters4 ,sidenote3 ,pharos sails for the ,bell ,rock4 ,at #h ,a4 ,m4 the ,pharos got under way in ,leith ,roads1 and sailed for her station at the ,bell ,rock1 under the command of ,mr ,george ,sinclair1 with a crew of twelve in number4 ,but as she sailed very heavily1 the ,yacht1 with her party1 did not follow till noon1 and about #b ,p4 ,m4 came up with her1 and took her in tow1 when it came to blow fresh breezes from ,,sw4 ,at #f1 both vessels anchored for the night on the eastern side of the ,isle of ,may1 as1 by continuing our course1 we should have reached the ,bell ,rock under night1 which was then an object of terror to every seaman1 and must have been attended with danger1 from its then undistinguished state4 ,sidenote3 ,committee from ,arbroath join the party4 ,while the ,yacht and ,pharos lay at anchor at the ,isle of ,may1 ,mr ,david ,balfour1 ,mr ,andrew ,duncan1 ,mr ,david ,cargill1 ,mr ,john ,fleming1 and ,mr ,william ,kidd1 as a ,committee from ,arbroath1 having hired a vessel1 left that place in the morning1 and hailed the ,yacht1 soon after she came to an anchor1 when some of their party joined us on board4 ,as the accommodations of the floating light were very ample1 having only the ship's company on board1 it was proposed that the whole party should meet in her1 and pass the night2 but she rolled from side to side1 in so extraordinary a manner1 that even the most sea-hardy of our number were content to remain in a state of separation1 rather than accept of the best birth in the floating light4 ,it was humorously observed of this vessel1 8that she was in some danger of making a round turn1 and appearing with her keel uppermost40 ,another said1 8she would roll out her masts20 and a third that she would 8even turn a halfpenny1 if laid upon deck40 ,these1 and such like remarks1 afforded much pleasantry on board of the ,light-house ,yacht1 and were suggested by the manner in which the ,pharos rolled and yawed about1 when compared with the more easy motion of the other vessels4 ,being then in light ballast trim to fit her for riding in bad weather1 and very flat in the bottom1 the smallest wave set her in motion1 when at anchor2 and when under way1 she was little better1 for she answered the helm with so much difficulty1 that a large decked ,praam-boat1 which she had in tow1 was upset in the passage from ,leith4 ,the writer is the more particular on this subject1 as the rolling motion of the floating-light became proverbial in the ,light-house service1 and continued a source of much trouble and uneasiness to all concerned1 especially while she was used as a tender or store-ship for the works4 ,sidenote3 ,pharos anchors in a temporary birth4 ,early in the morning of the #aath1 the vessels left their anchorage at the ,isle of ,may1 and sailed for the ,bell ,rock2 but on reaching it1 in the course of the forenoon1 the wind came to the eastward1 accompanied with thick hazy weather1 and drizzling showers of rain1 which so completely hid the distant landmarks from view1 that there was a necessity for ordering the ,pharos to come to an anchor with her best bower1 on the smoothest spot of ground that could be found1 until a change of weather should admit of her being moored in a proper manner4 ,the weather afterwards became so foggy that every object was lost sight of4 ,the vessel which had brought our friends from ,arbroath1 put into that harbour in the course of the evening1 but the ,light-house ,yacht kept at sea till the morning of the #abth1 when it came to blow so fresh1 that she also went into that harbour1 to wait a change of weather4 ,on the #adth1 it improved1 and the ,yacht again sailed for the ,bell ,rock4 ,on returning to the floating light1 we were happy to find that all was well on board1 though ,mr ,sinclair and ,mr ,webb1 the pilot1 complained that their anchorage was not very good1 as the bottom was hard1 and the soundings or particles brought up with the lead exhibited sharp coral and coarse gravel4 ,after plying about for some time with the ,yacht1 and sounding in every direction1 a place was at length fixed upon1 about a mile and a half in a north-westerly direction from the ,bell ,rock4 ,the ,yacht1 as before noticed1 having on board the floating-light's moorings1 anchored on the spot most approved of for laying them down4 ,sidenote3 ,in laying down her ,moorings1 the whole chain goes overboard4 ,some arrangements having been made among the nautical gentlemen1 as to the precise mode of going about this operation1 it was resolved to suspend the mushroom anchor over the gunwale of the ,yacht1 and before letting it into the water1 to bring the greater part of the chain upon deck1 taking the precaution to make the further end of it fast to the lower part of the mast1 in the vessel's hold1 with a very strong and perfectly new stopper1 or piece of rope1 measuring #g inches in circumference4 ,it was not doubted but that this strong rope would have held the chain against any strain that might have been brought upon it1 in the process of letting down the moorings4 ,but the mushroom-anchor was no sooner let go from the ship's tackle1 than the part of the chain which had been coiled upon deck went overboard with such velocity1 that it communicated a similar impetus to the remainder of the chain in the hold1 and the strain coming ultimately upon the stopper1 snapped through the several parts which fixed the end of the chain to the mast1 and1 consequently1 the whole went to the bottom with the mushroom-anchor4 ,sidenote3 ,moorings recovered with great difficulty4 ,this untoward circumstance greatly disconcerted and embarrassed the operations of mooring the floating-light1 as the chain had now to be fished or hooked at the bottom1 and raised from the depth of seventeen fathoms4 ,after many trials1 we at length succeeded in hooking it with a grappling-iron1 but as it happened to lay hold only a few fathoms from the anchor1 it required all the purchase-blocks and tackle of the ,yacht and ,pharos to raise it3 for the weight1 including the anchor1 and so large a portion of the chain1 could not be less than about three tons4 ,this operation was begun at mid-day1 and1 although the united force of the crews of both ships was fully mustered1 it was not till two o'clock on the following morning1--being a period of fourteen hours1--that the moorings were got up1 and the ,pharos brought alongside of the ,yacht1 to receive the hempen cable1 which was made fast to the clinch1 or great ring1 connected with the chain moorings4 ,the weather was fortunately the most favourable that could have been desired for this operation2 and it is impossible for the writer to describe the anxiety and exertions of all on board in getting this matter adjusted4 ,were he to judge by his own feelings1 he has no doubt that all on board would join in saying1 that it was one of the most painfully laborious days they had spent in the course of their existence4 ,for the space of about twenty hours1 the crews of both ships had never been off deck1 and during twelve of these the hand-spike1 or the tackle1 had not been five minutes together out of their hands1 as the refreshments which they got were served up at the windlass4 ,the same observations are literally applicable to the gentlemen of the quarter-deck1 who divided their attention severally to the different tackles and purchases employed in raising the moorings4 ,the perplexing and tedious business of mooring the floating-light having been happily got over1 it was judged necessary to see how she would ride at anchor for a time1 before advertising the light to the public4 ,the writer accordingly returned on board in the course of three weeks1 and examined the moorings1 which were found in good order4 ,the anchorage ground was also considered of a very proper description1 in so far as observations1 made during a tract of favourable weather1 had afforded the means of judging4 ,the vessel lay in an excellent position for the direction of shipping2 and being at this time only about a mile from the ,bell ,rock1 her situation as a hulk or store-ship for the light-house operations1 was as favourable as the relative position of the rock would admit4 ,in this state of things1 notice to the following effect was given in the newspapers1 for the direction of mariners1 and along with a copy of the notice1 a chart or sketch of the opposite coast was sent to the different ,custom-houses4 ,sidenote3 ,description of the ,floating-,light4 8,in virtue of an ,act of ,parliament of the #dfth year of ,geo4 ,,iii4 chap4 #acb4 authorising the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses to erect a ,light-house on the ,bell ,rock1 to place a floating light there1 and to collect duties thereupon1--notice is hereby given1 that a vessel1 fitted out for a floating-light1 is now moored off the ,cape or ,bell ,rock1 situate at the entrance of the ,friths of ,forth and ,tay1 in ,north ,lat4 #ef #bg1 and ,west ,long4 #b #bg4 8,the moorings of the floating-light consist of a mushroom anchor1 and chain1 laid down in #ag fathoms water1 the ,bell ,rock bearing1 by compass1 ,e4 ,s4 ,e4 distant one mile2 the ,red ,head1 ,n4 by ,e4 ,e4 distant thirteen miles2 ,fifeness1 ,s4 ,w4 ,w4 distant twelve miles2 and the island of ,may ,s4 ,w4 ,s4 distant seventeen miles4 8,a light from oil1 with reflectors1 will be exhibited upon the night of the #aeth day of ,september #ahjg1 and thereafter every night1 from the going away of day-light in the evening1 till the return of day-light in the morning4 ,to distinguish this light from the double lights at the entrance of the ,firth of ,tay1 and on the ,scares off the coast of ,northumberland1 and also from the single light on the ,island of ,may1 three distinct lights will be shown from the ,bell ,rock ,floating-light1 by a lantern hoisted to the top of each mast1 which will be visible from every point of the compass1 at the distance of from two to three leagues2 the lanterns on the fore and mizen masts being elevated #bc feet1 and that on the main mast #ca feet1 above the vessel's deck2 the lights1 when seen from either side of the ship1 have the appearance of a triangle1 but if seen end-on1 they appear as two lights1 the one above the other4 8,this vessel is called the ,pharos2 she was formerly a fishing dogger1 and appears like a ship under jury masts2 during the day-time1 a blue flag1 with a light-house in the field1 will be displayed from the main-mast2 and1 in thick and foggy weather1 a bell will be tolled1 night and day1 on board1 with an interval of about one minute4 8,although this vessel has been fitted out in the completest manner1 and every attention paid to mooring her properly1 yet1 as all floating-lights are liable to break adrift in tempestuous weather1 mariners are requested not to neglect their landmarks1 and to run with caution for the floating-light4 8,the ,pharos being also intended to answer the purpose of a store-ship1 while the light-house is building on the ,bell ,rock1 it may be found necessary1 in the course of the works1 to alter her present station1 of which due notice will be given40 ,commencement of the ,operations on the ,bell ,rock4 ,sidenote3 #ahjg1 ,august4 ,as the commencement of works of masonry1 requiring stones of large dimensions1 is unavoidably tedious1 especially in the collecting of materials1 we shall at present only notice1 that the ,light-house ,board having resolved on the use partly of granite and partly of sandstone1 for the erection at the ,bell ,rock1 measures were duly taken for procuring a supply of the former from the quarry of ,rubeslaw near ,aberdeen1 and of the latter from ,mylnefield near ,dundee4 ,but1 instead of following out this part of our subject in its order1 we shall first proceed to a detail of the operations afloat1 as they may be termed1 or of the works upon the rock itself1 during the season of #ahjg1--particularly of the erection of the principal beams of the beacon-house1 or temporary residence for the artificers on the rock1 and of the progress made in the preparation of the foundation or site of the main building4 ,sidenote3 ,sloop ,smeaton4 ,we therefore observe1 that a vessel had been built at ,leith1 in the course of the spring1 expressly for the ,bell ,rock service1 to be employed as a tender for the floating-light1 and as a stone-lighter for the use of the work4 ,this vessel was launched in the month of ,june2 she measured #dj tons register1 was rigged as a sloop1 and fitted in all respects in the strongest manner1 to adapt her as much as possible for the perilous service in which she was to be employed4 ,she was called ,the ,smeaton1--a name which the writer had great pleasure in suggesting1 as a mark of respect for the memory of the celebrated engineer of the ,eddystone ,light-house1 whose narrative was to become a kind of text-book for the ,bell ,rock operations4 ,the ,smeaton was ready for sea in the beginning of ,august1 and reached ,arbroath upon the #eth day of that month4 ,arbroath being the most contiguous harbour to the ,bell ,rock1 naturally pointed out itself as the proper place for establishing the works1 and preparing the materials1 before shipping them for the rock4 ,the writer had1 accordingly1 been here for some time1 making the necessary preparations2 and when the ,smeaton arrived1 he found himself in a condition for commencing the operations1 in a systematic manner1 upon the rock itself4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,positions of the ,light-,house and ,beacon fixed on4 ,the floating-light rode in safety at her moorings1 and had hitherto been supplied with necessaries by the ,yacht belonging to the general service of the ,light-house ,board4 ,in this vessel1 occasional trips had also been made to the rock2 but on the arrival of the ,smeaton1 the ,yacht sailed on a voyage1 with stores for the use of the ,northern ,light-houses4 ,in these preliminary trips1 the writer had fixed1 in his own mind1 upon the parts of the rock most favourable for the position of the light-house1 and on the south-west of it1 he chose the site of the beacon-house1 that it might be sheltered1 in some measure1 from the breach of the north-east sea2 and by placing them contiguous1 or about twenty-five feet apart1 they admitted of a ready communication with each other in the more advanced stages of the work4 ,sidenote3 #ahjg1 #gth ,august4 ,sidenote3 ,first trip of the ,artificers to the ,bell ,rock4 ,the ,smeaton having got on board necessaries for the floating-light1 and three sets of chain-moorings with mushroom-anchors1 and large floating buoys1 the writer sailed on another preliminary visit to the ,bell ,rock on the #gth day of ,august1 carrying with him ,mr ,peter ,logan1 foreman builder1 and five artificers1 selected1 on this occasion1 from their having been somewhat accustomed to the sea2 the writer being aware of the distressing trial which the floating-light would necessarily inflict upon landsmen1 from her rolling motion4 ,here he remained till the #ajth1 and as the weather was favourable1 a landing was effected daily1 when the workmen were employed in cutting the large sea-weed from the sites of the light-house and beacon1 which were respectively traced with pick-axes upon the rock4 ,in the mean time1 the crew of the ,smeaton was employed in laying down the several sets of moorings within about half a mile of the rock1 for the conveniency of vessels riding at the buoys by a hawser1 instead of letting go an anchor1 which1 in that situation1 could seldom have been purchased or lifted again1 as it would constantly have hooked the rocky bottom1 a disadvantage to which the mushroom anchor1 from its figure and construction1 is not liable1 as will be understood by examining the diagram representing it in ,plate ,x4 ,fig4 #d4 ,the artificers having fortunately experienced moderate weather1 returned to the work-yard at ,arbroath1 with a good report of their treatment afloat2 when their comrades ashore began to feel some anxiety to see a place of which they had heard so much1 and to change the constant operation with the iron and mallet in the process of hewing1 for an occasional tide's work on the rock1 which they figured to themselves as a state of comparative ease and comfort4 ,sidenote3 ,rate of ,artificers' wages fixed on4 ,in answer to some advances which had been made on this subject by the artificers1 the foreman was instructed to select fourteen of the stone-cutters1 who had been accustomed to the use of the pick-axe1 and to boring or drilling holes with a jumper1 after the manner of quarriers1 to go off to the rock in the course of a few days4 ,when these men1 however1 came to be spoken to more closely1 some of them were disposed to hold their services rather at a high rate1 demanding two guineas per week if they were to find their own provisions1 and ,l4 #a1 #ajs4 if provisions were found to them4 ,but they were informed1 that the nominal rate of wages was to be ,l4 #a per week1 being the same for those employed at the rock1 as for those in the work-yard at ,arbroath4 ,the artificers at the rock were1 in addition1 to have their provisions1 with certain premiums1 to be arranged in the further progress of the work1 particularly for each tide's work on ,sunday1 which was to be accounted and paid for as a day's work4 ,after a good deal of trouble1 two or three of the men acceded to the foreman's proposals1 others refused to engage themselves1 excepting at the highest rate2 while a third party objected only to working on ,sunday4 ,in any agreement to be entered into1 it was held as an express condition1 8,that every man who embarked for the work at the ,bell ,rock1 should remain for the space of four weeks1 without returning ashore40 ,those chiefly wanted at this time were masons from ,aberdeen1 who were accustomed to the use of the boring-iron and pick1 in working granite4 ,being engaged only from week to week in the work-yard1 they were desirous of knowing the reason for remaining a month at the rock2 when they were informed that it was not unlikely some of them might suffer from sea sickness1 and wearying of confinement on board of ship1 might wish to return ashore1 which would be attended with much inconveniency to the work1 by too frequent a change of hands4 ,they were further told1 that1 by continuing for one month afloat1 they would1 in the course of that time1 become so sea-hardy as probably to feel no desire to return till the end of the working-season1 which1 at this advanced period1 could not last for many weeks4 ,this condition was considered of importance in the commencement of the work1 and it was the more readily agreed to1 as the writer assured them that he should himself remain with them during that period4 ,as one condition1 however1 had been made to the ,aberdeen masons1 they felt no hesitation in proposing another on their own part1 and they accordingly handed the following offer of service1 addressed to the foreman1 dated #abth ,august #ahjg1 which1 from the tenor of the document1 we shall here insert4 ,sidenote3 ,letter from the ,aberdeen ,masons4 8,in consequence of our communing with one another concerning the ,bell ,rock1 we hereby agree to stay with you from the above date1 till ,august #ahjh1 being twelve months certain1 and to take our turn at whatever work may start up concerning the ,bell ,rock business1--only1 it is to be understood1 that the rest of the masons must take turn and turn about with us3 the terms of our agreement to be #bjs4 per week1 summer and winter1 wet and dry1 with free quarters ashore1 and likewise our victuals when we are at the rock4--,as for the ,sunday's work and premiums1 we leave that to the honour of our employers4 7,signed7 ,william ,bonyman1 ,john ,bruce1 ,john ,cruickshanks1 ,alexander ,sherif1 ,john ,bonyman1 ,alexander ,davidson1 ,james ,macdonald1 ,robert ,ferres1 ,john ,mason1 ,william ,chalmers40 ,every thing being arranged for sailing to the rock on ,saturday the #aeth1 the vessel might have proceeded on the ,sunday2 but understanding that this would not be so agreeable to the artificers it was deferred until ,monday4 ,here we cannot help observing1 that the men allotted for the operations at the rock seemed to enter upon the undertaking with a degree of consideration1 which fully marked their opinion as to the hazardous nature of the undertaking on which they were about to enter4 ,they went in a body to church on ,sunday1 and whether it was in the ordinary course1 or designed for the occasion1 the writer is not certain1 but the service was1 in many respects1 suitable to their circumstances4 ,indeed1 the ,reverend ,mr ,,gleg1 the minister of the parish1 was in the constant habit of enquiring after the success and safety of the works4 ,throughout this day the weather was remarkably serene1 and the best hopes were entertained of a favourable tract of weather1 which the inhabitants of ,arbroath were disposed to consider as an omen of good fortune4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #agth4 ,sidenote3 ,twenty-four ,artificers embark for the ,rock4 ,the tide happening to fall late in the evening of ,monday the #agth1 the party1 counting twenty-four in number1 embarked on board of the ,smeaton about #aj o'clock ,p4 ,m41 and sailed from ,arbroath with a gentle breeze at west4 ,our ship's colours having been flying all day in compliment to the commencement of the work1 the other vessels in the harbour also saluted1 which made a very gay appearance4 ,a number of the friends and acquaintances of those on board having been thus collected1 the piers1 though at a late hour1 were perfectly crowded1 and just as the ,smeaton cleared the harbour1 all on board united in giving three hearty cheers1 which were returned by those on shore in such good earnest1 that1 in the still of the evening1 the sound must have been heard in all parts of the town1 re-echoing from the walls and lofty turrets of the venerable ,abbey of ,aberbrothwick4 ,the writer felt much satisfaction at the manner of this parting scene2 though he must own1 that the present rejoicing was1 on his part1 mingled with occasional reflections upon the responsibility of his situation1 which extended to the safety of all who should be engaged in this perilous work4 ,with such sensations he retired to his cabin2 but as the artificers were rather inclined to move about the deck than to remain in their confined births below1 his repose was transient1 and the vessel being small1 every motion was necessarily heard4 ,some who were musically inclined occasionally sung2 but he listened with peculiar pleasure to the sailor at the helm1 who hummed over ,dibdin's characteristic air1 8,they say there's a ,providence sits up aloft1 ,to keep watch for the life of ,poor ,jack40 ,erection of the ,beacon-,house4 ,the weather had been very gentle all night1 and1 about four in the morning of the #ahth1 the ,smeaton anchored on the spot where it was intended to lay down an additional set of chain-moorings which she had on board4 ,agreeably to an arranged plan of operations1 all hands were called at #e o'clock1 ,a4 ,m41 just as the highest part of the ,bell ,rock began to shew its sable head among the light breakers1 which occasionally whitened with the foaming sea4 ,the two boats belonging to the floating-light attended the ,smeaton1 to carry the artificers to the rock1 as her boat could only accommodate about six or eight sitters4 ,every one was more eager than his neighbour to leap into the boats1 and it required a good deal of management on the part of the coxswains1 to get men unaccustomed to a boat1 to take their places for rowing and at the same time trimming her properly4 ,the landing-master and foreman went into one boat1 while the writer took charge of another1 and steered it to and from the rock4 ,this became the more necessary in the early stages of the work1 as places could not be spared for more than two1 or at most three seamen to each boat1 who were always stationed1 one at the bow1 to use the boat-hook in fending or pushing off1 and the other at the aftermost oar1 to give the proper time in rowing1 while the middle oars were double banked1 and rowed by the artificers4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #ahth4 ,sidenote3 ,commence work at #f ,a4 ,m4 ,as the weather was extremely fine1 with light airs of wind from the east1 we landed without difficulty upon the central part of the rock at half-past #e1 but the water had not yet sufficiently left it for commencing the work4 ,this interval1 however1 did not pass unoccupied2 the first and last of all the principal operations at the ,bell ,rock were accompanied by three hearty cheers from all hands1 and1 on occasions like the present1 the steward of the ship attended1 when each man was regaled with a glass of rum4 ,as the water left the rock about #f1 some began to bore the holes for the great bats or holdfasts1 for fixing the beams of the ,beacon-house1 while the smith was fully attended in laying out the site of his forge1 upon a somewhat sheltered spot of the rock1 which also recommended itself from the vicinity of a pool of water for tempering his irons4 ,these preliminary steps occupied about an hour1 and as nothing further could be done during this tide towards fixing the forge1 the workmen gratified their curiosity1 by roaming about the rock1 which they investigated with great eagerness till the tide overflowed it4 ,those who had been sick picked dulse 7,fucus palmatus71 which they ate with much seeming appetite2 others were more intent upon collecting limpets for bait1 to enjoy the amusement of fishing when they returned on board of the vessel4 ,indeed none came away empty handed1 as every thing found upon the ,bell ,rock was considered valuable1 being connected with some interesting association4 ,several coins1 and numerous bits of shipwrecked iron were picked up1 of almost every description2 and1 in particular1 a marking-iron lettered ,,james1--a circumstance of which it was thought proper to give notice to the public1 as it might lead to the knowledge of some unfortunate shipwreck1 perhaps unheard of till this simple occurrence led to the discovery4 ,when the rock began to be overflowed1 the landing-master arranged the crews of the respective boats1 appointing twelve persons to each4 ,according to a rule1 which the writer had laid down to himself1 he was always the last person who left the rock4 ,another maxim was1 to allow the landing-master's boat to proceed about twice or three times her own length a-head of the other boats1 that in case of accident he might be ready to assist2 and when he had thus cleared the rock1 he waited till the others got out of the respective creeks2 after which they proceeded in company4 ,upon the present occasion1 the boats reached the tender about half-past #h1 after having been two hours upon the rock1 and three hours absent from the ship4 ,in a short time1 the ,bell ,rock was laid completely under water1 and the weather being extremely fine1 the sea was so smooth1 that its place could not be pointed out from the appearance of the surface1--a circumstance which sufficiently demonstrates the dangerous nature of this rock1 even during the day1 and in the smoothest and calmest state of the sea4 ,during the interval between the morning and the evening tides1 the artificers were variously employed in fishing and reading1 others were busy in drying and adjusting their wet clothes1 and one or two amused their companions with the violin and ,german-flute4 ,sidenote3 ,method of fixing iron-bats into the ,rock4 ,about #g in the evening the signal bell for landing on the rock was again rung1 when every man was at his quarters4 ,in this service it was thought more appropriate to use the bell than to pipe to quarters1 as the use of this instrument is less known to the mechanic than the sound of the bell4 ,the landing1 as in the morning1 was at the eastern harbour4 ,during this tide1 the sea-weed was pretty well cleared from the site of the operations1 and also from the tracks leading to the different landing-places2 for walking upon the rugged surface of the ,bell ,rock1 when covered with sea-weed1 was found to be extremely difficult1 and even dangerous4 ,every hand that could possibly be occupied1 was now employed in assisting the smith to fit up the apparatus for his forge4 ,the frame-work of iron1 forming the hearth1 was now got into its place2 and the four legs which supported it were let into holes1 bored from six to twelve inches into the rock1 according to the inequalities of the site3 and then firmly wedged1 first with wood1 and then with iron1 a method followed in all the operations of batting at the ,bell ,rock1 and found greatly preferable to running in melted lead4 ,the block of timber for supporting the anvil was fixed in the same manner1 on which the anvil was simply laid1 without any other fixture than the small stud1 fitted as usual into its seat1 depending upon the gravity of the mass for preserving its place against the effects of the sea4 ,in this state things were left on the rock at #i ,p4 ,m41 when the boats returned to the tender1 after other two hours work1 in the same order as formerly1 perhaps as much gratified with the success that attended the work of this day1 as with any other in the whole course of the operations4 ,although it could not be said that the fatigues of this day had been great1 yet all on board retired early to rest4 ,the sea being calm1 and no movement on deck1 it was pretty generally remarked in the morning1 that the bell awakened the greater number on board from their first sleep2 and1 though this observation was not altogether applicable to the writer himself1 yet he was not a little pleased to find1 that thirty people could all at once become so reconciled to a night's quarters within a few hundred paces of the ,bell ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #aith4 ,sidenote3 ,landing-master's duty4 ,it was a rule laid down and adhered to by the writer1 throughout the whole of the ,bell ,rock works1 that1 as far as possible1 the charge should be arranged into departments4 ,it therefore fell to the officer termed the ,landing-master1 who was also master of the ,floating-light1 to take the responsibility of the safe and proper landing of the artificers and materials upon the rock4 ,with him1 the writer generally arranged the business of the following day2 his crew watched the ebbing of the water1 and the appearance of the rock1 and from the state of the weather1 he judged of the proper time for causing the signal bell to be rung1 when the boats were to leave the ship for the rock4 ,it was also a special injunction laid upon him to say1 from the state of the weather1 when it was necessary for the boats to leave the rock and return to the tender4 ,sidenote3 ,indications of the weather4 ,being extremely anxious at this time to get forward with fixing the smith's forge1 on which the progress of the work at present depended1 the writer requested that he might be called at day-break to learn the landing-master's opinion of the weather1 from the appearance of the rising sun1 a criterion by which experienced seamen can generally judge pretty accurately of the state of the weather for the following day4 ,about #e o'clock1 on coming upon deck1 the sun's upper limb or disk had just begun to appear1 as if rising from the ocean2 and in less than a minute he was seen in the fullest splendour2 but after a short interval he was enveloped in a soft cloudy sky1 which was considered emblematical of fine weather4 ,his rays had not yet sufficiently dispelled the clouds which hid the land from view1 and the ,bell ,rock being still overflowed1 the whole was one expanse of water4 ,this scene in itself was highly gratifying2 and when the morning bell was tolled1 we were gratified with the happy forebodings of good weather1 and the expectation of having both a morning and an evening tide's work on the rock4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #aith4 ,the boats left the ship at a quarter before #g this morning1 and landed upon the rock at #g4 ,the water had gone off the rock sooner than was expected1 for1 as yet1 the seamen were but imperfectly acquainted with its periodic appearance1 and the landing-master being rather late with his signal this morning1 the artificers were enabled to proceed to work without a moment's delay4 ,the boat which the writer steered happened to be the last which approached the rock at this tide2 and1 in standing up in the stern1 while at some distance1 to see how the leading boat entered the creek1 he was astonished to observe something in the form of a human figure1 in a reclining posture1 upon one of the ledges of the rock3 he immediately steered the boat through a narrow entrance to the eastern harbour1 with a thousand unpleasant sensations in his mind4 ,he thought a vessel or boat must have been wrecked upon the rock during the night2 and it seemed probable that the rock might be strewed with dead bodies1 a spectacle which could not fail to deter the artificers from returning so freely to their work4 ,even one individual found in this situation1 would naturally cast a damp upon their minds1 and1 at all events1 make them much more timid in their future operations4 ,in the midst of these reveries1 the boat took the ground at an improper landing place2 but1 without waiting to push her off1 he leapt upon the rock1 and making his way hastily to the spot which had privately given him alarm1 he had the satisfaction to ascertain1 that he had only been deceived by the peculiar situation and aspect of the smith's anvil and block1 which very completely represented the appearance of a lifeless body upon the rock4 ,the writer carefully suppressed his feelings1 the simple mention of which might have had a bad effect upon the artificers1 and his haste passed for an anxiety to examine the apparatus of the smith's forge1 left in an unfinished state at the evening tide4 ,sidenote3 ,dangerous situation in foggy weather4 ,after an excellent tide's work of three hours at the forge1 and boring the bat-holes for fixing the ,beacon-house1 we again took to our boats1 and left the rock at #aj o'clock1 the one boat preceding and waiting for the other till it cleared the rock1 as formerly4 ,in the course of this morning's work1 two or three apparently distant peals of thunder were heard1 and the atmosphere suddenly became thick and foggy4 ,but as the ,smeaton1 our present tender1 was moored at no great distance from the rock1 the crew on board continued blowing with a horn1 and occasionally fired a musket1 so that the boats got to the ship without difficulty4 ,the occurrence of thick weather1 however1 became a serious consideration1 in looking forward to the necessary change of quarters to the ,pharos1 distant about one mile from the rock1 instead of a few hundred yards1 as in the case of the ,smeaton4 ,sidenote3 ,artificers amuse themselves with fishing4 ,the continuation of the thick and foggy weather was transient1 being what seamen term an easterly hoar1 arising from the heat of the weather1 which disappeared soon after mid-day4 ,the weather being clear in the evening1 the boats landed again at half-past #f o'clock1 when the artificers were employed for two hours1 as in the morning1 and returned again to the ship about a quarter past #h4 ,the remainder of the day-light was eagerly spent in catching fish1 which were got1 at this time1 in great abundance1 both alongside of the vessel and in the boats at a distance2 and in the course of an hour about five dozen of codlings were caught1 which not only afforded an agreeable relaxation1 but afforded a plentiful dish of fish for the different messes on board4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #bjth4 ,sidenote3 ,complete the fixing of the smith's forge4 ,the wind this morning inclined from the north-east1 and the sky had a heavy and cloudy appearance1 but the sea was smooth1 though there was an undulating motion on the surface1 which indicated easterly winds1 and occasioned a slight surf upon the rock4 ,but the boats found no difficulty in landing at the western creek at half-past #g1 and1 after a good tide's work1 left it again about a quarter from #aa4 ,in the evening the artificers landed at half-past #g1 and continued till half-past #h1 having completed the fixing of the smith's forge1 his vice1 and a wooden board or bench1 which were also batted to a ledge of the rock1 to the great joy of all1 under a salute of three hearty cheers4 ,from an oversight on the part of the smith1 who had neglected to bring his tinder-box and matches from the vessel1 the work was prevented from being continued for at least an hour longer4 ,sidenote3 ,valuable services of the smith at the ,bell ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,much wanted at the ,eddystone4 ,it may here be proper to notice1 that although a considerable quantity of jumpers or boring-irons1 picks1 and other quarry-tools1 had been brought1 in good order1 for the use of the work2 yet1 from the extent of work in preparing the foundations1 together with the hard and compact nature of the sandstone1 of which the ,bell ,rock is composed1 the tools soon became blunt1 and the work must have often been completely at a stand1 had it not been for the conveniency of having a smith and his forge so near at hand4 ,the writer doubts not that his readers may be at a loss to account for the operation of the bellows and other apparatus upon a sunken rock1 and it may therefore be necessary1 in the accompanying description of the plates of this work1 to give some explanation of this arcanum of ,vulcan1 on which the work had so great a dependence4 ,the smith's shop1 represented in ,plate ,,xi4 was of course in open space3 the large bellows were carried to and from the rock every tide1 for the serviceable condition of which1 together with the tinder-box1 fuel and embers of the former fire1 the smith was held responsible4 ,those who have been placed in situations to feel the inconveniency and want of this useful artizan1 will be able to appreciate his value in a case like the present4 ,mr ,smeaton often felt the want of a forge permanently upon the rock1 and had the foundation of the ,eddystone ,light-house required more extensive preparations1 this useful implement could hardly have been dispensed with2 but the ,eddystone rock was so small as hardly to have room for it1 in addition to other no less necessary apparatus4 ,could the operations of the blacksmith1 at the ,bell ,rock1 have been continued1 from the commencement of the operations1 even for half an hour longer every tide than the pickmen or quarriers1 it would have added much to the facilities and progress of the work4 ,but a stage or platform1 in that case1 must have been erected1 to which there were a number of intervening obstacles1 that more than counter-balanced the temporary inconveniency felt from the want of this additional time4 ,it often happened1 to our annoyance and disappointment1 in the early state of the work1 when the smith was in the middle of a favourite heat1 in making some useful article1 or in sharpening the tools1 after the flood-tide had obliged the pickmen to strike work1 a sea would come rolling over the rocks1 dash out the fire1 and endanger his indispensable implement the bellows2 or if the sea was smooth1 while the smith often stood at work knee-deep in water1 the tide rose by imperceptible degrees1 first cooling the exterior of the fire-place1 or hearth1 and then quietly blackening and extinguishing the fire from below4 ,the writer has frequently been amused at the perplexing anxiety of the blacksmith1 when coaxing his fire1 and endeavouring to avert the effects of the rising tide4 ,in this state of things1 the erection of the ,beacon was looked forward to as a happy period1 when the smith should be removed above the reach of the highest tides4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #bast4 ,sidenote3 ,seals desert the ,bell ,rock4 ,the weather still continued to be very fine2 though the winds were variable1 they rather prevailed from the eastward1 and were occasionally accompanied with a hazy atmosphere1 inclining to fog4 ,the boats landed to-day upon the rock at half-past #g o'clock ,a4 ,m41 and left it at a quarter past #aa1 the artificers having had an excellent tide's work of three hours and three-quarters4 ,every thing connected with the forge being now completed1 the artificers found no want of sharp tools1 and the work went forward with great alacrity and spirit4 ,it was also alleged that the rock had a more habitable appearance1 from the volumes of smoke which ascended from the smith's shop2 and the busy noise of his anvil2 the operations of the masons2 the movements of the boats1 and shipping at a distance1 all contributed to give life and activity to the scene4 ,this noise and traffic had1 however1 the effect of almost completely banishing the herd of seals which had hitherto frequented the rock as a resting place1 during the period of low water4 ,though these animals were thus prevented from reposing upon the higher parts of the rock1 yet they ventured1 for a time1 to lie upon the more detached outlayers which dry partially3 here they seemed to look with that sort of curiosity which is observable in these animals when following a boat4 ,but after the smith established himself1 it was rare to see more than one or two of these amphibious animals about the rock1 which seemed to be peculiarly adapted to their habits2 for1 excepting two or three days at neap tides1 a part of it always dries at low water1 at least during the summer season2 and as there was good fishing ground in the neighbourhood1 without a human being to disturb or molest them1 it had become a very favourite residence of the seal1 if we may judge from their numbers1 the writer having occasionally counted from fifty to sixty of these animals playing about the rock at a time4 ,but when they came to be disturbed every tide1 and their seclusion was broke in upon by the kindling of great fires1 together1 with the beating of hammers and picks during low water1 after hovering about for a time1 they changed their place1 and seldom more than one or two were to be seen about the rock4 ,the writer felt a desire to protect these animals1 with a view to observe their habits1 and in hopes of taming them1 at least so far as he had observed was done at the ,small's ,light-house1 off the coast of ,pembrokeshire1 another favourite resort of seals1 where1 by gentle treatment1 they have become so tame and familiar as to eat bread out of the hands of the light-keepers4 ,but here1 indeed1 they constantly find a resting place1 as some of the ,small's rocks are always above water4 ,sidenote3 ,progress of the work4 ,sidenote3 ,hampered state of the artificers4 ,we had now been six days out from ,arbroath1 and1 in that time1 had the good fortune to have seven successive tides' work upon the rock1 during which1 the smith's forge had been fixed1 and twelve holes of #b inches in diameter and #ah inches in depth1 had been bored or drilled into the rock1 in the process of excavating the bat or stanchion-holes for fixing the principal beams of the ,beacon-house4 ,hitherto the artificers had remained on board of the ,smeaton1 which was made fast to one of the mooring buoys1 at the distance only of about a quarter of a mile from the rock1 and of course a very great conveniency to the work4 ,being so near1 the seamen could never be mistaken as to the progress of the tide1 or state of the sea upon the rock1 nor could the boats be much at a loss to pull on board of the vessel during fog1 or even in very rough weather2 as she could be cast loose from her moorings at pleasure1 and brought to the lee side of the rock4 ,but the ,smeaton being only about forty register tons1 her accommodations were extremely limited4 ,it may1 therefore1 be easily imagined1 that an addition of twenty-four persons to her own crew1 must have rendered the situation of those on board rather uncomfortable4 ,this vessel served as a tender only in fine weather1 with the assistance of the boats of the floating-light1 for she could not stow boats sufficiently large for attending the rock with such a complement of artificers4 ,the only place for the men's hammocks on board being in the hold1 they were unavoidably much crowded2 and if the weather had required the hatches to be fastened down1 so great a number of men could not possibly have been accommodated4 ,to add to this evil1 the co-boose or cooking place being upon deck1 it would not have been possible to have cooked for so large a company in the event of bad weather4 ,the stock of water was now getting short1 and some necessaries being also wanted for the floating-light1 the ,smeaton was dispatched for ,arbroath2 and the writer with the artificers1 at the same time1 shifted their quarters from her to the floating-light4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #bb;d4 ,sidenote3 ,inconveniencies of the ,pharos as a tender4 ,the operations still continued to be favoured with pleasant weather2 to-day there were light airs of wind from south-east1 and the morning bell was rung at #f4 ,although the rock barely made its appearance at this period of the tides till #h o'clock1 yet1 having now a full mile to row from the floating-light to the rock1 instead of about a quarter of a mile from the moorings of the ,smeaton1 it was necessary to be earlier astir1 and to form different arrangements2 breakfast was accordingly served up at #g o'clock this morning4 ,from the excessive motion of the floating-light1 the writer had looked forward rather with anxiety to the removal of the workmen to this ship4 ,some among them1 who had been congratulating themselves upon having become sea-hardy while on board of the ,smeaton1 had a complete relapse on returning to the floating-light4 ,this was also the case with the writer4 ,from the spacious and convenient birthage of the floating-light1 the exchange to the artificers was1 in this respect1 much for the better4 ,the boats were also commodious1 measuring sixteen feet in length on the keel1 so that1 in fine weather1 their complement of sitters was sixteen persons for each1 with which1 however1 they were rather crowded1 but she could not stow two boats of larger dimensions4 ,when there was what is called a breeze of wind1 and a swell in the sea1 the proper number for each boat could not1 with propriety1 be rated at more than twelve persons4 ,the act of getting into or out of a boat1 when alongside of the floating-light1 was at all times attended with more or less difficulty2 her rolling motion was so great1 that the gunwale1 though about five feet above the surface of the water1 she dipped nearly into it1 upon the one side1 while her keel could not be far from the surface on the other4 ,this was her state1 even in moderate weather1 in certain directions of the wind1 especially for the period of about an hour1 when she was thwarting to the tide1 or rode in what sailors call the trough of the sea4 ,the act of getting on board was then attended with great difficulty1 even to seamen1 and was particularly so to landmen1 requiring all the attention which the landing-master could bestow1 in getting the artificers safely transferred from the boats to the ship1 and vice versa4 ,sidenote3 ,difficulty of getting on board and leaving the ,pharos4 ,when the tide-bell rung1 the boats were hoisted out1 and two active seamen were employed to keep them from receiving damage alongside4 ,the floating-light being very buoyant1 was so quick in her motions1 that when those who were about to step from her gunwale into a boat1 placed themselves upon a cleat or step on the ship's side1 with the man or rail ropes in their hands1 they had often to wait for some time1 till a favourable opportunity occurred for stepping into the boat4 ,while in this situation1 with the vessel rolling from side to side1 watching the proper time for letting go the man-ropes1 it required the greatest dexterity and presence of mind to leap into the boat4 ,one who was rather awkward1 would often wait a considerable period in this position3 at one time his side of the ship would be so depressed1 that he would touch the boat to which he belonged1 while the next sea would elevate him so much1 that he would see his comrades in the boat on the opposite side of the ship1 his friends in the one boat calling to him to 8,jump10 while those in the boat on the other side1 as he came again and again into their view1 would jocosely say1 8,are you there yet8 ,you seem to enjoy a swing40 ,in this situation it was common to see a person1 upon each side of the ship1 for a length of time1 waiting to quit his hold4 ,a stranger to this sort of motion was both alarmed for the safety1 and delighted with the agility of persons leaping into the boat1 under those perilous circumstances4 ,no sooner had one quitted his station on the gunwale1 than another occupied his place1 until the whole were safely shipped4 ,sidenote3 ,difficulty of keeping boats alongside4 ,it also formed a critical operation with the sailors to keep the boats at a convenient distance from the vessel1 to guard against being too far off2 as1 in that case1 the man1 in the act of stepping off the ship's side1 might have been in danger of falling into the sea4 ,if1 on the other hand1 the boat was allowed to come in contact with the vessel1 she would have been in danger of being staved or damaged4 ,this state of things was fortunately not what we had to commence with1 as the weather happened to be1 as before noticed1 serene1 and the ,smeaton's sides were comparatively low in the water4 ,the excessive rolling of the ,pharos did not therefore come upon the artificers all at once1 otherwise some unpleasant accidents must have happened1 for in these rolling operations1 if a stranger had1 in a moment of alarm1 let go his hold1 at an improper time1 he must have been pitched with violence into the sea4 ,the party being seated in their respective boats1 they were pulled to the ,bell ,rock in about twenty minutes1 from the moorings of the ,pharos1 when the water was smooth and the wind moderate4 ,this morning the boats reached the rock at #h o'clock2 the work commenced exactly at a quarter past #h1 and at half-past #aa1 the water again began to overflow the parts on which the artificers were at work4 ,every tide now gave the writer more pleasant prospects of the progress of the work than another1 especially since the erection of the smith's forge4 ,sidenote3 ,artificers become expert rowers4 ,sidenote3 ,rations of artificers4 ,on leaving the rock to-day1 a trial of seamanship was proposed amongst the rowers1 for by this time the artificers had become tolerably expert in this exercise4 ,by inadvertency1 some of the oars provided had been made of fir instead of ash1 and although a considerable stock had been laid in1 the workmen1 being at first awkward in the art1 were constantly breaking their oars2 indeed1 it was no uncommon thing to see the broken blades of a pair of oars floating astern1 in the course of a passage from the rock to the vessel4 ,the men1 upon the whole1 had but little work to perform in the course of a day2 for though they exerted themselves extremely hard while on the rock1 yet1 in the early state of the operations1 this could not be continued for more than three or four hours at a time1 and as their rations were large1 consisting of one pound and a half of beef1--one pound of ship-biscuit1--eight ounces oatmeal1--two ounces barley1--two ounces butter1--three quarts of beer1--with vegetables and salt1 they got into excellent spirits1 when free of sea-sickness4 ,the rowing of the boats against each other became a favourite amusement2 which was rather a fortunate circumstance1 as it must have been attended with much inconvenience1 had it been found necessary to employ a sufficient number of sailors for this purpose4 ,the writer1 therefore1 encouraged this spirit of emulation1 and the speed of their respective boats became a favourite topic4 ,premiums for boat races were also instituted1 which were contended for with great eagerness1 and the respective crews kept their stations in the boats1 with as much precision as they kept their beds on board of the ship4 ,with these1 and other pastimes1 when the weather was favourable1 the time passed away1 among the inmates of the fore-castle and waist of the ship4 ,the writer looks back with interest upon the hours of solitude which he spent in this lonely ship1 with his small library4 ,sidenote3 8,saturday night at ,sea40 ,this being the first ,saturday that the artificers were afloat1 all hands were served with a glass of rum and water at night1 to drink the sailors favourite toast of 8,wives and ,sweethearts40 ,it was customary1 upon these occasions1 for the seamen and artificers to collect in the galley1 when the musical instruments were put in requisition2 for1 according to invariable practice1 every man must play a tune1 sing a song1 or tell a story4 ,in this manner ,saturday night1 in particular1 passed away in a very happy manner1 when much boisterous mirth and loud peals of laughter occasionally broke forth4 ,it is true1 that this could not proceed from a single glass1 but every man sat down with a determination to be pleased4 ,they had1 besides1 a pretty liberal allowance of good small beer1 which the rations of the sick increased2 and they contrived to make the glass go round1 and seemed to feel no want whatever1 while the ship kept from her excessive rolling motion4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #bc;d4 ,the operations at the ,bell ,rock were still fortunate with regard to the weather4 ,the morning of ,sunday set in with light airs from the south-west1 which1 towards mid-day1 came to what sailors term fresh breezes1 but towards evening it fell calm1 and the weather became foggy4 ,sidenote3 ,reasons for continuing the work on ,sunday4 ,to some1 it may require an apology1 or1 at least1 call for an explanation1 why the writer took upon himself to step aside from the established rules of society1 by carrying on the works of this undertaking during ,sundays4 ,such practices are not uncommon in the dock-yards and arsenals1 when it is conceived that the public service requires extraordinary exertions4 ,surely1 if1 under any circumstances1 it is allowable to go about the ordinary labours of mankind on ,sundays1 that of the erection of a light-house upon the ,bell ,rock1 seems to be one of the most pressing calls which could in any case occur1 and carries along with it the imperious language of necessity4 ,when we take into consideration1 that1 in its effects1 this work was to operate in a direct manner for the safety of many valuable lives and much property1 the beautiful and simple parables of the ,holy ,scriptures1 inculcating works of necessity and mercy1 must present themselves to every mind unbiassed by the trammels of form or the influence of a distorted imagination4 ,in this perilous work1 to give up every seventh day1 would just have been to protract the time a seventh part4 ,now1 as it was generally supposed1 after taking all advantages into view1 that the work would probably require seven years for its execution1 such an arrangement must have extended the operation to at least eight years1 and have exposed it to additional risk and danger1 in all its stages4 ,the writer1 therefore1 felt little scruple in continuing the ,bell ,rock works in all favourable states of the weather4 ,sidenote3 ,preparations for reading prayers on deck4 ,having1 on the previous evening1 arranged matters with the landing-master as to the business of the day1 the signal was rung for all hands at half past #g this morning4 ,in the early state of the spring-tides1 the artificers went to the rock before breakfast1 but as the tides fell later in the day1 it became necessary to take this meal before leaving the ship4 ,at #h o'clock all hands were assembled on the quarter-deck for prayers1 a solemnity which was gone through in as orderly a manner as circumstances would admit4 ,round the quarter-deck1 when the weather permitted1 the flags of the ship were hung up as an awning or screen1 forming the quarter-deck into a distinct compartment with colours2 the pendant was also hoisted at the main-mast1 and a large ensign flag was displayed over the stern2 and1 lastly1 the ship's companion1 or top of the staircase1 was covered with the flag proper of the ,light-house ,service1 on which the ,bible was laid4 ,a particular toll of the bell called all hands to the quarter-deck1 when the writer read a chapter of the ,bible1 and1 the whole ship's company being uncovered1 he also read the following impressive prayer1 composed by the ,reverend ,dr ,brunton1 one of the ministers of ,edinburgh4 ,a ,prayer for the use of those ,employed at the ,erection of the ,bell ,rock ,light-,house4 8,almighty and ever blessed ,god6 ,thou art not confined to temples made with man's hands3 ,the temple most acceptable to thee is the heart of thy worshipper3 ,thou hast promised1 that wherever thy servants are assembled1 thou wilt be with them1 to bless them and to do them good4 ,unto us1 ,o our ,father6 may the promise be fulfilled4 ,even here1 where no temple invites1 and where no ordinances cheer us1 be with us1 we beseech thee1 while we meet in thy presence2 and strengthen us to discharge the duties of thy holy day4 8,the ,sabbath was appointed to celebrate thy creating power3 ,and here1 where the magnificence of thy works surrounds us1--where we see thy wonders in the deep1--where we behold every morning thy ,sun arise from the world of waters1 to spread1 as at the first1 light and beauty over ,nature1--shall not our souls pour forth abundantly the tribute of adoration to thee1 whose word alone spake the ,universe into being6 8,the ,sabbath commemorates that ,providence which watcheth continually over the works of thy hand3 ,and shall not we1 whom dangers so often threaten1 and whom difficulties so often alarm2 shall not we1 conscious of our frailty1 and removed far from human aid2 shall not we raise the voice of thanksgiving to ,god1 who alone protecteth us1 and who1 even in the midst of danger1 causeth us to dwell in safety6 8,the ,sabbath was appointed to commemorate the triumphs of redeeming love3 ,and shall not we hail it with delight1 whose earliest infancy was hallowed in the name of ,jesus2 on whose opening minds the doctrines of his faith were poured2 who1 even in this remote abode1 are permitted to call upon thy holy name in prayer1--to read the ,oracles of everlasting truth1--to speak one to another of the ,god who hath loved and blessed us6 8,our souls do magnify the ,lord1 our spirits rejoice in ,god our ,saviour2 for he that is mighty hath done great things for his people1 and his mercy is on them that fear him4 ,we bless thee for the doctrines which our ,master taught1--for the example which he set before us1--for the atonement by which he relieves us from the load of guilt1--for the hope which he hath restored of grace and glory4 ,we bless thee for the institutions which thou hast appointed for enlightening thy people in religious knowledge1 and for training them to lives of usefulness and purity4 ,with shame we remember how often we have abused our ,christian privileges1--how often we have neglected the exercises of private devotion1--how often we have failed to study thy holy word1--how often1 while yet it was in our power to go up to the house of ,god1 we have forsaken the assembling of ourselves together1--how often we have worshipped thee with our lips1 while our hearts were far from thee4 ,visit us not1 ,o ,god6 in anger1 for our transgression2 but do thou enable us to lament and forsake it4 ,let not the circumstances in which we now are placed1 be permitted to wean our affections from thy worship4 ,but1 while the service of humanity calls us to labour even on this day of rest1 save us1--,o thou1 who wilt have mercy and not sacrifice6--save us from the temptation which might lead us to forget our ,god1 and the duties which we owe to him4 ,rather1 while we are deprived of thine ordinances for a season1 do thou give us grace1 through prayer and holy meditation1 to compensate the loss2 that we may1 with delight1 look forward to the time when the courts of thy sanctuary shall be opened to us again2 when we1 and those whom we love and value1 shall again take sweet counsel together1 and walk in company to the house of ,god4 ,give to us1 even now1 ,o ,god of our salvation6 those pious and holy dispositions which will prepare us for the nobler worship1 offered to thee by the ,angels of ,heaven1 and by the ,spirits of just men made perfect4 8,we pray to our common ,father in behalf of all mankind4 ,may the day-spring from on high arise on those who now sit in darkness2 and1 where the light of the ,gospel already shines1 may its influences be felt reviving and purifying4 8,we pray especially for our native land2--for her peace1--her prosperity1--her liberties1--and her honour4 ,we pray for our king1 and for all who are in authority over us4 ,we pray particularly for those by whose command we are engaged in this arduous work4 ,bless them in their persons1 in their families1 and in the discharge of their official duty4 ,prosper1 we beseech thee1 the work itself in which we are engaged4 ,may it remain long after our eyes have ceased to behold it4 ,long after our ashes are cold in the dust1 may he that was ready to perish have cause to bless the memory of those by whom it was reared4 8,we pray for the people of our land4 ,purify them unto thyself a peculiar people1 zealous of good works3 ,bless them in their commerce1 and in their harvests3 ,bless them in the pursuits of honest industry3 ,bless them in the relations of domestic life3 ,bless them1 above all1 with spiritual blessings in ,christ ,jesus4 8,may the sons and daughters of affliction be enabled to profit by the bitter lesson with which thou hast seen it meet to visit them4 ,restore the sick to usefulness1 or prepare the dying for judgment and eternity4 ,may the living lay it to heart that they must die1 and act as it becometh those who know not how soon they shall be called hence4 8,our friends and families1 from whom we are separated for a time1 we commit to thy protection1 ,o ,god of love6 ,unspeakably precious is the thought1 that thou carest for them1--that thine eye is upon them continually1--and thine everlasting arms around them4 ,grant that1 in thy good time1 we may meet them in peace2--,grant that we may be united hereafter in that land where separation and pain are unknown for ever4 8,our enemies we beseech thee to forgive and bless4 ,bless us1 even us also1 ,o our ,father6 ,give us thy grace in every season of trial2--give us thy protection in every hour of danger4 ,prepare us for the dispensations of thy ,providence2--prepare us for the discharge of duty2--prepare us for the inheritance of the just4 8,and may grace1 and mercy1 and peace1 from the ,father1 the ,son1 and the ,holy ,ghost1 be with us for ever40 ,sidenote3 ,some of the artificers decline working on ,sunday4 ,upon concluding this service1 which was attended with becoming reverence and attention1 all on board retired to their respective births to breakfast1 and1 at half-past #i1 the bell again rung for the artificers to take their stations in their respective boats4 ,some demur having been evinced on board1 about the propriety of working on ,sunday1 which had hitherto been touched upon as delicately as possible1 all hands being called aft1 the writer1 from the quarter deck1 stated generally the nature of the service1 expressing his hopes that every man would feel himself called upon to consider the erection of a light-house on the ,bell ,rock1 in every point of view1 as a work of necessity and mercy4 ,he knew that scruples had existed with some1 and these had1 indeed1 been fairly and candidly urged before leaving the shore2 but it was expected1 that1 after having seen the critical nature of the rock1 and the necessity of the measure1 every man would now be satisfied of the propriety of embracing all opportunities of landing on the rock1 when the state of the weather would permit2 and1 in short1 of exerting every effort in this as a common cause1 at least until the ,beacon should be erected1 being an undertaking1 on which the lives and safety of all connected with these works had a constant dependence4 ,the writer1 farther1 took them to witness1 that it did not proceed from want of respect for the appointments and established forms of religion that he had himself adopted the resolution of attending the ,bell ,rock works on the ,sunday2 but1 as he hoped1 from a conviction that it was his bounden duty1 on the strictest principles of morality4 ,at the same time it was intimated1 that if any were of a different opinion1 they should be perfectly at liberty to hold their sentiments1 without the imputation of contumacy or disobedience2 the only difference would be in regard to the pay4 ,upon stating this much1 he stepped into his boat1 requesting all who were so disposed to follow him4 ,the sailors1 from their habits1 found no scruple on this subject1 and all of the artificers1 though a little tardy1 also embarked1 excepting four of the masons1 who1 from the beginning1 mentioned that they would decline working on ,sundays4 ,the boats reached the rock at a quarter past #aj o'clock ,a4 ,m41 and after a very active tide's work of two hours and a half1 the water again overflowed the rock4 ,it may here be noticed1 that throughout the whole of the operations1 it was observable that the men wrought1 if possible1 with more keenness upon the ,sundays than at other times1 from an impression that they were engaged in a work of imperious necessity1 which required every possible exertion4 ,on returning to the floating-light1 after finishing the tide's work1 the boats were received by the part of the ship's crew left on board1 with the usual attention of handing ropes to the boats1 and helping the artificers on board2 but the four masons who had absented themselves from the work did not appear upon deck4 ,sidenote3 ,additional pay on ,sunday4 ,as the season advanced1 the period of low water occurred later1 and the writer did not consider it advisable1 in the present state of the works1 to land on the rock under night1 there being nothing to mark its place prior to the erection of the ,beacon4 ,under more favourable circumstances1 he would willingly have landed this evening1 to entitle the artificers who accompanied him in the morning1 to additional wages1 as every tide's work on ,sunday counted a day1 according to the rate of pay and premiums which he had laid down4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #bdth4 ,sidenote3 ,neap-tides4 ,artificers working knee-deep in water4 ,the weather1 upon the whole1 was very fine to-day1 and the winds1 though variable1 were gentle2 but from the mildness of the season1 it got rather foggy towards the evening4 ,the boats left the floating-light at a quarter past #i o'clock this morning1 and the work began at three-quarters past #i2 but as the neap tides were approaching1 the working-time at the rock became gradually shorter1 and it was now with difficulty that two and a half hours work could be got4 ,but1 so keenly had the workmen entered into the spirit of the ,beacon-house operations1 that they continued to bore the holes in the rock till some of them were knee deep in water4 ,in this work the sailors were also engaged1 taking their turns at the boring and other works4 ,sidenote3 ,operations entirely confined to the ,beacon4 ,sidenote3 ,description of the operation of boring the rock4 ,the operations at this time1 were entirely directed to the erection of the beacon1 in which every man felt an equal interest1 as at this critical period the slightest casualty to any of the boats at the rock might have been fatal to himself individually1 while it was perhaps peculiar to the writer more immediately to feel for the safety of the whole4 ,each log or upright beam of the beacon1 was to be fixed to the rock by two strong and massive bats or stanchions of iron1 of a construction which will be better understood by inspecting the diagrams on ,plate ,,viii41 and the accompanying description4 ,these bats1 for the fixture of the principal and diagonal beams and bracing-chains1 required fifty-four holes1 each measuring two inches in diameter1 and eighteen inches in depth4 ,the operation of boring or drilling these deep holes in the rock1 was conducted with great dexterity in the following manner3 ,three men were attached to each jumper or chisel2 one placed himself in a sitting posture1 to guide the instrument and give it a turn at each blow of the hammer2 he also sponged or cleaned out the hole1 and supplied it occasionally with a little water2 while the other two1 with hammers of sixteen pounds weight1 struck the jumper alternately1 generally bringing the hammer with a swing round the shoulder1 after the manner of blacksmiths' work4 ,the three men relieved each other in the operation of guiding the jumper and striking with the hammers4 ,the forms of the jumper1 hammer1 and sponging-rod1 are represented in ,plate ,x41 ,figs4 #g1 #h1 and #i4 ,after many observations1 as to the time occupied in boring these holes1 the writer found that1 when the tools were of a very good temper1 they could be sunk at the rate of one inch per minute1 including stoppages4 ,the holes for the stanchions1 when completed1 measured seven inches in length1 two inches in breadth1 and eighteen inches in depth4 ,after a jumper had been sunk to the necessary depth at each end of these holes1 the most tedious part of the operation was to cut out the piece of rock which remained between the two jumper-holes1 so as to clear it fully for the reception of the great iron stanchions1 which were of a dove-tail form4 ,sidenote3 ,progress of the work4 ,there had already been so considerable a progress made in boring and excavating these holes1 that the writer's hopes of getting the beacon erected this year1 began to be more and more confirmed1 although it was now advancing towards what was considered the latter end of the proper working season at the ,bell ,rock4 ,the foreman joiner1 ,mr ,francis ,watt1 was accordingly appointed to attend at the rock to-day1 when the necessary levels were taken for the step or seat of each particular beam of the beacon1 that they might be cut to their respective lengths1 to suit the inequalities of the rock2 several of the stanchions were also tried into their places1 and other necessary observations made1 to prevent mistakes on the application of the apparatus1 and to facilitate the operations1 when the beams came to be set up1 which would require to be done in the course of a single tide4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday #beth4 ,we had now experienced an almost unvaried tract of light airs of easterly wind1 with clear weather in the fore-part of the day1 and fog in the evenings4 ,to-day1 however1 it sensibly changed2 when the wind came to the south-west1 and blew a fresh breeze4 ,at #i ,a4 ,m4 the bell rung1 and the boats were hoisted out1 and though the artificers were now pretty well accustomed to tripping up and down the sides of the floating-light1 yet it required more seamanship this morning than usual4 ,it therefore afforded some merriment to those who had got fairly seated in their respective boats1 to see the difficulties which attended their companions1 from the hesitating manner in which they quitted hold of the man-ropes in leaving the ship4 ,as it blew pretty fresh1 the passage to the rock was tedious1 and the boats did not reach it till half-past #aj4 ,by working upon the higher parts of the site of the beacon #a hours work was got1 though not without difficulty1 and the men left off at a quarter past #ab noon1 completely drenched in water4 ,sidenote3 ,difficult situation of the ,smith4 ,the masons and pickmen were employed in boring the bat-holes1 and in dressing and preparing the rock between the holes1 at the places on which the beams of the beacon-house were to rest4 ,it being now the period of neap-tides1 the water only partially left the rock1 and some of the men1 who were boring on the lower ledges of the site of the beacon1 stood knee-deep in water4 ,the situation of the smith to-day was particularly disagreeable1 but his services were at all times indispensable4 ,as the tide did not leave the site of the forge1 he stood in the water1 and as there was some roughness on the surface1 it was with considerable difficulty that1 with the assistance of the sailors1 he was enabled to preserve alive his fire2 and1 while his feet were immersed in water1 his face was not only scorched1 but continually exposed to volumes of smoke1 accompanied with sparks from the fire1 which were occasionally set up1 owing to the strength and direction of the wind4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #bfth4 ,sidenote3 ,wind-gauge1 and nomenclature for the winds much wanted4 ,the wind had shifted this morning to ,n4 ,,nw4 with rain1 and was blowing what sailors call a fresh breeze1--for as yet a correct and efficient wind-gauge remains a desideratum with the mechanical philosopher2 and we have unfortunately no proper or satisfactory nomenclature for expressing the force of the wind4 ,to speak1 perhaps1 somewhat intelligibly to the general reader1 the wind was such1 that a fishing-boat could just carry full sail4 ,the weather did not look very favourable in the morning2 but as it was of importance1 especially in the outset of the business1 to keep up the spirit of enterprise for landing on all practicable occasions1 the writer1 after consulting with the landing-master1 ordered the bell to be rung for embarking1 and at half-past #aa the boats reached the rock1 and left it again at a quarter past #ab1 without1 however1 being able to do much work1 as the smith could not be set to work from the smallness of the ebb and the strong breach of sea1 which lashed with great force among the bars of the forge4 ,sidenote3 ,difficult passage from the ,rock to the ,floating-,light4 ,just as we were about to leave the rock1 the wind shifted to the ,,sw41 and1 from a fresh gale1 it became what seamen term a hard gale1 or such as would have required the fisherman to take in two or three reefs in his sail4 ,the boats being rather in a crowded state for this sort of weather1 they were pulled with great difficulty towards the floating-light4 ,though the boats were handsomely built1 and presented little obstruction to the wind1 as those who were not pulling sat low1 yet having the ebb-tide to contend with1 the passage was so very tedious1 that it required two hours of hard work before we reached the vessel4 ,it is a curious fact1 before noticed1 that the respective tides of ebb and flood are apparent upon the shore about an hour and a half sooner than at the distance of three or four miles in the offing4 ,but what seems chiefly interesting here is1 that the tides around this small sunken rock should follow exactly the same laws as on the extensive shores of the mainland4 ,when the boats left the ,bell ,rock to-day1 it was overflowed by the flood-tide1 but the floating-light did not swing round to the flood-tide for more than an hour afterwards4 ,under this disadvantage the boats had to struggle with the ebb-tide and a hard gale of wind1 so that it was with the greatest difficulty they reached the floating-light4 ,had this gale happened in spring-tides when the current was strong1 we must have been driven to sea in a very helpless condition4 ,sidenote3 ,life-buoy streamed4 ,the boat which the writer steered1 was considerably behind the other1 one of the masons having unluckily broken his oar4 ,our prospect of getting on board1 of course1 became doubtful1 and our situation was rather perilous1 as the boat shipped so much sea that it occupied two of the artificers to bale and clear her of water4 ,when the oar gave way1 we were about half a mile from the ship1 but being fortunately to windward1 we got into the wake of the floating-light1 at about #bej fathoms astern1 just as the ,landing-master's boat reached the vessel4 ,he immediately streamed or floated a life-buoy astern1 with a line which was always in readiness1 and by means of this useful implement1 the boat was towed alongside of the floating-light1 where1 from her rolling motion1 it required no small management to get safely on board1 as the men were much worn out with their exertions in pulling from the rock4 ,on the present occasion1 the crews of both boats were completely drenched with spray1 and those who sat upon the bottom of the boats to bale them1 were sometimes pretty deep in the water1 before it could be cleared out4 ,after getting on board1 all hands were allowed an extra dram1 and having shifted1 and got a warm and comfortable dinner1 the affair1 it is believed1 was little more thought of4 ,sidenote3 ,tender ordered exclusively for the service of the ,rock4 ,this was the first difficult or tedious passage which had been experienced in landing at the ,bell ,rock2 it was also the first time that the writer had really felt the inconveniency of not having a vessel entirely set apart for the purposes of a tender4 ,the floating-light1 from the construction of her moorings1 and the service for which she was specially employed1 could not be cast loose or brought to the lea side of the rock in any case of emergency4 ,neither could she be risked to ride at moorings near enough to the rock1 to place her in a more eligible situation for the purposes of the work4 ,when these circumstances were brought under the notice of the ,commissioners1 it was ordered that a vessel should be provided1 exclusively as a tender for the operations of the rock2 and this was accordingly done before the commencement of the works of another season4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #bgth4 ,sidenote3 ,depth of water in the site of the building in ,neap-tides4 ,the tides were now in that state which sailors term the dead of the neap1 and it was not expected that any part of the rock would be seen above water to-day2 at any rate1 it was obvious1 from the experience of yesterday1 that no work could be done upon it1 and therefore the artificers were not required to land4 ,the wind was at west1 with light breezes1 and fine clear weather2 and as it was an object with the writer to know the actual state of the ,bell ,rock at neap-tides1 he got one of the boats manned1 and1 being accompanied by the landing-master1 went to it at a quarter past #ab4 ,the parts of the rock that appeared above water being very trifling1 were covered by every wave1 so that no landing was made4 ,upon trying the depth of water with a boat-hook1 particularly on the sites of the ,light-house and ,beacon1 on the former1 at low water1 the depth was found to be three feet1 and on the central parts of the latter it was ascertained to be two feet eight inches4 ,having made these remarks1 the boat returned to the ship at #b ,p4 ,m41 and the weather being good1 the artificers were found amusing themselves with fishing4 ,the ,smeaton came from ,arbroath this afternoon1 and made fast to her moorings1 having brought letters and newspapers1 with parcels of clean linen1 c4 for the workmen2 who were also made happy by the arrival of three of their comrades from the work-yard1 ashore4 ,from these men they not only received all the news of the work-yard1 but seemed themselves to enjoy great pleasure in communicating whatever they considered to be interesting with regard to the rock4 ,some also got letters from their friends at a distance1 the postage of which1 for the men afloat1 was always free1 so that they corresponded the more readily4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #bhth4 ,to-day the weather was not quite so agreeable as it had been yesterday1 the wind being south-east1 and blowing what sailors term a fresh breeze1 by which we understand a force of wind that would be sufficient to cause the sails of a fishing-boat to be reefed4 ,at past #a ,p4 ,m41 the writer again went to the rock1 accompanied by the landing-master1 when a depth of about four feet of water was found upon the site of the ,light-house1 which may be considered a medium depth1 as nearly as this could be ascertained in its present unworked state1 but there was some surf upon the rock4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #bith4 ,sidenote3 ,some of the ,artificers wish to go ashore4 ,in the course of the night1 the wind had shifted from ,,se4 to ,,sw41 and it blew very hard1 being technically termed a stiff gale1 or rather too much wind for a fishing-boat4 ,it was therefore considered unsafe for the ,smeaton to continue at her moorings1 and the signal was made for her to sail for ,arbroath2 she therefore got under way1 but although there was a packet of letters for the shore1 and the artificers had their memorandums in readiness1 yet the floating-light rolled so unmercifully1 that it would have been at the imminent hazard of staving or dashing a boat to pieces1 had it been attempted to put one out4 ,this was a disappointment in one way1 though it answered a good purpose in another1 as two of the three men1 who had come last from the work-yard1 earnestly entreated that they might be allowed to return1 as they could no longer endure the rolling of the floating-light1 a request in which they were anxiously accompanied by one of the masons1 who had all along been much afflicted with sea-sickness4 ,these applications were necessarily refused2 they then applied to have an interview with the writer1 when they urged the misery they were likely to suffer on board1 without their being able to do any work at the rock4 ,to the two strangers the difficulty and danger of putting out a boat was stated1 as rendering it impossible for them to leave the ship2 while the third person was reminded of his engagement to remain afloat for one month4 ,in this manner these two men were put off1 with the prospect of better weather in the course of a day or two4 ,with regard to the other1 he had suffered so severely1 that the writer would have been happy to have had him ashore1 and he was informed that if his comrades would ask leave for him1 it would be granted4 ,this being readily complied with1 he was left at full liberty to return to the work-yard4 ,but1 for the present1 the ,smeaton was obliged to pass at a considerable distance1 without being able to communicate with the floating-light4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #cjth4 ,sidenote3 ,land upon the ,rock after five days absence4 ,the wind was ,n4,,ne4 this morning1 in light airs1 and the weather was clear4 ,this being ,sunday1 the usual ceremony was observed at #ab noon1 when the writer read prayers on the quarter-deck4 ,the ensuing set of spring-tides were now coming to hand1 and1 at #c ,p4 ,m41 all the artificers embarked for the rock1 excepting the four men who had declined it last ,sunday4 ,their places1 however1 were willingly taken by the three men who came last from the shore1 who were happy to get relief from the disagreeable motion of the floating-light upon any terms4 ,the boats reached the rock at half-past #c2 but being rather early in the tide1 the men rested on their oars till #d o'clock1 and then landed on the different spots as they dried1 where they remained till the tide ebbed sufficiently to allow them to commence work4 ,this was the first time the artificers had landed on the rock for five days1 owing to the state of the weather and tides1 and it was not a little flattering1 on this occasion1 to see with what eagerness the workmen leaped upon it4 ,those who were not troubled with sea-sickness1 felt a degree of languor on board from which their working hours formed rather a relaxation1 while the sickly 7by far the greater number7 felt immediate relief upon setting their foot upon terra firma1 even in its most circumscribed boundary4 ,while the water was going off the rock1 the workmen were all busily employed in picking dulse1 the ,fucus palmatus of botanists1 and indeed any other of the marine plants which happened to lie within their reach4 ,those who were the greatest sufferers from sea-sickness always ate the most greedily upon these occasions4 ,such incidental circumstances tended greatly to keep up the desire for landing at the rock1 and seemed1 in some measure1 to compensate for the labour of rowing to and from it4 ,sidenote3 ,method of fixing the stanchions in the rock4 ,the operation of boring the bat-holes being in great forwardness1 the men were now chiefly employed in chiselling or cutting out the piece of rock which remained between each pair of jumper-holes1 forming a ridge of about two inches in thickness4 ,when this was cleared away1 the bat-hole was of the proper form1 and1 as before noticed1 it measured about seven inches in length1 two inches in breadth1 and eighteen inches in depth1 an excavation which1 from its dimensions1 must readily appear to have been attended with much difficulty4 ,the holes1 though bored with the same size of chisels1 as nearly as might be1 were not precisely of the same size2 but this was not essential1 as the stanchion1 when wedged in its place1 completely filled the aperture4 ,this operation of chiselling out the middle piece1 and widening the hole in the form of a dove-tail1 was a much more intricate and tedious operation than boring perpendicularly with the jumper4 ,at that process three men worked with great celerity1 whereas two only could be employed in cutting out the divisions and widening the holes4 ,the site of the building having already been carefully traced out with the pick-axe1 the artificers1 this day1 commenced the excavation of the rock1 for the foundation or first course of the light-house4 ,four men only were employed at this work1 while twelve continued at the site of the ,beacon-house1 at which every possible opportunity was embraced1 till this essential part of the operations should be completed4 ,after having been two hours upon the rock this tide1 the water began to rise upon the smith's forge and the site of the ,beacon-house1 and at past #f o'clock ,p4 ,m4 the artificers left the rock4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #cast4 ,sidenote3 ,longest day's work hitherto had on the ,bell ,rock4 ,the winds varied to-day from ,n4,,ne4 to ,s4 ,though it blew pretty fresh1 it was not accompanied with any swell in the sea1 and the weather upon the whole was very pleasant4 ,at half-past #c in the morning1 the writer was called by the landing-master1 to consult about the state of the weather1 and the practicability of landing upon the rock4 ,after some hesitation1 the result was to proceed3 the signal bell for getting the boats ready was rung at #d ,a4 ,m41 when all hands took to their respective boats1 and at half-past #d the work commenced at the rock3 it continued till half-past #g1 allowing an excellent tide's work of three hours1 when the artificers again returned to the floating-light1 and remained till the evening tide4 ,at #d ,p4 ,m4 they landed1 but did not begin to work till a quarter from #e o'clock1 when the water had sufficiently left the rock4 ,at a quarter past #g it was overflowed1 when the boats returned to the ship1 and the writer was not a little elated1 as the morning and evening tide had afforded no less than five and a half hours work1 being the greatest day's work hitherto obtained on the ,bell ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,september1 ,tuesday1 #ast4 ,the weather was extremely pleasant throughout these twenty-four hours1 though the wind veered and shifted about from ,n4,w4 to ,w4,,sw4 ,at #d o'clock this morning the bell made rather an unwelcome call1 but all hands readily turned out4 ,as before mentioned1 when the work commenced at these early hours1 a dram and a biscuit were served out to the artificers2 and the writer1 upon these occasions1 found a cup of coffee very salutary4 ,having landed at a quarter from #e1 the work was continued for three and a half hours1 four men1 as before noticed1 being employed on the site of the ,light-house1 and twelve at the ,beacon-house4 ,the water overflowed the rock at a quarter past #g1 when the boats returned to the floating-light4 ,sidenote3 ,smeaton brings off the experimental cargo of stone4 ,the ,smeaton had arrived from ,arbroath in the course of the last night1 and made fast to her moorings at the eastern buoy1 which was nearest to the rock1 as will be seen from ,plate ,v4 ,agreeably to appointment1 she had brought off six blocks of granite1 for the purpose of making an experiment regarding the landing of the stones on the rock4 ,she also had in tow the praam1 or decked boat1 brought from ,leith astern of the ,pharos1 of which mention has already been made4 ,this boat1 in smooth water1 could carry about six or seven tons upon deck4 ,sidenote3 ,various suggestions about landing the stones4 ,the writer had looked forward to the trial of landing weighty materials upon the rock1 as a matter which was to determine an important point in the operations of the ,bell ,rock light-house1 and which could hardly be resolved by any other means than actual trial4 ,this part of the operation had always been a matter of the greatest uncertainty with those conversant in such matters1 and it became essential to determine the point at this period1 by actual trial1 before proceeding to the preparation of the craft and apparatus requisite for the works of next season1 which it would not have been safe or prudent to rest upon doubtful hypothesis4 ,in speculating upon this point1 some had suggested that each particular stone should be floated to the rock1 with a cork-buoy attached to it1 while others would convert the float into an air-tank for this purpose2 a third proposed to sail over the rock at high water1 in a vessel of a flat construction1 and drop the stones one after another1 while under way1 or at anchor on the rock4 ,others took up a still more extraordinary view of the case1 and proposed to build so much of the ,light-house ashore1 in a kind of coffer-dam or vessel1 as would raise the building to the level of the highest tide1 and having previously prepared the rock for its reception1 they would scuttle the vessel1 and settle this ponderous mass1 weighing perhaps #ajjj tons1 at once upon the rock4 ,but it were endless to follow the various conceptions1 even of men of experience1 upon subjects of this kind4 ,though some of these propositions were ingeniously conceived1 yet they could not be carried into effect in such a situation as the ,bell ,rock4 ,taking into view the uncertain state of the weather1 the brittle nature of stone1 when worked to a delicate edge and formed into angular points1--and1 above all1 considering the disadvantages that would attend the loss1 even of a single stone1 by the unavoidable delay it would occasion to the work1 which might even in some instances hazard a great part of the building1--the writer judged it safest to keep the vessels that were to bring the stones from the workyard at moorings1 laid down at a convenient distance from the rock1 so as to enable them to clear it1 in case of drifting4 ,he also determined1 as the safest method1 that their cargoes should be unloaded at these moorings1 laid on decked praam-boats1 and towed to the rock by the landing-master's crew1 at low water1 when the artificers were at work1 and ready to lay and secure the stones in their places on the building4 ,to put this to the test of actual experiment1 the trial praam-boat had been built1 and the six rough blocks of stone were brought to the rock4 ,sidenote3 ,experiment of landing six blocks of ,granite4 ,the middle part of this day was occupied by the writer on board of the ,smeaton1 at her moorings1 where he carefully attended to the process of bringing the praam alongside1 fixing her head and stern-ropes1 and stationing the seamen at their respective posts1 for the purpose of landing this small1 but1 in his view1 important cargo4 ,the mode by which the stones were taken out of the ,smeaton's hold1 and lowered on the praam's deck1 will be understood from ,plate ,,xi4 ,this was done by means of a gaff-boom1 which traversed upon the ,smeaton's mast1 with the necessary tackles for guying it4 ,an essential part of this tackle was a travelling-crance1 or ring of iron1 by which the stone might be lifted either at the extremities or at the central parts of the boom1 as best suited its position in the ship's hold1 or its intended place on the praam's deck4 ,the length of this gaff-boom was thirteen feet1 being sufficient for lowering the stone upon the praam4 ,another part of this apparatus1 for lifting the stone1 was a winch1 fixed before the ,smeaton's mast1 consisting of a wheel two feet in diameter1 worked by a pinion4 ,the stone being raised from the vessel's hold1 was laid on her deck1 in order to shift the crance tackle to the extremity of the gaff-boom4 ,the chief charge of the stone was then taken by the landing-master1 till it was laid on the praam's deck1 landed on the rock1 and ultimately delivered over to the foreman builder4 ,in the act of working this apparatus1 one man was placed at each of the guy-tackles1 who also assisted at the purchase-tackle for raising the stone2 and one of the ablest and most active of the crew was appointed to hold on the end of the tackle-fall or purchase1 which often required all his strength1 and his utmost agility in letting go1 for the purpose of lowering the stone at the instant when the word 8,lower0 was heard4 ,much depended upon the promptitude with which this part of the operation was performed1 in a rolling sea1 as our nautical readers will readily understand4 ,for this purpose1 the man who held the end of the tackle placed himself before the mast in a sitting1 but more frequently in a lying posture1 with his feet stretched under the winch1 and abutting against the mast1 as1 by this means1 he was enabled to exert his greatest strength4 ,the signal being given by the men in the hold1 that the ,lewis-bat was fixed into the stone1 and the tackle hooked1 every man took his post4 ,if the stone was very weighty1 the two men who were to receive it on board of the praam1 assisted in working the purchase1 till the stone was got out of the hold1 to be laid upon deck1 when the word 8,lower0 was given1 in an audible and stern tone of voice4 ,after the traveller was shifted upon the gaff boom1 the praam-men returned to their post1 and the stone was again lifted to a sufficient height1 to clear the vessel's gunwale1 when great attention became necessary in working the guy-tackles1 till the stone was brought over the praam's deck1 and the watchword 8,lower0 given1 if possible1 with greater force than before4 ,the tackles were then unhooked1 and in this manner the operation proceeded until the stones were got on board of the praam-boat4 ,this description may seem particular2 but the reason will appear obvious1 when it is recollected1 that the landing of the materials has been considered one of the most nice and difficult parts of seamanship1 and on which the best informed seamen were unable to say how it might answer1 without great risk to the crew1 and damage to the stones1 and even occasionally losing them between the ship and the praam-boat4 ,both vessels being afloat1 and riding in the open sea1 at the distance of about a quarter of a mile from the ,bell ,rock1 their motion was instantly communicated to the landing-gaff1 and so to the stone in the tackle4 ,the six blocks of granite having been placed upon the praam's deck1 she was towed to a floating-buoy1 where she was made fast1 until the proper time of tide1 for taking her into one of the creeks of the rock4 ,sidenote3 ,stones first landed on the ,rock4 ,at a quarter past #d ,p4 ,m41 the boats1 with the artificers1 left the floating-light1 and the work of the evening tide commenced at a quarter before #e4 ,the sailors having previously decorated the ships and the praam-boat with flags1 she was towed to the rock by two boats4 ,the writer having resolved personally to attend the whole progress of this experiment went on board of the praam-boat1 when she entered the eastern creek1 where the foreman builder1 at the head of the artificers1 gave three hearty cheers4 ,as the praam had not water to float her so far up the creek as the site of the building1 her cargo was delivered upon ,smith's ,ledge1 on the north side of this creek1 as marked on ,plate ,,vi4 ,in the present unprepared state of the machinery and implements upon the rock1 the stones1 in the present case1 were raised with pinches1 and pushed ashore upon planks4 ,the whole of this experiment succeeded to the writer's utmost expectation1 who was thus led to conclude1 that the materials might be landed with much more expedition and certainty than he had previously supposed4 ,all hands spontaneously collected to witness the landing of the first stone1 which had no sooner touched the rock1 than other three cheers were given1 and1 on this occasion1 a glass of rum was served out by the steward4 ,having continued two hours upon the rock this evening1 the artificers left it at #g1 and returned to the floating-light1 while the landing-master's crew towed the praam-boat off to the ,smeaton1 that she might be taken to ,arbroath1 having completed all that was intended with her1 this season4 ,sidenote3 #ahjg1 ,september4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #b;d4 ,sidenote3 ,first mode of attaching the vessels to their moorings4 ,the floating-light's bell rung this morning at half-past #d o'clock1 as a signal for the boats to be got ready1 and the landing took place at half-past #e4 ,in passing the ,smeaton1 at her moorings near the rock1 her boat followed with eight additional artificers who had come from ,arbroath with her at last trip1 but there being no room for them in the floating-light's boats1 they had continued on board4 ,the weather did not look very promising in the morning1 the wind blowing pretty fresh from ,w4,,sw42 and had it not been that the writer calculated upon having a vessel so much at command1 in all probability he would not have ventured to land4 ,the ,smeaton rode at what sailors call a salvagee1 with a cross-head made fast to the floating-buoy4 ,this kind of attachment was found to be more convenient1 than the mode of passing the hawser through the ring of the buoy1 when the vessel was to be made fast4 ,she had then only to be steered very close to the buoy1 when the salvagee was laid hold of with a boat-hook1 and the bite of the hawser thrown over the cross-head1 instead of being obliged to put out the boat1 in order to pass the rope through the ring of the buoy4 ,but the salvagee1 by this method1 was always left at the buoy1 and was1 of course1 more liable to chaff and wear than a hawser passed through the ring1 which could be wattled with canvas1 and shifted at pleasure4 ,the salvagee and cross method is1 however1 much practised2 but the experience of this morning showed it to be very unsuitable for vessels riding in an exposed situation1 for any length of time4 ,sidenote3 ,smeaton breaks adrift from her moorings4 ,soon after the artificers landed1 they commenced work2 but the wind coming to blow hard1 the ,smeaton's boat and crew1 who had brought their complement of eight men to the rock1 went off to examine her riding ropes1 and see that they were in proper order4 ,the boat had no sooner reached the vessel than she went adrift1 carrying the boat along with her1 and both had even got to a considerable distance before this situation of things was observed1 every one being so intent upon his own particular duty1 that the boat had not been seen leaving the rock4 ,as it blew hard1 the crew with much difficulty set the mainsail upon the ,smeaton1 with a view to work her up to the buoy1 and again lay hold of the moorings4 ,by the time that she was got round to make a tack towards the rock1 she had drifted at least three miles to leeward1 with the praam-boat astern2 and having both the wind and a tide against her1 the writer perceived1 with no little anxiety1 that she could not possibly return to the rock till long after its being overflowed2 for1 owing to the anomaly of the tides formerly noticed1 the ,bell ,rock is completely under water before the ebb abates to the offing4 ,sidenote3 ,perilous situation of those left on the ,rock4 ,in this perilous predicament1 indeed1 he found himself placed between hope and despair1--but certainly the latter was by much the most predominant feeling of his mind1--situate upon a sunken rock in the middle of the ocean1 which1 in the progress of the flood-tide1 was to be laid under water to the depth of at least twelve feet in a stormy sea4 ,there were this morning thirty-two persons in all upon the rock1 with only two boats1 whose complement1 even in good weather1 did not exceed twenty-four sitters2 but1 to row to the floating-light with so much wind1 and in so heavy a sea1 a complement of eight men for each boat1 was as much as could1 with propriety1 be attempted1 so that1 in this way1 about one-half of our number was unprovided for4 ,under these circumstances1 had the writer ventured to dispatch one of the boats in expectation of either working the ,smeaton sooner up towards the rock1 or in hopes of getting her boat brought to our assistance1 this must have given an immediate alarm to the artificers1 each of whom would have insisted upon taking to his own boat1 and leaving the eight artificers belonging to the ,smeaton to their chance4 ,of course1 a scuffle might have ensued1 and it is hard to say1 in the ardour of men contending for life1 where it might have ended4 ,it has even been hinted to the writer1 that a party of the pickmen were determined to keep exclusively to their own boat against all hazards4 ,the unfortunate circumstance of the ,smeaton and her boat having drifted1 was1 for a considerable time1 only known to the writer1 and to the landing-master1 who removed to the farther point of the rock1 where he kept his eye steadily upon the progress of the vessel4 ,while the artificers were at work1 chiefly in sitting or kneeling postures1 excavating the rock1 or boring with the jumpers1 and while their numerous hammers1 and the sound of the smith's anvil continued1 the situation of things did not appear so awful4 ,in this state of suspense1 with almost certain destruction at hand1 the water began to rise upon those who were at work on the lower parts of the sites of the ,beacon and ,light-house4 ,from the run of sea upon the rock1 the forge fire was also sooner extinguished this morning than usual1 and the volumes of smoke having ceased1 objects in every direction became visible from all parts of the rock4 ,after having had about three hours work1 the men began1 pretty generally1 to make towards their respective boats for their jackets and stockings1 when1 to their astonishment1 instead of three1 they found only two boats1 the third being adrift with the ,smeaton4 ,not a word was uttered by any one1 but all appeared to be silently calculating their numbers1 and looking to each other with evident marks of perplexity depicted in their countenances4 ,the landing-master1 conceiving that blame might be attached to him for allowing the boat to leave the rock1 still kept at a distance4 ,at this critical moment1 the author was standing upon an elevated part of ,smith's ,ledge1 where he endeavoured to mark the progress of the ,smeaton1 not a little surprised that her crew did not cut the praam adrift1 which greatly retarded her way1 and amazed that some effort was not making to bring at least the boat1 and attempt our relief4 ,the workmen looked steadfastly upon the writer1 and turned occasionally towards the vessel1 still far to leeward4 ,all this passed in the most perfect silence1 and the melancholy solemnity of the group made an impression never to be effaced from his mind4 ,sidenote3 ,pilot boat accidentally comes to our relief4 ,the writer had all along been considering of various schemes1--providing the men could be kept under command1--which might be put in practice for the general safety1 in hopes that the ,smeaton might be able to pick up the boats to leeward1 when they were obliged to leave the rock4 ,he was1 accordingly1 about to address the artificers on the perilous nature of their circumstances1 and to propose1 ,that all hands should unstrip their upper clothing1 when the higher parts of the rock were laid under water2 that the seamen should remove every unnecessary weight and encumbrance from the boats2 that a specified number of men should go into each boat1 and that the remainder should hang by the gunwales1 while the boats were to be rowed gently towards the ,smeaton1 as the course to the ,pharos or floating-light lay rather to windward of the rock4 ,but when he attempted to speak1 his mouth was so parched1 that his tongue refused utterance1 and he now learned by experience that the saliva is as necessary as the tongue itself for speech4 ,he then turned to one of the pools on the rock and lapped a little water1 which produced immediate relief4 ,but what was his happiness1 when1 on rising from this unpleasant beverage1 some one called out 8,a boat1 a boat60 and1 on looking around1 at no great distance1 a large boat was seen through the haze making towards the rock4 ,this at once enlivened and rejoiced every heart4 ,the timeous visitor proved to be ,james ,spink1 the ,bell ,rock pilot1 who had come express from ,arbroath with letters4 ,spink had1 for some time1 seen the ,smeaton1 and had even supposed1 from the state of the weather1 that all hands were on board of her1 till he approached more nearly1 and observed people upon the rock2 but not supposing that the assistance of his boat was necessary to carry the artificers off the rock1 he anchored on the lee-side and began to fish1 waiting1 as usual1 till the letters were sent for1 as the pilot-boat was too large and unwieldy for approaching the rock1 when there was any roughness or run of the sea at the entrance of the landing creeks4 ,sidenote3 ,the boats have a rough passage from the rock4 ,upon this fortunate change of circumstances1 sixteen of the artificers were sent1 at two trips1 in one of the boats1 with instructions for ,spink to proceed with them to the floating-light4 ,this being accomplished1 the remaining sixteen followed in the two boats belonging to the service of the rock4 ,every one felt the most perfect happiness at leaving the ,bell ,rock this morning1 though a very hard and even dangerous passage to the floating-light still awaited us1 as the wind1 by this time1 had encreased to a pretty hard gale1 accompanied with a considerable swell of sea4 ,the boats left the rock about #i1 but did not reach the vessel till #ab o'clock noon1 after a most disagreeable and fatiguing passage of three hours4 ,every one was as completely drenched in water as if he had been dragged astern of the boats4 ,the writer in particular1 being at the helm1 found1 on getting on board1 that his face and ears were completely coated with a thin film of salt from the sea spray1 which broke constantly over the bows of the boat4 ,after much baling of water and severe work at the oars1 the three boats reached the floating-light1 where some new difficulties occurred in getting on board in safety1 owing partly to the exhausted state of the men1 and partly to the violent rolling of the vessel4 ,sidenote3 ,smeaton bears away for ,arbroath4 ,as the tide flowed1 it was expected that the ,smeaton would have got to windward1 but1 seeing that all was safe1 after tacking for several hours1 and making little progress1 she bore away for ,arbroath1 with the praam boat4 ,as there was now too much wind for the pilot-boat to return to ,arbroath1 she was made fast astern of the floating-light1 and the crew remained on board till next day1 when the weather moderated4 ,there can be very little doubt1 that the appearance of ,james ,spink with his boat1 on this critical occasion1 was the means of preventing the loss of lives at the rock this morning4 ,when these circumstances1 some years afterwards1 came to the knowledge of the ,board1 a small pension was ordered to our faithful pilot1 then in his seventieth year2 and he still continues to wear the uniform clothes and badge of the ,light-house service4 ,sidenote3 ,indispensable utility of the ,beacon-house4 ,the experience of this day's hard passage to the floating-light strongly impressed the writer with the inconveniency and danger arising from the want of a proper tender1 which could be cast loose at pleasure1 and brought to the lee-side of the rock1 and could1 at all times1 be moored nearer than it would have been safe or proper to have risked a vessel of the description of the floating-light4 ,another circumstance1 no less deeply interesting to the safety of those on the rock1 was the erection of the beacon-house1 as a place of refuge in cases like the present4 ,here the writer could not help congratulating himself not only upon the near prospect of completing this work1 but also on the perseverance with which he had maintained the indispensable necessity of the erection of the beacon4 ,he was aware of the well grounded fears for the safety of all concerned1 in the event of its being washed away by the sea2 but1 without such an erection on the ,bell ,rock1 it is impossible to describe the continual hazard which must have attended the undertaking1 or to determine the period when works so peculiarly situate1 and especially so low in the water1 might have been brought to a conclusion4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #c;d4 ,sidenote3 ,eighteen of the artificers decline embarking for the rock4 ,sidenote3 ,the boats proceed with eight4 ,the bell rung this morning at #e o'clock1 but the writer must acknowledge1 from the circumstances of yesterday1 that its sound was extremely unwelcome4 ,this appears also to have been the feelings of the artificers1 for when they came to be mustered1 out of twenty-six1 only eight1 besides the foreman and seamen1 appeared upon deck1 to accompany the writer to the rock4 ,such are the baneful effects of any thing like misfortune or accident connected with a work of this description4 ,the use of argument to persuade the men to embark1 in cases of this kind1 would have been out of place1 as it is not only discomfort1 or even the risk of the loss of a limb1 but life itself1 that becomes the question4 ,the boats1 notwithstanding the thinness of our ranks1 left the vessel at half-past #e4 ,the rough weather of yesterday having proved but a summer's gale1 the wind came to-day in gentle breezes1 yet the atmosphere being cloudy1 it had not a very favourable appearance4 ,the boats reached the rock at #f ,a4 ,m41 and the eight artificers who landed1 were employed in clearing out the bat-holes for the beacon-house1 and had a very prosperous tide of four hours work1 being the longest yet experienced by half an hour4 ,the boats left the rock again at #aj o'clock1 and the weather having cleared up as we drew near the vessel1 the eighteen artificers who had remained on board were observed upon deck2 but as the boats approached1 they sought their way below1 being quite ashamed of their conduct4 ,this was the only instance of refusal to go to the rock which occurred during the whole progress of the work1 excepting that of the four men who declined working upon ,sunday1 a case which the writer did not conceive to be at all analogous to the present4 ,it may here be mentioned1 much to the credit of these four men1 that they stood foremost in embarking for the rock this morning4 ,indeed1 it seemed quite evident1 that the backwardness of the artificers to-day arose from certain doubting expressions about the state of the weather1 made through the inadvertency of some of the nautical people on board1 in allusion to the state of the weather of yesterday4 ,a second landing was made in the evening tide1 at a quarter past #f1 with twenty of the artificers1 six having been left on board for want of sitting-room in the boats2 but as the work was not carried on with torch-light1 till after the erection of the beacon-house1 the boats left the rock again at a quarter past #g1 the men having been employed chiefly at the bat-holes of the beacon-house4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #dth4 ,all hands1 twenty-six in number1 landed this morning1 having been assisted by the ,smeaton's boat1 as she had again returned from ,arbroath to her moorings at the rock4 ,after three hours' work1 the boats returned to the ,pharos at a quarter past #aj1 leaving eight hands on board the ,smeaton1 as formerly1 which preserved a convenient complement of sitters in the other two boats4 ,sidenote3 ,captain ,pool's account of the drifting of the ,smeaton4 ,from the late accident of the ,smeaton's drifting1 precautionary measures were taken to impress upon ,captain ,pool1 and his mate ,mr ,macurich1 that their ship was not once to be put in competition with the safety of the people on the rock4 ,orders were also more strictly enforced upon the landing-master1 that on no occasion whatever should the boats attending the rock be permitted to leave it1 without carrying along with them the complement of men which they respectively brought to the rock4 ,upon examining the master of the ,smeaton as to the circumstances of his vessel breaking adrift1 it appeared that the salvagee had been chaffed1 and that it had given way by the excessive motion of the vessel4 ,being also examined as to his intentions with regard to the people left on the rock on the #b;d instant1 he stated1 that1 when tacking the ship1 he had seen the ,pilot-boat a considerable time before it was likely that she could be seen at the rock2 and that he was just about to cut the praam adrift1 when he got sight of the boat4 ,after setting sail on the ,smeaton1 his intentions were to try a tack or two1 to see if she gained to windward1 but if1 on trial1 she appeared to lose way1 his intentions were to lash the helm to leeward1 and leaving the boy on board of the vessel1 he was to man the boat and make towards our relief4 ,captain ,pool1 in concluding his account of this matter1 added1 that 8both ship and praam should have gone to the d----l1 rather than that the people upon the rock should have been left to perish40 ,but he stated1 that he was in much confusion for a time2--indeed1 until he got sight of the pilot boat1 that he was almost in a state of distraction1 he and his ship's company being in a continual wrangle about what was best to be done in so critical a situation4 ,this accident put an end to the mode of riding at the ,bell ,rock floating buoys by a salvagee and cross-head1 the hawser being in future passed through the ring of the buoy1 and the end of it taken on board of the vessel2 which was found to be much more safe1 though not quite so expeditious as the other4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #eth4 ,the wind having shifted to ,n4,,nw41 the weather had a favourable appearance this morning4 ,but on landing at the rock at #g ,a4 ,m41 there was a considerable swell from the eastward1 so that the boats had some difficulty in approaching the eastern creek4 ,the artificers1 however1 had a most excellent tide's work1 having continued four hours at work1 or till #aa o'clock4 ,the boring and preparations for the ,beacon-house being nearly completed1 only twelve of the artificers were employed at this work1 while fourteen were excavating and preparing the site of the ,light-house4 ,sidenote3 ,ascertain the comparative level of the site of the building4 ,this being the third day after new moon1 it was estimated the lowest ebb of the present spring-tides4 ,the writer therefore caused a part of the site of the building to be reduced to what he considered a medium level of the whole4 ,this he compared with low water-mark1 as noted by the landing-master1 at the moment when the tide ceased to ebb and began to flow4 ,an assistant with a rod having been stationed at low water-mark previously determined1 another was placed at the spot ascertained to be the medium level of the site of the building2 a spirit-level was then set at a convenient position between these upright rods1 when the writer found that the medium height of the site of the building1 in the present rough and irregular state of its surface1 was about three feet three inches above low water-mark of spring tides4 ,by further observation1 it was also found1 that the highest part of the foundation of the building1 in its present unprepared state1 was six feet above low water-mark4 ,this highest part consisted of a large rounded mass1 which declined gradually on all sides1 excepting on the north-east1 where it was more abrupt4 ,the writer had originally some thought of taking advantage of this part of the rock1 by connecting it1 after ,mr ,smeaton's plan1 with the lower courses of the building4 ,but after working for some time1 with this object in view1 it was found to contain several large fissures1 which rendered it more advisable to clear away the whole1 and reduce the site of the building to a uniform level4 ,sidenote3 ,full complement of ,floating ,buoys moored4 ,finding it impossible1 with any degree of safety1 to carry to the floating-light1 in the two boats belonging to this ship1 more than eighteen artificers1 and four seamen1 together with the landing-master1 the foreman and the writer1 eight of the present complement of men were lodged on board of the ,smeaton1 and when she went to ,arbroath for water and fuel1 they necessarily accompanied her4 ,before sailing1 she laid down a fourth mushroom-anchor1 and mooring-chain1 with a floating buoy1 for the use of the praam-boat4 ,it was not at all likely that there would be much use for so many sets of moorings for the operations of this season2 but it was desirable to have the probable number laid down that might ultimately be required for the works1 in order that the fitness of their respective situations might be ascertained1 before they came to be wanted for the purposes of the building4 ,this last buoy was laid down in four fathoms water1 with twelve fathoms of chain1 at the distance of about ninety fathoms1 in a ,n4,e4 direction from the rock4 ,the other three buoys were respectively moored at greater distances from the rock1 in depths varying from seven to eleven fathoms1 the mushroom anchors lying on a hard rocky bottom4 ,sidenote3 ,floating-,light rides out a heavy gale of wind4 ,as before noticed1 the work could not be carried on by torch-light with any degree of safety1 till the ,beacon was erected1 and the tide fell rather late for landing this evening4 ,although the weather would have admitted of this1 yet the swell of the sea1 observable in the morning1 still continued to increase4 ,it was so far fortunate that a landing was not attempted1 for at #h o'clock the wind shifted to ,e4 ,,se4 and at #aj it had become a hard gale1 when fifty fathoms of the floating-light's hempen cable were veered out4 ,the gale still increasing1 the ship rolled and laboured excessively1 and at midnight eighty fathoms of cable were veered out2 while the sea continued to strike the vessel with a degree of force which had not before been experienced4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #fth4 ,during the last night there was little rest on board of the ,pharos1 and day-light1 though anxiously wished for1 brought no relief1 as the gale continued with unabated violence4 ,the sea struck so hard upon the vessel's bows1 that it rose in great quantities1 or in 8green seas10 as the sailors termed it1 which were carried by the wind as far aft as the quarter-deck1 and not unfrequently over the stern of the ship altogether4 ,it fell occasionally so heavily on the skylight of the writer's cabin1 though so far aft as to be within five feet of the helm1 that the glass was broken to pieces before the dead-light could be got into its place1 so that the water poured down in great quantities4 ,in shutting out the water1 the admission of light was prevented1 and in the morning all continued in the most comfortless state of darkness4 ,about #aj o'clock ,a4 ,m41 the wind shifted to ,,ne41 and blew1 if possible1 harder than before1 and it was accompanied by a much heavier swell of sea2 when it was judged advisable to give the ship more cable4 ,in the course of the gale1 the part of the cable in the hause-hole had been so often shifted1 that nearly the whole length of one of her hempen cables1 of #abj fathoms1 had been veered out1 besides the chain-moorings4 ,the cable for its preservation1 was also carefully served or wattled with pieces of canvass round the windlass1 and with leather well greased in the hause-hole4 ,in this state things remained during the whole day4 ,every sea which struck the vessel1--and the seas followed each other in close succession1--causing her to shake1 and all on board occasionally to tremble4 ,at each of these strokes of the sea1 the rolling and pitching of the vessel ceased for a time1 and her motion was felt as if she had either broke adrift before the wind1 or were in the act of sinking2 but when another sea came1 she ranged up against it with great force1 and this became the regular intimation of our being still riding at anchor4 ,sidenote3 ,state of the vessel during the gale4 ,about #aa o'clock1 the writer1 with some difficulty1 got out of bed1 but in attempting to dress1 he was thrown twice upon the floor1 at the opposite side of the cabin4 ,in an undressed state1 he made shift to get about half way up the companion-stairs1 with an intention to observe the state of the sea and of the ship upon deck1 but he no sooner looked over the companion1 than a heavy sea struck the vessel1 which fell on the quarter-deck1 and rushed down stairs into the officers' cabin1 in so considerable a quantity1 that it was found necessary to lift one of the scuttles in the floor1 to let the water into the limbers of the ship1 as it dashed from side to side in such a manner1 as to run into the lower tier of beds4 ,having been foiled in this attempt1 and being completely wetted1 he again1 got below and went to bed4 ,in this state of the weather the seamen had to move about the necessary or indispensable duties of the ship1 with the most cautious use both of hands and feet1 while it required all the art of the landsman to keep within the precincts of his bed4 ,the writer even found himself so much tossed about1 that it became necessary1 in some measure1 to shut himself in bed1 in order to avoid being thrown into the floor4 ,indeed1 such was the motion of the ship1 that it seemed wholly impracticable to remain in any other than a lying posture4 ,on deck the most stormy aspect presented itself2 while below all was wet and comfortless4 ,about #b o'clock ,p4 ,m41 a great alarm was given throughout the ship1 from the effects of a very heavy sea which struck her1 and almost filled the waist1 pouring down into the births below1 through every chink and crevice of the hatches and sky-lights4 ,from the motion of the vessel being thus suddenly deadened or checked1 and from the flowing in of the water above1 it is believed there was not an individual on board who did not think1 at the moment1 that the vessel had foundered1 and was in the act of sinking4 ,the writer could withstand this no longer1 and as soon as she again began to range to the sea1 he determined to make another effort to get upon deck4 ,in the first instance1 however1 he groped his way in darkness from his own cabin through the births of the officers1 where all was quietness4 ,he next entered the galley and other compartments occupied by the artificers3 here also all was shut up in darkness1 the fire having been drowned out in the early part of the gale3 several of the artificers were employed in prayer1 repeating psalms1 and other devotional exercises in a full tone of voice3 others protesting1 that if they should fortunately get once more on shore1 no one should ever see them afloat again4 ,with the assistance of the landing-master1 the writer made his way holding on step by step1 among the numerous impediments which lay in the way4 ,such was the creaking noise of the bulk-heads or partitions1 the dashing of the water1 and the whistling noise of the winds1 that it was hardly possible to break in upon such a confusion of sounds4 ,in one or two instances1 anxious and repeated inquiries were made by the artificers1 as to the state of things upon deck1 to which the ,captain made the usual answer1 that it could not blow long in this way1 and that we must soon have better weather4 ,the next birth in succession1 moving forward in the ship1 was that allotted for the seamen4 ,here the scene was considerably different4 ,having reached the middle of this darksome birth1 without its inmates being aware of any intrusion1 the writer had the consolation of remarking1 that although they talked of bad weather1 and the cross accidents of the sea1 yet the conversation was carried on in that sort of tone and manner which bespoke an ease and composure of mind1 highly creditable to them1 and pleasing to him4 ,the writer immediately accosted the seamen about the state of the ship4 ,to these inquiries they replied1 that the vessel being light1 and having but little hold of the water1 no top rigging1 with excellent ground-tackle1 and every thing being fresh and new1 they felt perfect confidence in their situation4 ,it being impossible to open any of the hatches in the fore part of the ship1 in communicating with the deck1 the watch was changed by passing through the several births to the companion-stair leading to the quarter-deck4 ,the writer1 therefore1 made the best of his way aft1 and on a second attempt to look out1 he succeeded1 and saw indeed an astonishing sight4 ,the seas1 or waves1 appeared to be ten or fifteen feet in height of unbroken water1 and every approaching billow seemed as if it would overwhelm our vessel1 but she continued to rise upon the waves1 and to fall between the seas in a very wonderful manner4 ,it seemed to be only those seas which caught her in the act of rising1 which struck her with so much violence1 and threw such quantities of water aft4 ,on deck there was only one solitary individual looking out1 to give the alarm1 in the event of the ship breaking from her moorings4 ,the seaman on watch continued only two hours2 he who kept watch at this time1 was a tall slender man of a black complexion2 he had no great coat nor over-all of any kind1 but was simply dressed in his ordinary jacket and trowsers3 his hat was tied under his chin with a napkin1 and he stood aft the foremast1 to which he had lashed himself with a gasket or small rope round his waist1 to prevent his falling upon deck1 or being washed overboard4 ,when the writer looked up1 he appeared to smile1 which afforded a farther symptom of the confidence of the crew in their ship4 ,this person on the watch was as completely wetted as if he had been drawn through the sea1 which was given as a reason for his not putting on a great coat1 that he might wet as few of his clothes as possible1 and have a dry shift when he went below4 ,upon deck1 every thing that was moveable was out of sight1 having either been stowed below1 previous to the gale1 or been washed overboard4 ,some trifling parts of the quarter boards were damaged by the breach of the sea2 and one of the boats upon deck was about one-third full of water1 the oyle-hole or drain having been accidentally stopped up1--and part of her gunwale had received considerable injury4 ,these observations were hastily made1 and not without occasionally shutting the companion1 or covering up the stair-case1 to avoid being wetted by the successive seas which broke over the bows1 and fell upon different parts of the deck1 according to the impetus with which the waves struck the vessel4 ,by this time it was about #c o'clock in the afternoon1 and the gale1 which had now continued with unabated force for #bg hours1 had not the least appearance of going off4 ,sidenote3 ,consultation about the probable event of her breaking adrift4 ,in the dismal prospect of undergoing another night like the last1 and being in imminent hazard of parting from our cable1 the writer thought it necessary to advise with the master and officers of the ship as to the probable event of the vessel's drifting from her moorings4 ,they severally gave it as their opinion1 that we had now every chance of riding out the gale1 which1 in all probability1 could not continue with the same fury many hours longer2 and that even if she should part from her anchor1 the storm-sails had been laid to hand1 and could be bent in a very short time4 ,they further stated1 that from the direction of the wind being ,,ne41 she would sail up the ,firth of ,forth to ,leith ,roads4 ,but if this should appear doubtful1 after passing the ,island and ,light of ,may1 it might be advisable at once to steer for ,tyningham ,sands1 on the western side of ,dunbar1 and there run the vessel ashore4 ,if this should happen at the time of high-water1 or during the ebbing of the tide1 they were of opinion1 from the flatness and strength of the floating-light1 that no danger would attend her taking the ground1 even with a very heavy sea4 ,the writer seeing the confidence which these gentlemen possessed with regard to the situation of things1 and their knowledge and ability1 should the ship break adrift1 found himself as much relieved with this conversation1 as he had previously been with the seeming indifference of the forecastle-men1 and the smile of the watch upon deck1 though literally lashed to the foremast4 ,from this time he felt himself almost perfectly at ease2 at any rate he was entirely resigned to the ultimate result4 ,sidenote3 ,the gale takes off4 ,about #f o'clock in the evening1 the ship's company was heard moving upon deck1 which1 on the present occasion1 was rather the cause of alarm4 ,the writer accordingly rung his bell to know what was the matter1 when he was informed by the steward1 that the weather looked considerably better1 and that the men upon deck were endeavouring to ship the smoke-funnel of the galley1 that the people might get some meat4 ,this was a more favourable account than had been anticipated4 ,during the last twenty-one hours he himself had not only had nothing to eat1 but he had almost never passed a thought on the subject4 ,upon the mention of a change of weather1 he sent the steward to learn how the artificers felt1 and on his return he stated that they now seemed to be all very happy1 since the cook had begun to light the galley-fire1 and make preparations for the suet-pudding of ,sunday1 which was the only dish to be attempted for the mess1 from the ease with which it could both be cooked and served up4 ,the principal change felt upon the ship1 as the wind abated1 was her increased rolling motion1 but the pitching was much diminished1 and now hardly any sea came farther aft than the foremast2 but she rolled so extremely hard1 as frequently to dip and take in water over the gunwales and rails in the waist1 though1 as before noticed1 she was in light ballast trim4 ,by #i o'clock1 all hands had been refreshed by the exertions of the cook and steward1 and were happy in the prospect of the worst of the gale being over4 ,the usual complement of men was also now set on watch1 and more quietness was experienced throughout the ship4 ,although the previous night had been a very restless one1 it had not the effect of inducing repose in the writer's birth on the succeeding night1 for having been so much tossed about in bed1 during the last thirty hours1 he found no easy spot to turn to1 and his body was all sore to the touch1 which ill accorded with the unyielding materials with which his bed-place was surrounded4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #gth4 ,sidenote3 ,appearance of the sea upon the ,bell ,rock4 ,this morning about #h o'clock1 the writer was agreeably surprised to see the scuttle of his cabin sky-light removed1 and the bright rays of the sun admitted4 ,although the ship continued to roll excessively1 and the sea was still running very high1 yet the ordinary business on board seemed to be going forward on deck4 ,it was impossible to steady a telescope1 so as to look minutely at the progress of the waves1 and trace their breach upon the ,bell ,rock1 but the height to which the cross-running waves rose in sprays1 when they met each other1 was truly grand1 and the continued roar and noise of the sea was very perceptible to the ear4 ,to estimate the height of the sprays at forty or fifty feet1 would surely be within the mark4 ,those of the workmen who were not much afflicted with sea-sickness1 came upon deck1 and the wetness below being dried up1 the cabins were again brought into a habitable state4 ,every one seemed to meet as if after a long absence1 congratulating his neighbour upon the return of good weather4 ,little could be said as to the comfort of the vessel1 but after riding out such a gale1 no one felt the least doubt or hesitation as to the safety and good condition of her moorings4 ,the master and mate were extremely anxious1 however1 to heave in the hempen cable1 and see the state of the clinch or iron ring of the chain-cable4 ,but the vessel rolled at such a rate1 that the seamen could not possibly keep their feet at the windlass1 nor work the hand-spokes1 though it had been several times attempted since the gale took off4 ,sidenote3 ,floating-,light breaks adrift4 ,about #ab noon1 however1 the vessel's motion was observed to be considerably less1 and the sailors were enabled to walk upon deck with some degree of freedom4 ,but1 to the astonishment of every one1 it was soon discovered that the floating-light was adrift6 ,the windlass was instantly manned1 and the men soon gave out that there was no strain upon the cable4 ,the mizzen sail1 which was bent for the occasional purpose of making the vessel ride more easily to the tide1 was immediately set1 and the other sails were also hoisted in a short time1 when1 in no small consternation1 we bore away1 about one mile to the south-westward of the former station1 and there let go the best bower anchor and cable in twenty fathoms water1 to ride until the swell of the sea should fall1 when it might be practicable to grapple for the moorings1 and find a better anchorage for the ship4 ,sidenote3 ,cable supposed to have been cut by a piece of wreck4 ,as soon as the deck could be cleared1 the cable-end was hove up1 which had parted at the distance of about fifty fathoms from the chain-moorings4 ,on examining the cable1 it was found to be considerably chafed1 but where the separation took place1 it appeared to be worn through1 or cut shortly off4 ,how to account for this would be difficult1 as the ground1 though rough and gravelly1 did not1 after much sounding1 appear to contain any irregular parts4 ,it was therefore conjectured1 that the cable must have hooked some piece of wreck1 as it did not appear1 from the state of the wind and tide1 that the vessel could have fouled her anchor1 when she veered round with the wind1 which had shifted1 in the course of the night1 from ,,ne4 to ,n4,,nw4 ,be this as it may1 it was a circumstance quite out of the power of man to prevent1 as1 until the ship drifted1 it was found impossible to heave up the cable4 ,but what ought to have been the feeling of thankfulness to that ,providence which regulates and appoints the lot of man1 when it is considered1 that if this accident had happened during the storm1 or in the night after the wind had shifted1 the floating-light must inevitably have gone ashore upon the ,bell ,rock4 ,in short1 it is hardly possible to conceive any case more awfully distressing than our situation would have been1 or one more disastrous to the important undertaking in which we were engaged4 ,in the present untoward state of things1 the writer had chiefly to regret the necessity of making a permanent change in the position of the moorings of the floating-light1 after her station had been publicly advertised1 and within a week of the time of exhibiting the light4 ,it had also become more evident that this vessel could not be continued as a tender or store-ship for the work4 ,the object of consideration1 therefore1 was to place her in a situation where she would be most useful to shipping4 ,it was evident that she must now be stationed at about double her former distance from the rock1 or1 instead of one mile1 that she must be moored upwards of two miles from it1 on ground formerly ascertained to have been good1 but considered too distant from the operations4 ,sidenote3 ,difficulty of manning the ,floating-light4 ,in the evening the ,smeaton came off from ,arbroath1 with provisions and necessaries for the work4 ,there being little wind1 and a heavy swell in the sea1 it was not safe that the vessels should come in contact with each other4 ,mr ,macurich1 the mate1 who came within hail1 in the ,smeaton's boat1 informed us1 that two seamen had come off to make up the complement of the crew of the floating-light1 and that they would be brought on board the first opportunity4 ,from the manner in which this address was made1 and the enquiry as to how we rode out the gale1 it was evident that the crew of the ,smeaton were not aware that the floating-light had shifted her place2 nor1 indeed1 was this at all obvious1 unless by a particular observation made by the mariner's compass1 in reference to the position of the rock4 ,the peculiarity of this service rendered it difficult to procure good seamen to embark in it1 and the original crew dropped off one after another as the winter season began to advance2 for as yet our naval heroes had not shewn the possibility of remaining for months together1 even off an enemy's coast4 ,it was therefore found to be an extremely difficult matter to get the crew of the floating-light recruited from time to time2 and1 under the perplexity of our present situation1 it was some alleviation to be told that there were men voluntarily offering their services4 ,in the course of this day the wind had veered from ,n4,,nw4 to ,,ne41 but the weather was mild1 and the sea had fallen considerably1 so that the boat came alongside with the two seamen1 and a supply of necessaries4 ,the ,smeaton was then dispatched to ,arbroath for another set of moorings for the floating-light1 in case of our not finding those from which she had drifted4 ,letters were also dispatched to the ,light-house ,board1 intimating the particulars of the floating-light's new ground1 that additional notice might be given to shipping4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #ith4 ,sidenote3 ,floating-light anchored in her new station4 ,the weather continued to be extremely agreeable1 though the wind kept shifting about4 ,having got every thing in readiness for moving to the new station1 which had again been carefully sounded1 the floating-light was got under way1--which the author had fondly hoped never to have seen1 till after her purpose as a temporary light had been supplied by a permanent building upon the ,bell ,rock4 ,at #i o'clock ,a4 ,m4 the best bower anchor was let go upon the new ground1 in twenty fathoms water1 on clean sand mixed with fine silt or mud1 appearing to be the deposited matters borne along by the currents from the river ,tay2 the ,bell ,rock bearing ,,se4 ,s4 distant about #b miles4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #adth4 ,sidenote3 ,it is found impracticable to land to-day4 ,the ,smeaton returned to ,arbroath1 after landing her dispatches2 but the wind and the swell of the sea having again increased1 she was obliged to remain in port till the #adth4 ,as the floating-light still rode at single anchor1 it was often an anxious wish to have her once more properly fixed with chain moorings2 but1 as yet1 no opportunity had occurred for recovering the old chain1 and it took some time to prepare a new one4 ,the ,smeaton having returned from ,arbroath this morning1 the writer went on board of her1 carrying with him all the artificers4 ,at #f an attempt was made to land1 but the sea ran so heavily1 and the breakers rushed with such fury in every direction1 that after rowing all around the rock1 the boats were obliged to return without success4 ,it deserves remark1 however1 that this was the first attempt to land this season1 in which it had been found impracticable1 after actually embarking in the boats4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #aeth4 ,sidenote3 ,state of matters at the rock1 after a lapse of ten days4 ,this morning at #e ,a4 ,m41 the bell rung as a signal for landing upon the rock1 a sound which1 after a lapse of ten days1 it is believed was welcomed by every one on board4 ,there being a heavy breach of sea at the eastern creek1 we landed1 though not without difficulty1 on the western side1 every one seeming more eager than another to get upon the rock1 and never did hungry men sit down to a hearty meal with more appetite than the artificers began to pick the dulse from the rocks4 ,this marine plant had the effect of reviving the sickly1 and seemed to be no less relished by those who were more hardy4 ,while the water was ebbing1 and the men were roaming in quest of their favourite morsel1 the writer was examining the effects of the storm upon the forge1 and loose apparatus left upon the rock4 ,the six large blocks of granite which had been landed1 by way of experiment1 on the #ast instant1 were now removed from their places1 and1 by the force of the sea1 thrown over a rising ledge into a hole at the distance of twelve or fifteen paces from the place on which they had been landed4 ,this was a pretty good evidence1 both of the violence of the storm and the agitation of the sea upon the rock4 ,the safety of the smith's forge was always an object of essential regard4 ,the ash-pan of the hearth or fire-place1 with its weighty cast-iron back1 had been washed from their places of supposed security3 the chains of attachment had been broken1 and these ponderous articles were found at a very considerable distance1 in a hole on the western side of the rock2 while the tools and picks of the ,aberdeen masons were scattered about in every direction4 ,it is1 however1 remarkable1 that not a single article was ultimately lost4 ,a mushroom-anchor1 weighing about #bb cwt41 had been driven from its station at some distance1 and thrown upon the rock1 being found in one of the landing creeks4 ,the floating-buoy being still attached to it1 had received no material damage1 though it had been chafed and was water-logged4 ,this buoy1 with its moorings1 consisting of #bd fathoms of chain1 and the anchor1 had been given up as lost1 ever since the gale2 but just as the boats were about to leave the rock1 they were fortunately observed between two ledges of rock1 by one of the seamen4 ,sidenote3 ,work1 this tide1 continues only for one hour4 ,after having been two hours and a half upon the rock this morning1 boats left it at a quarter past #h4 ,at half-past #f ,p4 ,m41 they again returned2 but the smith having fallen into the water in landing1 got the tinder so wetted1 that he could not strike fire1 and the work was left off at #g1 after one hour's work1 for want of sharp tools4--,the site of the beacon being now prepared1 and the stanchion-holes excavated1 the mode of employing the artificers was reversed1 only four being occupied at the beacon works1 and twelve in preparing the foundation of the light-house4 ,sidenote3 ,floating-light first exhibited4 ,this being the night on which the floating-light was advertised to be lighted1 it was accordingly exhibited1 to the great joy of every one4 ,for1 besides the benefit to be derived by shipping in general1 from this temporary light1 it was also to be of great service to the operations at the ,bell ,rock1 as it became a point of reference for the conveniency and safety of the light-house vessels1 either in riding at the buoys1 or in cruising about the rock4 ,the event of lighting up this ship1 was1 therefore1 ushered in with three hearty cheers1 and a dram was served out to all hands4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #afth4 ,the weather continuing to be moderate1 with gentle breezes from ,,nw4 to ,n4,,ne41 this morning the work commenced at the rock at half-past #f1 and the boats left it again at a quarter from #i1 after the artificers had been at work two hours and a half4 ,sidenote3 ,light-house ,yacht becomes a ,tender to the works4 ,the writer was made happy to-day1 by the return of the ,light-house ,yacht1 from a voyage to the ,northern ,light-houses4 ,she had sailed from the ,bell ,rock on the #eth of last month for the ,orkneys1 and had passed the ,western ,islands to the ,clyde1 returning to the eastern coast by the ,forth and ,clyde ,canal1 after having discharged stores at the several ,light-houses in her track4 ,the arrival of this vessel was a great relief1 as she brought a set of moorings with her for the floating-light1 which still rode at single anchor4 ,having immediately removed on board of this fine vessel of eighty-one tons register1 the artificers gladly followed1 for1 though they found themselves more pinched for accommodation on board of the ,yacht1 and still more so in the ,smeaton2 yet they greatly preferred either of these to the ,pharos or floating-light1 on account of her rolling motion1 though in all respects fitted up for their conveniency4 ,sidenote3 ,artificers agree to remain at the rock after their engagement had expired4 ,the writer called them to the quarter-deck1 and informed them that having been one month afloat1 in terms of their agreement1 they were now at liberty to return to the work-yard at ,arbroath1 if they preferred this to continuing at the ,bell ,rock4 ,but they replied1 that1 in the prospect of soon getting the beacon erected upon the rock1 and having made a change from the floating-light1 they were now perfectly reconciled to their situation1 and would remain afloat till the end of the working season4 ,this was considered a matter of the greatest importance to the success of the work2 for1 from the circumstances of the bad weather1 and the drifting of the floating-light1 it seemed extremely doubtful but the whole of the workmen might have been induced to go on shore1 which would have deterred others from embarking in this perilous service1 at so advanced a period of the season4 ,at all events1 it must have required no small trouble to have brought a new set of men to expertness in the minuti of the traffic in boats1 and getting in and out of the vessels4 ,of those who had originally come off to the work on the #agth of ,august1 only one man1 already alluded to1 who was a great martyr to sea-sickness1 had returned to the work-yard4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #agth4 ,sidenote3 ,accident happens to one of the boats4 ,the wind was at ,,ne4 this morning1 and though there were only light airs1 yet there was a pretty heavy swell coming ashore upon the rock4 ,the boats landed at half-past #g o'clock ,a4 ,m41 at the creek on the southern side of the rock1 marked ,port ,hamilton in ,plate ,,vi41 which to-day was found to be the most accessible landing-place4 ,but as one of the boats was in the act of entering this creek1 the seaman at the bow oar1 who had just entered the service1 having inadvertently expressed some fear1 from a heavy sea which came rolling towards the boat1 and one of the artificers having at the same time looked round and missed a stroke with his oar1 such a preponderance was thus given to the rowers upon the opposite side1 that when the wave struck the boat1 it threw her upon a ledge of shelving rocks1 where the water left her1 and she having kanted to seaward1 the next wave completely filled her with water4 ,after making considerable efforts1 the boat was again got afloat in the proper track of the creek1 so that we landed without any other accident than a complete ducking4 ,this accident caused us to lose some time2 but1 as the boats could not conveniently leave the rock till flood-tide1 and there being no possibility of getting a shift of clothes1 the artificers began with all speed to work1 so as to bring themselves into heat1 while the writer1 and his assistants1 kept as much as possible in motion4 ,having remained more than an hour upon the rock1 the boats left it at half-past #i2 and after getting on board1 the writer recommended to the artificers1 as the best mode of getting into a state of comfort1 to strip off their wet clothes1 and go to bed for an hour or two4 ,no farther inconveniency was felt1 and no one seemed to complain of the affection called 8catching cold40 ,it was a standing order in the landing department1 that every man should use his greatest exertions1 in giving the boats sufficient force or velocity to preserve their steerage-way in entering the respective creeks at the rock1 that the contending seas might not have the command of the boat at places where the free use of the oars could not be had1 on account of the surrounding rocks4 ,the late accident1 accordingly1 put all hands more upon their guard1 as such an occurrence might have proved fatal to all on board1 under a very slight change of circumstances4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #ahth4 ,sidenote3 ,floating-light moored in her new station4 ,the first object to be accomplished1 with the assistance of the ,light-house ,yacht1 was to get the floating-light secured at her new station1 an operation which required the finest of weather4 ,to-day1 the wind was at ,,ne41 and although moderate1 it was1 of all others1 most dreaded at the ,bell ,rock1 the heavy gale of the #fth instant having been from this direction4 ,the writer1 however1 judged it advisable to proceed with the laying down of the new moorings1 and in case of any accident by the slipping of the chain1 as formerly1 the artificers1 instead of going to the rock this tide1 were kept on board1 that the seamen and all hands might be on the spot to render assistance4 ,these new moorings consisted of #dj fathoms of chain1 made from iron-bars of one inch square1 with a cast-iron mushroom-anchor1 weighing #a ton #a cwt4 #b qrs4 #d lb4 ,this anchor and chain1 were let down in a depth of twenty-one fathoms1 the ,bell ,rock being from the new station ,,se4 ,s41 distant two and a half miles2 ,redhead ,n4 by ,e41 distant ten miles2 ,arbroath ,n4,,nw41 distant about ten miles2 ,fifeness ,,sw4 by ,w41 distant about eleven miles1 and ,isle of ,may ,,sw4 by ,s41 distant sixteen miles4 ,the moorings having been laid down on this spot1 a buoy was placed upon them4 ,the ,yacht then took the floating-light in tow to her new station1 where she was made fast to the chain1 with a new cable measuring sixteen inches in circumference4 ,this business was successfully accomplished at about #b o'clock ,p4 ,m41 after six hours of very hard work4 ,the first cables of the floating-light were of patent cordage1 made of the very best materials1 and most beautifully laid by machinery4 ,but the sailors complained that these ropes were so stiff and unpliable1 that they could neither be got stowed in the hold1 nor run freely out of the hause-holes4 ,these difficulties were also more felt with the patent laid cables1 after the weather became somewhat cold4 ,it was1 therefore1 found necessary to get a new cable1 laid in the ordinary way1 for the winter months4 ,sidenote3 ,smeaton arrives with the beams of the ,beacon in tow4 ,another important occurrence1 connected with the operations of this season1 was the arrival of the ,smeaton at #d ,p4 ,m41 having in tow the six principal beams of the ,beacon-house1 together with all the stanchions and other work on board for fixing it on the rock4 ,the mooring of the floating-light was a great point gained1 but1 in the erection of the beacon at this late period of the season1 new difficulties presented themselves4 ,the success of such an undertaking1 at any season1 was precarious2 because a single day of bad weather occurring1 before the necessary fixtures could be made1 might sweep the whole apparatus from the rock4 ,notwithstanding these difficulties1 the writer had determined to make the trial1 although he could almost have wished1 upon looking at the state of the clouds1 and the direction of the wind1 that the apparatus for the beacon had been still in the work-yard4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #aith4 ,sidenote3 ,preparations for erecting them4 ,the weather to-day did not prognosticate any thing very favourable2 the wind1 though in light breezes1 continued at ,,ne41 and it was occasionally almost calm4 ,the main beams of the ,beacon were made up in two separate rafts1 fixed with bars and bolts of iron4 ,one of these rafts1 not being immediately wanted1 was left astern of the floating-light1 and the other was kept in tow by the ,smeaton1 at the buoy nearest to the rock4 ,the ,light-house ,yacht rode at another buoy1 with all hands on board that could possibly be spared out of the floating-light2 including also ten additional men1 as carpenters1 smiths and sailors1 brought off for this operation4 ,the party of artificers and seamen which landed this morning on the ,bell ,rock1 counted altogether forty in number4 ,at half-past #h o'clock1 a ,derrick or mast of thirty feet in height1 was erected and properly supported with guy-ropes1 for suspending the block for raising the first principal beam of the beacon2 and a winch-machine was also bolted down to the rock for working the purchase-tackle4 ,the necessary blocks and tackle were likewise laid to hand and properly arranged4 ,the artificers and seamen were severally allotted in squads to different stations2 some were to bring the principal beams to hand1 others were to work the tackles1 while a third set had the charge of the iron-stanchions1 bolts1 and wedges1 so that the whole operation of raising the beams1 and fixing them to the rock1 might go forward in such a manner that some provision might be made1 in every stage of the work1 for securing what had been accomplished1 in case of a change of weather4 ,upon raising the derrick1 all hands on the rock spontaneously gave three hearty cheers1 as a favourable omen of our future exertions in pointing out more permanently the position of the rock4 ,even to this single spar of timber1 could it be preserved1 a drowning man might lay hold4 ,when the ,smeaton drifted on the #b;d of this month1 such a spar would have been sufficient to save us1 till she could have come to our relief4 ,these preparations for the erection of the ,beacon having been previously made1 the writer collected the heads of the several departments on board of the ,light-house ,yacht1 particularly the foremen of the builders and joiners1 and the masters and mates of the vessels4 ,here the operation of raising and fixing the first four beams was again talked over and arranged1 as1 from the very limited period of working on the rock1 every thing required to be performed in the most prompt and systematic manner1 as previously settled4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #bjth4 ,sidenote3 ,four of the principal beams erected4 ,the wind this morning was variable1 but the weather continued extremely favourable for the operations throughout the whole day4 ,at #f ,a4 ,m4 the boats were in motion1 and the raft1 consisting of four of the six principal beams of the ,beacon-house1 each measuring about sixteen inches square1 and fifty feet in length1 was towed to the rock1 where it was anchored1 that it might ground upon it as the water ebbed4 ,at #g ,a4 ,m4 the boats of the ,floating-light1 the ,yacht1 and the ,smeaton1 arrived at the rock1 when the work immediately commenced4 ,the sailors and artificers1 including all hands to-day1 counted no fewer than fifty-two1 being perhaps the greatest number of persons ever collected upon the ,bell ,rock4 ,it was early in the tide when the boats reached the rock1 and the men worked a considerable time up to their middle in water1 every one being more eager than his neighbour to be useful4 ,even the four artificers1 who had hitherto declined working on ,sunday1 were to-day most zealous in their exertions2 they had indeed become so convinced of the precarious nature and necessity of the work1 that they never afterwards absented themselves from the rock on ,sunday1 when a landing was practicable4 ,sidenote3 ,method of raising the principal beams of the ,beacon-house4 ,having made fast a piece of very good new line1 at about two thirds from the lower end of one of the beams1 the purchase-tackle of the derrick was hooked into the turns of the line1 and it was speedily raised1 by the number of men on the rock1 and the power of the winch tackle4 ,when this log was lifted to a sufficient height1 its foot1 or lower end1 was stepped into the spot which had been previously prepared for it4 ,two of the great iron stanchions were then set into their respective holes1 on each side of the beam1 when a rope was passed round them and the beam1 to prevent it from slipping1 till it could be more permanently fixed4 ,the derrick or upright spar used for carrying the tackle to raise the first beam1 was placed in such a position as to become useful for supporting the upper end of it1 which now became1 in its turn1 the prop of the tackle for raising the second beam1 which was laid in such a position1 that when hoisted up1 its foot slipped into its place1 when it was1 in like manner1 lashed to its great iron stanchions on each side4 ,the first and second beams being lashed to one another at the top1 served as a pair of sheers1 from which the purchase tackle was now suspended1 for raising the other two beams1 which were also speedily got into their places4 ,the whole difficulty of this operation was in the raising and propping of the first beam1 which became a convenient derrick for raising the second1 these again a pair of sheers for lifting the third1 and the sheers a triangle for raising the fourth4 ,having thus got four of the six principal beams set on end1 it required a considerable degree of trouble to get their upper ends to fit4 ,here they formed the apex of a cone1 and were all together mortised into a large piece of beechwood1 and secured1 for the present1 with ropes1 in a temporary manner4 ,during the short period of one tide1 all that could further be done for their security1 was to put a single screw-bolt through the great kneed bats or stanchions on each side of the beams1 and screw the nut home4 ,in this manner each beam1 with its respective pair of bats1 was fixed1 besides being strongly bound together with ropes4 ,sidenote3 ,method of fixing the great iron stanchions into the rock4 ,while one set of the artificers were employed in this operation1 another fixed the great iron-stanchions into the rock1 into which they were sunk to the depth of about twenty inches4 ,they were of a dove-tail or wedge form1 at the lower end1 where they measured an inch and a half in thickness2 were about four inches in their medium breadth2 and were let perpendicularly into the rock1 but kneed or bent to suit the angle which the beams formed with it4 ,these great bats or stanchions had much the figure and appearance of a soldier's musket2 they were five feet in length1 and weighed about #adj lb4 each4 ,instead of running the bat-holes full of melted lead1 as is common in operations of this kind1 but which1 in case of friction or movement1 is apt to be squeezed out of the holes1 all the bats made use of at the ,bell ,rock1 as before noticed1 were fixed by means of wedges4 ,several of the artificers were therefore employed in wedging these stanchions first with fir-timber1 then with oak1 and lastly with iron1 driven into spaces left for this purpose1 between the bats and the rock4 ,these wedges were driven so firmly1 that although the stanchions were the only fixture for this wooden house1 it had not been found necessary to drive any of the wedges a second time4 ,sidenote3 ,have seven hours work upon the rock4 ,in this manner these four principal beams were erected1 and left in a pretty secure state4 ,it1 however1 required the whole tide to get this much accomplished4 ,indeed1 the men had commenced during ebb-tide1 while there was about two or three feet water upon the site of the ,beacon1 and as the sea was smooth1 they continued the work equally long during flood-tide4 ,two of the boats being left at the rock to take off the joiners1 who were busily employed on the upper parts till #b o'clock ,p4 ,m41 this tide's work may be said to have continued for about seven hours1 which was the longest that had hitherto been got upon the rock by at least three hours4 ,when the first boats left the rock with the artificers employed on the lower part of the work during the flood-tide1 the ,beacon had quite a novel appearance4 ,the beams erected1 formed a common base of about thirty-three feet1 meeting at the top1 which1 independently of ulterior works1 was about forty-five feet above the rock1 and here half a dozen of the artificers were still at work4 ,after clearing the rock1 the boats made a stop1 when three hearty cheers were given1 which were returned with equal good will by those upon the ,beacon1 from the personal interest which every one felt in the prosperity of this work1 so intimately connected with his safety4 ,sidenote3 ,all hands assemble to prayers4 ,all hands having returned to their respective ships1 they got a shift of dry clothes1 and some refreshment4 ,being ,sunday1 they were afterwards convened by signal on board of the ,light-house ,yacht1 when prayers were read2 for every heart1 upon this occasion1 felt gladness1 and every mind was disposed to be thankful for the happy and successful termination of the operations of this day4 ,the crews then returned to their respective ships1 and as nothing further could be done to the ,beacon during the night tide1 there was no landing made in the evening4 ,sidenote3 ,monday #bast4 ,the weather most fortunately continued favourable for the operations1 the wind being westerly1 with fresh breezes4 ,the boats landed at half-past #g ,a4 ,m41 the number of persons on the rock being1 as formerly1 fifty-two2 the work was carried on till half-past #ab1 making four hours and a half upon the rock4 ,the remaining two principal beams were erected in the course of this tide1 which1 with the assistance of those set up yesterday1 was found to be a very simple operation4 ,in hoisting up the sixth and last log1 however1 and just when it was about to be kanted into its place1 the iron-hook of the principal purchase-block gave way1 and this great beam1 measuring fifty feet in length1 fell upon the rock with a terrible crash2 but what is not a little wonderful1 although there were fifty-two people engaged round the beacon1 yet not one was hurt in the slightest degree by its fall4 ,the beam itself was only a little shaken near the upper end1 but was not materially damaged4 ,another block was immediately hooked1 in the place of that which had failed1 and the beam was got into its place without much delay4 ,every possible exertion was now made to fix the lower ends of the beams to the rock1 by connecting them with their respective stanchions1 while three strong hoops of malleable iron were employed1 for securing the whole in one mass at the top4 ,the six principal beams of the beacon were thus secured1 at least in a temporary manner1 in the course of two tides1 or in the short space of about eleven hours and a half4 ,the only inconveniency attending this operation1 arose from the derrick for raising the first beam being rather too short4 ,it was only thirty feet in height1 whereas it was found that it would have answered better had it been about forty-five feet4 ,we were also a good deal troubled and perplexed with the logs afloat1 from having the six principal beams in two rafts3 it would have been more convenient had they been lashed together in pairs1 and then rafted in one lot4 ,the writer concludes1 upon the whole1 that about eight hours only were actually employed in raising the beams of the beacon1 and fixing them in a temporary manner4 ,such is the progress that may be made1 when active hands and willing minds set properly to work in operations of this kind4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #bb;d4 ,sidenote3 ,four of the supporting beams set up4 ,having now got the weighty part of this work over1 and being thereby relieved of the difficulty both of landing and victualling such a number of men1 the ,smeaton could now be spared1 and she was accordingly dispatched to ,arbroath1 for a supply of water and provisions1 and carried with her six of the artificers who could best be spared4 ,the wind to-day was due west1 and blowing so fresh1 that the boats had some difficulty in landing the remaining thirty-six persons at #h ,a4 ,m4 who continued on the rock till half-past #ab1 having had four and a half hours work4 ,during this tide four of the struts1 or supporting beams1 were set up1 butting against the inside of four of the principal beams4 ,these supports were each about twenty feet in length1 varying somewhat according to the inequalities of the rock4 ,at the foot they were fixed to the rock with stanchions1 similar to those of the principal beams1 and at the top they were connected with pieces of oak1 strongly strapped with iron1 collapsing around the principal beams to which they were bolted4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #bc;d4 ,sidenote3 ,the boats have some difficulty in leaving the rock to-day4 ,landed at half-past #i this morning1 and succeeded in getting up the two remaining supports1 and in fixing several of the bracing chains4 ,but1 instead of entering at present into any farther details about the several parts of the beacon1 it will be better to refer these to the letter-press description of ,plate ,,viii4 ,after having been four and a half hours at work on the rock to-day1 the boats left it1 though not without considerable difficulty1 as the wind had been blowing fresh all the last night1 and to-day it was shifting and veering about from ,n4,w4 to ,n4,n4,e41 which had already set up a pretty heavy sea4 ,in going out of the eastern harbour1 the boat which the writer steered shipped a sea1 that filled her about one-third with water4 ,she had also been hid for a short time1 by the waves breaking upon the rock1 from the sight of the crew of the preceding boat1 who were much alarmed for our safety1 imagining for a time that she had gone down4 ,sidenote3 ,shipping separated by a gale4 ,the ,smeaton returned from ,arbroath this afternoon1 but there was so much sea that she could not be made fast to her moorings2 she therefore let go her small bower anchor1 in order to get a supply of provisions put on board of the ,light-house yacht1 and receive other six of the artificers to carry ashore4 ,but the anchor was no sooner let go than it broke among the rocks1 and the vessel was obliged to return to ,arbroath1 without being able either to deliver the provisions1 or take the artificers on board4 ,the ,light-house yacht was also soon obliged to follow her example1 as the sea was breaking heavily over her bows4 ,after getting two reefs in the mainsail1 and the third or storm-jib set1 the wind being ,,sw41 she beat to windward1 though blowing a hard gale1 and got into ,st ,andrew's ,bay1 where we passed the night under the lee of ,fifeness4 ,in these circumstances1 it was impossible for the writer to divest himself of much anxiety for the fate of the newly erected beacon1 which was still but imperfectly fixed to the rock4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #bdth4 ,at #b o'clock this morning we were in ,st ,andrew's ,bay1 standing off and on shore1 with strong gales of wind at ,,sw42 at #g we were off the entrance of the ,tay2 at #h stood towards the rock1 and at #aj passed to leeward of it1 but could not attempt a landing4 ,the beacon1 however1 appeared to remain in good order1 and by #f ,p4 ,m4 the vessel had again beaten up to ,st ,andrew's ,bay1 and got into somewhat smoother water for the night4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #beth4 ,the wind still continues at ,,sw41 blowing very hard2 at #g o'clock bore away for the ,bell ,rock1 but finding a heavy sea running on it1 were unable to land4 ,the writer1 however1 had the satisfaction to observe1 with his telescope1 that every thing about the beacon appeared entire1 and although the sea had a most frightful appearance1 yet it was the opinion of every one1 that1 since the erection of the beacon1 the ,bell ,rock was divested of many of its terrors1 and1 had it been possible to have got the boats hoisted out and manned1 it might have even been found practicable to land3 the vessel was1 therefore1 kept in the track of the rock1 till it could be determined if a landing might be effected with the afternoon's tide4 ,the ,yacht1 in the mean time1 stood towards the ,redhead on the opposite shore1 and at #e ,p4 ,m4 returned2 but both the wind and sea had rather increased4 ,at #f it blew so hard1 that it was found necessary to strike the topmast and take in a third reef of the mainsail1 and under this low canvas we soon reached ,st ,andrew's ,bay1 and got again under the lee of the land for the night4 ,the artificers being sea-hardy1 were quite reconciled to their quarters on board of the ,light-house ,yacht2 but it is believed that hardly any consideration would have induced them again to take up their abode in the floating-light4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #bfth4 ,sidenote3 ,land on the rock after an absence of four days4 ,in the course of the last night1 the wind had shifted from ,,sw4 to ,w4 ,,nw41 with moderate weather4 ,at day-light1 the ,yacht steered towards the ,bell ,rock1 and at #h ,a4 ,m41 made fast to her moorings2 at #aj1 all hands1 to the amount of thirty1 landed1 when the writer had the happiness to find that the beacon had withstood the violence of the gale and the heavy breach of sea1 every thing being found in the same state in which it had been left on the #bast4 ,the artificers were now enabled to work upon the rock throughout the whole day1 both at low and high water1 but it required the strictest attention to the state of the weather1 in case of their being overtaken with a gale1 which might prevent the possibility of getting them off the rock4 ,to-day1 one half of the artificers remained on the beacon till half-past #f ,p4 ,m41 having been eight hours and a half at work upon it4 ,sidenote3 ,smith's forge removed from the rock to the ,beacon4 ,two somewhat memorable circumstances in the annals of the ,bell ,rock attended the operations of this day2 one was the removal of ,mr ,james ,dove1 the foreman smith1 with his apparatus1 from the rock to the upper part of the beacon1 where the forge was now erected on a temporary platform1 laid on the cross beams or upper framing4 ,the other was1 the artificers having dined for the first time upon the rock1 their dinner being cooked on board of the ,yacht1 and sent to them by one of the boats4 ,but what afforded the greatest happiness and relief1 was the removal of the large bellows1 which had all along been a source of much trouble and perplexity1 by their hampering and incommoding the boat which carried the smiths and their apparatus4 ,the men belonging to that boat were so delighted with this occurrence1 that while the bellows were in the act of being hoisted up to their new station1 they gave three such hearty cheers1 from below1 as astonished and surprised those who were working the tackle on the beacon1 to such a degree1 that1 for a moment1 they let the rope slip through their hands1 and had they not speedily caught hold again1 this useful implement might have been dashed to pieces1--which would have been a misfortune of no small import1 considering the state of the works at the present crisis4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday #bgth4 ,it being now the period of neap-tides1 other ten of the artificers were sent ashore to the work-yard at ,arbroath1 which reduced our complement at the rock to twenty4 ,the boats landed the people this morning at #aa1 but the masons had only about an hour's work on the highest part of the foundation of the light-house1 which was only partially left by the water1 the joiners and two blacksmiths being busily employed in completing and securing the several parts of the beacon1 particularly in screwing the bolts of the stanchions and bracing-chains1 and in staying the lower part of the beams4 ,they continued at these operations till #f o'clock ,p4 ,m41 having been nine hours upon the rock4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #bhth4 ,sidenote3 ,the writer sails for ,arbroath after having been four weeks afloat4 ,the joiners and smiths were landed on the beacon at #g ,a4 ,m41 where they continued all day1 and were brought off again at #e ,p4 ,m4 ,the ,smeaton had just returned from ,leith1 where she had been sent for sundry materials connected with the work4 ,the joiners and smiths were ten hours upon the rock to-day1 which was the longest period they had hitherto been upon it at any one time4 ,they now had their dinner regularly sent to the beacon1 and could continue at work throughout the whole day1 while the weather was sufficiently moderate to admit of the boats plying to and from the rock4 ,to-day the water did not leave it1 and it was now the seventh day since the lowest part of the foundation or site of the light-house had been seen4 ,the ,beacon being now in a comparative state of security1 the ,smeaton was left at the rock as a tender1 and the writer sailed in the ,light-house yacht1 this afternoon1 to inquire into the operations of the work-yard at ,arbroath4 ,after setting sail1 and looking back upon the ,bell ,rock1 it was quite astonishing to observe the change in the appearance of things1 which the erection of these beams had produced4 ,to shipping they became an excellent beacon2 while they induced the greatest confidence of safety in all who were actively engaged in this work4 ,the vessel anchored in the bay of ,arbroath1 at a late hour1 when the writer landed1 for the first time since the commencement of the working season1 on the #agth of ,august2 after having been between four and five weeks afloat4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #bith4 ,this morning was occupied in going over the work-yard with ,mr ,david ,logan1 clerk of works1 who had charge of the hewing department4 ,the first entire course of the building was now partly laid upon the platform3 a few stones of the second course1 and several of the higher courses1 were also in progress4 ,but from the backward state of the quarries in the production of stones of large dimensions1 it was found necessary to make some additional exertions for procuring a more regular supply1 and a person was therefore dispatched to the quarries of ,aberdeen and ,mylnefield for this purpose4 ,sidenote3 ,sails again for the ,bell ,rock4 ,having made some further arrangements in the work-yard1 the writer again embarked in the ,yacht1 and sailed for the ,bell ,rock this forenoon1 carrying with him ,mr ,peter ,logan1 the foreman builder1 and the artificers who had formerly been at the rock2 but who had expressly stipulated that they were not to be obliged to continue longer afloat than the approaching spring-tides1 when it was expected the ,beacon works would be completely secured for the winter4 ,in the early part of this day1 there was little or no wind1 but in the afternoon it came to blow very hard from south by west1 and in the evening it had increased to a hard gale4 ,having stood off to the ,bell ,rock1 and put the vessel under low canvas1 we hailed the floating-light1 and found her labouring very hard with sixty fathoms of cable out4 ,we then stretched to the southern side of the ,bell ,rock1 when the vessel was laid to2 but the ,smeaton1 which was also in company1 being a small vessel1 and much hampered with boats1 was not in a condition to keep at sea1 and as soon as the gale got up she stood in for ,arbroath1 and landed ,mr ,francis ,watt1 the foreman-joiner1 and the artificers under his charge1 to wait a favourable change of weather4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #cjth4 ,sidenote3 ,the vessels again separated by a gale4 ,this morning it was calculated1 by ,mr ,gloag1 the commander of the ,light-house ,yacht1 that she had drifted about thirty miles1 in a ,,se4 direction from the ,redhead4 ,about mid-day1 the wind shifted to ,,nw41 and we steered for ,st ,abb's ,head1 which was seen about twilight in the evening1 and our course was directed across the ,firth of ,forth4 ,when in the act of putting about the ship1 the stem boat was very nearly lost1 having been struck by a heavy sea which unhooked the fore-tackle4 ,at midnight we got within a few miles of the light of ,may1 and soon afterwards found smooth water in ,st ,andrew's ,bay1 where we tacked1 or 8stood to and again10 as the sailors term it1 all night4 ,sidenote3 #ahjg1 ,october4 ,sidenote3 ,october1 ,thursday #ast4 ,this morning the wind shifted to ,,ne4 with moderate breezes4 ,in the course of the forenoon we beat towards the ,bell ,rock1 and sailed round it1 when every thing appeared to be in good order about the beacon4 ,having no shelter in ,st ,andrew's ,bay with this wind1 the ,yacht stood alternately towards ,arbroath and the ,bell ,rock for the night4 ,the floating-light being a most excellent guide for putting about1 before the vessel got too near to the rock4 ,the older sailors on board of the ,yacht1 on this occasion1 made frequent observations as to the utility of this temporary light1 expressing their admiration at the change of circumstances which had led to their cruising with so much confidence1 both by day and night1 in the immediate vicinity of this dangerous rock4 ,sidenote3 ,friday #b;d4 ,sidenote3 ,effect a landing at the rock4 ,the wind having come round to ,,nw4 with fresh breezes1 it soon run down the north-easterly swell of the sea1 and at half-past #a ,p4 ,m41 all hands1 to the amount of twenty1 landed on the rock1 though not without difficulty4 ,twelve of the masons were engaged during three hours1 or till #d o'clock1 in excavating the foundation of the light-house1 while the eight joiners and smiths1 who also had arrived with the ,smeaton1 were employed at the works of the beacon for nine hours and a half2 and having continued at work by torchlight1 they left the rock at half-past #aj o'clock ,p4 ,m4 ,sidenote3 ,state of the ,beacon after the late gale4 ,on carefully examining into the state of things at the ,bell ,rock1 after the late gale1 the writer had the satisfaction to find1 that the principal beams of the beacon1 with their diagonal supports1 cross-beams and stanchions connecting them to the rock1 had not the smallest appearance of working or shifting1 as mechanics express it4 ,one of the tie chains had indeed given way1 and hung loosely from the beacon1 and one of the bracing screws had wrought off its nut4 ,this was an evidence that the principal beams from the elasticity of the timber1 had been acted upon by the sea1 and that they still required some additional stay in the middle4 ,such1 however1 were the fixtures of the beacon to the rock with the iron stanchions1 and its connection at the top1 where it was strongly girt with circular hoops of iron1 that it was perfectly firm at both extremities4 ,the central support was intended to be effected by means of strong bars of iron1 stretching between the principal beams2 but the season was now too far advanced for such an undertaking1 and therefore1 the bracing-chains1 represented in ,plate ,,viii41 were attached for the present4 ,it was not a little remarkable1 that notwithstanding the impression which the sea had produced during the late gale1 in shaking the beacon1 so as to break one of the tie-chains1 unscrew one of the bracing-bolts1 and in shaking several of the smith's tools from his hearth on the platform at the top1 yet these tools1 and other small articles of iron1 were all found lying on the rock4 ,the nut of the bolt1 for example1 was got immediately under the chain from which it had dropped4 ,several other striking examples of this kind were observable1 shewing how little will shelter articles somewhat ponderous in themselves1 when they lie at a considerable depth in water4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday #c;d4 ,sidenote3 ,working hours greatly extended4 ,the wind being west to-day1 the weather was very favourable for the operations at the rock1 and during the morning and evening tides1 with the aid of torch-light1 the masons had seven hours' work upon the site of the building4 ,the smiths and joiners1 who landed at half-past #f ,a4 ,m41 did not leave the rock till a quarter past #aa ,p4 ,m41 having been at work1 with little intermission1 for sixteen hours and three quarters4 ,when the water left the rock1 they were employed at the lower parts of the beacon1 and as the tide rose or fell1 they shifted the place of their operations4 ,from these exertions1 the fixing and securing of the beacon made rapid advancement1 as the men were now landed in the morning1 and remained throughout the day4 ,but1 as a sudden change of weather might have prevented their being taken off at the proper time of tide1 a quantity of bread and water was always kept on the ,beacon4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday #dth4 ,the wind was southerly during the fore part of the day1 and towards evening it became quite calm4 ,the boats landed the artificers this morning at a quarter before #g o'clock2 when the masons had three and a half hours' work at the foundation of the building1 but the spring-tides were now taking off2 the best of them having unfortunately been lost during the late gale4 ,the smiths and joiners1 however1 continued their operations throughout the whole of the day1 and did not leave the rock till half-past #ab at night4 ,during this period of working at the ,beacon all the day1 and often a great part of the night1 the writer was much on board of the ,tender2 but1 while the masons could work on the rock1 and frequently also while it was covered by the tide1 he remained on the ,beacon2 especially during the night1 as he made a point of being on the rock to the latest hour1 and was generally the last person who stepped into the boat4 ,he had laid this down as part of his plan of procedure2 and in this way had acquired1 in the course of the first season1 a pretty complete knowledge and experience of what could actually be done at the ,bell ,rock1 under all circumstances of the weather4 ,by this means also his assistants1 and the artificers and mariners1 got into a systematic habit of proceeding at the commencement of the work1 which1 it is believed1 continued throughout the whole of the operations4 ,sidenote3 ,beacon works finished for the season4 ,the external part of the beacon was now finished1 with its supports and bracing-chains1 and whatever else was considered necessary for its stability1 in so far as the season would permit2 and although much was still wanting to complete this fabric1 yet it was in such a state that it could be left without much fear of the consequences of a storm4 ,the painting of the upper part was nearly finished this afternoon2 and the ,smeaton had brought off a quantity of brush-wood and other articles1 for the purpose of heating or charring the lower part of the principal beams1 before being laid over with successive coats of boiling pitch1 to the height of from eight to twelve feet1 or as high as the rise of spring-tides4 ,a small flag-staff having also been erected to-day1 a flag was displayed for the first time from the ,beacon1 by which its perspective effect was greatly improved4 ,on this1 as on all like occasions at the ,bell ,rock1 three hearty cheers were given2 and the steward served out a dram of rum to all hands1 while the ,light-house ,yacht1 ,smeaton1 and ,floating-light1 hoisted their colours in compliment to the ,erection4 ,sidenote3 ,monday #eth4 ,to-day the wind was westerly1 and the weather was very wet2 but this was thought nothing of at the ,bell ,rock1 so long as the wind kept moderate4 ,at a quarter past #h ,a4 ,m4 the boats landed the artificers4 ,the masons had only #b hours' work at the site of the building1 owing to the smallness of the ebb-tide2 but the joiners and smiths continued their operations till half-past #aa ,p4 ,m41 and were consequently #ae hours and a quarter upon the ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,mr ,rennie and one of his sons visit the ,rock4 ,in the afternoon1 and just as the tide's work was over1 ,mr ,,john ,,rennie1 engineer1 accompanied by his son ,mr ,,george1 on their way to the harbour-works of ,fraserburgh1 in ,aberdeenshire1 paid a visit to the ,bell ,rock1 in a boat from ,arbroath4 ,it being then too late in the tide for landing1 they remained on board of the ,light-house ,yacht all night1 when the writer1 who had now been secluded from society for several weeks1 enjoyed much of ,mr ,rennie's interesting conversation2 both on general topics1 and professionally upon the progress of the ,bell-,rock works1 on which he was consulted as chief engineer4 ,the weather continued very moderate all night2 but although there was little swell in the sea1 yet our quarters on board of the ,yacht were not the most agreeable1 especially to strangers4 ,the vessel1 being perfectly new1 was so completely water-tight1 that it was hardly possible to keep her free of bilge-water1 and so strong was the hydrogenous gas or offensive effluvia arising from it1 that it had affected the colour of the paint of the cabin floor-cloth1 and even1 to a certain degree1 blackened the silver plate1 coins and watch-cases on board1 notwithstanding the frequent pumping of the ship1 and other means which were taken to sweeten her4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday #fth4 ,sidenote3 ,works given up for the season4 ,the artificers landed this morning at #i1 after which one of the boats returned to the ship for the writer and ,messrs ,rennie1 who1 upon landing1 were saluted with a display of the colours from the ,beacon1 and by three cheers from the workmen4 ,both the weather and the tide were pretty favourable for the operations1 and the masons continued about three hours at work4 ,every thing was now in a prepared state for leaving the rock1 and giving up the works afloat for this season1 excepting some small articles1 which would still occupy the smiths and joiners for a few days longer4 ,they1 accordingly1 shifted on board of the ,smeaton1 while the ,yacht left the rock for ,arbroath1 with ,messrs ,rennie1 the writer1 and the remainder of the artificers4 ,but1 before taking leave1 the steward served out a farewell-glass1 when three hearty cheers were given1 and an earnest wish expressed1 that every thing1 in the spring of #ahjh1 might be found in the same state of good order as it was now about to be left4 ,in concluding the account of the first season's work1 the writer may observe1 that he had not at any time previously to his engaging in the ,bell ,rock works1 been more than five or six days at sea on a stretch1 even in the course of his voyages to the ,northern ,light-houses4 ,but on the present occasion he had now been afloat upwards of seven weeks1 with the exception of a single day spent in the ,work ,yard4 ,upon his return to the shore1 therefore1 after having successfully closed these critical operations1 he felt a mixed emotion of happiness and gratitude1 for so prosperous a termination2 and1 participating in those feelings which are known to actuate the mariner1 after a dangerous voyage1 he looked with thankfulness to that ,providence which had preserved those engaged in the work under so many perilous circumstances4 ,sidenote3 ,number of days the artificers were actually at work4 ,the period during which the works had been continued1 appeared of much longer duration to every one than it really was1 for1 upon calculating the actual time spent upon the rock1 it amounted to about #ahj hours1 of which only #acc or about #ac days1 of #aj hours each1 could be said to have been actively employed4 ,upon looking back on this result1 the writer is astonished at what had been accomplished in so short a period2 for besides the erection of the principal beams of the ,beacon-house1 something considerable had also been done towards the preparation of the site of the ,light-house4 ,he cannot1 therefore1 help thinking1 that the experience of this season's work at the ,bell ,rock1 affords a good example of what may be executed under similar circumstances1 when every heart and every hand is anxiously and zealously engaged2 for the artificers wrought at the erection of the ,beacon as for life2 or somewhat like men stopping a breach in a wall to keep out an overwhelming flood4 ,,progress ,,of ,,the ,,work4 ,in stating the progress of the ,bell ,rock works at the close of the first season1 it is hardly necessary to say1 that1 for success1 and ultimate utility1 they far exceeded the writer's most sanguine expectations4 ,by the erection of the frame-work of the ,beacon-house1 the rock had in a great measure been robbed of its terrors to those employed in building the ,light-house4 ,at all times when a boat could be put to sea1 or approach this sunken reef1 there was not now that actual danger in landing which formerly presented itself4 ,should the ,tender in future go a-drift1 or a boat happen to be wrecked on the rock1 the ,beacon could now be looked to as a place of shelter1 till more efficient means could be resorted to4 ,this work had always been a great desideratum with the writer1 who had now chiefly to consider how the future steps were to be attained1 having much less to occupy his attention in regard to the safety of the people employed4 ,the whole of the artificers being collected at the work-yard of ,arbroath1 in the latter end of the month of ,october1 their number amounted to forty-four4 ,it1 therefore1 became indispensably necessary to get forward with the quarries1 otherwise a number of experienced workmen must have been paid off1 which would have been attended with much disadvantage to the operations at the rock next year4 ,there was now every prospect that by mid-summer1 the foundation or site of the ,light-house would be completely excavated and ready for commencing the building2 while as yet the hewing of one entire course had not been completed1 for want of materials1 although the stones of three or four successive courses were in progress4 ,for example1 #aj blocks of granite were still wanting of the first course1 #cj blocks of the second1 which measured #ah inches in thickness1 and #bj blocks of the third1 and so of other courses4 ,the procuring of a sufficient stock of materials1 and getting the quarries into a more regular system of supply1 became an object which we shall more particularly notice under the article ,building ,materials1 in the following chapter4 ,sidenote3 ,work-,yard4 ,the ,work-,yard at ,arbroath1 where the stones were collected and hewn1 consisted of an inclosed piece of ground1 extending to about three quarters of an acre1 conveniently situate on the northern side of the ,lady ,lane1 or street1 leading from the western side of the ,harbour1 being only about #bjj yards distant from the ,light-,house shipping birth1 as will be seen from ,plate ,,xii4 ,upon this plot of ground there was built a suite or range of barrack-rooms for the artificers1 and the several apartments connected with the engineer's office1 mould-makers' drawing-room1 stores1 work-shops for smiths and joiners1 stable1 c4 extending #aej feet along the north side of the work-yard1 which were now fully occupied4 ,shades of timber were also constructed for the workmen in wet weather1 and a kiln for burning lime4 ,in a centrical position of this ground1 a circular platform of masonry was built1 on which the stones were laid when dressed1 and each course tried and marked1 before being shipped for the rock4 ,this platform measured #dd feet in diameter2 it was founded with large broad stones1 at the depth of about #b feet #f inches1 and built to within #aj inches of the surface with ruble work2 on which a course of neatly dressed and well jointed masonry was laid1 of the red sandstone from the quarries to the eastward of ,arbroath1 which brought the platform on a level with the surface of the ground4 ,here the dressed part of the first entire course of the ,light-,house was now lying1 and the platform was so substantially built as to be capable of supporting any number of courses which it might be found convenient to lay upon it1 in the further progress of the work4 ,sidenote3 #ahjg1 ,november4 ,mr ,gloag1 who commanded the ,light-house ,yacht1 had been successful in grappling and finding the old moorings of the ,pharos floating-light1 from which that vessel had drifted after the dreadful gale of the #fth of ,september4 ,these he had weighed1 and removed to within about #djj fathoms of the new ground taken up by that vessel1 and had placed a buoy upon them1 that1 in case of her again drifting1 any vessel carrying the floating-light could immediately be brought to ride at these spare moorings4 ,the ,yacht had also lifted three of the four floating buoys1 with their chains and mushroom anchors1 from the neighbourhood of the ,bell ,rock1 leaving one set for the use of the vessel occasionally attending for the purpose of inspecting the ,beacon4 ,in the course of the month of ,november several very severe gales of wind occurred1 and ,mr ,watt1 the foreman joiner1 who had been appointed to examine the rock at spring-tides1 when the weather would permit1 with three or four artificers1 found some small repairs necessary1 in consequence of damage which the ,beacon had sustained4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday #bb;d4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,writer visits the ,rock4 ,on the morning of the #bb;d of this month1 the writer landed at the ,bell ,rock1 when the greater part of the bracing-chains of the ,beacon were in a loosened state1 and hanging from their eye-bolts1 like so much shipwreck4 ,two of the chain-bats were also drawn1 which had lifted considerable masses of the rock along with them4 ,but after a most careful and minute examination of the six principal beams of the beacon1 and their respective supports1 it was satisfactory to find that the great iron-stanchions had not the smallest appearance of working or shifting2 the wedges of timber and iron having exactly the same appearance as when they were at first driven home by the hammer2 the coating of pitch and tar was also as entire upon the seams and joints as when first applied4 ,every thing connected with the fixing of the beams at the top was likewise in good order4 ,nor was it less surprising1 after so much stormy weather1 to find that the ruble building1 with ,pozzolano's mortar1 used in filling several holes in the site of the ,beacon1 remained in its place1 having now become fully as hard as the adjoining parts of the rock4 ,although it was found that the bracing-chains could not withstand the shaking and tremulous motion of the ,beacon1 yet they were again set up and tightened1 with the exception of the two that had lifted their bats1 with a mass of the rock2 which were knocked off altogether4 ,it is here worthy of remark1 that the bolts of the bracing screws had always a tendency to unlock1 and one of the nuts1 as before noticed1 had even unscrewed no less than three inches4 ,to prevent this in future1 a piece of small wire was turned round the threads of each screw1 which had a tendency to preserve them2 but still the chains stretched1 became loose1 and broke their eye-bolts1 or lifted part of the rock with the strain4 ,the bracing-chains may1 however1 be conceived to have had some effect in checking the force of the waves1 as was observable in the operation of the sea upon the extensive beds of marine plants4 ,it often happened1 when heavy seas were rolling along the ,bell ,rock1 which at a distance threatened to overrun the whole1 that1 upon reaching these beds of fuci1 with which the flat and level parts of the rock were thickly coated1 the velocity and force of the waves were immediately checked1 and in a great measure destroyed4 ,sidenote3 ,professor ,playfair's observations about the unlocking of screws4 ,the unlocking of screws1 where washers had been introduced as a security1 was rather unexpected1 and the writer took an opportunity of conversing with his much respected friend ,professor ,,playfair of ,edinburgh1 regarding this circumstance4 ,the ,professor observed1 that he had experienced some inconveniency of this kind from the unlocking of almost all the screws of a telescope1 which had been sent to him from ,london by the mail-coach4 ,indeed from the spiral form of the screw1 which is1 in fact1 an inclined plane1 ,mr ,playfair readily accounted for such an occurrence2 and when reflected upon1 it seems to be an effect rather to be looked for1 and is a reason why rivetting the point of a bolt1 in preference to screwing it1 should generally be resorted to1 where much friction or motion is to be apprehended4 ,sidenote3 #ahjg1 ,december4 ,sidenote3 ,state of the ,floating-light4 ,at this visit to the ,bell ,rock1 the writer went also on board of the ,floating-light1 where every thing was found in good order4 ,on some occasions ,mr ,sinclair1 the commander1 stated1 that the vessel had rolled excessively hard2 that she had shipped two or three very heavy seas over the waste-boards1 and that he had found it occasionally necessary to veer out #hj fathoms of cable4 ,he also stated1 that the floating-light had been run foul of by a large smack-rigged vessel1 with all her canvas set1 though the lights were burning perfectly clear4 ,this vessel had struck upon the larboard quarter1 damaged the taff-rail1 and started three of the floating-lights' trenails4 ,that they immediately hailed the vessel1 but she sheered-off1 and her crew made no reply4 ,the smack was beating to the northward1 and was much lumbered on the quarter-deck with packages of earthen-ware1 which were distinctly seen upon her deck from the brilliancy of the lights4 ,the sailors on board of the floating-light were all in good health1 and appeared to be satisfied with their situation4 ,the master1 however1 mentioned1 that his crew1 particularly the young men1 calculated very sharply about their turns for leave on shore1 which came round in the course of about six weeks4 ,indeed1 the probability is1 that had the seamen not been rather compelled to this duty1 as a protection against the ,impress-service1 it might have been found extremely difficult to get able seamen to undertake so dreary a life as the continual round of riding at anchor in the open sea1 without the company of other shipping1 or the pleasure of intercourse with the shore1 as is the case in the ordinary road or anchorage for shipping4 ,the several departments of the ,bell ,rock works being arranged for the winter months1 the sloop ,smeaton was appointed to make several trips to the quarries for stones1 while the ,light-house ,yacht1 being stationed at ,arbroath1 was to attend the ,floating-light1 and carry off the artificers to examine the state of the ,beacon at spring-tides4 ,the writer having adjusted these matters1 returned to ,edinburgh on the #dth of ,december4 ,here he was employed in preparing the necessary implements1 procuring materials1 and in other objects connected with the work1 which will fall more properly to be noticed in the transactions of the year #ahjh4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,shipping4--,,implements4--,,building ,,materials1--,,and ,,progress ,,of ,,the ,,bell ,,rock ,,works ,,in ,,the ,,year #ahjh4 ,sidenote3 #ahjh1 ,january4 ,after taking some notice of the preparations made during the winter months1 or early part of the year #ahjh1 it is proposed1 in describing the progress of the works of this season1 to adopt the form of a journal or diary1 as in the preceding chapter4 ,the last year's operations being more of a preliminary nature1 the implements and apparatus employed were few in number1 and simple in their construction4 ,but the facilities to be afforded by the erection of the ,beacon were such1 that not only the site of the building was expected to be prepared1 but it was hoped that some of the courses of masonry would also be laid during the ensuing summer4 ,it therefore became necessary to be provided with shipping1 and every article1 both of implements and building materials1 however small the actual progress of the work might ultimately be4 ,shipping4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,new ,tender4 ,it has already been noticed1 in the course of last year's operations1 that much inconveniency1 and no small degree of hazard1 were experienced in making the numerous passages between the ,bell ,rock and the ,floating-light1 especially when the boats were crowded with artificers4 ,not having previously been so fully aware of these circumstances1 and with a view to save expence1 the ,floating-light was likewise applied to the purpose of a tender4 ,she was consequently moored at a more considerable distance from the rock1 as will be understood from ,plate ,v42 but as1 from the nature of her tackling1 she could not be cast loose upon any emergency1 she was found to be but ill adapted to the uses of a tender4 ,sidenote3 ,is named ,the ,sir ,joseph ,banks4 ,the writer having represented this to the ,light-house ,board1 was immediately authorised to provide a vessel1 to be exclusively employed for the service of the rock4 ,he accordingly purchased one upon the stocks at ,arbroath1 in such forwardness1 that she was launched upon the #ahth of ,january #ahjh4 ,this vessel was built by a ,mr ,thomas ,fernie1 and was considered so complete in the mould or figure of her hull1 that some of the best judges of shipping have described her as one of the handsomest vessels which perhaps had hitherto been built in ,scotland4 ,on account of the exertions of the late ,sir ,joseph ,banks1 in his capacity of one of the ,lords of ,trade1 in procuring the loan from ,government1 for the use of the ,bell ,rock ,light-house1 already alluded to in the ,introduction to this work1 the writer suggested1 as a mark of respect1 that the new tender should be named 8,the ,sir ,joseph ,banks10 to which the ,light-house ,board most readily acceded4 ,sidenote3 ,is rigged as a schooner4 ,she was no sooner launched1 than her rigging and equipment1 in the best manner1 were undertaken by professional people2 but the inspection of the interior fitting and accommodations was kindly undertaken by the late ,provost ,balfour of ,arbroath1 a gentleman who took great delight in architectural pursuits1 and who1 upon all occasions1 felt the most lively interest in the operations of the ,bell ,rock4 ,in order that this vessel might stow two large boats upon deck1 and be got as quickly as possible under sail1 in the event of her breaking adrift1 she was rigged as a schooner2 and that1 by the application of a tackle from each mast1 the boats might be conveniently managed1 in getting them in and out of the vessel4 ,the ,sir ,joseph ,banks being only #ha tons register1 it was necessary to lay out the births1 for the several departments of the service1 with all possible attention to the economising of room4 ,the forepeak was accordingly fitted up with a coboose for cooking2 immediately aft of this birth1 a compartment was set off for the ship's company and the landing-master's crew1 with births for fifteen sailors4 ,but ,jack is by no means ill to satisfy with his sleeping-place1 and it was often found necessary to encroach upon the allotted number for this birth1 according to the exigencies of the service4 ,the waist or middle of the ship was set apart for the artificers1 and was capable of containing forty men4 ,still proceeding aft1 a small birth was set off for the mate and steward1 which communicated both with the artificers' birth1 and also with the cabin for the engineer's assistants1 the landing-master1 and the captain of the tender4 ,in the sternmost part of the ship1 a cabin was fitted up for the use of the writer2 the whole being found extremely commodious and suitable4 ,from the great proportion of the ship required for the birthage of seamen and artificers1 the hold of this small vessel was much curtailed1 there being hardly more room left than was sufficient for containing a stock of provisions1 water and fuel1 for any length of time1 besides stowing two or three tiers of casks of lime1 cement1 and other necessaries for the use of the work4 ,sidenote3 ,praam-boats1 or ,stone-lighters4 ,continuing the description of the marine part of the establishment1 we next notice three new praam-boats1 or stone-lighters1 built for conveying the building materials to the ,bell ,rock1 from the vessels employed in bringing them from the work-yard at ,arbroath4 ,the term ,praam-boat is applied to a certain description of ,norwegian boats1 having their stem and stem rounded after a peculiar fashion4 ,the introduction of this phrase1 in the ,bell ,rock service1 was purely accidental1 having been applied1 by ,captain ,grindlay1 ,master of the ,trinity-,house of ,leith1 to the first or experimental stone-lighter1 from its resemblance to the praams of ,norway4 ,those now alluded to1 however1 were built of a more rounded form1 after the ,dutch manner4 ,they measured over all1 on deck1 about #bh feet by #h feet #f inches1 and their depth of hold may be stated at #b feet1 for1 being built by different carpenters1 they were not exactly of the same dimensions4 ,they had a considerable spring or sheer1 and were constructed for carrying their cargoes entirely upon deck1 which formed a kind of cockpit in the waist1 having a high gunwale on each side1 and a break1 both fore and aft1 as will be seen in ,plate ,,xi41 the first tier of stones seldom reaching above the level of the gunwale4 ,they had1 consequently1 little or no hold1 having only what was sufficient for stowing some pig or cast iron ballast1 a few empty casks1 with the necessary warps1 kedge-anchors1 and grappling-irons4 ,sidenote3 ,precautions taken for rendering them water-tight and buoyant4 ,these lighters were built of uncommonly strong materials1 both in their timbers1 outward planks1 and ceiling or lining1 which last was caulked and secured in a manner similar to that described for the ,floating-light1 so that although the outward skin were damaged1 by striking or rubbing on the rock1 there would still be an additional defence against sinking4 ,such1 however1 was the presentiment of danger attached to the landing-department1 that besides the precaution of a water-tight lining1 each praam was provided with twelve strong empty casks1 which were stowed in the hold1 and were sufficient to float and render her buoyant1 in case of accident4 ,the praams1 therefore1 became so many life-boats moored in the neighbourhood of the rock4 ,sidenote3 ,method of mooring the ,praam-boats4 ,these praams had but one hawse-hole1 and that they might ride more easily at their moorings in the open sea1 it was placed amid-ships1 and as low or near the water-line as possible4 ,the chain-hawsers with which they were connected to their respective floating-buoys and mushroom-anchors1 were made of rod-iron1 one-half inch in diameter1 turned into as short links as possible4 ,this piece of chain was about five fathoms in length1 and was attached to the praam by a strong hook1 connected with her bits1 the farther end being made permanently fast to the mooring-chain of the mushroom-anchor4 ,from the lowness of the hawse-hole1 and its central position in the praam1 and from having only a short piece of chain to carry1 which connected the boat to the mooring-buoy1 may be attributed the astonishing ease and safety with which these boats rode at anchor4 ,so remarkable was this1 that while the tender1 and the other vessels in the service1 were tossed about1 and shipping a great deal of sea1 and even at times obliged to slip their moorings1 the praams floated with an easy undulating motion1 and were generally as dry upon deck during a gale1 though loaded with ten tons of stone1 as if1 to use a sailor's phrase1 they had been riding in a mill-pond4 ,the facility1 also1 with which the praams were attached and disengaged from their moorings1 was another very great conveniency to the work4 ,in unmooring them1 all that became necessary was to unhook the hawser-chain from the bits1 and throw it overboard1 with a small floating-buoy attached to it1 for the purpose of suspending the hawser-chain for the time4 ,in the same manner1 in making the praams fast to their moorings1 this chain was simply to be laid hold of1 by taking the small floating-buoy on board4 ,the chain was then slipped into the hawse-hole1 by a corresponding slit in the stem of the praam1 and then attached to the bits1 when the process was complete4 ,by inspecting the diagrams in ,plate ,,xi41 this process will be better understood4 ,sidenote3 ,attending ,boats4 ,the two cutters or boats employed last year for transporting the artificers from the ,floating-light to the ,bell ,rock1 were found to be rather too small in rough weather4 ,they measured #af feet in length of keel1 #e feet #c inches in breadth1 on the mid-ship thwart or seat1 and #b feet #f inches in depth4 ,these boats were of as large dimensions as the floating-light could stow1 after making the necessary allowance for ranging her cables on deck4 ,they had square sterns1 were rowed with four oars1 and accommodated twelve sitters1 including sailors4 ,but the ,sir ,joseph ,banks being entirely fitted as a tender for the works1 the stowing of large landing-boats became a principal object4 ,her boats were therefore made as large as possible1 due regard being had to their convenient management and fitness for the small creeks or landing-places at the rock4 ,after a careful consideration of these circumstances1 it was resolved that the two new attending-boats should measure #bj feet in length of keel1 #e feet #h inches in breadth1 and #b feet #aj inches in depth4 ,they were rowed with eight oars1 double banked1 or two upon each thwart1 and could accommodate eighteen sitters each4 ,they were round in the stern1 fitted with a backboard and a convenient seat for the cockswain1 who steered with a yoke and lines1 instead of a tiller4 ,sidenote3 ,life-,boat4 ,one of these boats was called ,the ,mason1 the other ,the ,seaman4 ,the latter was fitted up as a ,life-boat1 somewhat after ,greathead's method1 being lined and girded with cork1 to the depth of three streaks below the gunwale4 ,in case of accident1 therefore1 by the bilging of either boat upon the rock1 she was rendered more buoyant by the cork lining and sheathing4 ,they were built in ,leith1 and before being sent to the rock1 the buoyancy of the ,life-boat was tried1 when it was found that she would float with thirty people on board4 ,implements4 ,sidenote3 ,railways4 ,from the wasting effects of the sea1 the ,bell ,rock is formed into numerous benches and gullies1 and its surface is consequently extremely rough and irregular4 ,the site of the ,light-house being in a central position on the rock1 it became necessary to make some provision for conveying the large blocks of stone speedily from the respective landing-places to the site of the building2 or at least within the range of the cranes or machinery to be employed in laying them4 ,in ordinary situations1 the most obvious method would have been to clear away the inequalities of the rock2 but here1 from the lowness of its position in the water1 such an operation would have been extremely tedious and difficult4 ,besides1 every portion of the ,bell ,rock was held sacred1 excepting in so far as it was absolutely necessary to excavate or remove part of it1 in fixing the ,beacon-house1 and in preparing the foundation of the ,light-house4 ,instead1 therefore1 of quarrying the rock1 the writer found that the most advisable process would be1 to lay cast-iron railways round the site of the ,light-house1 projecting to the several landing-places1 on which waggons could easily be wheeled in all directions1 as will be seen by tracing the dotted lines on ,plate ,,vi4 ,for this purpose1 patterns were prepared in the course of the winter1 from which castings of the several compartments of the railways were made by ,mr ,john ,baird1 of the ,shotts ,iron ,works4 ,these rails were cast in lengths of four feet1 and supported upon props and frames of cast-iron1 varying in height from six inches to five feet1 according to the inequalities of the rock1 that the whole might be laid upon one level4 ,besides the tracks for the wheels of the waggons1 it was necessary also to provide a tracking-path of the same metal1 which was formed of ribbed work1 rested upon the supports of the rails1 as will be understood from the diagrams in ,plate ,x4 ,the waggon-tracks were of the form technically termed ,plate-rails1 which were found convenient for making the necessary fixtures4 ,the edge-rail is less liable to friction1 and is certainly greatly preferable to the plate-rail1 where the track is liable to be impeded with dust1 and other adventitious matters2 objections which do not apply at the ,bell ,rock1 where the rails were every tide considerably under water4 ,sidenote3 ,waggons4 ,it was necessary that every thing intended to be left on the ,bell ,rock during the working season1 should have as little buoyancy as possible1 and as it would have been extremely inconvenient to have removed the waggons from the rock1 which were to be employed in conveying the blocks of stone from the landing-places to the ,light-house1 they were constructed entirely of iron1 excepting two pieces of oak timber1 which were bolted upon the top1 to form a seat for the stones4 ,these waggons1 represented in ,plate ,x41 moved upon four trucks or wheels of cast-iron1 measuring one foot two inches in diameter1 placed two feet six inches asunder1 being the length of the axle1 and breadth of the railway4 ,each waggon was provided with a handle1 which shifted at pleasure to either end1 for the conveniency of reversing the motion1 without the necessity of turning the vehicle4 ,but what was more peculiar to these waggons1 was a joint in the middle of the perch or double frame1 connecting the wheels1 by means of which they were made applicable to the circular tracks of the railway round the site of the building4 ,sidenote3 ,triangular ,crane4 ,connected with the cast-iron railways1 preparations were also made at the eastern landing place1 for lifting the stones by means of cranes or other machinery from the ,praam-boats1 and laying them upon the waggons to be conveyed to the building4 ,after a good deal of consideration1 patterns were prepared for an apparatus consisting chiefly of six pieces of cast-iron1 four of which measured #ab feet in length1 and of a corresponding strength4 ,as will be seen in ,plate ,,xi41 these bars met at the top in the form of two sets of sheers1 but their lower ends were placed about #i feet asunder4 ,connected with these1 a pair of sheers were set up1 which were moveable upon a bolt1 and worked with a crab or winch machine1 the whole being strongly batted to the rock4 ,when the moveable pair of sheers1 with their attached chain and hook1 were suspended outwards over the stone to be lifted from the praam1 the chain was hooked to the ,lewis-bat1 previously inserted into the block4 ,the sheers were then raised till they were brought to a perpendicular position1 when the motion of the winch was reversed1 and the sheers were lowered inwards upon the wharf1 and the stone thus laid upon the waggon4 ,the chain was then unhooked1 and the sheers were ready for lifting another stone1 as will be better understood by referring to ,plate ,,xi41 with its letter-press description4 ,sidenote3 ,crane with moveable ,beam4 ,having1 in the foregoing article1 described the implement employed in landing the stones on the ,bell ,rock during the year #ahjh1 we are now to notice the crane employed in laying or building them4 ,it appears from ,mr ,smeaton's ,narrative1 that the implements chiefly used for building at the ,edystone1 were a pair of moveable sheer-poles and a set of triangles1 most ingeniously applied to their respective purposes4 ,but such implements must have come far short of the expedition which the writer had conceived to be necessary at the ,bell ,rock1 both on account of the much greater extent of the building1 and also from its foundation being so much lower in the water4 ,after considering the subject1 and making minute inquiries into the practice at various public works1 he found no implement of the description1 which he considered applicable to his purpose4 ,the common sheer-poles1 still chiefly in use1 were recommended as having upon the whole been successfully employed at the ,edystone4 ,in some instances1 the common crane1 with the beam fixed at the top1 at right angles to the shaft1 was applied for laying heavy materials4 ,the writer1 however1 laid it down as a proposition to himself1 ,that a more effective mode of building must be adopted at the ,bell ,rock than had hitherto been in use1 by which all the stones at any time likely to be landed in the course of a tide1 might be built and secured before the artificers left the rock4 ,the chief difficulties attending the application of the common crane in such a situation1 consisted in the laying the stones perpendicularly into their respective places1 as they were all of a dove-tail or angular form1 as will be seen from ,plate ,,xiii4 ,the fixed beam of the common crane was further objectionable1 from its being more liable to interfere with the guy ropes4 ,it would also have been difficult to have lifted it either laterally or perpendicularly upon the building1 from one course to another4 ,to these may also be added the great obstruction which the beam would have presented to the waves of the sea at high water4 ,all these objections1 however1 were in a great measure got over1 by substituting a moveable beam to work upon a bolt at the foot or lower end of the upright shaft1 instead of a fixed beam at the top in the usual manner4 ,but as we shall have occasion again to notice this machine in the operation of building1 we shall here refer to ,plate ,,xiv4 with its letter-press description4 ,three of these cranes1 with moveable beams1 were prepared for the work1 in the course of the winter1 one with an upright shaft of #bh feet in length1 for laying the prepared stones upon the platform in the work-yard at ,arbroath1 and other two1 with shafts of #ba feet1 for building at the rock4 ,sidenote3 ,sling ,cart4 ,though none of the stones of the ,bell ,rock ,light-house were likely to exceed two tons in weight1 in their finished state2 yet1 in their undressed state1 they were much more ponderous4 ,from the waste attending their dove-tailed form1 and the working them square on all their sides1 the blocks from the quarry were greatly reduced2 in many instances1 to one-half of the cubical contents of their quarry dimensions1 before they were brought to the size of the moulds4 ,the stones had not only to be conveyed from the harbour of ,arbroath to the work-yard1 a distance of from two to three hundred yards1 but also required to be frequently lifted from place to place2 as1 for example1 when in a hewn or dressed state1 they were removed to the circular platform1 in the middle of the work-yard1 to be tried and marked2--they were again shifted from this position1 and ultimately carried to the harbour to be shipped for the rock4 ,from the various movements which each stone had thus to undergo1 it became an object of importance to the facility and economy of the work1 to consider how this could be most conveniently accomplished4 ,had a cart or carriage1 with four wheels of the ordinary construction for great loads1 been employed1 it would have been extremely troublesome1 in all the operations of loading1 turning and moving from place to place4 ,to have attempted to avoid this by the use of waggons with low wheels1 and the introduction of railways along the quays and public streets of ,arbroath1 would also have been objectionable1 especially as the object could be much more conveniently obtained by the use of what is called the ,woolwich ,sling-cart1 represented in ,plate ,x4 ,by this machine1 the weight is simply raised off the ground with a wheel and pinion apparatus fixed upon the frame of the cart1 and in this manner1 the stone1 instead of being lifted upon the body of the carriage1 had only to be suspended at the necessary height for overcoming the inequalities of the road4 ,this vehicle had long been used with great advantage by military engineers1 in moving ordnance2 but was probably first employed at ,mylnefield ,quarry1 and the ,bell ,rock works1 in transporting blocks of stone4 ,sidenote3 ,carpenter's ,jack4 ,another implement prepared1 in the course of the winter1 for the ,bell ,rock work-yard1 was the ,carpenter's jack1 used for raising ships upon the blocks or props for the purposes of repair4 ,this machine1 which is simple in its construction1 and direct in its application1 consists of a rack and pinion1 enclosed in a frame of oak timber1 strongly bound with iron1 as represented in ,plate ,x4 ,by working the handle of the jack1 the stone-cutter is enabled1 without the assistance of his fellow workmen1 to turn and lay the heaviest stone to his hand4 ,this apparatus the writer first saw used to much advantage1 by the quarriers at ,portland ,island1 in the year #ahja2 and though it had not perhaps at that time been put into the hands of the stone-cutter1 it was obvious that it might also be applied to his purpose with equal effect4 ,it may further be noticed1 regarding this useful implement1 as strongly marking the prejudices of habit1 that ,mr ,mylne1 the proprietor of ,mylnefield ,quarry1 who1 with enlightened views1 furnished his works with machinery of the very best description1 among other articles1 provided a number of these jack-machines for his quarriers1 but1 for a long time1 they could not be induced to make use of them4 ,one of the men1 however1 happening1 of his own accord1 to apply the jack in turning a heavy block1 its utility soon became apparent2 and ,mr ,allan the manager1 who had previously taken considerable pains to get the jack introduced1 was at length not a little pleased to find it1 after having been laid up in store as useless1 in much request throughout that extensive quarry4 ,sidenote3 ,lewis ,bat4 ,a ,lewis ,bat1 of some form1 for lifting large stones1 is believed to have been known to the ancients4 ,but that now in common use is generally understood to have been at least improved by the ,french engineers1 who1 in honour of their ,sovereign1 gave it the name of ,lewis4 ,this useful implement is so universally known in practice1 for its great utility in building with heavy materials1 that it is hardly necessary to do more than simply allude to it4 ,it consists of five pieces of iron1 three of which1 forming a dovetail1 like an inverted wedge or the keystone of an arch1 are inserted into a corresponding hole cut in the stone4 ,the fourth is the bolt connecting the shackle-piece1 by which the weight is suspended1 as will be better understood by referring to the sketch or diagram illustrative of it in ,plate ,,xi4 ,of this implement1 it became necessary to furnish several dozens1 as well from the variety in the weight1 as from the figure of the stones1 many of them requiring two ,lewises to produce a proper balance4 ,but the number was more particularly encreased1 from the different sets required for the workyard1 the stone-lighters1 and for the ,bell ,rock1 where it was necessary to provide against loss1 to which this service was so peculiarly liable4 ,sidenote3 ,moulds4 ,as the whole of the stones of each course or tier of this building were connected or let into one another1 by a system of dovetails1 diverging from the centre to the circumference1 after the manner of the ,edystone ,light-house1 as will be seen from ,plate ,,xiii41 each particular stone required to be cut with accuracy1 to fit its precise place in the building2 and as even the form into which the blocks of granite were made1 often depended upon the adventitious produce of the quarries1 it became a very considerable operation to prepare the necessary moulds or patterns for the respective courses4 ,when1 therefore1 the thickness was ascertained that a lot of these stones would admit being dressed1 a plan of the particular course was first drawn upon paper by the ,clerk of ,works2 a certain compartment of the course was then protracted of the full size1 upon a platform of polished pavement1 measuring #gj feet in length1 and #be feet in breadth1 and occupying part of the ground floor of the workmen's barrack4 ,from this enlarged draught1 ,mr ,james ,slight1 the principal mould-maker1 took his dimensions in making the moulds of the full size of the ground-plan of each stone1 on which were marked the necessary directions for the stone-cutter1 both as to the thickness of the course1 and the position of the connecting joggle-holes1 trenails and wedges4 ,these moulds being made with great precision1 were carefully marked and numbered with oil paint1 according to the positions which the respective stones were to occupy4 ,they were made of well seasoned fir timber1 and dressed clean in the form of open frame-work1 measuring from three to four inches in breadth1 and from one-half to three-fourths of an inch in thickness4 ,at the angles and joints1 thin plates of iron were screwed upon these frames1 to strengthen and preserve them1 while the workmen were making their draught-lines1 and in their numerous applications of them in the process of hewing the stones4 ,each course of the solid part of the building required from three to five moulds1 of the form delineated in ,plate ,x41 which were carefully laid aside in sets1 till the particular course to which they belonged should be landed upon the rock1 and secured in the building4 ,in a work of this kind1 such a precaution was indispensably necessary2 for1 in case of loss or accident to any of the stones1 in landing them at the ,rock1 it would then only have been necessary to send to the work-yard1 referring to the particular number of the mould1 from which another stone could speedily have been prepared4 ,sidenote3 ,cofferdam4 ,in the first designs for the ,bell ,rock ,light-house1 the writer had modelled a cofferdam1 five feet in height1 intended to have been erected of cast-iron1 round the site of the building1 that the work in its early stages might be continued for a longer period1 both during the ebb and flood tides4 ,the experience of last season's work1 however1 shewed that the erection of the proposed cofferdam would have been attended with considerable difficulty2 and1 to have rendered such an apparatus equally useful during ebb-tide as flood-tide1 would have required the pumping of water by machinery more complicated and powerful than the situation of the ,bell ,rock would have admitted4 ,sidenote3 ,pumps4 ,this idea was therefore laid aside1 and two ,pumps1 of a simple construction1 were prepared1 for clearing the foundation-pit of water4 ,they measured about twelve feet in length1 and were of a square form1 both externally and internally1 having each a void of ten inches4 ,they were made of fir timber1 three inches in thickness1 strongly jointed1 and put together with white-lead paint1 having also a number of cross bars and bolts of iron1 to strengthen them for withstanding the atmospheric pressure upon so considerable a surface4 ,these pumps were furnished with a wooden spear or rod1 having a cross head or handle at one end1 and a leathern valve attached to the other4 ,this valve was of a very simple construction2 it collapsed when plunged into the water1 and was inflated by the return draught delivering a quantity of water equal to the cubical contents of the void or chamber of the pump4 ,sidenote3 ,winch-machines4 ,there were four ,crabs or ,winch-machines prepared for working the different purchases required in the various departments of the work1 as1 for example1 in lifting the stones from the praam-boats1 as represented in ,plate ,,xi4 ,another of these machines was fixed on the temporary wooden bridge of communication1 erected between the ,beacon-house and ,light-house1 as will be seen in ,plate ,,ix4 ,other two of these machines are likewise represented for raising the stones from stage to stage upon the building1 as will be more particularly described in the letter-press description of this ,plate4 ,these machines were made wholly of iron1 excepting the bushes for the gudgeons working in1 which were of bell-metal4 ,they were calculated to work with what is called double and single purchases1 according to the weight of the stones to be lifted4 ,they were very powerful in their operation3 the winch or barrel being twelve inches in diameter1 gave the single purchase a power of about fifteen to one1 and the double purchase about sixty to one4 ,these machines were calculated to work with five tons4 ,the weight of the largest size was altogether about #aj cwt41 so that they were not easily shifted by the impulse of the sea1 when batted to the rock1 as represented in ,plate ,,xi4 ,building ,materials4 ,sidenote3 ,stone4 ,the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 as before noticed1 having finally resolved that the erection upon the ,bell ,rock should be of stone1 constructed upon principles similar to the ,edystone ,light-house1 it became a question of importance in the economy of the work1 to fix the quality and description of stone to be used4 ,considering this subject in reference to the ,edystone ,light-house1 it appears that the hearting or interior of the solid part is of sandstone from ,portland ,island1 and that the exterior of that building is of ,cornish granite1 both of which were highly suitable in quality1 and were fortunately procurable from quarries the most contiguous to ,plymouth1 where these works were situate4 ,sidenote3 ,mineralogy of the southern and eastern shores of ,britain4 ,it may farther be noticed1 that granite is perhaps the only stone upon the coast of ,england1 which possesses durability for withstanding the effects of the weather in a situation so exposed1 or strength sufficient for undergoing the process of landing the stones when in their prepared state4 ,in ,scotland1 however1 the case is widely different1 for here1 the country abounds with excellent building materials of almost every description2 and excepting in those districts which produce granite1 that stone is rarely had recourse to for buildings of any description4 ,it is curious to observe1 and it may here not be out of place to remark1 in looking into the mineralogy of the ,british coast1 on the great scale1 that we find the shores of the whole southern parts of the kingdom1 or from ,portland ,island in ,dorsetshire1 to ,flamborough ,head in ,yorkshire1 consist chiefly of chalk1 limestone1 clay1 and beds of gravel4 ,but if we continue our course from thence northward1 to ,stonehaven in ,kincardineshire1 including the ,firth of ,forth1 the strata1 with little exception1 are sandstone1 greenstone1 limestone and coal4 ,the ,aberdeenshire coast is chiefly of granite1 syenite1 and gneiss1 while a part of ,banffshire consists of serpentine and porphyry3 but here the sandstone again makes its appearance1 and stretches along the northern shores of the ,moray ,firth 1 ,caithness and ,sutherland1 nearly as far to the westward as ,cape ,wrath4 ,to this great extent of sandstone country1 may also be added the islands of ,orkney and ,shetland1 with some considerable exceptions1 however1 in so far as regards ,shetland2 but1 in ,orkney1 these are confined to comparatively small portions of gneiss with granite veins1 which occur in ,pomona or the ,mainland1 and in the ,island of ,grmsay4 ,from this state of the mineral strata1 it naturally follows1 that those who inhabit the sandstone districts employ that beautiful1 easily worked1 and1 in many instances1 highly durable stone1 in architecture2 and so of the other districts1 according to the predominating species of their stone4 ,for a building1 therefore1 in a country situate like that of the ,bell ,rock1 abounding with sandstone of the first quality1 this description of stone obviously presented itself1 both as the most accessible and economical4 ,but when the importance of this work came to be fully considered in all its relations1 a little additional expence was not to be allowed to regulate a point so essential1 without a due regard to what might ultimately prove the most durable and permanent fabric4 ,sidenote3 ,the use of granite and sandstone is resolved upon4 ,the attention of the ,commissioners was consequently directed to the use of granite1 as combining the greatest number of properties for such a building4 ,some doubts1 however1 having existed1 as to the certainty of procuring blocks of that stone of sufficient dimensions1 it became a matter of importance to determine this point1 and also to ascertain the quality of the sandstone1 of which it had been proposed to form at least the hearting of the solid part4 ,the ,commissioners1 therefore1 in the month of ,november #ahjf1 required a special opinion from ,mr ,rennie and the writer upon this subject2 who accordingly visited the sandstone quarry of ,mylnefield near ,dundee1 and the granite quarries in the neighbourhood of ,aberdeen1 and made a report to the ,board1 which is given in the ,appendix1 ,no4 ,,iv4 ,sidenote3 ,report of ,mr ,rennie and ,mr ,stevenson4 ,this report sets forth1 that many granite quarries were found in activity at ,aberdeen1 some of which were capable of producing larger blocks of stone than are usually met with1 but that still it was doubtful1 whether any single quarry would be found to produce a sufficient number of large blocks for this work in any reasonable time4 ,upon the quality of the stones respectively2 the report states1 that 8the granite of ,aberdeen is very strong and durable in its nature1 and having been used in works where the sea has acted upon it for time immemorial1 no doubt can possibly be entertained as to its adaptation to a work of this kind4 ,there is also every reason to believe that the ,mylnefield stone resists the sea and weather equally well1 but we have not been able to collect such positive proof of this as of the other2 for1 although a great number of ,mylnefield stones have been used in the piers of the harbour of ,dundee1 yet1 as these works consist of stones from other quarries1 having the same appearance1 and nearly the same composition1 there is no possibility of our saying whether some of the stones that appear in a wasting state1 may not have been from that quarry1 although we have great reason to believe they have not4 ,however1 where facts cannot be positively ascertained doubts exist1 and we think that a ,light-house upon the ,bell ,rock is too important a work to permit the leaving of the slightest doubt about the durability of the materials4 ,we have1 therefore1 no hesitation in recommending that the outer part of the building1 at least as high as the first apartment1 should be of granite2 and as this is the great bulk of the work1 it may be as well to complete the outer course of granite40 ,the ,reporters then go on to state1 from a review of the several quarry prices1 that1 for the outer casing1 the sum of about ,l4 #b1ejj would be saved by the use of sandstone from ,mylnefield1 instead of granite from ,aberdeen2 and that1 for the hearting of the solid part1 an additional saving of about ,l4 #ajjj would further be made1 if the sandstone of the ,redhead quarries1 in the immediate neighbourhood of ,arbroath1 instead of the ,mylnefield stone1 was used4 ,on considering this subject1 however1 in all its bearings1 the ,commissioners resolved that measures should be taken for procuring granite for the whole outward casing of the ,light-house1 and that the ,mylnefield sandstone should be used for the interior work4 ,to the other properties of these stones1 one of some consideration for a work of this description was their ponderosity1 there being only about #ac cubic feet of ,rubislaw granite to the ton1 and #ae feet of ,mylnefield stone1 while the more common kinds of sandstone contain about #ae feet to the ton4 ,these1 and other matters of minor importance alluded to in this report1 having been adjusted by the ,light-house ,board1 the writer took the necessary measures for entering into contracts and agreements for the supply of stones from these quarries4 ,the difficulties which subsequently attended the procuring of a regular supply of stones for the work have already been alluded to2 and to this subject we shall again have occasion to recur1 as it was ultimately found necessary to restrict the use of granite to the outward casing of the first thirty feet or solid part of the building4 ,sidenote3 ,mortar of the ancients4 ,the best composition for building-mortar appears to have been a problem from the earliest history of the arts4 ,vitruvius1 who lived about #acj years before the ,christian ra1 seems to have been practically1 as well as scientifically1 acquainted with the whole subject of architecture4 ,but1 although he1 and other eminent authors who followed him1 have minutely treated of the composition of mortar1 stating1 no doubt1 all that was known of the practice of the ancients2 yet1 it has always been a favourite maxim to maintain1 that the secret of compounding mortar has at some period of its history been irrecoverably lost4 ,it is certainly true1 that many of the works of ancient times exhibit wonderful specimens of the excellency of their building materials4 ,it may1 however1 be drawn no less conclusively from the writings of intelligent travellers1 that many of their finest edifices have been subject to premature decay1 which affords a proof that at least no systematic rule was universally observed in the preparation of their calcareous cements2 but that1 like the artists of the present day1 the quality of their materials depended much upon those adventitious circumstances which too often regulate the views of their successors1 by an over-anxious desire for economy1 without keeping duly in view the permanency of their works4 ,sidenote3 ,attention of the moderns to this subject4 ,in ,great ,britain1 the composition of mortar does not seem to have occupied much of the attention of the learned1 prior to the beginning of the #ahth century1 or the time of ,sir ,christopher ,wren4 ,and1 indeed1 the subject was not pursued with much intelligence and effect1 till after the great discoveries of ,dr ,black1 about the year #aged1 which unfolded the principles of latent caloric1 and the expulsion of fixed air1 by which limestone loses about one-half of its weight in the process of calcination4 ,these discoveries were succeeded by the excellent treatise of ,dr ,higgins on ,water ,cements1 published in #aghj2 and in #agic1 ,mr ,smeaton's ,narrative of the ,edystone ,light-house appeared1 containing1 not only an account of the preparation of the mortar for that celebrated building1 but also of his experience for thirty-six years1 as an engineer of the most extensive practice of his day4 ,the composition of mortar has also occupied the attention of several ,french authors1 as ,belidor1 ,loriot1 ,viccat and others1 but without perhaps adding much to our stock of practical knowledge4 ,sidenote3 ,experience of the writer4 ,were the writer permitted to state the result of his professional observations for the last twenty years1 he might notice1 that no error is more commonly met with in water buildings1 than that of employing house or common mortar in the erection of sea-walls4 ,it may also be stated1 generally1 in compounding mortar1 that the cheapest article is too apt to be made use of in the greatest proportion4 ,we accordingly find1 that lime is not unfrequently made too rich1 as it is technically termed when a small proportion of sand is applied to the mixture2 an error1 which is attended even with worse consequences than when the lime is made poor1 or when too great a proportion of sand is used4 ,but1 perhaps1 the worst of all mortar is that wherein very fine pit-sand1 containing a portion of earthy matters1 is used1 and when the whole is mixed up with impure water4 ,so little attention is often paid to the quality of mortar1 in common buildings1 that one would imagine it were applied1 as if intended more to prevent the sifting winds from penetrating the walls1 than as the medium by which they were ultimately to be bound or formed into a compact fabric4 ,it is not possible to give any formula for the composition of mortar which will apply generally2 so much depends upon the quality of the limestone1 the mode of its treatment in burning1 the use of clean sharp sand and pure water4 ,when these ingredients are judiciously selected1 duly apportioned1 and well beaten together1 they will immediately form a paste of some tenacity1 which will ultimately take bond and give a consistency to the work4 ,from all the experiments that have been made1 it seems to be essential to the composition of the best water-cements1 that the limestone should contain about one-seventh of alumine or clayey matter4 ,but as this description of limestone admits of a less proportion of sand in the mortar compounded of it1 than that which is more purely calcareous1 it is not so much in request for the common operations of building1 as being less economical4 ,it may1 however1 be stated1 as a pretty general maxim1 that where comparatively pure calcareous matter is met with1 at least three measures of clean sharp sand1 free of earthy particles1 mixed with one of burned lime1 in the state of powder1 and a due portion of pure water1 well beaten together1 will form good mortar for common use4 ,sidenote3 ,mortar of the ,edystone4 ,from the similarity of the situations and the buildings upon the ,edystone and ,bell ,rocks1 and from ,mr ,smeaton's celebrity as an engineer1 his ,narrative of the former work became a text-book to the writer in the erection of the latter4 ,in considering the importance of this subject1 with a view to the erection of the ,bell ,rock ,light-house1 the judicious remarks1 and numerous experiments1 of ,dr ,higgins on water cement1 were carefully examined1 and they will always be consulted with interest by the professional reader4 ,the composition of the ,edystone mortar consisted of equal portions1 by measure1 of ,aberthaw lime and ,pozzolano earth1 both in the state of powder1 mixed up with sea-water4 ,when the writer first visited ,plymouth in the year #ahja1 the ,edystone ,light-house had been erected about #db years2 and he was informed by ,mr ,tolsher1 agent for the establishment1 that the original pointing of the joints of that building had never required repair4 ,sidenote3 ,bell ,rock ,mortar4 ,of the ingredients of the ,bell ,rock mortar1 as the pozzolano was not only the most expensive1 but1 from the distracted state of ,europe1 during the progress of the works1 could hardly be procured at any price1 it became an object to be as independent of that article as possible4 ,a train of experiments was therefore undertaken by the writer1 when it was ultimately found1 that pozzolano and lime1 in the state of a dry impalpable powder1 and clean sharp sand1 in equal proportions by measure1 mixed with sea-water1 formed a mortar equally good in all respects as when no sand was added4 ,under favourable circumstances1 this mixture did not seem to be more tardy in fixing1 than when the sand was excluded1 while nothing could exceed the compact and indurated state of the composition4 ,the writer accordingly built some small rubble-walls with it within sea-mark1 which were allowed to stand for a few months1 and when pulled down1 they appeared like so many pieces of conglomerated rock1 the mortar being as hard and compact as the sandstone of good quality with which these little walls were built4 ,from the excellency of the ,bell ,rock mortar1 it may not be amiss to go a little farther into detail1 by noticing each of the ingredients of which it was composed4 ,sidenote3 ,lime4 ,in the course of investigating this subject1 specimens of lime1 from the counties of ,edinburgh1 ,haddington1 ,fife and ,forfar1 were subjected to various trials with mixtures of pozzolano and sand4 ,the results were not a little curious1 as the experimental balls1 made with different proportions of these limes1 did not set or harden2 but1 on the contrary1 the particles seemed to repel each other as the mixture became heated1 and ultimately crumbled into its constituent ingredients4 ,from these experiments1 it was found advisable to bring a cargo of limestone from ,aberthaw in ,wales1 being the same as that used for the ,edystone ,light-house4 ,this lime is found imbedded in a clayey matrix1 in the state of water-worn nodules1 varying in size from a cubic inch to that of a cubic foot4 ,this limestone is of a bluish or beautiful ,french grey colour1 of the specific gravity of #b4gj4 ,it is easily calcined1 and in that state is reducible to the finest powder4 ,it is the mountain or first fltz limestone of geologists2 and1 when broken1 it pretty generally displays the ,cornua ammonis1 and many other curious animal remains4 ,this limestone is found in great abundance on the sea-shore at ,aberthaw1 where the softer matters being washed away from the lower stratum of certain high cliffs1 containing these rounded masses1 the upper parts fall in great quantities1 from which the succeeding tides wash away the earthy matters1 leaving the limestone upon the beach in the state of debris4 ,when a vessel is to load limestone here1 she is grounded on the shore at about half-tide1 and loaded when the water recedes4 ,the price paid to the proprietor for a cargo is at the rate of one shilling per ton1 as a lordship4 ,sidenote3 ,pozzolano4 ,pozzolano1 the second mentioned ingredient of the ,bell ,rock mortar1 is a kind of earthy lava1 of a brownish red or greyish colour4 ,it contains in the hundred parts1 silica #ee1 alumina #bj1 lime #e1 and oxide of iron #bj4 ,it was not so easily procured as the limestone from ,aberthaw4 ,it is very abundant on the coast of ,italy and shores of ,sicily1 where it is found in considerable masses1 and is usually imported in a crude earthy state1 requiring to be pounded1 or beat in a mill1 to fit it for the finer purposes of mortar4 ,it is generally brought to this country as ballast2 and1 in time of peace1 when the ports are open1 is sold for about ,l4 #e per ton4 ,during the progress of the ,bell ,rock works1 however1 from the long continued and almost universal restrictions upon ,british trade with foreign ports1 as much as ,l4 #ae per ton has been paid for pozzolano for the use of these works4 ,the writer having had great difficulty in procuring a supply of it for commencing the works1 got a quantity of ,tarras from ,holland1 the ,dutch ports being1 at this time1 open to ,british vessels4 ,tarras or ,trass is found near ,andernach1 and is brought down the ,rhine to ,holland4 ,it is very similar in its nature and properties to pozzolano1 and1 like it1 is of a reddish or greyish colour4 ,it contains #cg parts silica1 #bh alumina1 #f4e lime and #h4e iron4 ,its property of setting in water is very remarkable1 and1 when good1 it admits even a greater proportion of lime in the composition of mortar than pozzolano4 ,the ,dutch are very attentive in ascertaining the quality of the trass before using it in building their dikes4 ,the following simple experiment is always employed4 ,a small vessel1 made of a mixture of lime and trass1 is filled with water1 and if at the end of three days the water does not filter through the vessel1 the trass is considered good2 if1 on the contrary1 water passes through1 the trass is rejected as bad4 ,sidenote3 ,sand4 ,according to ,dr ,higgins1 the sand used for mortar should be free of earthy particles1 and have as many sharp angular points as possible4 ,the writer having accordingly examined the shores in the neighbourhood of ,arbroath1 for sand answerable to this description1 he found it of excellent quality about a mile and a half westward from that place4 ,upon examining this sand with a magnifying-glass1 its appearance was like so many small shining crystals shooting into numerous points4--,it is often a difficult question with mineralogists1 to account for the production of sand in many situations upon the coast2 but here the question involves no perplexity1 as ,st ,andrew's ,bay1 which is generally understood to extend from ,fifeness to the ,redhead1 a distance of about #be miles1 is not only bounded by sandstone1 but forms the embouchure of the river ,tay1 and of several other considerable streams1 which fall into the sea upon its shores4 ,sidenote3 ,water4 ,it usually forms a condition in the ,specification of mortar for house-building1 that it shall be mixed with pure water1 free of earthy or saline particles4 ,in situations where water is scarce1 many impurities are apt to be mixed with it1 which injure and even destroy the adhesive quality of the mortar4 ,the use of sea or salt water is guarded against in these cases1 from its liability to produce an efflorescence on the walls2 when the saline particles deliquesce with the changes of the weather1 and produce the appearance of dampness4 ,to have attempted to avoid the use of salt-water in the preparation of the mortar for the ,bell ,rock ,light-house1--which was all prepared on the spot1--independently of the risk of deteriorating the mortar1 would have been attended with much additional trouble and expence4 ,besides the practice at the ,edystone1 the writer had previously ascertained1 that the use of sea-water produced no bad effect upon the tenacity or adhesive quality of the mortar into which it was introduced1 and the object of avoiding the appearance of dampness in this building was extremely trifling4 ,the stones were to be very correctly jointed1 and the whole of the interior walls to consist of polished masonry1 so that the fine lines of the joints exposed to the action of the air were so inconsiderable1 as hardly to be taken into account4 ,salt-water was1 therefore1 uniformly used in the preparation of the ,bell ,rock mortar4 ,sidenote3 ,cement4 ,the recent discovery of a very excellent water-cement1 for which ,mr ,parker of ,london obtained a patent1 under the title of 8,roman ,cement10 became another matter of importance to the ,bell ,rock works4 ,this substance is produced from calcined nodules of argillaceous limestone1 found upon the southern shores of ,england4 ,it is of a brownish colour1 and from its excellent property of setting in water1 when good and fresh1 its application as a mortar1 for the lower courses of the ,light-house1 demanded attention4 ,but1 for general use as a mortar1 it would not only have been expensive1 but often highly inconvenient in building1 from the speedy manner in which it hardens4 ,it is also of too brittle a nature to be suitable for the general purposes of common mortar2 though it forms a paste of great value for lipping or pointing the outward joints of water buildings1 not only by preserving the mortar till it gets into a fixed state1 but also as forming a durable joint4 ,a considerable supply of this cement was accordingly used throughout the building1 for pointing the exterior joints4 ,this cement is sold at the rate of five shillings per ,winchester bushel1 in the state of powder1 packed into casks1 lined with paper1 to prevent it1 in some measure1 from imbibing humidity from the atmosphere1 by which its adhesive properties are destroyed4 ,sidenote3 ,oaken ,trenails and ,wedges4 ,following out the principle of the ,edystone ,light-house in most of its details1 the oaken trenail and wedge were used for fixing the stones1 till the mortar took band1 and a superincumbent weight was got upon them to prevent the sea from sweeping them away4 ,these being also introduced into all the lower courses of the ,bell ,rock ,light-house1 a sufficient quantity was procured for the probable number of courses that might be built during the ensuing season4 ,the precise lengths of the trenails and wedges could not be fixed1 from the uncertainty of the granite quarries1 which regulated the thickness of the courses of the building2 but1 for the present1 the trenails were provided of the length of #b feet1 and #ath inch in diameter4 ,the wedges were of the length of #ah inches1 measuring #c inches in breadth1 #a inch in thickness at the top1 and tapering to th of an inch in thickness at the point1 as will be seen in ,plate ,x4 ,figs4 #aj4 and #aa4 ,but when we come to speak of the process of building1 their respective uses will be described4 ,sidenote3 #ahjh1 ,march4 ,sidenote3 ,the writer visits the ,bell ,rock4 ,on the writer's visit to ,arbroath1 in the end of ,march1 he was anxious to land upon the ,bell ,rock1 to ascertain the precise state of the ,beacon1 after the storms of the winter1 that he might be enabled to judge of the propriety of converting it into a habitable place for the artificers during the working season4 ,he accordingly sailed from ,arbroath on the #cjth current1 at #a ,a4 ,m4 in the ,light-house ,yacht4 ,the wind was from ,e4,,ne41 but the weather1 though cold1 was upon the whole favourable for the trip4 ,at #g the ,floating-light was hailed1 and all on board found to be well4 ,it was now unfortunately too late in the tide for landing upon the rock this morning2 and it became necessary to cruise about till the following day1 there being at this season only one tide with daylight4 ,in the mean time1 in sailing round the rock1 just as it was beginning to be covered with the tide1 the base of the ,beacon was distinctly seen between the rolling seas1 which broke upon it2 while at the top1 the flag-staff proudly continued to surmount the whole4 ,sidenote3 ,floating-,light4 ,in the course of the day the writer examined the ,floating-light1 where every thing connected with the security of the vessel1 and her moorings1 was in good order4 ,what seemed chiefly to please ,mr ,wilson the commander1 was a late improvement in the application of a winch1 with wheel and pinion fixed at the break of the quarter-deck1 which was now employed to great advantage in working the cable with stoppers as on board of war-ships1 the hempen cable1 forming part of her moorings1 being too thick and unwieldy for holding-on by hand4 ,the vessel's manner of riding during some late gales was described as having been very difficult1 and even alarming at times2 but it was nevertheless1 added1 that nothing had been felt so severely as the gale of the #fth and #gth of ,september last1 when the writer was on board4 ,sidenote3 ,the crew spend their time happily4 ,the crew were observed to have a very healthy-like appearance1 and looked better than at the close of the works upon the rock4 ,they seemed only to regret one thing1 which was the secession of their cook1 ,thomas ,elliot1--not on account of his professional skill1 but for his facetious and curious manner4 ,elliot had something peculiar in his history1 and was reported by his comrades to have seen better days4 ,he was1 however1 happy with his situation on board of the ,floating-light1 and1 having a taste for music1 dancing1 and acting plays1 he contributed much to the amusement of the ship's company1 in their dreary abode during the winter months4 ,he had also recommended himself to their notice as a good shipkeeper1 for as it did not answer ,elliot to go often ashore1 he had always given up his turn of leave to his neighbours4 ,at his own desire1 he was at length paid off1 when he had a considerable balance of wages to receive1 which he said would be sufficient to carry him to the ,west ,indies1 and he accordingly took leave of the light-house service4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,light is comparatively feeble4 ,mr ,john ,reid1 the principal light-keeper1 stated1 that every thing specially connected with his department on board1 answered its purpose to his entire satisfaction4 ,in stormy weather1 however1 when the ship rolled much1 great difficulty was experienced in trimming the lights1 which often required the assistance of all hands4 ,in the course of this night's cruise1 the writer had a good opportunity of observing the lights at different distances from the vessel4 ,even at the distance of two or three leagues1 it appeared feeble1 compared with a regular reflecting-light4 ,it was also upon the whole so unsteady1 from the rolling motion of the ship1 that1 in running for it1 mariners could never venture to make very free with their course4 ,sidenote3 ,landing at the rock found difficult4 ,at day-break1 on the following morning1 the ,light-house ,yacht1 attended by a boat from the ,floating-light1 again stood towards the ,bell ,rock4 ,on coming within a proper distance of it1 the usual tools carried by the artificers on such occasions were put into this boat1 and every thing was got into a state of readiness for making an attempt to land4 ,the weather felt extremely cold this morning1 the thermometer being at #cd degrees1 with the wind at east1 accompanied by occasional showers of snow1 and the marine barometer indicated #bi4hj4 ,at half-past #g1 the sea ran with such force upon the rock1 that it seemed doubtful if a landing could be effected4 ,at half-past #h1 when it was fairly above water1 the writer took his place in the ,floating-light's boat with the artificers1 while the ,yacht's boat followed1 according to the general rule of having two boats afloat in landing expeditions of this kind1 that in case of accident to one boat1 the other might assist4 ,after several unsuccessful attempts1 the boats for a time were beat back by the breach of the sea upon the rock4 ,on the eastern side1 it separated into two distinct waves1 which came with a sweep round to the western side where they met2 and at the instant of their confluence1 the water rose in spray to a considerable height4 ,watching what the sailors term a smooth1 we caught a favourable opportunity1 and in a very dexterous manner the boats were rowed between the two seas1 and made a favourable landing at the western creek4 ,sidenote3 ,state of the ,beacon4 ,at the latter end of last season1 as was formerly noticed1 the ,beacon was painted white1 and from the bleaching of the weather and the sprays of the sea1 the upper parts were kept clean2 but within the range of the tide1 the principal beams were observed to be thickly coated with a green stuff1 the conferva of botanists4 ,notwithstanding the intrusion of these works1 which had formerly banished the numerous seals that played about the rock1 they were now seen in great numbers1 having been in an almost undisturbed state for six months4 ,it had now also1 for the first time1 got some inhabitants of the feathered tribe3 in particular the ,scarth or ,cormorant1 and the large ,herring-gull1 had made the ,beacon a resting-place1 from its vicinity to their fishing grounds4 ,about a dozen of these birds had rested upon the cross beams1 which1 in some places1 were coated with their dung2 and their flight1 as the boats approached1 was a very unlooked for indication of life and habitation on the ,bell ,rock1 conveying the momentary idea of the conversion of this fatal rock1 from being a terror to the mariner1 into a residence of man1 and a safe-guard to shipping4 ,sidenote3 ,propriety of converting it into a ,barrack4 ,upon narrowly examining all the parts of the ,beacon1 then in the state represented in ,plate ,,viii41 and especially the great iron stanchions with which the beams were fixed to the rock1 the writer had the satisfaction of finding that there was not the least appearance of working or shifting at any of the joints or places of connection2 and excepting the loosening of the bracing-chains1 every thing was found in the same entire state in which it had been left in the month of ,october4 ,this1 in the estimation of the writer1 was a matter of no small importance to the future success of the work4 ,he1 from that moment1 saw the practicability and propriety of fitting up the beacon1 not only as a place of refuge in case of accident to the boats in landing1 but as a residence for the artificers during the working months4 ,with a view to this1 he determined on the entire removal of the bracing-chains1 which1 in general1 were either so relaxed or loosened by the unlocking of the screws1 the stretching of the links1 or the drawing of the chain-bats1 from the tremulous motion of the beacon1 as to be comparatively of little use4 ,measures were therefore taken for procuring great iron-bars to fix in a horizontal position between each pair of the principal beams1 at the height of about #h feet from the rock1 as the best means of strengthening them4 ,sidenote3 ,bread and water chest4 ,having made these remarks upon the lower parts of the beacon1 and its connection with the rock1 the writer ascended to the higher parts1 where he had also the satisfaction to find that the fixtures of the cross beams were in the same good condition4 ,upon looking into the bread and water-chest fixed on the top1 in case of accident to the boats1 or in the event of shipwreck upon the ,bell ,rock1 the sea-biscuits which had been carefully put into a tin cannister1 were in good order2 but1 in the compartment of the chest allotted for water1 the fragments of several of the quart bottles in which it was contained were found1 which had probably burst with the freezing of the water1 for it can hardly be supposed to have arisen from the shaking or tremulous motion of the beacon2 be this as it may1 only twelve of the eighteen bottles remained entire4 ,sidenote3 ,advantages of the ,beacon in its present state4 ,while upon the top of the beacon1 the writer was reminded by the ,landing-master1 that the sea was running high1 and that it would be necessary to set off while the rock afforded any thing like shelter to the boats1 which1 by this time1 had been made fast by a long line to the ,beacon1 and rode with much agitation1 each requiring two men with boat-hooks to keep them from striking each other1 or from ranging up against the beacon4 ,but even under these circumstances1 the greatest confidence was felt by every one1 from the security afforded by this temporary erection4 ,for1 supposing that the wind had suddenly encreased to a gale1 and that it had been found unadvisable to go into the boats2 or1 supposing they had drifted or sprung a leak from striking upon the rocks2 in any of these possible and not at all improbable cases1 those who might thus have been left upon the rock had now something to lay hold of1 and1 though occupying this dreary habitation of the sea-gull and cormorant1 affording only bread and water1 yet life would be preserved1 and1 under all such circumstances1 the mind would still be supported1 by the hope of being ultimately relieved4 ,after1 with some difficulty1 getting off the ,beacon1 a proper time was again watched1 and1 by active rowing1 the boats soon cleared the ,rock in safety1 though not without shipping two or three pretty heavy seas4 ,about #ab noon the ,light-house ,yacht bore away1 and at #g in the evening she reached the ,bay of ,arbroath1 where the writer landed about #h ,p4 ,m41 and on the following day returned to ,edinburgh4 ,sidenote3 ,impress ,service1 how it affected the ,bell ,rock operations4 ,the ,impress ,service--that much-to-be-regretted system--being in great activity1 not only at the larger ports1 but1 owing to the pressure of the war with ,france and the ,northern ,powers1 orders having likewise been issued for the establishment of an ,impress at ,dundee1 ,arbroath and ,aberdeen1 it became necessary to be doubly careful in obtaining protections for all our seamen4 ,there being now five vessels employed in the service of the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 including the ,bell ,rock craft1 a requisition was accordingly made to the ,admiralty for a protection for #ce seamen1 which was readily granted4 ,in so far as the liberty of the subject is infringed by the impress service1 its existence is much to be regretted2 but1 in regard to the works in question1 it had the effect of rendering them popular1 instead of their being shunned by seamen1 which might otherwise have been the case4 ,sidenote3 ,protection ,medal4 ,as the impress officers were extremely rigid in the execution of their duty1 it became necessary to have the seamen carefully identified2 and1 therefore1 besides being described in the usual manner in the ,protection-bills1 which1 agreeably to the ,admiralty regulations1 must always remain on board of the respective ships for which they are granted1 it was found advisable to give each man a ticket1 descriptive of his person1 to which was attached a silver medal emblematical of the ,light-house service1 as represented in ,plate ,,xii4 ,on the one side of this medal was the figure of the ,bell ,rock ,light-house1 and on the other1 the word #8,medal1' referring to the ,admiralty ,protection1 and a description of the person by the ,engineer4 ,the following is a copy of the ticket of one of our best seamen4 ,sidenote3 #ahjh1 ,april4 ,sidenote3 ,protection ,ticket4 8,bell ,rock ,work-yard1 ,arbroath1 #cast ,march #ahjh4 8,john ,pratt1 seaman in the service of the ,honourable the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 aged #ce years1 #e feet #h inches high1 black complexion1 and slightly marked with the small-pox4 8,,robert ,,stevenson1 8,engineer for ,northern ,light-houses40 ,,obverse4 8,the bearer ,john ,pratt1 is serving on board of the ,sir ,joseph ,banks ,tender and ,craft1 employed at the erection of the ,bell ,rock ,light-house4 ,the signature of the ,master of the ,tender1 8,,david ,,taylor4 ,the signature of the bearer1 8,,john ,,pratt40 ,these tickets were found to be indispensably necessary in the ,light-house service1 as it was impossible that every man1 or even each boat's crew1 could carry the ship's protection about with them4 ,but the check afforded by the several signatures as noted above1 was generally respected by the ,impress officers4 ,sidenote3 ,light-house ,yacht again visits the ,rock4 ,directions having been given in the month of ,march for tightening the bracing-chains1 and fixing certain ring-bolts1 both at the eastern and western landing places of the rock1 for the conveniency of the boats1 the ,light-house ,yacht again sailed on the #abth of ,april1 carrying off artificers and all necessaries for the service4 ,after accomplishing this duty she returned to ,arbroath on the #adth1 and in this state things remained till the commencement of the works in the month of ,may4 ,sidenote3 ,preparatory state of the ,works4 ,the several implements already alluded to and described1 were in a state of great forwardness about the close of the winter1 having been prepared in ,edinburgh1 under the immediate directions of the writer4 ,at ,aberdeen1 ,mr ,alexander ,gildowie1 stone-agent1 used every exertion to procure an additional supply of granite from ,rubislaw and other quarries4 ,but the severity of the winter was such as to prevent much progress from being made4 ,at ,mylnefield ,quarry1 owing to the liability of that stone to board or split in frosty weather1 from its lying in regular strata1 by which moisture is more readily absorbed and acted upon in the lamin1 the operations had been entirely suspended for several months4 ,sidenote3 ,use of ,granite restricted to the lower courses4 ,in the month of ,april1 the writer visited the works at ,arbroath1 which he found still in a much retarded state1 for want of a regular supply of granite4 ,owing to this1 it had not as yet been possible to complete even one entire course of the building1 although the figure and dimensions of the moulds had been repeatedly altered to accommodate the quarries4 ,it had already become apparent1 that the works would unavoidably be stopped1 if the whole of the outward casing were to consist of granite4 ,in order1 therefore1 to avoid a circumstance which might prove hazardous to the whole operations1 the ,light-house ,board resolved to restrict the use of this material to the lower courses of the building4 ,sidenote3 ,use of ,sandstone extended4 ,it having thus been found necessary to lessen the quantity of granite at the ,bell ,rock1 and proportionally to encrease the quantity of sandstone1 a new engagement was entered into with the proprietor of ,mylnefield1 for an additional supply1 at the rate of one shilling and sixpence per cubic foot1 put free on board4 ,on visiting this quarry in the month of ,april1 the writer had assurance of being largely supplied with stone1 if a greater range or variety in the thickness of the courses were allowed4 ,this1 however desirable1 was altogether impossible1 in so far as regarded the lower courses2 the thickness of which could only be regulated piecemeal1 as the dimensions of the granite stones could be determined4 ,sidenote3 ,mr ,skene's contract to supply ,granite4 ,every exertion had already been made on the part of ,mr ,skene of ,rubislaw1 who had entered into a contract with the ,light-house ,board to supply granite1 at the rate of one shilling and threepence per cubic foot1 for the use of the ,bell ,rock1--having been chiefly induced to enter into this contract1 on account of the celebrity of the work2--but after furnishing a few of the lower courses1 he found that he could not implement his agreement without incurring considerable loss1 and running the risk of retarding the building3 he therefore applied to be relieved of his contract4 ,from the commencement of the work1 ,mr ,skene had1 with much liberality1 stated1 that in case the quarries upon his estate should be found defective in producing the necessary size and quantity of materials1 his contract should never be allowed to form any bar or stoppage to the ,commissioners in applying to others4 ,this had accordingly been acted upon by the ,stone-agent2 but after making every exertion for the space of about #ab months1 he had been able to procure only a few additional blocks of the requisite dimensions1 even with the range of all the quarries of ,aberdeen1 besides those of ,rubislaw4 ,the price of suitable blocks had1 in the mean time1 advanced to three shillings and threepence1 and even to five shillings per cubic foot4 ,at the commencement of the ,bell ,rock works1 the quarries of ,aberdeen were chiefly worked for paving-stones1 and for common house purposes1 and were consequently unprovided with implements or tools suitable either for working or transporting stones of large dimensions1 for which they had hitherto had no regular demand4 ,sidenote3 ,he is remunerated for loss4 ,mr ,skene having sustained considerable pecuniary loss1 in opening additional quarries for the ,light-house1 he had certain claims upon the ,board1 which were remitted to ,mr ,kennedy1 advocate1 of ,aberdeen1 upon whose opinion and report remuneration was made to the extent of about ,l4 #cgj4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,sir ,joseph ,banks takes the station of the ,light-house ,yacht4 ,the ,light-house ,yacht being employed in the general service of the ,northern ,light-houses1 she left the ,bell ,rock on the #afth of ,april1 to load stores at ,leith4 ,but the ,sir ,joseph ,banks ,tender being now completely equipped1 she sailed to supply her station1 for the first time1 on the #bjth of ,may1 having on board several sets of moorings for the use of the vessels in attendance at the ,rock4 ,the mushroom-anchors of these moorings weighed about one ton each1 and had about thirty-two fathoms of chain attached to them1 which was made from iron1 measuring seven-eighths of an inch in thickness4 ,these moorings were laid down in fourteen fathoms water1 at about #bjj fathoms apart1 on a rocky bottom1 and at the distance of about a quarter of a mile on the north-western side of the ,rock1 as will be seen from ,plate ,v4 ,after completing this operation1 and supplying the ,floating-light with necessaries1 the ,tender returned to ,arbroath previously to the commencement of the operations at the ,rock for the season4 ,sidenote3 #ahjh1 ,may4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday #beth4 ,sidenote3 ,the writer begins the operations of the season4 ,in the month of ,may1 the number of artificers in the work-yard1 consisting of masons1 smiths1 mill-wrights1 joiners and labourers1 amounted to sixty4 ,on the #beth1 the writer embarked at ,arbroath1 on board of the ,sir ,joseph ,banks1 for the ,bell ,rock1 accompanied by ,mr ,logan senior1 foreman-builder1 with twelve masons1 and two smiths1 together with thirteen seamen1 including the master1 mate and steward4 ,the vessel sailed at #c o'clock ,p4 ,m41 under a salute of three hearty cheers from a great assemblage of people on the quays2 but before getting to the ,rock1 it was too late for making fast to the moorings that night2 and she kept cruising about1 with the ,floating-light in view1 which proved a great comfort to the seamen1 in directing them to tack the ship1 before she got too near the ,rock4 ,on this occasion1 the prospects of the writer were very different from the state of things upon his sailing to commence the last year's operations1 when much doubt and uncertainty attended every step4 ,the experience of last season1 together with the facility and confidence afforded by the erection of the ,beacon1 which had withstood the storms of a winter1 together with the use of a new ,tender1 which could now be moored so near to the ,rock as to be perfectly convenient for the boats1 and was at the same time capable of being cast loose from her moorings1 to take the people on board on any emergency2--these circumstances gave a degree of security and promptitude to the work1 which relieved all concerned of much anxiety4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday #bfth4 ,the wind to-day was at south-east1 and though the weather was not very pleasant1 yet it was moderate4 ,mr ,james ,wilson1 now ,commander of the ,pharos ,floating-light1 and ,landing-master1 in the room of ,mr ,sinclair1 who had left the service1 came into the writer's cabin this morning at #f o'clock1 and intimated that there was a good appearance of landing on the rock4 ,the bell being accordingly rung1 the boats were hoisted out1 and at half-past #g the artificers were seated and arranged by the landing-master in their respective boats1 who1 with the foreman-builder1 went into the boat on the off-side1 while the writer steered the one on the side of the ship next to the ,rock4 ,every thing being arranged1 both boats proceeded in company1 and at #h ,a4 ,m4 they reached the ,rock4 ,the light-house colours were immediately hoisted upon the flag-staff of the ,beacon1 a compliment which was duly returned by the tender and floating-light1 when three hearty cheers were given1 and a glass of rum was served out to all hands1 to drink success to the operations of #ahjh4 ,sidenote3 ,state of the ,bell ,rock after the storms of winter4 ,when the writer made a landing here1 in the month of ,march1 he was so entirely occupied in examining all the parts of the ,beacon1 that little attention was paid to the general appearance of the ,rock4 ,its surface was now found to be covered with a new crop of ,fuci1 where it had been destroyed and rubbed off in the course of the last season4 ,even the iron work1 and lower parts of the ,beacon1 and the site of the foundation of the ,light-house1 where it had been dressed and worked with the pick1 was now also thickly coated with a species of ,conferva1 of a deep green colour1 resembling very fine grass where the water had left it1 while in the pools it had the most beautiful arborescent appearance4 ,the limpets and white bucky were1 as formerly1 in considerable numbers1 and the barnacle had coated all the higher parts of the rock1 giving it a whitish appearance4 ,on the extreme points1 a few detached clusters of mussels were seen1 of a very diminutive size1 varying from a quarter to half an inch in length4 ,the six blocks of granite1 which had been landed as an experiment on the #ast of ,september #ahjg1 were now scattered about in different directions1 covered with the delicate looking plant above described4 ,the general aspect of the rock remained otherwise unaltered4 ,sidenote3 ,state of the ,foundation-pit4 ,the north-western half of the site of the building being higher than the other1 it had1 in the course of last season1 been wrought down to a regular surface2 but the other half contained depressions or holes1 varying in depth from six inches to no less than three feet4 ,by #h o'clock the tide had left the higher parts of the foundation dry1 when it appeared from observation1 that the water ebbed at the rate of one inch in two minutes and thirty seconds1 and that the difference of the perpendicular height1 between the lowest and highest parts of the foundation-pit1 at the commencement of the works this season1 was still about four feet4 ,after having been an hour and three quarters at work1 the water began to overflow the site of the building1 when the boats left the rock1 the landing-master taking the lead2 but after getting clear1 he waited1 agreeably to usual practice1 till the other boat got out of the creek1 when both proceeded for the ,tender4 ,sidenote3 ,landing attended with considerable difficulty4 ,in the evening tide the artificers landed at a quarter past #g1 though the sea ran pretty high1 and the boats shipped a good deal of water4 ,being rather early in the tide for working at the site of the building1 the time was occupied in getting the smith's forge put in order upon the cross-beams of the ,beacon1 a step of great importance to the future progress and advancement of the work4 ,at half-past #g1 the higher parts of the foundation being left dry1 a few of the artificers set to work1 the others beginning as the water went off4 ,at half-past #i the tide again overflowed the rock1 when the boats left it1 after the artificers had been two hours at work4 ,in coming out at the eastern creek this evening1 the landing-master's boat was struck by a heavy sea1 and thrown to one side of the creek2 but1 by his dextrous management1 the boat's head was fortunately kept seaward1 and she got out in safety1 though not without having shipped a good deal of water4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #bgth4 ,this morning the wind was at east1 blowing a fresh gale1 the weather being hazy1 with a considerable breach of sea setting in upon the rock4 ,the morning-bell was therefore rung1 in some doubt as to the practicability of making a landing4 ,after allowing the ,rock to get fully up1 or to be sufficiently left by the tide1 that the boats might have some shelter from the range of the sea1 they proceeded at #h ,a4 ,m41 and upon the whole made a pretty good landing2 and after two hours and three quarters' work returned to the ship in safety4 ,sidenote3 ,found necessary still to excavate to the depth of fourteen inches4 ,in the afternoon the wind considerably increased1 and as a pretty heavy sea was still running1 the ,tender rode very hard1 when ,mr ,taylor1 the commander1 found it necessary to take in the bowsprit1 and strike the fore and main top-masts1 that she might ride more easily4 ,after consulting about the state of the weather1 it was resolved to leave the artificers on board this evening1 and carry only the smiths to the ,rock1 as the sharpening of the irons was rather behind1 from their being so much broken and blunted1 by the hard and tough nature of the rock1 which became much more compact and hard as the depth of excavation was increased4 ,besides avoiding the risk of encumbering the boats with a number of men1 who had not yet got the full command of the oar in a breach of sea1 the writer had another motive for leaving them behind4 ,he wanted to examine the site of the building without interruption1 and to take the comparative levels of the different inequalities of its area2 and as it would have been painful to have seen men standing idle upon the ,bell ,rock1 where all moved with activity1 it was judged better to leave them on board4 ,the boats landed at half-past #g ,p4 ,m41 and the landing-master1 with the seamen1 was employed during this tide1 in cutting the sea-weeds from the several paths leading to the landing-places1 to render walking more safe1 for1 from the slippery state of the surface of the rock1 many severe tumbles had taken place4 ,in the mean time the writer took the necessary levels2 and having carefully examined the site of the building1 and considered all its parts1 it still appeared to be necessary to excavate to the average depth of fourteen inches1 over the whole area of the foundation4 ,having made these remarks1 we again left the rock1 at half-past #i1 after having been two hours upon it4 ,at the entrance of the eastern creek1 the sea ran high1 and all on board got a thorough wetting2 but so long as the boats were kept from striking upon the rock1 the sprays which came on board were but little regarded4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday #bhth4 ,sidenote3 ,artificers much afflicted with sea-sickness4 ,the wind still continued from the eastward1 with a heavy swell2 and to-day it was accompanied with foggy weather1 and occasional showers of rain4 ,notwithstanding this1 such was the confidence which the erection of the ,beacon had inspired1 that the boats landed the artificers on the ,rock1 under very unpromising circumstances1 at half-past #h1 and they continued at work till half-past #aa1 being a period of three hours1 which was considered a great tide's work1 in the present low state of the foundation4 ,three of the masons on board were so afflicted with sea-sickness1 that they had not been able to take any food for almost three days1 and they were literally assisted into the boats this morning by their companions4 ,it was1 however1 not a little surprising1 to see how speedily these men revived upon landing on the ,rock and eating a little dulse4 ,two of them afterwards assisted the sailors in collecting the chips of stone1 and carrying them out of the way of the pickmen2 but the third complained of a pain in his head1 and was still unable to do any thing4 ,instead of returning to the tender with the boats1 these three men remained on the ,beacon all day1 and had their victuals sent to them along with the smiths4 ,from ,mr ,dove1 the foreman-smith1 they had much sympathy1 for he preferred remaining on the ,beacon at all hazards1 to be himself relieved from the malady of sea-sickness4 ,the wind continuing high1 with a heavy sea1 and the tide falling late1 it was not judged proper to land the artificers this evening1 but in the twilight the boats were sent to fetch the people on board who had been left on the ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday #bith4 ,sidenote3 ,misunderstanding among the ,artificers about their wages4 ,the wind was from the ,s4 ,w4 to-day1 and the signal-bell rung1 as usual1 about an hour before the period for landing on the ,rock4 ,the writer was rather surprised1 however1 to hear the landing-master repeatedly call1 8,all hands for the ,rock20 and1 coming on deck1 he was disappointed to find the seamen only in the boats4 ,upon inquiry1 it appeared1 that some misunderstanding had taken place about the wages of the artificers for ,sundays4 ,they had preferred wages for seven days statedly1 to the former mode of allowing a day for each tide's work on ,sunday2 as they did not like the appearance of working for double or even treble wages on ,sunday1 and would rather have it understood that their work on that day arose more from the urgency of the case1 than with a view to emolument4 ,this having been judged creditable to their religious feelings1 and readily adjusted to their wish1 the boats proceeded to the ,rock1 and the work commenced at #i ,a4 ,m4 ,the artificers were chiefly employed in removing the iron-stanchions1 or frame-work of the forge1 which had last year been fixed on the rock1 and which was now set on a temporary scaffold erected for it on the ,beacon4 ,having now got two smiths' hearths above the reach of the tide1 the work of this department made great progress1 both in the sharping of the numerous picks and irons1 and in making bats for fixing the different railway tracks upon the ,rock4 ,after getting three and a half hours' work1 the boats returned to the ship at #ab noon1 when the excellent prayer1 composed by the ,rev4 ,dr ,brunton1 given in a former part of this work1 was read upon the ship's quarter-deck1 in the same manner as had been done last year4 ,the sloop ,smeaton arrived this afternoon with a quantity of cast-iron rails1 to be laid upon the ,rock1 for transporting the blocks of stone from the different landing-places to the site of the building4 ,she had also on board some ,norway logs1 intended to be batted on the ,rock1 for supporting the railways across the gullies1 or inequalities of the surface4 ,the boats of the ,sir ,joseph ,banks and ,floating-light1 being employed during the evening tide in delivering the ,smeaton1 by landing the cast-iron on the ,rock1 and bringing the timber on board of the ,tender1 the artificers could not be landed this evening4 ,sidenote3 ,monday #cjth4 ,sidenote3 ,fish very abundant at the rock4 ,the weather to-day was moderate1 and there was much less breach in the sea than there had been since the commencement of the work this season4 ,the wind kept steadily in the south-west1 and the barometer had changed its range from #bi4dj to #bi4ij1 and the thermometer from about #dj to #de4 ,the abundance of fish caught near the ,rock was another proof of the more favourable state of the weather2 for the fish never failed to come upon the anchorage-ground during good weather1 while they as regularly disappeared on a change for the worse4 ,the ,tender's bell rung this morning1 as the signal for going to the ,rock1 at #i o'clock2 and at half-past #i1 the water having partially left the foundation-pit1 the work commenced1 and continued two and three-fourth hours1 or till a quarter from #a o'clock ,p4 ,m41 when the tide again overflowed the whole site of the building4 ,the masons and seamen returned with the boats on board the ,tender1 but the mill-wrights and joiners1 who had come off with the ,smeaton to fit up the railways1 and such of the masons as were apt to be sick1 remained with the smiths on the ,beacon throughout the day4 ,sidenote3 ,general usefulness of ,sailors as men of all works4 ,the number of workmen at the ,rock was now increased to twenty-eight1 including six sailors from the landing-master's crew1 who were constantly employed in baling water1 and keeping the foundation clear of the chips1 struck off by the pick4 ,they also conveyed the irons to the forge1 by hoisting them up to the ,beacon by a whip-tackle4 ,the seamen were of the greatest service in many of the operations1 for ,jack is a man of all trades2 but as they had their boats to attend1 and were always at the landing-master's call1 they were not taken into account in the enumeration of artificers4 ,sidenote3 ,mortar ,gallery fitted up4 ,mr ,francis ,watt commenced1 at this tide1 with five joiners1 to fit up a temporary platform upon the ,beacon1 about twenty-five feet above the highest part of the ,rock4 ,this platform was to be used as the site of the smith's forge1 after the ,beacon should be fitted up as a barrack2 and here also the mortar was to be mixed and prepared for the building1 and it was accordingly termed the ,mortar ,gallery4 ,this platform was supported with joisting1 well framed1 and properly fixed to the principal beams2 but the flooring or boarding1 though two inches in thickness1 was only slightly nailed to the joisting1 so that when the sea rose1 and struck it in bad weather1 it might lift1 without endangering the general frame of the fabric4 ,at the end of the working season this floor was lifted1 and the joisting only left during the winter months4 ,sidenote3 ,smeaton is ballasted at the ,bell ,rock4 ,the landing-master's crew completed the discharging from the ,smeaton of the remainder of her cargo of the cast-iron rails and timber4 ,it must not here be omitted to notice1 that the ,smeaton took in ballast from the ,bell ,rock1 consisting of the shivers or chips of stone1 produced by the workmen in preparing the site of the building1 which were now accumulated in great quantities on the ,rock4 ,these the boats loaded1 after discharging the iron4 ,the object in carrying off these chips1 besides ballasting the vessel1 was to get them permanently out of the way1 as they were apt to shift about from place to place1 with every gale of wind2 and it often required a considerable time to clear the foundation a second time of this rubbish4 ,the circumstance of ballasting a ship at the ,bell ,rock afforded great entertainment1 especially to the sailors2 and it was perhaps with truth remarked1 that the ,smeaton was the first vessel that had ever taken on board ballast at the ,bell ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #cast4 ,the winds were variable to-day1 but chiefly from the north1 accompanied with fine weather4 ,on landing at a quarter from #aa ,a4 ,m41 the higher parts of the site of the building were dry1 and the work continued two and a quarter hours1 when it was again stopped by the return of the flood-tide4 ,the joiners and smiths1 together with those who were apt to be sick on board of the ,tender1 remained on the ,beacon throughout the day1 and at a quarter past #a ,p4 ,m4 the boats left the ,rock with the masons4 ,there were eighteen seamen from the ,smeaton1 ,sir ,joseph ,banks1 and ,floating-light1 employed to-day under the direction of ,mr ,wilson1 the landing-master1 in laying the cast-iron work of the railways in a compact manner1 into the various crevices and holes in the ,rock1 to prevent its being tossed about by the sea1 until it should be wanted in the course of fixing the tracks to the ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,chips of the rock in great request at ,leith4 ,the ,smeaton being finally discharged1 and partly loaded with stone shivers from the ,bell ,rock1 she sailed for ,leith1 in order to fetch the remainder of the cast-iron1 and some additional logs of timber4 ,mr ,pool1 the commander of this vessel1 afterwards acquainted the writer1 that when the ballast was landed upon the quay at ,leith1 many persons carried away specimens of it1 as part of a cargo from the ,bell ,rock2 when he added1 that such was the interest excited1 from the number of specimens carried away1 that some of his friends suggested1 that he should have sent the whole to the ,cross of ,edinburgh1 where each piece might have sold for a penny4 ,sidenote3 ,fish caught at the ,bell ,rock4 ,in the evening the boats went to the ,rock1 and brought the joiners and smiths1 and their sickly companions1 on board of the ,tender4 ,they also brought with them two baskets full of fish1 which they had caught at high water1 from the ,beacon1 reporting1 at the same time1 to their comrades1 that the fish were swimming in such numbers over the rock at high water1 that it was completely hid from their sight1 and nothing seen but the movement of thousands of fish4 ,they were almost exclusively of the species called the ,podlie1 or young ,coal-fish4 ,this discovery1 made for the first time to-day by the workmen1 was considered fortunate1 as an additional circumstance likely to produce an inclination among the artificers to take up their residence in the ,beacon1 when it came to be fitted up as a barrack4 ,sidenote3 #ahjh1 ,june4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #ast4 ,the boats landed to-day at #aa ,a4 ,m41 but the tides being neap1 the water went off very slowly1 and it was #ab noon before it left the site of the building4 ,after continuing at work one hour and three quarters1 the artificers left the rock with all hands1 when the tender immediately got under weigh1 or rather cast off from her moorings1 by simply letting go one end of the mooring hawser1 and sailed for ,arbroath4 ,but the wind being ,n4,n4,w41 it was #h o'clock ,p4 ,m4 before she got into the harbour4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #dth4 ,sidenote3 ,first course finished to-day4 ,its cubical contents1 c4 ,this being the birth-day of ,king ,george ,,iii41 who now entered into the #gjth year of his age1 and #ejth of his reign1 a considerable effort was made to get the first entire course of the building laid upon the platform at ,arbroath1 where it was to be marked and numbered1 and made ready for shipping for the ,rock4 ,it may seem strange1 that after continuing the operations of the work-yard for about twelve months1 there should only have been but one course ready to ship for the ,rock4 ,such also was the difficulty of procuring granite of a large size1 that this course was obliged to be hewn of the thickness of only one foot4 ,the chief advantage of thick courses in water buildings1 besides a saving of hewing1 is that of getting sooner out of the reach of the tide1 there being nearly as much time necessary for laying a thin course as a thick one4 ,the stones for the first entire course were not quarried particularly for it1 but were taken from the whole materials in the yard4 ,the enumeration of the various kinds and quantity of work in this single course of the ,light-house1 may perhaps surprise the reader4 ,though only one foot in thickness1 it contained #ejh feet cubic of granite in outward casing2 #hgf feet cubic of ,mylnefield stone in the hearting2 #ajd tons of solid contents2 #acb feet superficial of hewing in the face work2 #deai feet superficial of hewing in the beds1 joints and joggles2 #dbj feet lineal boring of trenail holes2 #cgh feet lineal cutting for wedges2 #bdf oaken trenails2 #cgh oaken wedges in pairs4 ,sidenote3 ,certainty of commencing building this season4 ,in the work-yard1 about sixty stone cutters were employed in hewing and preparing the various courses of the solid part of the building4 ,stones were now got pretty readily from ,mylnefield quarry2 and besides the quarries at ,aberdeen1 others had been opened near ,peterhead1 belonging to ,mr ,john ,hutchison1 which produced a great many fine blocks4 ,as much of the ,aberthaw limestone had been broken and prepared for burning as would charge the kiln4 ,a number of casks of the capacity of about #cb gallons1 had also been provided and were ready to be filled1 in equal numbers1 of clean sharp sand1 lime and pozzolano earth1 in the state of fine powder4 ,after much trouble and correspondence with timber-merchants in ,leith1 ,london1 and other parts1 a considerable quantity of trenails and wedges of ,british oak were procured1 which were to be used in connecting the courses of the solid part of the building1 while the works were low1 and in danger of being washed away or injured by the sea4 ,these oaken trenails and wedges were made up in bundles1 containing about #bj4 ,in short1 every thing was in a state of readiness in the work-yard1 for building the first three courses of the ,light-house4 ,the preparations for its foundation at the ,rock were now also in considerable forwardness1 and the works1 upon the whole1 put on an appearance which left no doubt as to the commencement of the building this season4 ,sidenote3 ,artificers sail for the ,rock4 ,the writer sailed from ,arbroath in the evening of the #fth of ,june in the ,tender1 with a fine breeze of northerly wind1 having on board #cd artificers1 consisting of masons1 smiths1 mill-wrights and joiners1 besides the landing master's crew1 consisting of twelve seamen1 who worked the ship4 ,there were also on board ,mr ,peter ,logan1 foreman builder2 ,mr ,francis ,watt1 foreman mill-wright2 ,mr ,james ,dove1 foreman smith2 ,mr ,james ,wilson1 landing master2 ,mr ,david ,taylor1 master2 ,mr ,william ,reid1 mate1 and ,mr ,john ,peters1 steward1 counting in all fifty-four persons4 ,the weather was clear1 and the vessel had no sooner got out of the harbour1 than the lights of the float were distinctly seen2 and before day-break1 the ,tender was made fast to her moorings off the ,bell ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #gth4 ,sidenote3 ,arrangements at landing at an early hour on the ,rock4 ,at #c o'clock in the morning1 the ship's bell was rung as the signal for landing at the ,rock4 ,these artificers1 to which this had been the first trip1 found their quarters rather confined in the ship1 and some of them being sickly1 were glad of an opportunity of landing1 and came almost immediately upon deck1 notwithstanding the earliness of the hour at which the tide happened4 ,but those who were more accustomed to the business1 calculated their time1 knowing that sufficient warning was always given1 especially at hours so early4 ,when the landing was to be made before breakfast1 it was customary to give each of the artificers and seamen a dram and a biscuit1 and coffee was prepared by the steward for the cabins4 ,exactly at #d o'clock1 the whole party landed from three boats1 including one of those belonging to the ,floating-light1 with a part of that ship's crew1 which always attended the works in moderate weather4 ,the landing-master's boat called the ,seaman1 but more commonly the ,life-boat1 took the lead4 ,the next boat called the ,mason1 was generally1 steered by the writer2 while the ,floating-light's boat ,pharos1 was under the management of the boatswain of that ship4 ,sidenote3 ,how the ,artificers are employed4 ,having now so considerable a party of workmen and sailors on the ,rock1 it may be proper here to notice how their labours were directed4 ,preparations having been made last month for the erection of a second forge upon the beacon1 the smiths commenced their operations1 both upon the lower and higher platforms1 where forges had been erected4 ,they were employed in sharpening the picks and irons for the masons1 and in making bats and other apparatus of various descriptions1 connected with the fitting of the railways4 ,the landing-master's crew were occupied in assisting the mill-wrights in laying the railways to hand4 ,sailors1 of all other descriptions of men1 are the most accommodating in the use of their hands4 ,they worked freely with the boring irons1 and assisted in all the operations of the railways1 acting by turns as boatmen1 seamen1 and artificers4 ,we had no such character on the ,bell ,rock as the common labourer4 ,all the operations of this department were cheerfully undertaken by the seamen1 who1 both on the rock and on ship-board1 were the inseparable companions of every work connected with the erection of the ,bell ,rock ,light-house4 ,it will naturally be supposed1 that about twenty-five masons1 occupied with their picks in executing and preparing the foundation of the light-house1 in the course of a tide of about three hours1 would make a considerable impression upon an area even of forty-two feet in diameter4 ,but in proportion as the foundation was deepened1 the rock was found to be much more hard and difficult to work1 while the baling and pumping of water became much more troublesome4 ,a joiner was kept almost constantly employed in fitting the picks to their handles1 which1 as well as the points of the irons1 were very frequently broken4 ,at #h o'clock1 the water overflowed the site of the building1 and the boats left the rock with all hands for breakfast4 ,several of the artificers would willingly have remained upon the beacon to avoid the rolling motion and sickness incident to the ship2 yet1 being all wetted1 and those especially who were employed in excavating the site of the light-house and railways1 being completely bespattered with the chips and particles elicited from the ,rock1 the whole party embarked in the boats2 but such as chose were at liberty to return to the beacon with the smiths after breakfast4 ,sidenote3 ,interesting appearance of the ,rock4 ,excepting at the erection of the principal beams of the beacon1 the ,bell ,rock this morning presented by far the most busy and active appearance it had exhibited since the erection of the ,beacon4 ,the surface of the ,rock was crowded with men1 the two forges flaming1 the one above the other1 upon the ,beacon1 while the anvils thundered with the rebounding noise of their wooden supports1 and formed a curious contrast with the occasional clamour of the surges4 ,the wind was westerly to-day1 and the weather being extremely agreeable1 as soon after breakfast as the tide had sufficiently overflowed the rock to float the boats over it1 the smiths1 with a number of the artificers1 returned to the ,beacon1 carrying their fishing-tackle along with them1 which had all been put in a state of requisition before they left the shore4 ,in the course of the forenoon1 the ,beacon exhibited a still more extraordinary appearance than the ,rock had done in the morning4 ,the sea being smooth1 it seemed to be afloat upon the water1 with a number of men supporting themselves in all the variety of attitude and position2 while1 from the upper part of this wooden house1 the volumes of smoke which ascended from the forges1 gave the whole a very curious and fanciful appearance4 ,sidenote3 ,artificers remain on the rock all day4 ,the length of the day now afforded two tides with day-light4 ,the boats1 therefore1 landed the artificers at #e o'clock ,p4 ,m41 and after three hours' work1 as in the morning1 all hands again left it at #h o'clock1 and returned on board of the ,tender4 ,those who had been left upon the beacon1 complained of being very tired1 with supporting themselves so long in one position without motion1 or even a sufficient space to rest their feet upon4 ,from the excellence of the weather1 and for the greater conveniency of the work1 the ,tender had been made fast to one of the ,stone-lighter's floating buoys1 to be nearer to the ,rock than her own moorings1 which were placed at such a distance as might enable her1 in casting off1 to clear the ,rock on any tack4 ,but1 in the course of this tide1 it was observed that a heavy swell was setting in from the eastward2 and the appearance of the sky indicated a change of weather1 while the wind was shifting about4 ,the barometer also had fallen from #cj to #bi4fj4 ,it was therefore judged prudent to shift the vessel to the ,,sw4 or more distant buoy4 ,her bowsprit was also soon afterwards taken in1 the top-masts struck1 and every thing made snug1 as seamen term it1 for a gale4 ,during the course of the night1 the wind increased and shifted to the eastward1 when the vessel rolled very hard1 and the sea often broke over her bows with great force4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #hth4 ,sidenote3 ,tender bears away for ,leith ,roads4 ,although the motion of the ,tender was much less than that of the ,floating-light1 at least in regard to the rolling motion2 yet1 she sended or pitched much4 ,being also of a very handsome build1 and what seamen term very clean aft1 the sea often struck her counter with such force1 that the writer1 who possessed the aftermost cabin1 being unaccustomed to this new vessel1 could not divest himself of uneasiness2 for1 when her stern fell into the sea1 it struck with so much violence1 as to be more like the resistance of a rock than the sea4 ,the water1 at the same time1 often rushed with great force up the rudder-case2 and forcing up the valve of the water-closet1 the floor of his cabin was at times laid under water4 ,the gale continued to increase1 and the vessel rolled and pitched in such a manner1 that the hawser by which the ,tender was made fast to the buoy snapped1 and she went adrift4 ,in the act of swinging round to the wind1 she shipped a very heavy sea1 which greatly alarmed the artificers1 who imagined that we had got upon the ,rock4 ,but this1 from the direction of the wind1 was impossible4 ,the writer1 however1 sprung upon deck1 where he found the sailors busily employed in rigging out the bowsprit1 and in setting sail4 ,from the easterly direction of the wind1 it was considered most advisable to steer for the ,firth of ,forth1 and there wait a change of weather4 ,at #b ,p4 ,m4 we accordingly passed the ,isle of ,may2 at #f anchored in ,leith ,roads1 and at #h the writer landed1 when he came in upon his friends1 who were not a little surprised at his unexpected appearance1 which gave an instantaneous alarm for the safety of things at the ,bell ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #ith4 ,the wind still continued to blow very hard at ,e4 by ,n41 and the ,sir ,joseph ,banks rode heavily1 and even drifted with both anchors ahead1 in ,leith ,roads4 ,the artificers did not attempt to leave the ship last night2 but there being upwards of fifty-people on board1 and the decks greatly lumbered with the two large boats1 they were in a very crowded and impatient state on board4 ,but to-day they got ashore1 and amused themselves by walking about the streets of ,edinburgh1 some in very humble apparel1 from having only the worst of their jackets with them1 which1 though quite suitable for their work1 were hardly fit for public inspection1 being not only tattered1 but greatly stained with the red colour of the rock4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #ajth4 ,to-day the wind was at ,s4 ,e41 with light breezes and foggy weather4 ,at #f ,a4 ,m4 the writer again embarked for the ,bell ,rock1 when the vessel immediately sailed4 ,at #aa ,p4 ,m41 there being no wind1 the kedge-anchor was let go off ,anstruther1 one of the numerous towns on the coast of ,fife1 where we waited the return of the tide4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #aath4 ,before leaving ,leith ,roads1 the muster-roll was called1 to see that all hands were on board2 and we also shipped an additional seaman4 ,the vessel1 therefore1 required a great stock of provisions and water1 and1 from her very hampered situation1 with the stores and apparatus of various kinds which she had on board1 it became necessary to embrace every opportunity of filling up the stock of water1 as landsmen use a much greater quantity of that indispensable article for every purpose than seamen4 ,mr ,taylor1 who commanded the ,tender1 and whose attention in this respect was quite indefatigable1 sent the boat ashore at ,anstruther1 at a very early hour this morning1 for an additional supply4 ,sidenote3 ,work continued on the ,rock till midnight4 ,throughout these twenty-four hours1 the winds were variable and the weather was hazy4 ,at #f ,a4 ,m4 the ,sir ,joseph got under weigh1 and at #aa was again made fast to the southern buoy at the ,bell ,rock4 ,though it was now late in the tide1 the writer being anxious to ascertain the state of things after the gale1 landed with the artificers1 to the number of forty-four4 ,every thing was found in an entire state2 but1 as the tide was nearly gone1 only half an hour's work had been got when the site of the building was overflowed4 ,during the period of high-water1 the boats were employed in bringing stores and provisions from on board the ,smeaton1 which had also returned from ,arbroath1 whither she had run for shelter4 ,in the evening the boats again landed at #i1 and1 after a good tide's-work of three hours1 with torch-light1 the work was left off at midnight4 ,sidenote3 ,appearance of the ,rock at night4 ,to the distant shipping1 the appearance of things under night on the ,bell ,rock1 when the work was going forward1 must have been very remarkable1 especially to those who were strangers to the operations4 ,mr ,john ,reid1 principal light-keeper1 who also acted as master of the ,floating-light during the working months at the rock1 described the appearance of the numerous lights situate so low in the water1 when seen at the distance of two or three miles1 as putting him in mind of ,milton's description of the fiends in the lower regions2 adding1 8for it seems greatly to surpass ,will-o'-the-,wisp1 or any of those earthly spectres of which we have so often heard40 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #abth4 ,the weather was somewhat blowy to-day1 and the wind veered from ,e4 to ,s4,w4 ,the boats landed at a quarter past #i this morning1 but not without considerable difficulty1 owing to a heavy swell of sea which accompanied the change of wind4 ,after continuing at work for three hours and a half at the site of the building1 and the fixtures for the railways1 the water came in upon the artificers1 and the boats left the rock with all hands1 after having experienced some difficulty at the entrance of the eastern landing creek1 by the breach of the sea4 ,in this respect1 the larger boats of the new ,tender were not found to be so well adapted for pulling through a swell of sea in these narrow creeks1 as the smaller boats of the ,floating-light4 ,the breadth of the former being greater1 the oars were more apt to get entangled with the sea-weed and jutting points of the rock1 so that it was with difficulty they could be equally pulled on each side2 and if they did not exactly stem the sea1 but got a preponderance to one side1 the waves were apt to throw them upon the shelving rocks4 ,smaller boats1 under these particular circumstances1 would have been more handy1 but of two evils we are often left to choose the least1 and the larger boats were found to be more generally useful4 ,for the conveniency of accommodating a greater number of artificers1 it was necessary to have the boats of as large dimensions as the ,tender could stow2 it being hardly possible in this service to have more than two upon deck1 and one over the stern4 ,sidenote3 ,sixty persons on the quarter-deck at prayers to-day4 ,about #a ,p4,m4 the boats returned to the ,tender in safety2 and prayers were soon afterwards read upon deck1 when all hands1 including the boats crews from the ,floating-light and ,smeaton1 being present1 they counted sixty individuals4 ,owing to the difficulty experienced in getting clear of the rock this morning1 and the swell of the sea still continuing1 a landing was not attempted in the evening4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #acth4 ,the wind blew fresh from the ,s4,w4 this morning1 and the tides were again getting into the state of neap2 yet the ebb was very considerable yesterday1 and some parts of the rock were even dry about half an hour before the calculated time4 ,the boats landed to-day at #aa1 and left the ,rock again at half-past #b o'clock ,p4 ,m4 ,the artificers were again landed in the evening1 but the tide did not leave the foundation-pit4 ,all hands1 however1 were employed on the higher parts of the rock1 in the tracks of the railways1 where bat-holes were to bore and seats for the cast-iron props or supports of the railways to level4 ,after being employed in this manner for an hour and a half1 the boats returned to the ,tender4 ,sidenote3 ,artificers appear backward in landing on the ,rock to-day4 ,from the difficulties attending the landing on the rock1 owing to the breach of sea which had for days past been around it1 the artificers showed some backwardness at getting into the boats this morning2 but after a little explanation this was got over4 ,it was always observable1 that for some time after any thing like danger had occurred at the ,rock1 the workmen became much more cautious1 and on some occasions their timidity was rather troublesome4 ,it fortunately happened1 however1 that1 along with the writer's assistants and the sailors1 there were also some of the artificers themselves who felt no such scruples1 and in this way these difficulties were the more easily surmounted4 ,in matters where life is in danger1 it becomes necessary to treat even unfounded prejudices with tenderness1 as an accident1 under certain circumstances1 would not only have been particularly painful to those giving directions1 but have proved highly detrimental to the work1 especially in the early stages of its advancement4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #adth4 ,sidenote3 ,tender sails for ,arbroath4 ,the wind was at south this morning1 accompanied with very heavy showers of rain2 and though the boats effected a landing at #ab noon2 yet1 during the whole tide1 there was not less depth than #ae inches of water on the highest part of the site of the building1 while the sea was continually ranging into it4 ,the artificers were1 therefore1 employed on the higher parts of the eastern railway-track4 ,after an hour and three-quarters work1 the boats returned to the ,tender1 which had already cast off from her moorings1 and kept plying about till they left the rock with the artificers1 when she immediately sailed for ,arbroath1 and got into the harbour at #f ,p4 ,m4 ,here the artificers were employed in the work-yard for six days1 until the return of spring-tides4 ,during this interval ashore1 the smiths were busily employed in giving the picks and other tools a thorough repair4 ,every measure was also adopted that could possibly facilitate the fitting up of the railways1 without the aid of which the blocks of stone could not possibly be conveyed along the rugged surface of the rock after they were landed4 ,sidenote3 ,first entire course removed from the platform4 ,the operations at the rock1 both in the preparation of the foundation of the building1 and in the fitting up of the railways for landing the materials1 became more and more urgent as the work advanced ashore4 ,the first course had now been removed from the platform1 and the greater part of the second was laid in its place2 and1 in the course of three weeks1 it was also expected to be in readiness to ship for the rock1 while a number of the higher courses were in a considerable state of forwardness4 ,some of the ,aberthaw limestone having been burnt1 and reduced to a state of powder1 it was put into casks1 while equal quantities of pozzolano and clean sharp sand were also made up in the same manner1 to be used in building up the inequalities on the south east or lowest part of the margin of the foundation-pit1 that by this means the water might be more speedily pumped out1 and a longer period of the tide obtained for carrying on the work4 ,sidenote3 ,trial of the landing apparatus4 ,it being apparent1 from the present state of things1 that we should be ready for building in the course of the next spring-tides1 if the weather proved favourable1 it was necessary to have all the apparatus for landing the stones at the rock in a working state4 ,while at ,arbroath1 the writer had a trial made of one of the new praams or stone-lighters1 by towing her into the bay of ,arbroath1 with a large stone upon deck1 where the sloop ,smeaton had been previously anchored with her gaff-boom and tackle rigged4 ,this experiment was made in pretty rough weather1 when the block of stone was lifted with the tackle in and out of the ,smeaton's hold1 and again placed on the praam's deck1 as was to be done in the operation of landing at the rock4 ,the apparatus is represented in ,plate ,,xi41 and the trial was highly satisfactory1 the tackle requiring only some trifling alterations4 ,the ,smeaton was then brought into the harbour and trimmed with ballast1 consisting of pieces of granite1 neatly fitted into her hold1 over which a platform was laid1 which completed her for the service of taking the stones from ,arbroath to the ,bell ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #bjth4 ,sidenote3 ,tender sails for the ,rock4 ,things on shore having been thus arranged1 the writer again embarked on the #bjth in the ,sir ,joseph ,banks ,tender1 and sailed for the ,bell ,rock at #a ,p4 ,m41 accompanied by the sloop ,smeaton1 and having on board of both vessels sixty-two artificers and seamen4 ,at #h the ,floating-light was hailed1 and at #i the ,tender and ,smeaton were made fast to their respective buoys4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #bast4 ,sidenote3 ,fifty-eight artificers land4 ,at #c o'clock this morning1 the bell was rung1 as a signal for landing at the rock4 ,from the number of artificers1 it required considerable management and exertion on the part of the landing-master to get them properly seated in the four boats belonging to the ,tender1 the ,smeaton1 and ,floating-light1 which last attended the rock during the morning tides1 and assisted in all the operations of the landing-master's department4 ,at #d o'clock fifty-eight persons landed2 but the tides being extremely languid1 the water only left the higher parts of the rock1 and no work could be done at the site of the building4 ,a third forge was1 however1 put in operation1 during a short time1 for the greater conveniency of sharpening the picks and irons1 and for purposes connected with the preparations for fixing the railways on the rock4 ,sidenote3 ,advantage of a ,bell as a signal at the ,rock4 ,the weather towards the evening became thick and foggy1 and there was hardly a breath of wind to ruffle the surface of the water2 had it not therefore been the noise from the anvils of the smiths who had been left on the ,beacon throughout the day1 which afforded a guide for the boats1 a landing could not have been attempted this evening1 especially with such a company of artificers4 ,this circumstance confirmed the writer's opinion with regard to the propriety of connecting large bells to be rung with machinery in the light-house1 to be tolled day and night during the continuance of foggy weather1 by which the mariner may be forewarned of too near an approach to the ,rock1 while every distant object is obscured in the mist4 ,the tides went so little back at the ,rock to-day1 that no work was done excepting to the railways2 it being impossible to pump the water out of the foundation-pit1 as the tide never left the south-eastern margin of it4 ,after remaining two hours1 all hands returned towards the ,tender1 where guns were occasionally fired1 horns sounded1 and the ship's bell tolled1 as signals for the boats to find their way from the ,rock to the vessels2 and1 in this manner1 the whole party got safely on board about #h o'clock ,p4 ,m4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #bb;d4 ,at #f ,a4 ,m4 the artificers landed1 but the foundation could only be partially cleared of water1 so as to enable a few hands1 standing ankle-deep in water1 to work round the edges where the site of the ,light-house was highest4 ,after two and a half hours' work1 the boats1 with the artificers1 returned to their respective ships4 ,sidenote3 ,building materials landed for the first time this season4 ,this morning several casks of pozzolano1 lime and sand were landed1 to make mortar1 in order to build round the lower edges of the foundation-pit4 ,this being something like an approximation to the long wished-for commencement of building the ,light-house1 the artificers thought the opportunity too good to pass over in silence1 and the casks were accordingly landed under a salute of three hearty cheers4 ,at half past #f ,p4 ,m4 the boats again landed upon the rock1 but1 even when the tide was at the lowest1 the water stood to the depth of #ah inches upon the site of the building1 and no work was done4 ,this was rather a relief to the smiths1 who having no irons to sharp1 got rapidly forward with the necessary fixtures for the railways4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #bc;d4 ,sidenote3 ,small ruble walls built instead of cofferdam4 ,the weather continued to be extremely mild1 and the winds were generally from the eastward and southward1 accompanied with thick and hazy weather1 which1 in communicating with the rock1 was not only irksome but even dangerous4 ,at #g o'clock this morning1 the tide proving more favourable1 the artificers began to work4 ,at #i the rock was again overflowed1 and the boats returned to the ,tender after two hours' work4 ,part of the operations of this morning's tide consisted in building up the crevices and inequalities of the rock round the margin of the foundation1 with pozzolano mortar1 and the chips produced from the excavation1 with a view to dam out the water4 ,these little walls varied from six inches to eighteen inches in height2 a small sluice or aperture being formed in one of them by which the water1 during ebb-tide1 was allowed to drain off4 ,it formed part of the writer's original design1 as formerly noticed1 to erect a cast-iron coffer-dam of about five feet in height1 round the site of the building2 but the surface of the rock was so irregular1 that the difficulty of tightening it1 and also of emptying the contained water1 so as to get the benefit of it during ebb-tide1 would have been so great1 that1 taking these circumstances into account1 together1 with the loss of time which would attend the erection of such a preparatory work1 the idea of a coffer-dam was laid aside1 soon after entering upon the actual execution of the work4 ,sidenote3 ,inconveniencies of foggy weather4 ,the boats landed this evening1 when the artificers had again two hours' work4 ,the weather still continuing very thick and foggy1 more difficulty was experienced in getting on board of the vessels to-night1 than had occurred on any previous occasion1 owing to a light breeze of wind which carried the sound of the bell1 and the other signals1 made on board of the vessels1 away from the ,rock4 ,having1 fortunately1 made out the position of the sloop ,smeaton1 at the ,n4,e4 buoy1--to which we were much assisted by the barking of the ship's dog1 we parted with the ,smeaton's boat1 when the boats of the ,tender took a fresh departure for that vessel1 which lay about half a mile to the south-westward4 ,yet such is the very deceiving state of the tides1 that although there was a small binnacle and compass in the landing-master's boat1 we had1 nevertheless1 passed the ,sir ,joseph a good way1 when1 fortunately1 one of the sailors catched the sound of a blowing-horn4 ,the only fire-arms on board1 were a pair of swivels of one inch caliber2 but it is quite surprising how much the sound is lost in foggy weather1 as the report was heard but at a very short distance4 ,the sound1 from the explosion of gunpowder1 is so instantaneous1 that the effect of the small guns was not so good as either the blowing of a horn1 or the tolling of a bell1 which afforded a more constant and steady direction for the pilot4 ,it may here be noticed1 that larger guns would have answered better1 but these must have induced the keeping of a greater stock of gunpowder1 which1 in a service of this kind1 might have been attended with risk4 ,a better signal would have been a bugle-horn1 the tremulous sound of which produces a more powerful effect in fog1 than the less sonorous and more sudden report of ordnance4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #bdth4 ,the artificers landed to-day1 both with the morning and evening tides4 ,during the first1 they had two hours and three-quarters1 and in the latter1 two hours and a quarter1 making together five hours work2 the weather still continuing thick and foggy1 with the wind at south-east4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #beth4 ,the boats landed this morning at a quarter from #h o'clock1 and the artificers left off work at half-past #aj4 ,during the evening's tide1 the operations were again continued with torch-light1 from half-past #g till #aa o'clock ,p4 ,m41 having to-day had four hours and three-quarters work upon the rock4 ,sidenote3 ,force of the sea upon the ,rock4 ,a remarkable fact may here be mentioned as an evidence of the force of the sea upon the ,bell ,rock4 ,the reader may remember1 that the mushroom anchor1 with its chain and buoy1 which had drifted during the very hard gale of the #fth ,september #ahjg1 were found upon the ,rock after the gale3 at that time the buoy and chain were taken up1 but the anchor having got into a pretty large hole or cavity of the rock1 no convenient opportunity occurred for lifting it last season4 ,no doubt1 however1 was entertained that a mass of iron1 weighing about a ton1 without any timber or buoyant matter attached to it1 would remain in this position undisturbed1 till a convenient time should occur for recovering it4 ,but1 at the commencement of the works this season1 to the surprise of every one1 the anchor in question could not be seen4 ,to-day1 however1 it was discovered at the opposite side of the ,rock1 by one of the smiths who was at work upon the highest platform of the beacon2 and the weather being extremely fine1 it was weighed or lifted by the landing-master's crew4 ,for this purpose1 spars were laid across two boats1 between which the anchor was made fast3 as the tide rose the boats floated1 and the anchor thus suspended1 was conveyed to one of the vessels in the offing2 when a chain and buoy being attached to it1 it was again laid down in a proper birth1 as the moorings of one of the praam-boats4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #bfth4 ,the weather kept still very favourable for the operations at the rock1 though1 from the prevailing fogs1 it was not only inconvenient1 but hazardous1 to ply even in the short distance between the rock and the vessels in the offing4 ,the boats landed this morning at half-past #h1 and again returned to the ,tender at #ab4 ,in the evening1 they landed at half-past #h and continued with torch-light till half-past #aa ,p4 ,m41 having had five hours work during the two tides4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #bgth4 ,the weather was still thick and hazy1 but the sea kept smooth1 and the tides were very favourable1 so that in the morning1 the artificers were at work from half-past #h till half-past #aa o'clock2 and in the evening1 from a quarter past #i till midnight2 or had altogether five hours and three-quarters work to-day4 ,the writer wishing1 in such favourable weather1 to try the practicability of bringing the ,stone-lighters directly into the landing creeks of the ,rock1 with the stones and building materials1 by which great facility might occasionally be given to the work1 in landing the stones directly from the vessels1 instead of doing it on all occasions by loading and discharging the praam-boats2 an experiment was accordingly made this evening1 and the sloop ,smeaton was towed into the eastern creek1 when it was ascertained that her cargo1 in such weather1 might have been very speedily landed4 ,but when the tide left the rock1 the vessel heeled to the one side1 her sails hung loose1 and she had so much the appearance of a wreck1 that the sight cast an immediate gloom particularly upon the countenances of the seamen1 to whom a vessel1 in this state1 could not be viewed without some degree of horror4 ,whether it was partly from this circumstance1 or that the tide and weather would so seldom answer this nice operation1 or that the landing-master's crew had become so expert in transporting the praam-boats1 the idea of laying the stone-vessels upon the rock1 was1 from this night's experiment1 completely abandoned4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday #bhth4 ,land in the morning at #i1 and continue at work till #a ,p4 ,m41 and again in the evening1 when the work is continued by torch-light1 from half-past #aj till half-past #ab1 having had five hours' work to-day4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #bith4 ,the wind was at south-east this morning1 with gentle breezes and clear weather4 ,the boats landed at #aa ,a4 ,m41 and the foundation pit having been speedily cleared of water1 the work was continued till half-past #a4 ,p4 ,m41 being three hours4 ,the evening tides now falling late1 and becoming neap1 no landing was made this night4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #cjth4 ,sidenote3 ,artificers leave the ,rock4 ,progress of the works4 ,the boats landed the artificers on the rock at half-past #aa this morning1 but the tides being extremely languid1 there was only about an hour's work got upon the site of the building1 and about #b hours' at the ,railways4 ,finding that little more could be got done during the present set of spring-tides1 on returning to the vessel at #c ,p4 ,m41 she was got under way1 and sailed for ,arbroath1 which she reached at #g ,p4 ,m42 but1 being too early in the tide for getting into the harbour1 the author landed with the boat1 and felt not a little satisfied with the progress and success of the work4 ,the site of the building had been excavated as low in some parts as it was necessary or proper to carry it1 and there was now a good prospect of having it completely prepared in the course of the next spring-tides4 ,about #ajj feet of the eastern branch of the ,railway had also been laid1 while the best of the season was still to come4 ,the business of the work-yard was going on with no less vigour ashore4 ,the greater quantity of the stones wanted from ,aberdeen for the courses in hand1 had been brought to ,arbroath1 and the supply was becoming both more regular and abundant from the quarry of ,mylnefield4 ,the second course1 which contained very weighty stones1 being #ah inches in thickness1 was now nearly all laid down upon the platform in the middle of the work-yard1 where each stone was carefully fitted and marked as it was to lie in the building1 in the same manner as had been done with the first course4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,artificers' pay and premiums this month4 ,it so happened that the artificers employed afloat1 or1 at the ,bell ,rock1 were upon this occasion ashore on the regular pay-day1 which took place on the first of every month4 ,the seamen's wages were paid once a quarter1 and their premiums at the end of the working season4 ,such of the artificers as had been off at the ,rock this month1 had each a considerable sum to receive for wages and premiums1 say ,l4 #f1 the stated wages being ,l4 #a for six days2 and having no disbursement to make for victuals1 the situation of those afloat became enviable1 and the workmen who had not been at the ,rock1 now began to make application for what they called their turn afloat4 ,this change was not a little gratifying1 considering the hesitation and backwardness shewn last season to this part of the service4 ,sidenote3 #ahjh1 ,july4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #eth4 ,sidenote3 ,artificers embark for the ,rock4 ,at #aa o'clock ,p4 ,m41 the ,sir ,joseph ,banks ,tender set sail from ,arbroath for the ,bell ,rock1 to commence the operations for the ensuing spring tides1 having on board #ch masons1 #f joiners1 #c smiths1 and the landing-master's crew1 consisting of #ab seamen1 in all #ei4 ,the winds being variable1 the vessel only got a short way off the shore in the course of the night1 and did not reach her moorings till the next day at noon4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #fth4 ,sidenote3 ,commence operations for the ensuing ,spring-tides4 ,landed on the ,rock1 with the three boats belonging to the ,tender1 at #e ,p4 ,m41 and began immediately to bale the water out of the foundation-pit1 with a number of buckets1 while the pumps were also kept in action with relays of artificers and seamen4 ,the work commenced upon the higher parts of the foundation1 as the water left them1 but it was now pretty generally reduced to a level4 ,the pumps were laid in a diagonal position as represented in ,plate ,,xi42 four men wrought at the cross handle and guided the pump-spear1 to which a rope was attached1 and in this manner1 about #bj men could be conveniently employed at each pump1 and it is quite astonishing in how short a time so great a body of water could be drawn off4 ,the water in the foundation-pit at this time1 measured about two feet in depth1 on an area of #db feet in diameter2 and yet it was drawn off in the course of about half an hour4 ,after this1 the artificers commenced with their picks1 and continued at work for two hours and a half1 some of the sailors being at the same time busily employed in clearing the foundation of chips1 and in conveying the irons to and from the smiths on the beacon where they were sharped4 ,at #h o'clock1 the sea broke in upon us1 and overflowed the foundation pit1 when the boats returned to the ,tender4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #gth4 ,sidenote3 ,how employed4 ,the landing-master's bell rung this morning about #d o'clock1 and at #e the boats landed the artificers1 when the pumps and buckets were set to work to clear the foundation-pit of water4 ,the pumps1 as formerly noticed1 were left upon the ,rock1 being fixed between four bars of iron1 batted or wedged into it1 upon which plates were fitted with forelocks1 which kept them from shifting4 ,it was common also to drive a few wedges of iron between the pumps and these fixtures1 for greater security against their being lifted by the pressure of the water1 which1 in spring tides1 was from #ab to #ad feet in depth4 ,at half-past #e1 the foundation being cleared1 the work commenced on the site of the building4 ,but from the moment of landing1 the squad of joiners and mill-wrights was at work upon the higher parts of the ,rock1 in laying the railways1 while the anvils of the smiths resounded on the ,beacon1 and such columns of smoke ascended from the forges1 that they were often mistaken by strangers at a distance1 for a ship on fire4 ,after continuing three hours at work1 the foundation of the building was again overflowed1 and the boats returned to the ship at half-past #h o'clock4 ,the masons and pickmen had1 at this period1 a pretty long day on board of the ,tender1 but the smiths and joiners were kept constantly at work upon the ,beacon2 the stability and great conveniency of which had now been so fully shewn1 that no doubt remained as to the propriety of fitting it up as a barrack4 ,the workmen were accordingly employed1 during the period of high-water1 in making preparations for this purpose4 ,sidenote3 ,foundation stone prepared4 ,the foundation-pit now assumed the appearance of a great platform1 and the late tides had been so favourable1 that it became apparent that the first course1 consisting of a few irregular and detached stones for making up certain inequalities in the interior parts of the site of the building1 might be laid in the course of the present spring-tides4 ,having been enabled to-day to get the dimensions of the foundation or first stone accurately taken1 a mould was made of its figure1 when the writer left the ,rock1 after the tide's work of this morning1 in a fast rowing boat1 for ,arbroath2 and upon landing1 two men were immediately set to work upon one of the blocks from ,mylnefield quarry1 which was prepared in the course of the following day1 as the stone-cutters relieved each other1 and worked both night and day1 so that it was sent off in one of the ,stone-lighters without delay4 ,on returning to the ,rock1 the writer found that the artificers had been able to land regularly1 both at the morning and evening tides1 and that they had added eight hours to the working period4 ,he was1 however1 extremely sorry to find that he had missed the visit of his excellent friend ,mr ,patrick ,neill1 who1 in the zeal of his pursuits in botany and natural history1 had expressed a strong desire to examine the fuci and animals upon the ,bell ,rock1 and had taken the opportunity of a passage with the ,smeaton from ,leith4 ,but his engagements did not admit of his remaining till the writer's return2 and he had left the rock in a boat going to the ,redhead1 about seven miles east from ,arbroath1 where he expected to overtake the writer1 but instead of which1 they unluckily passed each other under night4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #ith4 ,the weather still continued to be very agreeable1 the wind being moderate and chiefly from the ,s4,w4 ,at #f ,a4 ,m4 the signal bell was rung for embarking for the ,rock4 ,at #g the artificers landed1 and began to clear the foundation-pit of water1 and the work continued from a quarter past #g till half-past #aa1 having had three hours' and a quarter's work1 when the ,rock was again overflowed1 and the boats returned to the ,tender4 ,sidenote3 ,foundation stone landed at high-water4 ,the site of the foundation-stone was very difficult to work1 from its depth in the ,rock1 but being now nearly prepared1 it formed a very agreeable kind of pastime1 at high-water1 for all hands to land it upon the ,rock4 ,the landing-master's crew and artificers accordingly entered with great spirit into this operation4 ,the stone was placed upon the deck of the ,hedderwick ,praam-boat1 which had just been brought from ,leith1 and was decorated with colours for the occasion4 ,flags were also displayed from the shipping in the offing1 and upon the ,beacon4 ,here the writer took his station with the greater part of the artificers1 who supported themselves in every possible position while the boats towed the praam from her moorings1 and brought her immediately over the site of the building where her grappling anchors were let go4 ,the stone was then lifted off the deck by a tackle hooked into a ,lewis-bat1 inserted into it2 when it was gently lowered into the water1 and grounded on the site of the building1 amidst the cheering acclamations of about sixty persons4 ,the landing of this stone at high-water became necessary1 from there being still a want of a sufficient length of railway for conveying it along the ,rock at low-water to the site of the building4 ,but this method was rarely resorted to1 as it was apt to skirt or break the edges of the stones2 and as a continuation of good weather was not to be calculated upon1 it was observed as a rule never to land more stones in any one tide than could be built1 because the force of the sea was more than sufficient to remove the heaviest stones1 as we have seen in the case of the first six blocks of granite which were landed by way of experiment1 and also of the cast-iron mushroom anchor1 which was drifted about the ,rock1 although it weighed upwards of a ton4 ,the boats landed at half-past #g this evening1 and the artificers immediately began to bale and pump the water from the foundation-pit1 and the work was afterwards continued by torch-light till a quarter-past #aa1 having had three hours' and a quarter's work this tide4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #ajth4 ,sidenote3 ,foundation-stone laid with masonic ceremony4 ,the wind to-day was variable1 with gentle breezes varying from ,s4,e4 to ,n4,e42 and every thing being in a state of preparation for laying the foundation-stone1 which had yesterday been landed with so much eclat1 the sailors again displayed their flags at all points1 and a cheerful happiness was discernible in every countenance4 ,at half-past #h the boats landed the artificers1 and the weather being remarkably fine1 as many of the crews of the ,floating-light1 the ,tender and the ,smeaton1 as could be spared from their respective ships1 landed this morning1 to witness the long-wished-for ceremony of laying the first stone of the ,light-house4 ,we had1 besides1 an acquisition to our numbers1 in a party consisting of about sixteen persons from ,dundee1 who came to the ,rock1 just as preparations were making for laying the stone4 ,whether we consider this building as an erection of great difficulty1 or1 in a nautical point of view1 as adding much to the comfort and protection of the mariner1 and safety of property1 upon a range of coast extending almost to the whole eastern shores of ,great ,britain1 its importance is evident4 ,if it be proper1 therefore1 on any occasion1 to attach importance to the act of laying the first stone of a public building1 that of the ,bell ,rock ,light-house cannot be said to yield to any in point of celebrity1 either for the peculiarity of its situation1 or the importance of its object4 ,under these considerations it is obvious1 that but for the perilous and uncertain nature of any arrangement which could have been made for this ceremony1 instead of its having been performed only in the presence of those immediately connected with the work1 and of a few accidental spectators from the neighbouring shore1 counting in all about eighty persons1 many thousands would have attended upon an occasion which must have called forth the first dignitaries of the country1 in conferring the highest honours of masonry4 ,the writer may1 however1 confidently affirm1 that1 situate as the work was1 nothing could add to the satisfaction felt by all present1 in having now got matters in so advanced a state1 as to be able to commence the building operations4 ,at #aa o'clock1 the foundation stone was laid to hand4 ,it was of a square form1 containing about #bj cubic feet1 and had the figures or date of #ahjh simply cut upon it with a chisel1 a derrick or spar of timber having been erected at the edge of the hole and guyed with ropes4 ,the stone was then hooked to the tackle and lowered into its place1 when the writer1 attended by his assistants ,mr ,peter ,logan1 ,mr ,francis ,watt1 and ,mr ,james ,wilson1 applied the square1 the level1 and the mallet1 and pronounced the following benediction3 8,may the ,great ,architect of the ,universe complete and bless this building10 on which three hearty cheers were given1 and success to the future operations was drunk with the greatest enthusiasm4 ,sidenote3 ,prayers read after the tide's work4 ,by #ab o'clock noon1 the tide had overflowed the site of the building1 and the boats left the ,rock after a tide's work of three hours and a half4 ,on returning to the ship1 prayers were read1 when every heart perhaps felt more than ordinary thankfulness4 ,the artificers were again landed in the evening at half-past #h1 and continued at work1 with torch-light1 till a quarter past #ab1 having been three hours and three quarters' at work1 or seven hours in all to-day4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #aath4 ,the boats landed at #i o'clock this morning1 and after three hours' and a quarter's work1 they left the ,rock at a quarter past #a ,p4 ,m4 ,the artificers landed again in the evening1 and work with torch-light from #aj to a quarter past #ab1 having had two hours' and a quarter's work4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #abth4 ,after clearing the foundation-pit of water1 by means of the two pumps and a number of buckets1 the work commenced at a quarter past #aj1 and left off at half-past #ab noon1 having had two hours' and a quarter's work4 ,in the evening1 the artificers again landed at #i1 but it was not till a quarter past #aa that the water was cleared out1 and it began to overflow the site of the building again at midnight1 so that only three quarters of an hour's work was got upon the ,rock with the evening tide4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #acth4 ,land at a quarter before #aj ,a4 ,m41 and begin to work at half-past #aj1 and left off at a quarter from #a ,p4 ,m41 having had two hours' and a half4 ,in the evening at #ab o'clock1 the foundation-pit was cleared of water2 but at a quarter past #ab1 the sea broke into it again1 so that no work was done1 owing to the state of the tide4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #adth4 ,sidenote3 ,tender leaves the ,rock4 ,land to-day at half-past #ab noon1 and had one hour's work4 ,but the tides being now in the state of neap1 the ,tender sailed with the artificers and landing-master's crew to ,arbroath1 to wait the return of spring-tides4 ,the work now put on a very promising appearance4 ,the first stone had been laid1 and the levelling of the site of the building was in such a state1 as to afford every prospect of being able to commence the building of the first entire course1 after a few good tides4 ,the reach of the ,railways from the site of the building1 to the eastern landing-place1 was also in a state of great forwardness1 and the other parts of the apparatus being now in readiness1 there was every prospect of making rapid progress after the foundation course was laid1 and building operations were fairly begun4 ,sidenote3 ,price of granite advanced4 ,in the work-yard1 however1 things had not so prosperous an appearance1 as a number of blocks of granite were still wanting to complete the first four courses of the building2 and such was the urgency of the demand1 lest the work should be stopped in its progress1 that the writer authorised ,mr ,gildowie of ,aberdeen to advance the price of stone1 according to circumstances1 as an additional stimulus to the exertions of the quarriers4 ,from this state of matters1 it was now pretty obvious1 that not more than two or three courses of the light-house could be built this season4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #bb;d4 ,sidenote3 ,artificers sail for the ,rock4 ,to-day1 at #a o'clock ,p4 ,m41 the ,tender left ,arbroath for the ,bell ,rock1 having on board #af masons1 #e mill-wrights and joiners1 #b black-smiths1 and #ac seamen1 in all #ce persons1 including the officers of the ship4 ,the wind was at ,e4 ,n4 ,e41 with light breezes and fine weather2 but as it fell calm1 the boats left the ,tender at #e ,p4 ,m4 with the artificers1 while yet about #e or #f miles from the rock3 but owing to the strength of the ebb-tide1 it was found impossible to reach it in time for the tide1 and they returned to the vessel at #i ,p4 ,m4 without having effected a landing4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #bc;d4 ,at half-past #e ,a4 ,m41 the ,tender was made fast to the south-west buoy1 when the artificers landed4 ,the two pumps were immediately set to work1 and at half-past #g the work commenced1 and continued till a quarter past #i1 when the site of the building was again overflowed1 and the boats left the ,rock after an hour and three-quarters' work4 ,in the evening the work commenced at #g1 and left off at half-past #i1 after two hours' and a half's work4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #bdth4 ,sidenote3 ,a raft of timber goes adrift4 ,the wind was at ,s4,s4,e41 with strong gales1 accompanied with a heavy breach of sea1 so that the boats could not land1 and there was consequently no work done to-day4 ,the ship had also such a rolling motion1 that the people could not be collected on deck1 as usual1 for reading prayers4 ,the wind was at east1 accompanied with a pretty heavy swell of sea to-day1 so that it was not without considerable difficulty that the boats landed1 when two hours' and a quarter's work were got1 having been on the ,rock from three quarters past #g till #aj ,a4 ,m4 ,but in this state of the weather a landing was not attempted in the evening4 ,in the course of this night1 a raft of six ,norway logs1 intended for laying the railways over certain gullies or inequalities of the rock1 drifted from one of the floating buoys to which it had been made fast4 ,it was afterwards picked up by some fishermen in the ,firth of ,forth1 near ,anstruther1 who were paid ,l4 #b for their trouble1 in name of salvage and expences4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #beth4 ,the weather was more settled to-day1 and the sea had become much smoother4 ,at a quarter past #h ,a4 ,m4 the work commenced1 and left off again at half-past #aa1 after an excellent tide's work of three hours and a quarter4 ,the masons were chiefly employed at the foundation of the building1--the millwrights and joiners at the railways1--the blacksmiths were kept busy at both operations1--while the landing-master's crew took part in the whole4 ,the boats landed again in the evening at #h ,p4 ,m41 and the foundation having been cleared1 the artificers began to the low-water works at a quarter past #i1 and continued till #aa4 ,after an hour and three-quarters' work they left the rock1 but the joiners and blacksmiths had been employed on the beacon since morning4 ,sidenote3 ,state of things1 at night1 upon extinguishing the torches4 ,the wind being at ,s4,e4 this evening1 we had a pretty heavy swell of sea upon the rock1 and some difficulty attended our getting off in safety1 as the boats got a-ground in the creek1 and were in danger of being upset4 ,upon extinguishing the torch-lights1 about twelve in number1 the darkness of the night seemed quite horrible2 the water being also much charged with the phosphorescent appearance which is familiar to every one on ship-board1 the waves1 as they dashed upon the rock1 were in some degree like so much liquid flame4 ,the scene1 upon the whole1 was truly awful4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #bfth4 ,sidenote3 ,the first1 or foundation course is finished to-day4 ,the work on the rock began this morning at #i o'clock1 and left off at a quarter past #ab noon1 when the tide overflowed the site of the building4 ,the masons then went on board of the ,tender1 but the smiths and joiners1 as usual1 continued their operations on the beacon4 ,the weather being moderate1 the boats landed again in the evening1 at a quarter past #aj1 and left off at midnight1 having had altogether four hours' and three quarters' of low-water work to-day1 when the last of the eighteen detached pieces of stone1 forming the ,foundation-course1 were laid4 ,the several holes or cavities in it1 varying in depth from six to eighteen inches1 had now been built up with stones1 exactly cut and fitted to their respective places1 as represented in ,plate ,,xv42 and which brought the whole surface to a uniform level4 ,sidenote3 ,the force of habit exemplified in landing at night on the ,bell ,rock4 ,in leaving the ,rock this evening1 every thing1 after the torches were extinguished1 had the same dismal appearance as last night1 but so perfectly acquainted were the landing-master and his crew with the position of things at the ,rock1 that comparatively little inconveniency was experienced on these occasions1 when the weather was moderate3 such is the effect of habit1 even in the most unpleasant situations4 ,if1 for example1 it had been proposed to a person accustomed to a city life1 at once to take up his quarters off a sunken reef1 and land upon it in boats at all hours of the night1 the proposition must have appeared quite impracticable and extravagant2 but this practice coming progressively upon the artificers1 it was ultimately undertaken with the greatest alacrity4 ,notwithstanding this1 however1 it must be acknowledged1 that it was not till after much labour and peril1 and many an anxious hour1 that the writer is enabled to state1 that the site of the ,bell ,rock ,light-house is fully prepared for the ,first entire course of the building4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #bhth4 ,sidenote3 ,first cargo of an entire course landed4 ,the sloop ,smeaton had accordingly loaded the first cargo of cut stone at ,arbroath for the ,light-house1 consisting of twenty blocks of the ,first entire course1 and had last night come to her moorings2 and this morning the praam-boats were employed in landing her cargo upon the ,rock4 ,from the want of a complete line of ,railway from any of the landing-places to the site of the building1 this operation could only be effected at high-water1 when the stones were let down1 one after another1 upon the unincumbered area of the foundation of the ,light-house1 by means of a slip-rope passed through the ,lewis-bat of each stone4 ,this1 as before noticed1 was by no means a very desirable mode of landing the materials1 and was indeed1 one that could rarely be resorted to1 except in the finest weather4 ,the artificers having landed at #i ,a4 ,m41 the foundation was cleared of water by #aj1 when the masons made preparations for commencing the building operations4 ,having had two hours' and three quarters' work1 they left the ,rock1 after laying the blocks of stone which had been landed1 in a compact and regular manner upon the site of the building4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #bith4 ,the wind was at east to-day1 with a gentle breeze4 ,at #aj ,a4 ,m4 the workmen landed1 but the tides becoming neap1 it was two hours and a half before the foundation could be cleared of water1 and at a quarter from #b ,p4 ,m4 it was again overflowed1 having only had an hour and a quarter's work with the morning tide1 when the twelve remaining blocks of the ,smeaton's cargo were laid to hand1 and ready for being built with mortar4 ,in the present state of the tides1 it was not judged necessary to land this evening4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,smeaton makes a second trip for a cargo in #bj hours4 ,the ,smeaton having been unloaded yesterday forenoon1 she was again dispatched to ,arbroath for another cargo of the ,first course1 which she got on board that same night by #ab o'clock1 and had returned to her moorings at the ,bell ,rock this morning2 ,captain ,pool1 with his usual activity1 having only been absent from the ,rock about twenty hours4 ,in the mean time1 the writer visited the operations of the work-yard1 to ascertain more fully what prospect there was of having a supply of prepared stones for continuing the works of this season1 to the extent of three or four courses of the ,light-house4 ,some arrangement also was necessary for the removal of ,cranes and other articles of machinery for the use of the building operations4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #cjth4 ,sidenote3 ,tender sails for ,arbroath4 ,the ,tender left her moorings at the ,rock this morning for ,arbroath1 with such of the artificers as could be spared4 ,those left shifted on board of the ,smeaton1 and were to be employed at the ,beacon1 and in laying the ,railways1 now much wanted1 for transporting the stones along the ,rock4 ,they also attended to the arrangement of the materials landed upon the site of the building1 where1 from the lowness of its situation1 they lay in safety4 ,in the work-yard considerable progress had now been made with the ,second entire course of the building1 and after much trouble1 the necessary blocks of granite had at length come to hand1 for completing it1 but still many stones were wanting for the higher ones4 ,sidenote3 #ahjh1 ,august4 ,sidenote3 ,august1 ,wednesday1 #c;d4 ,sidenote3 ,returns to the ,rock4 ,the ,tender sailed this afternoon from ,arbroath1 having on board two of the cranes already alluded to1 as in preparation for the work1 upon a new construction1 as will be seen in ,plate ,,xiv4 ,these were intended to be erected on the site of the building1 for laying the stones in a more perfect and expeditious manner than had hitherto been followed in operations of this kind4 ,she carried also forty-seven persons1 including artificers and seamen2 but as the winds were light1 little progress was made during the afternoon1 for1 as yet1 the utility of the ,steam-boat1 in cases of this kind1 had not been developed4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #dth4 ,sidenote3 ,four stones laid4 ,at #d o'clock this morning the ,tender reached her moorings1 and was made fast to the south-west buoy1 as laid down upon ,plate ,v4 ,at #e o'clock1 #cb artificers and #aa seamen landed upon the ,rock1 from three boats4 ,the landing-master's crew transported one of the cranes from on board of the ,tender1 on one of the praams1 and landed it at high-water upon the ,rock4 ,having again landed in the evening1 the foundation-pit was cleared of water by #f o'clock1 when the ,crane was set up and properly guyed with ropes4 ,the center-stone and three others were then laid with mortar1 and trenailed to the ,rock4 ,after two hours' work1 the site of the building was again overflowed1 and at #h o'clock the artificers returned on board of the ,tender4 ,sidenote3 ,advantages of the new cranes over sheer-poles4 ,as the stones were all dove-tailed into one another1 they required to be laid perpendicularly into their respective places1 which was also essential to preserving a proper bed of mortar under them4 ,this could only be effected in a speedy and dextrous manner by means of a crane2 but it will further be seen1 from the angular figure of the stones1 that this could not be effected by one of these machines of the ordinary construction1 as has formerly been noticed4 ,it had been recommended to the writer to use the common sheer-poles1 with which the ,edystone ,light-house was built1 which1 notwithstanding all the improvements in machinery1 were still chiefly in use for laying heavy stones2 but sheer-poles1 besides being difficult to preserve on a sunken rock1 could neither have laid the materials so well1 nor with a tenth part of the expedition1 as the crane with the moveable beam delineated in ,plate ,,xiv4 ,sidenote3 ,mr ,smeaton's plan of ,trenails and ,wedges followed4 ,stones laid at the depth of about #ad feet under high-water mark1 required more than merely laying them on their respective beds1 and trusting to their own gravity4 ,for this purpose nothing seemed to be so well adapted as the oaken trenails which ,mr ,smeaton used in the erection of the ,edystone ,light-house4 ,two jumper-holes1 of an inch and a half in diameter1 had accordingly been drilled through each stone1 which were continued or perforated to the depth of six inches into the rock or course immediately below1 which became the most tedious part of the building operation4 ,when the oaken trenail was inserted into the hole1 it had a saw-draught across the lower end1 into which a small wedge was inserted3 and when driven home1 it became quite firm4 ,the trenail was then cut flush with the upper bed of the stone1 and split with a chisel1 when another wooden wedge was inserted and driven into the upper end of the trenail1 as represented in diagram #aj4 of ,plate ,x4 ,nor was this all1 for1 in following up ,mr ,smeaton's principle1 two pairs of oaken wedges1 as represented in ,plate ,x41 ,fig4 #aa4 were also driven gently into the perpendicular joints1 prior to grouting them with mortar4 ,the whole stones of a course had thus to be laid with great nicety1 corresponding to a number of checks and marks1 previously arranged in the work-yard1 that the wedges might fit without trouble at the ,rock1 and preserve the respective positions of the superincumbent courses1 and make band throughout the whole fabric4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #eth4 ,sidenote3 #af ,stones laid4 ,the boats landed the artificers this morning at half-past #e o'clock1 and the foundation-pit being cleared of water1 seven stones were laid and secured with trenails by #h o'clock4 ,the artificers are again landed at #f ,p4 ,m4 and in the course of two hours nine additional stones were laid4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #fth1 till ,wednesday1 #ajth4 ,sidenote3 #ib ,stones laid4 ,from ,saturday the #fth till ,wednesday the #ajth inclusive1 the weather and tides were favourable1 which afforded an opportunity of landing both with the morning and evening tides1 and in the course of these five days twenty-six hours' work were obtained1 and ninety-two stones were laid4 ,the landing-master's crew also continued their operations in delivering the ,smeaton1 and laying her cargoes on the ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #aath4 ,sidenote3 #aa ,stones laid4 ,the boats landed the artificers to-day at #i ,a4 ,m41 and in about three quarters of an hour the site of the building was cleared of water1 when eleven stones were laid in the course of an hour and three quarters4 ,there being a considerable swell in the sea to-day from south-east1 the praams could not land any materials upon the ,rock at high-water1 and nothing could be done in this way at low-water1 as the ,railways were not yet in a working condition4 ,sidenote3 ,a party of ,gentlemen narrowly escape being drowned4 ,during the morning-tide1 while the work was in progress1 a very serious accident was like to have happened to a party of gentlemen from ,leith1 who came to see the operations at the ,rock4 ,they attempted to land in a very small boat belonging to their yacht2 but1 as a considerable swell of sea set round it in all directions1 after several attempts1 they found this to be impracticable4 ,the writer then hailed the gentlemen1 and advised them to return1 and remain on board of their vessel1 until the state of the tide would enable him to send a proper boat for them4 ,in the mean time1 however1 a boat from the ,floating-light1 pretty deeply laden1 with lime1 cement and sand1 approached1 when the strangers1 with a view to avoid giving trouble1 took their passage in her to the ,rock4 ,the accession of three passengers to a boat1 already in a lumbered state1 put her completely out of trim1 and1 as it unluckily happened1 the man who steered her was not in the habit of attending the ,rock1 and was not sufficiently aware of the run of the sea at the entrance of the eastern creek4 ,instead1 therefore1 of keeping close to the small rock called 8,john ,gray10 the situation of which will be seen in ,plate ,,vi41 he gave it a wide birth1 as the sailors term it2 a heavy sea having struck the boat1 drove her to leeward1 and the oars getting entangled among the rocks and sea-weed1 she became unmanageable1 and was thrown on a ledge by another heavy swell1 which instantly leaving her1 she kanted seaward upon her gunwale1 when the people1 and part of the cargo1 were thrown into the sea4 ,before she righted1 or any assistance could be rendered by those on the ,rock1 another sea came which filled her and scattered the passengers1 eight in number1 in all directions4 ,some clung to the boat1 others to the sea-weed1 and two or three having got hold of oars and loose thwarts1 which floated about1 were carried out of the creek1 to a considerable distance from the spot where the accident happened4 ,by the very prompt and active assistance of ,mr ,james ,wilson1 the landing-master1 and his crew1 the whole were1 however1 speedily got out of the water1 excepting a ,mr ,strachan1 one of the strangers1 who had clung to the sea-weed upon a small insulated rock1 bearing his name1 in ,plate ,,vi41 to which it was impossible at this time of tide to approach1 without the assistance of a boat4 ,mr ,wilson1 with a dexterity peculiar to himself1 made towards this spot1 where ,mr ,strachan1 with great resolution and perseverance1 still kept his hold1 although every returning sea laid him completely under water1 and even hid him from the view of the spectators on the ,rock4 ,in this situation he must have remained for ten or twelve minutes4 ,when the boat reached the insulated rock1 the most difficult part was still to perform1 as it required the greatest nicety of management to guide her in a rolling sea1 so as to prevent her from being carried forcibly against ,mr ,strachan1 who was in danger of being struck with the stem of the boat1 to which he lay completely exposed4 ,notwithstanding the breach of the sea1 however1 and the narrowness of the passage1 the boat was conducted at the proper moment close to ,mr ,strachan1 without either touching him or the insulated rock to which he clung1 till he was lifted into the boat4 ,mr ,strachan was of course much exhausted1 from having been so completely overrun by the sea1 and having had but a very short space for breathing between the returning waves4 ,the gentlemen thus extricated in safety from the most imminent peril1 were immediately removed on board of their own vessel1 no doubt very thankful for the narrow escape they had made1 and with grateful recollections of the exertions made by ,captain ,wilson and his crew4 ,with regard to the people belonging to the ,light-house service1 none of them were materially injured beyond the disagreeable ducking which they experienced2 but the boat was almost completely wrecked3 her cargo was also injured1 and partly lost4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #abth4 ,sidenote3 ,first entire course completed4 ,the artificers landed this morning at half-past #aj1 and after an hour and a half's work1 eight stones were laid1 which completed the ,first entire course of the building1 consisting of #abc blocks1 the last of which was laid with three hearty cheers4 ,immediately after this tide the ,tender left the ,rock for ,arbroath1 with all hands on board2 and having a fine breeze at south1 she got into the harbour at half-past #f ,p4 ,m41 to wait the return of the spring-tides4 ,sidenote3 ,artificers are welcomed into ,arbroath ,harbour4 ,those on board felt not a little happy1 when the ship1 which1 on her passage1 had been decorated with colours1 intimating that the ,first entire course was laid1 was received with cheering from the workmen ashore1 and the inhabitants of ,arbroath4 ,the service of the ,bell ,rock now became every trip more desirable with the artificers1 who1 having been enabled to work both during the morning and evening tides1 with the exception of the evening of the #aath1 the premiums over and above their stated wages became more and more an object1 while the experience acquired in landing #abc blocks of stone1 had fully established the practicability of the whole operation4 ,sidenote3 ,one of the ,artificers disabled4 ,he receives an annuity4 ,on the writer's arrival at the work-yard this evening1 he learned1 with much regret1 that an unfortunate accident had happened to one of the masons1 of the name of ,hugh ,rose1 while employed in raising a block of stone1 of between two and three tons weight1 with the carpenter's jack1 represented in ,plate ,x4 ,the jack had not been set with sufficient care1 and slipped from under the stone1 which instantly fell upon his knees4 ,for a considerable time ,rose was thus kept in a sitting posture1 with a great part of the weight of this large stone resting upon his legs1 till relieved by the other workmen who came to his assistance1 and again applied the jack to raise the stone4 ,his legs were1 however1 sprained in a very painful and distressing manner1 which kept him from work for upwards of a twelvemonth4 ,he was one of the best workmen in the ,yard1 and a man of great bodily strength2 but became so much disabled by this accident1 that the ,light-house ,board was afterwards pleased to settle an annuity of ,l4 #bj per annum upon him4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #aith4 ,sidenote3 ,granite ,stones much wanted4 ,the work at this moment had much the appearance as if it would be retarded1 as several blocks of stone were still wanted from the quarries at ,aberdeen1 to complete the ,third entire course1 the ,second being now ready to be removed from the work-yard to the ,rock4 ,this course was #ah inches in thickness1 the granite stones of which measured from #d to #g feet in length1 varying in breadth from #c feet to #d feet #f inches4 ,stones of these dimensions could not be landed with safety at high-water1 but the railways on the ,rock were nearly completed from the eastern landing-place to the site of the building1 so that every thing was now in readiness for commencing the landing of the materials with low-water4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #bdth4 ,sidenote3 #aj ,stones laid4 ,having made all the necessary arrangements for making dispatch with the ,third course1 the writer sailed at mid-day on the #bdth1 with the ,tender1 for the ,bell ,rock1 having on board forty-three persons in all1 and the wind being favourable1 the vessel was made fast to her buoy at the ,rock at #g ,p4 ,m4 ,the ,smeaton also came to her moorings with a cargo of the ,second course1 when the landing-master's crew brought the praam-boat along-side1 and was loaded with #aj stones1 which were landed1 and laid this evening after three hours' work4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #bgth4 ,sidenote3 #acf ,stones laid in #g tides4 ,the weather having been extremely favourable1 regular tides' work were got both morning and evening1 so that the ,second entire course1 containing #acf stones in number1 and #aeb tons weight1 was laid in the course of seven tides2 the sloop ,smeaton having been kept constantly plying between the ,bell ,rock and ,arbroath1 where1 on her arrival1 she was immediately loaded1 whether by night or day4 ,from the favourable state of the weather1 the complete and effective condition of the landing apparatus1 and the dexterity of the landing-master's crew1 a cargo of stones was discharged from the vessel1 and landed on the ,rock in as short a time as the stones could be built1 and the holes bored into the course below1 and trenails fixed into them4 ,to facilitate the lifting of the stones off the waggons1 after they were brought on the railways to the site of the building1 and for laying them at once on every part of its area1 though measuring #db feet in diameter1 a second crane was erected on the ,first entire course1 as represented in ,plate ,,ix41 which thus admitted of the ,second course being built with great facility1 without once requiring to shift the cranes horizontally2 as the beams1 when extended in opposite directions1 reached from the centre to the extremity of the course4 ,sidenote3 #ahjh1 ,september4 ,sidenote3 ,second course completed4 ,on completing the laying of the ,second entire course1 the ,light-house began to assume the appearance and form of a building2 for1 although still under a part of the excavated rock1 it was1 nevertheless1 #d feet above the level of the lower bed of the foundation-stone1--a consideration which was highly gratifying to those immediately connected with the work4 ,having successfully completed this course1 the writer sailed with the ,smeaton for ,arbroath1 accompanied by such of the artificers as had been employed in building1 and leaving the ,tender at the ,rock1 with the mill-wrights1 joiners1 smiths1 and masons1 who worked at the ,railways1 and in preparing the upper part of the ,beacon as a barrack4 ,after landing at ,arbroath1 the ,smeaton was immediately dispatched for ,aberdeen1 in quest of a few blocks of granite1 still much wanted for the courses in hand4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #ith4 ,sidenote3 ,artificers go off to the ,rock4 #aj ,stones laid4 ,having now got the ,third entire course nearly ready for shipping1 the ,tender returned to ,arbroath for the artificers1 and a supply of water and provisions2 and sailed again this morning at two o'clock for the ,bell ,rock1 having forty persons on board4 ,at #i she was made fast to the ,s4,w4 buoy1 when the boats were hoisted out and landed the artificers1 who remained till #ab noon4 ,these two hours were occupied in adjusting the cranes1 and making preparations for commencing the building operations4 ,a landing is again made in the evening at #i1 and at midnight the artificers returned on board of the ,tender1 having been three hours on the ,rock1 when ten stones of the ,third course were laid and trenailed to the course below4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #ajth4 ,sidenote3 ,pumping of ,water discontinued4 ,land at #i ,a4 ,m41 and by a quarter past #ab noon1 #bc stones had been laid4 ,the works being now somewhat elevated by the lower courses1 we got quit of the very serious inconvenience of pumping water to clear the foundation-pit4 ,this gave much facility to the operations1 and was noticed with expressions of as much happiness by the artificers as the seamen had shewn when relieved of the continual trouble of carrying the smiths' bellows off the ,rock1 prior to the erection of the ,beacon4 ,sidenote3 ,one of the ,artificers loses a finger4 ,while the workmen were laying the closing or last stone of the former course1 ,john ,bonnyman1 one of the most active and expert of the masons1 met with an unlucky accident in the following manner4 ,the moveable beam of the building-crane having been lowered to a horizontal position1 for the purpose of laying the stone at the circumference of the course1 ,bonnyman1 who was directing it into its birth with a small pince in his right hand1 had inadvertently rested his left hand on the beam1 near the sheave or pulley1 at its extremity1 when one of the links unfortunately caught his hand1 and before the crane could be stopped1 the chain had passed over the middle joint of the fore-finger1 and cut it so nearly off1 that he applied to the writer1 who was standing by1 to relieve him of the almost detached part4 ,but having no great inclination for the performance of operations of this kind1 the severed parts were set together and bandaged in as careful a manner as circumstances would admit1 when the patient was sent in a fast-rowing boat to ,arbroath for medical aid4 ,it was nevertheless soon afterwards found necessary to amputate the finger1 and ,bonnyman became a successful candidate for a light-keeper's birth4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #aath4 ,sidenote3 ,progress of the works stopped for want of granite4 ,having landed this morning at #aj1 the work was continued during four hours1 when #ad stones were laid2 but its regular progress had now to be stopped for a time1 owing to the want of stones from the work-yard1 where some blocks of granite were waited for from the quarries4 ,in the afternoon the ,smeaton arrived with a few hearting or interior stones of the course in hand2 but the wind having been for some days past in the ,n4,e41 accompanied with a considerable swell of sea1 it was not found practicable to make a landing1 and the praam-boat1 after having been loaded1 was made fast to her moorings3 consequently no landing was made on the ,rock with the night tide4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #abth4 ,sidenote3 ,building level with the higher parts of the ,rock4 ,the wind being still at ,n4,e41 the swell was so great that the boats landed with much difficulty on the ,rock this morning at half-past #aa o'clock1 but could only remain for an hour and a half1 owing to the heavy sea which ran upon it4 ,this tide was employed in completing the boring of the trenail-holes1 and in securing the stones which had been laid4 ,the cranes were also raised from the second to the third course1 which being #ah inches in thickness1 the artificers who worked them now stood nearly on a level with the highest parts of the ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #acth4 ,sidenote3 ,experience great difficulty in landing4 ,the wind being still at ,n4,e41 accompanied with a heavy breach on the ,rock1 no attempt would have been made to land to-day1 had not the writer felt a more than ordinary desire to examine the state of the work1 from the manner in which the sea broke upon the building4 ,in accomplishing this about noon1 the boats were frequently put back1 but were at length successful1 when it was found that the force of the sea had raised two of the stones exposed to its immediate wash1 which1 in the unfinished state of the course1 formed an abrupt face to the waves4 ,these two stones were lifted perpendicularly off their beds1 the one to the height of #f1 the other of #aj inches2 but they were fortunately still held by the trenails1 and supported as if on stilts4 ,had this not been timeously observed1 the probability is1 that the operation of another tide might have swept them into deep water1 which would have been attended with much additional hazard1 by delaying the work in its present state1 at so advanced a period of the season4 ,sidenote3 ,two ,stones loosened but are again secured4 ,the vessels slip their moorings4 ,the trenails of these stones having been drawn or bored out1 the stones were laid a second time1 when every precaution was taken to secure the mortar1 by stuffing bagging-cloth round the joints1 and loading them with bars of iron4 ,the guy-ropes of the cranes were also tightened1 and every thing put in as complete a state of security as circumstances would admit4 ,at #a ,p4 ,m4 the boats again returned to the ,tender1 which now rode so heavily at her moorings that it was found necessary to get her under way1 when she sailed for ,arbroath with the artificers4 ,the ,smeaton also slipped her moorings2 but instructions were previously given to ,mr ,pool1 to keep as close as possible to the loaded praam-boat1 still riding at her moorings1 that1 in the event of her breaking adrift1 he might be at hand to take her in tow4 ,in the evening1 however1 the weather moderated considerably1 and1 after landing the masons at ,arbroath1 to remain till the return of spring-tides1 the ,tender returned to her station at the ,rock1 with the workmen employed at the ,beacon-house and ,railways4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #agth4 ,sidenote3 #aj ,stones are laid4 ,the praam-boats ride out the gale4 ,the ,light-house ,yacht having to-day returned from the ,northern ,light-houses1 she transported the builders from ,arbroath to the ,rock1 and supplied the ,floating-light and ,tender with provisions and necessaries4 ,by this means1 the latter vessel was enabled to remain at her moorings during the present neap-tides1 by which the operations on the higher parts of the ,beacon made great progress4 ,the writer also embarked this morning in the ,light-house ,yacht1 and having hailed the ,floating-light at noon1 found that she had rode out the late gales with great ease4 ,at #c o'clock ,p4 ,m4 the ,yacht was made fast to a set of moorings which had been laid down for her early in the season2 and at #e1 thirty artificers landed1 when #aj stones were laid in two hours and a quarter4 ,notwithstanding the heavy seas which had run upon the ,rock since the completion of the ,second course1 every thing was found in good order4 ,the stones of the course in hand were all in their respective places1 and the joints were full of mortar4 ,the cranes also stood quite firm1 with their guys and tackling4 ,it was no less satisfactory to find that the loaded praam rode at her moorings in perfect safety1 without having apparently shipped any sea during the gale4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #ahth4 ,sidenote3 #ca ,stones laid in #f hours4 ,the artificers landed this morning at #e o'clock1 and continued at work till a quarter past #h4 ,the railways being now in a pretty complete state1 and a further supply of stones having been brought to the ,rock1 the landing-master got #ba blocks conveyed from the eastern wharf to the building4 ,in the same manner1 with the evening tide1 #aj stones were landed1 and the work continued from half-past #e to half-past #h1 having had six hours' and a quarter's work to-day1 during which no fewer than #ca stones were laid4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #aith4 ,sidenote3 #ab ,stones are laid4 ,the western track of ,railway much wanted4 ,the artificers landed this morning1 and continued at work for three hours1 when #g stones were laid4 ,the wind being at ,s4,e4 there was a very heavy swell of sea in the eastern creek2 and not having as yet been able to lay the ,railway-track to the western creek1 the stones were obliged to be landed on the eastern side of the ,rock1 which was often attended with great disadvantage to the work4 ,for it was only in the very finest weather that materials could be dropped or lowered upon the ,rock at high-water2 an operation which was further attended with great inconveniency1 from the sparse manner in which it was found necessary to drop them from the praam1 to prevent their being injured4 ,the fear also of a storm overtaking the work while the stones were in this situation1 was none of the least sources of uneasiness which attended this practice3 for1 though the sea might not carry them entirely off the ,rock1 they might nevertheless be so damaged1 as to render them unfit for the work1 and the loss of a single stone could not be replaced without returning to the work-yard1 and having recourse to the mould from which it was cut4 ,sidenote3 ,one of the beams cannot be got out of the eastern creek4 ,as the landing-master's crew were in the act of towing one of the praam-boats into the eastern creek this morning1 an unlucky sea struck her1 and carried her upon the same ledge of the ,rock1 which1 on the #aath of last month1 had almost proved fatal to the ,floating-light's boat4 ,by the active exertions of the crew1 however1 the praam on the present occasion was got off without sustaining much damage1 her bottom being only slightly rubbed2 and the cargo1 consisting of #g blocks of stone1 with cement1 c4 was landed in safety4 ,the boats returned to the ,rock at #f ,p4 ,m41 and left it again at #i1 after having had three hours' work1 and laid #e stones1 being all the materials that could be got this tide1 owing to the rough state of the weather2 for it was not till after three successive attempts had been made1 that ,mr ,wilson succeeded in getting the praam into the creek this evening1 the wind being at ,s4,e41 and still continuing to blow fresh with a heavy swell of sea1 insomuch1 that it was found impracticable to get her out again after unloading2 and she1 therefore1 remained till the tide had flowed sufficiently to float her over the lower parts of the ,rock to the westward4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #bjth4 ,sidenote3 #ae ,stones are laid4 ,the weather continues to be very boisterous4 ,the artificers landed this morning at #f o'clock1 and left the ,rock again at a quarter past #aj1 having had four hours' and a quarter's work1 when seven stones were laid4 ,in the evening1 the artificers landed at #f1 and continued at work till #aj1 having had a tide of four hours1 in which time eight stones were laid4 ,owing to the surf of sea upon the ,rock to-day1 it was with the utmost difficulty that the heavy blocks could either be got out of the ,smeaton into the praams1 or conveyed in safety to the ,rock4 ,it was only by the experience now acquired1 and the activity of the landing-master's crew1 that any thing was done to the building during the whole of these spring-tides4 ,indeed the ,smeaton was forced to leave her moorings1 and return to ,arbroath1 before the whole of her last cargo could be delivered4 ,in this state of the weather1 the workmen could not be regularly employed in building2 but there was so much to do with each course1 in boring trenail holes1 and laying railways during the time of low-water1 that the artificers were always fully employed1 when it was possible to land4 ,during the period of high-water1 the mill-wrights and joiners were occupied in framing the upper part of the ,beacon-house4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #bast4 ,sidenote3 ,engineer's clerk most active in dispatching the shipping4 ,to-day the wind was at ,s4,w41 blowing a fresh gale1 and it was not expected that the ,smeaton could have possibly returned from ,arbroath1 with the remaining stones of the course in hand1 consisting of #ag blocks1 with which1 from the advanced period of the season1 and the boisterous state of the weather1 it was proposed to terminate the building for this year4 ,the ,smeaton1 however1 got to ,arbroath last night1 at a late hour2 and ,mr ,lachlan ,kennedy1 ,engineer's clerk1--whose department it was to attend to the dispatch of the vessels1--with that promptitude and zeal in the service which uniformly marked all his transactions1 called the artificers in the work-yard barrack at midnight1 when they commenced1 with torch-light1 to cart the stones to the quay1 and had loaded the ,smeaton1 by half-past #b ,a4 ,m41 so that she saved tide out of the harbour1 and at half-past #f got to her moorings at the ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,the unfortunate loss of ,james ,scott1 one of the seamen4 ,mr ,thomas ,macurich1 mate of the ,smeaton1 and ,james ,scott1 one of the crew1 a young man about #ah years of age1 immediately went into their boat to make fast a hawser to the ring in the top of the floating-buoy of the moorings1 and were forthwith to proceed to land their cargo1 so much wanted at the ,rock4 ,the tides at this period were very strong1 and the mooring-chain1 when sweeping the ground1 had caught hold of a rock or piece of wreck1 by which the chain was so shortened that when the tide flowed1 the buoy got almost under water1 and little more than the ring appeared at the surface4 ,when ,macurich and ,scott were in the act of making the hawser fast to the ring1 the chain got suddenly disentangled at the bottom1 and this large buoy1 measuring about #g feet in height1 and #c feet in diameter at the middle1 tapering to both ends1 being what seamen term a ,nun-buoy1 vaulted or sprung up with such force1 that it upset the boat1 which instantly filled with water4 ,mr ,macurich1 with much exertion1 succeeded in getting hold of the boat's gunwale1 still above the surface of the water1 and by this means was saved2 but the young man ,scott was unfortunately drowned4 ,he had1 in all probability1 been struck about the head by the ring of the buoy1 for although surrounded with the oars and the thwarts of the boat which floated near him2 yet he seemed entirely to want the power of availing himself of such assistance1 and appeared to be quite insensible1 while ,pool1 the master of the ,smeaton1 called loudly to him3 and1 before assistance could be got from the ,tender1 he was carried away by the strength of the current1 and disappeared6 ,a signal of distress was immediately hoisted1 when one of the boats of the landing-master's crew instantly attended to ,macurich's safety1 and picked him up in a very exhausted state1 but he happily soon recovered4 ,sidenote3 ,his mother gets a small annuity4 ,the young man ,scott was a great favourite in the service1 having had something uncommonly mild and complaisant in his manner2 and his loss was therefore universally regretted4 ,the circumstances of his case were also peculiarly distressing to his mother1 as her husband1 who was a seaman1 had1 for three years past1 been confined to a ,french prison1 and the deceased was the chief support of the family4 ,in order1 in some measure1 to make up the loss to the poor woman for the monthly aliment regularly allowed her by her late son1 it was suggested1 that a younger boy1 a brother of the deceased1 might be taken into the service4 ,this appeared to be rather a delicate proposition1 but it was left to the landing-master to arrange according to circumstances3 such was the resignation1 and at the same time the spirit of the poor woman1 that she readily accepted the proposal1 and in a few days the younger ,scott was actually afloat in the place of his brother4 ,on representing this distressing case to the ,board1 the ,commissioners were pleased to grant an annuity of ,l4 #e to ,scott's mother4 ,sidenote3 #ag stones are laid4 ,the ,building operations completed for the season4 ,the ,smeaton not having been made fast to the buoy1 had1 with the ebb-tide1 drifted to leeward1 a considerable way eastward of the ,rock1 and could not1 till the return of the flood-tide1 be worked up to her moorings1 so that the present tide was lost1 notwithstanding all exertions which had been made both ashore and afloat with this cargo4 ,the artificers landed at #f ,a4 ,m41 but as no materials could be got upon the ,rock this morning1 they were employed in boring trenail holes1 and in various other operations1 and after four hours' work they returned on board the ,tender4 ,when the ,smeaton got up to her moorings1 the landing-master's crew immediately began to unload her4 ,there being too much wind for towing the praams in the usual way1 they were warped to the ,rock1 in the most laborious manner1 by their windlasses1 with successive grapplings and hawsers laid out for this purpose4 ,at #f ,p4 ,m41 the artificers landed1 and continued at work till half-past #aj1 when the remaining seventeen stones were laid1 which completed the ,third entire course1 or ,fourth of the ,light-house1 with which the building operations were closed for this season4 ,sidenote3 ,summary of the ,building operations at the ,rock4 ,the building1 being now on a level with the highest part of the margin of the foundation-pit1 or about #e feet #f inches above the lower bed of the foundation-stone1 is computed to contain about #chh tons of stone2 consisting of #djj blocks1 connected with #gch oaken trenails1 and #abae pairs of oaken wedges4 ,the number of hours of low-water work upon the ,rock this season1 amounted to about #bfe1 of which number only #hj were employed in building4 ,it was further highly satisfactory to find1 that the apparatus1 both in the work-yard at ,arbroath1 and also the craft and building apparatus at the ,rock1 were found to answer every purpose much beyond expectation4 ,the operations of this season1 therefore1 afforded the most flattering prospects of the practicability of completing the solid part1 or first #cj feet of the building1 in the course of another year4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #beth4 ,sidenote3 ,shipping obliged to run for ,arbroath4 ,owing to very heavy gales of wind from a north-eastern direction1 the ,sir ,joseph ,banks ,tender1 the ,sloop ,smeaton1 and ,light-house ,yacht1 were1 on the #bb;d1 obliged to slip their moorings1 and proceed with all hands for ,arbroath4 ,the ,tender and the ,smeaton again returned to their stations at the ,bell ,rock on the #beth2 the former to attend the mill-wrights1 joiners1 and smiths1 while they completed certain operations connected with the ,railways1 and ,beacon-house1 that everything might be left in as secure a state as possible for the winter months2 the crew of the ,smeaton being at the same time occupied in lifting the several sets of moorings1 building-cranes1 and other apparatus connected with the works1 which she carried to ,arbroath4 ,sidenote3 ,appearance of things at the ,rock after the late gale4 ,sidenote3 ,writer sails for the ,northern ,light-houses4 ,the writer having also sailed on the #beth in the ,light-house ,yacht1 on his annual inspection of the ,northern ,light-houses1 wished1 in passing the ,bell ,rock1 to have landed1 but this he found impossible1 owing to the heavy sea which still ran upon it4 ,the vessel1 however1 sailed as near the ,rock as possible1 that he might1 in some measure1 learn the state of matters after the late gales of the #bb;d and #bc;d4 ,he could discern that the ,beacon was in good order1 but found that the strong ,triangular-sheers of cast-iron1 represented in ,plate ,,xi41 at the ,eastern wharf1 were thrown down and broken to pieces2 and that the ,north-west buoy had drifted from its moorings4 ,the circumstance of the breaking of these sheers greatly surprised the writer1 as they consisted of bars of iron1 whose cross section was about #aj inches2 having each four longitudinal ribs1 of about an inch and a half in depth1 and thus forming a common circumference of #af inches4 ,sidenote3 #ahjh1 ,october4 ,sidenote3 ,monday #cast4 ,sidenote3 ,visits the ,rock on his return4 ,after sailing by the ,orkney ,islands1 and visiting all the ,light-houses on the coast of ,scotland1 the writer landed at ,greenock on the #aith of ,october1 and soon afterwards returned to the works at ,arbroath4 ,at half-past #aa ,a4 ,m4 on the #cast1 he landed on the ,bell ,rock1 and remained till half-past #c ,p4 ,m41 examining every thing minutely1 when he had the satisfaction of finding the stones and joints of the building quite entire4 ,the ,railways and ,beacon were also in good order2 while the moorings1 and all the moveable apparatus1 had been conveyed to ,arbroath4 ,sidenote3 ,december4 ,sidenote3 ,arrangements for the ,writer4 ,during the months of ,november and ,december1 the affairs of the work-yard went forward in the usual busy manner4 ,a small squad of artificers went off to the ,bell ,rock at each period of spring-tides1 when the weather permitted1 with tools and implements to repair and refit any temporary damage which the ,beacon or ,railways might sustain1 and likewise to examine the state of the several courses of masonry4 ,in the work-yard the masons were employed in hewing or cutting stones for the next year's operations2 the joiners1 in preparing the upper framing of the accommodation part of the ,beacon-house4 ,the ,tender was occupied in carrying off the workmen who landed at the ,rock2 in relieving the crew of the ,floating-light in their turns ashore1 and supplying that ship with provisions and necessaries2 while the sloop ,smeaton made several trips to the granite quarries of ,aberdeen and ,peterhead1 and the ,light-house ,yacht was laid up in ordinary at ,leith4 ,in this state of arrangement1 the business of the ,bell ,rock was left during the winter months2 and the writer is now to continue the narrative1 by giving the account of the operations of the year #ahji4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,progress ,,of ,,the ,,works ,,in ,,the ,,year #ahji4 ,sidenote3 #ahji1 ,january4 ,in the month of ,january #ahji1 the winds prevailed much from the east and north-east1 which never fail to produce a heavy sea on the eastern shores of ,great ,britain1 and particularly at the ,bell ,rock1 from its exposed position to these points4 ,this state of the weather1 therefore1 rendered it extremely difficult to communicate with the ,floating-light1 for the purpose of relieving the seamen in their turns ashore1 and supplying the ship with provisions and necessaries4 ,sidenote3 ,railways injured1 and ,bracing chain-bolts unlocked4 ,it was also found impracticable to land upon the ,rock itself sooner in this month than the #bjth1 when1 after several attempts1 ,mr ,francis ,watt and ,captain ,wilson1 two of the engineer's assistants1 landed with four seamen1 and four artificers with their tools1 at #ab noon1 and remained till a quarter past #a ,p4 ,m4 ,by this time several of the supports of the iron-railways on the ,rock had got loose1 and two of the castings forming the waggon-track and footpath had broken adrift4 ,one of these was found at a considerable distance from its place1 but the other had entirely disappeared1 and must have been washed off the ,rock1 although it weighed upwards of #ajj lb4 ,in these gales1 no fewer than ten of the bracing-chains of the ,beacon were shaken entirely loose1 seven of which had unscrewed the tightening-bolts1 and the remaining three lifted the pieces of rock into which the chain-bats had been fixed4 ,the tightening-bolts were again screwed up1 and pieces of small wire twisted round the points of the screws1 to prevent the nuts from unlocking4 ,the three bolts1 with their chains1 which had lifted the parts of the rock1 were disengaged from the ,beacon altogether1 to prevent injury to the wooden beams1 by their motion with the force of the sea2 and things were otherwise left in as serviceable a state as the circumstances of a limited stay upon the ,rock at this season of the year would admit4 ,it was1 upon the whole1 highly satisfactory to learn1 that the ,beacon1 this important auxiliary to the operations1 had received no material injury1 after such a continued tract of stormy weather2 the great iron stanchions sunk into the ,rock1 which kept the main beams in their places1 and all the joints and fixtures of the higher parts of the framed work1 being quite entire1 and without the smallest appearance of having shifted4 ,sidenote3 ,proofs of strong currents in the ,sea4 ,on this trip to the ,rock1 the ,light-house ,yacht picked up a floating-buoy belonging to the navigation of the river ,weser4 ,it was marked 8,bremen #ahjh1 ,w4 ,r4 ,no4 #b410 and measured six feet in length1 and three feet in diameter over the head1 being of the form known to mariners as a ,cann buoy4 ,it appeared to have drifted1 in the course of this winter1 from the shores of ,germany1 which1 in a direct line1 is a distance of at least #cdj miles4 ,this circumstance1 as the buoy presented1 while afloat1 but a small surface for the wind to act upon1 being heavily bound with iron1 and having about two fathoms of mooring chain appended to it1 affords an extraordinary proof of the effects of the tides and currents in the ocean4 ,we may likewise here notice1 among other instances corroborative of this curious anomaly of the tides1 the drifting1 within the same period1 of part of the apparatus belonging to the works of the ,bell ,rock2 particularly the two buoys1 formerly mentioned1 that parted from their moorings1 and came ashore1 the one1 along with a raft of timber1 at ,fifeness1 and the other at the ,island of ,may1 after having been upwards of two months at sea4 ,but1 perhaps1 the most remarkable occurrence of this kind1 was that of the ,praam-boat1 also formerly mentioned1 which broke loose from the ,floating-light1 and was found at the ,redhead about #ac miles distant1 having been at sea for the space of three months and eight days4 ,sidenote3 ,three large drift-stones found upon the ,rock4 ,the artificers again landed at the ,rock on the morning of the #cast at #g o'clock1 being rather before day-break1 and left it again at #aj1 after having been on it about three hours4 ,several of the bracing-chains were found loosened1 notwithstanding the precautions hitherto used for preventing the bolts from unlocking4 ,but the writer had resolved1 when the weather would admit1 to remove these chains altogether1 and introduce strong bars of malleable iron1 about eight feet above the ,rock1 as represented in ,plate ,,viii41 to connect the several beams in a horizontal direction4 ,at this landing1 three large masses of rock were found close to the ,beacon1 which had been drifted upon the ,rock by the force of the sea4 ,they were of various dimensions1 the largest containing no less than about #bj cubic feet1 equal perhaps to a ton and a quarter in weight4 ,after a careful examination1 in every direction1 of the low-water surface of the rock1 it was ascertained that these stones had formed no part of it1 though of the same description of rock2 and it was therefore concluded1 they must have been thrown up from deep water4 ,the refitting of the chains of the ,beacon and the cast-iron ,railways1 so occupied the time of the artificers1 that they could not get the stones so broken as to be removed1 and thereby prevent their being perhaps thrown1 by the force of the sea1 against the ,beacon and ,railways1 like so many battering rams4 ,sidenote3 ,february4 ,during the month of ,february1 the weather continued to be extremely boisterous1 and it was not without considerable difficulty that the ,floating-light could be visited at the stated periods2 while two unsuccessful attempts were made1 on the #ast and #bjth1 to land at the ,bell ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,progress of the ,works at ,arbroath1 and exertions made at the ,quarries4 ,in the work-yard1 the preparation of the several courses of the building was going progressively forward4 ,the ,ninth course was now finished1 and part of the ,tenth laid upon the platform4 ,at ,mylnefield ,quarry1 the operations were at a stand2 for in winter1 as formerly mentioned1 no work is done here1 owing to the liability of the stones to split in frosty weather1 especially when newly taken from the quarry1 the lamin of the strata being then charged with moisture4 ,but1 as granite imbibes water very slowly1 and is not liable to those changes1 every exertion continued to be made at the quarries of ,aberdeenshire1 that1 if possible1 the outside casing of granite might be carried to the height of #cj feet1 or to the top of the solid part of the building1 instead of #af feet1 or to high-water mark1 as had been latterly intended4 ,the stone-agent at ,aberdeen1 accordingly1 had a person traversing the numerous quarries in that neighbourhood1 while one of the foremen from the work-yard at ,arbroath1 was similarly employed1 during the winter months1 at ,peterhead2 and whenever a stone was found answerable to the ,light-house moulds1 it was immediately purchased1 and laid aside for the use of the ,bell ,rock4 ,sidenote3 #ahji1 ,february4 ,sidenote3 ,employment of ,shipping4 ,the sloops ,smeaton and ,alexander made several trips to the ,north1 and also to ,mylnefield1 near ,dundee1 for stones which had been quarried in the course of the summer months1 and were in no danger from the frost2 but owing to the difficult nature of the navigation of the ,tay in winter1 these voyages were frequently attended with considerable danger4 ,on the last trip which the ,smeaton made to this quarry1 she had a very narrow escape1 and lost both her boat and an anchor2 but the hazardous state of the vessel and all on board1 will be better understood by the following very distinct and explicit letter or journal from ,mr ,thomas ,calder1 commander of the ,light-house ,yacht1 who1 on this occasion1 was acting master on board of the ,smeaton4 ,sidenote3 ,captain ,calder's account of a trip to the ,tay4 8,arbroath1 #beth ,february #ahji4 8,mr ,,stevenson4 8,sir1--,at #c o'clock ,p4 ,m41 on the #bast inst41 ,i got under way from the ,south ,ferry ,roads for ,mylnefield quarry1 wind at ,west4 ,at #g were about a mile from the quarry pierhead4 ,light airs of wind4 ,got beset amongst ice1 and brought up with the small bower-anchor4 ,at midnight1 all hands employed hanging fenders over the bows and sides1 to save the vessel from getting cut with the ice4 8,at day-light1 on the #bb;d41 being high-water1 got under way2 ice all round1 and had frequently to let go an anchor1 to allow it to drift past us4 ,could not get up to the quarry1 and at #aj put into ,dundee4 ,during the remainder of this day had light breezes1 with hard frost4 8,on the #bc;d1 at #g ,a4 ,m4 got again under way1 with a westerly wind1 but still could not make up to the quarry4 ,at #aj1 had drifted down as far as the ,lights of ,tay1 having little wind1 but a heavy sea from ,e4,,se4 ,at #aa1 the boat filled1 and was turned bottom up2 nothing could be done for her safety2 cut her adrift4 ,at noon1 had a very heavy sea on our broadside1 breaking over all1 with little or no wind4 ,got into three fathoms water1 the sea sweeping every thing off the deck that was moveable4 ,all hands in the rigging for safety1 except the man at the helm4 ,endeavour if possible to get back1 but all in vain4 ,let go our anchor in two fathoms water1 the sea breaking over all4 ,at #i o'clock ,p4 ,m41 being then high-water1 let go the best bower-anchor4 ,at midnight calm weather1 with heavy breaking seas4 8,at #i ,a4 ,m4 of the #bdth1 got under way again1 and took our fate1 being in much peril to ride longer4 ,could not purchase our anchor1 and were therefore obliged to cut the cable4 ,had light airs of wind1 but still a heavy sea4 ,went over the bank in going out of the ,tay1 and1 at #i in the evening1 had the good fortune to get into ,arbroath4 ,in the course of this trip we saw one sloop sink with all hands in the rigging1 while close by us1 but we could render them no assistance1 and we were still drifting towards the shore4 ,another sloop1 named the ,lady ,kinnaird1 ,i believe bound for ,leith1 ,god only knows what her fate was2 being thick with snow ,i lost sight of her frequently4 ,it was often impossible for a man to stand on deck2 and we took to the rigging for safety4 ,the ,smeaton and these two vessels being a long way a-head of six of the ,dundee ,london smacks1 were certainly the means of saving them4 ,the ship's company is now employed in rigging the ,light-house ,yacht1 and fitting her for sea4 ,i am1 ,sir1 your humble servant1 ,,tho,s4 ,,calder40 ,sidenote3 #ahji1 ,march4 ,sidenote3 ,large ,stones removed4 ,joisting of platform lifted by the sea4 ,the month of ,march set in with some pretty good weather1 and eight artificers landed upon the ,rock on the #eth1 at half-past #aa ,a4 ,m41 and remained till half-past #a1 when they got the three large stones1 formerly mentioned as lying near the ,beacon1 broken1 and reduced to such a size as to admit of their removal4 ,several of the fixtures of the ,railways had got loose1 and were again secured2 and two lengths of the waggon-tracks were broken to pieces by the movement of the above mentioned stones1 which1 in their progress across the rock1 had made indelible ruts upon it4 ,the bracing-chains of the ,beacon still required to be screwed up2 but the essential parts of this fabric were in the most entire and perfect state2 although all the joisting of the lower platform1 excepting three pieces1 had been carried away4 ,the deals of this floor had been lifted at the end of the working season1 being only about #cj feet above the ,rock1 but the joisting presented so little resistance to the waves1 that it had been allowed to remain1 being only fixed in a slender manner1 that both the floor and the joisting might lift with the force of the sea1 without endangering the safety of the ,beacon4 ,sidenote3 ,a vessel in danger of being wrecked on the ,bell ,rock4 ,on this occasion1 the people of the ,floating-light informed the landing party1 that they had just been spoken to by the crew of a large brig from ,gottenburgh1 bound for ,liverpool4 ,this vessel having got out of her reckoning1 had been lying-to in the entrance of the ,firth for three days1 not knowing the land4 ,but having been directed as to their situation1 the strangers now shaped their course for the ,orkneys4 ,had it not been for these instructions1 this vessel1 in all probability1 might have been wrecked on the ,bell ,rock2 and1 therefore1 looking prospectively to the completion of this work1 we may see its extensive and important advantages to shipping4 ,sidenote3 ,fourteenth course laid on the platform1 and further progress of the ,work4 ,during the remainder of this month1 no opportunity occurred for landing on the ,rock1 but the other departments of the service went forward with all possible dispatch4 ,the ,thirteenth course was nearly completed1 and a part of the ,fourteenth had been laid on the platform4 ,the last of the moulds for the granite stones1 to the height of #cj feet1 had now been sent to the quarries of ,aberdeen and ,peterhead1 where the ,smeaton1 and the hired sloop ,alexander1 were each loading a cargo4 ,mr ,peter ,logan had now left the quarries at ,peterhead1 where he had been for some months2 and ,alexander ,davidson1 one of the principal granite masons1 appointed to attend the quarries at ,aberdeen1 was also soon to be removed from that station1 to perform the same duty at the sandstone quarry of ,mylnefield4 ,measures had likewise been taken for providing the necessary castings for the extension of the ,railways to the western landing place at the ,rock1 which altogether were to include a range of about #hjj feet4 ,sidenote3 ,cast-iron ,mushroom ,anchors4 ,difficulty in procuring ,trenails4 ,the uncertainty attending the fixing of the malleable iron shank into the large cast-iron head of the mushroom anchor1 represented in ,plate ,x4 ,fig4 #d41 from its liability to shake loose1 had induced the writer to make trial of a mushroom anchor1 made wholly of cast-iron1 which was finished in a very complete manner by the ,shotts ,iron ,company4 ,at the same works1 castings were also made for a set of new sheers for those broken in the month of ,september at the eastern landing creek1 which answered all the purposes of a crane1 as represented in ,plate ,,xi4 ,the two new praam-boats building at ,arbroath1 had advanced considerably in the course of this month1 and were now ready for the laying of the decks4 ,of all the materials connected with those which may be termed of a trifling nature1 none was more difficult to be procured than the oaken trenails1 for fixing the stones of the lower or solid part of the building while the work was in progress4 ,after much correspondence with ,london and other ports1 a considerable quantity was procured from trenail merchants of ,wapping4 ,but such was the demand for oak timber at this period1 owing to the great supply wanted for the ,navy1 that it was not only at a considerable expence1 from about ,l4 #c to ,l4 #e per hundred1 but with great difficulty1 that trenails of the dimensions wanted could be collected4 ,it was found by a calculation1 at this time1 that #bedd trenails1 from #bj to #bf inches in length1 and #a inches in diameter1 and #cgbj pairs of wedges1 from #ae to #ai inches in length1 #c inches in breadth1 and #a inch in thickness at the top1 would still be wanted4 ,fortunately1 however1 a great quantity of oak timber1 suitable for trenails1 was brought about this time from the ,highland districts to ,perth1 for making the spokes of carriage-wheels4 ,a supply of these was accordingly got1 at a much cheaper rate than the ordinary trenails of the carpenter1 and which were also considered better for the purposes of the work4 ,sidenote3 ,purchase of the ,sloop ,patriot4 ,in order that the building operations at the ,rock might suffer as little delay as possible1 from the difficulty attending the regular transportation of the stones from ,arbroath1 and also to provide against the numerous accidents to which the vessels in this service were incident1 it was judged proper to have another vessel besides the ,smeaton for this department of the service4 ,the writer consequently corresponded with various ports1 with a view to procure a vessel of about #dj tons burden1 or nearly the size of the ,smeaton4 ,two vessels of this description were offered for sale1 at the same price of ,l4 #dgj2 but one of them1 the sloop ,patriot of ,kirkaldy1 was stated to be a new vessel1 which had hardly been at sea1 while the other was several years old2 the ,kirkaldy vessel was therefore preferred4 ,sidenote3 #ahji1 ,april4 ,on the #eth and #fth ,april1 the boats of the ,floating-light landed the artificers on the ,bell ,rock at #aa o'clock ,a4 ,m41 and they remained till #a1 having had two hours' work each tide in refitting the railways1 and setting up the bracing-chains of the ,beacon1 which were still found in a loose state4 ,notwithstanding all the precautions used1 one of them had unscrewed its nut to the extent of #c inches1 by the friction arising from the agitation of the sea1 but every thing else was found to be in good order4 ,sidenote3 ,floating-light encounters some heavy seas4 ,from the #fth to the #bjth1 the weather was particularly boisterous1 the winds being chiefly from the eastward1 with occasional showers of snow4 ,on the #afth it was found necessary to veer out the cable of the ,floating-light from the #cjth to the #ijth fathom service2 and1 on the #agth1 at #b o'clock ,a4 ,m41 she had shipped so heavy a sea1 that it filled both of the boats amid-ships1 and ran down the companion and hatches in such quantities as to give great alarm to all on board1 who1 for a time1 concluded that the vessel was sinking4 ,sidenote3 ,twelfth course completed by the ,stone-cutters4 ,about the beginning of this month1 the stone-cutters in the workyard had just completed the hewing of the sandstone or hearting of the ,fourteenth course of the building3 but those employed at the granite blocks of the course were at a stand1 both with that and the ,thirteenth course1 for want of materials3 a supply1 however1 having timeously arrived from ,aberdeen and ,peterhead1 these courses were proceeded with1 though1 as yet1 none higher than the ,twelfth was in a finished state4 ,as the sandstone masons were considerably ahead of those who wrought the granite1 the former were chiefly employed in laying the courses on the platform1 and boring the trenail holes4 ,the necessary implements were also prepared1 and in readiness for shipping for the ,rock1 with #fb barrels of lime1 #gh barrels of pozzolano1 and #fj barrels of sand4 ,sidenote3 ,employment of ,shipping4 ,the ,light-house ,yacht was now fitted out for her voyage with stores for the ,northern ,light-houses1 and the other general business connected with her department4 ,the ,sir ,joseph ,banks ,tender was ready for sea by the #agth of ,april2 and the ,smeaton and ,alexander were still making trips to the quarries1 and occasionally supplying the ,floating-light with provisions4 ,sidenote3 ,sloop ,patriot condemned4 ,sidenote3 ,opinion of ,mr ,solicitor-,general ,boyle4 ,the sloop ,patriot1 of #de register tons1 formerly mentioned as having been purchased for the work1 had her hatches enlarged1 for the conveniency of loading and delivering stones2 and was otherwise fitted up for the service at the ,rock4 ,on the #bjth1 she took on board five cast-iron mushroom anchors1 with chains and floating-buoys1 together with a quantity of cast-iron work for extending the ,railways4 ,with this cargo she sailed from ,leith on the #bast of ,april1 reached the ,bell ,rock on the morning of the #bb;d1 and was discharged with the assistance of the boats of the ,tender and ,floating-light4 ,in the course of this trip1 the ,patriot was observed to make a considerable quantity of water2 and instead1 therefore1 of proceeding for the quarries for a cargo of stone1 it was found necessary to send her to ,arbroath for examination1 when ,james ,macdonald1 the master1 reported that he could not proceed to sea until the vessel underwent repair4 ,a warrant was accordingly obtained from the ,judge-,admiral for a survey of carpenters1 who declared her 8not sea-worthy40 ,on farther opening the bottom planks1 it appeared1 that1 upon the starboard-bow1 both planks and trenails were in a state of decay1 and the expence of the necessary repairs was estimated at ,l4 #hj4 ,upon this report of the carpenters being produced1 a correspondence was entered into with the late owner of the vessel1 who resisted the charge2 and the matter being submitted by the ,light-house ,board to ,mr ,solicitor-,general ,boyle1 then ex officio one of the ,commissioners1 7now ,lord ,justice-,clerk17 he was of opinion1 from the circumstance of the ,patriot's having been sold as an almost new vessel1 that the late owner was liable for the estimated repairs4 ,upon this opinion being made known1 the sum of ,l4 #hj was immediately paid1 and the vessel was put under repair4 ,sidenote3 ,two ,praams launched4 ,two of the praam-boats built at ,arbroath had been launched1 by the names of 8,fernie10 and 8,dickie10 after the respective builders1 and were fitted out with complete sets of warps and grapplings for landing the stones at the ,bell ,rock4 ,every thing being in readiness for commencing the operations1 it was fully expected that the solid part would be completed in the course of the ensuing season1 and the ,light-house thus carried to the height of #cj feet4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #bjth4 ,sidenote3 ,tender sails4 ,floating light put under charge of ,mr ,reid4 ,the ,sir ,joseph ,banks ,tender1 having been fitted out for sea1 sailed on the #bjth of ,april1 with the ,hedderwick praam-boat in tow1 to attend the works at the ,bell ,rock4 ,she had also on board #ae artificers1 consisting of mill-wrights1 joiners1 smiths and masons1 to be employed in extending the ,railways1 and fitting up the ,beacon-house as a place of residence for the workmen4 ,having left the harbour of ,arbroath at #e ,a4 ,m41 the ,floating-light was hailed at #h1 when her boat came alongside with ,captain ,wilson1 the landing-master1 who was now to leave his charge on board of the ,floating-light for a time1 and attend as landing-master at the ,bell ,rock1 while ,mr ,john ,reid1 mariner1 and principal light-keeper1 took charge as master of the ,floating-light1 acting in these capacities with much credit to himself and advantage to the service4 ,sidenote3 ,two sets of ,moorings laid down4 ,the first attention of the landing-master was to lay down a mushroom-anchor1 weighing #ah cwt4 #a qr4 with #cb fathoms of th inch chain1 in #ac fathoms water1 as the future moorings of the ,tender2 the ,beacon on the ,bell ,rock bearing ,e4 by ,s4 distant mile4 ,a set of moorings were also laid down about #cjj fathoms to the eastward of this for the praam-boat1 with a mushroom-anchor1 weighing #ae cwt4 #bd lb41 with #be fathoms of chain1 in #aa fathoms water4 ,the artificers1 having left the ,tender in two boats1 landed on the ,rock at #i ,a4,m4 and returned on board again at half-past #ab noon4 ,but1 in the afternoon1 the weather becoming more coarse1 with the wind from the ,,ne41 accompanied with showers of snow1 a landing was not attempted in the evening4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #bast4 ,sidenote3 ,tender slips her moorings4 ,the wind to-day being still from the ,,ne41 a heavy sea set upon the ,rock4 ,the artificers1 notwithstanding1 left the ,tender in two boats1 at #aj ,a4 ,m41 but1 after various attempts to land at the western creek1 it was found impracticable1 and the boats returned to the vessel at half past #aa2 when the ,tender was found to ride so heavily at her moorings1 that it was judged advisable to slip her hawser2 when she set sail1 and at #e ,p4 ,m4 anchored in the bay of ,arbroath2 but1 in the course of the night1 she again returned to her moorings off the ,bell ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #bb;d4 ,sidenote3 ,other three sets of ,moorings laid down4 ,the wind having come round to the south to-day1 the weather had moderated2 and at #aj ,a4 ,m4 the artificers landed1 their number having been augmented by nine additional men from ,leith1 so that they now counted twenty-five4 ,the latter part of this day was employed in laying down three sets of moorings with mushroom-anchors1 weighing from #ae to #bc cwt41 for the use of the ,stone-,lighters1 and other craft employed at the work4 ,the positions of these1 as nearly as may be1 will be seen in ,plate ,v4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #bc;d4 ,sidenote3 ,artificers cannot land4 ,at #f ,a4 ,m4 the artificers left the vessel1 with an intention to land on the ,beacon at high-water1 but there being too much sea1 they returned without effecting their purpose4 ,at one ,p4 ,m41 being low-water1 fifteen of them made a landing1 and remained till #d o'clock1 making preparations for commencing the operations at the ,railways and ,beacon-house4 ,this afternoon the ,smeaton supplied the ,floating-light and ,tender with necessaries1 and returned to ,arbroath1 carrying with her twelve of the artificers for the work-yard4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #bdth4 ,at #g ,a4 ,m4 the artificers left the ,tender1 and landed on the ,beacon1 where they remained all the day4 ,the masons1 who could only be employed on the ,rock during low-water1 in boring holes for the bats1 and in dressing the ,rock for the supports of the ,railways1 landed at #a ,p4 ,m41 and left off work at #c1 having been two hours at work1 when the tide overflowed the ,rock2 but the joiners and smiths continued on the ,beacon till #g ,p4 ,m4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #beth4 ,during these twenty-four hours the wind was from the westward1 with moderate breezes and showers of rain4 ,at half-past #f ,a4 ,m41 the smiths and joiners landed on the ,beacon1 and continued the whole day4 ,at half-past #c ,p4 ,m41 the low-water artificers landed1 and the whole returned again on board of the ,tender at half-past #h4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #bfth4 ,sidenote3 ,sailors account for the unsettled state of the weather4 ,the weather continued to be very unsettled1 and there being still great quantities of snow lying on the hills of ,angus1 it was an observation made by the sailors1 8,that the wind never continued twenty-four hours in one direction1 while there was any whiteness on the ,braes of ,angus40 ,to-day1 it was at ,e4,,ne41 with strong breezes and hazy weather4 ,at half-past #h the joiners and smiths left the vessel for the ,rock1 but could not make a landing1 and returned again at half-past #i1 when she immediately slipped her moorings and sailed for ,arbroath1 to wait the return of the spring-tides4 ,sidenote3 ,progress of the work4 ,at ,arbroath1 the several departments of the work went forward with alacrity1 and the courses of the building1 as high as the #aith1 were now ready for shipment4 ,the ,patriot having undergone a complete repair1 was equipped for sea4 ,the ,smeaton was employed chiefly in attending the quarries at ,mylnefield1 and the ,alexander those of ,aberdeenshire4 ,the ,tender took on board provisions1 water1 and other necessaries for the supply of the ,floating-light and artificers1 and also some of the dressed timber for fitting up the cabins of the higher parts of the ,beacon-house4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #cjth4 ,sidenote3 ,tender sails for the ,rock4 ,the ,tender accordingly left the harbour of ,arbroath this morning1 under the command of ,mr ,david ,taylor1 and sailed for the ,bell ,rock with ,mr ,francis ,watt and eighteen artificers4 ,at #f ,a4 ,m4 they spoke the ,floating-light1 and got ,mr ,james ,wilson1 the landing-master1 on board4 ,the wind being from the westward with moderate breezes1 the artificers were landed at #g ,a4 ,m41 and remained on the ,rock till #aa ,p4 ,m4 ,while the water was low they were employed at refitting and extending the ,railways2 and when the ,rock was overflowed1 they ascended to the ,beacon1 and continued their operations4 ,the wind came to blow so fresh from the ,n4,w41 or in the direction of the ,tender's moorings from the ,rock1 that it was not judged safe to make her fast2 and as soon as the artificers got on board1 she beat to windward and got into ,st ,andrew's bay for the night4 ,sidenote3 #ahji1 ,may4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #ast4 ,in the morning the ,tender stood again towards the ,bell ,rock4 ,in the course of the day the wind shifted from ,w4,,nw4 to ,n4,e4 ,the writer reached the ,rock this morning1 in the ,smeaton1 at half-past #g1 when he landed with nineteen artificers1 and remained till noon1 and then went on board of the ,tender1 now at her moorings4 ,sidenote3 ,writer visits the ,rock4 ,the several tides' work which had been got upon the ,rock this season1 had enabled the artificers to refit the damage which the railways had sustained during the winter months1 and to make further progress with the great circular track round the building1 which measured fifty-five feet in diameter2 but1 as yet1 the western reach had made but little advancement4 ,the fitting up of the temporary residence on the higher part of the ,beacon1 began to make some more habitable-like appearance2 the joistings for the respective floors were laid1 and a few of the upright spars of the framing had also been set up4 ,this work continued to create much interest with every one connected with the operations1 as its completion was to relieve those affected with the sea-sickness1 and the whole troop from the continual plague of boating to and from the ,rock by day and night4 ,having examined the works here1 the writer left the ,rock at #aa ,p4 ,m4 with the artificers1 who went on board of the ,tender1 while he embarked in the ,smeaton and sailed for ,arbroath4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #b;d4 ,it blew so fresh1 from ,west to ,n4,w41 that no landing could be made to-day1 and the ,tender was obliged to slip her moorings1 and beat up into ,st ,andrew's bay1 to pass the night in smooth water4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #c;d4 ,sidenote3 ,some timber is landed4 ,the wind was still blowing fresh from the same quarter1 and1 of course1 directly upon the ,rock from the moorings of the ,tender2 it was therefore judged proper1 in the present unsettled state of the weather1 that she should keep under sail1 instead of making fast4 ,at #i ,a4 ,m4 the artificers landed1 and returned on board at #a ,p4 ,m4 ,in the evening they again landed and remained till #i4 ,notwithstanding the state of the weather1 several boat-loads of timber and iron were landed for the use of the ,railways and ,beacon4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #dth4 ,from the state of the winds at ,w4,,nw41 instead of making fast to her moorings1 the ,tender kept plying about the ,rock all day1 and passed the night reaching about in ,st ,andrew's ,bay1 and returned to the ,rock at the proper time of tide in the morning4 ,at #g ,a4 ,m41 eighteen artificers landed1 and remained at work till #f ,p4 ,m41 when they again returned on board4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #eth4 ,this morning1 ,captain ,taylor embraced the opportunity of the wind having veered to the north1 to make the ,tender fast to her moorings1 but there was too much wind and sea for landing on the ,rock4 ,the vessel was1 therefore1 made as snug as possible1 with her top-masts struck1 her yards lowered1 and boltsprit run in1 to enable her to ride more easily4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #fth4 ,sidenote3 ,tender in danger of drifting upon the ,rock4 ,the wind was at ,north to-day1 and the weather being more moderate1 ,mr ,watt1 with eight of the artificers1 landed at #f ,a4 ,m41 on the ,beacon1 and at #aj1 being then low-water1 the remaining twelve followed4 ,at half-past #c ,p4 ,m41 the whole returned on board1 as the wind blew very hard4 ,the boltsprit was launched out1 and the ship was got ready for sea1 in case of the wind shifting to the ,n4,w41 which might endanger the vessel's drifting upon the ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #gth4 ,the wind remained in the same direction1 but the weather was much more moderate1 and at #g ,a4 ,m41 eight artificers left the vessel for the ,beacon1 where they were employed at the upper works4 ,at #aj the remaining twelve artificers landed and continued at work till #d ,p4 ,m41 when the whole returned on board of the vessel4 ,at #e1 the joiners and smiths again went to the ,beacon1 and remained till half-past #h4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #hth4 ,at #f ,a4 ,m41 the artificers employed at the ,beacon landed1 and at noon the low-water workmen followed1 and returned on board again at #e ,p4 ,m4 ,at #i1 the joiners and smiths also returned to the vessel for the night4 ,the weather was so fine to-day1 that the crew of the ,tender were enabled to paint her upper works2 for1 although this had been intended all the season1 yet the present was the first favourable opportunity4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #ith4 ,sidenote3 ,artificers return to ,arbroath4 ,the weather still continued moderate1 but as the tides became neap1 little could now be done to the ,railways4 ,the operations were1 therefore1 confined1 at this time1 chiefly to the upper works of the ,beacon4 ,at #f ,a4 ,m41 eight artificers went to the ,beacon1 and at half-past #aj1 the other twelve landed on the ,rock1 and remained till half-past #a4 ,at #f ,p4 ,m41 the whole came on board1 when the vessel made sail for ,arbroath1 to wait the return of spring-tides4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #acth4 ,sidenote3 ,tender sails for the ,rock4 ,the ,sir ,joseph ,banks having been supplied with necessaries for the ensuing spring-tides1 left ,arbroath at #b ,a4 ,m41 having in tow the ,hedderwick praam-boat2 and at #b ,p4 ,m41 both the ship and praam were made fast to their respective moorings1 when six joiners and two smiths were landed on the ,beacon4 ,at #e1 the remaining eighteen artificers landed on the ,rock1 and continued till #i1 when the whole returned on board of the ,tender1 after a good evening's work at the ,railways and cabins of the ,beacon4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #adth4 ,sidenote3 ,joiners get high premiums4 ,one of them is hurt4 ,at half-past #f ,a4 ,m41 twenty-seven artificers landed on the rock1 and returned again at half-past #i4 ,at half-past #aj1 the joiners and smiths again went to the ,beacon1 and at #f ,p4 ,m4 the remaining eighteen artificers landed1 and the whole returned to the ship at half-past #i2 the masons having been six hours and a half on the rock to-day1 while the joiners and smiths were about fourteen hours at work on the rock and ,beacon together1 so that their premiums for extra hours' work1 independently of their stated pay and allowances1 were considerable1 averaging about ,l4 #c per month for the workmen1 and double that sum for the foremen4 ,unfortunately1 one of the joiners was pretty severely hurt1 by the fall of a mason's pick upon one of his feet1 from the smith's gallery on the ,beacon1 which disabled him for some time from working in the water4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #aeth4 ,sidenote3 ,the work makes rapid progress4 ,the weather continuing moderate1 and the tides being good1 the work went on without interruption during these tides4 ,this morning at half-past #f o'clock1 twenty-seven artificers landed on the rock1 and continued till a quarter past #aj4 ,at noon1 the joiners and smiths returned to the ,beacon1 and commenced their operations1 as usual1 at the higher parts of it2 and at half-past #f1 or at low-water1 the remaining eighteen artificers landed1 when the whole were employed at the railways1 fixing mooring rings1 and laying down small floating-buoys as guides for the landing-master1 in approaching the rock from the westward with the loaded praams4 ,in all these operations1 the sailors took an active part1 and the number of hands at work to-day1 including them1 amounted to thirty-eight4 ,in this manner1 the work was continued without any material interruption during five days4 ,the low-water operations1 including the night-tides1 generally continued for six hours1 and the joiners and smiths1 for twelve or fourteen hours each day4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #bjth4 ,sidenote3 ,one of the ,buoys gets water-logged4 ,tender leaves her station4 ,the wind1 which had been easterly during these spring-tides1 continued moderate till yesterday1 when it blew what sailors term a stiff breeze1 which soon set up a considerable sea upon the ,rock1 and the tides being now in the state of neap1 no landing was attempted to-day4 ,one of the mooring buoys having got water-logged1 must soon have disappeared and sunk1 had not the ,tender been hauled alongside1 when it was taken upon deck4 ,an auger-hole was bored in it and the water let off1 being what the sailors term 8bleeding20 when the hole was closed with a plug1 and the buoy was again lowered in the water1 and floated as before4 ,the spring-tides being now considered over1 the ,tender sailed for the bay of ,arbroath1 where she was made fast to a set of moorings laid down for the conveniency of the work during the summer months1 and at #h ,p4 ,m4 the artificers came on shore in the boats4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #bast4 ,sidenote3 ,tender again sails for the ,rock4 ,the operations at the ,rock1 during the last spring-tides1 had exhausted the stock of timber1 of which a great quantity could not be kept either on board of the ,tender1 or on the ,beacon1 while much loss and inconveniency had frequently been experienced by attempting to keep it afloat in rafts4 ,at #e o'clock this morning1 the boats left ,arbroath with seventeen artificers1 and two rafts of timber1 which were taken on board of the ,tender1 when she immediately sailed for the ,bell ,rock4 ,but there being little wind1 it was #g in the evening before she was made fast to her moorings2 and1 from the state of the tide1 no landing was made this evening4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #bb;d4 ,sidenote3 ,great exertions made in laying the circular track of ,railway4 ,the weather was moderate to-day1 and1 at #i ,a4 ,m41 ,mr ,watt and the artificers left the vessel for the ,beacon2 but the wind having been at ,s4,e41 it was with great difficulty that a landing was effected4 ,at half-past #aa1 the masons and other low-water artificers landed1 and proceeded with the operations of the railways2 but the spring-tides being as yet very languid1 little work was done1 and the boats returned to the ,tender in about an hour and a half4 ,the joiners and smiths1 however1 continued their operations on the higher parts of the ,beacon till #i ,p4 ,m4 ,had it not been a matter of extreme importance to get the circular track of the ,railway completed1 so that the waggons might be wheeled round the site of the building1 and the materials brought within reach of the building-cranes in every direction1 as will be understood from ,plates ,,vi4 and ,,ix41 the artificers1 at this period of the tides1 would not have remained at the ,rock1 but have returned to the work-yard at ,arbroath4 ,in this stage of the work1 however1 the gaining of a single tide was an object of great moment to its future progress4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #bc;d4 ,sidenote3 ,attempt made to erect one of the cranes4 ,the artificers employed at the ,beacon1 landed upon it at #f o'clock ,a4,m41 being then high-water4 ,at #ab noon1 one of the building cranes was brought to the ,rock in a praam1 by the landing-master's crew2 but1 as the water did not leave the ,rock sufficiently for getting hold of the ring-bats of the guy-tackles1 the crane could not be set up3 it was therefore laid upon the building1 and made fast to ,lewis-bats fixed in the upper course1 and left in that state for the present4 ,the praam-boat was towed to her moorings at #b o'clock ,p4 ,m41 but the joiners and smiths continued at work till #aj o'clock1 when they came on board of the ,tender4 ,sidenote3 ,smeaton sails with the first stones this season4 ,things being now in a state of preparation for commencing the building operations for the season1 the sloop ,smeaton was loaded with twenty-six blocks of stone belonging to the ,fifth course4 ,she had also on board a few casks of pozzolano1 cement1 lime1 and sand1 with trenails1 wedges1 and other materials connected with the building4 ,at #e ,p4 ,m41 the writer embarked with ,mr ,peter ,logan the building-foreman1 ,captain ,wilson the landing-master1 and fifteen masons1 and sailed for the ,bell ,rock with the first cargo of stones for this season's operations4 ,the wind was moderate1 but being easterly1 it was not till #i o'clock that the vessel reached the floating-light1 when the writer1 accompanied by the landing-master1 went on board to examine her moorings after the gales of winter1 while the ,smeaton continued her course to the ,bell ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #bdth4 ,sidenote3 ,floating light's moorings examined4 ,the last night was the first that the writer had passed in his old quarters on board of the ,floating-light for about twelve months1 when the weather was so fine1 and the sea so smooth1 that even here he felt but little or no motion1 excepting at the turn of the tide1 when the vessel gets into what the seamen term the trough of the sea4 ,at #e ,a4 ,m41 all hands were called to man the windlass for heaving up the moorings1 consisting of a cast-iron mushroom anchor1 weighing #ag cwt41 and forty fathoms of chain1 made from bars of iron one and a half inch square1 and a hempen cable of #abj fathoms1 measuring #af inches in circumference4 ,at #f1 the crew began to lay the part of this cable upon deck that had been in the hold1 and afterwards to heave up that which was in the water3 the whole was found in a serviceable condition1 excepting where the operation of worming and rounding had been used to defend the part which was most liable to be chafed on the ground4 ,this operation consists in warping a small rope of about two and a half inches in circumference1 round between the strands or hollows in the cable1 so as to give the whole a more uniform surface4 ,this small rope1 however1 was found in several places1 to cut yarns of the cable1 and appeared to be attended with very bad consequences4 ,the master and mate therefore concurred in opinion1 that the worming should be discontinued in future1 as the small rope stretched more than the cable1 and chafed it4 ,there was also a small rope wound round the cable in a circular form1 which1 being laid with parcelling1 or strips of canvas1 was a good defence to it4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #bdth4 ,sidenote3 ,state of the ,floating-light's ,moorings4 ,at #h ,a4 ,m41 the best bower-anchor and cable were in readiness to be let go1 to hold the ship while the mushroom-anchor was lifted4 ,the crew then began to heave up the mooring-chain1 which had now been in the water upwards of two years4 ,the first #aj fathoms of the chain were distinctly observed to have suffered by the action of the marine acid4 ,the links had a grooved-like appearance1 perhaps1 from the softer parts of the iron being wasted1 in the lengthway of the link1 and those parts which were more hard were observed in a raised form like threads2 but at the weldings or joinings of the links1 where the iron was more consolidated1 from having received additional beating1 it had not suffered oxidation in the slightest degree4 ,the next #aj fathoms of the chain had also a slight appearance of waste4 ,it may be remarked1 that the half of the chain next to the hempen cable1 was generally suspended between the ship and the ground1 in moderate weather1 and was therefore more exposed to waste from the current of the tides than the half next to the anchor4 ,on heaving up this last part1 which lay chiefly on the ground1 it was found to be almost as free of rust1 some trifling spots excepted1 as when it was first laid down3 in general1 the hammer marks1 and even somewhat of the bluish appearance peculiar to the surface of forged iron1 were perceptible4 ,the mushroom-anchor had not sustained the slightest change1 and1 although the ground was rather soft1 did not appear to have been imbedded in the mud2 so that the ship had rode chiefly by the weight of the chain4 ,on narrowly examining it1 when laid upon deck1 two of the links were observed to be insufficient1 the rust having exposed the faulty parts to view4 ,these defective links were accordingly broken out or removed1 and the sound ones connected by means of shackles1 kept on board for this purpose4 ,at noon1 after seven hours of hard labour1 the examination of the moorings was completed1 and the writer left the ,floating-light1 accompanied by the landing-master1 to attend the work on the ,rock at low-water4 ,sidenote3 ,state of the works at the ,rock4 ,at #f ,a4 ,m4 ,mr ,watt1 who conducted the operations of the ,railways and ,beacon-house1 had landed with nine artificers4 ,at half-past #a ,p4 ,m41 ,mr ,peter ,logan had also landed with fifteen masons1 and immediately proceeded to set up the crane1 which still lay lashed to the building4 ,the sheer-crane or apparatus for lifting the stones out of the praam-boats at the eastern creek had been already erected1 and the ,railways now formed about two-thirds of an entire circle round the building3 some progress had likewise been made with the ,reach towards the western landing-place4 ,the external framing of the cabins of the ,beacon was in the state described in the second year's work1 and partly represented in ,plate ,,ix4 ,the floors being also laid1 the ,beacon now assumed the appearance of a habitation4 ,the ,smeaton was at her moorings1 with the ,fernie ,praam-boat astern1 for which she was laying down moorings1 and the ,tender being also at her station1 the ,bell ,rock had again put on its former busy aspect4 ,at #aa ,a4 ,m41 the ,hedderwick praam was loaded with #aa stones1 which were safely landed upon the ,rock3 and at #b ,p4 ,m4 the ,fernie was loaded with #af stones1 and towed to her moorings1 to wait the proper time of tide for getting to the ,rock4 ,the ,smeaton being discharged1 she sailed for ,arbroath at #e ,p4 ,m4 ,sidenote3 ,plants and ,animals on the building4 ,the wind was from the east1 with light airs1 and there was hardly any ruffle or motion on the surface of the water4 ,the masons were chiefly employed during this tide in clearing the upper course of the building from sea-weed1 of which1 since the month of ,september1 it had acquired a thick coating4 ,the weed consisted chiefly of ,fucus digitatus1 which1 on the new wall1 had attained the length of about #ah inches1 with a proportional thickness of stalk and breadth of frond1 during the preceding eight or nine months4 ,the barnacle was also pretty numerous1 and a good many white buckies and small mussels had attached themselves to several parts of the building4 ,the masons left the ,rock this evening at #f o'clock1 having had four hours and a half's work2 but the joiners and smiths continued till #aj ,p4 ,m41 and had therefore been #af hours on the ,rock to-day4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #beth4 ,at half-past #b this morning1 the landing-master's bell was rung on board of the ,tender2 and at a quarter past #c1 the writer landed with fifteen masons1 nine mill-wrights and joiners1 two blacksmiths1 and ten seamen1 in all thirty-six1 with their respective foremen4 ,the low-water work continued two hours and a half1 when those employed at the ,beacon were left as usual to continue their operations4 ,in the afternoon1 at #c o'clock1 the builders were again landed1 and remained on the ,rock till #h1 having been five hours at work1 when all hands returned on board of the ,tender4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #bfth4 ,the wind had shifted to the south1 with fresh breezes1 which set a considerable sea upon the ,rock4 ,the boats landed the artificers at a quarter past #c this morning1 who continued on the ,rock till a quarter past #f1 when it was overflowed4 ,they landed again at a quarter past #c ,p4 ,m41 and remained till a quarter past #f1 when all hands returned on board of the ,tender for the night4 ,the masons1 for the two last days1 were employed in cutting out the square joggle-holes in the upper course of last season's work1 represented with deep shaded lines in ,plate ,,xiii41 which were not1 as usual1 cut in the respective stones before they left the work-yard1 that there might be the less resistance to the waves during the storms of winter4 ,the seamen were employed this tide in landing wedges and trenails1 with cement1 lime1 sand1 and pozzolano1 the necessary materials for mortar3 these were stowed on the mortar gallery or the lower floor of the ,beacon-house2 which1 in a work of this nature1 was found to be of inestimable value for this purpose4 ,the mill-wrights1 joiners1 and smiths continued their operations as formerly at the ,railways and upper part of the ,beacon4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #bgth4 ,sidenote3 ,builders commence and lay #e stones4 ,the landing-master's bell rung this morning at half-past #d1 and at a quarter past #e1 the artificers and seamen1 thirty-six in number1 commenced work1 and continued for #b hours and a half4 ,the crane having been raised1 and the necessary preparations made for beginning the building for the season1 five stones of the ,fifth course were landed and laid4 ,in the afternoon1 the artificers returned to the ,rock at a quarter past #d1 and remained till #i1 when other five stones were laid4 ,the seamen landed six stones with the ,hedderwick praam1 and sixteen stones with the ,fernie1 being her first cargo4 ,the mill-wrights1 joiners1 and smiths1 were employed at the ,railways1 and fitting up the cabins of the ,beacon-house4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #bhth4 ,sidenote3 #bb stones laid4 ,landed this morning at half-past #e1 and continued at work till a quarter to #i2 and1 in the evening tide1 the work commenced at a quarter past #e1 and continued till #i1 when all hands left the ,rock4 ,the landing-master's crew brought two cargoes of the praam-boats to the ,rock1 consisting of #bb stones1 which were laid or built4 ,during the first and middle parts of these twenty-four hours1 the wind was from the west1 blowing fresh1 but towards the evening it shifted to the ,n4,e41 with rain4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #bith4 ,sidenote3 ,tender rides very hard4 ,the wind having blown fresh all night1 and a considerable sea set up1 there was no possibility of landing on the ,rock to-day4 ,in the course of the night it blew so fresh1 that ,captain ,taylor struck the top-masts of the ,tender1 launched in her boltsprit1 hoisted the boats on board1 and had every thing in a state calculated to make her ride at her moorings as easily as possible4 ,at #b ,p4 ,m4 the vessel pitched very hard1 and one of the mooring-hawsers having got foul of the cathead or timber1 the ship came with such a jerk1 from the run of the sea1 as was sufficient to carry it away4 ,but the ,tender still kept her station1 in company with the sloop ,smeaton1 and the praam-boats ,hedderwick and ,fernie4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday #cjth4 ,sidenote3 ,apparatus on the ,rock viewed from a boat4 ,to-day the wind shifted from ,n4,e4 to west1 but there was still too heavy a sea for landing on the ,rock4 ,the writer being on board1 looked often and anxiously for the safety of the crane and the unfinished course of the building4 ,at low-water1 he accompanied the landing-master in a boat1 and went round the ,rock1 when he had the satisfaction to find that every thing had the appearance of being in good order4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #cast4 ,sidenote3 #ac stones laid4 ,landing rendered difficult from snow showers4 ,the landing-master's bell1 often no very favourite sound1 rung at #f this morning2 but on this occasion1 it is believed1 it was gladly received by all on board1 as the welcome signal of the return of better weather4 ,at a quarter past #g1 the artificers landed1 and continued at work four hours and a half4 ,at #g ,p4 ,m4 they landed again1 and at #aj all hands1 #cf in number1 returned to the ,tender4 ,the masons laid #ac stones to-day1 which the seamen had landed1 together with other building materials4 ,during these twenty-four hours the wind was from the south1 blowing fresh breezes1 accompanied with showers of snow4 ,in the morning1 the snow showers were so thick1 that it was with difficulty the landing-master1 who always steered the leading-boat1 could make his way to the ,rock through the drift4 ,but at the ,bell ,rock1 neither snow1 nor rain1 nor fog1 nor wind1 retarded the progress of the work1 if unaccompanied by a heavy swell or breach of the sea4 ,sidenote3 #ahji1 ,june4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #ast4 ,sidenote3 ,state of the weather4 ,zeal of the ,writer's assistants4 ,the weather1 during the months of ,april and ,may1 had been uncommonly boisterous1 and so cold that the thermometer seldom exceeded #dj1 while the barometer was generally about #bi4ej4 ,we had not only hail and sleet1 but the snow1 on the last day of ,may1 lay on the decks and rigging of the ship to the depth of about three inches2 and1 although now entering upon the month of ,june1 the length of the day was the chief indication of summer4 ,yet such is the effect of habit1 and such was the expertness of the landing-master's crew1 that1 even in this description of weather1 seldom a tide's work was lost4 ,such was the ardour and zeal of the heads of the several departments at the ,rock1 including ,mr ,peter ,logan1 foreman builder1 ,mr ,francis ,watt1 foreman mill-wright1 and ,captain ,wilson1 landing-master1 that it was on no occasion necessary to address them1 excepting in the way of precaution and restraint4 ,under these circumstances1 however1 the writer not unfrequently felt considerable anxiety1 of which this day's experience will afford an example4 ,sidenote3 ,eleven of the artificers left on the ,beacon4 ,this morning1 at a quarter past #h1 the artificers were landed as usual1 and1 after three hours and three quarters' work1 #e stones were laid1 the greater part of this tide having been taken up in completing the boring and trenailing of the stones formerly laid4 ,at noon1 the writer1 with the seamen and artificers1 proceeded to the ,tender1 leaving on the ,beacon the joiners1 and several of these who were troubled with sea-sickness1 among whom was ,mr ,logan1 who remained with ,mr ,watt1 counting altogether eleven persons4 ,during the first and middle parts of these twenty-four hours1 the wind was from the east1 blowing what seamen term 8fresh breezes20 but1 in the afternoon it shifted to ,e4,n4,e41 accompanied with so heavy a swell of sea1 that the ,smeaton and ,tender struck their topmasts1 launched in their boltsprits1 and 8made all snug0 for a gale4 ,at #d ,p4 ,m4 the ,smeaton was obliged to slip her moorings1 and passed the ,tender1 drifting before the wind1 with only the foresail set4 ,in passing1 ,mr ,pool hailed that he must run for the ,firth of ,forth1 to prevent the vessel from 8riding under40 ,sidenote3 ,they encounter a severe gale4 ,on board of the ,tender the writer's chief concern was about the eleven men left upon the ,beacon4 ,directions were accordingly given that every thing about the vessel should be put in the best possible state1 to present as little resistance to the wind as possible1 that she might have the better chance of riding out the gale4 ,among these preparations1 the best bower cable was bent1 so as to have a second anchor in readiness1 in case the mooring hawser should give way1 that every means might be used for keeping the vessel within sight of the prisoners on the ,beacon1 and thereby keep them in as good spirits as possible4 ,from the same motive the boats were kept afloat1 that they might be less in fear of the vessel leaving her station4 ,the landing-master had1 however1 repeatedly expressed his anxiety for the safety of the boats1 and wished much to have them hoisted on board4 ,at #g ,p4 ,m41 one of the boats1 as he feared1 was unluckily filled with sea from a wave breaking into her1 and it was with great difficulty that she could be baled out and got on board1 with the loss of her oars1 rudder1 and loose thwarts4 ,such was the motion of the ship1 that in taking this boat on board1 her gunwale was stove in1 and she otherwise received considerable damage4 ,night approached1 but it was still found quite impossible to go near the ,rock4 ,consulting1 therefore1 the safety of the second boat1 she also was hoisted on board of the ,tender4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,tender is also very uncomfortable4 ,at this time1 the cabins of the ,beacon were only partially covered1 and had neither been provided with bedding nor a proper fire-place1 while the stock of provisions was but slender4 ,in these uncomfortable circumstances1 the people on the ,beacon were left for the night1 nor was the situation of those on board of the ,tender much better4 ,the rolling and pitching motion of the ship was excessive2 and1 excepting to those who had been accustomed to a residence in the ,floating-light1 it seemed quite intolerable4 ,nothing was heard but the hissing of the winds and the creeking of the bulk-heads or partitions of the ship3 the night was therefore spent in the most unpleasant reflections upon the condition of the people on the ,beacon1 especially in the prospect of the ,tender being driven from her moorings4 ,but even in such a case1 it afforded some consolation that the stability of the fabric was never doubted1 and that the boats of the ,floating-light were at no great distance1 and ready to render the people on the ,rock the earliest assistance which the weather would admit4 ,the writer's cabin being in the sternmost part of the ship1 which had what sailors term a good entry1 or was sharp built1 the sea1 as before noticed1 struck her counter with so much violence1 that the water1 with a rushing noise1 continually forced its way up the rudder case1 lifted the valve of the water-closet1 and overran the cabin floor4 ,in these circumstances1 daylight was eagerly looked for1 and hailed with delight1 as well by those afloat1 as by the artificers upon the ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #b;d4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,artificers are relieved4 ,in the course of the night1 the writer held repeated conversations with the officer on watch1 who reported that the weather continued much in the same state1 and that the barometer still indicated #bi4bj inches4 ,at #f ,a4 ,m41 the landing-master considered the weather to have somewhat moderated2 and from certain appearances of the sky1 he was of opinion that a change for the better would soon take place4 ,he accordingly proposed to attempt a landing at low-water1 and either get the people off the ,rock1 or at least ascertain what state they were in4 ,at #i ,a4 ,m41 he left the vessel with a boat well manned1 carrying with him a supply of cooked provisions1 and a tea-kettle full of mulled port wine1 for the people on the ,beacon1 who had not had any regular diet for about #cj hours1 while they were exposed1 during that period1 in a great measure1 both to the winds and the sprays of the sea4 ,the boat having succeeded in landing1 she returned at #aa ,a4 ,m4 with the artificers1 who had got off with considerable difficulty2 and who were heartily welcomed by all on board4 ,sidenote3 ,mr ,logan's account of the state of the ,beacon4 ,upon enquiry1 it appeared that three of the stones last laid upon the building had been partially lifted from their beds by the force of the sea1 and were now held only by the trenails1 and that the cast-iron sheer-crane represented in ,plate ,,xi41 had again been thrown down and completely broken4 ,with regard to the ,beacon1 the sea1 at high-water1 had lifted part of the mortar gallery or lowest floor1 and washed away all the lime casks and other moveable articles from it2 but the principal parts of this fabric had sustained no damage4 ,on pressing ,messrs ,logan and ,watt1 on the situation of things in the course of the night1 ,mr ,logan emphatically said3 8,that the ,beacon had an ill-fared twist when the sea broke upon it at high water1 but that they were not very apprehensive of danger40 ,on enquiring as to how they spent the night1 it appeared that they had made shift to keep a small fire burning1 and1 by means of some old sails1 defended themselves pretty well from the sea sprays4 ,sidenote3 ,james ,glen's exertions4 ,it was particularly mentioned that1 by the exertions of ,james ,glen1 one of the joiners1 a number of articles were saved from being washed off the mortar gallery4 ,glen was also very useful in keeping up the spirits of the forlorn party4 ,in the early part of life1 he had undergone many curious adventures at sea1 which he now recounted somewhat after the manner of the ,tales of the ,arabian ,nights4 ,when one observed that the ,beacon was a most comfortless lodging1 ,glen would presently introduce some of his exploits and hardships1 in comparison with which1 the state of things at the ,beacon bore an aspect of comfort and happiness4 ,looking to their slender stock of provisions1 and their perilous and uncertain chance of speedy relief1 he would launch out into an account of one of his expeditions in the ,north ,sea1 when the vessel being much disabled in a storm1 was driven before the wind with the loss of almost all their provisions2 and the ship being much infested with rats1 the crew hunted these vermin1 with great eagerness1 to help their scanty allowance4 ,by such means1 ,glen had the address to make his companions1 in some measure1 satisfied1 or at least passive1 with regard to their miserable prospects upon this half-tide rock in the middle of the ,ocean4 ,this incident is noticed1 more particularly1 to shew the effects of such a happy turn of mind1 even under the most distressing and ill-fated circumstances4 ,sidenote3 ,state of matters after the gale4 ,the people from the ,beacon had no sooner got safely on board of the ,tender1 and were provided for1 than the writer went to the ,rock with the landing-master1 carrying along with them five artificers1 and landed1 though not without considerable difficulty2 for1 although the wind had shifted to the westward1 yet there was still a very heavy swell of sea4 ,the first object at the ,rock was to relay the three stones which had been lifted about three inches off their beds4 ,on examining the ,beacon narrowly1 it appeared to be all in good order1 excepting the mortar gallery1 which1 as before noticed1 had been lifted1 and all the lighter articles that could not be stowed in the upper apartments1 carried into the sea2 and two of the four legs of the sheer-crane were broken in pieces4 ,but the crane upon the building1 fortunately still kept its erect position4 ,after fixing the three stones and making these remarks1 the boat after two hours' absence returned to the ,tender4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #c;d4 ,sidenote3 ,tender obliged to leave her station4 ,the wind was at ,n4,w4 to-day1 so that the vessel rode with her stern towards the ,rock2 and as it came to blow excessively hard1 there was some danger1 in the event of any thing giving way1 that she might drift upon the ,rock4 ,accordingly1 ,mr ,taylor1 who commanded the ,tender1 came into the writer's cabin between #a and #b o'clock this morning1 and1 after some consultation1 it was thought advisable to slip the hawser1 and to stand with the ship towards the land4 ,it then blew so fresh1 that though the sails were double reefed when the vessel got under way1 it was still found necessary to take in a third reef in the mainsail1 and at #f ,a4 ,m4 she got into the harbour of ,arbroath4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #dth4 ,at this time the sea was in such a state of agitation with the shifting and violence of the winds1 that apprehensions were entertained about the safety of the sloop ,smeaton1 as she was deeply laden when she left her moorings1 especially as her cargo was quite invaluable to the progress of the works of this season4 ,at #e o'clock this morning1 however1 ,mr ,pool made his appearance with the vessel1 and got safely into the harbour of ,arbroath4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday #hth4 ,sidenote3 ,progress of the works at ,arbroath4 ,in the work-yard1 the hewing or cutting of the several courses went on with great alacrity3 the freestone masons were now at work as high as the ,twentieth and ,twenty-first courses1 and the granite masons had completed the ,sixteenth course1 which was now lying on the platform1 marked and ready for shipment4 ,a great stock of lime1 in a pounded state1 had been prepared1 and a quantity of clean sharp sand collected1 which were put up in separate casks4 ,a large supply of oaken trenails and wedges was also made up in bundles1 each containing twenty-four trenails1 and a like number of pairs of wedges4 ,the hewing of the stones1 and the preparation of the building materials1 were placed under the charge of ,mr ,david ,logan1 as clerk of works2 and the writing of the books1 disbursement of cash1 and the dispatch of the vessels with the materials1 provisions and necessaries for the ,rock1 formed the department of ,mr ,lachlan ,kennedy1 engineer's clerk4 ,sidenote3 ,friday #ith4 ,sidenote3 #d ,stones are laid4 ,the ,tender and ,smeaton having remained in port till last evening1 both vessels sailed for the ,rock1 and reached their moorings at #e o'clock ,a4 ,m4 ,the boats were immediately hoisted out1 when the mill-wrights1 joiners and smiths1 ten in number1 landed on the ,beacon1 with their foreman1 and proceeded to the fitting up of the cabins4 ,notwithstanding the hazardous situation upon the ,beacon in which these artificers had lately been placed1 ,mr ,watt1 with his principal assistant ,james ,glen1 were not to be moved with trifles1 and the work1 as formerly1 was continued by the joiners' squad of artificers during the whole day1 trusting to the eventual prospect of their being taken off by the boats at night4 ,at low-water1 or about #c ,p4 ,m41 ,mr ,peter ,logan landed1 with the sixteen artificers who composed the builders' squad1 and the whole left it again at #h ,p4 ,m4 ,the three stones which had been re-laid on the #b;d of this month1 having had the pozzolano mortar washed out by the heavy sea1 before it had time to fix1 it was found necessary to lift again1 and lay them a third time4 ,in the late gales1 the casks of lime and cement left on the ,beacon having been washed off by the sea1 an entirely new stock was required4 ,the praams were accordingly employed in delivering the ,smeaton and landing a supply of these articles1 together with four blocks of stone4 ,the operations of the building-artificers continued only three hours to-day1 and no more than four additional stones were laid4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #ajth4 ,sidenote3 ,patriot obliged to slip her moorings4 ,the ,patriot having now undergone a complete repair1 she was loaded with stones for the first time1 and the writer took a passage in her to the ,bell ,rock1 when he had the pleasure of finding that she wrought or sailed extremely well4 ,she was made fast to her moorings at #f ,a4 ,m41 but only one praam-load had been discharged from her to-day1 when the wind came suddenly from the ,n4,e41 and it was found necessary to let slip her moorings at #f ,p4 ,m41 when she made sail for the ,firth of ,forth4 ,sidenote3 #aj ,stones laid4 ,sidenote3 ,artificers divided into squads4 ,notwithstanding the boisterous state of the weather1 the artificers were enabled to continue their visits to the ,rock1 and landed this morning at #e4 ,at this time they counted twenty-six1 and were1 as formerly1 divided into two squads2 the mill-wrights1 joiners1 and smiths1 ten in number1 wrought at the fitting up the ,railways while the ,rock was accessible1 and when it was covered with the tide1 they were employed in fitting up the ,beacon-house4 ,the operations of the builders were as yet wholly confined to low-water work4 ,both squads were attended1 and occasionally assisted1 by the landing-master's crew of about twelve sailors1 who were always ready for every sort of work4 ,including the low-water periods of morning and evening tides the whole had six hours' and a quarter's work to-day1 when ten stones were laid4 ,but those employed at the ,beacon did not leave off till half-past #i ,p4 ,m41 having been sixteen hours upon the ,rock1 when all hands returned to the ,tender2 and1 owing to the bad state of the weather1 the boats were immediately hoisted on board4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #aath4 ,sidenote3 ,no landing on the ,rock to-day4 ,the wind was still from the ,n4,e41 accompanied with so heavy a swell of sea1 that it was found impossible to land this morning4 ,at #ab noon1 all hands1 forty-two in number1 were assembled on deck1 when prayers were read as usual4 ,at #e ,p4 ,m41 the weather being somewhat more moderate1 the boats left the vessel with the artificers4 ,but on a more narrow inspection of the state of the sea upon the ,rock1 it was found impracticable to effect a landing1 and they returned to the ,tender1 after having been about an hour absent4 ,this evening1 the ,light-house ,yacht came to the ,bell ,rock from her first voyage to the ,northern ,light-houses for the season1 but there was too much sea for making her fast to any of the moorings4 ,captain ,calder1 after ascertaining that all was well1 laid the ,yacht to for the night1 and kept the ,floating-light in view4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #abth4 ,sidenote3 #ag stones laid4 ,sidenote3 ,ships belonging to the service4 ,the wind having fortunately shifted to the ,s4,w41 in the course of the night1 the weather became more moderate1 and at a quarter past #f the artificers landed4 ,including both tides1 the builders had seven hours' work to-day1 and laid seventeen stones1 those employed at the ,beacon continuing at work throughout the day4 ,the ,smeaton having arrived from ,arbroath with another cargo of stones1 and the ,patriot from ,largo ,bay1 in the ,firth of ,forth1 where she had run for shelter1 the ,rock had now a very busy appearance1 the following vessels belonging to the service being at their respective moorings1 viz4 the ,light-house ,yacht2 the ,sir ,joseph ,banks ,tender2 the ,sloops ,smeaton and ,patriot1 besides the ,hedderwick and ,fernie decked ,praam-boats2 and at the distance of about two miles and a half1 the ,floating-light was stationed as represented in ,plate ,v4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #acth4 ,sidenote3 #ab stones laid4 ,the artificers landed this morning at the ,rock1 at a quarter past #f1 and had three hours' and a half's work2 and in the evening1 the builders again returned at #g o'clock1 and remained three hours and a quarter1 when the whole left the ,rock4 ,in the course of this day twelve stones were laid1 which discharged the ,patriot1 and she returned to ,arbroath for another cargo4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #adth4 ,sidenote3 #ba stones laid4 ,at #g this morning1 the whole of the artificers land1 and have four hours and a quarter of low-water work1 when #ba stones are laid4 ,in the evening1 they land again at half-past #f1 and have three hours' and three quarter's work in completing the boring and trenailing of the stones of the course which had already been built4 ,the landing-master's crew discharged the ,smeaton's cargo to-day1 consisting of twenty-six blocks1 together with four casks of pozzolano1 four casks of lime1 four casks of sand1 one cask of cement1 three bundles of oaken trenails1 and six bundles of wedges2 and at #h o'clock ,p4 ,m4 she sailed for ,arbroath4 ,the cargo of the ,smeaton was partly landed upon the ,rock2 but1 calculating upon the settled appearance of the weather1 the greater part of it kept on board of the praams at their moorings4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #aeth4 ,sidenote3 #ah stones laid4 ,at a quarter from #g o'clock this morning the artificers landed1 and having had five hours' and a quarter's work1 eight stones were laid1 and the remainder of the tide was occupied in boring and trenailing4 ,in the evening1 at half-past #f1 they again landed and laid eighteen stones1 having had five hours' and a half's work4 ,the ,patriot arrived from ,arbroath with another cargo1 consisting of thirty-nine blocks of stone1 four casks of pozzolano1 four casks of lime1 four casks of sand1 four bundles of wedges1 and four bundles of trenails4 ,there were thirty-six blocks of stone landed to-day on the ,rock1 with the above materials4 ,the stones1 when landed1 were laid on the south-west side of the building till those previously built were trenailed2 and the lime1 c4 were carried up to the mortar-gallery on the ,beacon4 ,the three remaining stones of this cargo were left on board of one of the praams at her moorings1 and the ,patriot thus discharged1 again sailed for ,arbroath at #i ,p4 ,m4 to load another cargo4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #afth4 ,sidenote3 #bd stones laid4 ,sidenote3 ,great exertions used in supplying materials4 ,this morning1 at a quarter past #g1 the artificers landed on the ,rock1 and had an excellent tide's work1 which continued for five hours and a quarter1 when #bd stones of the ,patriot's last cargo were laid4 ,landing again at half-past #h in the evening1 they continued at work an hour and a quarter1 when four stones were laid2 and at #aj o'clock all hands left the ,rock2 the joiners1 smiths1 and such of the masons as were inclined1 having been1 as usual1 left all day on the ,beacon1 had their victuals sent to them from the ,tender4 ,in the present favourable state of the weather1 through the exertions of ,mr ,lachlan ,kennedy1 in dispatching the vessels1 both by night and day1 and also by the activity of ,captains ,pool of the ,smeaton1 and ,macdonald of the ,patriot1 the work was largely and regularly supplied with building materials4 ,the ,smeaton having returned with a cargo from ,arbroath1 was made fast to her moorings at #aa this morning2 but1 as the wind blew strongly from the westward1 it was found impracticable to land any stones to-day1 without the greatest risk of injuring the materials4 ,about mid-day1 after the landing-master's crew had taken the artificers on board of the ,tender1 they towed the ,fernie praam-boat alongside of the ,smeaton1 and endeavoured to load her1 but it was found impracticable2 and1 after three stones had been laid on the praam's deck1 any further attempt was given up4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #agth4 ,sidenote3 #g stones laid4 ,sidenote3 ,artificers left all night on the ,beacon4 ,at #h ,a4 ,m41 the artificers and sailors1 forty-five in number1 landed on the ,rock1 and1 after four hours' work1 seven stones were laid4 ,the remainder of this tide1 from the threatening appearance of the weather1 was occupied in trenailing1 and making all things as secure as possible4 ,at #ab noon1 the ,rock and ,building were again overflowed1 when the masons and seamen went on board of the ,tender1 but ,mr ,watt1 with his squad of ten men1 remained on the ,beacon throughout the day4 ,as it blew fresh from the ,n4,w4 in the evening1 it was found impracticable either to land the building-artificers1 or to take the artificers off the ,beacon1 and they were accordingly left there all night1 but in circumstances very different from those of the #ast of this month4 ,the house being now in a more complete state1 was provided with bedding1 and they spent the night pretty well2 though they complained of having been much disturbed at the time of high-water1 by the shaking and tremulous motion of their house1 and by the plashing noise of the sea upon the mortar gallery4 ,here ,james ,glen's versatile powers were again at work1 in cheering up those who seemed to be alarmed1 and in securing every thing as far as possible4 ,on this occasion1 he had only to recall to the recollections of some of them the former night which they had spent on the ,beacon1 the wind and sea being then much higher1 and their habitation in a far less comfortable state4 ,sidenote3 ,smeaton and ,patriot slip their moorings4 ,the ,patriot came to the ,rock this morning from ,arbroath1 loaded chiefly with timber and apparatus for the works of the ,beacon4 ,at #e ,a4 ,m41 ,captain ,wilson1 the landing-master1 and his crew1 made a second attempt to deliver the ,smeaton of her cargo1 but were only enabled to get out other five stones1 with which the ,fernie praam was towed to her moorings1 without being able to land upon the ,rock4 ,the wind still continuing to blow fresh from the ,n4,w41 at #e ,p4 ,m41 the writer caused a signal to be made from the ,tender for the ,smeaton and ,patriot to let slip their moorings1 when they ran for ,lunan ,bay1 an anchorage on the east side of the ,redhead4 ,those on board of the ,tender spent but a very rough night1 and1 perhaps1 slept less soundly than their companions on the ,beacon1 especially as the wind was at ,n4,w41 which caused the vessel to ride with her stern towards the ,bell ,rock2 so that1 in the event of any thing giving way1 she could hardly have escaped being stranded upon it4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #ahth4 ,sidenote3 #af stones laid4 ,the weather having moderated to-day1 the wind shifted to the westward4 ,at a quarter past #i ,a4 ,m41 the artificers landed from the ,tender1 and had the pleasure to find their friends who had been left on the ,rock quite hearty1 alleging that the ,beacon was the preferable quarters of the two4 ,the builders laid #af stones in four hours and a half1 when the whole returned on board of the ,tender2 and at #c ,p4 ,m4 all hands1 counting fifty-four1 assembled upon deck to prayers4 ,in the evening1 at #i1 the artificers again landed1 and left off work at a quarter from #ab o'clock at night1 having been employed in boring1 trenailing1 and wedging the stones which had been built in the morning4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #aith4 ,sidenote3 ,remarkable breach of sea upon the ,rock4 ,the wind was at ,n4,e4 to-day1 with gentle breezes1 but accompanied by the heaviest swell of sea which had yet been observed at the ,bell ,rock4 ,it was what seamen term a ,ground ,swell1 and1 although the landing-master's crew were employed alongside of the ,smeaton1 in loading the praams1 the surface of the water being comparatively smooth1 yet the breach upon the ,rock was truly surprising4 ,it is when the sea is in this state1--being the result no doubt of a distant gale of wind1--that the sprays conducted by a building1 rise to such a height as is represented in the ,vignette of ,smeaton's ,narrative of the ,edystone ,light-house4 ,in the forenoon1 the writer1 accompanied by the landing-master1 in a well manned boat1 went off to observe the effect of the breach of the sea upon the building and apparatus4 ,the work had now attained the height of about #h feet1 on which one of the cranes was erected1 the top of which was about #cj feet above the low-water mark4 ,in the course of this tide1 the sea1 at the meeting of the waves round the building1 was observed to rise in the most beautiful conical jets1 of about #cj or #dj feet in diameter at the base1 to the height of #aj or #ae feet above the crane4 ,between these seas1 but more particularly at low-water1 it was observed with a telescope1 that some of the last laid stones had been partially lifted2 but others1 which had not been trenailed1 it was feared had been washed off the building4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #bjth4 ,sidenote3 #c stones in danger of being washed away4 ,at #aa ,a4 ,m41 the boats landed1 with much difficulty to-day1 in order to ascertain the state of the building and apparatus4 ,on examination it was happily found1 that none of the stones were lost1 and that those observed yesterday to have been lifted off their beds1 were the three which had not been trenailed1 but which being fortunately confined by two of the jumpers or boring-irons left in the trenail holes of the lower course1 were thus held in their places4 ,after laying these stones1 the remainder of this tide1 which lasted for three hours and a quarter1 was occupied in grouting or filling the perpendicular joints1 and plastering them over with ,parker's ,roman cement1 to preserve the pozzolano mortar4 ,at this period1 it not only happened to be rough weather1 but the building being now at that height1 relatively to the tides1 which seamen term 8,between wind and water10 the upper part of the work was exposed to the wash of every wave towards high-water4 ,it was1 therefore1 often found necessary to repeat the grouting of the same joints with mortar several times4 ,as the evening tide fell wholly under night1 the building artificers did not land2 but the squad employed at the ,beacon and ,railways remained at the ,rock throughout the day1 and were1 indeed1 only restrained from taking up their quarters also for the night1 in consequence of a positive injunction which the writer thought it prudent to enforce1 until the ,beacon should be in a more habitable state4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #bast4 ,sidenote3 #bb stones laid4 ,the artificers employed at the ,beacon landed upon it this morning at #g o'clock2 and1 at a quarter past #aa1 the builders landed1 and continued at work till #d ,p4 ,m41 having had five hours' and a quarter's work1 when #bb stones were laid4 ,the landing-master's crew1 at the same time1 transported #ai blocks to the ,rock with the praam-boats1 which completely discharged the ,smeaton of her cargo of #cb stones1 four casks of pozzolano1 and a similar quantity of cement1 lime1 and sand1 with four bundles of trenails1 and the like number of wedges1 when she immediately left her moorings4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #bb;d4 ,sidenote3 ,great waste of mortar4 ,the artificers landed upon the ,rock this morning at half-past #aa1 and1 from the advanced state of the building1 they were enabled to continue at work for six hours and a half1 being the longest tide's work which had yet been got upon the ,rock by the building artificers4 ,during this tide only four stones were laid1 but the time was otherwise occupied in boring1 trenailing1 wedging1 and grouting the joints of the stones last built4 ,from the great waste of mortar1 owing to the wash of the sea1 in the present stage of the building1 the usual proportions of its ingredients were not found sufficient for the courses in hand2 and having no conveniency for keeping more than a few casks on the ,beacon1 while it was an object to have the lime always fresh1 it was found necessary to dispatch a boat to-day express to ,arbroath1 for additional supplies of pozzolano1 lime and sand4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #bc;d4 ,the work commenced at #ab noon1 and continued six hours and a quarter2 but1 owing to the roughness of the weather1 no stones were laid to-day1 as1 notwithstanding every precaution in pointing the joints with cement1 the mortar was continually washed away4 ,this tide was1 therefore1 occupied in the operation of grouting1 and securing the mortar with tow1 loaded with pieces of iron laid horizontally along such of the joints as were accessible to this1 which had the effect of preserving them until the cement dried sufficiently to defend it against the wash of the sea4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #bdth4 ,sidenote3 #eg ,stones laid4 ,sidenote3 ,cooking commenced on the ,beacon4 ,mr ,peter ,logan1 the foreman builder1 and his squad1 twenty-one in number1 landed this morning at #c o'clock1 and continued at work four hours and a quarter1 and1 after laying #ag stones1 returned to the ,tender4 ,at #f ,a4 ,m41 ,mr ,francis ,watt1 and his squad of twelve men1 landed1 and proceeded with their respective operations at the ,beacon and ,railways1 and were left on the ,rock during the whole day1 without the necessity of having any communication with the ,tender1 the kitchen of the ,beacon-house being now fitted up4 ,it was to-day also1 that ,peter ,fortune1--a most obliging and well known character in the ,light-house service1--was removed from the ,tender to the ,beacon1 as cook and steward1 with a stock of provisions as ample as his limited store-room would admit4 ,at #b ,p4 ,m4 the building-artificers again landed1 and continued at work till a quarter past #h1 when #dj of the stones1 formerly landed1 were now laid1 making no fewer than #eg blocks which had been built to-day in the course of both tides4 ,the weather being extremely fine1 with light airs of wind from the ,s4,e41 the landing-master's crew discharged the ,patriot into the praam-boats1 which were then towed to their moorings1 as the stones could not at this time be received at the ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,situation of the ,mortar-makers and smiths4 ,when as many stones were built as comprised this day's work1 the demand for mortar was proportionally encreased1 and the task of the mortar-makers on these occasions was both laborious and severe4 ,this operation was chiefly performed by ,john ,watt1--a strong active quarrier by profession1--who was a perfect character in his way1 and extremely zealous in his department4 ,while the operations of the mortar-makers continued1 the forge upon their gallery was not generally in use2 but1 as the working-hours of the builders extended with the height of the building1 the forge could not be so long wanted1 and then a sad confusion often ensued upon the circumscribed floor of the mortar-gallery1 as the operations of ,watt and his assistants trenched greatly upon those of the smiths4 ,the casks with the ingredients for the mortar1 consisting of pozzolano1 lime1 and sand1 were laid to hand by the sailors4 ,these materials were lifted in spadefulls1 and thrown into the cast-iron mortar tubs1 represented in ,plate ,x4 ,fig4 #ab41 where they were beat with an iron-shod pestle1 to a consistency suitable to the respective purposes of the work4 ,under these circumstances1 the boundary of the smiths was much circumscribed1 and they were personally annoyed1 especially in blowy weather1 with the dust of the lime in its powdered state4 ,the mortar-makers1 on the other hand1 were often not a little distressed with the heat of the fire and the sparks elicited on the anvil1 and not unaptly complained that they were placed between the 8,devil and the ,deep-sea40 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #beth4 ,sidenote3 #bg stones laid4 ,sidenote3 ,rope-ladder distended4 ,the work being now about #aj feet in height1 admitted of a ,rope-ladder being distended between the ,beacon and the ,building1 as represented in ,plate ,,ix4 ,by this 8,jacob's-,ladder10 as the seamen termed it1 a communication was kept up with the ,beacon1 while the ,rock was considerably under water4 ,one end of it being furnished with tackle-blocks1 was fixed to the beams of the ,beacon1 at the level of the mortar-gallery1 while the further end was connected with the ,upper-course of the building by means of two ,lewis-bats1 which were lifted from course to course as the work advanced4 ,in the same manner1 a rope furnished with a travelling-pulley1 was distended1 for the purpose of transporting the mortar-buckets1 and other light articles1 between the ,beacon and the building1 which also proved a great conveniency to the work4 ,at this period the rope-ladder1 and tackle for the mortar1 had a descent from the ,beacon to the building2 by and by they were on a level2 and1 towards the end of the season1 when the solid part had attained its full height1 the ascent was from the mortar-gallery to the building2 as will be understood by examining the second year's work1 as shewn in the ,plate above alluded to1 and when viewed in connection with the progress of the work4 ,the building-artificers were accordingly enabled to land this morning at #c ,a4 ,m41 and to continue at work five hours and a quarter1 when #bg stones were laid of the ,seventh course4 ,the praam-boats were brought from their moorings1 where they lay loaded with #dc stones1 besides a supply of pozzolano1 lime1 sand1 cement1 trenails1 and wedges4 ,the ,smeaton having made a trip ashore for a supply of the castings for the western ,reach of the ,railway1 she discharged #ae tons of cast-iron work1 and returned to ,arbroath for a cargo of stones4 ,at #ab noon1 all hands1 fifty-seven in number1 being collected upon the deck of the ,tender1 prayers were read as usual4 ,at three quarters past #b o'clock ,p4 ,m41 the building-artificers again landed1 and had five hours' and three quarters' work1 at boring1 trenailing1 wedging1 and grouting the stones laid during the two previous tides1 which completed the ,seventh course of the building4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #bfth4 ,sidenote3 #ba stones laid4 ,sidenote3 ,builders stopped by a simple mistake4 ,the weather still continuing to be very favourable for the operations1 the building-artificers landed on the ,rock at a quarter past #c ,a4 ,m41 and continued at work five hours and a half1 when #ba stones were laid4 ,in the course of this tide1 it was discovered that the ,patriot had by mistake carried off the trainer or gauge-rule to be used for regulating the position of the stones in building the ,eighth course1 which1 for a time1 stopped the progress of building4 ,a fast rowing boat was dispatched to ,arbroath for this useful implement1 a diagram of which will be seen in ,plate ,x4 ,in the mean time1 the remainder of the landing-master's crew were employed in laying the cast-iron work in order upon the ,rock1 so as to be at hand in the course of fitting up the ,railways4 ,in the evening1 at a quarter past #d ,p4 ,m41 the artificers landed1 and had five hours and a half at boring1 trenailing1 wedging1 and grouting the last laid course of the building4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #bgth4 ,sidenote3 #cc stones laid1 and #ff landed4 ,the ,joiners' squad of artificers1 with ,mr ,fortune1 their cook and steward1 landed this morning at #e ,a4 ,m4 for the day1 and the ,builders' squad continued on the ,rock till a quarter past #aj4 ,they again landed1 at half-past #d1 and returned on board of the ,tender with all hands1 at #aj ,p4 ,m4 ,the express-boat came from ,arbroath with the trainer this forenoon3 #cc stones were laid to-day1 and the weather being extremely fine the landing-master's crew delivered no fewer than #ff blocks at the ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #bhth4 ,sidenote3 #cb stones laid4 ,sidenote3 ,artificers now at work while the ,rock is under water4 ,as the work was daily getting higher1 the artificers landed on the ,beacon1 and began this morning at a quarter before #f o'clock1 having passed along the rope-ladder1 distended between it and the ,building1 while the ,rock was yet under water1 when the builders got five hours and a quarter's work4 ,in the evening1 they landed again at #f o'clock1 and remained till #aa4 ,in the course of this day #cb stones were laid1 but1 owing to the wind blowing fresh from ,n4,,ne41 the praams could not approach the eastern creek1 and the western reach of ,railway being yet unfinished1 no materials were landed4 ,the ,joiners' squad1 as usual1 remained all day on the ,rock1 and were enabled to make great progress with the lodging part of the ,beacon or 8,hurricane-house10 as the seamen termed it4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #bith4 ,sidenote3 #be stones laid1 and #ej landed4 ,the wind was still in the ,n4,e41 but being more moderate1 the work1 in all its departments1 proceeded with great spirit2 #ej blocks of stone were accordingly landed to-day1 with the necessary proportions of lime and other materials4 ,at half-past #f1 the whole of the artificers landed1 and remained till half-past #aa1 having been five hours on the ,rock4 ,the builders again landed at #f ,p4 ,m42 and at midnight1 all hands left the ,rock4 ,the builders having to-day been no less than ten hours and a half at work1 had laid #be stones4 ,the roughness of the weather yesterday washed a great part of the mortar out of the joints1 and this morning's tide was chiefly occupied in grouting and pointing the ,eighth course1 which being closed1 the work was brought to the height of about #aa feet above the lower bed of the ,foundation-stone4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #cjth4 ,sidenote3 #ah stones are laid4 ,sidenote3 ,michael ,wishart meets with a serious accident4 ,the artificers landed on the ,rock this morning at a quarter past #f1 and remained at work five hours4 ,the cooking apparatus being now in full operation1 all hands had breakfast on the ,beacon at the usual hour1 and remained there throughout the day4 ,the crane upon the building had to be raised to-day from the ,eighth to the ,ninth course1 an operation which now required all the strength that could be mustered for working the guy-tackles2 for1 as the top of the crane was at this time about #ce feet above the ,rock1 it became much more unmanageable4 ,this will be better understood by examining the apparatus in ,plate ,,ix41 and comparing the appearance of the crane-tackle of the second year's work with that of the first4 ,in order1 to give an additional purchase in tightening the tackle1 one of the blocks of stone was suspended at the end of the moveable-beam of the crane1 which1 by adding greatly to the purchase or weight1 tended to slacken the guys in the direction to which the beam with the stone was pointed1 and thereby enabled the artificers more easily to brace them one after another4 ,while the beam was thus loaded1 and in the act of swinging round from one guy to another1 a great strain was suddenly brought upon the opposite tackle1 with the end of which the artificers had very improperly neglected to take a turn round some stationary object1 which would have given them the complete command of the tackle4 ,owing to this simple omission1 the crane1 with the large stone at the end of the beam1 got a preponderancy to one side1 and the tackle alluded to having rended1 the crane fell upon the building with a terrible crash4 ,the surrounding artificers immediately flew in every direction to get out of its way2 but ,michael ,wishart1 the principal builder1 having unluckily stumbled upon one of the uncut trenails1 fell upon his back4 ,his body fortunately got between the moveable-beam and the upright shaft of the crane1 and was thus saved2 but his feet got entangled with the wheels of the crane1 and were severely injured4 ,wishart being a robust young man1 endured his misfortune with wonderful firmness3 he was laid upon one of the narrow framed beds of the ,beacon1 and dispatched in a boat to the ,tender2 where the writer was when this accident happened1 not a little alarmed1 on missing the crane from the top of the building1 and at the same time seeing a boat rowing towards the vessel with great speed4 ,when the boat came alongside with poor ,wishart stretched upon a bed1 covered with blankets1 a moment of great anxiety followed1 which was1 however1 much relieved1 when1 on stepping into the boat1 he was accosted by ,wishart1 though in a feeble voice1 and with an aspect pale as death1 from excessive bleeding4 ,directions having been immediately given to the coxwain to apply to ,mr ,kennedy at the work-yard1 to procure the best surgical aid1 the boat was sent off without delay to ,arbroath4 ,the writer then landed at the ,rock1 when the crane was in a very short time got into its place1 and again put in a working state4 ,the builders commenced work with it at #g o'clock in the evening1 and continued till midnight1 and in the course of this day #ah stones were laid4 ,robert ,selkirk was appointed by ,mr ,logan to succeed ,wishart1 as principal builder4 ,sidenote3 #ahji1 ,july4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #ast4 ,sidenote3 ,artificers have no less than ten hours' work1 and lay #ei stones4 ,the artificers landed this morning at half-past #g1 and as the building was gradually rising out of the reach of the tide1 the work was continued no less than six hours and a half at this time1 being the longest tide's work which the builders had hitherto had4 ,they again landed at half-past #g in the evening1 and did not leave off till midnight1 having1 to-day1 had ten hours and a half's work1 when no fewer than #ei blocks of stone were built2 #ef of which were landed on the ,rock to-day1 being the entire cargo of the ,patriot1 including six casks of pozzolano1 and a similar quantity of lime and sand2 besides twenty parcels containing #bjj trenails and #bjj pairs of wedges2 together with six sacks of moss 7hypnum71 two bales of green woollen-cloth1 a bale of red binding tape1 with nails1 c4 for lining the cabins of the ,beacon-house4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #b;d4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,writer visits the ,carr ,rock4 ,some of the vessels slip their moorings4 ,after a trip which he had taken in the ,light-house ,yacht to examine the ,carr ,rock1 with a view to the erection of a ,beacon1 as described in the ,introduction of this work1 page #ec41 the writer landed on the ,bell ,rock this evening4 ,he found that the artificers had commenced work at a quarter from #h o'clock ,a4 ,m41 and continued for seven hours and a quarter1 when seven blocks of stone were laid1 with which the ,ninth course of the building was completed4 ,the remainder of this long tide's-work was occupied in boring trenail holes1 driving trenails and wedges1 and in filling the perpendicular joints of the course with thin mortar1 mixed up into that consistency which is technically termed ,grout4 ,having again landed in the evening1 the same operation was continued from #h till #aa o'clock ,p4 ,m42 but the wind having shifted from south to ,e4,,ne41 it blew so fresh that the torches could not be kept burning1 being now more exposed1 and without the shelter which the foundation-pit formerly afforded4 ,the work was1 therefore1 obliged to be dropt1 before the tide had overflowed the ,rock4 ,from the state of the weather1 it was also judged necessary to give directions to the landing-master to employ his crew in removing the iron-jumpers and other implements to the ,beacon2 and to remove every encumbrance from the boats1 so as to lighten them as much as possible1 and fit them the better for carrying the artificers1 thirty-two in number4 ,at midnight1 all hands left the ,rock in four boats1 two of which belonged to the ,tender1 one to the ,light-house ,yacht1 and one to the ,smeaton2 and1 after much difficulty1 they reached their respective vessels4 ,the ,yacht and ,smeaton then slipped their moorings1 and proceeded for ,arbroath1 as they rode very hard1 but the ,tender kept her position4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #c;d4 ,sidenote3 ,no landing on the ,rock to-day4 ,the wind still continued to blow so fresh1 that no landing could be made to-day on the ,rock4 ,as the ,tender's stock of provisions was getting low1 a considerable effort was made by the ,patriot1 which had come from ,arbroath with supplies1 to prevent the necessity of her leaving her moorings4 ,after several vain attempts however1 the ,patriot was obliged to bear away for the ,firth of ,forth to wait a change of weather4 ,sidenote3 ,michael ,wishart is recovering4 ,the writer having come to ,arbroath with the ,yacht1 had an opportunity of visiting ,michael ,wishart1 the artificer who had met with so severe an accident at the ,rock on the #cjth ult41 and had the pleasure to find him in a state of recovery4 ,from ,dr ,stevenson's account1 under whose charge he had been placed1 hopes were entertained that amputation would not be necessary1 as his patient still kept free of fever or any appearance of mortification2 and ,wishart expressed a hope that he might1 at least1 be ultimately capable of keeping the light at the ,bell ,rock1 as it was not now likely that he would assist farther in building the house4 ,sidenote3 ,progress of the ,works at ,arbroath4 ,in the work-yard1 the operations were going on as usual1 under the direction of ,mr ,david ,logan1 and the stone-cutters were now working at the ,twenty-third course4 ,the ,twentieth course being nearly finished1 it was partly laid on the platform1 and ready to be fitted1 marked1 and numbered for shipping to the ,bell ,rock4 ,dispatch was also making in the joiners' shop where ,mr ,james ,slight1 was preparing the moulds for the succeeding courses1 diagrams of which will be seen in ,plate ,x4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #dth4 ,the ,tender had kept her station at the ,rock4 ,though the wind was still at ,n4,e41 it had abated a little1 and the artificers landed at #aa ,a4 ,m41 to the number of twenty-four1 and were employed for three hours in completing the trenailing of the ,ninth course4 ,at #c ,p4 ,m41 the building artificers1 fourteen in number1 left the ,rock1 and went on board of the ,tender1 but the joiners and smiths remained upon the ,beacon till half-past #i ,p4 ,m41 when they also returned on board of the vessel4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #eth4 ,sidenote3 #ai stones laid4 ,sidenote3 ,joiners left on the ,beacon4 ,the wind having shifted to the east1 and the weather being moderate1 the artificers landed at half-past #aa this forenoon1 when #ai stones were laid after four hours work4 ,at #h ,p4 ,m4 the boats again left the vessel1 and made an attempt to land on the ,rock1 but it was found impracticable1 there being then too much sea4 ,the joiners' squad were therefore left on the ,beacon all night4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday #fth4 ,sidenote3 #af stones laid4 ,sidenote3 ,joiners resolve to remain on the ,beacon4 ,the building artificers having landed at a quarter past #ab to-day1 #af stones were laid1 when they again left the ,rock at a quarter past #d1 having been four hours at work4 ,the weather having a very unfavourable appearance1 the landing-master expressed a wish to bring all hands with him2 but the ,joiners' squad1 with ,mr ,fortune their cook1 had now resolved to continue their quarters on the ,beacon-house1 instead of having 8the continual plague of boating20 and being now better provided with necessaries1 they felt much more at ease4 ,the boats were now less crowded1 and this arrangement was a great relief to the landing-master's crew4 ,the writer was at ,arbroath when the ,beacon was thus taken possession of2 and though he felt no uneasiness as to its permanency in withstanding the effects of the sea1 yet he was not without scruples about the danger of accidental fire1 from the chips of wood which unavoidably encumbered the place while the joiners were at work4 ,considering1 therefore1 the awful circumstances to those inhabiting the ,beacon under such a possible calamity1 together with its disastrous consequences to the work1 it became a matter of much solicitude to guard against such a misfortune4 ,sidenote3 ,favourable to the possession of the ,light-house4 ,this practical expression of the opinion of the mill-wrights1 joiners and smiths1 with regard to the safety of the ,beacon1 was nevertheless highly satisfactory to the writer1 as it shewed a degree of confidence in this temporary erection1 which left no doubt as to its utility in the future operations4 ,it was also an excellent prelude to the inhabitation of the ,light-house itself when completed1 as some were even doubtful if light-keepers would be found disposed to take up their residence permanently upon a rock1 which1 every tide1 was sunk under water to the depth of from #aj to #af feet1 of which no instance had hitherto occurred1 as the ,first entire course of the ,edystone ,light-house is understood to have been on a level with high-water mark4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #gth4 ,sidenote3 #ae stones laid4 ,the wind having shifted to the ,s4,e4 to-day1 with easy weather1 the ,patriot returned from ,largo ,bay to her moorings1 when the praam-boats discharged #ai stones of her cargo1 and landed them on the ,rock4 ,the artificers landed at #aj ,a4 ,m4 and remained at work no less than nine hours and a half1 when #ae stones of the ,tenth course were laid4 ,the builders then went on board of the ,tender1 leaving the mill-wrights1 joiners and smiths1 in possession of the ,beacon-house4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #hth4 ,sidenote3 #aa stones laid4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,tide1 for the first time1 does not overflow the ,building4 ,the builders landed to-day at a quarter past #ab noon1 and remained seven hours and three quarters1 when they laid #aa blocks1 while the landing-master's crew transported #df stones to the ,rock4 ,the tide's work was now so much lengthened1 that time was afforded for boring the trenail holes into the course below1 fixing the trenails and wedges1 and grouting up the perpendicular joints with pozzolano mortar1 in a more deliberate manner than when the work was lower in the water4 ,it was remarked to-day1 with no small demonstration of joy1 that the tide--being neap--did not1 for the first time1 overflow the building at high-water4 ,flags were accordingly hoisted1 on the ,beacon-house1 and crane on the top of the ,building1 which were repeated from the ,floating-light1 ,light-house ,yacht1 ,tender1 ,smeaton1 ,patriot1 and the two ,praams4 ,a salute of three guns was also fired from the ,yacht at high-water1 when all the artificers being collected on the top of the building1 three cheers were given1 in testimony of this important circumstance4 ,a glass of rum was then served out to all hands on the ,rock1 and on board of the respective ships4 ,sidenote3 ,number of ,joiners reduced4 ,balance ,crane begun4 ,having thus got the ,light-house above the sea-level in ordinary neap-tides1 and the ,beacon into a habitable state1 while the ,railway operations were confined to the western reach1 it was now found expedient to diminish the number of mill-wrights and joiners at the ,rock4 ,at this period1 the writer went to ,edinburgh to attend a general meeting of the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 and to report the advanced state of the works1--news which was received with the greatest satisfaction by the ,board4 ,he also visited the ,shotts ,iron-works1 and took measures for the immediate construction of a ,crane1 upon a new principle4 ,this had occupied his attention1 along with the general scheme of the work4 ,but1 since the unfortunate accident which happened to ,wishart1 by the fall of the ,moveable-beam-crane1 it had became more apparently necessary1 as the increasing height of this machine rendered the guy-tackles too taunt1 to use a sailor's expression for any thing that is high1 or when the ropes1 which support a spar or mast1 form too small an angle at the top4 ,instead of these unmanageable tackles1 the upright shaft of the new crane was to be kept in an erect position by a balance-weight acting upon the opposite end of the loaded working-beam1 which was thus to be kept in a state of equilibrium4 ,as ,mr ,watt1 foreman of the ,beacon and ,railway works1 could now be spared from the ,rock for a time1 he was sent to ,shotts to get the patterns made for this machine1 and other implements connected with the progress of the higher parts of the building2 from whence the castings were sent to ,edinburgh to be fitted up4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #ith4 ,sidenote3 ,tenth course completed4 ,on the writer's return to the ,bell ,rock to-day1 it appeared from the notes of the foreman builder1 and log-book of the landing-master1 that the work had made very good progress1 of which the building itself bore testimony1 being now about #ac feet in height4 ,the wind was at ,n4,e4 this morning1 and blowed so fresh that a landing could not be made till a quarter past #d o'clock ,p4 ,m41 when the closing-stone of the ,tenth course was laid1 after three hours and a quarter's work2 but the landing-master's crew could not approach the ,rock with the praam-boats4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #ajth4 ,twenty of the artificers landed this morning at half-past #e1 and continued at work till half-past #g4 ,again1 in the evening1 the work was resumed at #f1 and continued till a quarter from #i4 ,the artificers were employed to-day in dressing off and completing the last laid course4 ,still the wind being from the ,n4,e41 accompanied with a heavy sea1 the praams could not approach the ,rock1 and consequently no materials were landed4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #aath4 ,sidenote3 #ca stones laid1 and numerous articles landed4 ,the wind having shifted to the westward1 the sea was greatly run down2 and the landing-master's crew being early at work this morning1 transported no fewer than #fe blocks to the ,rock in the course of the day4 ,at #f ,a4 ,m4 the artificers landed1 when #ai stones of the ,eleventh course were laid4 ,they again landed at #d ,p4 ,m4 and laid #bb1 making altogether nine hours and a quarter upon the ,rock to-day1 when #ca stones were built4 ,the ,patriot had left ,arbroath last night1 and got to the ,rock this morning with #dc pieces of stone1 twelve bundles containing #cif wedges1 five bundles containing #afe trenails1 three casks of cement1 six casks of pozzolano1 six casks of lime1 six casks of sand1 besides provisions for the use of the ,beacon-house and ,tender1 viz4 five hogsheads of water1 five bags of coals1 three casks of beef1 five bags of biscuit1 one cask of oatmeal1 one firkin of butter1 one cask of flour1 one cask of pot barley1 with salt and vegetables4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #abth4 ,sidenote3 #cg stones laid4 ,at a quarter past #e this morning1 the artificers1 #ba in number1 landed1 and remained eight hours on the ,rock1 when #ba stones were laid4 ,they landed again in the afternoon at half-past #c1 and remained till #i ,p4 ,m41 when #af stones were laid4 ,the landing-master's crew transported three stones to the ,rock to-day1 which completed the ,eleventh course4 ,the ,smeaton arrived from ,leith this forenoon1 with #ec casks of pozzolano earth1 #ci of which were stowed on board of the ,tender to be at hand3 the ,smeaton then proceeded with the remainder to ,arbroath1 where she loaded stones for the ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #acth4 ,sidenote3 #bi stones laid4 ,the weather still continuing favourable1 the artificers landed this morning at half-past #f and remained till half-past #aa1 when #ae stones were laid4 ,they landed again at #e and remained till #aa ,p4 ,m41 when #ad stones were laid4 #bi stones were transported to the ,rock to-day in the praam-boats4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #adth4 ,sidenote3 #bg stones laid4 ,the artificers landed this morning at a quarter from #g1 and remained six hours and a quarter on the ,rock1 when #ah stones were laid4 ,they landed again in the evening and remained four hours and a quarter1 when #i stones were laid1 which completed the ,twelfth course2 the praam-boats having landed #bg stones4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #aeth4 ,sidenote3 #eb ,stones landed and laid4 ,the wind was southerly1 with occasional showers of rain to-day1 but the sea was smooth4 ,the artificers landed at a quarter past #g this morning1 and as the water did not overflow the building1 they continued on the ,rock till midnight1 being #af hours and a half1 and laid no fewer than #eb stones1 which1 in the early part of the day1 had also been transported to the ,rock by the landing-master's crew4 ,this was the most successful day's work which had hitherto been made4 ,the ,twelfth course was thus completed1 which brought the building to the height of #ae feet above the lower bed of the foundation-stone4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #afth4 ,sidenote3 #cb ,stones laid4 ,hitherto no order had been given for loading the ,bell ,rock vessels with stones on ,sundays1 but ,mr ,kennedy1 to whose department this belonged1 had1 with his usual unwearied attention1 commenced on ,sunday night1 at #ab o'clock1 which enabled the ,patriot to sail at #e1 and reach the ,rock at #aj ,a4 ,m41 with a cargo of stones4 ,the artificers landed at half-past #g1 and laid #ba stones in the course of seven hours and a half2 and having again landed in the evening at #g1 they laid #aa stones in four hours1 all of which had been landed on the ,rock to-day from the praams4 ,besides laying1 boring1 trenailing1 wedging1 and grouting these stones1 several other operations were proceeded with on the ,rock1 at low-water1 when some of the artificers were employed at the ,railways1 and at high-water at the ,beacon-house4 ,the seamen having prepared a quantity of tarpaulin1 or cloth laid over with successive coats of hot tar1 the joiners had just completed the covering of the roof with it4 ,this sort of covering was lighter and more easily managed than sheet-lead in such a situation4 ,as a farther defence against the weather1 the whole exterior of this temporary residence was painted with three coats of white-lead paint4 ,between the timber-framing of the habitable part of the ,beacon1 the interstices were to be stuffed with moss1 as a light substance that would resist dampness1 and check sifting winds3 the whole interior was then to be lined with green baize-cloth1 so that both without and within the cabins were to have a very comfortable appearance4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #agth4 ,sidenote3 #i ,stones laid4 ,the artificers landed this morning at half-past #g1 and remained at work five hours and a half1 when #i stones were laid2 but the wind having shifted to the ,n4,e41 which increased to a hard gale1 in the course of this afternoon1 both the ,smeaton and ,patriot were obliged to slip their moorings1 when they proceeded in company to ,leith ,roads for shelter4 ,the ,tender1 however1 being in a more light trim1 and better adapted for riding1 continued at her station4 ,sidenote3 ,one of the ,artificers is accidentally killed in the work-yard4 ,while some of the masons were employed to-day in raising a large stone in the work-yard at ,arbroath1 the purchase unfortunately slipped1 and the stone fell upon ,william ,walker1 one of the labourers1 who was putting a prop under it1 to preserve its position till a better purchase could be taken4 ,by this accident1 ,walker's thigh-bone was unfortunately broken1 and1 though medical assistance was procured without delay1 the poor man died in the course of a few hours1 leaving a wife and two young children4 ,the ,commissioners of the ,light-houses1 in consideration of the circumstances of this case1 settled an annuity of ,l4 #e upon his widow4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday #ahth4 ,sidenote3 ,one of the workmen remains in the ,beacon alone4 ,the wind still continued to blow fresh from the ,n4,e41 but the artificers were enabled to land on the ,rock at a quarter from #aa1 where they remained two hours and three quarters1 employed in shifting the crane on the building1 and making other preparations for laying the ,thirteenth course4 ,although the building-artificers generally remained on the ,rock throughout the day1 and the mill-wrights1 joiners1 and smiths1 while their number was considerable1 remained also during the night1 yet the ,tender had hitherto been considered as their night-quarters4 ,but the wind having1 in the course of the day1 shifted to the ,n4,w41 and as the passage to the ,tender1 in the boats1 was likely to be attended with difficulty1 the whole of the artificers1 with ,mr ,logan1 the foreman1 preferred remaining all night on the ,beacon1 which had1 of late1 become the solitary abode of ,george ,forsyth1 a jobbing-upholsterer1 who had been employed in lining the ,beacon-house with cloth1 and in fitting up the bedding4 ,forsyth was a tall1 thin1 and rather loose-made man1 who had an utter aversion at climbing upon the trap-ladders of the ,beacon1 but especially at the process of boating1 and the motion of the ship1 which he said1 8was death itself40 ,he1 therefore1 pertinaciously insisted with the landing-master in being left upon the ,beacon1 with a small black dog as his only companion4 ,the writer1 however1 felt some delicacy in leaving a single individual upon the ,rock1 who must have been so very helpless1 in case of accident4 ,this fabric had1 from the beginning1 been rather intended by the writer to guard against accident from the loss or damage of a boat1 and as a place for making mortar1 a smith's shop1 and a store for tools1 during the working months1 than as permanent quarters3 nor was it at all meant to be possessed until the joiner-work were completely finished1 and his own cabin1 and that for the foremen1 in readiness1 when it was still to be left to the choice of the artificers to occupy the ,tender or the ,beacon4 ,he1 however1 considered ,forsyth's partiality and confidence in the latter1 as rather a fortunate occurrence4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #aith4 ,sidenote3 ,artificers remove with ,peter ,fortune to the ,beacon4 ,the whole of the artificers1 #bc in number1 now removed1 of their own accord1 from the ,tender1 to lodge in the ,beacon1 together with ,peter ,fortune1 a person singularly adapted for a residence of this kind1 both from the urbanity of his manners1 and the versatility of his talents4 ,fortune1 in his person1 was of small stature1 and rather corpulent4 ,besides being a good ,scotch cook1 he had acted both as groom and house-servant2 he had been a soldier1 a suttler1 a writer's clerk1 and an apothecary1 from which he possessed the art of writing and suggesting recipes1 and had hence1 also1 perhaps acquired a turn for making collections in natural history2 but in his practice in surgery1 on the ,bell ,rock1 for which he received an annual fee of three guineas1 he is supposed to have been rather partial to the use of the lancet4 ,in short1 ,peter was the fac-totum of the ,beacon-house1 where he ostensibly acted in the several capacities of cook1 steward1 surgeon1 and barber1 and kept a statement of the rations or expenditure of the provisions1 with the strictest integrity4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #bjth4 ,sidenote3 ,praam-boats cannot approach the ,rock4 ,the wind was at the ,s4,e4 to-day1 accompanied with a considerable swell of sea2 and1 although the ,smeaton and ,patriot had returned from ,leith ,roads1 and the praams had been loaded1 and were riding at their moorings1 yet they could not approach the ,rock4 ,the building artificers1 however1 found employment in boring1 trenailing1 wedging1 and grouting the last laid course4 ,the smiths and mill-wrights worked at the western ,railway1 and the joiners at sundry jobs about the ,beacon-house4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #bast4 ,sidenote3 #ah ,stones laid and #fi landed4 ,the weather having improved1 the ,smeaton was entirely discharged to-day of her cargo of #fi stones1 which were also landed on the ,rock1 with a due proportion of other building materials1 as pozzolano1 lime1 and sand1 c42 and #ah stones of the ,thirteenth course were laid to-day4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #bb;d4 ,sidenote3 ,an embargo is laid on ,shipping4 ,in the present important state of the building1 when it had just attained the height of #af feet1 and the upper courses1 and especially the imperfect one1 were in the wash of the heaviest seas1 an express-boat arrived at the ,rock1 with a letter from ,mr ,kennedy of the work-yard1 stating1 that1 in consequence of the intended ,expedition to ,walcheren1 an embargo had been laid on shipping at all the ports of ,great ,britain2 that both the ,smeaton and ,patriot were detained at ,arbroath1 and that1 but for the proper view which ,mr ,ramsay1 the port-officer1 had taken of his orders1 neither the express-boat1 nor one which had been sent with provisions and necessaries for the ,floating-light1 would have been permitted to leave the harbour4 ,the writer set off without delay for ,arbroath1 and1 on landing1 used every possible means with the official people2 but their orders were deemed so peremptory1 that even boats were not permitted to sail from any port upon the coast4 ,in the mean time1 the collector of the ,customs at ,montrose applied to the ,board at ,edinburgh1 but could1 of himself1 grant no relief to the ,bell ,rock shipping4 ,sidenote3 ,mr ,sheriff ,duff corresponds with the ,board of ,customs4 ,at this critical period1 ,mr ,adam ,duff1 then ,sheriff of ,forfarshire1 now of the county of ,edinburgh1 and ex officio one of the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 happened to be at ,arbroath4 ,mr ,duff took an immediate interest in representing the circumstances of the case to the ,board of ,customs at ,edinburgh4 ,but such were the doubts entertained on the subject1 that1 on having previously received the appeal from the ,collector at ,montrose1 the case had been submitted to the consideration of the ,lords of the ,treasury1 whose decision was now waited for4 ,sidenote3 ,operations at the ,rock while the vessels were under embargo4 ,in this state of things1 the writer felt particularly desirous to get the ,thirteenth course finished1 that the building might be in a more secure state1 in the event of bad weather4 ,an opportunity was therefore embraced on the #beth1 in sailing with provisions for the ,floating-light1 to carry the necessary stones to the ,rock for this purpose1 which were landed and built on the #bfth and #bgth4 ,but so closely was the watch kept up1 that a ,customhouse-officer was always placed on board of the ,smeaton and ,patriot while they were afloat1 till the embargo was specially removed from the ,light-house vessels4 ,the artificers at the ,bell ,rock had been reduced to fifteen1 who were regularly supplied with provisions1 along with the crew of the ,floating-light1 mainly through the port-officer's liberal interpretation of his orders4 ,after completing the ,thirteenth course1 they were employed in erecting a kind of stool or prop of masonry on the western side of the building1 for which the stones had fortunately been landed previous to the embargo4 ,this prop1 as will be understood by examining the second year's work of ,plate ,,ix41 consisted of large blocks of stone1 measuring #e feet in length1 #b feet #f inches in breadth1 and #ae inches in thickness1 and1 when completed1 it was #f feet in height1 and #f feet square at the top1 so that the men in working the crane had a sufficient space for standing4 ,by this means1 the foot of the lower crane was elevated #f feet above the ,rock1 which1 added to the length of the working-beam1 made a height of about #ah feet1 and1 in the present state of the building1 the stones were thus raised to the level of the last built course4 ,the crane on the top of the building1 with which the stones were laid1 was1 therefore1 now only employed to take them from the lower crane1 instead of lifting them at once from the waggons on the ,railway4 ,during this period1 also1 the ,beacon-house and ,railways were completely overhauled1 and matters of minor importance attended to1 which were obliged to be left behind when the works were going on briskly4 ,sidenote3 #ahji1 ,august4 ,sidenote3 ,the embargo is taken off the ,light-house vessels4 ,the ,lords of the ,treasury had no sooner received the appeal from the ,board of ,customs at ,edinburgh1 than an order was issued for all vessels and boats belonging to the service of the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 to be released and permitted to sail upon their respective voyages4 ,but before this order could be made effective1 ten days of the finest weather of the season had elapsed4 ,every one connected with the work had now become impatient to be again at work1 when the writer had the happiness to receive a letter from ,mr ,charles ,cuningham1 ,secretary to the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 stating that an order might be expected to reach the ,collector of the ,customs at ,montrose on the #cjth4 ,mr ,kennedy was consequently sent to ,montrose to wait the arrival of the post1 which happened at midnight1 when ,mr ,paton the ,collector1 with much attention1 gave immediate orders for the liberation of the ,bell ,rock vessels2 and as both the ,smeaton and ,patriot were loaded and ready for sea1 they sailed from ,arbroath on ,sunday the #cjth1 with the wind at ,e4,s4,e41 and arrived at their moorings at the ,rock early on the #cast4 ,sidenote3 ,the necessity of stopping the ,bell ,rock shipping doubted1 under any circumstances4 ,on the subject of this embargo1 as applicable to the boats and vessels in the ,bell ,rock service1 it would be difficult1 and perhaps improper1 to give any opinion regarding the discretion or prudence exercised by the ,officers of the ,customs1 especially as the ,board itself found it necessary to appeal to the ,treasury for instructions4 ,if1 however1 the ,superior ,officers at ,montrose1 aware of all the circumstances of this peculiar case1 had allowed the work at the ,bell ,rock to proceed1 till special orders could have been received on this peculiar point1 there is reason to believe it would not have been called in question by the ,board of ,customs at ,edinburgh4 ,but when the vessels were peremptorily stopped1 and the matter brought formally under its notice1 an appeal to the ,treasury was considered indispensable4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #ast4 ,sidenote3 #gh stones landed1 and #dj laid4 ,sidenote3 #bd artificers inhabit the ,beacon4 ,there being a considerable swell and breach of sea upon the ,rock yesterday1 the stones could not be got landed till the day following1 when the wind shifted to the southward1 and the weather improved4 ,but to-day no less than #gh blocks of stone were landed1 of which #dj were built1 which completed the ,fourteenth1 and part of the ,fifteenth courses4 ,the number of workmen now resident in the ,beacon-house were augmented to #bd2 including the landing-master's crew from the ,tender1 and the boat's crew from the ,floating-light1 who assisted at landing the stones4 ,those daily at work upon the ,rock at this period amounted to #df4 ,a cabin had been laid out for the writer on the ,beacon1 as will be seen from ,plate ,,viii4 but his apartment had been the last which was finished1 and he had not yet taken possession of it2 for though he generally spent the greater part of the day1 at this time1 upon the ,rock1 yet he always slept on board of the ,tender4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #b;d4 ,sidenote3 ,mr ,sheriff ,duff visits the works at the ,rock4 ,to-day the wind was from the ,s4,e41 accompanied with a pretty heavy swell of sea1 which1 in the early part of the season1 would perhaps have been sufficient to deter the attempt of landing building materials2 but such was the dexterity of the landing-master and his crew1 that #bc stones were transported to the western creek1 and afterwards1 by great exertions1 got along the ,rock1 though the ,railways were still in an incomplete state4 ,with these1 the builders were enabled to finish the ,sixteenth course1 consisting of #ec stones4 ,the work was visited to-day by ,mr ,sheriff ,duff1 who1 with his accompanying friends1 were much gratified in landing on the ,bell ,rock1 and viewing the advanced state of the works4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #c;d4 ,sidenote3 #bc stones laid4 ,the wind being from south-east1 a heavy swell of sea ran upon the ,rock1 so that no stones were landed to-day4 ,the building being now about #ai feet in height1 it was found to produce a smoothness on the lee-side1 and as the north-east wind produced the heaviest seas1 the lower crane1 erected on the prop1 being placed on the south-west side1 was somewhat sheltered from that quarter1 and admitted of a considerable quantity of materials being occasionally laid around it2 and1 therefore1 although none were landed to-day1 yet #bc blocks of the ,seventeenth course were built4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #dth4 ,sidenote3 #b stones laid4 ,the weather proved very fine1 and the seamen were employed on board of the ,floating-light in shifting her winter cable1 and inspecting her chain-moorings1 as she had just undergone such repair in her upper-works1 as could be conveniently given her while afloat4 ,the artificers on the ,rock laid two stones to-day1 and were otherwise employed in trenailing and grouting the ,seventeenth course4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #eth4 ,sidenote3 #h stones laid4 ,the weather still continued favourable1 and the landing-master's crew discharged the ,patriot of her cargo1 of which #dj stones were landed on the ,rock1 and the remaining #ab were kept on board of one of the ,praam-boats at her moorings4 ,the artificers built #h stones to-day1 so that #cb of the #dj which had been landed1 were either laid without mortar1 upon the building1 or ranged round the stool of the lower crane1 in readiness for next tide4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #fth4 ,in the course of the last night1 however1 the wind had shifted to the ,n4,e41 accompanied by a heavy swell of sea1 and it was impossible for the landing-master's boats to approach the ,rock4 ,but the artificers being now stationary upon the ,beacon1 they could pass from it to the building at all times of tide1 by means of the rope-ladder1 formerly noticed1 as will be understood by examining the second year's work1 represented in ,plate ,,ix4 ,they accordingly laid #be stones to-day1 and completed the ,seventeenth course1 consisting of #fj blocks4 ,the ,praam-boat1 with the remaining #ab stones of the ,patriot's cargo on board1 rode at her moorings with great ease1 and although the swell was very considerable1 yet she had very little motion2 and even when deeply loaded1 these decked boats shipped no water4 ,so easily did they ride at anchor1 that the sickly artificers1 while on board of the ,tender1 though much easier than the ,floating-light1 were often heard to express a wish that their births could be shifted to a ,praam-boat4 ,sidenote3 ,narrow escape from ship-wreck4 ,at day-break1 this morning1 a large schooner1 the ,fly of ,bridport1 ,green1 master1 bound from ,london to ,dundee1 was observed standing right upon the ,bell ,rock1 when she was suddenly taken aback on seeing the ,beacon and works on the ,rock4 ,the crew of this vessel being entire strangers1 had hoisted a signal1 when the landing-master immediately went on board1 and after some consultation1 ,pool1 the master of the ,smeaton1 was sent to conduct the ,fly into the ,firth of ,tay4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #gth4 ,the wind had shifted to the ,s4,w4 to-day1 but still a heavy swell of the sea prevented the landing of materials1 and the artificers were accordingly employed in shifting the crane on the building1 and at low-water they were all engaged in fixing and extending the ,railways towards the western creek4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #hth4 ,sidenote3 #ab stones laid4 ,sidenote3 ,mr ,sheriff ,hamilton visits the works4 ,the sea having fallen considerably1 the loaded ,praam-boat got to the ,rock1 and the artificers laid the #ab stones which had now been on board of her since the #eth4 ,the works at the ,rock were visited to-day by ,mr ,robert ,hamilton1 ,sheriff of ,lanark1 and ex officio one of the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 who expressed much satisfaction at the progress of the operations4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #ith4 ,sidenote3 #cf stones laid4 ,sidenote3 ,additional supports for the ,beacon landed to-day4 ,the number of artificers were augmented from #bd to #bf1 and measures were taken for leveling the necessary sites on the ,rock for some additional supports for the legs or principal beams of the ,beacon4 ,these supports had been prepared in the course of the winter1 but had not yet been applied1 from the pressing nature of the building operations4 ,they consisted both of iron and of timber1 the former to connect the principal beams horizontally1 and the latter diagonally1 in order that1 by every possible means1 this essential part of the establishment might be preserved through the winter1 and divested of the twist so expressively felt and complained of by ,mr ,logan1 on the #cjth of ,may4 ,to-day #cf stones were landed and built1 which finished the ,nineteenth course1 and brought the building to the height of about #bc feet4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #ajth4 ,to-day #bf stones of the ,twentieth course were landed and laid4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #aath4 ,sidenote3 ,sheer-crane broken by the force of the sea4 ,the wind was at ,s4,e4 on the #aath1 and there was so very heavy a swell of sea upon the ,rock1 that no boat could approach it4 ,such indeed was the force of its breach1 that one of the legs of the cast-iron ,sheer-crane at the eastern creek1 represented in ,plate ,,xi41 was again broken4 ,it is not a little remarkable1 that these bars1 which contained about #af square inches of section1 should nevertheless have been snapped1 by the force of the sea1 on three different occasions4 ,it must1 however1 be remarked1 that these sheers1 in their operation1 had necessarily a certain action laterally1 in effecting the laying of a stone upon the waggon2 in heavy seas1 therefore1 the apparatus was subject to a jerking motion1 which proved sufficient to break it2 so essential is it1 that every thing within the range of the sea should be ,dead-fast1 as workmen emphatically express it1 or as firm and steady as possible4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #abth4 ,sidenote3 ,some of the ,artificers become alarmed and leave the ,beacon4 ,the gale still continuing from the ,s4,e41 the sea broke with great violence both upon the ,building and the ,beacon4 ,the former being #bc feet in height1 the upper part of the crane erected on it having been lifted from course to course as the building advanced1 was now about #cf feet above the ,rock4 ,from observations made on the rise of the sea by this crane1 the artificers were enabled to estimate its height to be about #ej feet above the ,rock1 while the sprays fell with a most alarming noise upon their cabins4 ,at low-water1 in the evening1 a signal was made from the ,beacon1 at the earnest desire of some of the artificers1 for the boats to come to the ,rock2 and although this could not be effected without considerable hazard1 it was however accomplished1 when twelve of their number1 being much afraid1 applied to the foreman to be relieved1 and went on board of the ,tender4 ,but the remaining fourteen continued on the ,rock1 with ,mr ,peter ,logan1 the foreman builder4 ,although this rule of allowing an option to every man either to remain on the ,rock or return to the ,tender1 was strictly adhered to2 yet1 as it would have been extremely inconvenient to have had the men parcelled out in this manner1 it became necessary to embrace the first opportunity of sending those who had left the ,beacon to the workyard1 with as little appearance of intention as possible1 lest it should hurt their feelings1 or prevent others from acting according to their wishes1 either in landing on the ,rock or remaining on the ,beacon4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #acth4 ,sidenote3 ,effects of the late gale4 ,all hands were employed at low-water to-day1 in refitting the sheer-crane at the eastern landing-place1 and in adjusting other things about the ,beacon and ,rock1 which had been scattered and deranged during the late gale4 ,in particular1 the guy-ropes of the cranes required to be tightened2 for1 although they were of patent-cordage1 and had often been well tried1 yet1 upon this occasion1 they were stretched and much relaxed with the excessive motion of the sea4 ,the whole appurtenances of the mortar-gallery had been sent adrift2 even the blacksmith's anvil was upset6 and found lying at the foot of the ,beacon1 while his bellows1 and the greater part of the deals with which the floor was laid1 were forced up and carried away1 with all the lime and cement casks4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #adth4 ,the wind still continued from the ,s4,e41 and though blowing with less force1 yet the sea rolled over the ,rock too heavily for approaching it with building materials4 ,but1 in the course of the day1 efforts were made for getting the landing-apparatus again into a working state4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #aeth4 ,sidenote3 #e stones laid4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,writer takes possession of his cabin in the ,beacon4 ,the wind had fortunately shifted to the ,s4,w4 this morning1 and though a considerable breach was still upon the ,rock1 yet the landing-master's crew were enabled to get one ,praam-boat1 lightly loaded with five stones1 brought in safety to the western creek3 these stones were immediately laid by the artificers1 who gladly embraced the return of good weather to proceed with their operations4 ,the writer had this day taken possession of his cabin in the ,beacon-house4 ,it was small1 but commodious1 and was found particularly convenient in coarse and blowing weather1 instead of being obliged to make a passage to the ,tender in an open boat1 at all times1 both during the day and the night1 which was often attended with much difficulty and danger4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #afth4 ,sidenote3 #eb stones landed and #ah built4 ,the sea was much run down to-day1 but the wind from the west1 prevented the landing of stones on the western side of the ,rock1 and the repairs of the sheer-crane were still incomplete4 ,captain ,wilson undertook1 however1 to land two ,praam-boats of stones on the top of the building at high-water4 ,he accordingly laid the ,hedderwick and ,fernie in succession1 alongside of the building1 and in this manner #cj stones were landed2 the repairs of the sheer-crane were completed1 and during the evening tide1 other two praam-loads were landed at low-water at the eastern creek1 making in all #eb stones1 of which #ah of the ,twentieth course were built4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #agth4 ,the wind had shifted from ,w4 to ,n4,e4 to-day1 but the weather being fine1 #bi stones were landed1 and #be built4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #ahth4 ,the weather is rather boisterous to-day1 accompanied with rain1 and a considerable swell of sea4 ,the two praam-boats1 however1 were got to the ,rock1 when #af stones were landed1 which1 with those already at hand1 finished the ,twentieth and commenced the ,twenty-first course4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #aith4 ,sidenote3 ,floating-light boat loses her way4 ,for some days past1 the weather had been occasionally so thick and foggy1 that no small difficulty was experienced in going even between the ,rock and the ,tender1 though quite at hand4 ,but the ,floating-light's boat lost her way so far in returning on board that the first land she made1 after rowing all night1 was ,fifeness1 a distance of about #ad miles1 as will be seen from ,plate ,,iv4 ,the weather having cleared in the morning1 the crew stood off again for the ,floating-light1 and got on board in a half famished and much exhausted state1 having been constantly rowing for about #af hours4 ,sidenote3 #bi stones built4 ,the wind shifted this morning from ,e4 to ,s4,w4 with much rain4 ,the sloop ,patriot returned from the ,firth of ,forth this forenoon1 to which she had been driven by the late gales4 ,the weather being more favourable to-day1 #ca stones were landed on the ,rock1 and #bi stones were built1 with which the ,twenty-first course was finished1 which brings the building to the height of #be feet4 ,the crane was also shifted1 and every preparation made for commencing with the next course4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #bjth4 ,sidenote3 ,an entire course laid to-day4 ,prayers read on the ,rock4 ,the weather being very favourable to-day1 #ec stones were landed1 and the builders were not a little gratified in having built the ,twenty-second course1 consisting of #ea stones1 being the first course which had been completed in one day4 ,this1 as a matter of course1 produced three hearty cheers4 ,at #ab noon1 prayers were read for the first time on the ,bell ,rock3 those present1 counting thirty1 were crowded into the upper apartment of the ,beacon1 where the writer took a central position1 while two of the artificers joining hands supported the ,bible4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #bast4 ,sidenote3 ,smeaton arrives with the last course of the solid4 ,the wind was from the ,s4,w4 this morning1 blowing fresh1 with rain4 ,the ,praam-boats1 however1 landed thirty-two stones1 which were also built4 ,at #f ,p4 ,m4 the ,smeaton arrived from ,arbroath1 having on board the last cargo of the solid part of the building4 ,she was1 of course1 decorated with all her colours2 and1 in compliment to the advanced state of the work1 there was a display of flags from the ,floating-light and the other vessels on the station1 and also from the ,beacon-house and the ,building itself4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #bb;d4 ,sidenote3 ,floating-light breaks adrift4 ,during last night it blew excessively hard1 and the operations to-day were much interrupted by the breaking loose of the ,floating-light4 ,at #e o'clock this morning an alarm was given throughout the ,beacon-house of this circumstance1 when a signal was instantly made for the ,tender to get under way2 at the same time one of her boats came to the ,rock1 and the writer left the ,beacon1 and sailed with the ,tender to the assistance of the ,floating-light4 ,it was some time before the watch on the deck had observed1 by their greater distance from the buoy upon the spare moorings1 that the vessel had actually got adrift4 ,mr ,john ,reid1 acting master1 was immediately called1 when the best bower anchor was let go with a sufficient scope of cable1 about a mile from her original station4 ,here she was obliged to be left till the weather should become moderate enough to admit of her being towed to her former station4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #bc;d4 ,from the untoward circumstance of the ,floating-light's breaking adrift1 the landing-master and his crew were fully employed with the ,tender in this service1 so that no materials could be got landed on the ,bell ,rock1 either yesterday or to-day4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #bdth4 ,the wind was still from the westward1 but had now moderated considerably1 when #bh stones of the ,smeaton's cargo were landed on the ,rock1 and #ad blocks were laid1 with which the ,twenty-third course was completed4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #beth4 ,sidenote3 ,building operations concluded for the season4 ,to-day1 the remainder of the ,smeaton's cargo was landed1 and the artificers laid #de stones1 which completed the ,twenty-fourth course1 reckoning above the first entire one1 and the twenty-sixth above the ,rock4 ,this finished the solid part of the building1 and terminated the height of the outward casing of granite1 which is #ca feet #f inches above the ,rock or site of the foundation-stone1 and about #ag feet above high-water of spring-tides4 ,being a particular crisis in the progress of the ,light-house1 the landing and laying of the last stone for the season was observed with the usual ceremonies4 ,sidenote3 ,probable height of waves in free space4 ,sidenote3 ,inducements for stopping the building operations4 ,from observations often made by the writer1 in so far as such can be ascertained1 it appears that no wave in the open seas1 in an unbroken state1 rises more than from #g to #i feet above the general surface of the ocean4 ,the ,bell ,rock ,light-house may therefore now be considered as from #h to #aj feet above the weight of the waves2 and1 although the sprays and heavy seas have often been observed1 in the present state of the building1 to rise to the height of #ej feet1 and fall with a tremendous noise on the ,beacon-house1 yet such seas were not likely to make any impression on a mass of solid masonry1 containing about #adjj tons3 its form being at the same time circular1 and diminishing in diameter from the base to the top1 as represented in the second year's work1 ,plate ,,ix4 ,it had for some time been a matter of doubt with the writer1 whether he might not attempt to carry the building to the top of the stone stair-case1 or #ac feet above the solid1 the wall being here of the medium thickness of #f feet4 ,several considerations1 however1 induced him to stop for the season with the completion of the solid1 especially as it left the work in a more entire and defensible condition than if the door and part of the void had been built4 ,one of the chief objections to continuing the operations1 was the dread of encountering the gales experienced in former years early in the month of ,september4 ,another special obstacle was the difficulty and danger attending the guying or fixing of the present crane on the top of the building1 which had now got to too great a height for its stability1 as the guy-ropes which supported it were of the unmanageable length of about #hj feet4 ,even in the month of ,july1 as before noticed1 this state of things had become so obvious1 that it was then determined to make the crane upon a new construction1 which was to be kept in equilibrium by means of a balance-weight1 and thus do away with the guy-ropes altogether4 ,this crane had accordingly been prepared1 but1 like most machines upon a new construction1 it was not found to operate in so satisfactory a manner as to warrant its immediate removal to the ,bell ,rock4 ,it was therefore resolved rather to perfect the ,balance-crane in the course of the winter months1 and begin with a better prospect of success in the spring4 ,the building operations were therefore brought to a conclusion2 and the writer now took his leave of the ,bell ,rock till the ensuing season1 excepting in so far as an occasional visit might occur4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #bith4 ,the ,floating-light had been made fast to the spare moorings to-day1 but those which had given way were again fished up1 when she was towed back to her former station for the winter4 ,it appeared that one of the shackles had got loose when she went adrift4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #cjth4 ,sidenote3 ,tender to continue her station1 and ,beacon to be occupied for a time4 ,from the #beth till the #cjth1 the seamen and artificers were busily employed1 at the proper time of tide1 in removing every thing from the ,rock that was not farther wanted for the season1 and in securing such things as were to be left4 ,it was still necessary1 however1 to keep the ,tender on the station1 and also to occupy the ,beacon-house1 and to retain the floor of the open gallery for the smiths1 as an additional strut or support was to be erected on the inside of each of the six principal beams of the ,beacon4 ,there were also #cf strong tie-bars of malleable-iron to be bolted to these beams1 in a horizontal direction1 as represented in ,plate ,,viii41 in lieu of the bracing-chains1 which were not found to answer1 for connecting the whole together4 ,sidenote3 ,congratulations on the ,artificers returning ashore after several months' absence4 ,these operations being arranged with ,mr ,francis ,watt1 as foreman1 the whole of the artificers left the ,rock at mid-day1 when the ,tender made sail for ,arbroath1 which she reached about #f ,p4 ,m4 ,the vessel being decorated with colours1 and having fired a salute of three guns on approaching the harbour1 the work-yard artificers1 with a multitude of people1 assembled at the harbour1 when mutual cheering and congratulations took place between those afloat and those on the quays4 ,the ,tender had now1 with little exception1 been six months on the station at the ,bell ,rock1 and1 during the last four months1 few of the squad of builders had been ashore4 ,in particular1 ,mr ,peter ,logan1 the foreman1 and ,mr ,robert ,selkirk1 principal builder1 had never once left the ,rock4 ,the artificers having made good wages during their stay1 like seamen upon a return-voyage1 were extremely happy1 and spent the evening with much innocent mirth and jollity4 ,sidenote3 #ahji1 ,september4 ,sidenote3 ,reflections on the very proper conduct of the ,artificers4 ,in reflecting upon the state of matters at the ,bell ,rock1 during the working months1 when the writer was much with the artificers1 nothing can equal the happy manner in which these excellent workmen spent their time4 ,they always went from ,arbroath to their arduous task cheering1 and they generally returned in the same hearty state4 ,while at the ,rock1 between the tides1 they amused themselves in reading1 fishing1 music1 playing cards1 drafts1 c4 or in sporting with one another4 ,in the work-yard at ,arbroath1 the young men were almost1 without exception1 employed in the evening at school1 in writing and arithmetic1 and not a few were learning architectural drawing1 for which they had every convenience and facility1 and were1 in a very obliging manner1 assisted in their studies by ,mr ,david ,logan1 ,clerk of ,works4 ,it therefore affords the most pleasing reflections1 to look back upon the pursuits of about #fj individuals1 who1 for years1 conducted themselves1 on all occasions1 in a sober and rational manner4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #eth4 ,sidenote3 ,tender again returns to her station at the ,rock4 ,the operations at the ,bell ,rock for the remainder of the season being confined to the lower parts of the ,beacon and ,railways1 were chiefly low-water works4 ,the ,tender had again been fitted out for her station1 with a supply of provisions and necessaries for ten seamen and nineteen artificers1 carrying with her supplies for the ,floating-light and ,beacon-house4 ,at #aa ,a4 ,m4 she left ,arbroath on this service2 but the wind being ,s4,e41 it was not till ,thursday the #gth1 at #h o'clock ,p4 ,m4 that she was made fast to her moorings4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #hth4 ,sidenote3 ,experiences very bad weather4 ,at #f o'clock this morning1 ,mr ,watt1 with eighteen artificers1 landed on the ,rock1 commenced the work1 and remained on the ,beacon till ,thursday1 the #adth1 when the vessel returned to ,arbroath1 having had extremely boisterous weather1 and been twice obliged during that period to slip and leave her moorings4 ,the prevailing winds were ,s4,e41 and the barometer oscillated between #bi4e and #bi4fj4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #agth4 ,sidenote3 ,writer makes a trip to ,flamborough-head ,light-house4 ,looking forward with confidence to the completion of the ,bell ,rock ,light-house in the course of the next year1 the writer1 with much expectation1 began to prepare every part of the establishment4 ,he had early anticipated the necessity of fixing upon the description of light which would be necessary for characterising and distinguishing its range or compartment of the coast4 ,with this in view1 he had already made a train of experiments with shades of different coloured glass at ,inchkeith ,light-house1 the result of which tended to shew that light passing through ,red-coloured shades1 alternating with periodic intervals of ,darkness1 and light of the ,natural appearance1 were the most effectual and suitable means for answering this purpose4 ,notwithstanding that his opinion on this subject was quite decided1 he was still desirous of seeing the effect produced by the light of ,flamborough-head1 on the coast of ,yorkshire1 which was the first erection of this description on the ,british coast1 and had1 indeed1 been only lately exhibited4 ,that his observations might therefore be the more certain and complete1 he embarked in the sloop ,smeaton1 on the #afth of this month1 reached the ,yorkshire coast on the #ahth1 and in the course of that night had the light in view1 at various distances1 both in clear and foggy weather1 which extended the range of his remarks4 ,sidenote3 ,experiences a sudden gale of wind4 ,in the course of this night1 the wind blew fresh from the ,s4,w41 and an immense number of large vessels1 chiefly in the ,coal-trade1 passed our small ship1 which obliged the crew to keep a sharp look-out1 to avoid the imminent danger of being run down1 especially after the weather became thick4 ,as our course lay close to ,flamborough-head1 we had several hairbreadth escapes2 for the vessel had no sooner put about to avoid the land1 than she was in danger of being run foul of by the passing vessels4 ,in this situation things remained from about #a o'clock on the morning of the #aith till #e1 when1 all of a sudden1 the wind shifted1 in the most surprising manner1 from ,w4,,sw4 to ,n4,w41 when the weather immediately clearing1 was succeeded by a heavy gale1 which forced our ship into ,burlington-,bay1 where she was safely anchored4 ,sidenote3 ,storm described4 ,sidenote3 ,great want of a ,public ,harbour on this coast4 ,as this was one of the most extraordinary tornadoes that the writer ever witnessed1 he will endeavour to give some account of it4 ,on the morning of the #ahth1 the day preceding the storm1 when off ,scarborough1 he had requested to be called early1 that he might see the coast1 and enjoy the sight of the rising sun4 ,the weather was then extremely fine1 but the sun had a most piercingly brilliant appearance as it came into view upon the horizon2 and he was assured by ,captain ,pool1 that the general aspect of the heavens indicated a change of weather for the worse4 ,in the course of the #ahth the sky became cloudy1 and the wind shifted from point to point1 but prevailed chiefly from the ,s4,w4 ,at midnight1 the weather was foggy1 and the wind blew so fresh that the second reef was taken into the ,smeaton's mainsail1 and her topmast was struck4 ,during the whole of the night1 a fleet of vessels passed to the northward with a fair wind3 these were understood to be colliers1 in ballast1 on their return voyage from ,london to ,sunderland and ,newcastle4 ,at #e ,a4 ,m41 however1 while the ,smeaton was lying-to1 and waiting for day light1 the wind shifted so suddenly to ,n4,w41 that it appeared to those below as if she had been upset1 or had run upon a rock4 ,in an instant all was bustle and confusion1 till the vessel was got before the wind4 ,the writer being in bed1 immediately sprung up1 and1 on inquiring into the matter1 the answer was1 8,it blows mere fire40 ,the man at the helm1 at the same time1 pointed out a vessel in a disabled state1 having been dismasted with the sudden change of the wind4 ,our small bark was fortunately in the opening of ,burlington ,bay1 where she got to an anchor about #f o'clock ,a4 ,m4 ,in the course of the day1 not fewer than #afj vessels took shelter in the same place1 many of them in a mutilated and dismantled state1 having1 to use a sea phrase1 had their sails 8split in ribbons20 and two were towed into the ,bay1 one of which1 a large brig1 already alluded to1 was totally dismasted4 ,such a scene1 arising from what may be termed a 8,summer's ,gale10 had rarely been seen on this coast4 ,three vessels were also driven ashore and wrecked in ,robin ,hood ,bay1 a few miles north of ,flamborough-head1 and several others1 as the writer afterwards learned1 had been stranded on various parts of the coast1 between ,yarmouth ,roads and the ,shetland ,islands4 ,the want of some place of refuge for the extensive shipping of this coast in disastrous circumstances like the present1 is very apparent4 ,had there been a harbour at ,bridlington of sufficient capacity for large ships1 perhaps not fewer than #ajj sail would have refitted there1 which were obliged to go to sea in a very crippled condition4 ,probably a ,northern ,ramsgate could not be better set down than here or somewhere upon the ,norfolk coast4 ,sidenote3 ,progress of the gale along the coast4 ,the writer is the more particular in noticing the anomalous state of the weather on this occasion1 because the progress of this gale seems to have been comparatively slow4 ,it appeared upon inquiry1 from the date of various shipwrecks1 to have visited ,shetland on the evening of the #agth1 ,peterhead on the #ahth1 and ,yarmouth at noon of that day4 ,now1 as the distance between ,sumburgh-head in ,shetland and ,yarmouth is about #dcj miles1 and if we allow #db hours1 as nearly as could be ascertained1 for the progress of the wind between these points1 it thus appears that the ,n4,w4 gale had not made its way against the ,s4,w4 wind1 at a greater rate than about #aj miles per hour1 though1 from a train of experiments made in the neighbourhood of ,leith1 by ,mr ,andrew ,waddell1 ,f4 ,r4 ,s4 ,e41 and obligingly communicated to the writer1 he has often observed the velocity of the wind to be about #fj miles per hour4 ,but here we cannot enough regret the want of an efficient ,anemometer1 or instrument for measuring the force of the wind4 ,indeed1 we hardly know any desideratum of more universal interest1 for1 notwithstanding the labours of ,lind and others on this subject1 from the want of a proper scale1 we are still groping in the dark with the use of such indefinite terms1 as 8,light airs1 inclining to calm10--8,fresh breezes10--8,fresh gales10--8,hard gales10--and 8,very hard gales20 for it rarely happens that the sailor will admit the term 8,storm0 into his nomenclature4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #beth4 ,sidenote3 ,mr ,b4 ,mills suggests distinguishing-lights with colours4 ,having landed at ,bridlington on the #bjth1 the writer had the pleasure of meeting with ,mr ,benjamin ,mills1 ,collector of the ,customs there1 and agent for ,flamborough-head ,light-house4 ,this gentleman accompanied the writer to the ,light-house1 about six miles distant4 ,he was also at pains to explain the mode in which he had originally proposed the erection of a ,distinguishing-light1 from oil1 with reflectors1 for this station2 as a ,coal-light1 formerly here1 had long since been actually extinguished1 on account of its being often mistaken for other lights on the coast4 ,mr ,mills1 observing the consequent disasters to shipping on these shores1 proposed to construct a ,revolving-light1 distinguishable by means of colours1 the machinery to be kept in motion by the agency of a neighbouring rill of water4 ,though the apparatus described to the writer seemed1 upon the whole1 not very applicable in practice1 yet it is believed that ,mr ,mills was the first who suggested the idea of a distinguishing light1 by means of coloured shades of glass4 ,some useful remarks having been made on the effects of ,flamborough-head light1 the writer sailed for the ,firth of ,forth1 and reached ,edinburgh on ,monday the #beth4 ,sidenote3 ,voyage to the ,northern ,lights4 ,soon afterwards1 he embarked at ,greenock in the ,light-house ,yacht1 on his annual voyage for the inspection of the ,northern ,light-houses1 proceeding down the ,clyde by the ,mull of ,kintyre1 through the sounds of the ,western ,islands to ,cape ,wrath and the ,orkneys1 and from thence1 along the eastern coast to the ,firth of ,forth1 which he reached in the beginning of ,november2 when he found the ,bell ,rock works about to be concluded4 ,sidenote3 #ahji1 ,november4 ,sidenote3 ,state of the works when concluded for the season4 ,the complement of artificers which had been employed at the ,rock1 and lodged in the ,beacon-house1 from the period of completing the building operations in the month of ,august1 till ,november1 was twenty-four1 who1 as before noticed1 were chiefly employed in fixing additional supports to the ,beacon1 and in extending and completing the ,railways leading to the western creek4 ,the works therefore1 were only continued during the period of spring-tides2 and in neap-tides the artificers returned to the work-yard4 ,the plate-iron-forge1 anvil1 and other weighty articles1 had been removed from the ,beacon1 and set up in a centrical position on the top of the building1 where the smiths had been for some time at work3 the rope-ladder of communication1 which had been found so useful this season1 was taken down1 and every thing arranged in the most compact and orderly manner for the winter4 ,in the course of these latter operations1 the ,tender had been twice obliged to slip her moorings1 and leave the artificers upon the ,beacon4 ,at one of these times1 she proceeded for ,leith ,roads1 when ,mr ,watt stated that very bad weather had been experienced on the ,beacon1 and that1 on several occasions1 considerable alarm was felt1 more particularly when the ,tender was driven off her station1 the artificers conceiving themselves in a more forlorn and helpless situation while she was out of view4 ,having made the necessary arrangements for the ,rock being visited during the winter months1 the writer left the works on the #hth ,november4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #bb;d4 ,sidenote3 ,the prop of the crane is demolished4 ,the ,tender sailed to-day at #b ,p4 ,m41 and next morning at #h1 ,mr ,watt and five artificers were landed from two boats1 and remained on the ,rock till #aa1 when they had great difficulty in returning to the vessel1 as the wind blew fresh from the ,n4,e4 ,the boats were no sooner hoisted on board1 than1 instead of sailing for ,arbroath1 the ,tender was obliged to steer for ,leith ,roads1 where she lay till the #bith3 she then again made sail for ,arbroath2 but1 from the severity of the weather1 was put past her port1 and went into ,montrose4 ,when the artificers landed1 at this time1 they found that the prop of the lower building-crane had been demolished during the late gales1 and that the stones were scattered about the ,rock in every direction1 having done considerable damage to the contiguous ,railways4 ,sidenote3 #ahji1 ,december4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #adth4 ,sidenote3 ,artificers again visit the ,rock4 ,a large buoy has drifted4 ,the ,tender sailed early in the morning of the #adth ,december for the ,rock1 having on board six artificers and twelve seamen1 with a supply of provisions for the ,floating-light4 ,the artificers landed in the evening1 and though the tide did not leave the ,railways1 every thing appeared to be in the same state as at their former visit4 ,two of the large stones which had formed the prop of the crane1 had been thrown forcibly against the ,beacon2 but it was impossible1 under the present circumstances1 to effect their removal4 ,the large buoy placed upon the spare moorings of the ,floating-light1 had drifted between the night of the #ith and the morning of the #ajth ,december1 the wind then blowing hard at ,s4,,sw42 and the two spar-beacons1 attached to small mushroom anchors1 used as a direction to the western creek1 had also been washed away during the same gale4 ,but1 on the whole1 no material damage had been sustained either at the ,rock or on board of the ,floating-light4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #hth4 ,sidenote3 ,artificers visit the ,rock4 ,floating-light has had bad weather4 ,at #c o'clock this morning1 the ,tender sailed for the ,rock1 and carried off a mushroom-anchor and chain1 which were laid down as spare-moorings for the ,floating-light1 to be in readiness in case of her accidentally drifting1 as the season would not admit of the old moorings being grappled for4 ,on landing the artificers1 they found every thing much in the same state as at their former visit1 excepting two additional lengths of the ,railways1 extending to about eight feet1 which had been broken by the loose stones of the prop of the crane4 ,the crew of the ,floating-light had also experienced some very bad weather1 and on several occasions the ship is represented as having laboured much4 ,in particular1 on the #aeth1 with the wind at ,s4,e41 when in the act of swinging round to the tide1 she was boarded by a heavy sea which unshipped the boats2 and found its way below1 in such quantity1 that it extinguished the fires1 and created considerable alarm2 but the vessel1 being strongly built1 and well found in all her materials1 sustained no damage4 ,having now gone through the journal of the ,bell ,rock operations for the year #ahji1 we shall proceed with a narrative of the works for the year #ahaj1 in the course of which the ,bell ,rock ,light-house was completed4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,progress ,,and ,,completion ,,of ,,the ,,works ,,in ,,the ,,year #ahaj4 ,sidenote3 #ahaj1 ,january4 ,the shipping establishment connected with the ,bell ,rock service during the winter of #ahji and #ahaj1 consisted only of the ,pharos ,floating-light and ,sir ,joseph ,banks ,tender2 the other vessels being laid up in ordinary4 ,the latter vessel was appointed to carry artificers to the ,rock at spring-tides1 for the inspection of the works1 and to repair any small damage that might occur at the ,beacon-house and ,railways4 ,she also supplied the ,floating-light with provisions and necessaries1 and changed the crew in their respective turns of leave on shore4 ,the landing-master1 ,captain ,wilson1 was the appointed commander of this vessel2 but as he and part of his crew were occupied constantly at the ,rock during the building-season1 they were occasionally relieved from the unpleasant duty of the ,pharos1 by such of the officers and seamen belonging to the other ships in the ,light-house service1 as were kept in pay during the winter months4 ,sidenote3 ,friday #eth4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,tender visits the ,floating-light and ,bell ,rock4 ,five artificers from the work-yard at ,arbroath were allotted for visiting the ,bell ,rock1 with ,mr ,francis ,watt1 the foreman mill-wright4 ,they accordingly sailed on one of their trips on the #eth of ,january at #ab noon2 but the ,tender did not reach the ,floating-light till next morning at #a o'clock4 ,the weather being moderate1 a supply of fuel1 water1 and provisions1 was immediately sent on board1 when ,captain ,taylor1 with ,mr ,william ,reid his mate1 and four seamen1 shifted to the ,tender1 and ,captain ,calder of the ,light-house ,yacht1 with ,john ,blackwood his mate1 and four seamen1 took their station in the ,floating-light4 ,the ,tender then stood towards the ,rock1 when the artificers landed with the boats at #i1 and remained till #ab noon1 and in the afternoon1 the vessel returned and got into the harbour of ,arbroath2 ,mr ,watt reporting that every thing was in good order4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday #bjth4 ,in the same manner1 and with similar success1 the ,floating-light and ,bell ,rock were visited on the #bjth of this month4 ,sidenote3 ,february4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #aath4 ,sidenote3 ,artificers cannot land on the ,rock4 ,the ,tender was in a state of readiness for the spring-tides1 on the #eth of ,february1 but the winds1 though westerly1 were so stormy1 that she could not go to sea4 ,the weather having moderated on the #aath1 though then the period of neap-tides1 she went off to change the crew of the ,floating-light1 and supply that ship with necessaries2 and afterwards stood towards the ,rock2 but as it did not appear above water1 a landing could not be effected1 though1 from the general aspect of things1 the ,beacon and ,building were concluded to be in good order1 and the vessel returned to ,arbroath on the afternoon of ,monday the #abth4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #bast4 ,sidenote3 ,still prevented from landing4 ,the ,tender sailed this morning at #e o'clock1 with a fine breeze at west1 having on board the usual complement of artificers1 a change of crew1 and a supply of provisions for the ,floating-light4 ,at #i she got off to the ,rock1 but the wind1 by this time1 blew so fresh1 that it was found impracticable to land2 every thing1 however1 about the ,building and ,beacon appeared to be in good order4 ,at #aa1 the ,tender stood towards the ,floating-light1 and1 after considerable difficulty1 the provisions were got on board1 and a transfer made of the crews2 when the ,tender sailed for ,arbroath1 and got into the harbour at #d ,p4 ,m41 having been only about eleven hours in making this trip4 ,sidenote3 #ahaj1 ,march4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #aath4 ,sidenote3 ,a landing is effected4 ,large stones drifted upon the ,rock4 ,at #d o'clock this morning1 the ,tender sailed for the ,rock with the wind at ,n4 by ,e41 when the artificers made a landing at half-past #aj1 and remained till #a ,a4 ,m41 having found every thing in good order1 excepting some parts of the ,railways1 which had received damage from the movement of a large drift-stone or traveller1 estimated to contain upwards of one ton of rock1 which was broken and removed1 to prevent its doing more damage4 ,the building1 as high as the daily rise of the tide1 was now covered with a strong growth of sea-weed4 ,on the course1 however1 immediately above the ,rock1 the fuci had been prevented from taking root from the chips of stone which continually washed about the building4 ,some holes in the ,rock1 near the ,beacon1 which1 in the year #ahjg1 had been filled with ruble-building1 a species of work rather unexpectedly found to withstand the force of the sea1 had in the late gales been shaken loose1 and laid open4--,in the course of the gales of the #beth1 #bfth1 and #bgth of ,march1 as is supposed1 two large drift-stones or travellers had done considerable injury to the ,railways4 ,it also appeared1 from certain marks upon the beams of the ,beacon1 at the height of about five feet above the ,rock1 that these stones1 containing from seven to ten cubic feet each1 or upwards of half a ton1 had actually been lifted by the sea and driven with force against the ,beacon4 ,in the course of these gales1 also1 the large cask-buoy1 used as the moorings of the ,tender1 had broken adrift4 ,during these gales1 the ,floating-light rolled very heavily1 and had shipped several great seas1 but nothing of any consequence happened in the way of damage to the vessel or her appurtenances4 ,sidenote3 ,beacon now rendered very secure4 ,as the finishing of the ,light-house1 in the course of next season1 depended wholly upon the stability of the ,beacon1 every possible attention was paid to its safety2 and it was most satisfactory to learn1 by ,mr ,watt's report1 that every thing about it continued in good order4 ,on almost every visit during the two former winters1 some of the bracing-chains were found in a broken state2 but since the months of ,september and ,october last1 when they were removed1 and replaced with thirty-six great bars of iron bolted to the principal beams1 as shown in ,plate ,,viii41 every thing had remained in a state of connected firmness4 ,sidenote3 ,progress of the works at ,arbroath4 ,the hewing or cutting of the several courses1 forming the void of the ,light-house1 was also in great forwardness in the work-yard at ,arbroath2 and by the latter end of the month of ,april1 the ,forty-fourth course1 forming part of the store-room1 shewn in the section of ,plate ,,xvi41 was laid on the platform1 and ready for shipping to the ,rock4 ,the burning and pounding of the ,aberthaw lime1 and the preparation of other materials1 were also going on4 ,sidenote3 #ahaj1 ,april4 ,sidenote3 ,landing on the ,rock precarious in ,winter4 ,the season1 though now advanced to the month of ,april1 was still boisterous4 ,the day1 however1 was getting long1 and the influence of the sun began to be felt in checking the frosts1 which often stopped both the quarrying operations and the stone-cutters4 ,the lengthening of the day1 as well as moderate weather1 was a great regulating circumstance in the ,bell ,rock works2 for1 during the winter months1 only one low-water tide occurred with day-light2 and1 indeed1 in the depth of winter1 there may be said to be no very favourable opportunity of landing on the ,rock1 as low-water at new and full moon happens here about #h o'clock1 which renders the chance of landing extremely uncertain and precarious4 ,sidenote3 ,retrospective view of the works4 ,mylnefield ,quarry4 ,previously to entering upon the operations of the season #ahaj1 it may be proper1 in this place1 to take a retrospective view of the various departments of the work4 ,the granite courses of the ,bell ,rock ,light-house having been completed1 for a considerable time1 it was only the sandstone quarries that were to be attended to4 ,as formerly noticed1 the stone of ,mylnefield1 like that of most quarries which lie in strata or alternate beds1 is liable to split and become useless1 from the effects of frost1 owing to the natural sap or moisture which they contain4 ,water1 being unlike other bodies which follow the general law of contracting in volume with a reduction of temperature1 is found1 on the contrary1 to encrease in bulk at the moment of congelation1 producing the most surprising effects in rending rocks1 even with an explosive force4 ,in sandstone quarries1 therefore1 the work is usually suspended during the months of ,december1 ,january1 ,february and ,march1 when the frost happens to be intense1 as was the case in the winter of #ahji-ahaj1 when the thermometer occasionally fell so low as the #agth degree of ,fahrenheit4 ,notwithstanding every precaution in the work-yard at ,arbroath1 by covering the quarried materials with straw and brushwood1 many excellent and valuable stones were lost by the intenseness of the frost4 ,such1 however1 was the desire of getting early forward with the work1 in order to insure the completion of the building operations in the favourable part of the season1 that the writer took the earliest measures for getting an additional supply of stones from ,mylnefield2 and1 by the beginning of the month of ,april1 the ,smeaton and ,patriot1 together with the hired sloop ,alexander1 were loaded and sent to ,arbroath4 ,sidenote3 ,craigleith ,quarry4 ,from this description of the nature of the stone of ,mylnefield1 it became necessary1 for the furtherance of the upper parts of the ,light-house during the winter months1 that they should be prepared of stone which would admit of being worked without much risk of injury during frosty weather4 ,for the cornice of the building1 and the parapet of the light-room1 the writer1 therefore1 made choice of the ,liver-rock of the ,craigleith ,quarry1 well known for its durability and beauty1 and for its property of not being liable to be affected by frost4 ,by this means also1 the iron-work or frame of the ,light-room might be fitted to the masonry on the spot where it was to be prepared1 which would thereby lessen the actual work upon the ,rock4 ,another advantage attending this arrangement1 was the opportunity it afforded of making practical trial of the ,balance-crane1 with which the masonry of the ensuing season was to be built1 as it had been found necessary to make several alterations on its construction4 ,sidenote3 ,state of the ,works at ,edinburgh4 ,the use of a piece of vacant ground was accordingly got at ,greenside1 contiguous to the author's house1 in ,edinburgh1 where a number of masons were employed1 at the sight of ,mr ,peter ,logan1 foreman builder4 ,a very considerable difficulty was1 however1 experienced in procuring so many principal stones of the liver-rock1 of the description and dimensions necessary for the cornice and balcony2 the stones of which also formed the ,light-room floor in one length1 as will be understood by examining ,plates ,,xiii4 and ,,xvi4 ,but1 as these works commenced at ,edinburgh in the latter end of ,october #ahji1 they were completed early in the month of ,march #ahaj1 and the whole of this critical and difficult part of the building was then ready for shipping to the ,bell ,rock4 ,the several compartments of the ,light-room were now also in progress4 ,the sheets of silver-plated copper for the reflectors having been ordered from ,messrs ,boulton and ,watt1--the glass from the ,british ,plate-,glass ,company1--the cast-iron sash-frames from ,mr ,john ,patterson of the ,edinburgh ,foundery1--while the construction of the reflectors and reflecting-apparatus1 together with the framing of the whole ,light-room and its appurtenances1 were executed under the immediate directions of ,mr ,thomas ,smith1 the writer's predecessor1 who had now retired from the more active duties of engineer to the ,light-house ,board4 ,sidenote3 ,practical conclusions about the period of completing the ,works1 and mode of distinguishing the ,light4 ,having1 in the course of the two last seasons1 landed and built upwards of #adjj tons of stone upon the ,bell ,rock1 while the work was low in the water1 and before the ,beacon was habitable1 and finding that it did not now require more than about #gjj tons to complete the masonry1 the writer concluded1 that1 barring accidents of a very untoward nature1 there was every prospect of the ,light-house being finished in the course of the ensuing season4 ,a question1 of much importance1 however1 still remained in some measure undetermined1 regarding the characteristic description of the light most suitable for the ,bell ,rock1 so as to render it easily distinguishable from all others upon the coast4 ,there being ,stationary-lights already in the ,firth of ,forth2 this mode could not be adopted for the ,bell ,rock4 ,revolving-lights had also lately been erected upon the ,fearn ,islands1 the most contiguous ,light-house-station to the southward1 as will be seen from the ,general ,chart of the coast in ,plate ,,iii4 ,considering1 therefore1 the liability of the mariner to mistake the appearance of lights in stormy weather1 or from an error in his course in returning from a distant voyage1 it was of the last importance that the ,bell ,rock ,light-house should be easily distinguishable4 ,the most suitable means for accomplishing this seemed to be by the exhibition of different colours from the same ,light-room4 ,the only colour which had yet been found to answer1 was produced by interposing shades of red glass before the reflectors4 ,but this was the colour used for distinguishing the ,light of ,flamborough-head1 on the ,yorkshire coast1 and1 though about #afi miles to the southward1 it would still have been desirable to have avoided the same colour4 ,a train of experiments was therefore made from ,inchkeith ,light-house1 with plates of glass1 coloured red1 green1 orange1 yellow1 blue1 and purple1 procured from ,birmingham and ,london4 ,these were fitted to the reflectors at ,inchkeith1 within view of the writer's windows in ,edinburgh4 ,the ,tender was likewise appointed to cruise1 that more distant observations might be made1 for ascertaining the effect of these coloured shades4 ,but after the most full and satisfactory trials1 the red colour was found to be the only one applicable to this purpose4 ,in tolerably clear weather1 the light of one reflector tinged red1 alternating with a light of the natural appearance1 with intervals of darkness1 was easily distinguishable at the distance of eight or nine miles2 while the other colours rendered the light opaque1 being hardly distinguishable to the naked eye at more than two or three miles4 ,after various trials and observations made in this manner1 both on land and at sea1 the writer at length resolved on recommending the use of red1 as the only colour suitable for this purpose2 and1 in order to vary the light as much as possible from that of ,flamborough-head1 a square ,reflector-frame was adopted at the ,bell ,rock1 with two of its faces or sides having red coloured shades1 and the other two exhibiting lights of the natural appearance4 ,at ,flamborough-head1 the ,reflector-frame is triangular1 and on one side it is furnished with red coloured shades1 while the other two sides exhibit lights of the natural appearance4 ,the design at the ,bell ,rock1 on the contrary1 was to exhibit a light tinged red1 alternating with one of the natural appearance2 and1 upon this principle1 the apparatus was put in a state of preparation4 ,sidenote3 #ahaj1 ,march4 ,sidenote3 ,state of the ,works at ,arbroath4 ,in the work-yard at ,arbroath things were going forward very prosperously1 at the sight of ,mr ,david ,logan1 clerk of works4 ,the hewing or preparation of the stones for the ,light-house was now advanced to within about eight courses of the cornice1 which1 with the parapet1 as already observed1 was all set up at ,edinburgh1 and ready for being shipped when wanted at the ,rock4 ,a kiln of the ,aberthaw limestone having already been calcined1 was partly reduced to the state of powder1 and put up into casks1 as formerly4 ,the operation of pounding the lime was very tedious and unpleasant1 being performed by labourers upon a stone-bench in the lime-house1 where it was reduced chiefly by means of friction1 between the bench and stones1 managed by hand4 ,due proportions of pozzolano-earth and clean sharp sand were made up in casks1 and the oaken trenails and wedges in bundles2 but the supply wanted of these materials was1 in future1 to be comparatively trifling4 ,the building being now considerably above the rise of the tide1 the use of mortar was less1 while the system of trenailing and wedging was to be discontinued1 after the building had reached the top of the stone staircase1 or to the height of #ac feet above the solid4 ,the several implements connected with the building operations being also laid to hand1 nothing was now required but good weather and favourable tides1 to proceed with the works at the ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,gangway or ,bridge for the ,rock4 ,sidenote3 #ahaj1 ,april4 ,among the preparations at ,arbroath for the furtherance of the work at the ,bell ,rock1 was the construction of a gangway or bridge of timber between the ,beacon and the ,building1 instead of the ,rope-ladder employed with so much effect last season1 as will be understood by examining the second and third years' work1 represented in ,plate ,,ix4 ,this more stable and commodious way of communicating with the works1 was also to be useful as a stage for raising the building materials1 instead of the lower crane1 the stool or prop of which had become too low1 and1 as before noticed1 had been washed away by the sea in the course of last month4 ,this bridge consisted of two principal beams of ,memel timber1 measuring #dd feet in length1 #f inches in thickness1 and #ac inches in depth4 ,at one end these beams were to abut against the principal beams of the ,beacon1 and to be strongly bolted to them2 at the opposite end1 one was to be rested on the sole or instep of the door1 while the other was to be let #f inches into a hole cut into the upper granite course of the ,light-house4 ,they were placed #g feet apart1 and formed a roadway of #f feet in breadth between the rails1 which was strongly bound in a lateral direction with cross framing mortised into the principal beams1 and otherwise fixed with screw-bolts4 ,the bridge was further to be supported by four diagonal spur-beams1 which met in pairs on each side1 at the middle of the roadway1 and there formed king-posts1 to steady and support it4 ,a crab or winch-machine was to be placed upon it1 for raising the stones at once from the rock to the level of the top of the solid part of the building4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #ahth4 ,sidenote3 ,operations commence for the season4 ,wooden ,bridge is erected4 ,after making the experiments relative to the distinguishing of the light1 the ,tender sailed from ,leith ,roads on the morning of ,tuesday1 the #c;d of ,april1 and got into ,arbroath on the #fth1 where she lay4 ,being fitted out for the ,rock1 with a sufficient stock of water and provisions1 and having also on board the beams and apparatus for the wooden bridge1 she sailed at #a o'clock this morning1 with eleven masons1 three joiners1 and two blacksmiths1 together with ,mr ,francis ,watt1 foreman1 in all seventeen artificers1 who were to be employed during the ensuing spring-tides1 in erecting the bridge between the ,beacon and ,building4 ,at #c ,p4 ,m4 she was made fast to the new moorings1 which had been laid down for her in lieu of those which had drifted on the #bfth of ,march2 but the weather was then so boisterous1 that no landing could be made on the ,rock till the following morning1 at #f o'clock1 when they commenced the operations of the season by laying the deals of the mortar-gallery1 or lowest floor of the ,beacon4 ,although the weather continued to be extremely boisterous till the #bc;d1 the ,tender's marine barometer oscillating between #bi4je and #bi4fj1 yet the wind being westerly1 the artificers were enabled to pursue their operations by landing daily2 for1 upon this occasion1 the ,beacon was not taken possession of1 and they returned at night to the ,tender4 ,on the #bdth the weather became very fine2 the barometer remaining for several days at about #cj4aj4 ,the work now proceeded with so much alacrity and dispatch1 that by the #bhth the fixing of the bridge was completed1 and the ,tender returned with all hands to ,arbroath4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #bc;d4 ,sidenote3 ,charles ,gray gets one of his fingers severely bruised4 ,while the ,tender waited the operations of the artificers at the ,rock1 the ,smeaton made two trips to it1 and laid down six sets of moorings with their floating-buoys1 so that every thing was now in a state of readiness for the commencement of the works4 ,when unloading these moorings1 ,charles ,gray1 a seaman1 unfortunately got one of his fingers so bruised between the hatchway of the ship and a mushroom-anchor1 that it was found necessary to amputate part of it4 ,sidenote3 #ahaj1 ,may4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #ast4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,writer proceeds for the ,rock1 to begin building for the season4 ,the ,smeaton having come to ,leith for the ,balance-crane1 the writer sailed this afternoon with her for the ,bell ,rock1 to commence the building operations for the season4 ,the weather1 for the last eight days1 had been extremely stormy1 and1 though still unfavourable1 yet1 being moderate1 hopes were entertained that she would soon make her way down the ,firth of ,forth4 ,after beating to windward for a day and a night1 however1 she was obliged to bear away for ,burntisland ,roads1 where he left the vessel1 to pursue his journey by land to ,arbroath1 accompanied by ,mr ,james ,dove1 foreman-smith1 to whom particularly the change in the mode of travelling was a great relief1 as1 notwithstanding his having had considerable practice at sea1 he was still a great martyr to sickness1 and even felt a dislike for every thing connected with a ship1 which was strongly marked by the following trifling occurrence4 ,on leaving the ,smeaton1 ,captain ,pool1 presenting the bread-basket to ,mr ,dove1 observed1 that1 although he could not eat on board1 he might perhaps be thankful of a biscuit when he got on shore2 on which ,mr ,dove gravely replied1 that 8it would be long to the day before he would be thankful for a sea-biscuit40 ,the object of his journey at this time was to fit up the ,balance-crane on the top of the building1 and to superintend its operation for a time on the ,rock4 ,this useful implement had been constructed in the course of last season1 but was not then found to be in a sufficiently serviceable state4 ,it was accordingly new-modelled1 and1 though an opportunity had been afforded of making trial of it at ,edinburgh1 in raising the weighty stones of the cornice and balcony of the ,light-house1 yet the writer wished ,mr ,dove also to fit it at the ,bell ,rock4 ,they reached ,arbroath on the evening of the #c;d4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #eth4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,tender is ready for sea4 ,the ,smeaton arrived at ,arbroath to-day with the ,balance-crane1 which was immediately put on board of the ,tender1 now ready to proceed for the ,rock with the first good weather4 ,the ,smeaton then took on board the stone ballast1 and platform1 laid in her hold for the greater conveniency of stowing and discharging the prepared stones of the building4 ,the wind had now changed to the ,s4,w41 and hopes were entertained of a return of good weather4 ,but this being the period of neap-tides1 and considering that it might be three or four months before some of the artificers again returned to the shore1 as the ,beacon was now habitable1 it was intimated to them on ,saturday1 that the ,tender would not sail till ,monday4 ,they accordingly attended church to-day1 with their wonted decency of deportment4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #gth4 ,sidenote3 ,writer sails with the ,artificers for the ,rock4 ,the artificers having been warned to take their quarters on board of the ,tender last night1 the writer sailed this morning from ,arbroath at half-past #b1 accompanied by ,mr ,peter ,logan1 foreman builder1 ,mr ,francis ,watt1 foreman mill-wright1 and ,mr ,james ,dove1 foreman smith1 together with sixteen artificers1 and the regular crew of the vessel1 in all counting thirty-two persons2 but the ,tender having the ,hedderwick praam-boat in tow1 went slowly off4 ,at #ab noon the ,floating-light was hailed1 when ,captain ,wilson1 the landing-master1 came on board1 to take his station for the season1 and at #a ,p4 ,m4 the ,tender was made fast to her moorings at the ,bell ,rock4 ,the praam-boat was immediately hauled alongside1 and the apparatus of the ,balance-crane laid upon her deck1 when she was towed to her moorings1 there being too much sea at this time1 for attempting to land upon the ,rock4 ,as the barometer stood at #cj4jd1 hopes were entertained that the weather would soon improve4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #hth4 ,sidenote3 ,landing impracticable4 ,the wind was at east to-day1 and the sea still broke so heavily upon the ,rock1 that no landing could be made4 ,at high-water1 the spray was observed to fly considerably above the building1 perhaps not less than #bj feet1 in all about #ej feet above the ,rock1 while the seas were raging and breaking among the beams of the ,beacon with much violence4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #ith4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,praam-boats ride easily4 ,the same boisterous state of the weather still continued1 and the sea-swell was nothing abated to-day1 so that no landing could yet be made upon the ,rock4 ,the landing-master1 however1 went in a boat1 and examined the ,praam-boat at her moorings1 where every thing was found in good order4 ,it is here worthy of remark1 that while the ,tender and ,floating-light rolled much1 and occasionally shipped pretty heavy seas1 the praam1 with a cargo of about three tons on board1 was perfectly dry upon deck1 and to use the seamen's expression1 8rode as easily as an old shoe40 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #ajth4 ,sidenote3 ,state of the ,building4 ,the wind had shifted to-day to ,w4,,nw41 when the writer1 with considerable difficulty1 was enabled to land upon the ,rock1 for the first time this season1 at #aj ,a4 ,m4 ,upon examining the state of the ,building1 and ,apparatus in general1 he had the satisfaction to find every thing in good order4 ,the mortar in all the joints was perfectly entire4 ,the building1 now #cj feet in height1 was thickly coated with fuci to the height of about #ae feet1 calculating from the ,rock3 on the eastern side1 indeed1 the growth of sea-weed was observable to the full height of #cj feet1 and even on the top or upper bed of the last laid course1 especially towards the eastern side1 it had germinated1 so as to render walking upon it somewhat difficult4 ,the smith's forge1 which had been removed from the mortar-gallery to the top of the ,building1 in the month of ,september last1 to give more accommodation to the works of the joiners1 was left there for the season1--the bellows excepted1 which were kept under cover in the ,beacon throughout the winter2 and1 it is not a little remarkable1 that1 although the sea had risen to a considerable height1 and fallen in great quantities upon the top of the building2 yet such was the centrical position of the forge1 that it remained quite entire3 even the spar of timber1 and the small cords which had been stretched for steadying it1 and forming an awning of about #h feet in diameter1 for sheltering the smith1 were also still in their places4 ,this was a proof that no very heavy seas had broken so high as the top of the solid1 otherwise the forge and the apparatus for supporting the awning1 must have long since been swept away by the breach of the sea4 ,sidenote3 ,state of the ,beacon4 ,the ,beacon-house was in a perfectly sound state1 and apparently just as it had been left in the month of ,november4 ,but the tides being neap1 the lower parts1 particularly where the beams rested on the ,rock1 could not now be seen4 ,the great iron-bars1 however1 which measure #c inches square1 and from #g to #i feet in length1 stretching between the principal beams1 in place of the bracing chains1 which were found constantly liable to break and unscrew1 were in view1 and in good order4 ,the whole frame of this fabric was now in a firm and secure state4 ,the floor of the mortar-gallery having been already laid down by ,mr ,watt and his men on a former visit1 was merely soaked with the sprays2 but the joisting-beams which supported it had1 in the course of the winter1 been covered with a fine downy conferva1 produced by the range of the sea4 ,they were also a good deal whitened with the mute of the cormorant and other sea-fowls1 which had roosted upon the ,beacon in winter4 ,upon ascending to the apartments1 it was found that the motion of the sea had thrown open the door of the cook-house3 this was only shut with a simple latch1 that1 in case of shipwreck at the ,bell ,rock1 the mariner might find ready access to the shelter of this forlorn habitation1 where a supply of provisions was kept2 and being within two miles and a half of the ,floating-light1 a signal could readily be observed1 when a boat might be sent to his relief as soon as the weather permitted4 ,an arrangement for this purpose formed one of the ,instructions on board of the ,floating-light1 but happily no instance occurred for putting it in practice4 ,the hearth or fire-place of the cook-house was built of brick1 in as secure a manner as possible1 to prevent accident from fire2 but some of the plaster work had shaken loose1 from its damp state1 and the tremulous motion of the ,beacon in stormy weather4 ,the writer next ascended to the floor which was occupied by the cabins of himself1 and his assistants1 which were in tolerably good order1 having only a damp and musty smell4 ,the barrack for the artificers over all1 was next visited3 it had now a very dreary and deserted appearance1 when its former thronged state was recollected4 ,in some parts1 the water had come through the boarding1 and had discoloured the lining of green cloth1 but it was1 nevertheless1 in a good habitable condition4 ,while the seamen were employed in landing a stock of provisions1 a few of the artificers set to work1 with great eagerness1 to sweep and clean the several apartments4 ,the exterior of the ,beacon was1 in the mean time1 examined1 and found in perfect order4 ,the painting1 though it had a somewhat blanched appearance1 adhered firmly both on the sides and roof1 and only two or three panes of glass were broken in the cupola1 which had either been blown out by the force of the wind1 or perhaps broken by sea-fowl4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #ajth4 ,sidenote3 ,state of the ,timber ,bridge4 ,having1 on this occasion1 continued upon the building and beacon a considerable time1 after the tide had begun to flow1 the artificers were occupied in removing the forge from the top of the building1 to which the gangway or wooden bridge gave great facility2 and1 although it stretched or had a span of #db feet1 its construction was extremely simple1 while the roadway was perfectly firm and steady4 ,in returning from this visit to the ,rock1 every one was pretty well soused in spray1 before reaching the ,tender at #b o'clock ,p4 ,m41 where things awaited the landing party in as comfortable a way as such a situation would admit4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #aath4 ,sidenote3 ,balance-crane landed4 ,position of the ,entrance-door4 ,the wind was still easterly1 accompanied with rather a heavy swell of sea1 for the operations in hand4 ,a landing was1 however1 made this morning1 when the artificers were immediately employed in scraping the sea-weed off the upper course of the building1 in order to apply the moulds of the first course of the staircase1 that the joggle-holes might be marked off in the upper course of the solid1 which1 as formerly1 had not been done to the finishing course of the season4 ,this was also necessary previously to the writer's fixing the position of the entrance-door1 which was regulated chiefly by the appearance of the growth of the sea-weed on the building1 indicating the direction of the heaviest seas1 on the opposite side of which the door was placed4 ,the landing-master's crew succeeded in towing into the creek on the western side of the ,rock1 the praam-boat1 with the balance-crane1 which had now been on board of the praam for five days4 ,the several pieces of this machine having been conveyed along the ,railways upon the waggons1 to a position immediately under the bridge1 were elevated to its level1 or thirty feet above the ,rock1 in the following manner4 ,a chain-tackle was suspended over a pulley from the cross-beam1 connecting the tops of the king-posts of the bridge1 which was worked by a winch-machine1 with wheel1 pinion and barrel1 round which last the chain was wound4 ,this apparatus was placed on the ,beacon-side of the bridge1 at the distance of about twelve feet from the cross beam and pulley in the middle of the bridge4 ,immediately under the cross-beam a hatch was formed in the roadway of the bridge1 measuring #g feet in length and #e feet in breadth1 made to shut with folding boards like a double-door1 through which stones and other articles were raised2 the folding-doors were then let down1 and the stone or load was gently lowered upon a waggon which was wheeled on railway tracks towards the ,light-house4 ,in this manner1 the several castings of the balance-crane were got up to the top of the solid of the building4 ,sidenote3 ,artificers take possession of the ,beacon4 ,the several apartments of the ,beacon-house having been cleaned out and supplied with bedding1 a sufficient stock of provisions was put into the store1 when ,peter ,fortune1 formerly noticed1 lighted his fire in the ,beacon1 for the first time this season4 ,sixteen artificers1 at the same time1 mounted to their barrack-room1 and the foremen of the works also took possession of their cabin1 all heartily rejoiced at getting rid of the trouble of boating1 and the sickly motion of the ,tender4 ,the boats had landed on the ,rock this morning at #i1 and the writer left it again with the landing-master and his crew at #c ,p4 ,m41 and went on board of the ,tender for the night1 after having seen some progress made in setting up the balance-crane4 ,sidenote3 ,smeaton arrives with the first cargo4 ,the ,smeaton having been loaded at ,arbroath with the first cargo of stones1 consisting of thirty-eight blocks of the ,twenty-seventh course1 got to her moorings at the ,bell ,rock this morning1 and was made fast1 though not without considerable difficulty4 ,but1 nothing could be done towards delivering her until the balance-crane was got into a working state4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #abth4 ,sidenote3 ,no communication with the ,rock4 ,the wind was at ,e4,,ne41 blowing so fresh1 and accompanied with so much sea1 that no stones could be landed to-day4 ,the people on the ,rock1 however1 were busily employed in screwing together the balance-crane1 cutting out the joggle-holes in the upper course1 and preparing all things for commencing the building operations4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #acth4 ,sidenote3 ,balance-crane ready for use4 ,the weather still continues boisterous1 although the barometer has all the while stood at about #cj inches4 ,towards evening1 the wind blew so fresh at ,e4 by ,s41 that the boats both of the ,smeaton and ,tender were obliged to be hoisted in1 and it was feared that the ,smeaton would have to slip her moorings4 ,the people on the ,rock were seen busily employed1 and had the balance-crane apparently ready for use1 but no communication could be had with them to-day4 ,sidenote3 ,theory of the land and sea breeze exemplified4 ,the wind had now prevailed long from the eastward1 and it was remarked on board of the ,tender1 that1 in moderate weather1 it generally inclined from the northward in the mornings1 and from the eastward and southward1 as the sun advanced to the meridian2 in this respect1 resembling the land and sea breezes1 familiar to those acquainted with tropical climates4 ,this phenomenon is accounted for1 by considering the state of the inland country1 where the ,grampian-hills lie about #bj miles northward from the coast1 thickly covered with snow4 ,the winds1 therefore1 in the early part of the day1 generally came from these colder regions1 towards the milder and somewhat more rare atmosphere of the sea4 ,but in the after part of the day1 the heat of the sun1 acting more powerfully upon the arable lands and objects in the fore-ground of this mountainous range1 rarified the air more highly upon the shores than on the sea1 which produced a tendency in the winds to blow towards the land4 ,extending this view of the subject to the great tracts of snow-covered mountains1 in the north-eastern districts of ,europe1 it is natural to suppose that the current of the winds will be from these colder regions towards the expanse of the ,atlantic ,ocean4 ,hence the prevailing winds in the spring of the year are from the eastward1 in their passage across ,great ,britain to the ,atlantic4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #adth4 ,sidenote3 ,smeaton slips her moorings4 ,the wind continued to blow so fresh1 and the ,smeaton rode so heavily with her cargo1 that at noon a signal was made for her getting under way1 when she stood towards ,arbroath2 and1 on board of the ,tender1 we are still without any communication with the people on the ,rock2 where the sea was seen breaking over the top of the building in great sprays1 and ranging with much agitation among the beams of the ,beacon4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday #aeth4 ,sidenote3 ,returns to the ,rock4 ,the ,smeaton did not go into ,arbroath last night1 as the appearance of a northerly or land breeze induced the active spirit of ,captain ,pool to stand off again for the ,bell ,rock2 but he had no sooner reached his moorings at #e o'clock this morning1 than the wind again shifted to the ,s4,e41 and he could not get hold of the ring of the ,floating-buoy of his moorings1 and was1 therefore1 obliged to return again towards ,arbroath4 ,there was still no communication between the ,tender and the ,rock1 as the sea continued to run very heavily upon it4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #afth4 ,sidenote3 ,is driven to ,leith ,roads4 ,the wind had shifted to the ,n4,e4 this morning1 and hopes were entertained that it might take a more northerly direction1 but it continued without change1 and for two or three days past the ,barometer had been falling1 and was now at #bi4ej4 ,it was1 therefore1 still impossible to land upon the ,rock4 ,the appearance of the weather brought the ,smeaton out of the harbour1 ,captain ,pool having become very impatient to get his first cargo landed2 but1 on his arrival1 instead of being able to make fast to his moorings1 the writer found it necessary to direct him to proceed for ,leith ,roads1 as the proper place for the vessel in the present state of the weather4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday #agth4 ,sidenote3 ,patriot sent to the quarry for the last cargo of stones4 ,sidenote3 ,people at the ,rock experience boisterous weather4 ,the ,smeaton had no sooner reached the ,firth last night1 and anchored in ,leith ,roads1 than the wind came round to the north1 and ,pool1 without delay1 once more weighed anchor and sailed for the ,bell ,rock1 which he reached this morning4 ,the ,patriot1 at the same time1 came off from ,arbroath with water1 fuel1 and provisions for the supply of the ,floating-light1 the ,tender1 and ,beacon-house1 and after discharging these1 she proceeded for ,mylnefield ,quarry1 for the last cargo of stones wanted for the ,bell ,rock ,light-house4 ,on this trip the writer had great pleasure in dispatching her1 as this state of things greatly narrowed the operations4 ,the wind1 in the course of the day1 had shifted from north to west2 the sea being also considerably less1 a boat landed on the ,rock at #f ,p4 ,m41 for the first time since the #aath1 with the provisions and water brought off by the ,patriot4 ,the inhabitants of the ,beacon were all well1 but tired above measure for want of employment1 as the balance-crane and apparatus was all in readiness4 ,under these circumstances1 they felt no less desirous of the return of good weather than those afloat1 who were continually tossed with the agitation of the sea4 ,the writer1 in particular1 felt himself almost as much fatigued and worn out as he had been at any period since the commencement of the work4 ,the very backward state of the weather at so advanced a period of the season1 unavoidably created some alarm1 lest he should be overtaken with bad weather1 at a late period of the season1 with the building operations in an unfinished state4 ,these apprehensions were1 no doubt1 rather increased by the inconveniences of his situation afloat1 as the ,tender rolled and pitched excessively at times4 ,this being also his first off-set for the season1 every bone of his body felt sore1 with preserving a sitting posture1 while he endeavoured to pass away the time in reading2 as for writing it was wholly impracticable4 ,he had several times entertained thoughts of leaving the station for a few days1 and going into ,arbroath with the ,tender till the weather should improve2 but1 as the artificers had been landed on the ,rock1 he was averse to this at the commencement of the season1 knowing also that he would be equally uneasy in every situation1 till the first cargo was landed2 and he1 therefore1 resolved to continue at his post until this should be effected4 ,sidenote3 ,state of lower parts of the ,beacon4 ,effects of marine vermes4 ,at low-water to-day1 an opportunity was afforded of examining the lower parts of the ,beacon-house4 ,the kneed ,bats1 or great iron stanchions1 employed for fixing the principal beams to the ,rock1 which will be seen by examining ,plate ,,viii41 were found in good order1 without the least appearance of movement or decay4 ,the same observation is also applicable to the exterior of the principal beams of the ,beacon1 wherever the charring of the timber and successive coats of boiling pitch had been applied2 but at the foot or sole of the respective beams1 where they rested upon a site cut for them upon the rock1 where the pitch could not be applied1 the niscus or vermis so destructive to timber exposed to the wash of the sea1 had made a considerable impression1 and the beams were found to be hollowed out4 ,in several instances1 they even stood clear of the ,rock1 depending only upon the stanchions and bolts for their support4 ,the circumstance of these vermes attacking the sole of the beams1 had not been anticipated1 otherwise preventive means might have been adopted1 by sheathing them with copper1 especially where they rested on the ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #ahth4 ,sidenote3 #bc blocks of stone landed and raised with the new tackle4 ,the company of artificers1 lodged on the ,beacon1 having been increased from sixteen to twenty-two1 their time hang very heavily on their hands1 till the stones were landed on the ,rock4 ,the wind being now ,n4,w41 the sea was considerably run down1 and this morning at #e o'clock1 the landing-master's crew1 thirteen in number1 left the ,tender2 and having now no detention with the landing of artificers1 they proceeded to unmoor the ,hedderwick ,praam-boat1 and towed her alongside of the ,smeaton2 and in the course of the day1 twenty-three blocks of stone1 three casks of pozzolano1 three of sand1 three of lime1 and one of ,roman cement1 together with three bundles of trenails1 and three of wedges1 were all landed on the ,rock and raised to the top of the building1 by means of the tackle suspended from the cross-beam on the middle of the bridge4 ,the stones were then moved along the bridge on the waggon to the building1 within reach of the balance-crane1 with which they were laid in their respective places on the building4 ,the masons immediately thereafter proceeded to bore the trenail holes into the course below1 and otherwise to complete the one in hand4 ,when the first stone was to be suspended by the balance-crane1 the bell on the ,beacon was rung1 and all the artificers and seamen were collected on the building4 ,three hearty cheers were given while it was lowered into its place1 and the steward served round a glass of rum1 when success was drank to the further progress of the building4 ,sidenote3 ,one of the stones in danger from the breaking of a bolt4 ,having thus had the satisfaction of finding that the bridge and its apparatus answered every purpose for raising the materials2 that the balance-crane was no less suitable for building the stones1 which1 from their dove-tailed form1 as before noticed1 required that they should be slipped or laid perpendicularly into their sites2 and the artificers being now comfortably lodged in the ,beacon-house1 there hardly remained a doubt that the ,bell ,rock ,light-house would be completed in the course of the current year4 ,it often happens1 however1 that accidents occur on the first trial of machinery2 and1 accordingly1 in shifting the wheel and pinion work of the winch-machine upon the bridge1 from the single to the double-purchase1 in order to raise a pretty heavy stone1 the bolt of the bush gave way1 just as the stone had attained its full height1 and was about to be lowered on the bridge-waggon1 to be moved within the sphere of the balance-crane4 ,the fall of the stone1 though only from a height of #h or #i inches1 communicated a sudden shock throughout the ,beacon-house1 and produced an alarm among the workmen for the moment4 ,had this accident occurred before the waggon was wheeled under the stone1 in all probability it would have killed some of those who were at work below upon the ,rock2 besides breaking the stone and the railway1 which must have stopped the work for a considerable time1 until another stone could have been prepared and sent from the work-yard at ,arbroath4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #aith4 ,sidenote3 #ae stones landed4 ,the ,smeaton having been completely discharged last night1 sailed at #aj ,p4 ,m4 for ,arbroath1 to load a second cargo for the ,bell ,rock4 ,the ,patriot had towed off the ,dickie ,praam-boat to-day1 being of a somewhat smaller size1 and more handy than the ,fernie1 which now lay in ordinary1 at ,arbroath1 in case of accident to the ,hedderwick or ,dickie4 ,the wind1 however1 being rather unsteady1 it was feared that no materials would have been landed2 but ,captain ,wilson1 with his usual dexterity and skill1 succeeded in transporting fifteen stones1 which were raised to the top of the building1 by means of the tackle on the bridge1 and built by the balance-crane with wonderful facility4 ,sidenote3 ,smeaton makes rapid trips4 ,this morning at #a o'clock1 the ,smeaton got into ,arbroath1 when ,mr ,kennedy1 engineer's clerk1 had the artificers immediately called1 who loaded her with the ,twenty-eighth course of the building1 consisting of thirty-three pieces of stone1 besides six casks of pozzolano1 six casks of lime1 six casks of sand1 four bundles of trenails1 four bundles of wedges1 and eight stone joggles1 together with four logs of timber1 one ,railway-waggon1 and a supply of water1 beer1 fuel and provisions for the ,beacon-house4 ,at #b ,p4 ,m4 she sailed again for the ,bell ,rock1 and reached it at #e1 to the surprise of every one1 ,captain ,pool being no less active in his trips than ,mr ,kennedy was zealous in the dispatch given at the work-yard4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #bjth4 ,sidenote3 ,prayers first read on the ,light-house4 ,the wind was southerly to-day1 but there was much less sea than yesterday1 and the landing-master's crew were enabled to discharge and land twenty-three pieces of stone1 and other articles for the work4 ,the artificers had completed the laying of the ,twenty-seventh or ,first course of the staircase this morning1 and in the evening1 they finished the boring1 trenailing1 wedging1 and grouting with it mortar4 ,at #ab o'clock noon1 the ,beacon-house bell was rung1 and all hands were collected on the top of the building1 where prayers were read1 for the first time1 on the ,light-house1 which forcibly struck every one1 and had1 upon the whole1 a very impressive effect4 ,the artificers then went to their barrack to dinner1 and the landing-master's crew went off to the ,tender4 ,in the afternoon1 the remainder of the ,smeaton's cargo was discharged1 and she sailed for ,arbroath at #aa ,p4 ,m4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #bast4 ,sidenote3 ,active exertions of the landing-master's crew4 ,the ,patriot had arrived at ,arbroath with the last cargo of stones from ,mylnefield ,quarry for the ,light-house1 on the #aith1 and was fully discharged to-day1 and was now fitting with her ballast and platform for carrying off the worked materials to the ,rock4 ,the wind being at south1 caused a considerable swell on the ,rock1 and it was with great difficulty that the landing-master got the remaining ten stones of the ,smeaton's last cargo landed from the ,hedderwick4 ,his crew were not only completely drenched1 but were much exhausted with the fatigue of pulling the loaded praam-boat against the swell of the sea2 and on reaching the ,rock1 it required their utmost exertions to prevent her from driving to leeward upon the rugged ledges which encumbered the eastern creek4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #bb;d4 ,sidenote3 ,thirty-first course completed4 ,the dispatch made by the ,smeaton in performing her trips between ,arbroath and the ,bell ,rock1 was quite surprising1 being seldom more than one day absent4 ,on the last trip1 for example1 she had only left the ,rock on ,sunday night at #aa1 and this morning at #h o'clock1 she returned to her moorings with thirty-five pieces of stone4 ,of these1 seventeen were landed to-day1 with which the ,thirty-first course of the building was completed1 and the remainder of the day was occupied in boring the trenail holes in the lower course1 fixing the trenails and wedges1 and grouting the whole carefully with mortar4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #bc;d4 ,the ,patriot arrived at the ,rock this morning1 with her first cargo of building materials for the season1 consisting of #db stones1 together with a supply of pozzolano1 lime1 sand1 wedges1 trenails1 and #h stone joggles4 ,the ,smeaton was completely discharged of her cargo1 and sailed again at #b ,p4 ,m41 when the writer took his passage with her to ,arbroath4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #bdth4 ,sidenote3 ,arrangements for conduct of the work1 and safety of the ,beacon4 ,the weather continued moderate at the ,rock1 with the wind at west1 and #ah stones of the ,patriot's cargo were landed and built to-day4 ,the ,accounts connected with the ,light-house service were collected at this period1 being paid at the terms of ,whitsunday and ,martinmas4 ,the writer at the same time arranged some matters more fully in the work-yard1 connected with the loading of the materials at ,arbroath4 ,in particular1 ,mr ,david ,logan1 clerk of works1 was held responsible for providing every thing contained in the ,requisition of the foreman-builder2 while ,mr ,kennedy1 engineer's clerk1 was answerable for the other parts of the respective ,requisitions from the ,tender and ,beacon1 and for the dispatch given in the loading and sailing of the vessels4 ,the masters of the stone-vessels were accordingly directed1 on their arrival by night or day1 to deliver all letters at the office4 ,in the same manner1 before leaving the ,rock1 ,regulations for the proper conduct of the works there1 were also instituted2 where his assistants were also held responsible for the duties of their several departments2 ,mr ,peter ,logan1 for the execution of the masonry2 ,mr ,francis ,watt1 for the good condition of the ,beacon-house1 ,railways1 and ,machinery2 ,captain ,wilson1 for the state of the ,praams and other boats employed in the landing of materials1 and for the safety of the stones and building-materials in transporting them from the ship's hold till they were placed upon the waggons on the ,rock4 ,the steward1 ,mr ,john ,peters1 was answerable for making the necessary ,requisitions for a sufficient stock of provisions1 water and fuel2 while ,captain ,taylor1 master of the ,tender1 was to see a proper stock of these articles landed and kept in store upon the ,rock4 ,from the hazardous situation of the ,beacon-house with regard to fire1 being composed wholly of timber1 there was no small risk from accident2 and on this account1 one of the most steady of the artificers was appointed to see that the fire of the cooking-house1 and the lights in general1 were carefully extinguished at stated hours4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #beth4 ,the weather continued to be extremely fine1 with the wind at west1 and the barometer standing about #cj inches4 ,the landing operations proceeded briskly1 so that the building was to-day ready for the ,door-lintel4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #bfth4 ,sidenote3 ,balance-crane shaft is broken4 ,the door-lintel being of large dimensions1 equal to about a ton and a half in weight1 and considerably heavier than any of the other stones of this course1 in raising it with the balance-crane1 sufficient attention had not been paid to increase the balance-weight proportionally1 and an unequal strain being then brought upon the opposite arms of the crane1 the upright shaft yielded1 and broke at one of the joints2 fortunately no person was hurt1 though a stop was put to the work for the present4 ,this unlucky accident happened about #d in the afternoon1 when the ,patriot1 then at her moorings1 discharging a cargo of stones1 was immediately dispatched to ,arbroath with the broken shaft1 where she arrived about #b o'clock on ,sunday morning4 ,the writer was at this early hour rather alarmed1 by ,captain ,macdonald knocking at his bed-room door1 and calling out in a hollow tone1 8that the ,balance-crane had given way40 ,an express was immediately sent for ,mr ,james ,dove1 who1 only two days prior to the accident1 had left the ,bell ,rock1 and was in the neighbourhood of ,arbroath1 and when the messenger reached him1 he was preparing to go with his friends to the church of his native parish4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,writer is welcomed in at the door of the ,light-house4 ,the shaft of this crane consisted of four hollow pipes of cast iron1 in lengths1 the lower one of #h feet1 and the three upper ones of #f feet1 fitted to each other with a flush or square joint1 so that the body of the crane might traverse upon them without interruption1 as will be understood by examining ,plate ,,xvii4 ,there was1 unavoidably1 a degree of weakness at these joints1 which required considerable precaution in shifting or adjusting the balance-weight1 according to the strain occasioned by a heavy stone4 ,this accident1 though speedily repaired1 produced a delay of no less than three days to the building operations1 which1 together with the time occupied in making provision for a new method of inserting the door-hinges into the building1 made this part of the masonry1 upon the whole1 appear extremely tedious4 ,having got the door-lintel laid1 the writer was not a little gratified on being welcomed1 with acclamation1 in at the ,door of the ,bell ,rock ,light-house4 ,limited as the height of the building still was1 the formation of the door stamped a new character upon it1 and the lintel gave it an additional appearance of strength4 ,sidenote3 ,fixtures of the hinges of the door and window-shutters4 ,the fixtures of the hinges of the door and shutters of the windows are of a peculiar construction1 as will be seen in the different diagrams of ,plate ,,xix4 ,they consisted of boxes or cases made of brass1 of a dovetailed form1 measuring #af inches in length1 and #a inch in depth in the void2 one of these cases was inserted into a cavity cut in the upper bed of one of the rybat-stones on each side of the door or window1 and run up with melted lead4 ,into this case the dovetail-end of the hinge was afterwards introduced1 and fixed in its place by driving a middle-piece1 after the manner of a ,lewis-bat4 ,the advantage of this method is1 that1 in the event of its being found necessary1 at any future period1 to renew or repair a hinge1 all that becomes necessary is to draw the middle-piece and extract the ,lewis from the box1 without requiring to cut or mangle the building1 as would be found necessary by the usual method of inserting hinges into walls4 ,the hinges and cases were made of fine brass2 those for the door weighing #ej lb41 and those for the window-shutters being smaller1 weighed about half as much4 ,sidenote3 #ahaj1 ,june4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #ast4 ,the weather1 during the last week of the month of ,may1 was very favourable for the operations2 and the barometer stood to-day at no less than #cj inches and #db hundred parts4 ,the wind was ,s4,e41 and the atmosphere somewhat foggy1 but not such as to prevent the landing operations from going forward4 ,the ,patriot was now at her moorings discharging2 and the landing-master's crew transported one of the praam-boats to the ,rock with #ad stones1 which enabled the builders to complete the ,thirty-third course1 being the one immediately above the door-lintel1 consisting of #cb stones4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #b;d4 ,sidenote3 ,shipping makes great dispatch4 ,the weather still continuing to be extremely fine1 the landing-master and his crew left the ,tender at #d ,a4 ,m41 and proceeded to deliver the remainder of the ,patriot's cargo1 consisting of #ad stones1 with a proportion of pozzolano1 lime1 sand1 and ,roman cement1 together with six bundles of trenails and wedges4 ,she then made sail for ,arbroath1 and the ,smeaton at the same time arrived with the ,thirty-fourth course1 consisting also of #cb stones4 ,she had previously put a new cable on board of the ,floating-light1 this being the period at which her winter-tackle was annually shifted4 ,the ,smeaton got to her moorings at #aa ,a4 ,m41 when ,captain ,wilson and his crew immediately proceeded to deliver her1 and by #d in the afternoon she was cleared1 and had sailed again for ,arbroath to load1 having thus been discharged in five hours1 being the shortest period in which any cargo had hitherto been delivered at the ,bell ,rock4 ,this formed a striking contrast with the delivery of the first cargo of the season1 which had been on board from the #ahth till the #bith of ,may1 or eleven days1 in the course of which the ,smeaton was put thrice into ,arbroath1 and once up to ,leith ,roads1 shewing how very dependent these works are upon the state of the weather4 ,to-day there were no fewer than #ef pieces of stones transported to the ,rock1 being the greatest number hitherto landed in one day4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #c;d4 ,sidenote3 ,patriot makes a trip in #cc hours4 ,the dispatch given in the loading department at ,arbroath was nothing short of that of the landing at the ,rock4 ,the ,patriot only got to the ,light-house loading-birth last night at #aa ,p4 ,m41 when ,mr ,kennedy commenced loading her at midnight1 with #cd pieces of stone1 #i stone joggles1 two casks of pozzolano1 two casks of lime1 two casks of sand1 and three bundles of trenails and wedges3 she sailed again at #d ,a4 ,m41 and got fast to her moorings at #e in the afternoon1 having been absent from the ,rock only #cc hours4 ,the landing-master's crew towed the ,hedderwick praam-boat alongside1 and loaded her with #ah pieces of stone1 which were safely landed on the ,rock4 ,at #aa ,p4 ,m4 the boats returned to the ,tender1 having been at work since #d o'clock this morning4 ,the weather was so inviting at this time1 that1 contrary to usual practice1 a quantity of the stones was laid upon the ,rock round the western side of the building1 which were afterwards raised by the purchase-tackle on the bridge3 the building was thus continued for a longer period than the tide permitted the landing-master's crew to proceed with their operations4 ,some risk1 however1 attended this arrangement1 as part of the stones were necessarily left on the ,rock1 exposed to the wash of the sea1 from one tide to another4 ,but the workmen being now permanently on the ,rock1 this could scarcely happen to a great extent1 as the sea generally takes a tide or two to get into so rough a state as to be dangerous in cases of this kind4 ,the ,thirty-fifth course was laid to-day1 consisting of #cb pieces of stone2 but it required the work to be continued from #e in the morning till #h in the evening1 before the trenailing1 wedging1 and grouting with mortar1 were completed2 the artificers having of course pay for their extra hours4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #dth4 ,sidenote3 ,thirty-sixth course laid4 ,to-day there was a strong breeze of wind from the east1 with hazy weather1 but1 as the mercury still maintained the high state of #cj4cb1 every confidence was felt in the landing operations4 ,the ,patriot was accordingly discharged of the remainder of her cargo1 and #af stones1 with other building materials1 were landed on the ,rock1 though not without considerable difficulty1 from the heavy swell of sea which was running upon it4 ,the artificers also succeeded in building all the stones which were on the ,rock1 and finished the ,thirty-sixth course1 consisting of #bd blocks4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,king's birth-day observed4 ,this being the ,birth-day of our much revered ,sovereign ,king ,,george ,,iii41 now in the ,fiftieth year of his reign1 the shipping of the ,light-house service were this morning decorated with colours according to the taste of their respective captains4 ,flags were also hoisted upon the ,beacon-house and ,balance-crane on the top of the ,building4 ,at #ab noon1 a salute was fired from the ,tender1 when the ,king's health was drunk1 with all the honours1 both on the ,rock1 and on board of the shipping4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #eth4 ,sidenote3 ,stair-case completed4 ,sidenote3 ,rate of ,wages4 ,the weather still continuing very favourable for the operations1 the work proceeded with much regularity and dispatch4 ,twenty stones were landed to-day from the ,smeaton1 and the artificers completed the ,thirty-eighth or finishing course of the staircase1 which brought the building to the height of #de feet4 ,as the walls were here reduced from #e feet #i inches to #c feet #b inches in thickness1 the scarsement at the level of this course formed a kind of floor or bench #b feet #g inches in breadth1 at the top of the staircase1 intended for keeping the water-cisterns1 fuel1 and provisions4 ,the laying of this course being attended with a good deal of additional trouble1 the artificers were occupied with it from #e o'clock in the morning till #h in the evening1 when all hands being collected on the building1 three hearty cheers were given1 and a dram served out1 at the completion of the first floor4 ,during this season1 nine hours were counted a day's work at the ,bell ,rock1 instead of three hours of tide-work1 as in the early stages of the business4 ,the artificers having1 therefore1 had six extra hours to-day1 at the rate of #f;d4 per hour1 each had #cs4 per day to receive1 in addition to his stated wages of #cs4 #d;d42 and1 as the work was continued on ,sundays1 they were now making upwards of two guineas per week1 free of incumbrance1 while the foremen were in the receipt of about double that sum4 ,the inhabitants of the ,beacon were consequently in great spirits1 both at the satisfactory progress of the work1 and at the amount of their extra wages4 ,sidenote3 ,progress of the ,works at ,edinburgh4 ,while the work thus proceeded at the ,bell ,rock1 it was making also good progress at ,arbroath1 as the whole of the courses1 excepting three1 were now ready for shipping to the ,rock4 ,advice was also received from ,edinburgh1 that the ,light-room ,reflecting-apparatus and ,revolving-machinery were getting regularly forward1 so that every prospect was afforded of the work being brought to a conclusion in the course of the season4 ,sidenote3 ,artificers liable to accident4 ,small ,boat and ,life-buoy provided4 ,as the ,light-house advanced in height1 the cubical contents of the stones were less1 but they had to be raised to a greater height2 and the walls being thinner were less commodious for the necessary machinery1 and the artificers employed1 which considerably retarded the work4 ,inconvenience was also occasionally experienced from the men dropping their coats1 hats1 mallets1 and other tools1 at high-water1 which were carried away by the tide2 and the danger to the people themselves was now greatly increased4 ,had any of them fallen from the ,beacon or ,building at high-water1 while the landing-master's crew were generally engaged with the craft at a distance1 it must have rendered the accident doubly painful to those on the ,rock1 who at this time had no boat1 and consequently no means of rendering immediate and prompt assistance4 ,in such cases1 it would have been too late to have got a boat by signal from the ,tender4 ,a small boat1 which could be lowered at pleasure1 was therefore suspended by a pair of davits projected from the cook-house1 the keel being about #cj feet from the ,rock1 as will be seen from ,plate ,,viii4 ,this boat1 with its tackle1 was put under the charge of ,james ,glen1 of whose exertions on the ,beacon mention has already been made1 and who having in early life been a seaman1 was also very expert in the management of a boat4 ,a life-buoy was likewise suspended from the bridge1 to which a coil of line #bjj fathoms in length was attached1 which could be let out to a person falling into the water1 or to the people in the boat1 should they not be able to work her with the oars4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #fth4 ,sidenote3 ,trenailing the ,stones discontinued4 ,the landing-master succeeded to-day in transporting #dd stones to the ,rock1 and the artificers laid the ,thirty-eighth course1 which consisted of #af blocks4 ,the trenailing and wedging of the stones being now discontinued1 as the building was above the ordinary range of the sea1 a great relief was instantly felt1 as will be understood from examining the several courses in ,plate ,,xiii42 and as the work was thereby much simplified1 it was now expected that two courses might be laid per day4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #gth4 ,sidenote3 ,number of people on the ,beacon4 ,fitting of window-hinges troublesome4 ,to-day #ab stones were landed on the ,rock1 being the remainder of the ,patriot's cargo2 and the artificers built the ,thirty-ninth course1 consisting of #ad stones4 ,the ,bell ,rock works had now a very busy appearance1 as the ,light-house was daily getting more into form4 ,besides the artificers and their cook1 the writer and his servant were also lodged on the ,beacon1 counting in all twenty-nine2 and at low-water the landing-master's crew1 consisting of from twelve to fifteen seamen1 were employed in transporting the building materials1 working the landing apparatus on the ,rock1 and dragging the stone-waggons along the railways1 of which an idea will be formed by examining ,plate ,,xviii4 ,there were #bg stones discharged to-day from the ,smeaton2 and the artificers laid the ,fortieth course of the building1 in which the windows of the water1 fuel1 and provision store-room occur4 ,the fitting of the hinge-boxes for the window storm-shutters1 occupied a considerable portion of time1 as has already been described in allusion to the entrance-door4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #hth4 ,sidenote3 ,the comfort of good weather on the ,rock4 ,in the course of this day the weather varied much4 ,in the morning it was calm2 in the middle part of the day there were light airs of wind from the south1 and in the evening fresh breezes from the east4 ,the barometer in the writer's cabin in the ,beacon-house oscillated from #cj inches to #cj4db1 and the weather was extremely pleasant4 ,this1 in any situation1 forms one of the chief comforts of life1 but1 as may easily be conceived1 it was doubly so to people stuck as it were upon a pinnacle in the middle of the ocean4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #ith4 ,sidenote3 ,balance-crane shifted to-day4 ,the weather continued to be very agreeable1 and ships every where seen upon the sea4 ,at the ,bell ,rock we had only the ,tender and the ,floating-light1 the ,smeaton and ,patriot being at ,arbroath4 ,the ,dickie praam-boat was brought from her moorings this morning1 when #i stones were landed4 ,the artificers were chiefly occupied to-day1 in shifting the balance-crane from the top of the solid1 to the top of the staircase1 across which it was supported on strong beams1 while struts were projected under the body of the crane1 and butting against the interior of the walls of the building1 as will be understood by examining the third year's work of ,plate ,,ix4 ,the balance-crane was1 however1 so constructed1 that its foot might have been allowed to rest upon the solid of the building throughout the whole operation1 and the shaft lengthened as the building rose1 by adding additional pieces1 till the whole of the masonry was completed1 which would have formed a length of shaft extending to #ej feet4 ,it was1 however1 found1 upon the whole1 to be more convenient and economical to lift the crane from floor to floor as the work advanced4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #ajth4 ,sidenote3 ,crane erected at western ,wharf4 ,although stones had hitherto been occasionally landed on the western1 as well as the eastern side of the ,bell ,rock1 according to the state of the weather2 yet1 as the railways and apparatus of the eastern creek were much sooner in a working condition than those of the other1 and being only #ij feet from the ,light-house1 while the western ,railway extended to #bij feet in length1 as will be seen from ,plates ,,vi4 and ,,xviii41 the eastern creek was generally used in all directions of the wind1 when the weather was moderate4 ,to-day1 however1 the wharf at the western creek had been completed to its full extent1 and one of the moveable-beam cranes was erected at it1 upon a piece of frame-work constructed of ,norway logs1 forming also a platform employed in landing the stones4 ,sidenote3 ,two stones upset by the ,sea4 ,in the course of last night1 the wind had blown pretty strongly from the ,s4,e41 and towards morning it shifted to the ,s4,w41 which created a considerable swell of sea4 ,owing to the time unavoidably occupied in the shifting the balance-crane1 and fitting the brass cases for the ,lewis-bat hinges of the window-shutters of the provision-store1 together with the eagerness1 and even impatience of ,captain ,wilson1 the landing-master1 on all occasions1 to get his part of the business accomplished by the speedy delivery of the stone-vessels1 he had landed both the ,thirty-first and ,thirty-second courses1 which were thus piled in rather too great a number at the western side of the building4 ,during the night1 though the range of the sea was considered trifling1 yet it had upset two of the stones1 which1 when the tide left the ,rock1 were found lying at some distance with the ,lewis-bats turned downwards4 ,these two courses1 being too much at the mercy of the waves1 were raised to their places on the building1 and1 though not laid with mortar for the present1 were1 nevertheless1 out of the reach of heavy seas1 and more at the command of the artificers4 ,sidenote3 ,a ,praam boat is sent from the ,rock with her cargo4 ,although the praam-boats1 from their built1 and the construction of their moorings1 rode easily with a cargo on deck1 as formerly noticed1 yet a certain risk also attended this state of things1 and the writer rather wished the ,smeaton and ,patriot to remain at their station1 with the stones on board1 until an opportunity was afforded of landing and getting them at once laid in their places upon the building4 ,one of the praam-boats had1 however1 been brought to the ,rock with #aa stones1 notwithstanding the perplexity which attended the getting of those formerly landed taken up to the building4 ,mr ,peter ,logan1 the foreman builder1 interposed1 and prevented this cargo from being delivered1 but the landing-master's crew were exceedingly averse to this arrangement1 from an idea that 8ill luck0 would in future attend the ,praam1 her cargo1 and those who navigated her1 from thus reversing her voyage4 ,it may be noticed1 that this was the first instance of a ,praam-boat having been sent from the ,bell ,rock with any part of her cargo on board1 and was considered so uncommon an occurrence1 that it became a topic of conversation among the seamen and artificers4 ,at #a ,p4 ,m4 the bell rung for prayers1 which were read by the writer in the ,beacon2 after which the artificers went to dinner1 and the work again commenced and was continued till #i4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #aath4 ,the first operation of the building-artificers this morning1 was to lift the two courses laid on the top of the walls last night1 and build them with mortar2 some of the stones of the upper course1 in the mean time1 being stowed round the foot of the balance-crane4 ,these two courses consisted each of #af stones1 besides the dove-tail joggles for connecting the perpendicular joints1 as shewn in diagrams of ,plate ,,xiii4 ,the landing-master's crew proceeded this morning to discharge the ,patriot1 and having loaded the ,hedderwick ,praam-boat1 she was towed to her moorings to remain until the stones could be received at the ,rock4 ,in the afternoon the ,patriot sailed2 and in the evening the ,smeaton arrived from ,arbroath with another cargo1 bringing also letters1 papers1 provisions1 water1 and fuel for the ,beacon4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #abth4 ,sidenote3 ,stones sent from the ,rock are safely landed4 ,to-day the stones formerly sent from the ,rock were safely landed1 notwithstanding the augury of the seamen1 in consequence of their being sent away two days before4 ,these1 together with #ad dove-tail joggles1 were immediately taken up to the top of the building1 and laid1 for the present1 without mortar1 on the top of the ,thirty-fourth course4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #acth4 ,sidenote3 ,floor of the ,light-room flat laid4 ,the artificers were employed with the ,forty-sixth course to-day1 and in making preparations for laying the ,forty-seventh1 being the floor for the ,light-room stores4 ,in the afternoon and evening1 the joiners were employed in fitting up a piece of frame-work1 as a centre for supporting the interior ends of the stones composing the ,floor course1 which projected from the outward face of the building towards the centre of the apartment1 as will be understood from ,plates ,,xiii4 and ,,xvi4 ,sidenote3 ,mr ,john ,reid has got leave ashore1 after being three months afloat4 ,the ,floating-light having got her winter cable on board1 and being otherwise in good order1 ,mr ,john ,reid1 principal ,light-keeper1 and acting master1 while ,captain ,wilson was employed at the ,bell ,rock1 having been upwards of three months afloat1 it was thought proper that he should now have liberty for a time on shore1 that1 in his turn1 he might relieve ,mr ,wilson4 ,mr ,taylor1 commander of the ,tender1 accordingly went on board of the ,floating-light1 leaving the landing-master in charge of the ,tender1 along with his other duties at the ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #adth4 ,to-day #bg stones and #aa joggle-pieces were landed1 part of which consisted of the ,forty-seventh course1 forming the store-room floor4 ,the builders were at work this morning by #d o'clock1 in the hopes of being able to accomplish the laying of the #ah stones of this course4 ,but at #h o'clock in the evening they had still two to lay1 and as the stones of this course were very unwieldy1 being #f feet in length1 they required much precaution and care both in lifting and laying them4 ,it was1 however1 only on the writer's suggestion to ,mr ,logan1 that the artificers were induced to leave off1 as they had intended to complete this floor before going to bed4 ,the two remaining stones were1 however1 laid in their places without mortar1 when the bell on the ,beacon was rung1 and all hands being collected on the top of the building1 three hearty cheers were given on covering the first apartment4 ,the steward then served out a dram to each1 when the whole retired to their barrack much fatigued1 but with the anticipation of the most perfect repose even in the 8hurricane-house10 amidst the dashing seas on the ,bell ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,first letter written from the ,light-house4 ,while the workmen were at breakfast and dinner1 it was the writer's usual practice to spend his time on the walls of the building1 which1 notwithstanding the narrowness of the track1 nevertheless formed his principal walk1 when the ,rock was under water4 ,but this afternoon he had his writing-desk set upon the store-room floor1 when he wrote to ,mrs ,stevenson1 certainly the first letter dated from the ,bell ,rock ,light-house1 giving a detail of the fortunate progress of the work1 with an assurance that the ,light-house would soon be completed at the rate at which it now proceeded2 and the ,patriot having sailed for ,arbroath in the evening1 he felt no small degree of pleasure in dispatching this communication to his family4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #aeth4 ,sidenote3 ,floors of the ,bell ,rock and ,edystone ,light-houses4 ,the floor-courses of the ,bell ,rock ,light-house lay horizontally upon the walls1 as will be seen from the sections in ,plates ,,vii4 and ,,xvi4 ,they consisted in all of #ah blocks1 but only #af were laid in the first instance1 as the centre-stone were necessarily left out1 to allow the shaft of the balance-crane to pass through the several apartments of the building4 ,in the same manner also1 the stone which formed the interior side of the man-hole1 was not laid till after the centre stone was in its place1 and the masonry of the walls completed4 ,the number of stones above alluded to are independently of the sixteen joggle pieces with which the principal blocks of the floors were connected1 as shewn in the diagrams of ,plates ,,vii4 and ,,xiii4 ,the floors of the ,edystone ,light-house1 on the contrary1 were constructed of an arch-form1 and the haunches of the arches bound with chains1 to prevent their pressing outward1 to the injury of the walls4 ,in this1 ,mr ,smeaton followed the construction of the ,dome of ,st ,paul's2 and this mode might also be found necessary at the ,edystone1 from the want of stones in one length1 to form the outward wall and floor1 in the then state of the granite quarries of ,cornwall4 ,at ,mylnefield ,quarry1 however1 there was no difficulty in procuring stones of the requisite dimensions2 and the writer foresaw many advantages that would arise1 from having the stones of the floors to form part of the outward walls without introducing the system of arching3 in particular1 the pressure of the floors upon the walls would thus be perpendicular2 for1 as the stones were prepared in the sides1 with groove-and-feather1 after the manner of the common house-floor1 they would1 by this means1 form so many girths1 binding the exterior walls together1 as will be understood by examining the diagrams and section of ,plate ,,vii41 with its letter-press description2 agreeably to which he had modelled the floors in his original designs for the ,bell ,rock1 which were laid before the ,light-house ,board in the year #ahjj4 ,sidenote3 #ca ,persons lodged in the ,beacon-house4 ,sidenote3 ,pay and ,premiums at the ,rock4 ,the weather still continuing favourable for the operations at the ,rock1 the work proceeded with much energy1 through the exertions both of the seamen and artificers4 ,for the more speedy and effectual working of the several tackles1 in raising the materials as the building advanced in height1 and there being a great extent of ,railway to attend to1 which1 required constant repairs1 two additional mill-wrights were added to the complement on the ,rock1 which1 including the writer1 now counted thirty-one in all4 ,so crowded was the men's barrack1 that the beds were ranged five tier in height1 allowing only about #a foot #h inches for each bed1 while the greatest extent of floor-room measured only about #h feet #f inches across1 between the beds on opposite sides1 as will be seen in the sections and diagrams of ,plate ,,viii4 ,the artificers commenced this morning at #e o'clock1 and1 in the course of the day1 they laid the ,forty-eighth and ,forty-ninth courses1 consisting each of #af blocks4 ,from the favourable state of the weather1 and the regular manner in which the work now proceeded1 the artificers had generally from four to seven extra hours' work1 which1 including their stated wages of #cs4 #d;d41 yielded them from #es4 #d;d4 to about #fs4 #aj;d4 per day1 besides their board2 even the postage of their letters was paid while they were at the ,bell ,rock4 ,in these advantages1 the foremen also shared1 having about double the pay and amount of premiums of the artificers4 ,the seamen being less out of their element in the ,bell ,rock operations than the landsmen1 their premiums consisted in a slump sum1 payable at the end of the season1 which extended from three to ten guineas4 ,sidenote3 ,seamen find one of the lost sets of moorings4 ,as the laying of the floors was somewhat tedious1 the landing-master and his crew had got considerably beforehand with the building artificers in bringing materials faster to the ,rock than they could be built4 ,the seamen having1 therefore1 some spare time1 were occasionally employed1 during fine weather1 in dredging or grappling for the several mushroom-anchors and mooring-chains1 which had been lost in the vicinity of the ,bell ,rock1 during the progress of the work1 by the breaking loose and drifting of the floating-buoys4 ,to encourage their exertions in this search1 ,five ,guineas were offered as a premium for each set they should find2 and after much patient application1 they succeeded to-day in hooking one of these lost anchors with its chain4 ,sidenote3 ,experiment of collecting ,gas from ,fishes4 ,it was a general remark at the ,bell ,rock1 as before noticed1 that fish were never plenty in its neighbourhood1 excepting in good weather4 ,indeed1 the seamen used to speculate about the state of the weather from their success in fishing4 ,when the fish disappeared at the ,rock1 it was considered a sure indication that a gale was not far off1 as the fish seemed to seek shelter in deeper water1 from the roughness of the sea1 during these changes of the weather4 ,at this time1 the ,rock1 at high-water1 was completely covered with podlies1 or the fry of the coalfish1 about six or eight inches in length4 ,the artificers sometimes occupied half an hour after breakfast and dinner in catching these little fishes1 but were more frequently supplied from the boats of the ,tender4 ,this evening the landing-master's crew brought to the ,rock a quantity of newly caught codfish1 measuring from #ae to #bd inches in length4 ,the membrane called the sound1 which is attached to the back-bone of fishes1 being understood to contain1 at different times1 greater portions of azote and of oxygen than common air1 the present favourable opportunity was embraced for collecting a quantity of this gas in a drinking-glass1 inverted into a pail of salt-water4 ,the fish being held under this glass as a receiver1 their bladders were punctured1 and a considerable quantity of gas was thus collected4 ,a lighted match was afterwards carefully introduced into the glass1 when the gas exhibited in a considerable degree the bright and luminous flame which an excess of oxygen is known to produce4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #afth4 ,sidenote3 ,cause of ground swells4 ,the weather was hazy1 and the wind had shifted to-day from west to east1 accompanied with a heavy ground-swell in the sea4 ,at the ,bell ,rock1 this was sometimes observed to be the precursor of a gale1 while1 on other occasions1 the swell did not make its appearance till the force of the wind had ceased4 ,many speculations have been made by naturalists upon the probable cause of ground-swells1 so often observed by seamen1 and which sometimes appear even without the accompaniment of wind1 either before or after4 ,to account for this1 it may be noticed1 that the waters of the ,german ,ocean or ,north ,sea1 from their connection with the ,atlantic ,ocean1 are often affected by gales of westerly winds1 which never reach our shores1 though they have the effect of forcing an undue portion of the waters of the ,atlantic into the ,british seas1 which tend to overfill all the friths and bays1 producing the phenomenon of a ground-swell2--a condition of things which may also be supposed to follow from the account given of the gale experienced by the writer off ,flamborough-head1 on the #aith ,september #ahji1 described at page #cbj42 which might as readily have been checked in its progress1 by the contrary wind1 before it reached the northern shores1 as off the coast of ,england4 ,this subject is further illustrated by the writer in a paper read before the ,wernerian ,society1 on the bed of the ,german ,ocean1 and given in the ,appendix1 ,no4 ,v4 ,sidenote3 ,landing-master's dress1 and activity of his crew4 ,the landing-master having this day discharged the ,smeaton1 and loaded the ,hedderwick and ,dickie praam-boats with #ai stones1 they were towed to their respective moorings2 when ,captain ,wilson1 in consequence of the heavy swell of sea1 came in his boat to the ,beacon-house1 to consult with the writer as to the propriety of venturing the loaded praam-boats with their cargoes to the ,rock1 while so much sea was running4 ,after some dubiety expressed on the subject1 in which the ardent mind of the landing-master suggested many arguments in favour of his being able to convey the praams in perfect safety1 it was acceded to4 ,in bad weather1 and especially on occasions of difficulty like the present1 ,mr ,wilson1 who was an extremely active seaman1 measuring about #e feet #c inches in height1 of a robust habit1 generally dressed himself in what he called a ,monkey ,jacket1 made of thick duffle-cloth1 with a pair of ,dutchman's petticoat-trowsers1 reaching only to his knees1 where they were met with a pair of long water-tight boots2 with this dress1 his glazed hat1 and his small brass speaking-trumpet in his hand1 he bade defiance to the weather4 ,when he made his appearance in this most suitable attire for the service1 his crew seemed to possess additional life1 never failing to use their utmost exertions when the captain put on his 8storm-rigging40 ,they had this morning commenced loading the praam-boats at #d o'clock1 and proceeded to tow them into the eastern landing-place1 which was accomplished with much dexterity1 though not without the risk of being thrown1 by the force of the sea1 on certain projecting ledges of the rock4 ,in such a case1 the loss even of a single stone would have greatly retarded the work4 ,for the greater safety in entering this creek1 it was necessary to put out several warps and guy-ropes1 to guide the boats into its narrow and intricate entrance2 and it frequently happened that the sea made a clean breach over the praams1 which not only washed their decks1 but completely drenched the crew in water4 ,sidenote3 ,want of the western wharf4 ,on this1 as on many other occasions1 the want of the western wharf was particularly felt2 for1 although it had long been used with great advantage in the ordinary traffic of the ,rock1 and was now carried to its full extent1 it was still not fit for all the purposes of landing weighty materials1 otherwise the landing operations would have been accomplished with much more ease and facility to-day4 ,so much1 however1 had been to do in boring the rock1 inserting iron-bats and other operations1 accessible only at the lowest tides1 that1 although ,mr ,watt and his squad of artificers had embraced every opportunity1 by day and night1--for this work to the last was carried on by torch light1--yet the wharf of the western railway was not entirely completed4 ,sidenote3 ,operation of shifting the ,balance-crane4 ,its properties4 ,the building-artificers were employed to-day in raising the ,balance-crane to the light-room-store1 where it was supported upon two beams of oaken timber1 which were made to rest upon the outward extremity of the floor1 or close to the wall of the house4 ,the removal of the crane from one storey to another was attended with considerable trouble4 ,the body of the crane1 as will be understood by examining ,plates ,,ix4 and ,,xvii41 was raised upon the shaft at every two or three courses which were added to the height of the building4 ,this mode might have been continued throughout1 without once raising the foot of the crane1 by simply adding to the length of the shaft4 ,but1 all things taken into view1 it was considered preferable to lift the whole machine from floor to floor4 ,this was accomplished in the following manner3 ,two beams of fir-timber were laid across the walls of the house1 on which the body of the crane was rested4 ,this new position did not prevent the purchase-tackle of the crane from being worked1 and it was therefore applied to lift the foot and the four lengths of the shaft1 which were laid aside till successively wanted in the course of building4 ,the foot1 with two lengths of the shaft1 being placed upon the oaken beams above alluded to2 a cutter or spear-bolt was passed through one of the numerous holes in the shaft2 when the beams on which the body of the crane rested on the walls being removed1 the crane was again in a complete working condition4 ,the ,balance-crane had therefore the property of being applicable to raising itself1 from stage to stage1 as well as of laying the stones1 and preserving its equilibrium when loaded4 ,in case1 through inattention or accident1 an undue proportion of weight had been brought upon one end of the beam of the crane1 as was the case when the door-lintel was laid1 four spurs or diagonal supports of oak1 were attached to the shaft1 the lower ends of which rested upon the floor and butted against the wall1 while the upper ends fitted into a collar or circular piece of cast-iron1 which embraced the shaft immediately under the body of the crane4 ,these preparatory operations occupied a great part of this day1 after which there was no further delay occasioned by the ,balance-crane1 till it was again to be raised to the next floor1 except the occasional lifting of the body1 and applying additional lengths to the shaft1 as the building rose1 things which were accomplished without retarding the work4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #agth4 ,sidenote3 ,western wharf finished to-day4 ,it was fortunate1 in the present state of the weather1 that the ,fiftieth course was in a sheltered spot1 within the reach of the tackle of the winch-machine upon the bridge2 a few stones were stowed upon the bridge itself1 and the remainder upon the building1 which kept the artificers at work4 ,the stowing of the materials upon the ,rock1 was the department of ,alexander ,brebner1 mason1 who spared no pains in attending to the safety of the stones1 and who1 in the present state of the work1 when the stones were landed faster than could be built1 generally worked till the water rose to his middle4 ,at #a o'clock to-day the bell rung for prayers1 and all hands were collected into the upper barrack-room of the ,beacon-house1 when the usual service was performed4 ,at low-water this afternoon all hands were employed in completing the western wharf1--a work which had now been in progress for a twelvemonth4 ,one of the moveable-beam cranes was elevated on it1 under a salute of three hearty cheers4 ,this wharf was formed of timber1 consisting of successive layers of ,norway logs1 like the ,eastern ,wharf1 as represented in ,plate ,,xi41 which were raised to the level of the ,railways1 or about #f feet in height1 and fixed down with bat-bars of iron1 measuring #g feet in length1 having been sunk about #ab inches into the ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,remarkable state of the sea at the ,bell ,rock to-day4 ,the wind blew very hard in the course of last night from ,n4,e41 and to-day the sea ran so high that no boat could approach the ,rock4 ,during the dinner-hour1 when the writer was going to the top of the building as usual1 but just as he had entered the door1 and was about to ascend the ladder1 a great noise was heard over-head1 and in an instant he was soused in water1 from a sea which had most unexpectedly come over the walls1 though now about #eh feet in height4 ,on making his retreat1 he found himself completely whitened by the lime which had mixed with the water1 while dashing down through the different floors2 and1 as nearly as he could guess1 a quantity equal to about a hogshead had come over the walls1 and now streamed out at the door4 ,after having shifted himself1 he again sat down in his cabin1 the sea continuing to run so high that the builders did not resume their operations on the walls this afternoon4 ,the incident just noticed1 did not create more surprise in the mind of the writer1 than the sublime appearance of the waves1 as they rolled majestically over the ,rock4 ,this scene he greatly enjoyed while sitting at his cabin window3 each wave approached the ,beacon like a vast scroll unfolding2 and1 in passing1 discharged a quantity of air1 which he not only distinctly felt1 but was even sufficient to lift the leaves of a book which lay before him4 ,these waves might be #aj or #ab feet in height1 and about #bej feet in length4 ,their smaller end being towards the north1 where the water was deep1 and they were opened or cut through by the interposition of the ,building and ,beacon4 ,the gradual manner in which the sea1 upon these occasions1 is observed to become calm or to subside1 is a very remarkable feature of this phenomenon4 ,for example1 when a gale is succeeded by a calm1 every third or fourth wave forms one of these great seas1 which occur in spaces1 of from #c to #e minutes1 as noted by the writer's watch2 but1 in the course of the next tide1 they become less frequent1 and take off1 so as to occur only in #aj or #ae minutes2 and1 singular enough1 at the third tide after such gales1 the writer has remarked1 that only one or two of these great waves appear in the course of the whole tide4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #bast4 ,sidenote3 ,landing-master's crew have now more leisure4 ,from ,monday #ahth till this date1 the work went forward in the usual routine1 and the building was now in readiness for the floor of the kitchen or third apartment4 ,in the present state of things1 the two stone-vessels ,smeaton and ,patriot1 could not be fully employed1 as1 owing to the greater height of the building1 every operation required much more time1 in proportion to the tonnage which the vessels brought off to the ,rock4 ,indeed1 the original intention of providing two vessels for this department was chiefly to guard against accident1 as1 in this service1 they were much exposed to danger1 in the event of which1 without a second vessel1 the work must have been arrested in its progress4 ,having now also the full use of the western creek1 the process of landing was seldom delayed1 excepting from want of demand on the part of the builders2 it was still1 nevertheless1 necessary to keep up the establishment of shipping1 for the reason above stated4 ,sidenote3 ,disagreeable state of the weather4 ,the #aith was a very unpleasant and disagreeable day1 both for the seamen and artificers1 as it rained throughout with little intermission from #d ,a4 ,m4 till #aa ,p4 ,m41 accompanied with thunder and lightning1 during which period the work nevertheless continued unremittingly2 and the builders laid the ,fifty-first and ,fifty-second courses4 ,this state of weather was no less severe upon the mortar-makers1 who required to temper or prepare the mortar of a thicker or thinner consistency1 in some measure1 according to the state of the weather4 ,from the elevated position of the building1 the mortar-gallery on the ,beacon was now much lower1 and the lime buckets were made to traverse upon a rope distended between it and the building1 as will be seen from ,plate ,,ix4 ,on occasions like the present1 however1 there was often a difference of opinion between the builders and the mortar-makers4 ,john ,watt1 who had the principal charge of the mortar1 was a most active worker1 but being somewhat of an irascible temper1 the builders occasionally amused themselves at his expence4 ,for1 while he was eagerly at work with his large iron-shod pestle in the mortar-tub1 they often sent down contradictory orders1 some crying1 8,make it a little stiffer1 or thicker1 ,john10 while others called out to make it 8thinner20 to which he generally returned very speedy and sharp replies2 so that these conversations at times were rather amusing4 ,the brass cases of the upper-hinges of the window of this apartment1 occurring in the ,fifty-second course1 occasioned a good deal of detention1 on the #bjth1 in laying it1 when the artificers were employed from #d in the morning till #i in the evening4 ,sidenote3 ,extra pay4 ,sidenote3 ,responsible situation of the principal workmen4 ,during wet weather1 the situation of the artificers on the top of the building was extremely disagreeable2 for1 although their work did not require great exertion1 yet1 as each man had his particular part to perform1 either in working the crane1 or in laying the stones1 it required the closest application and attention1 not only on the part of ,mr ,peter ,logan1 the foreman1 who was constantly on the walls1 but also of the chief workmen4 ,robert ,selkirk1 the principal builder1 for example1 had every stone to lay in its place4 ,david ,cumming1 a mason1 had the charge of working the tackle of the balance-weight1 and ,james ,scott1 also a mason1 took charge of the purchase with which the stones were laid2 while the pointing the joints of the walls with cement1 was entrusted to ,william ,reid and ,william ,kennedy1 who stood upon a scaffold suspended over the walls in rather a frightful manner4 ,the least act of carelessness or inattention on the part of any of these men might have been fatal1 not only to themselves1 but also to the surrounding workmen1 especially if any accident had happened to the crane itself1 while the material damage or loss of a single stone would have put an entire stop to the operations1 until another could have been brought from ,arbroath4 ,the artificers having wrought seven and a half hours of extra time to-day1 had #cs4 #i;d4 of extra pay1 while the foremen had #gs4 #f;d4 over and above their stated pay and board4 ,although1 therefore1 the work was both hazardous and fatiguing1 yet the encouragement being considerable1 they were alwise very cheerful1 and perfectly reconciled to the confinement1 and other disadvantages of the place4 ,sidenote3 ,carpenter of the ,floating-light leaves the service4 ,during fine weather1 and while the nights were short1 the duty on board of the ,floating-light was literally nothing but a waiting on1 and therefore one of her boats1 with a crew of five men1 daily attended the ,rock1 but always returned to the vessel at night4 ,the carpenter1 however1 was one of those who was left on board of the ship1 as he also acted in the capacity of assistant light-keeper2 being1 besides1 a person who was apt to feel discontent1 and to be averse to changing his quarters1 especially to work with the mill-wrights and joiners at the ,rock1 who often1 for hours together1 wrought knee-deep1 and not unfrequently up to the middle in water4 ,mr ,watt having1 about this time1 made a requisition for another hand1 the carpenter was ordered to attend the ,rock in the ,floating-light's boat4 ,this he did with great reluctance1 and found so much fault1 that he soon got into discredit with his messmates4 ,on this occasion1 he left the ,light-house service1 and went as a sailor in a vessel bound for ,america1--a step which1 it is believed1 he soon regretted1 as1 in the course of things1 he would1 in all probability1 have accompanied ,mr ,john ,reid1 the principal ,light-keeper of the ,floating-light1 to the ,bell ,rock ,light-house1 as his principal ,assistant4 ,the writer had a wish to be of service to this man1 as he was one of those who came off to the ,floating-light in the month of ,september #ahjg1 while she was riding at single anchor1 after the severe gale of the #gth1 at a time when it was hardly possible to make up this vessel's crew2 but the crossness of his manner prevented his reaping the benefit of such intentions4 ,sidenote3 ,patriot makes a trip to ,arbroath and back to the ,rock1 in #bd hours4 ,the trips of the stone-vessels became more and more remarkable for dispatch4 ,the ,patriot having only sailed for ,arbroath yesterday morning at #h o'clock1 returned this evening at the same hour with a cargo2 when the landing-master immediately got his praam-boats alongside1 and came to the ,rock with #af stones1 #h joggles1 #h casks of pozzolano1 and the same quantity of lime and sand1 with seven logs of timber for the ,railways1 which were immediately taken up to the ,beacon1 till they were wanted on the ,rock4 ,such1 therefore1 was the dispatch given to the loading of the materials at ,arbroath1 together with the persevering activity of ,mr ,spink1--who had succeeded ,mr ,macdonald in the command of the ,patriot1--and his mate ,mr ,peter ,soutar1 that1 although she did not reach ,arbroath till the morning of the #bast1 at #a o'clock1 yet being instantly loaded1 she was made fast to her moorings again at the ,rock1 after an absence of only #bd hours4 ,sidenote3 ,an attempt made to land stones at high-water1 with the bridge-apparatus4 ,the weather was extremely fine to-day1 and the artificers laid the ,fifty-sixth course1 or kitchen-floor1 forming1 like the other floors of the building1 a part also of the outward wall4 ,for supporting the inward extremity of these long stones1 until a sufficient weight was built upon the exterior wall1 the joiners had erected a piece of frame-work on the floor below on which they rested4 ,this morning at #d o'clock1 the landing-master's crew had commenced their operations1 and by #ab noon #cd stones were landed1 together with the several articles mentioned above1 which discharged the ,patriot1 and she again sailed for ,arbroath4 ,an attempt was made to-day to land materials at high-water with the bridge-apparatus2 but1 although the water was smooth1 yet there was a certain lift in the sea1 which occasionally brought a sudden strain on the frame of the bridge1 and made the whole shake and jerk in such a manner as to communicate a considerable degree of tremor to the whole fabric of the ,beacon-house1 shewing that this mode of landing weighty stones could hardly be ventured upon1 even in the very finest weather4 ,sidenote3 ,progress of landing the stones4 ,the ,seamen become discontented4 ,the building operations had for some time proceeded more slowly1 from the higher parts of the ,light-house requiring much longer time than an equal tonnage of the lower courses4 ,the duty of the landing-master's crew had1 upon the whole1 been easy of late2 for1 though the work was occasionally irregular1 yet the stones being lighter1 they were more speedily lifted from the hold of the stone-vessel to the deck of the praam-boat1 and again to the waggons on the railway1 after which they came properly under the charge of the foreman-builder2 the artificers working the several purchase-tackles in raising the stones through the successive stages1 from the railways to the bridge1 and from thence to the top of the building1 as represented in ,plates ,,ix4 and ,,xviii4 ,it is1 however1 a strange1 though not an uncommon feature in the human character1 that when people have least to complain of1 they are most apt to become dissatisfied1 as was now the case with the seamen employed in the ,bell ,rock service1 about their rations of beer4 ,indeed1 ever since the carpenter of the ,floating-light1 formerly noticed1 had been brought to the ,rock1 expressions of discontent had been manifested upon various occasions4 ,this being represented to the writer1 he sent for ,captain ,wilson1 the landing-master1 and ,mr ,taylor1 commander of the ,tender1 with whom he talked over the subject4 ,they stated1 that they considered the daily allowance of the seamen in every respect ample1 and that the work being now much lighter than formerly1 they had no just ground for complaint2 ,mr ,taylor adding1 that if those who now complained 8were even to be fed upon soft bread and turkeys1 they would not think themselves right40 ,at #ab noon1 as before noticed1 the work of the landing-master's crew was completed for the day4 ,but at #d o'clock1 while the ,rock was under water1 those on the ,beacon were surprised by the arrival of a boat from the ,tender1 without any signal having been made from the ,beacon4 ,it1 however1 brought the following note to the writer from the landing-master's crew4 ,sir ,joseph ,banks1 ,tender4 8,,sir1 8,we are informed by our masters1 that our allowance is to be as before1 and it is not sufficient to serve us1 for we have been at work since #d o'clock this morning1 and we have come on board to dinner1 and there is no beer for us before to-morrow morning1 to which a sufficient answer is required before we go from the ,beacon2 and we are1 ,sir1 your most obedient servants40 ,on reading this1 the writer returned a verbal message1 intimating1 that an answer would be sent on board of the ,tender1 at the same time ordering the boat instantly to quit the ,beacon4 ,he then addressed the following note to the landing-master4 ,sidenote3 ,correspondence with the ,landing-master4 8,beacon-house1 #bb;d ,june #ahaj1 #e o'clock1 ,p4 ,m4 8,,sir1 8,i have just now received a letter purporting to be from the landing-master's crew and seamen on board of the ,sir ,joseph ,banks1 though without either date or signature2 in answer to which1 ,i inclose a statement of the daily allowance of provisions for the seamen in this service1 which you will post up in the ship's-galley1 and at #g o'clock this evening ,i will come on board to enquire into this unexpected and most unnecessary demand for an additional allowance of beer4 ,in the inclosed1 you will not find any alteration from the original statement1 fixed in the galley at the beginning of the season4 ,i have1 however1 judged this mode of giving your people an answer1 preferable to that of conversing with them on the ,beacon4 ,i am1 ,sir1 your most obedient servant1 8,to ,captain ,wilson4 ,,robert ,,stevenson40 8,beacon-house1 #bb;d ,june #ahaj4--,,schedule of the daily ,allowance of ,provisions to be served out on board of the ,sir ,joseph ,banks ,tender40--8#a lb4 beef2 #a lb4 bread2 #h oz4 oatmeal2 #b oz4 barley2 #b oz4 butter2 #c quarts beer2 vegetables and salt no stated allowance4 ,when the seamen are employed in unloading the ,smeaton and ,patriot1 a draught of beer is1 as formerly1 to be allowed from the stock of these vessels4 ,further1 in wet and stormy weather1 or when the work commences very early in the morning1 or continues till a late hour at night1 a glass of spirits will also be served out to the crew as heretofore1 on the requisition of the ,landing-master40 8,,robert ,,stevenson40 ,sidenote3 ,writer goes on board of the ,tender4 ,on writing this letter and schedule1 a signal was made on the ,beacon for the landing-master's boat1 which immediately came to the ,rock1 and the schedule was afterwards stuck up in the ,tender's galley4 ,when sufficient time had been allowed to the crew to consider of their conduct1 a second signal was made for a boat1 and at #g o'clock the writer left the ,bell ,rock1 after a residence of four successive weeks in the ,beacon-house4 ,the first thing which occupied his attention on board of the ,tender1 was to look round upon the ,light-house1 which he saw with some degree of emotion and surprise1 now vieing in height with the ,beacon-house2 for1 although he had often viewed it from the extremity of the western ,railway on the ,rock1 yet the scene1 upon the whole1 seemed far more interesting from the ,tender's moorings1 at the distance of about half a mile4 ,sidenote3 ,two of the ,seamen are dismissed the service4 ,the ,smeaton having just arrived at her moorings with a cargo1 a signal was made for ,captain ,pool to come on board of the ,tender1 that he might be at hand to remove from the service any of those who might persist in their discontented conduct4 ,one of the two principal leaders in this affair1 being the master of one of the praam-boats1 and who had also steered the boat which brought the letter to the ,beacon1 was first called upon deck1 and asked if he had read the statement fixed up in the galley this afternoon1 and whether he was satisfied with it4 ,he replied that he had read the paper1 but was not satisfied1 as it held out no alteration on the allowance2 on which he was immediately ordered into the ,smeaton's boat4 ,the next man called had but lately entered the service1 and being also interrogated as to his resolution1 he declared himself to be of the same mind with the ,praam-master1 and was also forthwith ordered into the boat4 ,the writer1 without calling any more of the seamen1 went forward to the gangway1 where they were collected1 and listening to what was passing upon deck3 he addressed them at the hatchway1 and stated that two of their companions had just been dismissed the service1 and sent on board of the ,smeaton1 to be conveyed to ,arbroath4 ,he therefore wished each man to consider for himself1 how far it would be proper1 by any unreasonableness of conduct1 to place themselves in a similar situation1 especially as they were aware that it was optional in him either to dismiss them1 or send them on board a ,man-of-war4 ,it might appear that much inconveniency would be felt at the ,rock by a change of hands at this critical period1 by checking for a time the progress of a building so intimately connected with the best interests of navigation2 yet this would be but of a temporary nature1 while the injury to themselves might be irreparable4 ,it was now1 therefore1 required of any man who1 in this disgraceful manner1 chose to leave the service1 that he should instantly make his appearance upon deck1 while the ,smeaton's boat was alongside4 ,but those below having expressed themselves satisfied with their situation1 viz4 ,william ,brown1 ,george ,gibb1 ,alexander ,scott1 ,john ,dick1 ,robert ,couper1 ,alexander ,shephard1 ,james ,grieve1 ,david ,carey1 ,william ,pearson1 ,stuart ,eaton1 ,alexander ,lawrence1 and ,john ,spink1 were accordingly considered as having returned to their duty4 ,this disposition to mutiny1 which had so strongly manifested itself1 being now happily suppressed1 ,captain ,pool got orders to proceed for ,arbroath ,bay1 and land the two men he had on board1 and to deliver the following letter at the office of the work-yard4 8,on ,board of the ,tender off the ,bell ,rock1 #bb;d ,june #ahaj4 #h o'clock ,p4 ,m4 8,,dear ,,sir1 8,a discontented and mutinous spirit having manifested itself of late1 among the ,landing-master's crew1 they struck work to-day1 and demanded an additional allowance of beer1 and ,i have found it necessary to dismiss ,d----d and ,m----e1 who are now sent on shore with the ,smeaton4 ,you will1 therefore1 be so good as to pay them their wages1 including this day only4 ,nothing can be more unreasonable than the conduct of the seamen on this occasion1 as the landing-master's crew not only had their own allowance on board of the ,tender1 but1 in the course of this day1 they had drawn no fewer than #bd quart pots of beer from the stock of the ,patriot1 while unloading her4 8,i remain1 yours truly1 8,,robert ,,stevenson40 8,to ,mr ,lachlan ,kennedy1 ,bell-,rock ,office1 ,arbroath40 ,on dispatching this letter to ,mr ,kennedy1 the writer returned to the ,beacon about #i o'clock1 where this afternoon's business had produced many conjectures1 especially when the ,smeaton got under way1 instead of proceeding to land her cargo4 ,the bell on the ,beacon being rung1 the artificers were assembled on the bridge1 when the affair was explained to them4 ,he1 at the same time1 congratulated them upon the first appearance of mutiny being happily set at rest by the dismissal of its two principal abettors4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #bc;d4 ,sidenote3 ,progress of the ,works at ,arbroath4 ,the ,smeaton having landed the disaffected men and delivered the letter1 returned to the ,bell ,rock last evening at #h o'clock1 when the landing-master and his crew immediately proceeded to discharge her1 leaving the loaded praams at their moorings for the night4 ,by letters from the work-yard from ,mr ,david ,logan1 clerk of works1 the writer learned1 that1 when the two courses which the stone-cutters had now in hand were completed1 there would only be one more to prepare1 and that already several of the masons were about to be paid off4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #bdth4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,works are visited by ,mr ,murdoch of ,soho4 ,at the ,rock1 the landing of the materials1 and the building operations of the light-room-store1 went on successfully1 and in a way similar to those of the provision-store4 ,to-day it blew fresh breezes2 but the seamen nevertheless landed #bh stones1 and the artificers built the ,fifty-eighth and ,fifty-ninth courses4 ,the works were visited by ,mr ,murdoch junior1 from ,messrs ,boulton and ,watt's works of ,soho4 ,he landed just as the bell rung for prayers2 after which the writer enjoyed much pleasure from his very intelligent conversation3 and having been almost the only stranger he had seen for some weeks1 he parted with him1 after a short interview1 with much regret4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #bgth4 ,sidenote3 ,sixty-second course laid4 ,there were #df pieces of stone landed to-day1 #af of which were built1 being the ,sixty-second course1 in which the upper brass cases for the hinges of the storm-shutters occurred1 each of which weighed about #be lb41 or #ajj lb4 for the four cases with their hinges4 ,the sole or foot of the balance-crane was also shifted1 an operation which became necessary at the height of about every #af feet of the ,light-house2 and it was now raised from the store-room to the kitchen-floor4 ,the shaft of the crane consisted of one piece of #h feet1 and three of #f feet1 making its whole length #bf feet1 of which1 about #g feet were occupied with the body and foot of the crane4 ,the operations of laying the courses in which the hinge-cases of the storm-shutters of the different windows occurred1 like those of the entrance-door1 being very tedious1 the ,beacon-bell was rung this morning at the very early hour of #c o'clock1 and as the work continued till half-past #i at night1 the artificers had #h hours and a half's extra work1 which yielded them #ds4 #c;d4 of extra pay4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #bhth4 ,sidenote3 ,workmen wetted by the sea on the top of the walls4 ,the ,sixty-third and ,sixty-fourth courses were laid to-day1 consisting of #af stones each4 ,last night the wind had shifted to north-east1 and blowing fresh1 was accompanied with a heavy surf upon the ,rock4 ,towards high water it had a very grand and wonderful appearance4 ,waves of considerable magnitude rose as high as the solid or level of the entrance-door1 which1 being open to the south-west1 was fortunately to the leeward2 but on the windward side1 the sprays flew like lightning up the sloping sides of the building2 and although the walls were now elevated #fd feet above the ,rock1 and about #eb feet from high-water mark1 yet the artificers were nevertheless wetted1 and occasionally interrupted in their operations on the top of the walls4 ,these appearances were in a great measure new at the ,bell ,rock1 there having till of late been no building to conduct the seas1 or object to compare them with4 ,although1 from the description of the ,edystone ,light-house1 the mind was prepared for such effects1 yet they were not expected to the present extent1 in the summer season2 the sea being most awful to-day1 whether observed from the ,beacon or the ,building4 ,to windward1 the sprays fell from the height above noticed1 in the most wonderful cascades1 and streamed down the walls of the building in froth as white as snow4 ,to leeward of the ,light-house1 the collision or meeting of the waves produced a pure white kind of drift1 which is attempted to be represented in the ,frontispiece to this work3 it rose about #cj feet in height1 like a fine downy mist1 which1 in its fall1 felt upon the face and hands more like a dry powder than a liquid substance4 ,the effects of these seas1 as they ranged among the beams1 and dashed upon the higher parts of the ,beacon1 produced a temporary tremulous motion throughout the whole fabric1 which to a stranger must have been frightful4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #cjth4 ,sidenote3 ,mr ,john ,reid's ,report on the ,floating-light4 ,the artificers laid the ,sixty-fifth course to-day1 forming the fourth or bed-room floor4 ,they had1 however1 no extra hours' work1 a circumstance which had not occurred for several weeks before4 ,although1 from the rapid progress which was now making with the ,building1 there was every prospect that it would be finished in the course of this year2 yet1 as the ,light-room and its apparatus were very critical parts of the operation1 which would necessarily fall to be transported to the ,rock at a late period of the season1 and were1 consequently1 liable to many casualties1 it was proper to make provision for continuing the ,floating-light for another winter1 in case the light should not be exhibited from the ,light-house4 ,this vessel had now been on her station for three years2 and as she lay at anchor in #ai fathoms water1 it had1 consequently1 been impossible thoroughly to examine her bottom4 ,what rendered her state more uncertain1 was the condition of the logs of timber employed for supporting the temporary ,railways on the ,rock for nearly a similar period4 ,these logs were of the common ,norway-fir1 and when laid down measured about ten inches upon each side2 but after lying about three years on the ,rock1 they were so much wasted by the small insect formerly mentioned1 that they would not now square to more than #g inches1 without leaving traces of the ravages of this animal1 having thereby lost at the rate of about one-half inch on each side of sound timber per annum4 ,directions had been given to ,mr ,john ,reid1 who1 during the summer months1 had the command of the ,floating-light1 and who was also professionally a ship-carpenter1 to take a convenient opportunity of trimming the vessel1 in such a manner as to give her a list first to one side and then to the other1 so as to get her bottom as fully examined as possible4 ,this having been done1 ,mr ,reid intimated that he considered her in a sound state4 ,the writer accordingly left the ,beacon-house to-day1 accompanied by the landing-master1 to see some of the side-planks which had been dubbed or dressed with a carpenter's adze1 and1 on examination1 he had the satisfaction to find that they appeared perfectly fresh4 ,this was a matter of some consequence to the work1 as it must have been attended with great inconvenience1 to have removed such a vessel as the ,floating-light1 and put another in her place1 even for a short period4 ,after this inspection1 the writer returned to the ,rock1 having previously requested of ,mr ,reid to make a report in writing1 which he did in the following terms3 8,pharos ,floating-,light1 off the ,bell ,rock1 #cjth ,june #ahaj4 8,,sir1 8,according to your orders1 ,i have1 on several occasions1 during this month1 careened the ,float1 and inspected her bottom as much as possible while the vessel is at anchor2 but ,i can see no appearance of the wood-worm in any part of it4 ,there is indeed plenty of sea-weed1 mussels1 and red-worms 7creatures with many feet71 but it is not this kind of worm that perforates the planks of shipping2 and as this destructive animal generally makes its appearance between wind and water1 ,i am apt to believe that the ,pharos' bottom is perfectly sound and healthy4 ,with regard to the beam and knee observed to be working a little1 ,i will send a note of the scantling of the timber that will be necessary for securing it1 to ,mr ,dickie1 the carpenter1 at ,arbroath4 ,i1 for one1 have no objections to another winter on board1 without further repairs2 for though she rolls heavily in the trough of the sea1 yet she has1 upon the whole1 been a very kindly ship to me4--,i am1 ,sir1 your most obedient servant1 8,to ,mr ,stevenson4 ,,john ,,reid1 ,carpenter40 ,sidenote3 #ahaj1 ,july4 ,sidenote3 ,narrow escape of one of the ,masons4 ,while ,william ,kennedy1 one of the masons1 was stepping off the bridge into the entrance-door of the ,light-house1 one of the cast-iron slips of the balance-weight of the crane1 weighing about #gj lb41 fell from the top of the building and grazed his left shoulder1 but1 fortunately1 in so gentle a manner1 that it hardly ruffled the skin2 a few inches nearer1 it would have carried away his arm or killed him on the spot4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #ast4 ,sidenote3 ,writer describes his ,cabin4 ,the artificers laid #ab stones to-day1 and the seamen landed no fewer than #cd blocks4--,the writer had now been at the ,bell ,rock since the latter end of ,may1 or about six weeks1 during four of which he had been a constant inhabitant of the ,beacon1 without having been once off the ,rock4 ,after witnessing the laying of the ,sixty-seventh or second ,course of the bed-room apartment1 he left the ,rock with the ,tender1 and went ashore1 as some arrangements were to make for the future conduct of the works at ,arbroath1 which were soon to be brought to a close2 the landing-master's crew having1 in the mean time1 shifted on board of the ,patriot4 ,in leaving the ,rock1 the writer kept his eyes fixed upon the ,light-house1 which had recently got into the form of a house1 having several tiers or storeys of windows4 ,nor was he unmindful of his habitation in the ,beacon1 now far overtoped by the masonry2 where he had spent several weeks in a kind of active retirement1 making practical experiment of the fewness of the positive wants of man4 ,his cabin measured not more than #d feet #c inches in breadth on the floor2 and though1 from the oblique direction of the beams of the ,beacon1 it widened towards the top1 yet it did not admit of the full extension of his arms when he stood on the floor2 while its length was little more than sufficient for suspending a cot-bed during the night1 calculated for being triced up to the roof through the day1 which left free room for the admission of occasional visitants4 ,his folding-table was attached with hinges1 immediately under the small window of the apartment1 and his books1 barometer1 thermometer1 portmanteau1 and two or three camp-stools1 formed the bulk of his moveables4 ,his diet being plain1 the paraphernalia of the table were proportionally simple2 though every thing had the appearance of comfort1 and even of neatness1 the walls being covered with green cloth1 formed into pannels with red tape1 and his bed festooned with curtains of yellow cotton-stuff4 ,if1 in speculating upon the abstract wants of man in such a state of exclusion1 one were reduced to a single book1 the ,sacred ,volume1 whether considered for the striking diversity of its story1--the morality of its doctrine1--or the important truths of its ,gospel1 would have proved by far the greatest treasure4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #b;d4 ,sidenote3 ,case of ,george ,dall1 an impressed seaman4 ,in walking over the work-yard at ,arbroath this morning1 the writer found that the stones of the course immediately under the cornice were all in hand1 and that a week's work would now finish the whole2 while the intermediate courses lay ready numbered and marked for shipping to the ,rock4 ,among other subjects which had occupied his attention to-day1 was a visit from some of the relations of ,george ,dall1 a young man who had been impressed near ,dundee in the month of ,february last3 ,a dispute had arisen between the ,magistrates of that borough and the ,regulating ,officer as to his right of impressing ,dall1 who was bona fide one of the protected seamen in the ,bell ,rock service4 ,in the mean time1 the poor lad was detained1 and ultimately committed to the prison of ,dundee1 to remain until the question should be tried before the ,court of ,session4 ,his friends were naturally very desirous to have him relieved upon bail4 ,but as this was only to be done by the judgment of the ,court1 all that could be said was1 that his pay and allowances should be continued in the same manner as if he had been upon the sick-list4 ,the circumstances of ,dall's case1 were briefly these4 ,he had gone to see some of his friends in the neighbourhood of ,dundee1 in winter1 while the works were suspended1 having got leave of absence from ,mr ,taylor1 who commanded the ,bell ,rock ,tender1 and had in his possession one of the ,protection ,medals1 represented in ,plate ,,xii41 and alluded to at page #bji4 ,unfortunately1 however1 for ,dall1 the ,regulating-,officer thought proper to disregard these documents1 as1 according to the strict and literal interpretation of the ,admiralty regulations1 a seaman does not stand protected unless he is actually on board of his ship1 or in a boat belonging to her1 or has the ,admiralty-protection in his possession4 ,this order of the ,board1 however1 cannot be rigidly followed in practice2 and therefore1 when the matter is satisfactorily stated to the ,regulating-,officer1 the impressed man is generally liberated4 ,but in ,dall's case this was peremptorily refused1 and he was retained at the instance of the ,magistrates4 ,the writer having brought the matter under the consideration of the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 they authorised it to be tried on the part of the ,light-house ,board1 as one of extreme hardship4 ,the ,court1 upon the first hearing1 ordered ,dall to be liberated from prison2 and the proceedings never went further4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #crd4 ,sidenote3 ,magistrates of ,arbroath visit the ,bell ,rock4 ,during the three years in which the operations of the ,bell ,rock ,light-house had been in progress1 the ,magistrates of the ,royal ,burgh of ,arbroath1 where the work-yard was established1 had shewn the utmost attention in forwarding the works1 by every means in their power4 ,in particular1 a free or peculiar birth had been given to the vessels of the ,light-house service1 where a crane was permitted to be erected2 and the building materials were allowed to be reshipped for the ,light-house1 without any additional charge for shore-dues4 ,indeed1 the whole community of this town seemed to view the work1 and those concerned with the operations1 in a very favourable manner4 ,the writer was therefore happy1 at this time1 in having an opportunity of giving effect to an arrangement long talked of1 with the ,magistrates and some of their friends1 of taking a sail to the ,bell ,rock1 to see the progress of the works4 ,this having been accordingly intimated to ,provost ,airth1 he gladly embarked in the ,tender1 along with two of the former ,chief-,magistrates1 ,balfour and ,milne1 and ,bailies ,duncan1 ,fleming1 ,anson1 ,wightman1 and ,kid1 together with ,mr ,john ,colville1 ,town-,clerk1 ,messrs ,bruce1 ,bell1 ,balfour1 ,johnston1 ,christie and ,lindsay1 c4 in all sixteen4 ,the vessel sailed from ,arbroath at an early hour1 but the weather became thick and foggy1 with the wind at ,s4,e41 and it was #b o'clock ,p4 ,m41 before she reached her moorings at the ,rock1 which being then covered with water1 the party had to wait till about #f before a landing could be made4 ,during these four hours1 the vessel had a very unpleasant rolling motion3 the party cast many a weary look towards the ,rock for its appearance2 and1 on landing1 much satisfaction was expressed at getting a firm footing upon the railways4 ,the party soon began to clamber up to the ,beacon1 and1 after examining all its parts1 crossed the bridge1 but only a few ventured to the top of ,light-house1 from the narrowness of the passages1 and difficult position of the ladders4 ,after spending fully three hours upon the ,rock1 the water began to rise upon the ,railways1 when the gentlemen again embarked1 and were greeted with cheers from the workmen4 ,the wind being fair1 and the weather pleasant1 the ,tender soon reached ,arbroath1 when the party landed1 much delighted with their trip1 while the writer was not a little pleased at having thus had an opportunity of gratifying so many of his friends4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #c;d4 ,sidenote3 ,number of ,artificers on the ,rock reduced to #bb4 ,the artificers had yesterday laid the ,sixty-eighth course of the building1 consisting of #af stones1 of which #aj had also been landed4 ,the ,tender having returned from ,arbroath this afternoon1 the landing-master's crew left the ,patriot1 and took up their quarters again on board of the ,tender4 ,the artificers lodged in the ,beacon had of late varied from twenty-six to thirty-one in number2 but the ,railways being finished1 the work now admitted of their being reduced to twenty-two4 ,during the time that the ,rock was covered with water1 and materials could not be landed1 the masons were employed in dressing off and repolishing any inequalities which appeared on the interior walls of the different apartments4 ,the raising of stones from the waggons on the ,rock to the top of the building1 now about #hj feet in height1 had become rather a tedious operation4 ,the lift with the balance-crane in particular being upwards of #de feet1 it required some precaution and trouble in coiling such a length of chain upon the barrel4 ,it therefore became necessary to lessen this operation1 by placing a winch-machine on the store-room floor1 and projecting a beam from the western window1 to form a stage in taking up the stones1 as will be understood by examining the third year's work of ,plate ,,ix41 and the general view of the operations at the ,rock represented in ,plate ,,xviii4 ,sidenote3 ,narrow escape of the ,smeaton at the ,bell ,rock4 ,advantage of ,alarm-bells4 ,being now within twelve courses of being ready for building the cornice1 measures were taken for getting the stones of it and the parapet-wall of the ,light-room brought from ,edinburgh1 where1 as before noticed1 they had been prepared1 and were in readiness for shipping4 ,the honour of conveying the upper part of the ,light-house1 and of landing the last stone of the building on the ,rock1 was considered to belong to ,captain ,pool of the ,smeaton1 who had been longer in the service than the master of the ,patriot4 ,the ,smeaton was therefore now partly loaded with old iron1 consisting of broken railways and other lumber1 which had been lying about the ,rock4 ,after landing these at ,arbroath1 she took on board ,james ,craw1 with his horse and cart1 which could now be spared at the work-yard1 to be employed in carting the stones from ,edinburgh to ,leith4 ,alexander ,davidson and ,william ,kennedy1 two careful masons1 were also sent to take charge of the loading of the stones at ,greenside1 and stowing them on board of the vessel at ,leith4 ,the writer also went on board1 with a view to call at the ,bell ,rock1 and to take his passage up the ,firth of ,forth4 ,the wind1 however1 coming to blow very fresh from the eastward1 with thick and foggy weather1 it became necessary to reef the mainsail1 and set the second-jib4 ,when in the act of making a tack towards the ,tender1 the sailors who worked the head sheets were all of a sudden alarmed with the sound of the smith's hammer and anvil on the ,beacon1 and had just time to put the ship about to save her from running ashore on the north western point of the ,rock1 marked 8,james ,craw's horse10 in ,plate ,,vi4 ,on looking towards the direction from whence the sound came1 the ,building and ,beacon-house were seen1 with consternation1 while the ship was hailed by those on the ,rock1 who were no less confounded at seeing the near approach of the ,smeaton1 and1 just as the vessel cleared the danger1 the smith and those in the mortar-galley made signs in token of their happiness at our fortunate escape4 ,from this occurrence the writer had an experimental proof of the utility of the large ,bells which were in preparation to be rung by the machinery of the ,revolving-light2 for1 had it not been the sound of the smith's anvil1 the ,smeaton1 in all probability1 would have been wrecked upon the ,rock4 ,in case the vessel had struck1 those on board might have been safe1 having now the ,beacon-house as a place of refuge2 but the vessel1 which was going at a great velocity1 must have suffered severely1 and it was more than probable that the horse would have been drowned1 there being no means of getting him out of the vessel4 ,of this valuable animal and his master1 both delineated in ,plate ,x41 we shall take an opportunity of saying more in another part of the work4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,artificers on the ,beacon greatly alarmed4 ,the weather cleared up in the course of the night1 but the wind shifted to the ,n4,e41 and blew very fresh3 and it was with difficulty that a communication could be made with the ,tender1 after which the ,smeaton bore away for ,leith about #g ,a4 ,m4 ,at #i she was abreast of ,fifeness1 and at half-past #a ,p4 ,m4 got safely into ,leith harbour1 after a passage of about six hours1 which was fully the quickest which the writer had made from the ,bell ,rock to ,leith1 a distance of about #hh miles4 ,from the force of the wind1 being now the period of spring-tides1 a very heavy swell was experienced at the ,rock3 at #b o'clock on the following morning1 the people on the ,beacon were in a state of great alarm about their safety1 as the sea had broke up part of the floor of the mortar-gallery1 which was thus cleared of the lime-casks1 and other buoyant articles2 and the alarm-bell being rung1 all hands were called to render what assistance was in their power for the safety of themselves and the materials4 ,at this time1 some would willingly have left the ,beacon and gone into the ,building3 the sea1 however1 ran so high1 that there was no passage along the bridge of communication2 and when the interior of the ,light-house came to be examined in the morning1 it appeared that great quantities of water had come over the walls1 now #hj feet in height1 and had run down through the several apartments1 and out at the entrance-door4 ,from this state of things the work was stopped for two days1 in the course of which the joiners got the mortar-gallery refitted1 and the landing-master's crew supplied it with a fresh stock of materials for making mortar4 ,notwithstanding this state of the sea upon the ,rock1 the ,tender and ,patriot still kept at their moorings4 ,such1 indeed1 was the practice of the seamen1 in this kind of life1 that1 unless when the wind blew from ,n4,w41 or in such a direction as made the vessels ride with their sterns towards the ,rock1 they never thought of moving from their moorings1 unless the vessels were deeply loaded4 ,sidenote3 ,progress of the ,light-room works4 ,on reaching ,edinburgh1 the writer found the ,light-room and ,reflecting-apparatus in considerable forwardness at the ,greenside ,company's works4 ,he had also received advice from ,prescot1 that the plate-glass for the windows would soon be in a state of readiness2 and ,messrs ,meirs and ,son of ,london intimated1 that they would cast the ,bells at any time1 on receiving a week or ten days notice4 ,the only article connected with the light-room1 regarding which there was a doubt1 was the coloured glass for distinguishing the light1 which had long since been commissioned from ,mr ,okey of ,london1 who1 though a very ingenious artist1 was rather an irregular correspondent4 ,sidenote3 ,works at ,arbroath completed4 ,the upper course of the ,light-house at the work-yard of ,arbroath1 was completed on the #fth1 and the whole of the stones were therefore now ready for being shipped to the ,rock4 ,the operations of the hewers or stone-cutters were thus brought very nearly to a close3 only the #bc steps of the stone staircase of the ,light-house remained to be dressed2 and this piece of work was reserved for some of the principal masons1 on their return from the ,rock1 as the steps could not be conveniently built until the balance-crane and other bulky apparatus were removed from the building4 ,from the present state of the works1 it was impossible that the two squads of artificers at ,arbroath and the ,bell ,rock could meet together at this period2 and as1 in public works of this kind1 which had continued for a series of years1 it is not customary to allow the men to separate without what is termed a 8,finishing-pint10 five guineas were for this purpose placed at the disposal of ,mr ,david ,logan1 clerk of works4 ,with this sum the stone-cutters at ,arbroath had a merry-meeting in their barrack1 collected their sweethearts and friends1 and concluded their labours with a dance4 ,it was remarked1 however1 that their happiness on this occasion was not without alloy4 ,the consideration of parting1 and leaving a steady and regular employment1 to go in quest of work1 and mix with other society1 after having been harmoniously lodged for years together in one large 8,guildhall or ,barrack10 was rather painful4 ,the completion of this part of the work at ,arbroath was felt as an era in the ,light-house affairs1 by admitting of the discharge of so considerable a number of the artificers4 ,mr ,david ,logan1 by this means also1 got off to the ,bell ,rock1 having been hitherto chiefly confined to the operations ashore4 ,sidenote3 ,mr ,smeaton's daughter visits the ,light-house works at ,edinburgh4 ,while the writer was at ,edinburgh1 he was fortunate enough to meet with ,mrs ,dickson1 only daughter of the late celebrated ,mr ,smeaton1 whose works at the ,edystone ,light-house had been of such essential consequence to the operations at the ,bell ,rock4 ,even her own elegant accomplishments are identified with her father's work1 she having herself made the drawing of the vignette on the title-page of the ,narrative of the ,edystone ,light-house4 ,every admirer of the works of that singularly eminent man1 must also feel an obligation to her for the very comprehensive and distinct account given of his life1 which is attached to his ,reports1 published in three volumes quarto1 by the ,society of ,civil ,engineers4 ,mrs ,dickson being1 at this time1 returning from a tour to the ,hebrides and ,western ,highlands of ,scotland1 had heard of the ,bell ,rock works1 and from their similarity to those of the ,edystone1 was strongly impressed with the desire of visiting the spot4 ,but1 on inquiring for the writer at ,edinburgh1 and finding from him that the upper part of the ,light-house1 consisting of nine courses1 might be seen in the immediate vicinity1 and also1 that one of the vessels which1 in compliment to her father's memory1 had been named 8,the ,smeaton10 might also now be seen in ,leith1--she considered herself extremely fortunate2 and having first visited the works at ,greenside1 she afterwards went to ,leith to see 8,the ,smeaton10 then loading for the ,bell ,rock4 ,on stepping on board1 ,mrs ,dickson seemed to be quite overcome with so many concurrent circumstances1 tending in a peculiar manner to revive and enliven the memory of her departed father2 and1 on leaving the vessel1 she would not be restrained from presenting the crew with a piece of money4 8,the ,smeaton0 had been named spontaneously1 from a sense of the obligation which a public work of the description of the ,bell ,rock owed to the labours and the abilities of ,mr ,smeaton4 ,the writer certainly never could have anticipated the satisfaction which he this day felt1 in witnessing the pleasure it afforded to the only representative of this great man's family4 ,mrs ,dickson's stay in ,edinburgh was short1 as1 in seeing so much of the ,bell ,rock works1 she had accomplished the chief object which brought her to this side of the country4 ,on her return to the neighbourhood of ,kendal1 the place of her residence1 she had the kindness to send the writer a portrait of her father1 together with the vignette of the ,edystone ,light-house4 ,sidenote3 ,mr ,david ,logan joins the ,works at the ,rock4 ,at the ,bell ,rock1 ,mr ,peter ,logan1 foreman builder1 was reinforced by the able and active exertions of his son ,mr ,david ,logan1 who was now relieved from attendance at the work-yard of ,arbroath1 where the stone-cutters had just completed their operations4 ,in the mean time1 the walls of the ,light-house were progressively rising1 and1 on ,friday the #fth1 the artificers laid the ,seventy-first course1 consisting of #af stones1 and shifted the foot of the ,balance-crane from the kitchen to the bed-room1 about #db feet above the bridge4 ,a considerable time was1 therefore1 occupied in raising a stone from thence to the top of the building4 ,to remedy this1 as formerly alluded to1 a beam was projected from the western window of the light-room store1 where a winch-machine and apparatus were placed1 with which the stones were raised from the bridge to the level of the window-sill4 ,the chain of the balance-crane was then lowered1 and hooked into the ,lewis-bat of the stone1 which was thus hoisted up1 and laid in its place on the building1 as will be fully understood by examining the progress of the work in ,plate ,,ix4 ,this additional tackle from the store-room window gave a wonderful facility to the operation of raising the stones2 for1 though the time of working upon the walls of the building was now extended to the whole day1 yet the period of landing the materials upon the ,rock was still unavoidably confined to the few hours during which it was left by the tide at low-water4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #gth4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,patriot is seven days in being cleared of a cargo4 ,the landing-master's crew commenced at #d o'clock this morning1 and transported #bd blocks of stone and #h dove-tailed joggles to the ,rock in the course of the day1 which cleared the ,patriot of her cargo1 when she sailed for ,arbroath1 having now been no less than #g days on the birth4 ,this was1 therefore1 the most tedious trip since the first cargo of this season1 which1 as before noticed1 had been on board of the ,smeaton for #aa days4 ,the stones landed to-day could not be raised to the top of the building1 as the joiners had possession of the upper apartment1 where they were fixing the framing used for supporting the floor-stones1 while building4 ,the stones were1 in the mean time1 left chiefly on the ,rock1 though a few were laid upon the bridge4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #hth4 ,sidenote3 ,progress of raising the ,stones4 ,to-day the ,seventy-second course was laid4 ,the mill-wrights1 in the mean time1 made preparations for fitting up another winch-apparatus on the bed-room floor1 similar to that already described for the store-room1 by projecting a beam from its western window1 which was to form another stage for lifting the materials4 ,when1 therefore1 a stone was landed on the ,rock1 and conveyed along the ,railways1 within reach of the winch-apparatus upon the bridge1 and raised to its level1 it was next hooked by the chain of the winch on the store-room floor3 having attained that height1 it was laid hold of by the chain of the machinery on the bed-room floor2 and last of all1 it was hooked to the chain of the balance-crane1 by which it was raised to the top of the walls and laid in its place4 ,the series of machinery now in motion on the ,bell ,rock1 was very complete1 and gave great facility to the landing of the materials4 ,a set of tackle was at work at the landing-cranes on the eastern and western side of the ,rock1 for lifting the stones from on board of the ,praam-boats1 and laying them on the waggons3 from thence they were wheeled along the ,railways to the bridge2 from which they were successively lifted1 as has been described1 by the machinery upon it2 then by that in the store-room2 next by that in the bed-room1 and last of all by the balance-crane1--as will be more particularly seen in the third year's work of ,plate ,,ix41 and in the ,general ,view of the ,works1 ,plate ,,xviii4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #ith4 ,sidenote3 ,last cargo of stone shipped at ,arbroath4 ,at ,arbroath1 the ,patriot had now loaded the last cargo of building materials from that port1 consisting of #fe pieces of stone1 #d dove-tailed joggles1 #ah casks of pozzolano1 lime1 sand1 and cement1 with three cart-loads of timber1 and the necessary supplies of provisions for the ,tender and ,beacon-house4 ,from the interest which the inhabitants of ,arbroath took in all that concerned the ,bell ,rock ,light-house1 it soon became generally known that the last cargo from the work-yard was loading4 ,upon this occasion1 the ships in the harbour hoisted their colours1 in compliment to the approaching termination of the works2 and1 at #g ,p4 ,m41 a great concourse of people collected on the quays1 who united in giving three hearty cheers1 as the ,patriot sailed from the harbour4 ,at the ,bell ,rock1 the building-artificers were at a stand to-day for want of materials1 and were employed in dressing off and polishing the interior of the building1 while the landing-master's crew were removing lumber from the ,rock1 which1 for the present1 was put on board of the ,tender4 ,the joiners and mill-wrights were occupied in framing a centre for building the dome-roof of the library4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #ajth4 ,the ,patriot reached her moorings this morning1 but it was then blowing a fresh gale from ,w4,s4,w41 and the ,tender's boat had much difficulty in getting her hawser reeved through the eye-bolt of the floating-buoy4 ,no materials could be landed on the ,rock to-day4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #aath4 ,the weather being moderate1 with the wind at ,s4,e41 the landing-master's crew proceeded this morning to discharge the ,patriot at the early hour of #c o'clock2 and in the course of the day1 #cj blocks and #b dove-tailed joggles of stone1 and #g casks of pozzolano1 lime1 and sand1 were landed1 besides some timber1 which occupied them till #h o'clock ,p4 ,m41 with little intermission4 ,during this time also1 the artificers laid the ,seventy-third course1 consisting of #af stones4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #abth4 ,sidenote3 ,library ,floor laid4 ,the building-artificers laid the ,seventy-fourth course to-day1 being the floor of the library or strangers' room1 which1 like the others1 consisted altogether of #ah stones2 but of the floor courses1 as before noticed1 only sixteen stones were laid in the first instance1 the centre and the stone connected with the man-hole being left for the conveniency of moving the machinery as the building advanced in height4 ,the seamen landed #be blocks of stone1 and the remaining #b dove-tailed joggles which discharged the ,patriot2 and at #b ,p4 ,m4 she sailed for ,leith1 to load a cargo of the upper courses of the ,light-house1 which had been worked at ,edinburgh4 ,the artificers on the ,rock were now reduced to #bb1 there having been #f of their number sent ashore at this time4 ,the ,smeaton having loaded #dh stones at ,leith1 with sundry other materials1 arrived to-day at the ,bell ,rock2 but the praams were still at their moorings1 loaded with part of the former cargo1 which the builders could not yet receive4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #acth4 ,to-day the building-artificers laid the ,seventy-fifth and ,seventy-sixth courses1 consisting each of #ab stones1 and the seamen landed #aa stones1 being the remainder of the ,patriot's cargo4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #adth4 ,the ,seventy-seventh and ,seventy-eighth courses were laid to-day3 the landing-master's crew discharged #bf blocks of stone1 and #bj dove-tailed joggles from the ,smeaton1 and landed them on the ,rock4 ,as it blew very fresh from the ,s4,w41 it was a hard day's work for the seamen1 who commenced this morning as early as #b o'clock to load the praam-boats1 and it was between #g and #h in the evening before the boats returned on board of the ,tender for the night4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #aeth4 ,the artificers laid the ,seventy-ninth and ,eightieth courses to-day1 consisting of #ab stones each1 and had no less than seven and a half hours of extra time1 having been at work from #d o'clock this morning till #i in the evening1 owing to some difficulty which occurred in laying the course1 in which the upper storm-hinge cases occurred4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #afth4 ,sidenote3 ,ring-bar course laid4 ,sidenote3 ,floors described4 ,the artificers laid the ,eighty-first course1 consisting of #ab stones from ,craigleith ,quarry1 being one of these worked at ,edinburgh1 in which a groove1 for an iron-ring1 was cut1 as an additional security for the superincumbent weight of the cornice4 ,in the ,first course of the ,dome of ,st ,paul's of ,london1 a continuous chain had been sunk into a groove1 in order to bind the haunches of the arch more firmly together4 ,mr ,smeaton1 alluding to this in his ,narrative1 also inserted a chain into each of his floor-courses at the ,edystone ,light-house4 ,being of an arched form1 these chains inserted into grooves1 cut in the haunch-courses of arches1 have a tendency to counteract their pressure outwards4 ,at the ,bell ,rock1 the writer1 however1 designed the floors in such a manner that each projected from the outward wall of the building towards the centre1 and the whole being grooved in a lateral direction1 in the joints1 like the deals of a common floor1 became as one stone1 having a perpendicular pressure upon the walls4 ,even in the dome-roof of the library1 though it has a spherical appearance within1 yet the stones are all laid upon horizontal beds1 the dome being formed by hollowing the under beds1 and making them overlap or project inward beyond each other1 the pressure being still perpendicular upon the walls1 instead of thrusting outwards1 as in the case of an arch4 ,sidenote3 ,description of the ,ring-bar4 ,instead of a continuous chain1 as at the ,edystone arches1 the writer here introduced a flat-bar of the best ,swedish iron into the ,eighty-first course1 having been previously connected in three pieces with scarf-joints and screwed bolts1 with nuts4 ,this bar was set on edge in the building3 it measured #c inches in depth1 #a inch in thickness1 and was in weight about #djj lb4 avoirdupois4 ,this bar was fitted into a groove #c inches in width1 and #d inches in depth1 cut in the upper bed of the course4 ,the bar having been heated as nearly as might be to the temperature of about #aej or #afj degrees of ,fahrenheit1 it was floated or run up flush with lead1 in a very careful and complete manner by ,mr ,john ,gibson1 plumber of ,leith1 who entered so much into the spirit of this work1 that he attended the operation himself3 no pains was1 therefore1 spared in having this body of melted lead properly connected with the circular bar of iron4 ,by this means the iron was preserved from the accession of moisture1 and1 being much stronger than copper1 it was preferred to that more ductile metal4 ,the stones of this course were soon laid1 but the artificers were occupied so long with the application of the ring-bar1 that they had been at work from #d in the morning till #h in the evening4 ,the ,smeaton being discharged1 sailed again for ,leith1 to take on board the last cargo of stones for the ,light-house4 ,the artificers could only receive #g blocks of stone and #g joggles to-day3 the ,hedderwick ,praam-boat was accordingly left at her moorings with the remainder of the ,smeaton's cargo still on board4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #agth4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,dome course occupies much time in laying4 ,the seamen landed #b casks of pozzolano and lime1 #d joggles and #f blocks of stone1 which discharged the praam-boats4 ,the artificers laid #h stones of the ,eighty-second course1 forming part of the dome-roof of the library4 ,this course consisted of #af stones1 which were attended with much more difficulty than those of the ordinary courses3 from their projecting into the apartment1 and being also more easily injured1 they required more precaution in laying and in the fitting of the joggles4 ,the artificers were therefore at work to-day from #d in the morning till half-past #h in the evening1 in laying one-half of this course4 ,from the prevalence of ,s4 ,w4 winds1 the ,patriot only reached ,leith at one ,p4 ,m4 yesterday1 and commenced loading this morning1 when she took on board #cb pieces of stone4 ,the ,smeaton having also arrived at ,leith this afternoon1 both vessels were now off the station1 and it was found necessary to dispatch one of the ,floating-light's boats to ,arbroath1 for a supply of pozzolano1 lime1 and sand1 and also for provisions for the people at the ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #ahth4 ,sidenote3 ,landing-master's crew reduced in number4 ,the building-artificers laid the remaining #h stones of the ,eighty-second course to-day1 and had three and a half hours of extra time4 ,the landing-master's crew having no materials to land upon the ,rock1 were employed to-day in collecting a variety of articles1 and clearing the ,building and ,beacon of implements not now wanted1 which were carried on board of the ,tender4 ,the ,floating-light's boat returned this afternoon from ,arbroath1 and immediately landed her cargo4 ,the landing-master's crew had for some time past been reduced to nine men1 being little more than was necessary for working the ,tender when she got under way2 but at the ,rock they had the daily assistance of a boat and five men from the ,floating-light4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #aith4 ,sidenote3 ,patriot driven from the ,rock4 ,the ,patriot arrived at the ,bell ,rock this evening at #i o'clock1 with a cargo of the cornice-stones2 but1 as it blew a fresh gale from the ,n4,e41 the ,tender's boat could not make fast her hawser to the moorings1 and she was obliged to stand in for the ,bay of ,arbroath4 ,there being1 of course1 no building materials on the ,rock1 the artificers were employed in dressing off and polishing some of the joints in the interior of the ,light-house4 ,at high-water to-day1 it being now the time of spring-tides1 there was a great deal of sea upon the ,rock3 considerable sprays rushed up to the smith's gallery on the ,beacon1 and the water occasionally rose in jets to the height of #dj feet upon the building4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #bjth4 ,sidenote3 ,ceremony observed at loading the last stone at ,leith4 ,the gale from the ,n4,e4 still continued so strong1 accompanied with a heavy sea1 that the ,patriot could not approach her moorings2 and1 although the ,tender still kept her station1 no landing was made to-day at the ,rock4 ,at high-water1 it was remarked1 that the spray rose to the height of about #fj feet upon the building4 ,the ,smeaton now lay in ,leith loaded2 but the wind and weather being so unfavourable for her getting down the ,firth 1 she did not sail till this afternoon4 ,it may here be proper to notice1 that the loading of the centre of the ,light-room floor1 or last principal stone of the building1 did not fail1 when put on board1 to excite an interest among those connected with the work4 ,when the stone was laid upon the cart1 to be conveyed to ,leith1 the seamen fixed an ensign-staff and flag into the circular hole in the centre of the stone1 and decorated their own hats1 and that of ,james ,craw's1 the ,bell ,rock carter1 with ribbons2 even his faithful and trusty horse ,bassey1 was ornamented with beaus and streamers of various colours4 ,the masons also provided themselves with new aprons2 and1 in this manner the cart was attended in its progress to the ship4 ,when the cart came opposite the ,trinity-,house of ,leith1 the officer of that ,corporation made his appearance1 dressed in his uniforms1 with his staff of office2 and when it reached the harbour1 the shipping in the different tiers where the ,smeaton lay1 hoisted their colours1 manifesting1 by these trifling ceremonies1 the interest with which the progress of this work was regarded by the public1 as ultimately tending to afford safety and protection to the mariner4 ,the wind had fortunately shifted to the ,s4,w42 and about #e o'clock this afternoon the ,smeaton reached the ,bell ,rock4 ,the writer had also the satisfaction soon afterwards to see the ,patriot made fast to her moorings2 but there was still too much sea to admit of landing upon the ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #bc;d4 ,sidenote3 ,many ,strangers visit the present interesting state of the ,works4 ,the present interesting state of the ,light-house1 which had now attained the height of #ij feet1 induced a great many strangers to visit the ,bell ,rock1 while the machinery was in operation1 and the ,light-house and ,beacon were connected with the wooden-bridge2 and beams were projected from the windows of the store-room and bed-room1 for the suspension of the tackle with which the stones were raised4 ,the ,stone-lighters and ,tender also lay in the offing at this time1 while the ,praam-boats were occasionally at the landing creeks on the eastern and western sides of the ,rock1 delivering the stones1 which were afterwards wheeled along the railways4 ,the whole1 as shewn in ,plate ,,xviii41 afforded great pleasure1 and excited the surprise of many visitants1 who often endured much hardship in open boats1 on a passage of from #ab to #bj miles1 from the shore4 ,two parties1 under these circumstances1 landed to-day1 among whom were ,messrs ,gellatly and ,macpherson1 accountants1 from the ,greenside works at ,edinburgh4 ,this being the fifth day of the gale1 much relief was felt at the ,rock on the arrival of the boats4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #bdth4 ,sidenote3 ,difficulty of landing and raising the stones of the ,cornice4 ,at #f o'clock this morning1 ,captain ,wilson and his people left the ,tender to load the praam-boats with stones from the ,patriot1 so as to be ready at tide time for landing them on the ,rock4 ,in the course of this day1 the whole of the ,eighty-third1 and #b stones of the ,eighty-fourth courses were landed in safety1 which greatly relieved the writer's mind as to the practicability of landing the stones of the ,eighty-fifth course1 forming the balcony-walk and light-room floor1 as shewn in ,plates ,,xiii4 and ,,xvi4 ,the stones of this course measured #g feet in length1 and weighed upwards of one ton each4 ,for the safety of these unwieldy and more delicately formed stones1 ,captain ,wilson had made some very judicious arrangements4 ,in particular1 he had procured pieces of matting1 and the seamen of the ,tender and ,floating-light had been at work for some time1 preparing additional defenders1 made of old ropes4 ,by a proper application of these1 the stones went safely through the progressive stages of being taken from the hold of the ,smeaton1 and laid on the decks of the praam-boats1 after which they were delivered by the landing-apparatus on the ,bell ,rock1 laid on the stone-waggons1 conveyed along the railway to a centrical position under the bridge1 and raised by four different sets of tackles to the top of the building1 as will be understood by examining ,plates ,,ix4 and ,,xviii4 ,these several movements were fortunately accomplished with all the stones1 without even a trifling injury being done to any of them4 ,the writer1 in the course of this day's work1 remarked1 that1 from the time that one of these large blocks was laid upon the waggon at the landing-apparatus1 till it reached the top of the building1 then about #ie feet in height1 it required1 on an average of eight observations1 at the rate of #ad minutes for each4 ,though the number of stones landed to-day was only #ah1 yet there being still some remains of sea from the former gale1 much care and attention became necessary in the management of these unhandy materials4 ,the landing-master's crew1 who were frequently working up to the middle in water1 were occupied till #aj o'clock at night before they returned to the ,tender4 ,the building-artificers were no less constantly employed1 though they only laid #h stones of the ,eighty-fourth course to-day1 after continuing their operations till #i o'clock ,p4 ,m4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #beth4 ,sidenote3 ,eighty-fourth course completed4 ,the landing-master's crew commenced their operations again this morning at #f1 and1 in the course of the day1 they landed #aj stones of the ,eighty-fifth1 being the course immediately under that of the balcony2 together with #ad dove-tailed joggles for the joints1 as will be understood by examining the diagrams of ,plate ,,xiii4 ,the building-artificers laid the remaining #h stones of the ,eighty-fourth course4 ,the ,patriot having been cleared this evening of her cargo1 sailed to ,arbroath for a supply of water and provisions for the people on the ,rock1 as the stock at this time was getting low1 from the vessels having of late been much off the station1 while employed in bringing the stones from the work-yard at ,edinburgh4 ,sidenote3 ,eight stones of the ,balcony course laid4 ,the building-artificers having now #h blocks of the ,eighty-fifth or ,balcony course at hand1 which1 in one length1 formed the balcony-path and ,light-room-floor1 excepting the centre-stone1 as will be seen from the diagrams in ,plate ,,xiii41 above alluded to1 they commenced work at #d o'clock this morning2 but such was the difficulty attending the laying and fitting the joggled joints of these long stones1 that it was #aj ,p4 ,m4 before they were laid3 they had1 therefore1 no fewer than eight extra hours to-day1 which yielded the high rate of #gs4 #f;d4 to the workmen1 and #aes4 to the foremen1 besides their stated wages and provisions4 ,the landing-master's crew transported the remaining #h blocks of the balcony to the ,rock2 and1 when the last stone was raised in safety through its various stages to the top of the building1 three cheers were given by all hands4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #bfth4 ,sidenote3 ,balcony course completed4 ,the winds were still moderate1 but it rained very heavily at times1 and the artificers were very uncomfortably situate on the top of the walls4 ,they1 however1 persevered in completing the laying of the balcony-course under every disadvantage4 ,the ,patriot returned to the ,rock this afternoon1 with a supply of provisions and necessaries2 when she was dispatched to ,mylnefield ,quarry1 for the first cargo of stones for the establishment of houses at ,arbroath1 about to be erected for the use of the families of the ,bell ,rock ,light-keepers1 it being only intended to lodge the keepers themselves at the ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #bgth4 ,sidenote3 ,eighty-sixth course built4 ,the artificers had finished the laying of the ,balcony-course1 excepting the centre stone of the light-room floor1 which1 like the centres of the other floors1 could not be laid in its place till after the removal of the foot and shaft of the balance-crane4 ,this stone was accordingly left on board of the ,smeaton1 to be landed with the last cargo4 ,the ,eighty-sixth course1 consisting of #h stones1 being the first of the ,parapet-wall of the light-room1 was landed and built4 ,during the dinner hour1 when the men were off work1 the writer generally took some exercise by walking round the walls1 when the ,rock was under water4 ,but to-day his boundary was greatly enlarged1 for1 instead of the narrow wall as a path1 he felt no small degree of pleasure in walking round the balcony1 and passing out and in at the space allotted for the light-room door4 ,in the labours of this day1 both the artificers and seamen felt their work to be extremely easy1 compared with what it had been for some days past4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #bith4 ,the building-artificers laid the ,eighty-seventh and ,eighty-eighth courses1 consisting each of #h stones2 and having made another long day's work1 they had eight extra hours pay4 ,the landing-master's crew transported #b casks of pozzolano1 #b of lime1 and #b of sand1 with #bc blocks of stone1 to the ,rock1 which completed the landing of the masonry of the exterior walls of the ,light-house4 ,immediately before dinner the bell was rung1 and all hands being assembled1 prayers were read as usual in the artificers' barrack-room4 ,sidenote3 ,ceremony observed at landing the last stone4 ,captain ,wilson and his crew had made preparations for landing the last stone1 and1 as may well be supposed1 this was a day of great interest at the ,bell ,rock4 8,that it might lose none of its honours10 as he expressed himself1 the ,hedderwick praam-boat1 with which the first stone of the building had been landed1 was appointed also to carry the last4 ,at #g o'clock this evening1 the seamen hoisted three flags upon the ,hedderwick1 when the colours of the ,dickie ,praam-boat1 ,tender1 ,smeaton1 ,floating-light1 ,beacon-house1 and ,light-house1 were also displayed1 and the weather being remarkably fine1 the whole presented a very gay appearance1 and1 in connection with the associations excited1 the effect was very pleasing4 ,the praam which carried the stone was towed by the seamen in gallant style to the ,rock1 and1 on its arrival1 cheers were given as a finale to the landing department4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #cjth4 ,sidenote3 ,ceremony at laying the last stone of the walls4 ,the ,ninetieth or last course of the building having been laid to-day1 which brought the masonry to the height of #ajb feet #f inches1 the ,lintel of the light-room door1 being the finishing-stone of the exterior walls1 was laid with due formality by the writer1 who1 at the same time1 pronounced the following benediction3 8,may the ,great ,architect of the ,universe1 under whose blessing this perilous work has prospered1 preserve it as a guide to the ,mariner40 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #cast4 ,sidenote3 ,machinery partly dismantled4 ,the artificers were employed to-day in taking down the tackle and machinery from the store-room and kitchen-floors1 which were put on board one of the praam-boats1 and conveyed to the ,tender4 ,the joiners were assisted at low-water by some of the seamen1 in preparing the lower parts of the beams of the ,beacon-house1 for receiving a coat of hot pitch and tar1 as usual1 before winter1 to defend them against the ravages of the insect which1 as before noticed1 had made a considerable impression on the soles of the beams1 where they rested upon the ,rock4 ,the ,patriot had sailed for ,mylnefield ,quarry2 and the ,smeaton1 being now discharged1 left the ,rock for ,lord ,elgin's works at ,charlestown1 to load limestone for the light-keepers' houses1 to be built at ,arbroath4 ,the ,tender continued at her moorings1 and took on board from time to time such implements and apparatus as were no longer wanted at the ,rock4 ,the ,floating-light1 from the uncertainty attending the period of finishing the light-room and its apparatus1 and consequent exhibition of the light from the building1 had1 perhaps1 a long time yet to remain at her station2 but one of her boats was to be regularly sent with five seamen1 to assist at the operations on the ,rock as formerly4 ,sidenote3 #ahaj1 ,august4 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #ast4 ,sidenote3 ,foot and shaft of ,balance-crane taken down4 ,the artificers and seamen were employed to-day1 as yesterday1 in clearing the building of lumber1 and in coating the beams of the ,beacon with a mixture of tar and pitch4 ,the body of the ,balance-crane was also supported with beams on the walls of the light-room1 in such a manner that its machinery could be applied to lowering its foot and shaft down through the apertures left for this purpose in the floors of the several apartments4 ,the machinery of this useful implement thus supported1 was yet to be used in laying centre-stones in the floors of the store-room1 kitchen1 bed-room1 library and light-room2 and also in taking up the cast-iron sash-frames and other weighty apparatus of the light-room4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #b;d4 ,the several apartments of the building being now entirely cleared of the tackle and apparatus connected with raising the materials1 the artificers were in readiness for laying the centre-stones of the several floors4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #c;d4 ,sidenote3 ,lord ,kellie with a party visits the ,bell ,rock4 ,this morning1 between #g and #h o'clock1 the works of the ,bell ,rock were visited by the ,earl of ,kellie1 the ,honourable ,mr ,methven ,erskine1 ,mr ,david ,monypenny1 ,sheriff of ,fifeshire and one of the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses 7now ,lord ,pitmilly71 and his ,lordship's brother1 ,mr ,alexander ,monypenny4 ,the party had left ,cambo-house1 upon the coast of ,fife1 at an early hour2 but the wind being from the south-west1 and blowing fresh1 had rendered their passage very uncomfortable4 ,when the boat reached the ,tender1 the party came on board1 as it was too early in the tide for landing on the ,rock1 which was still under water2 but when the railways made their appearance1 the party proceeded to the western-wharf1 and ,lord ,pitmilly having been the first of the ,light-house ,commissioners who had landed here1 it was named ,pitmilly ,wharf4 ,after viewing the ,rock1 which was now partially dry1 they ascended to the ,beacon-house1 and passed along the bridge1 with all its difficult steps1 to the ,light-house1 where the servants had contrived to cover a table1 made up with detached planks1 on which the first breakfast was laid out in the ,bell ,rock ,light-house4 ,after having gone over the whole of the works1 they left the ,rock about mid-day4 ,sidenote3 ,centre-stone of the ,light-room floor laid by the writer4 ,at #c ,p4 ,m41 the necessary preparations having been made1 the artificers commenced the completing of the floors of the several apartments1 and at #g o'clock the centre-stone of the light-room floor was laid1 which may be held as finishing the masonry of this important ,national ,edifice4 ,after going through the usual ceremonies observed by the ,brotherhood on occasions of this kind1 the writer1 addressing himself to the artificers and seamen who were present1 briefly alluded to the utility of the undertaking1 as a monument of the wealth of ,british ,commerce1 erected through the spirited measures of the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 by means of the able assistance of those who now surrounded him4 ,he then took an opportunity of stating1 that toward those connected with this arduous work1 he would ever retain the most heartfelt regard in all their interests4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #dth4 ,sidenote3 ,artificers leave the ,rock4 ,when the bell was rung1 as usual1 on the ,beacon this morning1 every one seemed as if he were at a loss what to make of himself4 ,there was1 however1 upon the whole1 still much to do to the ,light-house1 which is only yet to be considered in the state of a house with its outward wall built2 but1 before being useful or habitable1 it must be roofed over1 internally finished1 and provided with the necessary furniture and utensils4 ,at this period1 the artificers at the ,rock consisted of #ah masons1 #b joiners1 #a mill-wright1 #a smith1 and #a mortar-maker1 besides ,messrs ,peter ,logan and ,francis ,watt1 foremen1 counting in all #be2 and matters were arranged for proceeding to ,arbroath this afternoon with all hands1 as it now became necessary to new-model the works there4 ,the ,sir ,joseph ,banks ,tender had by this time been afloat1 with little intermission1 for six months1 during the greater part of which the artificers had been almost constantly off at the ,rock1 and were now much in want of necessaries of almost every description4 ,not a few had lost different articles of their clothing1 which had dropped into the sea from the ,beacon and ,building2 some wanted jackets1 others1 from want of hats1 wore night-caps2 each was1 in fact1 more or less curtailed in his wardrobe1 and1 it must be confessed1 that at best1 the party were but in a very tattered condition4 ,this morning was occupied in removing the artificers and their bedding on board of the ,tender2 and although their personal luggage was easily shifted1 the boats had1 nevertheless1 many articles to remove from the ,beacon-house1 and were consequently employed in this service till #aa ,a4 ,m4 ,all hands being collected and just ready to embark1 as the water had nearly overflowed the ,rock1 the writer1 in taking leave1 after alluding to the harmony which had ever marked the conduct of those employed on the ,bell ,rock1 took occasion to compliment the great zeal1 attention and abilities of ,mr ,peter ,logan and ,mr ,francis ,watt1 foremen1 ,captain ,james ,wilson1 landing-master1 and ,captain ,david ,taylor1 commander of the ,tender1 who1 in their several departments1 had so faithfully discharged the duties assigned to them1 often under circumstances the most difficult and trying4 ,the health of these gentlemen was drunk with much warmth of feeling by the artificers and seamen1 who severally expressed the satisfaction they had experienced in acting under them2 after which1 the whole party left the ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,the writer meets with his assistants ashore4 ,in sailing past the ,floating-light1 mutual compliments were made by a display of flags between that vessel and the ,tender2 and at #e ,p4 ,m4 the latter vessel entered the harbour of ,arbroath1 where the party were heartily welcomed by a numerous company of spectators1 who had collected to see the artificers arrive1 after so long an absence from the port4 ,in the evening1 the writer invited the foremen and captains of the service1 together with ,mr ,david ,logan1 clerk of works at ,arbroath1 and ,mr ,lachlan ,kennedy1 engineer's clerk and book-keeper1 and some of their friends1 to the principal ,inn1 where the evening was spent very happily2 and after 8,his ,majesty's health10 and 8,the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses10 had been given1 8,stability to the ,bell ,rock ,light-house0 was hailed as a standing toast in the ,light-house service4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #eth4 ,the author has formerly noticed the uniformly decent and orderly deportment of the artificers who were employed at the ,bell ,rock ,light-house1 and to-day1 it is believed1 they very generally attended church1 no doubt1 with grateful hearts for the many narrow escapes from personal danger which all of them had more or less experienced during their residence at the ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #fth4 ,sidenote3 ,plans arranged for building ,light-keepers' houses at ,arbroath4 ,hitherto the account of these works has been given in the form of a ,diary2 but now that the chief difficulties of the undertaking are over1 it is proposed to quote only particular dates in reference to their progress4 ,at the meeting of the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 held at ,edinburgh in the month of ,july #ahaj1 it had been resolved to purchase a piece of ground contiguous to the harbour of ,arbroath1 which presented an unobstructed view of the ,bell ,rock ,light-house1 on which a suite of buildings was to be erected1 for the accommodation of the families of the light-keepers and seamen of the ,tender1 and also for the necessary store-houses4 ,mr ,charles ,cunningham1 ,secretary to the ,light-house ,board1 accordingly corresponded with ,mr ,john ,nicol1 writer in ,arbroath1 who purchased the ground for the site of these buildings1 together with a small court-yard and bleaching-green1 as arranged and laid out in ,plate ,,xii4 ,in constructing these buildings1 and enclosing an extensive piece of garden-ground for the use of this establishment1 the artificers1 who had just returned from the ,rock1 were now to be employed4 ,sidenote3 ,duty on stone charged for these buildings4 ,the ,patriot had returned from ,mylnefield ,quarry to ,arbroath with the first cargo of stones1 for the use of these operations1 which were about to be landed duty-free1 when the ,custom-house officers interposed1 demanding the duty of #cc per cent4 on stone carried coast-ways1 as the buildings at ,arbroath were not considered as coming within the exemption granted for the ,bell ,rock ,light-house4 ,after representing the circumstances of the case to the ,board of ,customs at ,edinburgh1 it was found that another petition would have been required to the ,lords of the ,treasury1 before the present exemption could be granted2 but the extent of the duty in question being trifling1 the ,light-house ,board declined making any further application1 and the duty was therefore regularly paid for the stones of this compartment of the work4 ,sidenote3 ,three years of the lease of the ,work-yard given up4 ,the writer finding that the ,bell ,rock work-yard at ,arbroath1 which had been taken upon a lease of seven years1 could be dispensed with after the term of ,martinmas1 thereby leaving three unexpired years of the tack still to run1 the lease was cancelled by the landlord1 on his being paid one year's rent in name of damages4 ,this afforded a satisfactory proof of the termination of the works1 at least three years sooner than the period calculated upon at its commencement4 ,the great circular platform in the work-yard1 shown in ,plate ,,xii41 which measured #db feet in diameter1 and was sunk #b feet #f inches under the level of the surrounding ground1 used for laying and marking the courses of the ,light-house1 before they were shipped for the ,rock1 contained a great quantity of stones suitable for the interior walls of the light-keepers' houses4 ,the first operation of the builders1 therefore1 was to remove the stones of this platform to the site of the new buildings4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #ith4 ,sidenote3 ,base-line measured on the ,sands of ,barry4 ,the writer1 with a view to making a survey of the coast contiguous to the ,bell ,rock1 or from ,fifeness to the ,redhead1 embraced the present as a convenient time for measuring a base-line4 ,for this purpose1 the ,sands of ,barry1 about #i miles westward from ,arbroath1 were selected2 and he provided himself with the following apparatus3 a strong iron-chain of the length of #ajj feet1 carefully graduated2 #e wooden coffers1 each #bj feet in length1 #e inches in width1 and #c inches in depth1 on which the chain was to be stretched2 #aj oaken stakes1 #d feet in length1 and #d inches square at the top1 for marking off distances of #ajjj feet2 #aj picket-rods of fir timber1 measuring #h feet in length1 with cross boards at the top2 #b spars of #bj feet in length1 with small red flags for marking the termination at each end of the ,line2 and one of ,messrs ,miller and ,adie's best ,theodolites4 ,with these1 he left the harbour of ,arbroath at #e on the morning of the #ith of ,august1 in one of the ,bell ,rock boats1 manned with six seamen1 and accompanied by one of his assistants4 ,at #h o'clock they reached the small village called the ,feus2 and after walking about two miles and a half along the ,sands of ,barry1 flag-staffs were erected at the extremities of the line intended to be measured1 which1 in relation to each other1 were situate by compass ,s4,w4 ,s41 and ,n4,e4 ,n4 ,the next operation was to mark off the first #ajjj feet of the line in a general way1 with the picket-rods1 into spaces of #ajj feet4 ,the wooden coffers1 or troughs1 for levelling and directing the chain1 were then laid on the sands1 which being naturally very flat1 required only that certain places of the track should be partially cleared with the spade4 ,the chain was then stretched by two of the seamen1 to a degree of tension which they were directed to give it1 by as regular and uniform a strain as possible2 and the links being all previously examined1 the distances were carefully marked with an iron pricker4 ,in this manner1 the whole length of a line1 extending to #aj1hff feet and #i inches was measured4 ,this was altogether a most laborious operation1 occupying #ad hours1 including the short time the party were at their meals1 which were taken on the field4 ,the line having been thus gone over from ,north-east to ,south-west1 the operation was reversed as a check1 from ,south-west to ,north-east2 the result of which was not a little satisfactory1 as the second measurement only varied one inch from the first1 though the line extended upwards of two miles4 ,the weather was very favourable2 the wind being westerly1 and blowing gentle breezes1 while the barometer remained steadily at about #bi4gh42 the temperature was marked three times a day1 and averaged #ed4 ,the angles and bearings of the ,bell ,rock and other objects having been taken from this base-line1 were ultimately referred to in constructing the map of the coast delineated on ,plate ,,iv4 ,sidenote3 ,trigonometrical ,survey of ,great ,britain4 ,for a more complete and perfect mode of making such measurements1 the reader may consult ,colonel ,mudge's ,account of the ,trigonometrical ,survey of ,england and ,wales1 in two volumes quarto2 a work which shows the astonishing accuracy with which that great ,national ,survey is conducted2 and also1 the correctness to which mathematical instruments have been brought2 and strongly illustrates the difficulties which assail man1 when he aims at absolute precision1 even in the most simple of the arts4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #adth4 ,sidenote3 ,artificers return to the ,bell ,rock4 ,the ,smeaton having1 in the course of the last ten days1 lifted such of the moorings as could now be dispensed with1 took the ,dickie praam-boat in tow1 and sailed for ,leith1 to load the cast-iron sash-frames of the ,light-room4 ,on her return to ,arbroath1 she took on board the stone-steps for the ,light-house1 #bc in number1 to be erected between the passage of the entrance-door and the provision store1 as will be seen from the section of ,plate ,,xvi4 ,with these she sailed to-day at #a ,p4 ,m41 having on board #af artificers1 with ,mr ,peter ,logan1 together with a supply of provisions and necessaries2 who left the harbour1 pleased and happy to find themselves once more afloat in the ,bell ,rock service4 ,at #g o'clock1 the ,tender was made fast to her moorings1 when the artificers landed on the ,rock1 and took possession of their old quarters in the ,beacon-house1 with feelings very different from those of #ahjg1 when the works commenced4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,smeaton is in danger1 and obliged to leave her ,station4 ,the barometer1 for some days past1 had been falling from #bi4ij1 and to-day it was #bi4ej1 with the wind at ,n4,e41 which1 in the course of this day1 encreased to a strong gale1 accompanied with a sea which broke with great violence upon the ,rock4 ,at #ab noon1 the ,tender rode very heavily at her moorings1 when her chain broke at about #aj fathoms from the ship's bows4 ,the kedge-anchor was immediately let go1 to hold her till the floating-buoy and broken chain should be got on board2 but while this was in operation1 the hawser of the kedge was chaffed through on the rocky bottom1 and parted1 when the vessel was again adrift4 ,most fortunately1 however1 she cast off with her head from the ,rock1 and narrowly cleared it2 when she sailed up the ,firth of ,forth1 to wait the return of better weather4 ,the artificers were thus left upon the ,rock with so heavy a sea running1 that it was ascertained to have risen to the height of #hj feet on the building4 ,under such perilous circumstances1 it would be difficult to describe the feelings of those who1 at this time1 were cooped up in the ,beacon1 in so forlorn a situation1 with the sea not only raging under them1 but occasionally falling from a great height upon the roof of their temporary lodging1 without even the attending vessel in view1 to afford the least gleam of hope in the event of any accident4 ,it is true that they had now the masonry of the ,light-house to resort to1 which1 no doubt1 lessened the actual danger of their situation4 ,but the building was still without a roof1 and the dead-lights1 or storm shutters1 not being yet fitted1 the windows of the lower storey were stove in and broken1 and1 at high-water1 the sea ran in considerable quantities out at the entrance-door4 ,in the course of this afternoon1 the spring-tides being now at the highest1 the bridge or gangway was also for a time rendered completely impassable1 from the quantity of sea that constantly washed over it4 ,the smith's gallery1 at the same time1 was also partially broken up1 and several bags of coal1 a barrel of small beer1 and a few casks1 containing pozzolano1 lime and sand1 were all swept off the ,beacon4 ,when the sea left the ,rock1 it was likewise found that two of the cast-iron legs of the sheer-crane were broken1 and that some pieces of the ,railways had been torn up4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #afth4 ,sidenote3 ,mortar-gallery completely broken up4 ,the gale continues with unabated violence to-day1 and the sprays rise to a still greater height1 having been carried over the masonry of the building1 or about #ij feet above the level of the sea4 ,at #d o'clock this morning1 it was breaking into the cook's birth1 when he rung the alarm-bell1 and all hands turned out to attend to their personal safety4 ,the floor of the smith's or mortar-gallery was now completely burst up by the force of the sea1 when the whole of the deals and the remaining articles upon the floor were swept away1 such as the cast-iron mortar-tubs1 the iron hearth of the forge1 the smith's bellows1 and even his anvil1 were thrown down upon the ,rock4 ,the boarding of the cook-house1 or storey above the smith's gallery1 was also partly carried away1 and the brick and plaster-work of the fire-place shaken and loosened4 ,at low-water1 it was found that the chain of the moveable beam-crane1 at the western wharf1 had been broken1 which set the beam at liberty1 and greatly endangered the guy-ropes by its motion4 ,it was observed1 during this gale1 that the ,beacon-house had a good deal of tremor2 but none of that 8twisting motion0 occasionally felt and complained of before the additional wooden struts were set up for the security of the principal beams2 but this effect had more especially disappeared ever since the attachment of the great horizontal iron-bars in connection with these supports1 instead of the chain-braces1 shewn in ,plate ,,viii4 ,before the tide rose to its full height to-day1 some of the artificers passed along the bridge into the ,light-house1 to observe the effects of the sea upon it1 and they reported that they had felt a slight tremulous motion in the building1 when great seas struck it in a certain direction1 about high-water mark4 ,on this occasion1 the sprays were again observed to wet the balcony1 and even to come over the parapet-wall into the interior of the light-room4 ,in this state of the weather1 ,captain ,wilson and the crew of the ,floating-light were much alarmed for the safety of the artificers upon the ,rock1 especially when they observed1 with a telescope1 that the floor of the smith's gallery had been carried away1 and that the triangular cast-iron sheer-crane was broken down4 ,it was quite impossible1 however1 to do any thing for their relief1 until the gale should take off4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #agth4 ,sidenote3 ,tender returns to the ,rock4 ,the weather moderated in the course of the last night1 and the wind shifted to ,s4,w41 when the ,tender1 which had been for the last two days in the ,firth of ,forth1 stood towards the ,rock1 and reached it at #g ,p4 ,m41 but could not come within speech of the inhabitants of the ,beacon1 though1 from signals mutually exchanged1 it appeared that all was pretty well4 ,captain ,taylor next spoke the ,floating-light1 and found no complaint on board4 ,they had1 indeed1 shipped several heavy seas1 yet no damage had been sustained2 and during the gale they rode with #fj fathoms of cable veered out4 ,after making these enquiries1 he stood towards ,arbroath to get the ,tender's rigging refitted1 and her moorings repaired1 which had suffered in the gale4 ,knowing also that a new floor1 and other articles1 were wanting at the ,beacon1 he meant also to supply some of these2 but on approaching ,arbroath1 there was still too much sea upon the bar of the harbour1 and he was obliged to stand off again to sea4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #ahth4 ,sidenote3 ,smith's ,anvil1 ,bellows1 c4 washed off the ,beacon4 ,the wind shifted to the westward to-day1 and the ,tender got into ,arbroath4 ,in the mean time1 ,captain ,wilson visited the ,bell ,rock with a well manned boat from the ,floating-light1 when he had the happiness to find ,mr ,peter ,logan and his people in perfect health1 though1 in the course of the gale1 they had at times been considerably alarmed1 while the sea was making inroads upon their habitation4 ,in searching about the ,rock in quest of some of the articles which had been washed from the smith's gallery1 it is not a little remarkable1 that so ponderous an article as the anvil1 weighing #agj lb41 should have been found in a hole at the distance of #fj feet from the ,beacon1 and that the iron pan or hearth of the forge1 weighing about #ajj lb41 was found at the distance of #bjj feet from it4 ,near to this lay one of the cast-iron mortar-tubs2 but the smith's bellows1 and many other articles amissing1 were never found4 ,captain ,wilson foreseeing that there might be a want of fuel on the ,rock from the late disaster1 had very properly carried two bags of coal from the ,floating-light2 and1 after landing these1 he returned to his ship at #b ,p4 ,m4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #bc;d4 ,sidenote3 ,light-room sashes landed4 ,captain ,wilson is hurt by one of them4 ,both the ,tender and the ,smeaton having been forced into ,arbroath1 were detained there with strong gales of westerly wind1 till ,monday the #bjth1 when they sailed for the ,rock2 the ,smeaton1 with the sash-frames of the ,light-room on board1 and the ,tender1 with a supply of provisions and necessaries for the ,floating-light and ,beacon-house4 ,the wind being at ,w4,s4,w4 and the weather more moderate1 both vessels got to their moorings on the #bc;d1 when all hands were employed in transporting the sash-frames from on board of the ,smeaton to the ,rock4 ,in the act of setting up one of these frames upon the bridge1 it was unguardedly suffered to lose its balance1 and1 in saving it from damage1 ,captain ,wilson met with a severe bruise in the groin1 on the seat of a gunshot wound received in the early part of his life4 ,this accident laid him aside for several days4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #bdth4 ,the ,smeaton being now discharged1 sailed again for other articles still wanted from ,edinburgh1 belonging to the ,light-room frame4 ,the masons at the ,rock were busily employed in setting up the stair1 and in dressing off and polishing the joints of the interior walls of the ,light-house3 ,for1 although the stones had all been polished to a smooth surface in the work-yard1 in order to give the apartments a cleanly and comfortable appearance1 as plastering would have been quite unsuitable for such a situation1 yet the walls in many parts required to be retouched1 when they came to be examined in a more finished state4 ,james ,glen1 of whom mention has already been frequently made1 was assisted by the smith in refitting the gallery1 and the other injured parts of the ,beacon-house4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #bgth4 ,sidenote3 ,balance-crane removed from the top of the ,building4 ,the sash-frames of the ,light-room1 #h in number1 and weighing each #bed lb41 having been got safely up to the top of the building1 were ranged on the balcony1 in the order in which they were numbered1 for their places on the top of the parapet-wall2 and the balance-crane1 that useful machine1 having now lifted all the heavier articles1 was unscrewed and lowered1 to use the landing-master's phrase1 8in mournful silence40 ,sidenote3 ,wednesday1 #bith4 ,sidenote3 ,sir ,william ,rae and ,party visit the ,rock4 ,the works were visited at this time by ,mr ,rae1 ,sheriff of ,edinburgh1 now ,sir ,william ,rae1 ,bart41 ,lord ,advocate of ,scotland1 and ,mr ,adam ,duff1 ,sheriff of ,forfar1 now of ,edinburgh1 ex officio ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 who1 as ,members of the ,bell ,rock ,committee1 had individually taken much interest in the ,light-house affairs4 ,the party further consisted of ,general ,brown1 ,captain ,harry ,stuart of the ,royal ,navy1 ,mr ,james ,dickson of ,leith1 and ,mr ,charles ,cuningham1 ,secretary and ,cashier to the ,light-house ,board4 ,the writer had the pleasure of embarking with these gentlemen at ,leith on the #bhth1 in the ,bell ,rock ,tender1 and1 after calling at the ,light-houses of ,inchkeith and ,isle of ,may1 the vessel1 in the course of the night1 got towards the ,rock1 and next morning the party landed1 and minutely examined every thing connected with the operations of the ,light-house and ,beacon4 ,on this occasion1 one of the principal landing-places was named ,rae's ,wharf1 and another ,duff's ,wharf1 as marked on ,plate ,,vi4 ,after breakfasting in the ,light-house1 ,sir ,william proposed1 that the foremen1 landing-master1 artificers and seamen1 should be collected on the ,beacon1 when he expressed the satisfaction which he and his brother ,commissioner felt at seeing the present advanced state of the ,light-house2 and1 after alluding to the utility which might result from the publication of the whole proceedings of this work1 concluded an address of much tenderness of feeling1 by wishing all of us every prosperity and happiness4 ,the party having been highly amused and gratified upon the ,rock1 again embarked2 and at #aj ,a4 ,m4 the ,tender sailed for ,leith ,roads1 where she arrived1 at #f o'clock ,p4 ,m41 having made the trip from thence in the short space of about #bh hours4 ,sidenote3 #ahaj1 ,september4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #b;d4 ,sidenote3 ,wooden-bridge removed from the ,rock4 ,the writer having accompanied the party to ,leith1 immediately returned to the ,bell ,rock1 where he was to make arrangements for bringing the operations to a conclusion4 ,the steps of the stair being landed1 and all the weightier articles of the ,light-room got up to the balcony1 the wooden-bridge was now to be removed1 as it had a very powerful effect upon the ,beacon1 when a heavy sea struck it2 and could not possibly have withstood the storms of a winter4 ,every thing having been cleared from the bridge1 and nothing left but the two principal beams1 with their horizontal braces1 ,james ,glen1 at high-water1 proceeded with a saw to cut through the beams at the end next the ,beacon1 which likewise disengaged their opposite extremity1 inserted a few inches into the building4 ,the frame was then gently lowered into the water1 and floated off to the ,smeaton1 to be towed to ,arbroath1 to be applied as part of the materials in the erection of the light-keepers' houses4 ,after the removal of the bridge1 the aspect of things at the ,rock was much altered4 ,the ,beacon-house and ,building had both a naked look1 to those accustomed to their former appearance2 a curious optical deception was also remarked1 by which the ,light-house seemed to incline from the perpendicular towards the ,beacon4 ,the horizontal rope-ladder before noticed was again stretched1 to preserve the communication2 and the artificers were once more obliged to practise the awkward and stradling manner of their passage between them during #ahji1 as will be understood by examining the second year's work of ,plate ,,ix4 ,sidenote3 ,last ,stone of the ,light-house laid4 ,at #ab noon1 the bell rung for prayers1 after which the artificers went to dinner1 when the writer passed along the rope-ladder to the ,light-house1 and went through the several apartments1 which were now cleared of lumber4 ,in the afternoon1 all hands were summoned to the interior of the house1 when he had the satisfaction of laying the upper step of the stair1 or last stone of the ,building4 ,this ceremony concluded with three cheers1 the sound of which had a very loud and strange effect within the walls of the ,light-house4 ,at #f o'clock ,mr ,peter ,logan1 and eleven of the artificers1 embarked with the writer for ,arbroath1 leaving ,mr ,james ,glen with the special charge of the ,beacon and ,railways1 ,mr ,robert ,selkirk with the ,building1 with a few artificers to fit the temporary windows1 to render the house habitable4 ,sidenote3 #ahaj1 ,october4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #dth4 ,sidenote3 ,tender sails for ,leith1 to be sold4 ,at ,arbroath1 the building operations for the keepers' houses were left under charge of ,mr ,peter ,logan and ,mr ,lachlan ,kennedy1 when the writer proceeded for ,greenock1 to sail on his annual voyage to the ,northern ,light-houses4 ,in passing the ,floating-light this morning1 he went on board1 and examined that ship with ,captain ,wilson1 and had the satisfaction to find every thing in the most orderly and cleanly condition4 ,the sailors1 with those feelings which usually accompany taking permanent leave of a vessel1 hoisted an ensign flag on board of the ,floating-light1 as the ,tender was now on her way to ,leith to be dismantled and sold4 ,the writer must also confess1 that1 on finally leaving the ,sir ,joseph ,banks ,tender1 it was not without feelings of regret1 as he had spent a considerable portion of the two last summers in this beautifully moulded ship4 ,sidenote3 ,a ,praam-boat drifts from the ,rock4 ,on the afternoon of the #eth1 a signal was observed flying from the main-mast-head of the ,floating-light1 which created considerable alarm at ,arbroath1 when the ,smeaton sailed to inquire into the cause4 ,upon hailing the ,floating-light1 ,captain ,wilson informed ,mr ,pool that the ,hedderwick praam-boat had broke adrift from her moorings1 and gave his opinion as to the course to be steered1 in order to fall in with her4 ,at #h o'clock next morning she was observed a few leagues to the eastward1 and taken in tow by the ,smeaton1 to be carried to ,leith2 but the wind being westerly1 after getting above the ,isle of ,may1 she was obliged to anchor in ,canty ,bay1 to the eastward of ,tantallan ,castle2 and at noon on the #abth1 she got safely into the harbour of ,leith1 after a very cross passage of six days4 ,sidenote3 ,artificers for the erection of the ,light-room landed4 ,the arrival of the ,smeaton had for some days been anxiously watched1 as the remaining parts of the ,light-room were ready to ship for the ,bell ,rock4 ,no time was therefore lost in getting her loaded2 and1 on ,thursday the #acth1 she again sailed with ,mr ,dove1 and the artificers1 who were to fit up the light-room2 and on the following day the whole were landed at the ,rock4 ,the first operation was to put up a temporary rail round the balcony1 with a few iron stanchions1 and some ropes1 for the safety of the workmen4 ,captain ,wilson and his crew also erected a pair of sheers and a suitable tackle for lifting the cast-iron sash-frames from the balcony to the top of the parapet-wall4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #aeth4 ,sidenote3 ,dr ,barclay and party sail with the writer to the ,light-houses4 ,this being the train in which the ,bell ,rock matters were left1 the writer embarked to-day at ,greenock1 in the ,light-house ,yacht1 along with his friends1 ,dr ,john ,barclay1 ,mr ,charles ,oliphant1 and ,mr ,patrick ,neill1 who were to accompany him on a tour to the ,northern ,light-houses4 ,notwithstanding the boisterous state of the weather during the early part of the month of ,september1 it now became uncommonly fine2 the barometer being found to oscillate within a few parts of #cj inches1 and the range of the thermometer1 taken daily at #i ,a4 ,m41 indicated from #dc to #ej degrees4 ,the winds were also chiefly from the west1 which being favourable for the ship's course1 the trip was not only remarkable for its quickness1 but was1 upon the whole1 the most pleasant which the writer had ever experienced2 as will readily be imagined by those who have the happiness to know the excellent qualities of his fellow-travellers1 whether considered on account of their manner1 intelligence1 or scientific acquirements4 ,this opportunity is therefore gladly embraced by the writer of recording their mutual friendships4 ,sidenote3 ,progress of the ,light-room works4 ,on returning from this voyage1 the writer landed at the ,bell ,rock on ,sunday the #adth of ,october1 and had the pleasure to find1 from the very favourable state of the weather1 that the artificers had been enabled to make great progress with the fitting up of the ,light-room4 ,from the #adth of ,september till the #bb;d1 they were occupied in fitting the sole-plate and trimming-path1 forming the basement of the window-sash-frames4 ,from the #bb;d till the #bc;d1 the work executed got two successive coats of oil-paint2 and1 as it had also been carefully laid over with linseed-oil at the foundry1 while in a hot state1 it was nearly impervious to the effects of the atmosphere1 and was likely to be kept free from oxidation4 ,between the #bhth ,september and #b;d ,october1 the sash-frames were raised to their places and screwed together1 along with the top-plate or cornice4 ,from the #b;d till the #aeth1 the copper-smiths were employed in erecting the cupola or roof of the ,light-room1 the several parts of which will be more readily understood by examining ,plate ,,xx41 with its letter-press description4 ,besides finding the works in this forward state1 the writer had the happiness of seeing the plate-glass for the ,light-room safely landed on the ,rock4 ,each of these plates1 measuring #cb inches by #bf inches1 and one quarter of an inch in thickness1 could not have been soon or easily replaced2 and their safe arrival was therefore considered a very fortunate circumstance2 which having witnessed1 the writer set sail for ,leith1 where he landed on the following morning4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #ajth4 ,sidenote3 ,loss of ,charles ,henderson4 ,the light-room work had proceeded1 as usual1 to-day1 under the direction of ,mr ,dove1 assisted in the plumber-work by ,mr ,john ,gibson1 and in the brazier-work by ,mr ,joseph ,fraser2 while ,mr ,james ,slight1 with the joiners1 were fitting up the storm-shutters of the windows4 ,in these several departments1 the artificers were at work till #g o'clock ,p4 ,m41 and it being then dark1 ,mr ,dove gave orders to drop work in the light-room2 and all hands proceeded from thence to the ,beacon-house1 when ,charles ,henderson1 smith1 and ,henry ,dickson brazier1 left the work together4 ,being both young men1 who had been for several weeks upon the ,rock1 they had become familiar1 and even playful on the most difficult parts about the ,beacon and ,building4 ,this evening they were trying to outrun each other1 in descending from the light-room1 when ,henderson led the way2 but they were in conversation with each other1 till they came to the rope-ladder1 distended between the entrance-door of the ,light-house and the ,beacon4 ,dickson1 on reaching the cook-room1 was surprised at not seeing his companion1 and inquired hastily for ,henderson4 ,upon which the cook replied1 8,was he before you upon the rope-ladder80 ,dickson answered 8,yes2 and ,i thought ,i heard something fall40 ,upon this the alarm was given1 and links were immediately lighted1 with which the artificers descended on the legs of the ,beacon1 as near the surface of the water as possible1 it being then about full tide1 and the sea breaking to a considerable height upon the building1 with the wind at ,s4,s4,e4 ,but after watching till low-water1 and searching in every direction upon the ,rock1 it appeared that poor ,henderson must have unfortunately fallen through the rope-ladder1 and been washed into the deep water4 ,the deceased had passed along this rope-ladder many hundred times1 both by day and night1 and the operations in which he was employed being nearly finished1 he was about to leave the ,rock when this melancholy catastrophe took place4 ,the unfortunate loss of ,henderson cast a deep gloom upon the minds of all who were at the ,rock1 and it required some management on the part of those who had charge1 to induce the people to remain patiently at their work3 as the weather now became more boisterous1 and the nights long1 they found their habitation extremely cheerless1 while the winds were howling about their ears1 and the waves lashing with fury against the beams of their insulated habitation4 ,sidenote3 ,difficulty attending the procuring of ,red-coloured-,glass4 ,it has already been noticed1 that the plate-glass for the sash-frames of the light-room was safely landed on the ,rock1 and the writer had also the satisfaction of learning to-day that the red-coloured glass for distinguishing the light was in readiness to ship at ,london4 ,after having corresponded with all parts of the kingdom1 in endeavouring to procure red glass of the finest quality1 by having it coloured in the furnace1 it was mortifying to find that its manufacture was wholly impracticable1 excepting in the production of small pieces1 containing not more than three or four square inches1 similar to those in the compartments of cathedral-windows3 which1 in the process of shading a reflector1 must have induced a number of minute divisions1 and necessarily obstructed much of the light4 ,the writer at length resolved on confining his attention to plates of ,crown-glass1 stained by repeated applications of the litharge of gold1 laid on after the manner of gum or paint1 which was afterwards subjected to a strong heat in a muffle or furnace1 of a peculiar construction1 forming altogether a very nice and difficult process4 ,in looking through this stained glass1 the eye is not sensible of any effect but that of a fine rich red colour1 when the pigment is properly applied2 but1 on examining a cross section of the glass1 the green colour of the ,crown-glass is distinctly seen in the centre1 while a thin film of red is perceptible on the edges4 ,although the effect produced in this way cannot be so perfect as if the glass were uniformly coloured in the pot2 yet1 when applied to the purposes of a distinguishing light1 its effects are highly characteristic and beautiful4 ,as the works were now drawing near a completion1 and all the essential parts of the light-room apparatus must soon be upon the spot1 the writer1 after repeated disappointments from ,mr ,james ,okey1 glass-stainer of ,london1 found it necessary to send ,mr ,john ,forrest1 superintendant of light-keepers' duty1 with instructions to remain there until he got the plates into his possession4 ,he accordingly arrived in ,london on the #aeth of ,september1 and immediately waited upon ,okey2 but1 notwithstanding the numerous letters and pressing calls which had been made upon that artist1 explanatory of the necessity of the case2 yet1 as the plates wanted were to be #be inches in diameter1 and1 consequently1 about #e inches more than any he had hitherto been required to make1 his furnace was still to rebuild1 and his apparatus otherwise to conform to these enlarged dimensions1 before he could begin to the ,bell ,rock plates4 ,in order to insure attention and dispatch1 ,mr ,forrest took lodgings at ,clerkenwell1 in ,mr ,okey's immediate neighbourhood1 and paid frequent visits to his workshop4 ,numerous glass-workers in various parts of the country had previously been applied to for this article1 but none of them ever produced a single plate4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #bb;d4 ,sidenote3 ,mr ,robert ,hamilton visits the ,bell ,rock4 ,the whole apparatus and workmen necessary for completing the exterior of the ,light-house being now on the ,rock1 the writer was desirous of seeing the ball placed upon the top of the cupola1 and accordingly embarked at ,leith in the ,yacht for that purpose4 ,mr ,hamilton1 who1 as one of the ,commissioners1 had always taken a most lively interest in the affairs of the ,bell ,rock1 took this opportunity to pay it another visit4 ,the wind was at ,w4,s4,w41 blowing pretty fresh with the barometer at #bi4ej2 but1 in the course of the night1 the ,yacht got down to the ,floating-light1 and was kept plying about1 within view of it1 till morning4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #bc;d4 ,sidenote3 ,the ventilator-ball is set upon the cupola4 ,the wind had shifted1 in the night1 to ,n4,w41 and blew a fresh gale1 while the sea broke with violence upon the ,rock4 ,it was found impossible to land1 but the writer1 from the boat1 hailed ,mr ,dove1 and directed the ball to be immediately fixed4 ,the necessary preparations were accordingly made1 while the vessel made short tacks on the southern side of the ,rock1 in comparatively smooth water4 ,at noon1 ,mr ,dove1 assisted by ,mr ,james ,slight1 ,mr ,robert ,selkirk1 ,mr ,james ,glen1 and ,mr ,john ,gibson1 plumber1 with considerable difficulty1 from the boisterous state of the weather1 got the gilded-ball screwed on1 measuring #b feet in diameter1 and forming the principal ventilator at the upper extremity of the cupola of the ,light-room1 as will be seen from the section in ,plate ,,xx4 ,at ,mr ,hamilton's desire1 a salute of #g guns was fired on this occasion1 and all hands being called to the quarter-deck1 8,stability to the ,bell ,rock ,light-house0 was not forgotten4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #beth4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,light-room is glazed4 ,the glazing of the sash-frames of the light-room having been completed on ,wednesday the #bdth1 the boats of the ,smeaton and ,floating-light landed on the morning of the #beth1 when the plumbers and glaziers left the ,rock2 from whom the writer learned the progress which had been made with the work4 ,among other preparations for the glazing1 it was stated1 that besides the sheeting provided as a screen1 all hands had engaged to give part of their bedding for the better defence of the glass1 in case it should come to blow so hard as to endanger the stopping of the work2 but although the weather had rather a threatening aspect at the commencement of this critical operation1 yet it was got through in a manner much beyond expectation1 and in one day and a half the light-room was completely closed2 though not without being under the necessity of lighting torches at night1 which were1 however1 screened from the view of shipping4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #bgth4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,yacht returns to the ,rock1 but loses one of her boats4 ,after the house was glazed1 and in a manner externally finished1 the writer sailed from ,leith for the ,rock1 on the #bgth of ,october2 but1 as it came to blow very fresh from ,w4,s4,w41 a landing could not be effected1 and the ,yacht was put into ,arbroath till the #bith1 when the wind became more moderate1 and she again stood off4 ,while in the act of putting about1 with the sea still running high1 one of the two boats astern got entangled and filled with water1 when the stem of one of them unfortunately parted1 and she immediately sunk4 ,it was indeed with great difficulty that the other was saved1 by two of the crew jumping into her1 at the risk of their lives2 and having baled out the water with buckets1 she was got safely on board4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #cjth4 ,sidenote3 ,great dexterity of the ,landing-master and his crew4 ,this accident obliged the vessel to be anchored all night in the ,bay of ,arbroath1 and having got another boat she sailed this morning at #e o'clock4 ,on reaching the ,rock1 it was found that a very heavy sea still ran upon it2 but the writer having been disappointed on the two former occasions1 and1 as the erection of the house might now be considered complete1 there being nothing wanted externally1 excepting some of the storm-shutters for the defence of the windows1 he was the more anxious at this time to inspect it4 ,two well manned boats were therefore ordered to be in attendance2 and1 after some difficulty1 the wind being at ,n4,n4,e41 they got safely into the western creek1 though not without encountering plentiful sprays4 ,it would have been impossible to have attempted a landing to-day1 under any other circumstances than with boats perfectly adapted to the purpose1 and with seamen who knew every ledge of the ,rock1 and even the length of the sea-weeds at each particular spot1 so as to dip their oars into the water accordingly1 and thereby prevent them from getting entangled4 ,but what was of no less consequence to the safety of the party1 ,captain ,wilson1 who always steered the leading boat1 had a perfect knowledge of the set of the different waves1 while the crew never shifted their eyes from observing his motions1 and the strictest silence was preserved by every individual except himself4 ,under such regulations1 which were observed on all occasions of difficulty1 the landings at the ,rock proceeded with the greatest regularity1 and by this means1 safety1 and even comfort1 were enjoyed1 where1 under different circumstances1 there would have been much peril4 ,the second or attending boat was steered by ,james ,shepherd the experienced coxwain of the ,floating-light1 whose directions were to keep about two oars' length astern4 ,this boat was generally kept light1 and as free of incumbrance as possible1 that she might be ready to assist in any case of emergency4 ,the writer is the more particular upon this subject1 as he conceives that much of the success of the ,bell ,rock operations depended on the safety which attended the many thousands of landings made in all sorts of weather4 ,sidenote3 ,state of the ,railways4 ,on landing at the ,rock this morning1 the writer found the ,railways much broken up on the eastern-reach and the circular track round the building2 while the western-reach1 extending to upwards of #bij feet1 had also materially suffered4 ,in several places it had got an inclination to one side1 by the force of the ,n4,e4 seas1 which came sweeping round the ,rock1 and it was evident it could not withstand the gales of winter4 ,the ,norway logs1 on which these railways were supported1 had not only been much reduced in strength1 by the ravages of the insect formerly noticed1 but1 from this cause also1 the rails had got a tremulous motion in heavy seas1 which had shaken loose several of the bolts4 ,it was1 however1 so far well that they had already answered the immediate purpose intended by them4 ,sidenote3 ,state of the beams of the ,beacon4 ,the ,beacon-house was found1 upon examination1 to be in general in a good state of repair1 though the lower parts1 where the beams rested upon the ,rock1 had suffered from the insect4 ,several of them1 as before noticed1 had been so much hollowed1 where they at first rested on the ,rock1 that the hand could be introduced into the heart of the log1 while the exterior of the timber1 for an inch or two in thickness1 remained quite entire2 the charring of the surface1 and the hot-pitch1 wherever it could be applied1 having completely preserved it4 ,several of the beams1 however1 now rested chiefly upon the bolts1 which passed through the great iron-stanchions sunk into the ,rock1 as represented in ,plate ,,viii4 ,but this fabric had nearly served its purpose1 and there was a prospect of its being taken down next summer4 ,it has before been noticed that these effects1 at the parts where the beams rested1 or were in contact with the ,rock1 had not been anticipated4 ,but1 in the event of a similar erection on any part of the ,british coast1 it would be proper to provide against this by sinking the foot of the principal beams #h inches into the ,rock1 and shoeing them with sheet lead or copper2 though the action of the latter metal with the iron-work might be somewhat objectionable1 and might render a coating with tin advisable4 ,sidenote3 ,state of the ,light-house4 ,having examined the ,beacon-house1 he next passed to the ,light-house1 by the horizontal rope-ladder represented in ,plate ,,ix4 ,the lower part of the building1 as high as the perpendicular range of the tide1 was coated all over with marine plants2 toward the north-east1 this appearance had indeed reached about #ej feet in height4 ,on entering the house1 he had the pleasure to find it in a somewhat habitable condition1 the lower apartments being closed in with temporary windows1 and fitted with proper storm-shutters4 ,it may here be remarked as a strong instance of the very fortunate position of the ,entrance-door1 that although the sea had risen to the height of upwards of #hj feet1 on the eastern side of the ,light-house1 it had not1 as yet1 been found necessary to have it hung1 although ,mr ,slight was now setting about this operation1 by the insertion of the ,lewis-bats or tails of the hinges1 into their respective brass-boxes1 previously built into the walls4 ,there being1 as yet1 no inner-door for the passage1 temporary-hatches were also still wanting for the man-holes of the several floors1 to check the sifting air1 which1 in westerly winds1 made the house very cold1 and carried along with it particles of dust1 which might have become injurious to the reflecting-apparatus4 ,sidenote3 ,condition of the several apartments4 ,the lowest apartment at the head of the stair-case was occupied with water1 fuel1 and provisions1 put up in a temporary way1 until the house could be furnished with proper utensils4 ,the second or light-room store was1 at present1 much encumbered with various tools and apparatus for the use of the workmen4 ,the kitchen immediately over this had1 as yet1 been supplied only with a common ship's coboose1 and plate-iron funnel1 while the necessary cooking utensils had been taken from the ,beacon4 ,the bed-room was1 for the present1 used as the joiners' workshop1 and the strangers' room1 immediately under the light-room1 was occupied by the artificers1 the beds being ranged in tiers1 as was done in the barrack of the ,beacon4 ,the light-room1 though unprovided with its machinery1 being now covered over with the cupola1 glazed and painted1 had a very complete and cleanly appearance4 ,the balcony was only as yet fitted with a temporary rail1 consisting of a few iron stanchions1 connected with ropes2 and in this state it was necessary to leave it during the winter4 ,sidenote3 ,light-house put under charge of ,mr ,john ,reid4 ,having gone over the whole of the low-water works on the ,rock1 the ,beacon and ,light-house1 and being satisfied that only the most untoward accident in the landing of the machinery could prevent the exhibition of the light1 in the course of the winter2 ,mr ,john ,reid1 formerly of the ,floating-light1 was now put in charge of the light-house as principal keeper2 ,mr ,james ,slight had charge of the operations of the artificers2 while ,mr ,james ,dove and the smiths having finished the frame of the light-room1 left the ,rock for the present4 ,with these arrangements the writer bade adieu to the works for the season4 ,at #aa ,a4 ,m4 the tide was far advanced2 and there being now little or no shelter for the boats at the ,rock1 they had to be pulled through the breach of sea1 which came on board in great quantities1 and it was with extreme difficulty that they could be kept in the proper direction of the landing-creek4--,on this occasion1 he may be permitted to look back with gratitude on the many escapes made in the course of this arduous undertaking1 now brought so near to a successful conclusion4 ,sidenote3 ,november4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #c;d4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,boat is washed off the ,beacon4 ,the wind having1 on ,saturday the #c;d of ,november1 shifted to the ,n4 ,e41 with showers of snow1 accompanied by a very heavy swell of sea1 it was stated1 in the monthly return from the ,rock1 that the water had come in considerable quantities into the threshold of the entrance-door1 which1 on this occasion1 had to be shut4 ,during this gale1 it was thought that the ,beacon would certainly have been carried away by the force of the tremendous seas which fell upon it1 and often washed over it at high-water4 ,the small boat suspended from projected davits at the height of #cj feet above the ,rock1 as shown in ,plate ,,viii41 got full of water by the accidental stopping of the eyelet-hole1 while the friction occasioned by the tremulous motion of the ,beacon1 and beating of the waves1 chaffed one of the bow-tackle ropes3 she then hung suspended from the stem-tackle1 and every sea which came rolling along gave her a new impulse3 this soon wore out the remaining tackle1 and she was at length swept away1 after having kept her position since mid-summer4 ,sidenote3 ,sprays rise #ajd feet on the ,light-house4 ,on one occasion1 while the inmates of the ,light-house were standing on the balcony1 looking with attention at the wonderful state of the sea1 the sprays conducted by the walls1 came full in their faces1 and1 passing partly over their heads1 struck upon the second tier of the glass-panes of the light-room1 which is #ajd feet from the ,rock6 ,during this gale1 a thrilling motion was sensibly felt throughout the building1 upon leaning against the walls at particular periods1 when the seas struck the base of the house4 ,the rise of the spray to the height above mentioned rather surprised the writer1 as he had not himself at any time seen it higher than about #gj feet4 ,he had1 however1 felt the tremulous effect alluded to2 and it has already been remarked1 that it is not while the gale continues that the sea strikes so hard1 or rises to so great a height2 but after the abatement of the storm1 when the waves begin to break in the manner represented in the frontispiece4 ,sidenote3 ,sprays fly over the ,floating-light4 ,this gale was also much felt on board of the ,floating-light4 ,captain ,wilson states1 in his account of the weather1 that he had to veer out the long-service1 or about #ij fathoms of cable1 and often to freshen hawse1 or to shift that part of the cable which was immediately in the hawsehole of the ship4 ,the seas also which struck the bows of the vessel were generally carried as far aft as the quarter-deck1 and were not unfrequently thrown over the stern4 ,this gale was1 therefore1 considered to have been as severe as that of ,september #ahjg1 already described4 ,the ,light-house ,yacht1 now acting as ,tender at the ,rock1 having been driven from her station1 had taken shelter in ,burntisland ,roads1 ready on the first change of weather to return to the ,rock4 ,the ,smeaton and ,patriot were fortunately in ,arbroath1 discharging their cargoes of stones from ,milnfield1 for the establishment on shore4 ,sidenote3 ,mr ,reid and ,mr ,fortune left in the ,light-house4 ,on ,monday the #eth1 the ,yacht again visited the ,rock2 when ,mr ,slight and the artificers returned with her to the work-yard1 where a number of things were still to prepare connected with the temporary fitting up of the accommodation for the light-keepers4 ,mr ,john ,reid and ,peter ,fortune were now the only inmates of the house4 ,this was the smallest number of persons hitherto left in the ,light-house4 ,as four light-keepers were to be the complement1 it was intended that three should always be at the ,rock4 ,its present inmates1 however1 could hardly have been better selected for such a situation2 ,mr ,reid being a person possessed of the strictest notions of duty1 and habits of regularity1 from long service on board of a man-of-war1 while ,mr ,fortune had one of the most happy and contented dispositions imaginable4 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #acth4 ,sidenote3 ,experience a heavy gale4 ,from ,saturday the #ajth till ,tuesday the #acth1 the wind had been from ,n4,e41 blowing a heavy gale2 but to-day1 the weather having greatly moderated1 ,captain ,taylor1 who now commanded the ,smeaton1 sailed at #b o'clock ,a4 ,m4 for the ,bell ,rock4 ,at #e the ,floating-light was hailed1 and found to be all well4 ,being a fine moon-light morning1 the seamen were changed from the one ship to the other4 ,at #h1 the ,smeaton being off the ,rock1 the boats were manned1 and taking a supply of water1 fuel1 and other necessaries1 landed at the western side1 when ,mr ,reid and ,mr ,fortune were found in good health and spirits4 ,they reported1 that the sea had run very heavily1 and rose at times nearly to the balcony of the ,light-house1 when it fell with great weight and violence on the ,beacon-house2 that1 on ,sunday the #aath1 the wooden-frame of the western wharf was carried away2 and that the railways to the eastward were also much shattered and broken by large detached masses of rock1 brought from deep water by the impulse of the sea1 some of which left on the ,rock were apparently of the cubical contents of several tons4 ,though none of these stones have yet been traced as belonging to any particular part of the ,rock1 yet they are all of the same red sandstone4 ,it was intended at this time1 that a large stock of coals and water should have been got into the ,light-house1 before the ,smeaton went to ,leith1 to load the remainder of the apparatus2 but this1 from the state of the weather1 was found impracticable1 and she therefore returned to ,arbroath1 to wait a change of weather4 ,sidenote3 #ahaj1 ,november4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #ast4 ,sidenote3 ,their description of the effects of the ,sea upon the ,light-,house4 ,it having been intimated at the work-yard1 that a log of timber had come ashore at ,west-,haven1 about six miles from ,arbroath1 ,james ,glen1 who knew every piece of timber upon the ,bell ,rock1 was dispatched1 to ascertain if it had drifted from thence2 and1 on his return1 reported that the log had belonged to the ,western ,wharf4 ,mr ,slight having got his apparatus prepared1 went again off to the ,rock with the workmen1 when a large additional supply of water1 fuel1 and provisions1 was also landed4 ,it was now ascertained1 that the whole of the western wharf1 and part of its connecting railway1 had been carried away1 and that the circular-track and eastern-reach of the railways were much damaged4 ,mr ,reid farther stated1 that1 during the late gales1 particularly on ,friday the #cjth1 the wind veering from ,s4,e4 to ,n4,e41 both he and ,mr ,fortune sensibly felt the house tremble1 when particular seas struck1 about the time of high-water2 the former observing that it was a tremor of that sort which rather tended to convince him that every thing about the building was sound1 and reminded him of the effect produced1 when a good log of timber is struck sharply with a mallet2 but1 with every confidence in the stability of the building1 he nevertheless confessed1 that1 in so forlorn a situation1 they were not insensible to those emotions which1 he emphatically observed1 8made a man look back upon his former life40 ,sidenote3 #ahaj1 ,december4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #fth4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,red-coloured glass arrives at ,leith4 ,the ,smeaton was now much wanted at ,leith1 where ,mr ,forrest had arrived from ,london on the #ast1 with the plates of red-coloured glass2 but the weather continued boisterous1 and she was detained in the harbour of ,arbroath with a gale at ,s4,w4 ,to-day the writer got notice from ,mr ,andrew ,roger1 merchant in ,st ,monance1 that some fishermen belonging to that village had picked up a raft of timber1 strongly bolted together4 ,this turned out to be part of the timber of the ,western ,wharf1 which had drifted from the ,rock on the #aath1 and had been ever since floating about the ,firth of ,forth4 ,it was picked up on the coast of ,fife1 about nine miles to the westward of the ,isle of ,may4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #hth4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,reflecting apparatus sent from ,leith4 ,the wind having shifted last night1 the ,smeaton sailed from ,arbroath at #aj ,p4 ,m41 for ,leith1 to take on board the whole of the remaining appurtenances necessary for the exhibition of the ,light4 ,she got into ,leith harbour on the #ith1 about mid-day1 when the apparatus was immediately put on board2 but the weather was unfavourable for going down the ,firth of ,forth4 ,to-day1 however1 the wind being west1 with a better appearance1 the following persons sailed for the ,rock1 viz4 ,mr ,james ,dove1 smith1 who was to screw together the frame for the ,reflecting-apparatus2 ,mr ,james ,clark1 clock-maker1 who had constructed1 and was now to regulate1 the ,revolving-machinery for the lights2 and ,mr ,john ,forrest1 who had the general superintendance of the keepers' duty of the ,northern ,light-houses1 and being also foreman for ,light-room repairs in the service1 was to adjust the reflectors and lamps1 and remain at the ,bell ,rock until every thing was found to proceed in a satisfactory manner4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #adth4 ,sidenote3 ,an attempt is made to land at the ,rock4 ,at day-light this morning1 however1 the ,smeaton was still eight or nine miles from the ,light-house1 with hardly any wind4 ,in the prospect of effecting a landing1 ,captain ,taylor manned the boat when about two miles distant from the ,rock1 intending to leave the above persons1 and afterwards to take the earliest opportunity of landing the apparatus1 the tide being now too far spent for attempting the latter operation4 ,the only articles taken in the boat1 besides their personal luggage1 were the two boxes of red-glass1 which having already cost so much trouble1 and requiring so much care1 ,mr ,forrest1 with his usual caution1 had determined not to lose sight of4 ,the party thus proceeded1 but1 on reaching the ,rock1 they had the mortification to find it nearly under water1 with such a breach of sea that no boat could approach it4 ,they were1 therefore1 obliged to return to the ship1 perishing with cold1 and chagrined with disappointment4 ,sidenote3 ,saturday1 #aeth4 ,sidenote3 ,reflecting-apparatus safely landed4 ,the wind still continued from ,n4,w41 but1 most fortunately for the business of the day1 the weather was moderate4 ,having last night called at the ,floating-light1 it was arranged with ,captain ,wilson1 that he should attend by day-light at the ,rock1 with one of his boats1 to assist in landing the ,smeaton's cargo4 ,the passengers went off first1 carrying in their boat the two cases of coloured-glass1 and a few other articles1 while the ,floating-light's boat followed with the machinery2 and by noon the whole of the ,reflecting-apparatus was got safely into the ,light-house4 ,mr ,forrest having thus been enabled to give advice1 which reached the writer on the #agth1 that all the articles had been safely landed2 and foreseeing that every thing would be in readiness in the course of about four weeks1 a specification of the appearance of the light was prepared1 to the following effect1 for public advertisement4 ,sidenote3 ,monday1 #agth4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,light is advertised to the ,public4 8,,navigation ,,of ,,the ,,north ,,seas4--,a ,light-house having been erected upon the ,inch ,cape1 or ,bell ,rock1 situate at the entrance of the ,friths of ,forth and ,tay1 in north ,lat4 #ef #bi1 and west ,long4 #b #bb1--,the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses hereby give notice1 ,that the ,light will be from oil1 with reflectors1 placed at the height of about #ajh feet above the medium level of the sea4 ,the light will be exhibited on the night of ,friday1 the #ast day of ,february #ahaa1 and each night thereafter1 from the going away of day-light in the evening until the return of day-light in the morning4 ,to distinguish this light from others on the coast1 it is made to revolve horizontally1 and to exhibit a bright light of the natural appearance1 and a red-coloured light1 alternately1 both respectively attaining their greatest strength or most luminous effect in the space of every four minutes2 during that period1 the bright light will1 to a distant observer1 appear like a star of the first magnitude1 which1 after attaining its full strength1 is gradually eclipsed to total darkness2 and is succeeded by the red-coloured light1 which in like manner increases to full strength1 and again diminishes and disappears4 ,the coloured-light1 however1 being less powerful1 may not be seen for a time after the bright light is first observed4 ,during the continuance of foggy weather1 and showers of snow1 a ,bell will be tolled1 by machinery1 night and day1 at intervals of half a minute4 ,,notice is hereby also given1 ,that the ,floating-light1 moored two and a half miles ,n4,w4 ,n4 from the ,bell ,rock1 will1 from and after the #ast day of ,february #ahaa1 be discontinued1 and1 as soon thereafter as the weather permits1 the vessel will be removed from her station40 ,sidenote3 ,list of ,newspapers4 ,to give this ,notice publicity1 it was advertised in the following ,newspapers3 ,,scotch4 ,edinburgh ,weekly ,chronicle4 ---- ,courant4 ---- ,correspondent4 ---- ,mercury4 ---- ,advertiser4 ---- ,star4 ---- ,journal4 ,leith ,telegraph4 ,dundee ,advertiser4 ---- ,mercury4 ,perth ,courier4 ,montrose ,review4 ,aberdeen ,journal4 ---- ,chronicle4 ,inverness ,journal4 ,glasgow ,journal4 ---- ,courier4 ---- ,western ,star4 ---- ,sentinel4 ---- ,packet4 ---- ,herald4 ,greenock ,advertiser4 ,,english4 ,london ,gazette4 ---- ,globe4 ---- ,morning ,post4 ,london ,courier4 ---- ,chronicle4 ,plymouth ,telegraph4 ---- ,chronicle4 ,bristol ,gazette4 ---- ,journal4 ---- ,mirror4 ---- ,mercury4 ,liverpool ,courier4 ---- ,advertiser4 ---- ,general ,advertiser4 ---- ,saturday ,advertiser4 ,cumberland ,packet4 ,newcastle ,courant4 ---- ,chronicle4 ---- ,advertiser4 ---- ,tyne ,mercury4 ,hull and ,rockingham ,packet4 ,hull and ,rockingham ,advertiser4 ,york ,courant4 ---- ,herald4 ---- ,chronicle4 ,norwich ,mercury4 ,hampshire ,telegraph4 ,,irish4 ,dublin ,evening ,post4 ---- ,patriot4 ,sidenote3 ,thursday1 #bgth4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,light-keepers are left in possession of the ,house4 ,the ,tender having got a landing made on the #bgth ,december1 every thing at the ,light-house was found in a prosperous state4 ,mr ,dove and ,mr ,clark had finished their work about two hours before the ,smeaton came in sight2 and ,mr ,slight had also completed all that was proposed to be done to the interior finishing of the apartments this winter2 so that ,mr ,forrest1 with ,messrs ,reid1 ,bonyman1 ,leask1 and ,fortune1 the keepers1 were now left in possession of the ,light-house4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,account ,,of ,,the ,,bell ,,rock ,,light-,,house1 ,,from ,,its ,,completion ,,in #ahaj ,,till ,,the ,,year #ahbc1 ,,including ,a ,,statement ,,of ,,the ,,expence ,,of ,,the ,,work4 ,sidenote3 #ahaa1 ,january4 ,when the artificers left the ,bell ,rock1 on the #bgth of ,december #ahaj1 ,mr ,forrest's first object was to take down the rope-ladder1 distended in a horizontal position between the entrance-door of the ,light-house and the mortar-gallery of the ,beacon1 as it prevented the door from being conveniently shut1 and thereby occasioned a draught of air through the several apartments1 rendering the house uncomfortable1 and proving injurious to the lustre of the reflectors4 ,in lieu of this1 another rope-ladder1 fitted with wooden steps1 was suspended from a ,lewis-bat1 inserted into the sill of the door4 ,this ladder1 when hauled up1 was stowed in the passage1 and thus admitted of the door being shut4 ,sidenote3 ,fresh ,provisions fall short at the ,light-house4 ,during the last fortnight of the month of ,january #ahaa1 the weather had been very unsteady1 with gales of wind chiefly from the eastward2 which prevented the ,light-house ,yacht1 now acting as ,tender1 from sailing for the ,rock till ,thursday the #agth4 ,mr ,forrest and the light-keepers were found in good health1 and busily employed in their respective operations1 now nearly brought to a close4 ,no communication having been had with the shore for the last three weeks1 their stock of fresh meat and vegetables was expended2 and1 looking forward to the possibility of a continuation of similar weather1 they had begun to economise the fuel and water before this day's supply came to hand4 ,sidenote3 ,a supply is received4 ,the next trip which the ,yacht made to the ,rock was on ,tuesday the #bith4 ,a letter from ,mr ,forrest stated1 that he had received a very full supply of every thing1 both for the light-room and provision-store1 and added1 8,let the weather be how it will1 we shall not be in want even of the most trifling article1 for a month to come40 ,sidenote3 ,february4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #ast4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,light is exhibited4 ,the day long wished for1 on which the mariner was to see a light exhibited on the ,bell ,rock1 at length arrived4 ,captain ,wilson1 as usual1 hoisted the ,float's lanterns to the topmast on the evening of the #ast of ,february2 but the moment that the light appeared on the ,rock1 the crew1 giving three cheers1 lowered them1 and finally extinguished the lights4 ,the ,yacht had sailed on the #cast of ,january1 for the purpose of taking this ship in tow for ,leith1 as being no longer necessary here2 but in the course of that night1 it came to blow so excessively hard from ,e4,,se41 that she was obliged to bear away for the ,firth of ,forth1 leaving the ,floating-light at her moorings4 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #hth4 ,sidenote3 ,a ,storm occurs when the ,house is lighted4 ,on the #ith1 the ,yacht returned1 and1 although a very heavy sea then ran upon the ,rock1 a landing was effected with a boat-load of coals1 water1 and fresh provisions4 ,mr ,forrest states in his letter at this time1 that every thing on the #ast of ,february1 had been found to answer to his entire satisfaction4 ,he1 however1 mentions1 that the wind blew excessively hard during the three first days after the house was lighted1 and that the sprays had risen to the height of #hj feet upon the building4 ,he adds1 that1 in the course of this gale1 all hands had kept watch without intermission for twenty-four hours1 with the storm-window-frames at hand1 in case of accident1 as the plates of glass on the windward side of the light-room had shaken loose1 and1 by the continued violence of the wind1 the putty had been 8wrought quite thin1 and was softened like mortar40 ,these plates of glass1 measuring each #cb inches by #bf inches1 were so fitted with brass-guards that they could not possibly be blown out1 in an entire state1 but were in some danger of being broken1 by pressing upon the window-sashes while the putty was thus softened4 ,mr ,taylor1 who upon this occasion commanded the ,yacht1 had considerable difficulty in approaching the ,light-house1 and observes1 8,there being now no attending-boat to accompany our landings at the ,rock1 ,i find we must not run such risks as formerly1 as1 in the event of an accident happening to us singly1 no assistance can be got4 ,to-day1 one of those heavy rolling seas struck the boat1 and pitched her upon one of the ledges1 but she was got afloat again before the next breach of the sea reached her1 and was afterwards carried like a shot out of the creek40 ,sidenote3 ,tuesday1 #abth4 ,sidenote3 ,floating-light puts into ,anstruther4 ,the wind having shifted to the west1 with moderate weather1 the ,yacht sailed from ,arbroath to-day1 to take charge of the ,floating-light4 ,having accordingly received a hawser on board1 she cast off the chain-cable moorings1 on which a buoy was placed1 it being impossible1 at this time1 to lift the mushroom-anchor4 ,the wind was then at ,n4,,ne41 and the crew were all extremely happy in the prospect of soon finishing their task1 declaring that they had been more tired of the ,floating-light during the last twelve days1 than all the time they had been on board of her4 ,at #aj ,p4 ,m41 the wind suddenly shifted to ,w4,,nw41 and when abreast of the ,island of ,may they wore-ship1 for the ,floating-light was so unmanageable that she could not be stayed or tacked in the usual manner4 ,they then stood to the north shore1 and anchored off ,crail during the night1 in seven fathoms water4 ,on the #adth1 the wind being still down the ,firth 1 it occupied the whole period of the flood-tide to get about six miles to windward1 and night coming on1 ,captains ,wilson and ,taylor concluded that it would be most prudent for them to put into ,anstruther harbour1 and there wait for a fair wind4 ,while the ,floating-light lay here1 the ,yacht made a trip to the ,bell ,rock1 and relieved the ,light-keepers1 when all was found well4 ,sidenote3 ,some of her ,crew get married4 ,at ,anstruther a great deal of interest was felt1 and people even flocked from a considerable distance1 to see a vessel which had been moored1 for nearly four years1 off the ,bell ,rock4 ,the singularity and simplicity of her rigging attracted the attention particularly of nautical men1 while the thick bed of sea-weed and shell-fish on her bottom1 was matter of surprise to every one4 ,the crew had also become so well acquainted in this port1 and the neighbouring fishing-towns1 that some of them had got married1 and if the vessel had remained another week or two in port1 the probability is that she would not have had an unmarried man on board4 ,sidenote3 ,state of the ,floating-light's bottom4 ,sidenote3 #ahaa1 ,march4 ,the ,floating-light at length arrived at ,leith1 on the #hth of ,march1 after a passage of no less than three weeks from her station4 ,the account given of the marine productions on the ship's bottom1 had excited the curiosity of several of the writer's friends2 and1 on her arrival1 he was accompanied by the ,reverend ,dr ,fleming of ,flisk1 ,dr ,leach of the ,british ,museum1 and ,mr ,patrick ,neill1 ,secretary to the ,wernerian ,society1 who examined1 with great attention1 the numerous crustaceous1 testaceous and molluscous animals1 and zoophytes1 which still adhered in great numbers to her bottom4 ,mussels of the species called ,mytilus pellucidus1 were abundant3 they were of a large size1 the stri on the shells measuring #c inches in length1 by #a inch in breadth4 ,some of the common acorn-shell1 ,balanus communis1 were so large as #a inch in diameter4 ,the sea-weeds were chiefly ,fucus digitatus and esculentus1 and were in general #d or #e feet in length4 ,during the time the ,floating-light had rode off the ,bell ,rock1 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 service1 and also for the artificers at the ,rock4 ,it was therefore chiefly in the runs and lower parts of the bottom1 where they had never been disturbed1 that the animals were in the greatest numbers2 and here also the fuci were longest4 ,next to the keel1 the writer measured a compact bed of these mussels and vermes1 of the depth of from six to eight inches2 and ,captain ,wilson1 upon first seeing her bottom at ,anstruther1 described it in his letter to be a 8complete mussel-scalp40 ,the timber of the ship1 however1 was quite sound4 ,sidenote3 ,sunday1 #bdth4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,light-keepers get their turns of liberty ashore4 ,the ,light-house ,yacht had no sooner got her troublesome charge safely into port1 to be dismantled and sold1 than she returned to the ,rock1 to supply the ,light-house and shift the keepers2 but such was the boisterous state of the weather1 that no landing could be made till the #bb;d1 when ,mr ,john ,reid relieved ,mr ,john ,bonyman1 who went ashore in his turn4 ,the ,yacht then steered for ,leith1 when the command of that vessel was given to ,captain ,wilson1 while ,captain ,taylor took charge of the ,bell ,rock ,tender1--situations for which their services had respectively qualified them4 ,sidenote3 ,letter from the ,superintendant ,light-keeper4 ,the ,yacht1 when last at the ,rock1 brought a letter from ,mr ,forrest1 in answer to a number of queries1 on points to which his attention had been directed1 during his residence in the ,light-house4 ,he replied with so much intelligence and correctness of observation1 that it may be proper here to give his letter verbatim4 ,bell ,rock ,light-house1 #adth ,march #ahaa4 8,,sir1 8,i received your letter of the #gth of ,january1 desiring me to give you an account of every particular occurrence at the ,bell ,rock during the winter1 including the effects of the sea on the building1 the comfortableness of the ,light-house as a dwelling1 and the ability of the light-keepers for their duty4 ,in answer1 ,i will now endeavour to give you the information wanted1 which ,i shall do in the order of the particulars which you sent me1 having1 in consequence of your instructions1 noticed every thing about the place4 ,sidenote3 ,effects of the sea on the building4 8,nothing extraordinary happened from the time ,i came here1 on the #aeth day of ,december1 till the #ast day of ,february1 when the house was lighted to the public4 ,on that night1 it appeared as if nature1 on the first lighting of the house1 were making trial of the sufficiency of the building4 ,during all that night and the following day1 there was nothing to be seen but the sea covered with foam as far as the eye could reach4 ,the only damage we sustained1 was the loosening of a number of the panes of glass1 which ,i noticed to you in a former letter4 ,during the gale1 the sprays did not rise higher than the bed-room windows1 or about #gj feet above the level of the sea4 ,i paid particular attention to your directions1 as to whether ,i could feel the house shake2 but ,i was not then very sensible of this effect1 the tides being neap1 though1 at the time of high-water1 there was a kind of vibration felt when the sea did not break till it reached the building4 ,the most sensible feeling1 however1 of this kind which we have1 is when there is a very heavy ground-swell after a gale at ,n4,e4 ,on these occasions1 the sea rises at intervals on the building1 till the sprays are stopped in their course upwards by the cornice2 but this only happens when the heavy swell occurs with spring-tides4 ,on the #aeth of ,february1 we felt the vibration very sensibly1 which had not so much the effect of shaking1 as that of the tremor produced by the striking of the alarm bells1 on the balcony of the ,light-house1 in foggy weather1 when the storm-shutters1 windows1 and hatches are shut4 ,during some gales from the ,s4,e41 especially when the wind continues two or three days from that quarter1 the seas rise to a great height4 ,at high-water1 on these occasions1 ,i have observed the ,beacon-house1 for perhaps a second or two1 completely covered with waves and sprays4 ,but every thing about that fabric remains quite entire1 without the least damage that ,i can discover4 ,sidenote3 ,state of the ,wagon-ways4 8,i have done all in my power1 with the assistance of the light-keepers1 to preserve the waggon-ways1 and we have frequently forgot ourselves in working at them1 till the tide was too far advanced2 and1 in stormy weather1 have been obliged to make a precipitate retreat up the rope-ladder1 after a complete wetting4 ,some of the reaches are notwithstanding much broken up1 and it will be a great pity if the remainder do not stand till the summer months1 when they can be properly secured2 for1 at times1 in the course of this winter1 the ,tender's boat has brought us supplies1 when1 but for the waggon-ways1 it would have been just the same as going to destruction1 to have attempted a landing4 ,sidenote3 ,remarkable effects of the sea in lifting a piece of lead4 8,i often take pleasure in looking at the seas breaking upon the ,light-house1 and it is awfully grand1 at the time of high-water1 to observe the sprays rising to such a height on the building1 and even to be on the ,rock at low-water1 when the waves are about to break4 ,being in a manner only a few yards distant1 they approach as if they were about to overwhelm us altogether4 ,but now that we are accustomed to such scenes1 we think little of it4 ,you will perhaps form a better idea of the force of the sea1 during these gales1 when ,i relate to you1 that1 on the #aeth of ,february1 the large piece of lead that was used as the back weight of the balance-crane1 weighing #d cwt4 #c qrs4 #ag lb41 or nearly a quarter of a ton1 was fairly lifted by the sea1 and carried to the distance of six feet from the hole1 in which it had lain since the month of ,august4 ,it was now found turned with the ring-bolt downwards1 and it was with great difficulty that four of us could muster strength enough to return it to its former shelf in the ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,direction of the seas which have most effect upon the ,light-house4 8,all the observations which ,i have made regarding the effects of the seas and weather on the ,light-house1 while ,i have been here1 lead me to conclude1 that when the wind is from the ,s41 ,s4,w41 ,w41 ,n4,w41 and even ,n41 the sea has little effect on the building2 but1 from south to north-easterly1 the force of the waves is considerable1 especially when it comes to blow hard4 ,during the gale of the #bb;d ,february1 ,i remarked1 that even the heaviest seas1 if they broke before they came to the foot of the building1 slipped past without giving the least shock to the house2 and it is only a very few of the waves that reach the building1 in the course of a tide1 which cause the vibration alluded to2 but we fear those seas only which come from the ,,ne41 as they break close upon the house4 ,i may say1 in general1 that the higher or stronger the wind is1 the less power the sea has on the ,light-house2 the heaviest seas being accompanied with little wind1 or occurring after the gale has abated4 ,sidenote3 ,comfortable state of the building4 8,with regard to the comfort of this building as a dwelling1 ,i had no other expectation but that1 on account of the sea-air1 and newness of the walls1 the house would have1 in the first instance1 been damp4 ,it is1 however1 the very reverse of this1 and ,i may confidently say1 that it is as dry round the inside walls1 and on the floors1 as any house in ,edinburgh4 ,this may be chiefly occasioned by the smoke-tube which passes from the kitchen through the upper floors to the cupola of the ,light-room1 which contributes greatly to the dry state of the building2 but we even find the store-rooms and stair-case1 which1 as yet1 have not the benefit of a fire1 also comparatively free of dampness4 ,as a proof of this1 it may be noticed1 that the lower parts of the house dry pretty readily when the floors are washed1 excepting1 indeed1 when a heavy sea runs1 and some water comes in at the checks of the windows1 and partially wets the lower apartments4 ,it is1 however1 impossible entirely to keep out wetness at windows1 which1 for conveniency1 must be made to open1 especially when so great a body of water occasionally presses upon them4 ,as to the warmth of the house1 ever since we got ,the ,jacob's ladder taken down1 and the ,entrance-door shut1 we have been very comfortable4 ,i never heard the least complaint on this head from any of the ,light-keepers1 and it is a general remark that we are warmer here than ashore4 ,sidenote3 ,qualifications of the ,light-keepers4 8,with regard to your inquiries about the ,light-keepers1 ,i may remark1 that ,mr ,john ,reid1 the principal keeper1 appears to like his situation very well1 though1 at first1 when the sea struck hard upon the building1 he seemed rather sad1 and was perhaps not so confident about it4 ,when he was in that mood1 ,i used to cheer him by telling him it was only a fancy2 and as he is a very sensible man1 and originally bred a seaman and carpenter1 his mind readily complies with a belief in our safety4 ,mr ,john ,bonyman1 the principal assistant1 appears to take well with his situation2 and having been personally employed as a mason from first to last in the erection1 and more fully understanding its nature1 he always keeps himself very easy upon this point4 ,mr ,henry ,leask1 though formerly a shipmaster1 yet having for several years been a light-keeper1 has been much at home with his family1 and his attention is naturally drawn more towards them2 however1 he appears quite satisfied1 though he does not speak very confidently about our habitation1 but shrugs up his shoulders1 and looks strange when he feels the tremor of the house4 ,as to their qualifications as light-keepers1 ,i have not the least hesitation in stating1 that ,mr ,reid and his assistants are now fully competent for their duty4 ,we proceed agreeably to our written instructions1 though there are some parts of them which ,i shall take the liberty of submitting to you for alteration4 ,sidenote3 #ahaa1 ,april4 ,sidenote3 ,manner in which they spend their time4 8,i will now let you know how we come on with what ,i may call our domestic life4 ,when the duty of the house is over for the day1 we generally take a walk on the waggon-ways1 and search about the crevices of the rock for small fishes1 when the state of the tides and weather permit2 but when that is not the case1 we content ourselves without it1 and find amusement in reading a small library1 consisting of about a dozen of volumes of one kind or other1 collected among us2 and you know we have the progressive numbers of the ,scots ,magazine and the ,weekly ,chronicle1 which we receive as regularly as the situation of the place will admit4 ,i may further notice1 that it gives the ,light-keepers much pleasure to learn that ,mr ,slight has received orders1 in fitting up the strangers' room1 to provide it with a book-case1 which we understand the ,commissioners are to supply with books4 ,on ,sunday1 we attend to the general rule of the service1 doing no more work in the ,light-room than is necessary1 cleaning only the reflectors1 lamp-glasses and windows1 operations which are usually over at this season about #ab o'clock1 after which we meet for prayers1 and read two or three chapters of the ,bible4 8,i have perhaps tired you with this long letter1 but ,i could not give you the description you wanted in fewer words4 ,i shall only further add1 that we all remain in good health1 and that every thing connected with the ,light-room apparatus is in good order4--,i am1 c4 c4 8,,john ,,forrest0 8,to ,mr ,robert ,stevenson1 8,engineer for ,northern ,light-houses40 ,sidenote3 ,friday1 #b;d4 ,sidenote3 ,they are left in full possession of the house4 ,from this very satisfactory communication1 it was evident that the ,light-house might now be left under the charge of ,mr ,reid and his assistants4 ,the ,tender accordingly sailed this morning1 carrying off ,mr ,bonyman1 who had been at ,arbroath on leave2 when ,mr ,forrest1 who had been upwards of three months at the ,rock1 came on shore1 leaving ,mr ,reid to instruct his third assistant1 ,michael ,wishart1 the mason who had been so severely hurt on the #cjth ,june #ahji1 by the fall of the moveable beam-crane4 ,sidenote3 ,progress of the ulterior works4 ,sidenote3 #ahaa1 ,may4 ,the houses erecting at ,arbroath for the families of the ,light-keepers1 were roofed over in the month of ,may2 at which period1 the signal-tower for communicating with the ,light-house1 represented in ,plate ,,xii41 had attained to half its height1 or about #cj feet4 ,the shipping at this station consisted only of the ,smeaton as ,bell ,rock ,tender1 the other vessels which had been employed in carrying on the work1 having been disposed of by public sale4 ,as soon as the weather permitted1 the artificers went off to the ,rock to put the ,railways in a state of repair after the gales of winter2 for this purpose1 the ,beacon-house was still extremely useful as a smith's shop1 while it also served as a store for the implements and bulky articles connected with the fitting up of the interior of the ,light-house4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,lord ,justice-,clerk ,hope1 and a party embark for the ,bell ,rock4 ,on the #bdth of ,july1 ,lord ,justice-,clerk ,hope1 ,lord ,boyle1 ,dr ,hope1 ,mr ,hamilton1 and ,mr ,james ,spreull1 besides ,lady ,charlotte ,hope and ,mrs ,hamilton1 embarked at ,leith in the ,light-house ,yacht1 to visit the ,bell ,rock4 ,the wind being at ,,sw41 and blowing hard1 the vessel had to put into ,arbroath till the #bfth1 which prevented the ,lord ,justice-,clerk and his ,lady from visiting the ,light-house2 but the rest of the party having remained1 they had a most convenient landing on the ,rock2 were highly gratified with their visit1 and returned in the ,yacht to ,leith on the #bhth4 ,sidenote3 #ahaa1 ,september4 ,sidenote3 ,state of things at the ,rock4 ,in the course of his annual voyage to the ,northern ,light-houses1 the writer1 on the #bgth ,september1 touched at ,arbroath1 and had the satisfaction to find that the ,light-keepers' houses were nearly in a habitable state1 while the ,signal-tower was ready for the plaster-work4 ,having landed on the following day at the ,bell ,rock1 with ,mr ,james ,haldane1 who had accompanied him thither on his first visit in the year #ahjj1 they did not fail to express their mutual congratulations on the successful result of those operations which1 on the former occasion1 had been contemplated at a very distant view4 ,on examining the ,light-house1 every thing was found to be in good order1 and ,mr ,reid1 and his assistants1 quite satisfied with their habitation4 ,mr ,dove had completed the copper flag-staff1 and also the iron-grating on the outside of the ,light-room1 for the greater conveniency of cleaning the windows3 ,mr ,slight had made great progress in fitting up the oak partitions1 beds1 and interior finishing of the house2 and had dismantled the upper parts of the ,beacon-house1 which was now reduced to its state in #ahji1 as represented in ,plate ,,viii4 ,at low-water1 all hands were engaged at the ,railways to fortify them also for withstanding the storms of winter2 and it was chiefly for this purpose that the principal beams of the ,beacon-house were preserved on the ,rock4 ,it had been originally intended to erect a stone-slip for the conveniency of landing1 till1 from experience1 it was found that the iron ,railways were more suitable to the circumstances of the place than solid masonry2 the waves acting with much more force on the solid wall1 than on the open railways4 ,sidenote3 ,tender goes adrift4 ,on the #abth of this month1 the ,smeaton having been1 for several days1 at the ,rock1 landing stores and articles for the artificers1 unluckily broke adrift by the failure of the mooring-chain4 ,as it came to blow fresh from ,w4 ,,nw41 she narrowly escaped shipwreck2 and having been driven eastward as far as ,dunnottar ,castle1 it was not till ,tuesday the #aeth that she returned4 ,this shewed the uncertainty of making the ,tender fast to moorings at the ,rock1 excepting in fine weather1 and pointed out the propriety of keeping her under-way1 during her future casual attendance for the supply of the ,light-house4 ,this arrangement1 however1 required that the mate and one seaman should be left on board1 while the master and other two were at work in the boat4 ,sidenote3 ,boats suitable for the ,bell ,rock4 ,sidenote3 8,bruce's boat40 ,it may here be noticed1 that a boat1 in order to be at once safe and convenient for landing at the ,bell ,rock1 should measure not more than from #ad to #af feet in length of keel4 ,a boat1 therefore1 of a proper size for parties visiting the ,light-house from the shore1 will be found too large for landing at the ,rock2 because1 when she has still a depth of water to float her into the several creeks1 the tide has not sufficiently ebbed to afford shelter from the breach of the sea1 even when there is but a slight swell on the ,rock4 ,in like manner1 she requires to lie too long in floating off again1 and is consequently more apt to be damaged than a smaller boat4 ,a decked vessel1 with a float-boat of the dimensions mentioned above1 is the safest2 or1 if a large open boat is used to go from the shore1 it should not be less than #bj feet in length of keel1 carrying a small boat1 upon the plan of 8,bruce's ,two-half boat40 ,this description of craft may be conveniently stowed into the fore-peak of a large boat1 and1 when put to use1 the two-halves are screwed together with great facility1 and used with perfect safety as one boat4 ,for this ingenious contrivance1 the public are indebted to the late ,mr ,james ,bruce1 of the ,naval ,yard establishment1 ,leith4 ,sidenote3 ,light-house ,stove takes fire4 ,owing to inattention on the part of the ,light-keepers1 the chimney of the temporary stove1 which1 for the present1 was fitted up in the kitchen1 had been allowed1 on the #bjth of this month1 to take fire2 and though the surrounding apparatus was proof against burning1 yet the heat of the tube1 which passes through the ,light-room1 so cracked and damaged six of the squares of plate-glass1 that it was judged proper to replace them with others from the stock on hand4 ,sidenote3 #ahaa1 ,november4 ,sidenote3 ,sprays rise to the height of the ,light-room4 ,the month of ,november set in with ,s4,e4 winds1 and the tides and sea upon the shores of the ,firth of ,forth1 rose higher than had been observed for the last thirty years4 ,during this gale1 while ,mr ,leask1 one of the keepers1 was standing upon the balcony1 a considerable quantity of sprays broke over the cornice1 so as to wet all his clothes1 and to strike against the glass of the ,light-room so forcibly1 as to alarm those who were within4 ,this was the first instance observed of the sea rising to the height of about #ajh feet above the surface of the ,rock4 ,the ,light-keepers also stated1 that when the tide was at the highest1 they expected every minute that the ,beacon would have been swept away1 as it was frequently wholly under water when the sea broke around the ,light-house2 nor were they altogether at ease as to their own situation4 ,several large masses of stone were1 upon this occasion1 thrown upon the ,rock2 a mass of about two tons1 completely blocked up one of the landing-places until it was broken and removed4 ,the ,railways also suffered severely1 having been dislocated in several places4 ,sidenote3 ,advantage of double windows4 ,in the course of the month of ,december1 the ,light-house had been visited with very severe gales1 but the keepers were now gaining more confidence in the stability of their habitation4 ,captain ,taylor1 who commanded the ,tender1 on questioning them when he landed on the ,rock1 how they had stood out the bad weather1 they1 to his surprise1 replied1 8,there has been nothing remarkable in the weather40 ,they further stated1 8that1 when the doors and storm-shutters were made fast1 and the double windows shut1 all was quiet in the several apartments3 it was only when they went to the ,balcony that they heard the wind3 and that the house had little or no motion by the sea striking it1 excepting in storms from the north-east1 east1 or south-east1 but especially from the north-east40 ,sidenote3 #ahab4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,light-house excites much interest4 ,the light had now been exhibited for twelve months2 and it was highly gratifying to the ,board to find1 from almost every quarter of the coast1 by the testimony of those who had seen it at sea1 that this important edifice gave universal satisfaction1 appearing in all respects to answer the fullest expectations of the mariner4 ,it appeared also from the ,album1 or book kept at the ,light-house1 for inserting names1 that nearly #ejj strangers had landed to see it1 in the course of the summer season4 ,sidenote3 #ahab1 ,august4 ,sidenote3 ,sir ,william ,rae and ,mr ,duff visit the ,rock with parties4 ,on the #bast of ,august1 ,sir ,william ,rae1 ,baronet1 the ,lord ,chief-,baron ,dundas1 ,general ,francis ,dundas1 ,mr ,jardine of the ,exchequer1 and ,mr ,russell1 accountant to the ,board1 visited the ,light-house1 when the ,chief-,baron expressed his entire approbation of the work and establishment in general4 ,about the same period1 ,mr ,duff landed1 accompanied by ,mr ,foulerton1 one of the ,elder ,brethren of the ,trinity-,house1 ,mr ,menzies of ,pitfoddels1 and the late ,mr ,taylor of ,kirktonhill1 who were in like manner much pleased4 ,it was1 upon this occasion1 gratifying to hear ,captain ,foulerton's remarks of approbation1 as his official connection with the ,english ,light-house ,board1 more especially qualified him for judging of the ,bell ,rock works4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,beacon is removed from the ,rock4 ,on ,friday the #dth ,september1 at #e ,a4 ,m41 the writer landed at the ,rock with ,mr ,james ,slight1 clerk of works1 who1 with eight artificers1 was to commence taking down the frame or principal beams of the ,beacon-house4 ,this useful fabric might have remained for an indefinite period1 but for the ravages of the insect already described1 which had now affected the beams so much where they rested upon the ,rock1 as to render its removal advisable4 ,in this operation the artificers were only employed for about three weeks1 although it had occupied nearly the whole of two working seasons to erect it4 ,the ,tender made occasional trips ashore with the timber1 the great iron stanchions1 bracing-bars1 and numerous bolts1 which were to be employed in the erection of the buildings at ,arbroath1 and in the works of the ,carr ,rock ,beacon4 ,sidenote3 ,mode of securing timber against the insect4 ,the only remark which the writer has to make1 regarding the erection of such a building as the ,beacon-house is1 that due precaution should be used in protecting the soles or feet of the beams1 where they rest upon the ,rock1 and are inaccessible to the application of pitch or other preventives4 ,sheathing with copper might1 perhaps1 be found the best protection2 but1 in such situations1 the copper should be coated with tin1 to prevent any action between it and the iron-work4 ,sidenote3 ,light-house assailed by a gale4 ,on the #ast of ,october1 ,mr ,slight1 accompanied by several artificers1 went again off to the ,light-house with the remaining apparatus for finishing the interior of the house1 having still the bed-room to fit up1 the brass-plates for the safety of the sill and lintel of the entrance-door1 and a variety of other small works to complete4 ,the railways were also in want of some additional stays1 to fit them for withstanding the storms of winter4 ,these operations1 however1 were conducted much more slowly since the removal of the ,beacon2 and it now became necessary to erect the smith's forge upon the balcony of the ,light-house1 for sharpening tools1 and other little operations4 ,sidenote3 #ahab1 ,november4 ,sidenote3 ,remarkable shock of the sea4 ,on ,saturday the #adth of ,november1 a very severe storm took place1 accompanied with a heavy sea from the ,s4,e4 ,a letter from the ,light-house stated1 that1 8at high-water in the evening1 a tremendous sea struck the house1 the effect of which was the most alarming that had been experienced perhaps since it was erected4 ,the locks upon the doors were heard to rattle2 and what makes this the more singular is1 that not another sea of consequence struck the house during the whole tide40 ,upon further inquiry into this matter1 the writer found that the artificers1 and two of the light-keepers were then in the kitchen2 upon the shock taking place1 the whole sprung up to the balcony1 imagining for the moment that some vessel must have got upon the ,rock1 and that the report heard was the discharge of a gun1 so sudden and sharp was the sensation which it occasioned4 ,but they soon found that their alarm was occasioned by the sea alone4 ,sidenote3 ,professor ,robison's opinion on this subject4 ,the writer has often thought of this surprising effect of the force of the sea2 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 kitchen2 otherwise than by supposing a disturbance in the equilibrium of the air1 by the sudden displacement of the column of water1 which1 upon these occasions1 rises upon the building4 ,the tremor felt in leaning against the walls in the upper apartments1 when it blows fresh1 or when the house is struck by a sea1 or by a boat coming suddenly against it1 may be compared to that which is perceptible in a common house1 upon the slamming of particular doors1 or when a carriage makes a rattling noise in passing along the streets2 but it is attended with no real danger4 ,in confirmation of this1 it may be mentioned1 that when the late ,professor ,robison of ,edinburgh visited the ,edystone ,light-house1 something having forcibly struck the building1 he was sensible of a vibratory motion in one of the rooms in which he was then sitting4 ,but1 instead of producing any alarm in the mind of the ,professor1 he assured his friends1 that it was to him the strongest proof of the unity and connection of the fabric in all its parts4 ,this anecdote the writer is desirous of preserving1 as it was communicated to him by this eminent person4 ,sidenote3 ,view of the ,sea1 from which the ,frontispiece is delineated4 ,sidenote3 #ahab1 ,december4 ,the writer being in ,forfarshire at this time1 was desirous of seeing the effects of the sea upon the ,light-house1 after the ,beacon had been removed4 ,he accordingly embraced the opportunity of sailing from ,arbroath with the ,tender1 in a pretty hard gale from north-east1 at #d o'clock in the morning of the #ith of ,december1 and1 at #g1 got close to the ,rock4 ,the ,light-house now appeared in one of its most interesting aspects1 standing proudly among the waves1 while the sea around it was in the wildest state of agitation4 ,the ,light-keepers did not seem to be in motion2 but the scene was by no means still1 as the noise and dashing of the waves were unceasing4 ,the seas rose in the most surprising manner to the height of the kitchen windows1 or about #gj feet above the ,rock2 and after expending their force in a perpendicular direction1 successively fell in great quantities round the base of the ,light-house1 while considerable portions of the spray were seen adhering as it were to the building1 and guttering down its sides in the state of froth as white as snow4 ,some of the great waves burst1 and were expended upon the ,rock before they reached the building2 while others struck the base1 and1 embracing the walls1 met on the western side of the house1 where they dashed together1 and produced a most surprising quantity of foam4 ,upon this view of the breaking of the seas at the ,light-house1 the frontispiece for this work has been delineated4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,sea overruns the ,rock at low-water4 ,though there was no possibility of effecting a landing to-day1 yet the vessel lay off-and-on till low-water1 that the writer might also then see the state of the waves upon the ,railways4 ,he found that they still continued to make a constant run over them2 and that no one could have stood upon any part of the rock1 even for the space of one minute1 without having been thrown down and carried away by their force4 ,after lying-to till #aj o'clock1 the ,tender bore away for the ,firth of ,forth1 leaving the inhabitants of the ,rock surrounded1 and even enveloped by the sea in its utmost fury1 yet in a state of comparative comfort1 and enjoying feelings of the most perfect security4 ,sidenote3 ,mode in which the ,light-house is attended4 ,the regulations observed in attending the ,bell ,rock are these4 ,the vessel stationed at ,arbroath goes off every fortnight1 or in the course of each set of spring-tides1 to relieve the ,light-keepers1 and to supply the house with necessaries2 but when the weather does not admit of this1 the master's instructions direct him to embrace the first favourable opportunity thereafter4 ,of the four keepers belonging to this establishment1 three are always at the ,light-house1 while one is ashore on liberty4 ,the regular term ashore is a fortnight1 and the duty at the ,rock is six weeks4 ,during the rotations1 however1 in the course of the winter and spring1 some of the keepers were detained upwards of three months upon the ,rock1 while others were four or five weeks ashore4 ,the ,tender had made several unsuccessful attempts to effect a landing during this period1 and had been twice forced to ,leith ,roads1 and once to the northward as far as ,aberdeen4 ,the light-keepers1 however1 seemed1 upon the whole1 pleased with their situation2 and talked in a feeling manner of the hardships of mariners1 whom they often saw tossed about during the storms of winter4 ,sidenote3 #ahac4 ,sidenote3 ,establishment for the ,light-keepers at ,arbroath completed4 ,in the course of the year #ahac1 the ,light-keepers' houses1 at ,arbroath1 signal-tower1 and sea-wall connected with them1 were completed2 and a garden of upwards of an acre was enclosed1 and laid out for the use of the families of the light-keepers1 and for supplying the ,light-house and ,tender with vegetables4 ,these buildings formed no part of the original design2 but the ,commissioners were resolved that this establishment should be complete4 ,had houses been hired in the town of ,arbroath1 for the light-keepers1 much inconvenience would have arisen to the service1 especially when the attending vessel was going off to the ,rock under night4 ,besides the principal building occupied by the light-keepers1 there are store-houses1 and accommodation for the master and crew of the attending vessels1 in an adjoining building1 where each family has two or three rooms4 ,the top of the signal-tower is formed into a small observatory1 furnished with a #e feet achromatic telescope1 a flag-staff1 and copper signal-ball measuring #ah inches in diameter4 ,sidenote3 ,signals observed at the ,rock4 ,by means of this1 and a corresponding ball at the ,light-house1 certain signals are daily kept up between ,arbroath and the ,rock4 ,the chief of which consists in hoisting the ball at the latter place to the top of the flag-staff1 where it is kept1 when all is well1 every morning1 between the hours of #i and #aj4 ,but in case the weather should prove so foggy or cloudy at this hour1 that the signals cannot be seen1 the watch is again set at #a ,p4 ,m41 and should it then become clear1 the ball is again elevated1 and allowed to remain till #b o'clock4 ,this signal is watched by the light-keeper who1 in his turn1 happens to be ashore on liberty1 and who immediately answers it by hoisting the ball at ,arbroath4 ,should the ball at the ,rock1 however1 be allowed to remain down1 as is the case when any thing is particularly wanted1 or in the event of sickness1 the ,tender immediately puts to sea4 ,sidenote3 #ahad4 ,sidenote3 ,thunder-rod4 ,the mechanical operations at the ,bell ,rock1 during the year #ahad1 consisted principally in fitting up a thunder-rod or electrical conductor1 on the exterior and western side of the building1 as may be observed on the elevation of the ,light-house in ,plate ,,xvi4 ,this rod is continuous from the top to the foundation of the building1 being connected with the sash-frames of the light-room1 and the ,railways upon the ,rock4 ,the best construction and application of rods for conducting the electric fluid1 is a problem upon which scientific men are not altogether agreed2 some being of opinion1 that the conducting-surface should be large2 while the slender bell-wires in dwelling-houses are found capable of conveying it in a body sufficient to destroy the premises4 ,the fixing of a plate of any considerable breadth upon the exterior of the ,light-house would have been attended with much difficulty2 and the writer having consulted ,professors ,playfair and ,leslie1 and ,dr ,brewster1 a rod was prepared by ,mr ,adie1 optician1 #b inches in breadth1 and1 where thickest1 #a inch1 the external side being slightly rounded1 to suit the circle of the wall1 and thus presenting the least possible resistance to the sea4 ,the composition of this rod was one ounce and a half of tin to a pound of pure copper2 and with its bats1 screws1 and connecting pieces1 it weighed #eef pounds1 or about one-quarter of a ton4 ,sidenote3 ,method of fixing it4 ,in order to fix it to the building1 a groove was cut in the exterior wall1 as high as the solid part1 about half an inch in depth1 which was sufficient to receive the edge or thinnest part of the rod4 ,on the higher parts of the building the wall was not cut1 the flat side of the rod being simply applied to it2 and in its track1 brass-bats1 previously perforated and screwed1 were sunk in the wall to the depth of three inches1 and run up with melted lead1 at about two feet apart4 ,the rod being cast in lengths of seven feet1 the pieces were successively applied to the building1 when the precise positions of the holes in the brass-bats were ascertained1 marked on the rod1 and bored on the spot for screw-nails of ths of an inch in diameter2 the several lengths of the rod being half checked at each end1 and the nail-heads counter-sunk1 as shewn in ,plate ,,xix4 ,fig4 #aj4 ,the cutting of this groove and the bat-holes in the masonry1 was done in a very masterly manner by the late ,thomas ,selkirk1 of whom notice is here more particularly taken1 as this was the last piece of work which he executed1 as well as from his having been acknowledged by his companions to have been one of the best stone-cutters in ,scotland4 ,sidenote3 #ahad4 ,sidenote3 ,a party of the ,commissioners and ,sir ,walter ,scott visit the ,light-house4 ,on the #cjth of ,july this year1 ,mr ,hamilton1 ,mr ,erskine1 and ,mr ,duff1 ,commissioners1 along with ,mr 7now ,sir7 ,walter ,scott1 and the writer1 visited the ,light-house2 the ,commissioners being then on one of their voyages of ,inspection1 noticed in the ,introduction4 ,they breakfasted in the library1 when ,sir ,walter1 at the entreaty of the party1 upon inscribing his name in the album1 added the interesting lines1 of which the reader will find a fac-simile on the second title-page4 ,sidenote3 #ahae4 ,sidenote3 ,permanent ,railways began to be fitted4 ,sidenote3 ,lord ,president ,hope lands at the ,rock4 ,though the temporary railways originally fitted up for the building operations had been thoroughly repaired1 they were often found much in disorder1 and required a still stronger mode of construction4 ,in the course of this summer1 therefore1 part of the western-reach of the new or permanent ,railway was fitted up1 which was named ,hope's ,wharf2 ,lord ,president ,hope having landed upon it in the month of ,august1 from the ,latona ,frigate4 ,sidenote3 #ahaf4 ,sidenote3 ,pharos ,tender built4 ,the sloop ,smeaton having been originally constructed as a stone-lighter1 was not well adapted for sailing1 or doing the duty of a ,tender4 ,a vessel1 of #ea tons register1 properly fitted for this service1 was therefore built at ,leith by ,mr ,morton1 and launched in the summer of #ahaf1 under the appropriate name of ,the ,pharos4 ,besides her stern-boat1 this vessel carries another upon deck1 measuring #ae feet in length of keel2 she is also sheathed with copper1 and laid out with a fore and after cabin4 ,sidenote3 ,the ,light-house is ,painted4 ,owing to the sprays of the sea1 the colour of the upper part of the ,light-house had become much changed1 and had acquired a dark olive hue1 while1 on the western side1 the granite courses below were of a whitish-grey2 so that the building had now a party-coloured appearance4 ,to remedy this1 and especially to prevent the sandstone from imbibing moisture1 it was1 in the summer of #ahaf1 painted in oil colour1 of a greyish tint4 ,the whole of the interior of the house being of polished masonry1 was at the same time painted white2 while the walls and roof of the library were decorated with pannelled work1 in a very tasteful manner4 ,mr ,macdonald of ,arbroath the painter1 having remained a considerable period in the ,light-house1 had several opportunities of observing the effects of the sea upon the ,rock1 and made some striking sketches of its appearance upon the building in storms1 which have afforded useful hints to the artist who furnished the draught from which the frontispiece to this work is taken4 ,sidenote3 #ahah4 ,sidenote3 ,fuci disappear from the ,rock4 ,on visiting the ,light-house in the summer of #ahah1 the writer was struck with the naked appearance of the ,rock1 the fuci having in a great measure disappeared4 ,on examination he found that they had been cut off by vast numbers of a species of limpet1 curiously striated with blue lines1 7the ,patella pellucida of naturalists74 ,among various other changes incidental to the plants and animals on the ,rock1 the barnacle was found to be fully more prevalent than formerly1 and covered all the higher parts1 like a greyish coloured scurf4 ,one good effect connected with the disappearance of the sea-weed1 was a more complete exposure of several large holes or inequalities in the ,rock4 ,some of those1 on the north-eastern side of the ,light-house1 being of a large size1 varying from two to four feet in depth1 the writer considered necessary to have filled with ruble-building1 which1 in an imbedded state1 when executed with pozzolano-mortar1 had been found to withstand the utmost force of the sea4 ,sidenote3 #ahai4 ,sidenote3 ,permanent ,railways completed4 ,in the course of the summer of #ahai1 ,mr ,james ,slight1 and his brother ,alexander 7who had assisted throughout the works in making moulds for the stone-cutters1 and in other operations requiring neat and ingenious workmanship71 together with ,messrs ,george ,dove1 ,robert ,selkirk1 ,james ,glen1 ,james ,scott1 ,alexander ,brebner1 and ,john ,mitchell1 completed the remaining parts of the western and southern-reaches of the railways1 by the addition of a number of large cast-iron stays or braces1 as represented in ,figs4 #ac1 #ad1 and #ae1 of ,plate ,x4 ,the bats of these new railways were wedged with timber and iron in the usual manner1 and the feet of the supports1 with their bats and spear-bolts1 were plastered over with ,roman-cement1 with a view to secure them against the effects of oxidation4 ,sidenote3 ,improvement on the entrance to the ,light-house by a ladder of brass4 ,by taking the stores from the railways to the entrance of the ,light-house up the sloping exterior wall1 the joints of the courses at that part had been somewhat injured4 ,the access also to the door had hitherto been only by a rope-ladder1 or1 to strangers1 by a suspended chair1 which was hoisted up by the crane fixed to the building4 ,both of these were liable to accidents and decay1 from the wearing of the ropes by frequent use4 ,in order1 therefore1 to prevent injury to the building1 and to remove these defects1 two strong bars of brass1 of the same composition as the thunder-rod1 were fixed on the building1 from the door down to the rock1 to answer the purpose of skids2 and steps of the same metal1 being attached to these bars by screw-bolts1 a substantial and convenient ladder1 or rather flight of steps1 was thus constructed2 and1 as this apparatus became a fixture1 ready entrance to the ,light-house was provided for1 and could on all occasions of emergency be safely obtained4 ,a connection being also formed between this metallic-stair and the kitchen-chimney1 a thunder-rod was thus obtained for the interior as well as the exterior of the house2 the whole including the stair1 weighing about #cacc pounds1 or about #a ton #h cwt4 of brass4 ,sidenote3 ,sprays rise #aje feet4 ,in the course of the three last winters1 the weather had been so uncommonly mild1 that the sea1 as appears from the ,light-house ,returns1 had rarely risen upon the building higher than from #cj to #ej feet4 ,but1 in ,october #ahai1 there were some very severe gales1 accompanied with heavy seas1 the sprays of which1 on the #bdth1 rose to the height of #aje feet above the ,rock4 ,the water had struck the light-room with such force at this time1 that one of the assistants1 then on watch1 started from his seat1 imagining that some serious accident had occurred4 ,the writer having landed on the #bjth ,november following1 examined into the precise state of matters upon that occasion1 when it was stated1 that it appeared as if a bucket or two of water had been thrown with violence against the ,light-room windows4 ,mr ,reid1 principal ,light-keeper1 and ,mr ,taylor1 commander of the ,tender1 also confidently observed1 that this was the most severe gale which they had experienced since they were connected with the service4 ,it may1 perhaps1 therefore1 be concluded1 that the maximum force of the sea at the ,bell ,rock is to raise the sprays to the height of about #aje feet above the surface of the ,rock4 ,sidenote3 ,a piece of the highest part of the ,rock carried away4 ,these storms had proved so severe1 that the ,rock actually lost about #ah inches of its height1 a fragment of that thickness having been carried away from the highest part4 ,this spot the workmen had significantly termed 8,the ,last-hope10 as marked on ,plate ,,vi41 in allusion to the imminent hazard which the party on the ,rock had incurred in the year #ahjg4 ,the removal of this highest stratum is the more particularly noticed1 as forming a link in the chain of probabilities1 leading to the conclusion of the ,bell ,rock having once been of much greater extent4 ,sidenote3 #ahbj4 ,sidenote3 ,improvements on the ,light-house1 ,brass-door1 c4 ,though the ,light-house might be considered as long since finished1 various improvements have still at different times been made on it4 ,in the course of the year #ahbj1 an inner entrance-door was hung in the passage1 chiefly to prevent the necessity of shutting the outer-door so frequently during the continuance of westerly winds4 ,to save room1 and cutting the walls1 this door was constructed of brass-pannelled work1 and the upper part glazed with plate-glass1 to preserve the light4 ,in the original fitting up of the interior of the house1 the machinery-weight had been carried through the centre of the several apartments2 but this having been found incommodious1 the rope was now conducted close to the wall1 in a small case2 and1 by introducing a double-pulley1 the weight does not require to be brought higher than the floor of the ,light-room-store1 from which it descends into the drop-hole formed in the solid part of the building1 as shewn in ,plate ,,xvi4 ,the store-room for water1 fuel1 and provisions1 was also fitted up this year in a more commodious manner1 with cast-iron cisterns1 an enlarged magazine for fuel1 and a complete set of lockers4 ,the water1 which hitherto had been carried from the store to the kitchen in buckets1 was now raised by a pump1 fitted up after the manner of the beer-pumps in general use in ,london4 ,sidenote3 #ahba4 ,sidenote3 ,a new machine for taking up the stores4 ,the weather during #ahba was comparatively mild1 and no storm of any consequence occurred at the ,rock4 ,the only work deserving notice that year1 was the removal of the small crane from the entrance-door1 to the provision-store2 where a machine1 upon a new principle1 was constructed1 the barrel or drum of which moves vertically upon its axis1 instead of horizontally1 while it winds up the chain4 ,by means of this machine1 the stores are now taken up to the entrance-door more conveniently2 while both the door and passage are entirely relieved of the encumbrance of the crane-apparatus2 as will be understood by examining ,plate ,,xiv4 ,fig4 #g4 and ,plate ,,xvi4 ,sidenote3 ,mr ,reid retires from the ,light-house service4 ,in the course of this year1 ,mr ,john ,reid1 the principal light-keeper1 on account of the state of his health1 resigned his situation1 and was succeeded by ,mr ,thomson ,milne1 reflector-maker4 ,in consideration of ,mr ,reid's faithful services1 the ,board put him on the half-pay list1 at the rate of #cj guineas per annum4 ,sidenote3 #ahbb4 ,sidenote3 ,light-house works and model completed4 ,design for ,wolf ,rock4 ,in the year #ahbb1 the several large holes in the ,rock1 formerly alluded to1 were filled up1 and that important work completed4 ,the writer may here mention1 that he is possessed of a complete model of the ,bell ,rock ,light-house as executed1 and of the chief implements mentioned in this work1 which he will take measures for preserving to the ,public2 from a recollection of the interest he should have felt in examining any model of the ,edystone ,light-house1 before he had an opportunity of seeing that work itself4 ,he also1 for similar reasons1 gives a design1 in ,plate ,,xxiii41 founded on experience1 as applicable to the erection of ,light-houses on sunken rocks1 which more particularly occurred to him after his first visit to the ,wolf ,rock situate between the ,land's ,end and the ,scilly ,islands1 in the year #ahac1 under the auspices of the ,admiralty1 in the ,orestes sloop of war1 commanded by ,captain ,smith4 ,sidenote3 #ahbc4 ,sidenote3 ,severe storm4 ,carrier-pigeon sent from the ,rock4 ,the year #ahbc set in with perhaps as severe a storm as has occurred on this coast since the ,light-house was erected4 ,the ,pharos1 in the course of her attendance on the ,rock1 was driven first into the ,firth of ,tay1 and thereafter into the ,forth1 where she was forced to anchor above ,queensferry1 about #gj miles from her station2 and in the course of the winter1 it was fully two months before she could effect a landing at the ,light-house4 ,the only accident1 however1 which happened during that period1 was the breaking of the ratchet-wheel spring1 which keeps the reflector-frame in motion1 while the machinery is winding up4 ,though only of a trivial nature1 and unconnected with the stormy effects of the sea1 it nevertheless created considerable alarm among the families of the ,light-keepers ashore1 as the signal-ball was very properly kept down upon this occasion4 ,their anxiety1 however1 was relieved in the course of the day1 by the arrival of a carrier-pigeon1 with a billet from the principal light-keeper1 intimating what had happened4 ,a pair of these curious birds had originally been presented to the establishment by ,captain ,samuel ,brown of the ,royal ,navy4 ,they have now multiplied considerably2 and two or more are generally conveyed to the ,rock at every trip of the ,tender1 and let off occasionally for amusement4 ,their flight between the ,light-house and the ,signal-tower at ,arbroath1 upwards of #aa miles1 has been ascertained to have been at the rate of about one mile per minute4 ,sidenote3 ,expence and cubic contents of the ,work4 ,in concluding these details1 it may be proper to state1 from the ,abstract ,accounts of the expence1 quantity of materials1 and description of workmanship1 given in ,appendix1 ,no4 ,,vi41 that the expence of this important national work amounted to ,l4 #fa1cca3i3b2 and that the cubical contents of the materials used in its erection were about #bh1ecj feet1 and would weigh about #bjgh tons4 ,illustration3 ,,general ,,view ,,of ,,the ,,bell ,,rock ,,works4 ,drawn by ,g4 ,c4 ,scott from a ,painting by ,a4 ,carse4 ,engraved by ,willm4 ,miller4 ,,plate ,,xviii4 ,,appendix4 ,no4 ,i4 ,,containing ,a ,,notice ,,of ,,additional ,,light-,,house ,,stations1 ,,light-,,keepers' ,,instructions1 ,,forms ,,of ,,monthly ,,and ,,shipwreck ,,returns4 ,,additional ,,light-,,house ,,stations4 ,sidenote3 ,additional ,light-houses4 ,in noticing the different points alluded to1 at page #fj41 as the most prominent stations for additional ,light-houses on the coast of ,scotland1 we shall follow a course from east to west1 including the ,orkney and ,shetland ,islands4 ,sidenote3 ,eastern ,coast4 ,on the eastern coast two light-houses seem particularly to be required1 in addition to the present ,light on ,kinnaird-,head4 ,one of these1 at ,buchan-,ness1 near ,peterhead1 which becomes a turning-point in the navigation of that coast1 as will be seen from ,plate ,,iii41 would be an excellent guide to the southward1 for shipping on the long flat shores of ,aberdeenshire1 and not less useful as a direction for the foul ground or sunken rocks called ,rattray ,briggs to the northward of ,buchan-,ness4 ,some are also of opinion1 that ,girdle-,ness1 at the entrance of ,aberdeen harbour1 would be a proper station for a sea or public ,light4 ,the next station in the order of position on the eastern coast1 is ,tarbetness1 a centrical point of land extending into the ,moray ,firth 1 which leads to ,cromarty ,roads1 a great rendezvous for shipping in stormy weather4 ,a ,light upon this projecting point would also be extremely useful as a direction to the numerous small ports of this district1 and would prevent the losses which occasionally happen on ,culloden ,rock1 and ,halliman's ,scars1 and by the ,firth of ,tain being mistaken for a continuation of the ,moray ,firth 4 ,it would also serve as a guide to the narrow passage of ,fort ,george1 leading to the eastern entrance of the ,caledonian ,canal4 ,sidenote3 ,northern ,coast4 ,several ,light-houses are still wanted for the protection of shipping on the ,northern ,coast4 ,in particular we notice1 that although the eastern entrance of the ,pentland ,firth is already well marked by the ,light-house on the ,skerries2 yet the western approach to this dangerous1 but important channel1 requires a light upon ,dunnet-head in ,caithness1 which would prevent vessels from mistaking ,murkle ,bay for the ,pentland ,firth 1 and1 at the same time1 form an excellent guide for the south-western coast of ,orkney4 ,cape ,wrath in ,sutherland is the north-western point of the ,mainland of ,scotland1 as will be seen from ,plate ,,iii4 ,a ,light-house upon that promontory would be of great importance to the navigation of the dreary coast of ,caithness and ,sutherland1 and as a direction for the sunken rock called the ,nun1 surveyed by ,captain ,ramage1 in ,h4 ,m4 ,s4 ,cherokee in the year #ahad2 and by him found to lie #ae miles in a north-eastern direction from that shore4 ,a light upon ,cape ,wrath would likewise serve as an excellent guide to the northern entrance of the ,great and ,little ,minish1 or ,friths of ,lewis and ,uist1 a central track in the navigation of the ,hebrides1 now much frequented by shipping since the erection of the ,light-house upon ,glass1 one of the ,harris ,isles4 ,sidenote3 ,orkney and ,shetland ,islands4 ,perhaps the only additional light still wanted in ,orkney1 to which it is here necessary to allude1 is one upon ,nouphead of ,westra1 to direct shipping on the north-western side of these ,islands4 ,in addition to ,sumburgh-head ,light-house in ,shetland1 one upon the ,out-skerries of ,whalsey1 on the east1 another upon the ,scaw of ,unst1 in the north2 and a third on the ,skerries of ,ve1 on the western side1 would seem to render these ,islands complete in regard to ,light-houses4 ,sidenote3 ,western ,coast4 ,the opening of the sheltered passage through the ,friths of ,lewis and ,uist1 by the ,light-house on ,glass1 has1 in a great measure1 superseded the use of the outward course of shipping by ,st ,kilda1 which is now seldom taken by coasting vessels1 though a ,light upon that island would be extremely useful to ships making the land from the ,western ,ocean4 ,the next ,light-house that seems wanting in connection with the navigation of the ,minish is one upon the ,island of ,bara1 as a direction to its western entrance by the ,firth of ,uist4 ,it will only further be necessary1 on this coast1 to direct our attention to the position of the ,rocks of ,skerryvore1 in order to perceive the importance of a light upon that dangerous reef1 which lies about #ab miles south-west from the ,island of ,tiree4 ,the principal rock here is a circular mass of granite1 about #fj feet in diameter1 and elevated about #bj feet above the highest tides4 ,the rocks of ,skerryvore prove not only a great bar to ships making the coast from foreign voyages1 but1 it is feared1 have been fatal to many vessels sailing along these western shores4 ,the ,rhins1 a promontory forming the south-western extremity of the ,island of ,islay1 is another position of importance for pointing out the northern side of the passage from the ,atlantic to the ,clyde and ,irish ,sea1 between ,islay and ,bengore ,head in ,ireland4 ,the ,commissioners1 at their meeting in the month of ,january #ahbc1 having ordered a ,light-house to be built at this station1 it is accordingly in progress4 ,the navigation of the sounds and tracks among the ,western ,isles would also be greatly facilitated by the erection of four ,light-houses1 of the smallest class of sea-lights1 on stations connected with the inner ,sounds of ,skye and ,mull4 ,one of these lights1 erected at the south entrance of the ,sound of ,mull1 would not only be important to that passage1 but to the various tracks leading to the ,sounds of ,islay1 and by those of ,linnehe and ,loing1 to the western entrances of the ,caledonian and ,crinan ,canals4 ,the ,island ,devaar1 at the entrance of the much frequented anchorage of ,campbeltown ,loch1 is another station for a small ,light1 to which the attention of the ,board has been directed by the ,shipping ,interest of the ,western ,coast4 ,sidenote3 ,southern ,coast4 ,although the lights upon the ,point of ,corsewall and ,isle of ,man1 form a good direction for the southern coast of ,scotland1 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 ,channel2 and in leading them along the ,scotch side1 between the ,firth of ,clyde and the ,irish ,sea4 ,application has also been made for the erection of a small ,light upon the ,little-,ross ,island1 at the entrance of ,kirkcudbright-anchorage4 ,,instructions for the ,,bell ,,rock ,,light-,,keepers4 ,sidenote3 ,instructions to ,light-,keepers4 ,i4--,the ,keepers of the ,bell ,rock ,light-house are hereby instructed and directed to keep the lamps of the reflecting-apparatus burning bright and clear1 from the going away of day-light in the evening till the return of day-light in the morning4 ,the better to obtain this purpose1 the period of night is to be divided into ,watches1 and each keeper in rotation will mount guard for three hours4 ,the fountains of the lamps being daily supplied with oil1 the wicks must be frequently trimmed in the course of the night1 but more particularly at the end of each watch4 ,,ii4--,the motion of the machinery of the reflector-frame must be so regulated1 that one of the lights of the natural appearance1 and one of those coloured red1 shall be exhibited to the mariner in their most brilliant effect1 in the course of every four minutes2 or the reflector-frame must make one entire revolution in the space of eight minutes4 ,,iii4--,the keeper on watch will look out for the occurrence of foggy or snowy weather1 and during the continuance of either1 the bells must be kept tolling both day and night4 ,,iv4--,at the end of each watch1 the keeper respectively on duty must ring the house or bed-room bell1 as the case may be1 and thereafter remain at his post until he is relieved by the keeper in person whose turn it is to mount guard4 ,v4--,in the event of any thing getting out of order about the machinery of the reflector-frame1 so as to prevent its operation1 the ,lights1 and also the ,bell-hammers1 if required1 must be moved by hand1 as nearly to the periodic time as possible1 until the repair of the machine can be accomplished4 ,,vi4--,should the stock of ,oil in the ,light-house by any means be reduced to #aej gallons1 between the #ast day of ,october and the last day of ,february2 or to #ej gallons between the #ast day of ,march and the #cjth day of ,september1 the number of lights on each side of the reflector-frame shall be reduced to three2 but in the event of the stock of ,oil being respectively lessened to one-half of the above quantities1 or that any of the other stores essential to the support of the ,light1 are getting so low as to endanger its total failure1 only one burner shall be lighted on each side of the reflector-frame1 or four burners in all4 ,,vii4--,unless1 under these circumstances1 a supply comes to hand1 recourse must ultimately be had to the use of the ,wax ,candles in store4 ,,viii4--,during any period that the stores or provisions appear to the acting ,principal ,light-keeper to be in danger of falling short1 or in the event of sickness1 or under any other circumstances considered of a calamitous and hazardous nature1 the signal of distress shall be observed1 by ceasing to hoist the ,signal-ball at the stated periods1 until the arrival of the ,attending-vessel4 ,,ix4--,in all cases of difficulty1 especially such as are referred to by the tenor of the ,articles ,,vi4 ,,vii4 and ,,viii4 of these ,instructions1 the acting ,principal ,light-keeper shall use his discretion and judgment in lessening the daily allowance of provisions1 water1 and fuel1 according to his view of the circumstances of the case4 ,x4--,no lights of any kind are to be left in such a situation as to endanger accident by fire4 ,if at any time it should be found necessary to enter the store-room under night1 the light must be carried in a lantern4 ,,xi4--,the better to ensure regularity and good order in the ,light-house-duty1 it shall be performed in three distinct departments4 ,the keepers to shift in rotation weekly1 from the performance of one department to another4 ,these changes are to take place every ,saturday-night4 ,,xii4--,the light-keeper performing the duty of the first department1 shall1 in the course of the day1 supply the lamp-fountains with oil1 and the burners with cotton2 he shall clean the reflecting-apparatus1 and all the utensils connected with the trimming of the lights4 ,he shall also take his turn in mounting guard both day and night4 ,,xiii4--,the day-work of the second department includes the cleaning of the machinery-case1 windows1 walls1 floors1 and apparatus connected with the light-room1 not already specified as coming under the first department2 he shall likewise clean the balcony and library2 the books of which must be dusted or cleaned on the first ,saturday of every month4 ,the keeper in this department will also take his turn at day and night watches4 ,,xiv4--,the third department includes the cleaning of the bed-room1 kitchen1 and provision store-room2 together with the passages1 stairs1 and whole utensils connected with these apartments4 ,he shall likewise cook the provisions1 and take charge of them from the time of their being served out1 until they are set upon the table in a prepared state4 ,the keeper acting in this department shall only be subject to the performance of night-watches4 ,,xv4--,the acting ,principal ,light-keeper will mount guard in his turn by day and night1 and do the duty of the first and second departments1 but he is hereby exempted from personally performing the duty of the third department2 he will1 however1 serve out the stores1 and keep the light-room store in a cleanly and orderly state4 ,,xvi4--,the chimney or smoke-tube of the kitchen-range1 and the windows of the several apartments1 are to be cleaned on the last ,saturday of every month1 or as soon thereafter as the weather will permit3 ,the performance of which is to be entered into the ,monthly ,return4 ,,xvii4--,the wharfs or cast-iron railways1 rope-ladder 7now brazen stair71 shall1 in like manner1 be overhauled and examined during the period of spring-tides1 on the full and change days of the moon4 ,the condition of these works to be also regularly entered into the ,monthly ,returns4 ,,xviii4--,the light-keeper on guard is to give immediate notice to the acting ,principal-,keeper of the appearance of the ,tender1 or of any other vessel or boat1 which is seemingly approaching the ,rock2 when the proper signals will be made as to the practicability and safety of landing1 and the necessary attendance given2 according to the instructions of the ,signal-,book4 ,,xix4--,the ,keeper on watch between the hours of #i and #aj in the morning1 shall hoist the signal-ball to the flag-staff-head 7if the weather will permit71 and1 in this position1 allow it remain during that hour1 when all is well2 but in the event of foggy or stormy weather1 such as shall obstruct the view with the telescope between the ,light-house and the ,signal-tower at ,arbroath1 the ball shall be hoisted between the hours of #a and #b in the afternoon1 should the weather have then improved4 ,these circumstances are to be stated in the ,monthly ,returns4 ,,xx4--,the keepers1 in rotation1 shall have leave1 and be carried ashore in the ,attending-vessel1 at such periods as may best suit the service4 ,when this occurs in regular succession1 each of the four keepers will remain six weeks at the ,light-house1 and two weeks at ,arbroath with their families4 ,,xxi4--,the keeper who for the time being is on leave at the establishment at ,arbroath1 will there attend the duty of the signal-room1 from #i to #aj every morning1 and likewise from #a to #b in the afternoon1 when1 from the state of the weather1 the signals at the ,bell ,rock cannot be seen and repeated at the appointed hour in the morning1 agreeably to ,article ,,xix4 ,,xxii4--,the rotation for leave on shore must be so regulated1 that the turns of the ,principal and ,principal-assistant ,light-keepers do not immediately or successively follow each other4 ,,xxiii4--,when at the ,light-house1 the keepers will have ,rations of provisions and other allowances1 as stated in the annexed ,schedule1 but while they are on shore they provide for themselves4 ,,xxiv4--,in case the ,rations served out should not at any time be used1 the same must be returned to the store1 as no provisions of any kind are permitted to be taken away from the ,light-house4 ,,xxv4--,the ,principal ,light-keeper1 and1 in his absence1 the ,acting ,principal-keeper1 is held responsible for the due performance of the duty of the other keepers2 for the correctness of the ,requisitions made for stores2 for the ,monthly ,returns written by the ,assistant or ,expectant ,light-keepers2 for all ,entries made in the store and journal books2 for the regular and properly serving out of the daily allowance of light-room stores and provisions2 for the regular use and cleanly state of the bed and table linen2 for the good order of the ,light-house furniture1 apparatus and appurtenances2 that none of the stores be wasted or embezzled1 but that the strictest economy and careful management be observed1 yet so as to preserve a good and sufficient light4 ,,xxvi4--,the light-keepers are hereby prohibited from receiving1 bringing1 or allowing to be brought to the ,light-house1 any spiritous liquors1 as private stores4 ,the ,acting ,principal ,light-keeper is held responsible for the conduct of his assistants2 and the ,master of the ,tender for the conduct of his men in this respect4 ,,xxvii4--,the ,bell ,rock being the chief station at which ,light-keepers are instructed in their duty for the service of the ,northern ,lights1 the ,principal1 or1 in his absence1 the ,acting-principal ,keeper1 is directed to superintend this department1 and they are respectively held responsible for the certificate they may ultimately give as to the qualifications of ,expectant-keepers4 ,upon production of the certificate to the ,engineer1 the light-keepers will be found entitled to the premium stated in the annexed ,schedule of ,allowances4 ,,xxviii4--,each ,expectant-light-keeper is to be resident for at least six weeks at the ,bell ,rock4 ,in the course of this period he is to practise the whole duty performed in the light-room2 to write the ,monthly ,returns2 and carefully to peruse these ,instructions4 ,if1 at the end of this period1 he is found qualified1 he will receive a certificate to the following effect3 8,bell ,rock ,light-house10 7here insert the date47 8,these certify1 ,that0 7here insert the name17 8has resided0 7here insert the number of7 8days at this ,light-house2 and having been duly instructed in the whole practice of the ,keeper's duty in the ,light-room1 he is considered qualified to act as an ,assistant ,light-keeper10 or is found deficient in certain points1 7here state the case as it may be47 8,witness my hand10 7,signature of ,principal1 or1 in his absence1 of the ,principal ,assistant ,light-keeper47 ,,xxix4--,the ,inventory of the ,light-house apparatus1 books1 furniture1 and utensils1 is to be compared with the ,inventory-book upon the first ,friday of the months of ,may and ,november half-yearly1 or as soon thereafter as the ,principal and ,principal ,assistant ,light-keepers are both upon the ,rock4 ,any deficiency in the articles of the ,inventory-,book is to be stated in the respective ,returns for these months4 ,,xxx4--,it being a rule in the ,service of the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 that access to their establishments shall be free and open to the ,public1 the keepers are enjoined to pay attention to ,strangers1 shewing them every civility in their power2 and1 particularly1 to afford their aid and assistance1 in cases of ,ship-wreck2 yet so as not to neglect any thing incumbent upon them1 in the proper discharge of their duty as light-keepers4 ,,xxxi4--,it is recommended to the light-keepers to be cleanly in their persons and linens1 and proper in their apparel in general4 ,,xxxii4--,the ,light-keepers are enjoined to assemble in the ,library1 for the purpose of reading the ,scriptures1 and for ,prayers1 every ,sunday1 at #ab o'clock noon1 in their ,uniform-dress4 ,this service is to be performed by the ,acting ,principal ,light-keeper1 or ,principal ,officer of the ,board present4 ,the table is to be covered during this service with a flag2 and1 when the weather is moderate1 the ,light-house flag is1 at the same time1 to be hoisted to the mast-head1 and allowed to remain till sunset4 ,,xxxiii4--,should any difference of opinion arise among the ,light-keepers about the meaning of these ,instructions1 the duty shall in such cases be performed agreeably to the explanation and orders of the ,acting ,principal ,light-keeper4 ,in the same manner1 in all matters to which these ,instructions may not seem fully to apply1 the orders of the ,acting ,principal ,light-keeper are hereby declared to be binding upon the respective ,light-keepers4 ,,xxxiv4--,in case of neglect of duty on the part of any of the ,assistant-keepers1 the ,principal shall1 according to the nature of the offence1 communicate the circumstances to the ,superintendant ,light-keeper1 on his first visit1 or immediately by letter to the ,engineer1 that the offending party may be reprimanded1 put under stoppages1 or ultimately dismissed from the service1 as the case may require4 ,,xxxv4--,these ,instructions1 with such additional orders as may be issued from time to time1 are to be read by the officiating ,officer1 immediately before reading ,prayers1 on the first ,sunday of the months of ,may and ,november4 ,edinburgh1 #ast ,august #ahbc4 ,,robert ,,stevenson1 ,engineer to the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,schedule referred to in the ,,xxiii4 and ,,xxvii4 ,articles of the ,,instructions4 ,daily ,allowance per ,man1 #a lb4 ,beef2 #a lb4 ,bread2 #b oz4 ,oatmeal2 #b oz4 ,barley2 #b oz4 ,butter2 #c quarts ,beer2 ,vegetables and ,salt no stated allowance2 ,for ,tea and other necessaries #d;d4 per day2 ,for instructing each ,expectant-,light-keeper ,l4 #b1 distributed as follows1 viz4 ,principal ,light-keeper #aes41 ,principal-,assistant #ajs41 each of the two ,ordinary ,assistants #gs4 #f;d4 ,,monthly ,,return from the ,,bell ,,rock ,,light-,,house1 for ,november #ahab4 ,sidenote3 ,monthly ,return4 ,key3 ,a ,spermaceti ,oil1 in ,gallons4 ,b ,wicks in ,dozens ,c ,lamp glasses ,d ,beef1 in ,lib4 ,e ,bread1 in ,lib4 ,f ,oatmeal in ,lib4 ,g ,barley1 in ,lib4 ,h ,butter1 in ,lib4 ,i ,beer1 in ,qrts4 ,j ,water1 in ,gallons ,k ,coals in ,cwts ,l ,vegetables in ,dozens ,m ,number of ,people victualled ---------------------------------------- ------------------------ ,light-,house ,stores received4 ,provisions1 ,water1 and ,fuel1 received4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------ ,nov4 #ahab4 ,a ,b ,c ,d ,e ,f ,g ,h ,i ,j ,k ,l ,m ---------------------------------------- ------------ ,stock on #cac #eiccfjbfcbdcgb #cb #b #bjjfaefjaa hand1 ---------------------------------------- ------------ ,sunday1 #a4 #h ,monday1 #b4 #h ,tuesday1 #c4bjj #fjaab #afjbjjab #f #i ,wednesd4 #d4 #i ,thursday1 #e4 #i ,friday1 #f4 #h ,saturday1 #g4 #h ,sunday1 #h4 #h ,monday1 #i4 #h ,tuesday1 #aj4 #h ,wednesd4 #aa4 #h ,thursday1 #ab4 #h ,friday1 #ac4 #h ,saturday1 #ad4 #h ,sunday1 #ae4 #h ,monday1 #af4 #h ,tuesday1 #ag4 #h ,wednesd4 #ah4 #h ,thursday1 #ai4 #h ,friday1 #bj4ajj #cg #hj #d #c #c ,saturday1 #ba4 #c ,sunday1 #bb4 #c ,monday1 #bc4 #c ,tuesday1 #bd4 #c ,wednesd4 #be4 #c ,thursday1 #bf4 #c ,friday1 #bg4 #c ,saturday1 #bh4 #c ,sunday1 #bi4 #c ,monday1 #cj4 #c ---------------------------------------- ------------ ,received1 #fac #eiccfjcfjceegb #cb #be #ddjhaegfbj #ahh ---------------------------------------- ------------ ,expended1 #aaa #ab #cfahhahhbcbcbccgfbfjaiac ---------------------------------------- ------------ ,remainder #ejaehacbdagbafgdh #h #a #fdeeeeg #f -- in ,store1 ---------------------------------------- ------------ ,key3 ,,aa ,spermaceti ,oil4 ,,ab ,galls4 ,,ac ,qs4 ,,ad ,pts4 ,,bb ,wicks in ,dozens ,,cc ,lamp ,glasses ,,dd ,number of ,lamps in ,light-,room4 ,,ee ,beef in ,lib4 ,,ff ,bread1 in ,lib4 ,,gg ,oatmeal in ,lib4 ,,hh ,barley1 in ,lib4 ,,ii ,butter1 in ,lib4 ,,jj ,beer1 in ,qts4 ,,kk ,water1 in ,gallons ,,ll ,coals in ,cwts ,,mm ,vegetables used4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------------------- ,light-,house ,stores ,provisions1 ,water1 and ,fuel1 served out4 served out4 ---------------------------------------- --------------------------- ,,aa ,nov4 #ahab4 -------,,bb,,cc,,dd ,,ee ,,ff ,,gg ,,hh ,,ii ,,jj ,,kk,,ll ,,mm ,,ab,,ac,,ad ---------------------------------------- --------------- ,stock on hand1 ---------------------------------------- --------------- ,sunday1 #a4 #c #b #bd #h #ha #j #a #j #a #j #af #f ,monday1 #b4 #c #b #bd #h #ha #j #a #j #a #j #af #f ,tuesday1 #c4 #ac #b #fbd #i #ia #b #a #b #a #b #ah #cj #f ,wednesd4 #d4 #c #b #bd #i #ia #b #a #b #a #b #ah #b #f ,thursday1 #e4 #c #b #bd #i #ia #b #a #b #a #b #ah #a #f ,friday1 #f4 #c #b #bd #h #ha #j #a #j #a #j #af #f ,saturday1 #g4 #c #b #f #bd #h #ha #j #a #j #a #j #af #b #f ,sunday1 #h4 #c #b #fbd #h #ha #j #a #j #a #j #af #f ,monday1 #i4 #c #c #bd #h #ha #j #a #j #a #j #af #dj #f ,tuesday1 #aj4 #c #b #bd #h #ha #j #a #j #a #j #af #b #f ,wednesd4 #aa4 #d #j #bd #h #ha #j #a #j #a #j #af #f ,thursday1 #ab4 #d #j #bd #h #ha #j #a #j #a #j #af #b #f ,friday1 #ac4 #c #b #bd #h #ha #j #a #j #a #j #af #f ,saturday1 #ad4 #c #b #fbd #h #ha #j #a #j #a #j #af #f ,sunday1 #ae4 #c #c #bd #h #ha #j #a #j #a #j #af #b #f ,monday1 #af4 #c #c #bd #h #ha #j #a #j #a #j #afaej #f ,tuesday1 #ag4 #c #c #bd #h #ha #j #a #j #a #j #af #f ,wednesd4 #ah4 #c #c #bd #h #ha #j #a #j #a #j #af #b #f ,thursday1 #ai4 #c #c #bd #h #ha #j #a #j #a #j #af #f ,friday1 #bj4 #c #c #fbd #c #cj #f #j #f #j #f #f #d ,saturday1 #ba4 #c #c #bd #c #cj #f #j #f #j #f #f #b #d ,sunday1 #bb4 #c #b #bd #c #cj #f #j #f #j #f #f #d ,monday1 #bc4 #d #j #bd #c #cj #f #j #f #j #f #f #d ,tuesday1 #bd4 #d #j #bd #c #cj #f #j #f #j #f #f #d ,wednesd4 #be4 #c #c #fbd #c #cj #f #j #f #j #f #f #b #d ,thursday1 #bf4 #d #j #bd #c #cj #f #j #f #j #f #f #d ,friday1 #bg4 #c #c #bd #c #cj #f #j #f #j #f #f #dj #d ,saturday1 #bh4 #d #j #bd #c #cj #f #j #f #j #f #f #d ,sunday1 #bi4 #c #c #bd #c #cj #f #j #f #j #f #f #d ,monday1 #cj4 #d #j #f #fbd #c #cj #f #j #f #j #f #f #b #d ---------------------------------------- --------------- ,received1 #aaa #a #abcf #ahhahhbc #bc #jbc #jcgfbfjai #ac ---------------------------------------- --------------- ,expended1 ------------- ,remainder ,carried to return for next month4 in ,store1 ---------------------------------------- ----------------------------- ,written by ,m4 ,wishart1 ,assist4 ,principal or ,principal ,assistant ,john ,reid1 ,prinl4 ,light-,keeper's ,signature1 ,,journal relative to the ,duty of the ,light-,keepers1 and the ,state of the ,weather1 c4 at the ,bell ,rock1 for ,november #ahab4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,time of ,time of,night- ,keeper ,keeper ,tolling,tolling ,extin- ,light-,watch on absent of of ,nov4 #ahab4 guishing1 ing1 ,set1 ,first on ,bells ,bells ,a4,m4 ,p4,m4 ,p4,m4 ,watch4 ,leave4 begun4 ceased4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,sunday1 #a4 #f4ej #d4ee #e ,j4 ,reid ,wishart ,monday1 #b4 #f4bj #d4ee - ,j4 ,bonyman ,tuesday1 #c4 #f4cj #d4ee - ,h4 ,leask ,wednesday1 #d4 #f4be #e4 - ,reid ,bonyman ,thursday1 #e4 #f4be #d4de - ,leask ,friday1 #f4 #f4dj #d4de - ,m4 ,wishart #h ,a4,m4 #aj ,a4,m4 ,saturday1 #g4 #f4de #d4dj - ,reid ,sunday1 #h4 #f4ej #d4dj - ,leask ,monday1 #i4 #f4dj #d4de - ,wishart ,tuesday1 #aj4 #f4de #d4ce - ,reid ,wednesd4 #aa4 #f4cj #d4ce - ,leask ,thursday1 #ab4 #g4 #d4cj - ,wishart ,friday1 #ac4 #f4ee #d4cj - ,reid ,saturday1 #ad4 #f4cj #d4cj - ,leask ,sunday1 #ae4 #g4 #d4bj - ,wishart ,monday1 #af4 #f4ee #d4bj - ,reid ,tuesday1 #ag4 #g4 #d4bj - ,leask ,wednesd4 #ah4 #g4e #d4bj - ,wishart ,thursday1 #ai4 #g4 #d4ae - ,reid ,friday1 #bj4 #g4ae #d4aj - ,leask ,saturday1 #ba4 #g4ae #d4aj - ,wishart ,sunday1 #bb4 #g4 #d4aj - ,reid ,monday1 #bc4 #g4 #d4aj - ,leask ,tuesday1 #bd4 #g4aj #d4aj - ,wishart ,wednesd4 #be4 #g4aj #d4ae - ,reid ,thursday1 #bf4 #g4bj #d4aj - ,leask ,friday1 #bg4 #g4ae #d4e - ,wishart ,saturday1 #bh4 #g4bj #d4ae - ,reid ,sunday1 #bi4 #g4aj #d4aj - ,leask #ab noon#aj ,p4,m4 ,monday1 #cj4 #g4aj #d4aj - ,wishart ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ----------------- ,prevailing ,state of the ,weather4,barom4 ,therm4 ------------------------------ in in ,foggy1 ,hazy1 ,h4 ,inches ,degrees ,nov4 #ahab4 ,rain1 ,r4 ,wind at at ,snowy4 ,clear1 ,c4 ,calm1 ,c4 #h ,a4,m4 #h ,a4,m4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------- ,sunday1 #a4 ,r4,h4 ,s4,w4 #bi4dj #df ,monday1 #b4 ,c4 ,w4,s4,w4 #bi4ej #db ,tuesday1 #c4 ,c4 ,west4 #bi4fh #db ,wednesday1 #d4 ,c4 ,n4,n4,w4 #bi4fi #dc ,thursday1 #e4 ,c4 ,north4 #bi4gj #de ,friday1 #f4 ,foggy1 ,c4 ,north4 #bi4ej #de ,saturday1 #g4 ,c4 ,n4,n4,e4 #bi4fj #ej ,sunday1 #h4 ,h4 ,variable4 #bi4hh #ej ,monday1 #i4 ,c4 ,s4,e4 #cj4aj #di ,tuesday1 #aj4 ,c4 ,variable4 #cj4ab #dh ,wednesd4 #aa4 ,c4 ,n4,e4 #cj4cj #dh ,thursday1 #ab4 ,h4,r4 ,n4,e4 #bi4ij #de ,friday1 #ac4 ,h4,r4 ,s4,e4 #bi4eb #db ,saturday1 #ad4 ,h4,r4 ,s4,s4,e4 #bi4fj #dc ,sunday1 #ae4 ,h4,r4 ,n4,e4 #bi4fe #da ,monday1 #af4 ,h4,r4 ,n4,e4 #bi4ib #da ,tuesday1 #ag4 ,h4 ,east4 #bi4da #dd ,wednesd4 #ah4 ,h4 ,n4,e4 #bi4gj #dc ,thursday1 #ai4 ,c4 ,n4,n4,e4 #bi4bb #de ,friday1 #bj4 ,c4 ,variable4 #bi4ej #de ,saturday1 #ba4 ,h4 ,n4,w4 #bi4dg #ej ,sunday1 #bb4 ,h4 ,w4,s4,w4 #bi4eh #di ,monday1 #bc4 ,h4 ,w4,s4,w #bi4fj #df ,tuesday1 #bd4 ,h4,r4 ,variable4 #bi4ej #de ,wednesd4 #be4 ,r4,h4 ,n4,e4 #bi4hf #de ,thursday1 #bf4 ,r4,h4 ,e4,n4 #bi4ff #di ,friday1 #bg4 ,c4 ,s4,s4,e4 #bi4ig #dh ,saturday1 #bh4 ,h4 ,s4 by ,e4 #cj4bc #dg ,sunday1 #bi4 ,foggy1 ,h4 ,variable4 #cj4cd #dc ,monday1 #cj4 ,c4 ,s4,w4 #cj4ae #dc ---------------------------------------- ----------------- #cj7 #hib4be #acef ------- ------ ,average1 #bi4gdb #de4b ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------- ,supposed rise at ,sick1 ,number ,high ,water on the ,tender's ,boat and of ,building of unable ,strangers ,nov4 #ahab4 ---------------------------------- for on the ,tide4 ,spray4 ,arrives4 ,departs4 ,duty4 ,rock4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------------- ,sunday1 #a4 #h #dj #e ,artificers4 ,monday1 #b4 #i #dj ,tuesday1 #c4 #aj #dj #h ,a4,m4 #aj ,a4,m4 #b ,surveyors4 ,wednesday1 #d4 #aa #dj #h ,a4,m4 #i4cj ,a4,m4 #b depart4 ,thursday1 #e4 #aa #ej #aj ,a4,m4#aj4ae ,a4,m4 ,friday1 #f4 #aa #gj ,saturday1 #g4 #aj #dj ,sunday1 #h4 #i #dj ,monday1 #i4 #i #dj ,tuesday1 #aj4 #h #dj ,wednesd4 #aa4 #h #ej ,thursday1 #ab4 #g #ej ,friday1 #ac4 #g #dj ,saturday1 #ad4 #h #fj ,sunday1 #ae4 #h #if ,monday1 #af4 #i #fj ,tuesday1 #ag4 #i #gj ,wednesd4 #ah4 #aj #fj ,thursday1 #ai4 #aa #ej #g ,a4,m4 #aj ,a4,m4 #e depart4 ,friday1 #bj4 #aa #ej ,saturday1 #ba4 #aj #dj ,sunday1 #bb4 #aj #ej ,monday1 #bc4 #i #dj ,tuesday1 #bd4 #i #ej ,wednesd4 #be4 #h #ij ,thursday1 #bf4 #h #dj ,friday1 #bg4 #h #dj ,saturday1 #bh4 #h #dj ,sunday1 #bi4 #i #cj ,monday1 #cj4 #i #cj ---------------------------------------- --------------------------- ,written by ,m4 ,wishart1 ,assist4 ,principal or ,principal ,assistant ,john ,reid1 ,prinl4 ,light-,keeper's ,signature1 ,,remarks regarding any ,accident or ,particular which occurred connected with the ,bell ,rock ,light-house during the ,month of ,november #ahab4 #ahab4 ,nov4 #a4 ,the first part of these twenty-four hours strong gales1 with much rain1 middle and latter parts moderate and changeable4 444 #c4 ,blowing fresh breezes to-day1 with fine clear weather4 ,at #h ,a4 ,m4 the ,light-house ,yacht's boat landed twenty ankers of spermaceti oil4 ,mr ,john ,steedman1 and ,mr ,william ,lorimer1 from ,mr ,stevenson's office1 also came to the ,rock to do business at the ,house4 ,returned by the boat one anker of dregs of oil1 with a box of broken lamp-glasses1 together with #bj empty casks4 ,one mason went ashore4 444 #d4 ,at #h ,a4 ,m4 the ,yacht's boat landed1 and made two trips with a variety of articles and materials for the joiners1 and provisions for the use of the house4 ,returned some extra bolts4 ,mr ,steedman and his assistant employed with their instruments measuring the ,rock at low-water4 444 #e4 ,these twenty-four hours1 strong breezes with clear weather4 ,at #aj ,a4 ,m4 the ,yacht's boat landed1 and took off ,mr ,steedman and ,mr ,lorimer4 444 #ae4 ,a constant gale1 with much rain until the #aith1 when it fell moderate4 ,the signal-ball was not hoisted to-day1 as an intimation ashore that the artificers were ready to leave the ,rock4 444 #bj4 ,variable weather to-day1 with flying showers4 ,at #g ,a4 ,m4 the ,tender's boat landed at three trips1 with water1 fuel1 and provisions1 for the use of the ,house1 and ten ankers of oil for the use of the ,light-room4 ,at #aj o'clock the boat departed1 when ,mr ,slight1 ,james ,glen1 ,robert ,selkirk1 and two others1 left the ,rock to proceed to the shore for the season4 444 #bc4 ,all these twenty-four hours it blew strong gales1 with very hazy weather4 ,signal-ball not hoisted1 owing to the state of the weather4 444 #be4 ,blowing a gale with much rain4 ,signal-ball not hoisted4 444 #bf4 ,do4 weather with much sea4 444 #bi4 ,first and middle parts of these twenty-four hours hazy and variable4 ,middle parts foggy and calm1 with frost4 ,bells tolling4 ,signal-balls not hoisted4 444 #cj4 ,fine clear weather4 ,cleaned the chimney to-day4 ,written by1 ,m4 ,wishart1 ,assist4 ,principal or ,principal ,assistant ,john ,reid1 ,prinl4 ,light-keeper's ,signature4 ,to ,,robert ,,stevenson1 ,esq4 ,engineer for ,northern ,light-houses1 ,edinburgh4 ,note4--,similar ,monthly ,returns are also sent from the other ,light-house ,stations1 independently of which1 the ,light-keepers are directed to correspond with the ,engineer as often as the circumstances of the ,service require4 ,,shipwreck ,,return from ,pladda ,light-,house4 ,sidenote3 ,shipwreck ,return4 ,,description of ,vessels or ,boats ,wrecked within ,fifty ,miles of any of the ,northern ,light-,house ,stations1 to be immediately communicated to the ,engineer1 in so far as the circumstances can be ascertained by the observation or diligent inquiries of the respective ,light-,keepers2 who are also instructed to render every assistance in their power to ,shipwrecked ,mariners2 without however neglecting the proper duties of their charge4 ---------------------------------------- --------------------------- ,ship1 ,brig1 ,belonging ,name of ,name of ,where ,date4 ,schooner1 or to what the the ,wrecked4 ,sloop1 c4 ,port4 ,vessel4 ,commander4 ---------------------------------------- --------------------------- ,tuesday1 ,sloop1 ,greenock1 ,atlas1 ,alexander ,island of #ahth ,duncan4 ,pladda1 to the ,february ,s4 ,w4 of the #ahbc4 ,light-house4 ---------------------------------------- --------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ----------------------------- ,at what ,hour ,in what kind ,no4 of the ,crew ,no4 of the ,crew ,wrecked1 of ,weather4 or ,passengers or ,passengers ,a4 ,m4 or ,p4 ,m4 ,saved4 ,lost4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------------------- ,at ,stormy1 ,hazy #e none4 #e ,a4 ,m4 ,weather4 ,wind ,s4 ,s4 ,e4 ---------------------------------------- ----------------------------- ---------------------------------------- --------------- ,whence ,where ,supposed ,supposed from4 ,bound4 ,cargo4 ,tonnage4 ,value of ,value of the ,vessel4the ,cargo4 ---------------------------------------- --------------- ,sydney4,greenock4 ,british #ge #djj #j #j #bjj #j #j ,oak ,timber4 ---------------------------------------- --------------- ,principal or ,assistant's ,william ,soutar1 ,prinl4 ,signature1 ,note4--,it fortunately happens that no instance of ,shipwreck has occurred at the ,bell ,rock since its erection2 and therefore a ,return from one of the other ,light-house ,stations is given4 ,,letter accompanying the foregoing ,shipwreck ,return4 ,pladda ,light-,house1 #ahth ,february #ahbc4 ,,sir1 ,i beg leave to inform you1 that this vessel was observed by the keeper on watch in the ,light-room to be ashore at #e4cj ,a4,m41 who gave the alarm to all the inmates of the ,light-house2 but no assistance could be given to the crew by us till #h4cj ,a4,m41 when the tide ebbed so far that they could heave us a rope2 then we assisted them in getting their clothes1 and themselves1 and some other articles1 ashore4 ,it is thought by the ,captain and crew that the vessel will not be got off4 ,as it happened to be about high-water when she came ashore1 she is very far up on the shore1 and ebbs almost dry at low-water1 although it be neap-tides4 ,the report given us by the ,captain and crew is1 that they thought to have weathered this island1 as they had the light three points on their weather-bow2 but having so little sail set at the time1 they observed they were so near the shore they thought the vessel would not stay4 ,their jib and top-sail was all the sail they could carry to the storm4 ,they say they were in the act of setting a small bit of the peak of their mainsail when the vessel struck1 to enable them to keep more to windward of the island4 ,wednesday1 #aith4 ,at low-water1 the ,captain and crew1 with other assistance1 stripped the vessel of her sails and materials1 which were carefully laid aside1 and partly got into the store-house4 ,nothing more particular about the wreck at this date2 but we shall be as serviceable to the unfortunate men as we can4 ,i remain1 ,,sir1 ,your most obedient humble ,servant1 ,,william ,,soutar4 ,to ,,robert ,,stevenson1 ,esq4 ,engineer for ,northern ,light-,houses1 ,edinburgh4 ,no4 ,,ii4 ,,inchcape ,,rock4 ,extracted1 by ,mr ,,southey's permission1 from his ,minor ,poems1 ,vol4 ,,iii4 p4 #adh4 ,sidenote3 ,inchcape ,ballad4 ,an old writer mentions a curious ,tradition1 which may be worth quoting4 8,by east of the ,isle of ,may10 says he1 8twelve miles from all land in the ,german ,seas1 lyes a great hidden rock1 called ,inchcape1 very dangerous for navigators1 because it is overflowed every tide4 ,it is reported in old times1 upon the saide rocke there was a bell1 fixed upon a tree or timber1 which rang continually1 being moved by the sea1 giving notice to the saylers of the danger4 ,this bell or clocke was put there and maintained by the ,abbot of ,aberbrothok1 and being taken down by a sea pirate1 a yeare thereafter he perished upon the same rocke1 with ship and goodes1 in the righteous judgment of ,god40 ,,stoddart',s ,remarks on ,scotland4 ,no stir in the air1 no stir in the sea1 ,the ,ship was still as she could be2 ,her sails from heaven received no motion1 ,her keel was steady in the ocean4 ,without either sign or sound of their shock1 ,the waves flow'd over the ,inchcape ,rock2 ,so little they rose1 so little they fell1 ,they did not move the ,inchcape ,bell4 ,the ,abbot of ,aberbrothok ,had placed that bell on the ,inchcape ,rock2 ,on a buoy in the storm it floated and swung1 ,and over the waves its warning rung4 ,when the ,rock was hid by the surge's swell1 ,the ,mariners heard the warning ,bell2 ,and then they knew the perilous ,rock1 ,and blest the ,abbot of ,aberbrothok4 ,the ,sun in heaven was shining gay1 ,all things were joyful on that day2 ,the sea-birds scream'd as they wheel'd round1 ,and there was joyaunce in their sound4 ,the buoy of the ,inchcape ,bell was seen ,a darker speck on the ocean green2 ,sir ,ralph the ,rover walk'd his deck1 ,and he fix'd his eye on the darker speck4 ,he felt the cheering power of spring1 ,it made him whistle1 it made him sing2 ,his heart was mirthful to excess1 ,but the ,rover's mirth was wickedness4 ,his eye was on the ,inchcape ,float2 ,quoth he1 8,my men1 put out the boat1 ,and row me to the ,inchcape ,rock1 ,and ,i'll plague the ,abbot of ,aberbrothok40 ,the boat is lower'd1 the boatmen row1 ,and to the ,inchcape ,rock they go2 ,sir ,ralph bent over from the boat1 ,and he cut the ,bell from the ,inchcape ,float4 ,down sunk the ,bell with a gurgling sound4 ,the bubbles rose and burst around2 ,quoth ,sir ,ralph1 8,the next who comes to the ,rock ,won't bless the ,abbot of ,aberbrothok40 ,sir ,ralph the ,rover sail'd away1 ,he scour'd the seas for many a day2 ,and now grown rich with plunder'd store1 ,he steers his course for ,scotland's shore4 ,so thick a haze o'erspreads the sky ,they cannot see the sun on high2 ,the wind hath blown a gale all day1 ,at evening it hath died away4 ,on the deck the ,rover takes his stand1 ,so dark it is they see no land4 ,quoth ,sir ,ralph1 8,it will be lighter soon1 ,for there is the dawn of the rising ,moon40 8,canst hear10 said one1 8the breakers roar8 ,for methinks we should be near the shore40 8,now1 where we are ,i cannot tell1 ,but ,i wish we could hear the ,inchcape ,bell40 ,they hear no sound1 the swell is strong2 ,though the wind hath fallen they drift along1 ,till the vessel strikes with a shivering shock1 8,oh ,christ6 it is the ,inchcape ,rock60 ,sir ,ralph the ,rover tore his hair2 ,he curst himself in his despair2 ,the waves rush in on every side1 ,the ship is sinking beneath the tide4 ,but even in his dying fear ,one dreadful sound could the ,rover hear1 ,a sound as if with the ,inchcape ,bell1 ,the ,devil below was ringing his knell4 #ahbj4 ,no4 ,,iii4 ,sidenote3 ,light-house ,duties4 ,,abstract ,,account of ,,light-,,house ,,duties1 furnished to the ,,committee of the ,,house of ,,commons1 in reference to the ,bell ,rock ,act4 8,,abstract ,,state of ,,additional ,,duties that will arise from the ,district to be included in the ,collection by the ,erection of a ,light-,house on the ,cape or ,bell ,rock2 calculated from the ,custom-,house ,returns1 #acth ,may #ahjf1 at the rate of #a;d4 per ton1 whether ,outwards or ,inwards4 #8 #ahjd4 ,foreign1 ,inwards1 #ic1ghb ,outwards1 #fg1fcc ,coastways1 ,inwards1 #bci1jcg ,outwards1 #agj1agd ,tons4 ------- #egj1fbf ,l4 #ceff #h #c #8 #ahje4 ,foreign1 ,inwards1 #ha1abc ,outwards1 #gc1bhi ,coastways1 ,inwards1 #bei1iig ,outwards1 #bjc1efd ------- #fag1igc #chfb #f #g #8 #ahjf4 ,foreign1 ,inwards1 #ig1bje ,outwards1 #hf1gci ,coastways1 ,inwards1 #bgj1gcg ,outwards1 #bae1fcg ------- #fgj1cah #d1ahi #i #i --------- ----------------- ,total of three years1 #a1heh1iag ,l4 #aa1fah #d #g 8,the tonnage of the ports of the ,firth of ,forth1 already pay d4 per ton for ,inchkeith light1 so that the additional duty payable by them1 will be only one penny per ton1 the total tonnage thus paying d4 is1 for the whole three years1 #iga1dhb4 ,deduct1 therefore1 d4 per ton for this amount1 ,l4 #bjbc #ah #e ,deduct also expences of collection1 and the charges of management1 say #ae per cent4 #agdb #ad #i --------- #cgff #ac #b ------------- 8,nett total for three years1 ,l4 #ghea #aa #e ------------- 8,nett yearly total ,l4 #bfag #c #i 7,signed7 8,c4 ,,cuningham1 ,secretary to the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses40 ,note4--,the ,district of coast referred to in the above ,abstract1 lies between ,peterhead1 in ,aberdeenshire1 towards the north1 and ,berwick-upon-,tweed1 to the south1 both inclusive4 ,no4 ,,iv4 ,sidenote3 ,relative ,reports4 ,containing ,,reports relative to the ,,bell ,,rock ,,light-,,house1 addressed to the ,,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 by ,,john ,,rennie and ,,robert ,,stevenson1 ,civil ,engineers4 ,,report by ,mr ,stevenson4 ,edinburgh1 #bc;d ,december #ahjj4 ,during the reign of his present ,majesty 7,george ,,iii471 a spirit for discovery and improvement1 in maritime affairs1 has been pursued with the greatest energy1 and crowned with a success1 which can only be equalled by the happy effects that have followed to commerce4 ,in proportion1 therefore1 as the pursuits of the navigator are considered essential to the wealth of the community1 every effort to ,assist him1 in his course through the pathless ocean1 must be regarded both as the call of interest and humanity4 ,the most prominent causes of the perfection to which coasting-navigation has been brought1 may be ascribed to the accuracy of our charts1 and an increase of land-marks1 by which the mariner1 after braving the dangers of the seas1 is enabled to guide his ship with safety into her intended port4 ,it is well known1 that before the ,maritime ,survey of the ,orkneys and ,hebrides1 by ,mackenzie2 and until an act of ,parliament was passed1 appointing ,commissioners for erecting ,light-houses upon the coast of ,scotland1 mariners were left to grope their way from the ,firth of ,forth to the ,firth of ,clyde1 without the assistance either of proper charts or land-marks4 ,under these circumstances1 they passed the ,pentland ,firth 1 and generally held a course to the northward of the ,orkney islands2 then steering westward1 they sailed on the outward side of the ,lewis ,isles into the ,atlantic ,ocean1 exposed to many dangers1 and unable to avail themselves of the advantages of the sheltered sounds and harbours of the ,friths of ,lewis and ,uist4 ,hence the difficulty of navigating this district1 was long a great bar to the improvement of the ,highlands1 and to the extension of the ,british fisheries4 ,it was1 likewise1 a material drawback to the present flourishing trade1 carried on through these sounds to the ,baltic and other parts of the northern ,continent of ,europe4 ,from the earliest accounts which tradition gives of the navigation of the ,firth of ,forth1 a ,light-house upon the ,bell ,rock appears to have been looked forward to as an essential pre-requisite to the advancement of its commerce3 ,and in proportion to the extent of the one1 the call for the other has become more and more urgent1 and is now regarded as a matter of the greatest importance4 ,since the publication of ,adair's ,charts1 there has been no want of a survey of the ,firth of ,forth2 but this important estuary still remains extremely deficient with regard to land-marks1 and the reporter will venture to say1 that there is not any where a more dangerous reef in the kingdom1 or one that calls more loudly for something to be done1 than the ,cape or ,bell ,rock4 ,when1 therefore1 the extensive benefits derived from those powers1 which have enabled the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses to erect and maintain six ,light-houses upon the coast1 are considered1 it is much to be wished that some measure were adopted for enabling that ,board to add to the number of these land-marks1 by the erection of one upon this most destructive rock4 ,from the numerous losses by shipwreck1 which have happened upon the ,bell ,rock1 it is presumed1 that some account of its position and extent1 from actual survey1--a few remarks upon the description of building best suited to the situation of the rock1--together with an attempt to point out the extensive use of such a light1--and the ports which appear to be within the limits of any duty to be levied for its support1 will not be deemed unnecessary at a time when the public look forward1 with anxious expectation1 to this ,board1 in a matter of so much importance1 not only to the navigation of the ,firth of ,forth1 but in general1 to the eastern coast of ,great ,britain4 ,having finished a design and model of a pillar-formed light-house for the ,bell ,rock1 immediately after the very fatal storm which occurred in the month of ,december #agii1 the next object of the ,reporter1 was to survey the rock itself1 that he might judge more fully of its fitness for the situation4 ,accordingly1 in the month of ,april following1 he set off for the rock1 and had reached ,fifeness1 when1 from the state of the weather1 he was obliged to return1 after an absence of ten days1 without accomplishing his purpose4 ,soon after his return from his annual voyage to the ,northern ,light-houses1 ,mr ,gray1 secretary for the ,commissioners1 requested of the ,board of ,customs to grant the use of one of its yachts1 to make another attempt4 ,an order having been accordingly obtained for the ,osnaburgh cutter1 ,captain ,campbell1 then lying at the ,elie1 the reporter1 accompanied by his friend ,mr ,james ,haldane1 architect1 set off for that place4 ,but the ,osnaburgh being then under repair1 and the period of spring-tides being at hand1 it was found advisable to proceed along the coast to ,west-haven1 on the northern side of the ,firth of ,tay2 and upon ,sunday the #eth of ,october #ahjj1 a landing was effected upon the ,rock1 and an ample opportunity afforded of gaining all necessary information4 ,the ,bell ,rock1 as appears by the best charts of the coast1 is situated at the mouth of the ,firth of ,forth1 in west longitude #b #bb1 and north latitude #ef #bi4 ,it lies nearly fifteen miles from the ,island of ,may1 in a north-eastern direction per compass1 and twelve miles south-west from the ,red-head in ,angusshire1 which it resembles1 being a free-stone of a reddish colour1 though of a much harder body1 and closer grit4 ,besides its natural asperities1 the surface in general is thickly coated with sea-weed1 and1 on the higher parts1 the barnacle1 white buckie or whelk1 and limpets1 abound1 and altogether it presents a very rugged appearance1 owing to the sloping of the strata from south1 where highest1 to north1 at an angle of about #cj degrees4 ,the material part of the rock1 which lies north-east and south-west1 measures1 on an average1 about #cjj feet in length1 and #bdj feet in breadth4 ,the highest part above the surface of the sea1 does not exceed seven feet at low-water of spring-tides2 which part1 at high-water of same tides1 is from nine to ten feet under water4 ,the reporter also found1 that the medium height of the foundation of any building erected upon it1 will not exceed two or three feet above the surface of the sea at low-water of spring-tides4 ,the above dimensions may be termed the material part of the rock2 but1 south-west of this1 there runs a reef or shoal1 of considerable extent1 which is only visible in very low tides4 ,the short time which the ,bell ,rock is seen above water1 and the irregularity of the soundings in its vicinity1 are the cause of many wrecks upon it4 ,indeed1 after the water has flowed1 in ordinary tides1 but a very short time1 the most skilful mariner cannot point out its place1 without its proper meaths or land-marks in sight1 which lie from twelve to twenty miles distant4 ,under these circumstances1 the ,bell ,rock will be found more dangerous to vessels coming near it1 than perhaps any of those reefs upon which ,light-houses have as yet been erected4 ,the ,edystone ,rock1 for example1 is about eleven miles from land1 situate at the entrance of ,plymouth ,sound4 ,before the rock was reduced for the foundation of the ,light-house1 it was about three feet above high-water of spring-tides4 ,the ,longships ,rock1 situate three miles off the ,lands-,end1 is about forty feet above high-water mark1 though barely large enough for the foundation of the ,light-house4 ,the ,smalls lie fourteen miles off ,st ,david's ,head2 and the rock on which the light-house is built1 is about five feet above high-water of spring-tides4 ,the ,south ,rock1 lying three miles off the land1 between ,loch ,strangford and ,donaghadee1 is about four feet under the surface at high-water of spring-tides4 ,the ,tour de ,corduan1 upon the coast of ,france1 is built upon a sunken rock at the entrance of the ,garonne1 and is said to be about eight feet under the surface of the sea at high-water of spring-tides4 ,and1 lastly1 the ,bell ,rock1 the subject of this report1 lying upwards of eleven miles from land1 is from nine to ten feet under water1 as before stated4 ,ever since the reporter had an opportunity to know the danger and inconvenience that must attend the navigation of the ,firth of ,forth1 while the ,bell ,rock remains without some signal upon it1 to forewarn seamen1 he has been much employed in considering what kind of building would be most applicable to its situation2 and he has1 therefore1 endeavoured to obtain as much information as possible about works of this kind4 ,the first light-house erected upon an insulated rock on the coast of ,great ,britain or ,ireland1 appears to have been that of the ,edystone1 which was begun in #afif1 and was scarcely finished1 when a dreadful storm carried it completely away4 ,this erection was constructed of timber1 and was designed and executed by ,mr ,william ,winstanly1 who1 with his artificers and the light-keepers1 unfortunately perished in its ruins4 ,the next light-house that was built upon the ,edystone ,rocks1 consisting partly of stone and partly of wood1 it was finished in #agji1 and was the work of ,mr ,john ,rudyard1 who1 carefully avoiding the errors of his predecessor1 lopped off all superfluous ornaments1 and produced a plain building2 which1 after withstanding the fury of the waves for forty-nine years1 had the misfortune to be destroyed by fire4 ,the present ,edystone ,light-house was begun in #agef1 and finished in #agei4 ,it has now stood forty-four years1 a memorial of the ingenuity and indefatigable labours of ,mr ,john ,smeaton1 who1 guarding against the defects of the two former buildings1 constructed the whole of stone2 the blocks of the solid part are curiously dove-tailed into each other2 and every thing unnecessarily tending to give resistance to the water is carefully avoided1 while the whole is completely fire-proof4 ,the next light-house erected upon a situation of this kind1 was the ,smalls1 which is placed upon eight beams of oak1 arranged round a centre one4 ,the latest light-house built on an insulated situation1 is that upon the ,south ,rock on the coast of ,ireland4 ,the reporter made three successive journeys to this light-house1 during its progress3 ,first in #agif1 when it was only #ab feet in height2 again in #agig1 when it was nearly finished2 and a third time in the month of ,august #ahjj4 ,this light-house is built of granite1 quarried in the mountains of ,morne4 ,the method of dove-tailing or joggling the stones1 and attaching the courses to each other1 is different from that of the ,edystone2 throughout the solid part of the masonry1 and eighteen inches within the circumference of the building1 six great bars of malleable iron are carried up1 each four inches square2 and upon the top of every alternate course1 a circular plate of iron is let into the stone1 and fixed by spear-bolts to the upright bars4 ,the building is of a conical figure1 and was built in the course of three years from a design by ,mr ,john ,rodgers of ,dublin4 ,before being properly certified as to the possibility of getting a foundation for a building of any kind upon the ,bell ,rock1 the reporter thought of a ,floating-light1 like those moored off the ,dudgeon-shoal1 and other sand-banks on the coast of ,england4 ,but the foulness of the ground about the ,bell ,rock1 the great depth of water near it1 together with the unsteadiness of a light of this description1--and above all1 the perplexing uncertainty which must ever attend such a light in a storm1 cannot fail to unhinge the confidence of the mariner1 and thereby prevent him from making free with his course2 and when1 from an error in it1 or in the distance run1 he is disappointed in seeing the light1 wrong conclusions are apt to be formed3 he supposes that the ,floating-light has drifted1 and by changing his course1 perhaps turns upon the very point of danger4 ,these were considerations from which much relief was felt1 upon learning that the rock was large enough to form the foundation of a permanent building2 but1 till the moment he landed upon it1 he was uncertain if a building of stone was applicable2 and foreseeing the difficulties which would be avoided1 if1 instead of carrying up the lower part solid1 it could be formed of pillars1 after the manner of the ,smalls ,light-house2 reflecting also upon that elegant and useful application lately made of cast-iron1 in the construction of bridges1 choice was made of this metal1 in his first model for the ,bell ,rock1 as being more substantial than timber1 and also less liable to corrosion from the action of the atmosphere than malleable-iron4 ,this light-house 7see ,plate ,,vii471 was to consist of six hollow tubes or pillars1 built each to the height of ninety feet1 measuring two feet in diameter at the base1 and diminishing to six inches at the top1 ranged round a common centre so as to form a diameter of thirty-five feet at the base1 and eight feet at the top1 immediately under the light-room4 ,the pillars were to be cast in lengths or pieces of ten feet each2 and at every joint horizontal bars were made to grasp the pillars1 and the whole was also connected diagonally with various cross braces4 ,under the light-room1 the building was to be laid out into four heights of apartments for the light-keepers and stores1 formed within the range of the pillars1 which occupying #de feet of their height1 the part below being of similar height1 was left free for the passage of the sea1 thus presenting the least possible resistance to the waves4 ,these apartments were to be formed and covered in with strong copper1 which1 to prevent its acting upon the iron1 was to be coated with tin4 ,the lower part1 or floor nearest to the sea1 was to form an inverted cone1 presenting a surface calculated to disperse the seas which might strike against it4 ,in order still more to increase the common base1 and strengthen this fabric1 ,professor ,robison advised that a diagonal bar should be attached to the exterior side of each of the pillars4 ,in this first design1 provision was made chiefly against the impulse of the sea1 without taking into account the possibility of a vessel or wreck getting near it2 but he found1 after landing upon the rock1 that it was possible for a vessel at high-water to come1 without interruption1 against the pillars4 ,to guard against misfortune from this quarter1 the reporter first thought of defending the pillars in various ways1 particularly by throwing a kind of ,chevaux de ,frise round them1 with beams of oak4 ,he1 however1 found it difficult to suppose any set of pillars of adequate strength to resist the force of a loaded vessel1 violently agitated in a winter storm1 which must render the pillar-formed construction very uncertain1 even after every precaution should be taken to guard against such accidents4 ,nor ought the danger to which such a mass of metal1 constantly exposed to the effects of the marine-acid1 to be wholly overlooked1 in giving a preference to a circular building of stone1 which being a compact figure of solid matter1 would resist any force that might be brought against it4 ,the reporter has estimated the ,pillar-formed ,light-house at ,l4 #ae1jjj2 and1 although that for the ,tower of masonry amounts to ,l4 #db1fcf1 #hs41 yet1 as it is treading a beaten path1 which leads to certainty1 it is surely to be preferred in a work of this kind3 the foundation-course of stone must be more tedious than that of so many pillars1 yet1 in this there is nothing impracticable2 and when the difficulties of the first courses are surmounted1 the superiority of a fabric of stone over one of iron will readily be admitted4 ,in the model for a building of stone1 made since the reporter first landed upon the ,bell ,rock1 he has retained nearly the same elevation as that of the ,edystone ,light-house1 which presents less resistance1 and preserves a greater base than perhaps any other figure that could have been thought of4 ,in this design he has also followed ,mr ,smeaton in the use of oak-trenails to keep the stones in their places1 while the work is in progress2 but has differed in the mode of diminishing the interior-walls1 as the building rises in height4 ,instead1 also1 of ,mr ,smeaton's plan of dove-tailing the stones1 and connecting the floors1 various other modes are resorted to1 for effecting this perpendicularly as well as laterally1 with the view of introducing larger materials1 and keeping the stones in a more entire state4 ,one of these is by an iron-bat1 which is inserted into the joints of the lower courses1 while the void or upper courses are to be indented1 or let perpendicularly into one another4 ,upon inspection of the models and drawings of this design1 it will perhaps be found to render the construction more simple1 to divide the strength of the walls more equally1 and1 upon the whole1 to give that stability which the situation of the ,bell ,rock seems so peculiarly to require4 7,see ,plate ,,vii47 ,upon comparing the pillar-formed ,light-house1 with the circular tower of masonry1 it is matter of surprise that ever the ,smalls ,light-house should have been erected upon that plan1 unless it were to avoid the additional expence of a stone building4 ,there is1 however1 one circumstance which materially favours the pillar-formed construction at the ,smalls1 the want of which becomes a principal objection to its application at the ,bell ,rock2 namely1 that the ,smalls ,rock being five feet above high-water of spring-tides1 the pillars are more obviously defended from injury in the event of a vessel or wreck coming against them1 and also from the violence of the sea1 whereas the ,bell ,rock1 at certain periods of the tide1 is from nine to ten feet under water4 ,when ,mr ,john ,rennie1 civil engineer1 obligingly favoured the reporter by examining his models1 he gave a decided preference to the structure of stone1 as did ,professors ,robison and ,playfair4 ,and ,captain ,huddart also1 upon seeing the pillar-formed model1 mentioned that the ,trinity-,house did not approve of iron pillars which1 in the instance of the ,smalls1 were considered not so proper as beams of oak4 ,the chief motives which induced the reporter to model a light-house upon the plan of the ,smalls1 were the uncertainty of procuring a foundation for a stone building2 the small resistance which the pillars present to the force of the waves1 and the first cost being very considerably less4 ,but although this is true1 with regard to the resistance1 it must also be remembered1 that the pillars come prodigiously short of the weight of a tower of masonry1 of the dimensions of the one modelled1 containing upwards of #bjjj tons2 whereas the iron pillars1 even in their most improved state1 do not exceed #bjj tons4 ,when1 therefore1 the stone light-house is compared with the iron one1 all idea of the greater resistance of the former is lost in its solid contents1 and in the uniformity of its figure4 ,in alluding to the great utility of an erection on the ,bell ,rock1 it may1 in general1 be observed1 that it is in the same degree of latitude with the ,town of ,holstebro in ,denmark1 and that the ,naze of ,norway1 or entrance to the ,baltic1 lies north of ,holstebro #a #cj4 ,it therefore follows1 that all vessels bound to the ,baltic1 from1 any port south of the ,river ,tweed1 must cross the latitude of the ,bell ,rock1 while the degree of east or west longitude1 in which such vessels pass1 must depend upon the direction of the winds and other circumstances4 ,in order to avoid the enemy in the time of war1 it is common for shipping in this track1 first to make the land about ,buchanness in ,aberdeenshire1 and from thence take their departure either over seas1 or along shore to their respective ports4 ,with regard to ships bound for ,archangel and ,greenland1 they1 at all times1 make the ,islands of ,shetland1 and from thence take their departure4 ,if1 therefore1 lines be drawn from ,buchanness and ,girdleness in ,aberdeenshire1 to ,flamborough ,head in ,yorkshire1 and the mouth of the ,tyne in ,northumberland1 the ,bell ,rock will only be found to lie from six to ten leagues distant from these courses or lines4 ,so that vessels crossing the mouth of the ,firth of ,forth1 from ,buchanness to the ,humber and ,thames1 c41 may not only come in sight of a light upon this rock1 but be materially benefited by it1 according to the state of the weather1 while those upon the course of the nearest line bound for ,newcastle and ,sunderland1 c4 must1 in every voyage which carries them north of the ,tweed1 be essentially served by a light upon the ,bell ,rock4 ,it further deserves notice in this place1 that the principal estuaries on the eastern coast of ,great ,britain1 are those of the ,friths of ,moray and ,forth1 and the ,rivers ,humber1 and ,thames4 ,the most material general purpose which would be answered by a ,light upon the ,bell ,rock1 is the opening of the ,firth of ,forth as a place of safety1 in storms from south-east1 east1 and north-east4 ,when mariners at sea are overtaken with a gale under such circumstances1 they make for the most contiguous of these four inlets2 but are often known to avoid the ,forth1 on account of this ,rock1 which1 like another ,cerberus1 guards its entrance4 ,of this1 a melancholy example occurred 7which will long be remembered with that regret which never fails to accompany the forlorn case of the widow and fatherless71 in that heavy gale at south-east1 which happened in the winter of #agii1 and drove many vessels from their moorings in ,yarmouth ,roads1 put them past the ,humber1 and the crews being afraid to make free with the ,firth of ,forth1 even though the wind was fair1 were1 with others1 driven ashore between the ,redhead in ,forfarshire1 and ,kinnaird ,head in ,aberdeenshire1 to the number of about thirty sail4 ,nor were they all saved that weathered ,kinnaird ,head2 several were wrecked in ,orkney and ,shetland2 and the whole loss occasioned by this gale has been stated as high as seventy sail1 with many of their crews6 amongst which are reckoned two that were known to have been lost upon the ,bell ,rock4 ,this fatal catastrophe1 of which the history of our coast affords few examples1 is the more to be lamented1 when it is considered that a light upon the ,bell ,rock1 by opening the way to a place of safety1 would infallibly have been the means of preventing much calamity1 to those who sought safety1 with various fortune1 in more northern latitudes4 ,in conclusion1 it may be observed1 that until this improvement of the coast comes from the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 it is much to be feared that the cause continuing1 the sad effects will not cease4 7,signed7 ,,robert ,,stevenson4 ,to the ,honourable the ,,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses4 ,,report by ,mr ,,rennie4 ,london1 #cjth ,december #ahje4 ,,gentlemen1 ,in consequence of your directions1 ,i set out in a vessel called the ,pharos1 from ,leith1 on the #aeth of ,august last1 early in the morning1 in company with ,,robert ,,hamilton1 ,esq4 one of your ,commissioners1 and ,mr ,,stevenson1 your ,engineer1 to view the ,bell or ,cape ,rock1 for the purpose of considering the practicability of building a ,light-house thereon4 ,but1 owing to the want of wind1 we did not get near the ,rock till dusk1 i4 e4 about half-past seven1 which was near half ebb2 but although we were not above a mile distant1 we could discover but little of the rock itself4 ,its situation1 however1 was sufficiently apparent1 by the breakers upon it1 which1 although the sea was very little agitated where we were1 yet the waves were very high on the ,rock itself1 breaking over it with considerable violence4 ,we approached within less than half a mile of it1 and took soundings2 but it becoming dark1 we judged it advisable to sail further off1 and anchored about a mile from the ,rock all the night1 in expectation we should be able to land on it next morning1 which1 from the serene appearance of the sky1 we doubted not we should be able to effect4 ,we had not dropped the anchor long1 when the little wind there was during the day ceased1 and it became a dead calm1 but1 notwithstanding this1 there was a heavy swell1 and the vessel rolled much4 ,frequently1 during the night1 ,i viewed the place where the ,rock lies1 and saw the heavy breakers which played about it1 till near three quarters flood1 when they nearly ceased1 and no appearance of such a place was to be observed4 ,they commenced again about quarter ebb1 and continued increasing for some time2 but1 by nine in the morning1 the sea became more smooth1 and about half-past nine1 the rock appearing several feet above water1 we left the ,pharos in a small boat1 and had the satisfaction of landing on it about half-past ten1 a little before low water4 ,the spring-tides1 however1 were rather past their height1 being five days after the full moon4 ,we landed on the north-east side of the ,rock1 in a little bay or inlet1 through some breakers1 but these were just on the verge of the ,rock1 for when we got in1 the water was quite smooth4 ,the ,rock lies in a direction nearly south-west and north-east1 magnetic bearing4 ,that part which was dry1 saving some small inlets1 ,i found to be about #bhj feet long1 and #bbj feet wide4 ,its general surface was about #d feet above the level of low water1 though some places were about #f feet high4 ,the ,rock1 however1 extends for some distance all round that part which was dry1 and dips downward4 ,it extends under the surface for about #djj feet on the south-west side1 about #ajj feet on the north-east side1 and about #ej on the south-east and north-west sides2 and on those parts the water is shallow4 ,at about #cjj feet south-west1 ,i found about #ac feet water1 but1 on account of the breakers1 could not sound on the low parts of the ,rock1 or either of the other sides4 ,at the extremities of the main ,rock above mentioned1 the dip is sudden2 the bottom1 however1 is rocky for a considerable extent round its bed1 but the water is deep4 ,the ,rock itself is a hard red freestone1 in beds dipping to the south-east1 about one in five2 these beds are various in their thickness1 some being much greater than others2 but1 generally1 well connected together4 ,such parts as are not immediately exposed to the violent wash of the waves1 are coated with a hard crust1 and covered with limpets2 and1 indeed1 when it is exposed to the full fury of the sea1 there seems to be little appearance of decay1 so that ,i have no doubt1 were a ,light-house constructed here1 no fears need be entertained for the durability of the ,rock1 as it seems to me well calculated to resist the effects of the waves4 ,we remained on the ,rock for about an hour and a half1 when the tide began to flow rather quickly1 and having got all the necessary measurements as to height and size1 we left it1 and returned to our vessel1 having been much gratified with the ample view we had of it1 and soon after our getting on board the vessel1 we weighed anchor at one1 and the wind suiting1 we arrived at ,arbroath about four o'clock4 ,the ,inch ,cape1 or ,bell ,rock1 lies in ,west longitude #b #bb2 ,north latitude #ef #bi1 as stated by ,mr ,,stevenson4 ,it is about eleven miles distant from the harbour of ,arbroath1 about ten miles from the ,bluff ,point of the ,sands of ,barry1 at the northern side of the entrance to the ,river ,tay1 and about eleven miles from the ,red ,head1 which lies between ,arbroath and ,montrose2 so that in fact it is about the same distance from the shore as the ,edystone ,rock1 on which ,mr ,,smeaton completed a stone light-house in the year #agei4 ,the soundings on the south-west side1 and near to this ,rock1 as taken at low water1 were about #g fathoms1 within half a mile of it2 and1 in the same direction1 about #ae fathoms1 bottom rock4 ,about three-fourths of a mile1 #ai to #bj fathoms1 bottom gravel4 ,at the north-east side1 and near to the ,rock1 the soundings were #f fathoms4 ,about three-fourths of a mile north-west of the ,rock #ae fathoms1 and about a mile and a quarter in the same direction #ah fathoms4 ,we did not take the soundings on any other side of the ,rock1 or at a greater distance2 but ,i was informed they were full as much as those we had taken4 ,such being the situation of the ,cape or ,bell ,rock1 lying nearly in the direction which vessels generally take in sailing into the ,firth of ,forth1 from northerly directions1 or out of it1 in sailing to the north or east1 it is no wonder that many accidents should arise in hazy weather or dark nights1 there being no means of discovering its situation correctly1 unless when the land-marks are to be seen1 for the deep water lying so close all round the ,rock1 nothing can be ascertained from soundings1 until too near to enable vessels to get out of the way4 ,breakers1 no doubt1 frequently point out its situation1 but these1 in dark nights1 and hazy weather1 often are not sufficient1 and at high-water1 even in good nights1 are not always discernible2 for want of other means1 many vessels have been wrecked thereon1 and numberless valuable lives and much property lost4 ,vessels trading from the ,humber1 and northwards to the ,baltic1 to ,norway1 ,greenland1 c4 are often1 by stress of weather1 driven towards the coast1 and even those from more southerly ports often share the unfortunate fate of coasting vessels4 ,it is therefore of the utmost importance that something should be done to mark out the situation of this dangerous and frightful ,rock4 ,a ,beacon has been proposed1 but this would but ill answer the purpose4 ,nothing1 in my opinion1 would do it effectually1 except a ,light-house2 and the question is1 whether a ,light-house could be built on this ,rock1 and1 if so1 of what materials it should be composed1 and which1 in point of strength and durability1 are most likely to become a lasting work1 without which the mariner can never make free with his course4 ,of all the works which could be erected here1 perhaps a wooden ,light-house would be the cheapest4 ,but were a wooden ,light-house to be constructed1 ,i apprehend a solid base of stone must first be constructed1 similar to that built on the ,edystone by ,mr ,,rudyard2 but wood is liable to decay2 it would require constant repairs1 and would also be liable to be destroyed by fire1 as that of ,mr ,,rudyard',s was4 ,a ,light-house of cast-iron might also be constructed here1 and ,i will allow that it might have a coating of lead1 or other metallic substance1 so as for a long time at least to resist the effects of the marine acid4 ,but to make a ,light-house that would last of such materials1 would be nearly1 if not wholly1 as expensive as one of stone1 which ,i believe1 ,i need scarcely say1 no human ingenuity could render as durable2 and as the durability of such a work as this is of the utmost consequence1 ,i apprehend a moderate sum of extra expence ought not to be looked on as an object of material consideration1 when put in competition with the advantages of durability4 ,but1 besides these objections to a work constructed of wood or iron1 vessels being apt to be driven against it at high-water1 there being at spring-tides from nine to ten feet deep on the top of the ,rock1 and should the vessel be a large one1 and acted on by a heavy sea1 it would not be difficult to foretell the consequences4 ,the durability and efficacy of a stone ,light-house has been proved in the most satisfactory manner at the ,tour de ,corduan1 near the mouth of the ,river ,garonne1 on the coast of ,france2 at the ,edystone1 off the mouth of ,plymouth ,harbour1 and in other situations4 ,why1 therefore1 with such incontestible proofs before our eyes1 should recourse be had to a material new in itself for such purposes1 and untried8 a material which1 if fitted and joined together as it ought to be1 would consume nearly as much time in getting the lower part laid1 as the laying of three or four courses at the bottom of a stone ,light-house1 and when the stone-work is got to the height of five or six feet above the ,rock1 the greatest part of the difficulty may be said to be over2 and besides1 such a solid mass of materials would resist any violent shock of a vessel which might be brought against it by the sea4 ,i have1 therefore1 no hesitation in giving a decided opinion in favour of a stone ,light-house4 ,as to the practicability of erecting such a work on the ,bell ,rock1 ,i think no doubt can be entertained1 with such examples before us as the ,tour de ,corduan and ,edystone before mentioned4--,in the #dth volume of the ,architecture ,hydraulique of ,,belider1 an account is given of the ,tour de ,corduan4 ,it is built on a low rocky island1 dry at low water1 and whose surface is nearly level2 it is covered at high-water1 as near as ,i can ascertain from his draughts and description1 about #h or #i feet4 ,it is exposed to a very heavy swell of the sea1 lying quite open to the ,bay of ,biscay1 from whence it is well known very heavy swells come1 and beat against it with great fury2 yet this ,light-house has resisted the fury of the waves for above #bej years4 ,the ,edystone ,light-house is built even in a more exposed situation than that of the ,tour de ,corduan1 and upon a rock whose surface is little larger than the base of the ,light-house itself4 ,the top of this rock is shelving1 and was seldom covered by ordinary spring-tides before ,mr ,,smeaton began his foundation2 the lower part1 however1 was always covered over at the top of neap-tides4 ,at the lowest place1 when he began his work1 the rock was dry about six hours each tide1 although there the ,edystone ,rock is less in size than the ,cape ,rock1 yet the advantage of being so long dry1 is greatly in favour of building a ,light-house2 the most difficult and tedious part of the work being the establishment of the four or five lower courses of the foundation4 ,the higher parts of the ,cape ,rock1 as ,i have before stated1 are little more than six feet above the low water of an ordinary spring-tide4 ,but ,i apprehend1 when a place sufficiently large for the foundation is levelled1 its surface will be little more than three and a half feet above the low water of an ordinary spring-tide4 ,i do not think that above three hours' time for work can be expected1 which is about half of what was got at the ,edystone4 ,the depth of the water all round it1 and its exposure to the ,german ,ocean1 renders it as difficult a situation to construct a durable work upon as that of the ,edystone1 if not more so4 ,i doubt1 therefore1 more time will be required for the work2 but this depends so much on the state of the weather1 that no certain calculation can be made4 ,it is better1 therefore1 to reckon on a sufficient time1 and this ,i would beg leave to state at four years2 and if it can be done in less time so much the better4 ,the ,rock upon which the ,edystone ,light-house stands is certainly harder than the ,cape ,rock1 and of course required more time to work2 but1 on the other hand1 the ,cape ,rock lying in a more northerly latitude1 and where the weather is more variable1 it is likely that greater interruption will be given to the proceedings than in the other2 so that1 all circumstances considered1 the time ,i have mentioned1 ,i doubt1 will be little enough4 ,mr ,,stevenson1 to whose merit ,i am happy to bear ample testimony1 has been indefatigable in obtaining information respecting this ,rock1 and he has made a model of a stone ,light-house1 nearly resembling that of the ,edystone1 in which he has proposed various ingenious methods of constructing the work1 by way of facilitating the operations4 ,i own1 however1 after considering these in the fullest manner ,i have been able1 and comparing them with the construction of ,mr ,,smeaton',s1 ,i mean in the building1 and also that there is undoubted proofs of the stability of the ,edystone1 ,i am inclined to give it the preference4 ,no doubt some methods different from the ,edystone will require to be put in practice for the foundation2 but its general construction1 in my opinion1 renders it as strong as can well be conceived1--in fact1 it may be looked upon as a solid mass of rock4 ,viewing the matter1 therefore1 in this light1 it will be unnecessary for me to accompany this ,report with the design of a ,light-house4 ,it will be time enough to make such a design1 when the ,commissioners shall be in a situation to give orders for the erection1 and then ,i have no doubt ,mr ,,stevenson will furnish much valuable matter towards the perfecting of it4 ,the total height of the ,edystone ,light-house1 from the lower course of stones on the rock to the top of the platform or balcony-floor1 is about #gj feet2 from thence to the bottom of the iron-frame of the lantern about #f feet #i inches2 and the lantern itself is about #h feet #c inches2 so that the total height to the eve of the cupola is about #hd feet #f inches4 ,now1 as the ,bell ,rock lies so much lower than that of the ,edystone1 ,i think the height of the shaft or tower of the ,light-house should not be less than #hj feet1 or1 perhaps1 a little more1 say #he feet2 so that the cupola will1 in this case1 be about #ajj feet above the surface of the rock4 ,with such a height of ,light-house as is here proposed1 ,i would advise that the diameter of the base should be greater1 and as it is less surrounded by such an extent of rock1 it will give facility to the gradual diminution of the effects of the waves breaking upon it2 will render the fabric more steady1 and1 as it will diminish quickly1 no great additional surface will be presented to the sea4 ,the floor of the lower room1 i4 e4 the height of the solid part of the ,light-house1 ,i would propose to be about #ej feet1 and from thence to the top of the platform #ce feet1 making a total height1 from the rock to the platform or gallery1 of #he feet4 ,as to the lantern itself1 ,i need say little on that head1 as lanterns for light-houses have1 of late years1 been greatly improved1 as well as the lights4 ,the substitution of lamps with reflectors1 in place of coal or candle lights1 has been found of the greatest advantage to the mariner2 and it is not unlikely1 from what ,i have been lately made acquainted with1 that the substitution of the hydrogen gas in place of lamps1 will not only prove a much cheaper1 but a better light than even lamps4 ,i am told that it will not cost above one-eighth of the price of oil4 ,the kind of light to be used is also a matter of consideration1 for unless lights are so constructed as to enable the mariner to distinguish between one and another1 he may be apt to mistake his situation2 but that also can be easily arranged1 when this part of the subject comes to require consideration4 ,the new light on the ,skerries in ,orkney is a revolving one2 perhaps a similar one may also be judged advisable here1 as1 if the ,light-house on the ,island of ,may was to be fitted up with reflectors in the usual manner1 it would not always be easy to distinguish this from the ,cape ,rock1 unless one of them was to be made a revolving1 or the lights to be placed in different situations of the house4 ,a ,light-house has1 of late years1 been built on the ,south ,rock1 near the mouth of ,loch ,strangford1 on the coast of ,ireland4 ,this ,light-house was begun on the #aath of ,june #agie1 and completed the #beth ,march #agig4 ,it is #cj feet diameter at the base1 and about #ae feet just below the balcony floor4 ,it is #ef feet high from the rock to the platform or balcony floor1 and its shape is the frustum of a cone4 ,it is built of granite from the ,mountains of ,morne2 and the lantern1 from the platform to the cupola1 is about #ab feet high1 and #aj feet wide4 ,the light is a revolving one1 and lighted by #aj lamps with reflectors1 #c in the upper course1 #c in the lower course1 and #d in the middle1 and makes a revolution in five minutes4 ,this distinguishes it from the ,copland lights4 ,the rock on which this ,light-house stands is about #djj yards long1 and about #ajj wide1 and is covered about #ah inches deep at high-water1 ordinary spring-tides4 ,the rock is composed of beds of schistus1 intermixed with beds of a kind of indurated clay1 which are wearing fast away by the washing of the sea2 and1 unless some speedy and effectual means are taken to secure it1 this ,light-house will not be of long duration4 ,it has cost about ,l4 #bb1jjj1 and it is said that ,l4 #gjjj more will be required to secure the rock from washing away4 ,i will not take upon me to say that this sum will be sufficient for the purpose2 but it seems to me that it will not be a very difficult matter to secure the rock1 if proper means are taken4 ,the channel is here narrow1 and the seas cannot be very heavy2 indeed ,,macculloch the ,light-house keeper informed me1 that they seldom rise above the first landing1 which is only about #bg feet from the top of the rock4 ,in the construction of a ,light-house at the ,cape ,rock1 great care will be necessary in choosing stone of the most durable quality1 fit to resist the effects of the waves4 ,for this purpose1 ,i examined the rocks lying along the shore nearest adjoining the ,inch ,cape ,rock1 but found none of a very durable quality2 most of it is a red freestone1 softer than the rock itself1 which has been much worn away by the wash of the sea1 and therefore by no means fit for the exterior work of such a building2 and there does not appear to be any fit for that purpose nearer than ,kingoodie1 about three or four miles from ,dundee4 ,this stone is a hard millstone-grit1 of an excellent quality2 very hard to work1 but can be raised in blocks of any size and thickness required4 ,it therefore appears to me to be most fit for the exterior work of a ,light-house to be built on the ,cape ,rock2 but as the price the proprietor asks for it is very high1 it becomes a question whether the solid part of the building may not be done with the stone from near ,arbroath1 which1 although not fit for exterior work1 is yet of a pretty strong quality1 and might be used in the solid part of the building1 not exposed to the weather or wash of the sea3 ,or1 it may be a question1 whether the saving that would arise from using the stone near ,arbroath1 is a consideration1 when put in competition with the superior strength and specific gravity of the ,kingoodie stone4 ,granite is also a stone that will resist the waves without wearing1 and it is therefore a matter of consideration1 whether granite stone might not be had from ,peterhead or ,aberdeen for this purpose4 ,granite1 it is true1 cannot conveniently be had in such large blocks as the ,kingoodie stone1 but it may be had in blocks sufficiently large to answer the purpose1 and1 if well dove-tailed1 and properly cemented together1 the whole may be made to act as one solid body of rock4 ,as to the expence of a ,light-house in such a situation1 it is not a very easy matter to form any thing like a correct calculation4 ,so much depends on weather1 on the untoward circumstances that may probably happen while the work is in hand1 that they baffle even the most experienced artist to make the proper allowances4 ,the price and quantity of materials is by no means difficult to ascertain2 but the expence of putting them together must be more a matter of guess than of correct and well founded calculation4 ,i have1 however1 computed the expence that such a work ought to cost1 and have made every allowance for contingencies1 from my own experience of works in the sea1 and from what ,i have been able to collect from the experience of others1 in which1 ,i think1 ,i have made a very full allowance for contingencies1 and the cost amounts1 by my estimate1 to ,l4 #da1hdd1 but ,i will say ,l4 #db1jjj1 and1 ,i trust1 if ever the work is executed1 and done with judgment1 it will not exceed that sum4 ,i have gone on the supposition1 that the outside is to be made of ,kingoodie stone1 and the hearting of stone from near ,arbroath4 ,i am1 ,gentlemen1 your most humble servant1 7,signed7 ,,john ,,rennie4 ,to the ,honourable the ,,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses4 ,,report by ,mr ,,stevenson4 ,edinburgh1 #aeth ,november #ahjf4 ,in the year #ahjj1 when the ,reporter laid before the ,commissioners various models of a ,light-house for the ,bell ,rock1 the prospect of the undertaking was so distant1 that it then appeared unnecessary to trouble the ,board with any scheme for carrying the work into execution2 but since the passing of the act of ,parliament for this purpose1 the case is materially altered4 ,in preparing any method for carrying on a work1 the most difficult in its nature1 and one to which the common tests of experience can hardly be applied1 he is aware1 that it is impossible1 by any previous arrangement1 to determine what will answer in all respects4 ,in so far as the operations on shore are considered1 the ordinary rules of practice apply1 but1 in forming plans for the ,rock itself1 matters must be adjusted to the situation and circumstances of the case4 ,certain measures1 of a preliminary nature1 are1 however1 indispensably necessary1 while others may be of doubtful application2 among the former1 it appears to be essentially necessary to provide a vessel to be moored at the distance of from three quarters to one mile north-west of the ,rock4 ,she must1 of course1 be fitted up as a store-ship1 with accommodation for the artificers1 and ground-tackle for riding in from #ag to #bj fathoms water1 on rather a hard bottom4 ,this vessel1 besides answering as a store-ship for water and provisions1 may occasionally take on board lime1 cement1 and other materials from the small craft at the ,rock1 when lying at anchor with them on board may be found inconvenient4 ,there is also another and most important service1 which this vessel will fall to perform in terms of the act of ,parliament1 which is the carrying of a ,light upon her mast1 for the benefit of shipping1 and to enable a duty to be collected1 even before the commencement of the work1 agreeably to the suggestion of ,mr ,,cuningham4 ,the ,reporter1 in order to inform himself more fully regarding the construction of such a vessel1 while attending the progress of the ,bill in ,london1 visited the ,floating-light ship at the ,nore1 under the command of ,mr ,,bennet1 who very politely described every particular connected with the business4 ,he had also frequent communications with ,captain ,,huddart of the ,trinity ,house1 who takes a particular charge of the ,floating-lights under the management of that ,board1 since which he has also corresponded with him upon the subject1 who has obligingly stated his ideas relative to a vessel and moorings fitted for the ,bell ,rock4 ,upon the whole1 the ,reporter is of opinion1 that a dogger1 or ,dutch-built vessel1 is best calculated for this service4 ,such a vessel would require to be from #hj to #ajj tons burden1 moored with a mushroom-anchor1 weighty iron mooring-irons1 having likewise on board a hempen cable of #af inches in circumference4 ,the mushroom-anchor1 which is but a late invention1 is now in use at all the ,floating-lights on the coast1 and even in some of his ,majesty's store-ships4 ,its great property consists in its being hardly possible for a vessel to foul her anchor with it2 and the construction is such1 that it may be made in part1 or wholly1 of cast-iron1 agreeably to the accompanying model1 from which an idea may more easily be formed of its application4 7,see ,plate ,x474 ,this vessel must be furnished with such a light as to be readily distinguishable from the ,coal-light on the ,island of ,may2 and although the ,dudgeon ,floating-light1 off the ,norfolk coast1 which carries two lanterns1 is at a great distance1 yet1 as it is the nearest ,floating-light to the ,bell ,rock1 it may be advisable to distinguish it from that also4 ,as a vessel cannot be dispensed with for the accommodation of the artificers1 it will be found to be a great saving to employ her as a store-ship4 ,as this vessel is only meant to answer a temporary purpose1 by purchasing one of the ,dutch or ,prussian prize-ships1 now for sale in ,leith1 she might perhaps be fitted up for about ,l4 #bjjj4 ,although it would be perfectly impossible to do any thing with much effect at the ,bell ,rock1 without a vessel stationed in the offing2 yet as she must necessarily be moored at the distance of about a mile from it1 to give a sufficient birth for swinging1 according to the wind1 and also to give sea-room to clear the ,rock1 in the event of her breaking adrift1 the inconveniency and difficulty of the frequent passage between the ,floating-light and the ,rock must be very considerable4 ,it therefore occurs to the ,reporter1 that the greatest advantages would arise from the erection of a temporary residence for the artificers upon the ,rock during the working-months of summer1 and also to answer as a store for some of the materials4 ,the greatest difficulties which ,mr ,,smeaton had to struggle with at the ,edystone1 arose from the smallness of the rock1 which at once precluded any attempt of this kind from being undertaken1 and subjected the work to all the disadvantages and trouble so particularly described as experienced in communicating on all occasions with the store-ship4 ,but1 from the extent of the ,bell ,rock1 an opportunity may be had for erecting a temporary residence1 for facilitating the work4 ,it was under the conviction that such an accommodation might be constructed1 that the clause was introduced into the act for allowing the collection of half-duties upon the erection of a ,beacon4 ,but1 independently of these advantages1 the ,reporter conceives some erection of this kind necessary1 to give confidence to the artificers1 in the event of accident to the boats1 of which they might lay hold1 until assistance could be procured from the store-vessel4 ,this temporary residence is provided for in his estimate for the ,light-house1 and having modelled it1 he proposes that it should consist of beams of timber1 not less than #ej feet in length1 and of proportional strength2 the beams are coupled together at the top1 where they form a cabin for the workmen1 and1 at the same time1 answer all the purposes of a ,beacon4 ,the next material object to be considered1 is a method which may prolong or extend the working hours at the ,rock1 especially in the first instance1 to low water of neap1 as well as spring tides4 ,in this respect we also find1 that ,mr ,,smeaton had no alternative1 having had barely extent for the foundation of the ,light-house2 but1 in this respect1 he had less occasion for such an apparatus1 as the top of the ,edystone ,rock was rather above high-water1 although1 from its shelving form1 the level of the ground-course was not more than nine feet above low water of spring-tides4 ,the ground-course of the ,bell ,rock1 however1 will not be more than about two feet above low-water of such tides4 ,it therefore becomes an object of great importance1 to construct a water-tight fence round the site of the building1 which might be the means of saving a whole season with the work1 and securing the proper execution of the lower courses1 by enabling the workmen to go on in a more deliberate manner with their operations4 ,the ,reporter has had several methods in view for raising a coffer-dam for this purpose to the height of about six feet or thereby1 which would allow the work to proceed regularly in moderate weather at low water of neap as well as spring-tides4 ,he has1 accordingly1 modelled a coffer-dam with this view1 which he proposes to be three feet more in diameter than the base of the building1 and1 from its exposed situation1 the greatest attention must be paid to the strength and fitness of the materials4 ,at first he intended this to be of timber1 but at length fixed upon cast-iron1 strongly connected with iron-bolts1 passing through flanges raised upon the joints1 which are to be provided with a groove1 for the conveniency of tightening them4 ,the whole of this apparatus is estimated to weigh about #dj tons1 and is so constructed1 that when all the pieces are landed on the rock1 and laid in their places1 the foundation for them being prepared1 they may be set up1 and temporarily fixed1 in the course of a good spring-tide4 ,there is no part of this critical work which will be attended with so much difficulty as the landing of heavy materials1 nor is there any part of the business that has occupied so much of the ,reporter's attention4 ,mr ,,smeaton appears to have had a great deal of trouble upon this head2 and in conversing with one of those having charge at the ,south ,rock ,light-house1 on the coast of ,downshire in ,ireland1 while it was building1 it was stated1 that there was more time lost in getting a regular supply of materials1 and more vexation attending this department1 than any other part of the operations1 although this rock is exposed and dry at every tide1 and only #c miles from the shore1 with a beach where vessels were laid to discharge their cargoes2 whereas the ,bell ,rock is about #aa miles from land1 forming neither a steep-face1 like that of the ,edystone1 nor a sloping beach1 like that of the ,south ,rock1 while it is so low in the water1 that it can afford little or no shelter to vessels1 if brought alongside of it4 ,under all these adverse circumstances1 the landing of the materials becomes a consideration of the most perplexing nature4 ,he has sometimes thought that the depth of water upon the rock might be turned to advantage in landing the stones at high-water2 yet this mode has its disadvantages1 and could not always be depended upon2 others must1 therefore1 be resorted to1 more certain in their application4 ,vessels of an easy draught of water1 and not exceeding #bj tons burden1 might in very moderate weather be brought close into some of the small creeks of the rock4 ,some of these will admit of improvement1 where cranes might be fixed for unloading them4 ,this may1 perhaps1 turn out to be the surest mode upon trial2 but it may also be necessary to resort to others1 such as having buoys moored in different directions1 at a convenient distance from the rock2 by making fast a hawser to the buoy best suited to the direction of the wind2 the hawser may be veered out till the vessel with the materials gets so close to the ,rock as to discharge4 ,some have even supposed1 that the materials may be transported to the ,rock under these circumstances by a float of cork or timber1 and when the vessel is thus cleared of her cargo1 she may be hauled off again1 and so make sail4 ,the stones1 when landed1 if not immediately built1 may be stowed into the cast-iron coffer-dam1 which1 for this purpose1 will be found of the greatest use1 while the lower courses of the building are in progress2 and as the work advances1 other plans will present themselves4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in the ,report dated #bc;d ,december #ahjj1 on the subject of the ,bell ,rock1 the ,reporter explained his reasons for laying aside the plan of a cast-iron ,light-house1 and1 after what has since been stated in ,mr ,,rennie's report #cjth ,december #ahje1 it is unnecessary for him to enter again upon that subject1 especially as it has been fixed that the building is to be of stone4 ,the matter which he1 therefore1 now submits to the consideration of the ,board1 is1 the quarry or quarries from which these materials should be taken4 ,it is to be regretted1 that the extensive quarries in the neighbourhood of ,arbroath are not of so durable a nature as to render them fit for outside work4 ,on his way from ,fraserburgh lately1 he passed through ,aberdeen1 ,arbroath1 and ,dundee1 and1 in addition to former inquiries1 brought with him a note of prices1 and specimens of the stone of the quarries of these places4 ,upon the whole1 there seems to be objection to the use of best ,arbroath or ,red ,head stone1 for the hearting or inside-work1 which may be had for #is4 #d;d4 per ton4 ,the ,mylnefield or ,dundee stone at #bes41 but for the granite1 of the sizes wanted1 no price could be quoted4 ,stone is the principal material that requires consideration4 ,as for lime1 we have an extensive choice in this country1 and nothing can perhaps answer the purpose better for securing the outside joints than ,parker's cement4 ,the ,reporter has a specimen of ,aberthaw lime1 which ,mr ,,smeaton used with so much advantage2 it would be no difficult matter to get a cargo of it1 which would be sufficient for the whole building4 99 99 99 99 99 ,with regard to the ,lantern1 and other parts of the building which require to be of metal1 without entering into particulars1 they will no doubt fall to be made of copper1 at least such parts as are more particularly exposed to the action of the air or water4 ,as to the nature of the ,light itself1 there may be some improvements and alterations upon the present system1 before the building is completed2 but1 after erecting such a fabric as will be necessary at the ,bell ,rock1 no pains will of course be spared upon so essential a part as the quality or description of ,light to be exhibited4 99 99 99 99 99 ,supposing the work to commence in the ,spring of the year #ahjg1 it is already time that the store-vessel were in preparation1 and the necessary arrangements made for fitting her up as a ,floating-light1 that the collection of the duties may commence2 and1 when got to her moorings1 the workmen may begin to the temporary residence or beacon1 and prepare the rock for the building1 which would form the primary operations1 and occupy the first ,summer4 ,if the beams are found to withstand the storms of winter1 the upper part can then be covered in as a residence for the artificers in #ahjh2 and1 at all events1 be habitable for the ,summer of #ahji4 ,while these measures are carrying forward1 and the site of the building is in progress1 the lower course of stones will be in preparation on shore4 ,the place which the ,reporter would propose for carrying on these works is ,arbroath1 as the port most contiguous to the ,rock1 being situate at the northern side of that range of coast which forms ,st ,andrew's ,bay1 in which the ,bell ,rock holds a centrical situation4 ,a passage may be made from ,arbroath to the ,rock with much more regularity than from the ,tay4 ,on the southern side of this great ,bay1 there is no convenient harbour between the ,tay and ,fifeness4 ,the stones1 being transported from ,mylnefield and ,aberdeen1 would be hewn at ,arbroath1 and after being laid and marked upon a platform1 course by course1 would then be shipped for the ,rock4 99 99 99 99 99 ,it is unnecessary at this time to enter further into particulars4 ,when the dimensions of the building are finally arranged1 it will then be proper to enter into contracts for the materials1 and shipping for conveying them1 and to provide implements and artificers for the work4 7,signed7 ,,robert ,,stevenson4 ,to the ,honourable the ,,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses4 ,,joint ,,report by ,,john ,,rennie and ,,robert ,,stevenson4 ,edinburgh1 #bfth ,december #ahjf4 ,,gentlemen1 ,you having at your meeting on the #ajth instant resolved that the ,light-house to be erected on the ,bell ,rock shall be of stone1 we1 according to your request1 went to ,aberdeen and ,mylnefield1 for the purpose of examining into the quality and price at which stone for the erection of the ,light-house could be delivered at ,arbroath1 the place where it is proposed the materials shall be prepared for the work4 ,at ,aberdeen1 we found that many additional quarries had lately been opened1 some of them of an excellent quality1 and capable of producing larger blocks of stone than granite quarries usually do2 but still it is doubtful1 as has been formerly mentioned1 whether any one quarry will be found to produce a sufficiency of large blocks in any reasonable time2 but by purchasing from different quarries1 a regular supply may be procured for all the purposes wanted1 in case you shall determine upon using the granite in preference to stones from ,kingoodie4 ,the ,aberdeen granite is of so very strong and durable a nature1 and has been used in works where the sea has acted upon it for time immemorial1 that no doubt can possibly be entertained respecting its adaptation to a work of this kind4 ,there is also every reason to believe1 that the ,kingoodie stone resists the sea and weather equally well1 but we have not been able to collect such positive proofs of this as of the other2 for1 although a good deal of that stone has been used in the piers of the harbour of ,dundee1 yet1 as this has been mixed with other sorts of the same appearance1 and nearly of the same composition of those of ,kingoodie1 it prevents the possibility of our saying whether some of the stones that have wasted may not be ,kingoodie1 although we have great reason to believe that they are not4 ,however1 where facts cannot be positively ascertained1 doubts exist2 and we think1 that a ,light-house upon the ,bell ,rock is too important a work to suffer even a doubt to exist2 and we have no hesitation1 therefore1 in recommending1 that the under part of the building1 at least as high as the first apartment1 should be of ,aberdeen granite2 and as this is the great bulk of the work1 it may be as well1 perhaps1 to complete the outer course of granite to the top4 ,as to the extra price this will incur1 we cannot at present correctly say4 ,we have had two offers for granite from the ,rubislaw and ,dancing-,cairn ,quarries4 ,the former by ,robert ,spalding1 is at #aj;d4 per cubic foot1 delivered on the quay at ,aberdeen1 but1 as the expence of shipping and shore-dues are not included1 this may be fairly reckoned at #b;d4 per cubic foot more4 ,the other is from ,snell1 ,ranie and ,thom1 at #as4 #d;d4 per cubic foot1 delivered free on board a vessel at the quay4 ,now1 as the freight from ,aberdeen to ,arbroath will be about #g;d4 per cubic foot1 and as an agent must be employed to examine and see the stone delivered by the different quarry-men1 we suppose that #a;d4 per foot may be added for commission2 so that1 exclusive of ,government duties1 the offer for ,aberdeen stones will stand nearly as follows3 ,spalding's offer1 with charges1 will amount to #as4 #h;d4 per cubic foot1 and ,snell and ,company's at #bs4 ,the expence of working the ,aberdeen stone will come high1 we doubt1 for such a work as this4 ,where dove-tails1 and other devices for the security of the building will be necessary1 it cannot cost less than #bs4 #f;d4 per cubic foot4 ,now1 taking the price of stone at the average of the above offers1 it will amount1 with workmanship and freights1 to #ds4 #d;d4 per cubic foot1 so that the casing or outside course of granite will amount to about ,l4 #gbff4 ,mr ,mylne offers to supply blocks of ,dundee or ,kingoodie stone1 put free on ship-board1 at #as4 per cubic foot2 the freight from thence to ,arbroath will be about #d;d4 per cubic foot1 so that the stone will cost at ,arbroath #as4 #d;d4 ,the working of this stone will cost about #as4 #f;d4 per foot1 making the cost of the ,kingoodie stone #bs4 #aj;d42 therefore a casing of ,dundee stone would amount to ,l4 #dgfj1 making a difference in favour of ,kingoodie stone of ,l4 #bejf4 ,the next question that arises here is1 what kind of stone should be used for the hearting of the building1 where nothing can affect the stone1 of whatever quality it may be2 and here the ,arbroath or ,redhead quarries may come into competition4 ,there are arguments in favour of both2 the ,kingoodie will be more expensive1 but its specific gravity is greater1 and it is of a much stronger nature than the ,arbroath stone4 ,if ,kingoodie stone is used for the hearting1 the cost of the stone1 with freight and cutting1 will be about ,l4 #babd4 ,the ,arbroath stone will cost1 delivered at the work1 about #is4 per ton of #af cubic feet1 and cutting about #as4 per cubic foot1 so that the total cost will be about ,l4 #aagb1 a difference in favour of the ,arbroath stone1 besides duty1 of about ,l4 #ieb4 ,now1 whether you may agree to pay this extra price we will not venture to anticipate1 but we have no hesitation in saying that the ,kingoodie stone is the best4 ,another object which occupied our attention1 was the procuring of a piece of ground at ,arbroath1 with proper sheds and warehouses1 near the harbour1 for the purpose of dressing the stones1 laying the courses as they are to be in the ,light-house1 keeping stores1 c4 c4 ,for this purpose we applied to ,messrs ,duncan and ,cargill1 who have a ship-builder's yard adjoining the harbour1 and who some time since intimated their intention of disposing of it2 but we found that the place was not of the dimensions necessary for the work1 that the warehouses on the ground did not belong to the ship-yard1 and that the people had not finally determined upon disposing of this place4 ,we therefore inquired further1 and found a piece of ground much larger than the carpenter's yard1 and nearly as well situated1 but there are no buildings upon it2 and indeed1 there is no other spot at all convenient1 or near the harbour1 that can be had4 ,we therefore saw the proprietor ,john ,taylor1 and he has offered to let the whole for seven years1 at the rent of ,twenty ,guineas per annum4 ,the rent is high1 but the situation is such as to render it more suitable than any other1 and therefore we advise ,mr ,taylor's proposal to be accepted4 ,having now stated the result of the several objects for which our journey northward was undertaken1 it may be proper to mention what occurs to us as the best mode of proceeding respecting the measures to be taken for the erection of the ,light-house1 with the construction that appears best suited to the stability of the work4 ,the first object that naturally presents itself is the establishment of the ,floating-,light1 now in preparation1 respecting which some correspondence has taken place between ,mr ,stevenson and ,captain ,huddert of the ,trinity ,board of ,london1 which is now before you4 ,their information is very satisfactory1 and from the measures taken in advising with the ,trinity-,house of ,leith1 it is hoped that every thing relative to the fitting out of the ,prussian-dogger1 purchased for this service1 will be the most complete of the kind1 and the sooner she can be got to her moorings the better1 that the operations at the ,rock may be commenced1 and that the duties may be collected for paying the ,treasury loan1 and otherwise adding to the general fund4 ,the second object that comes under consideration is the inclosing the piece of ground at ,arbroath for a work-yard4 ,this may either be done by a ruble wall or a wooden fence1 but the former is preferable1 because several buildings must be made for stores1 and for floors1 to mark out the different courses with the dove-tails as they form the building1 so that the ruble wall may form part of these buildings4 ,sheds must also be erected for the masons to work in4 ,thirdly1 ,two vessels1 of about #cj tons each1 for conveying stones from ,arbroath to the ,rock1 should1 without delay1 be contracted for4 ,these vessels must be built strong1 and of good materials1 and calculated to work well at sea1 that no opportunity of going to the ,rock may be lost4 ,fourthly1 ,a crane for unloading the vessels should be established at ,arbroath1 and another at the ,rock1 for landing the materials1 as also the necessary tools and triangles1 with tackle for setting the stones in the work-yard1 and at the ,rock likewise1 stone-carriages1 jacks1 c4 ,fifthly1 ,mooring-chains1 anchors1 buoys1 with ropes1 c41 to assist in landing the materials1 and for enabling the men to leave the ,rock when the tide prevents them from working4 ,sixthly1 ,a coffer-dam will be wanted1 to the height of #d or #e feet1 so as to enable the workmen to continue so much longer on the ,rock than they could do1 were the tide allowed to flow over the foundation when it rises above the level of the ,rock4 ,seventhly1 ,although we do not pretend to say that a stage1 for the accommodation of the workmen1 can with certainty be constructed on the ,rock1 yet it might be worth while to attempt the establishment of such a work1 as1 if it did answer1 great facility in carrying forward the work would be obtained2 and1 should the project fail1 the timber and iron can be applied to other uses1 and the expence of the experiment cannot be great4 ,eighthly1 ,a variety of small tools1 for cutting the foundation of the ,rock1 for dove-tailing the stones1 and sundry other uses too tedious to mention1 will also be wanted4 ,ninthly1 ,a quantity of ,aberthaw lime should be procured1 as well as other lime of the best quality which the country affords1 and a small lime-kiln for burning it erected1 and no more burned at once than can be used in a short time1 that it may be always had as fresh as possible1 as the less it is exposed to the air after being burned the better will it cement4 ,pozzolano or tarras should be got1 if possible1 to mix with the lime1 these making the best cement that has yet been discovered2 but1 if it cannot be had1 manganese1 or even burnt ironstone1 will form a good substitute4 ,a quantity of ,parker and ,company's ,roman cement will be wanted1 to keep the sea from washing out the other cement before it has time to harden in the joints4 ,tenthly1 ,oak trenails will be required for fixing down the stones1 while the building is in operation1 and the several courses liable to be washed by the waves4 ,lead for running bolts into the ,rock1 c4 will also be necessary4 ,as to the construction of the ,light-house itself1 we are of opinion1 that it is much better to follow what has been found to answer at the ,edystone1 a situation nearly similar to the present1 than1 in a work so important1 to look for other methods that have not stood the test of trial4 ,it must1 however1 be observed1 that some alteration1 suited to the difference of local circumstances1 ought to be adopted4 ,the ,rock at the ,edystone differs both in form and quality from the ,bell ,rock2 it lies in a slanting direction1 and the higher part was never covered by the tide4 ,it is of a harder quality1 and but small in size2 nothing1 therefore1 was to be found in this case in regard to the wearing or wasting of the ,rock2 and from its limited size1 there was no more space than what merely enabled the engineer to make the erection upon it4 ,the case at the ,bell ,rock is very different1 the ,rock being1 on an average1 not more than four feet higher than low-water of spring-tides4 ,it is of a softer quality1 but the dimensions are large4 ,it therefore becomes necessary that the base should be more extended and flat where it is connected with the ,rock1 so that when the waves break upon it1 they may spend their fury on the base of the ,light-house1 instead of the ,rock itself1 and thereby prevent it from wearing away4 ,the tower should also be higher1 as the tide rises more upon it than on the ,edystone4 ,these1 and a few other alterations1 will adapt the ,edystone plan to the ,bell ,rock1 unless in so far as the light itself is connected2 but this need not now be a subject of inquiry4 ,a ,plan of the ,light-house1 nearly similar to what is proposed1 is handed herewith1 but no plan of the dove-tailing has been made1 nor can it well be done at present1 as the dove-tails must be suited to the different courses of stone as they come from the quarry2 but1 as the principle is similar to that of the ,edystone1 the design may be easily judged of4 ,it is of much importance1 that1 in so hazardous a work as the present1 recourse should speedily be had to advice when occasion requires2 and1 as a ,quorum at all times cannot be got1 it might be advisable to appoint a ,sub-,committee of your number1 to be called together when necessity may require4 7,signed7 ,,john ,,rennie4 ,,robert ,,stevenson4 ,to the ,honourable the ,,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses4 ,,report by ,mr ,,rennie4 ,edinburgh1 ,october #bi4 #ahjg4 ,,gentlemen1 ,i went to the ,bell ,rock on the #eth instant1 when ,i found ,mr ,stevenson with his workmen engaged in preparing the ,rock to receive the foundation of the ,light-house2 also in erecting a ,beacon on it1 for the double purpose of pointing out to mariners the situation of the ,rock more correctly than can be done by the ,floating-,light1 and as an asylum to the men employed on the ,rock1 in case they should be overtaken by the tide before the boats had time to take them to the vessel4 ,mr ,stevenson had been constantly engaged in the different operations for about two months1 during which time he had never been ashore2 and it was fortunate he had taken the resolution of remaining constantly on board1 for1 without this1 there is every reason to believe that the workmen could not have been prevailed on to continue at the work1 they having previously shewn a disposition to leave it2 but by perseverance1 and by allowing them their provisions while on board the vessel and working at the ,rock1 they have not only been prevailed on to remain at the work1 but they now seem to be better satisfied when at the ,rock than on shore2 and as no accident has happened1 although the weather has several times been very stormy1 there is great reason to believe that the workmen1 being now accustomed to the work1 and having gained entire confidence by the success of the past year1 will return with redoubled vigour next season1 and that the work will proceed with much spirit and regularity4 ,the work performed in the course of the present season1 consists first of preparing the ,rock for the foundation of the ,light-house to a certain extent2 but owing to that part of the ,rock where the ,light-house is to stand being very uneven in the surface1 and some of it within #b feet of the level of the sea at low-water of spring-tides1 the time at which the men can work is of course very limited2 and as there would be great danger of shivering the ,rock1 if blasting or any other violent measure were resorted to for expediting the work1 it has been thought better to proceed in the more secure mode of cutting the stone by picks and chisels1 which1 as the ,rock is hard1 and so consumes much time1 considerable progress has been made towards this2 and ,i hope1 by the end of next ,june1 the whole of the ,rock will be completely ready to receive the foundation-course of the ,light-house3 perhaps it may even be ready sooner2 but so much depends on weather1 ,i do not venture to state particularly the time when this most essential object will be completed2 but ,i have great confidence in the zeal ,mr ,stevenson has shewn in the past season1 to prognosticate that he will do all that can be done in the next to expedite the work4 ,a large beacon1 consisting of six main beams of timber1 about #ac inches square1 and #dd feet long1 has been erected on the ,rock2 it forms a pyramid of about #db feet high1 and a base of the same extent4 ,this is well secured to the ,rock with dove-tail cramps1 and with chains and braces4 ,near the top are cross-bars to stiffen the upper part of it1 which have been found of great use1 as the smith's forge for sharping tools was erected there1 and for the last fortnight the tools were sharped1 and various other works done1 which tended greatly to facilitate the operations at the ,rock4 ,the workmen continued there during the time the ,rock was covered with the tide1 which enabled them to begin working the moment the part was uncovered where they were employed1 and it likewise enabled them to work till the last moment1 when the tide began to cover the work4 ,had no such asylum been provided1 the workmen would not only have lost much time in getting from the vessel to the ,rock1 but also in getting from it4 ,this beacon is not yet entirely finished3 a few good tides would enable the workmen to complete it1 and when done1 ,i have great hopes it will be found to resist the storms2 indeed it has resisted several even in the unfinished state it is1 and therefore is a favourable prognostication that it would be stable when completed4 ,there is1 besides1 a provision-chest intended to be placed on its top1 and above this a ball and flag-staff1 so that ,i hope it will be a very useful additional mark for mariners to avoid this dangerous ,rock1 and should be advertised as well as the ,floating-,light4 ,the advanced state of the year renders it necessary that the operations at the ,rock should stand until the spring of the year4 ,this is proposed to be done whenever the beacon is completed2 but during the winter every requisite measure should be taken to proceed with the work for the ,rock as expeditiously as possible4 ,for this purpose ,i must beg leave to recommend to the ,commissioners that the remainder of the articles mentioned in our ,report of the #bfth ,december last1 should be provided with as little delay as possible4 ,the ground taken on lease from ,john ,taylor1 at ,arbroath1 for a wood-yard1 has been covered in part with the necessary buildings and workshops1 but sheds for the masons to work in during the winter season are not yet done4 ,these may be got of the most temporary kind2 if they just keep off the rain it will be enough1 and no delay should take place in procuring them4 ,several cargoes of ,aberdeen and ,dundee stones have been laid down and landed at the yard1 part of which are worked1 and the masons are engaged in working the remainder4 ,i am sorry1 however1 to say1 that neither the supply from ,aberdeen nor ,kingoodie has been so abundant as could be wished4 ,unless exertions far greater than has hitherto appeared be made1 it will be impossible to proceed with the building on the ,rock next season4 ,i accompanied ,mr ,stevenson both to ,aberdeen and ,kingoodie4 ,in viewing the former1 it appears1 that unless stones are purchased from such quarries near ,aberdeen1 as may turn them out1 it is scarcely probable a sufficient quantity of large stones for the lower courses of the ,light-,house can be had in due time from the ,rubieslaw quarries alone4 ,it therefore will be advisable1 that ,mr ,skene empower his agent to purchase from the other quarries whenever blocks of the requisite size can be found4 ,as to the ,kingoodie quarry1 it only wants a little exertion on the part of ,colonel ,mylne's agents1 as the quantity wanted would be easily got in a few weeks1 if exertion such as has been promised be made4 ,the ,floating-,light was completed and moored within the distance of one mile from the ,rock on the #ith ,july1 and for some time the people employed at the ,rock lodged in her2 but the situation in which she was moored has been found not to answer1 as1 after the gale of the #fth ,september last1 which she rode out with perfect safety1 it was found that her cable had been cut by a piece of rock or wreck4 ,she went adrift next day1 luckily without receiving any injury1 but it has been found that there is no clear ground1 7at least that has yet been discovered71 less than the distance of about two miles and a half from the ,rock1 which will render her of no use as a place to accommodate the workmen2 another vessel of some sort must therefore be provided4 ,the ,yacht has been used since the ,float was removed to such a distance1 but as neither the manner she was rigged1 nor her accommodation1 is suitable1 nor indeed can she well be spared from attending the other light-houses1 she cannot be counted upon in future4 ,in my opinion a proper vessel should be purchased1 and fitted up for this purpose1 and she will sell at little discount after the work is completed4 ,one vessel of the description mentioned in the second article of the ,report of #bfth ,december #ahjf1 has been built and fitted out4 ,she has been engaged in carrying materials to the ,rock2 in carrying stones to the yard2 and sundry other matters4 ,a second vessel of the like description should be got ready against the spring1 to carry the stones and materials to the ,rock1 c4 ,two cranes have been purchased for loading and unloading stones2 one has been erected at ,aberdeen1 and the other at ,arbroath2 and they both answer the purpose very well4 ,triangles1 and other necessary apparatus are preparing for the work on the ,rock1 and will be ready against the time they are wanted4 ,mooring-chains and buoys for the vessels employed about the ,rock have also been prepared and laid down4 ,it was proposed1 in the ,report of ,december last1 to have a coffer-dam on the ,rock1 for keeping out the water during a part of the time the tide is flowing2 but it rises so quickly here1 after having turned1 that ,i do not think a coffer-dam will produce advantages adequate to the expence4 ,it is therefore proposed to do the work without any coffer-dam at all3 there has been sufficient trial already made1 to satisfy us respecting its practicability without a coffer-dam4 ,the beacon already erected1 and which there is reason to believe will stand1 renders a stage of the description formerly mentioned unnecessary4 ,it is intended1 should this beacon stand over the winter1 to erect places for the accommodation of the workmen employed at the ,rock on its top4 ,this will greatly facilitate the operations1 as before stated4 ,most of the small tools mentioned in article #ith of ,report of ,december last1 have been procured4 ,some are still wanting2 but these are few4 ,no ,aberthaw lime has been procured1 nor any pozzolano4 ,mr ,stevenson intends to send the ,yacht for a cargo of ,aberthaw limestone1 as soon as she can be spared from the service of the ,light-houses2 and1 if a vessel is purchased for the accommodation of the workmen at the ,rock1 she may also be sent for a cargo of ,aberthaw lime4 ,i have not been able to procure any pozzolano1 although many trials have been made4 ,i have some hopes that a small quantity may still be procured2 but ,i cannot speak with certainty3 if not1 tarras1 or burnt ironstone1 must be used4 ,no oak trenails for the stones have yet been got4 ,mr ,stevenson1 however1 is about to order some from ,southampton2 and ,i hope they will be in time for the work4 ,lead is1 at this time1 very cheap4 ,i submit it to the wisdom of the ,commissioners1 whether it might not be advisable to purchase now what may be wanted for the work4 ,as to the construction of the ,light-house1 ,i submitted a plan to your consideration in the month of ,february last1 7see ,plate ,,vii47 ,according to this plan1 the works are proceeding2 plans of each course of stone have been made2 the whole is dove-tailed1 but somewhat different from the mode pursued at the ,edystone2 they are less in length on the outside1 but deeper in the direction of the radius of the ,light-house1 which will render the structure1 on the whole1 stronger than the ,edystone plan4 ,the extension of the base of the building is also much greater2 and the base is considerably different4 ,by this means1 not only the impulse of the waves on the building will be less1 but their action on the part of the rock adjoining the foundation will be much easier4 ,the ,rock is softer than that on which the ,edystone is built1 but it is harder than ,i imagined when last here4 ,on the whole1 ,i feel confident1 that this work will be brought to a successful termination1 within a reasonable period4 ,the knowledge which has been acquired by the operations of the last season1 impresses me with additional confidence in the practicability of the work1 although confident1 from the commencement1 that1 with proper care and attention1 such a work might1 with certainty1 be completed4 ,the necessity of ,mr ,stevenson's remaining much at the ,rock while the operations are going forward1 render it necessary that some person1 by way of agent1 should be appointed to pay money at ,arbroath1 and to credit and settle accounts4 ,as to this the ,commissioners will order as they think right4 ,i am1 honourable gentlemen1 your most obedient servant1 7,signed7 ,,john ,,rennie4 ,to the ,honourable the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses4 ,,report by ,mr ,,rennie4 ,edinburgh1 #abth ,december #ahjh4 ,,gentlemen1 ,i visited the ,bell ,rock on the #beth ult4 ,the weather was favourable1 but the tide did not ebb so low as to allow me to examine the foundation of the masonry so completely as ,i could have wished2 but as there was little swell1 ,i was enabled to form a tolerable judgment concerning the perfection with which it is executed1 and this1 ,i have the pleasure to say1 is very favourable4 ,the ,rock was nearly all cut last season1 but several parts in the interior was hollow1 and others appearing unsound1 they could not be cut out without a serious expence in money1 as well as a great loss of time4 ,it was therefore judged preferable to make up these places with stone1 and1 accordingly1 #ag stones have been let into different parts of the foundation1 which brought the whole on which the ,tower stands to a level2 on which level1 the first course of #ab inches was laid in ,august1 and the outer-edge margin of this course1 was nicely fitted all round to the rock1 which1 in every place except one1 as ,i have been told by ,mr ,stevenson1 projects higher than the upper part of it1 by which1 the base may be said to be completely indented into the ,rock4 ,above this #ab inch course1 two others1 of #ah inches1 have been laid1 and it gives me great satisfaction to inform you1 that they are done in a very complete manner1 and the mortar1 in all the outside joints1 has not been at all affected by the sea beating upon it4 ,a very small quantity was out of some of the inside joints1 which1 ,i am told1 had arisen from the sea catching it 7the weather being unfavourable7 while the course was laying2 this has been directed to be made up1 and covered with ,roman cement1 which will render it as perfect as if no such thing had happened4 ,it is here proper to remark1 that although the pozzolano mortar forms the best of all cements ,i have seen1 yet it does not acquire a sufficient degree of induration to resist the effect of heavy waves for several weeks after it is used4 ,the ,roman1 or ,parker's cement1 acquires almost an immediate induration1 capable of resisting the heavy waves2 but it never acquires so great a degree of induration1 nor does it bind the stones so well together as the pozzolano mortar ultimately does4 ,its use1 therefore1 is to guard or preserve the pozzolano mortar until it has time to harden1 which it does most effectually1 and therefore every joint should be plastered over with this cement as soon as laid4 ,the place where the lower or #ab inch course is above the ,rock1 should be made up with stone of the same quality as the ,rock itself4 ,these stones should be dove-tailed into the rock1 and laid with pozzolano mortar1 secured by the ,roman cement1 the same as the other2 for if done with harder stone 7should the rock waste at all7 it would resist the waves better than the soft1 and occasion a more speedy waste of the other parts of the ,rock than the ,tower4 ,all the protuberances of the ,rock round the base of the ,tower1 should likewise be cut off1 and smoothed1 so as to form a regular curve at the base of the ,tower1 by this means there will be no place for the waves to catch1 and their action will be regular on the whole1 and ,i have no doubt1 when so done1 there will be little or no wasting in the rock itself4 ,the operations in the work-yard seem to be proceeding with much regularity1 and there is a good stock of materials now there4 ,two courses are nearly completed on the platform1 and as the diameter of the ,tower diminishes fast1 ,i have little doubt that there will be several other courses ready by the season that the work can with safety be resumed on the ,rock2 so that if the next season is at all favourable1 ,i would fain hope the whole solid part of the ,tower may be completed2 every course of stone will raise it so much above the rock1 and1 of course1 prolong the time of working a tide1 until it is above the top of the springs1 and then1 if materials can be landed at the rock in sufficient quantity1 the laying of them on the ,tower will proceed with little or no interruption4 ,to secure a regular supply1 another ,praam or ,stone-lighter should be got ready by the end of ,april next4 ,mr ,stevenson has already received proposals for the building of one1 and the sooner it is set about the better4 ,it will also be necessary to build or hire another vessel1 to assist the ,smeaton in carrying out the stones from the work-yard2 ,i apprehend it will be best to hire a vessel for that purpose1 as the services required of her will be of short duration4 ,about #aj tons more of pozzolano will probably be wanted1 and this ,i have been able to procure through the friendship of the ,hull ,dock ,company2 it is already ground1 and now lying there to be shipped4 ,a small additional quantity of ,aberthaw limestone is likewise to be procured1 by the kelp-vessels that trade to ,bristol1 as a return freight4 ,it happens1 rather unfortunately1 that some of the granite quarries about ,aberdeen have veins of a soft sort1 which ,i have reason to believe decomposes with the sea and weather4 ,some of these stones have1 unluckily1 been sent to the work-yard4 ,my decided opinion is1 that all of this kind should be laid aside for the out-side work1 and others of a good quality procured in their place4 ,they can be substituted for the ,dundee stone1 and1 therefore1 although some loss will by this means be sustained1 it will1 on the whole1 be trivial4 ,i am1 ,gentlemen1 your most humble servant1 7,signed7 ,,john ,,rennie4 ,to the ,honourable the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses4 ,no4 ,v4 ,,remarks relative to the ,ground-swells of the ,sea4 ,sidenote3 ,wasting ,effects of the ,ocean4 ,in the ,memoirs of the ,wernerian ,natural ,history ,society1 ,vol4 ,,iii4 p4 #had41 and in the ,edinburgh ,philosophical ,journal1 ,vol4 ,,iii4 p4 #db41 the subject of the ,wasting ,effects of the ,sea upon the firm ground1 is variously treated by the writer2 and is here alluded to1 in reference to the production of the appearance termed a ,ground-swell1 so often observed on our shores4 ,in these papers it has been assumed1 that the ,german ,ocean1 or ,north ,sea1 bounded partly by the coasts of ,great ,britain1 ,norway1 ,denmark1 ,germany1 ,holland1 and ,france1 as will be seen from ,plate ,,iii41 is almost every where wasting and extending its margin1 upon the principle of its forming the great receptacle for all the debris of the surrounding countries above mentioned1 which have a direct tendency to lessen its capacity for containing the waters which flow into it from the ,atlantic1 by the apertures between the shores of ,scotland and ,norway1 towards the north1 and between ,dover and ,calais1 to the south4 ,these passages may respectively be conceived as admitting a constant quantity1 while this great basin is continually receiving the debris of the extensive tracts of country which surround it1 through the medium of the innumerable rivers and streams that fall into it4 ,sidenote3 ,wasting ,effects of the ,ocean4 ,upon similar principles1 the extensive lakes of interior countries become so many receptacles for the debris of their respective districts2 and must in the lapse of time1 contain less water1 in proportion to the cubical contents of solid matters carried into them4 ,so it is upon the great scale with the basin of the ,north ,sea1 from the extensive banks deposited therein1 which lessen its capacity1 and thereby give a tendency to the water which flows into it to overflow and waste its margin1 producing1 under various modifications1 those heavy swells in the ,sea to which we now allude4 ,with this state of things in view1 we may now inquire into the effects of the storms which agitate the waters of the ,atlantic1 and reach our shores only in the form of what has been significantly termed a ,ground-swell2 which may partly be illustrated from the storm described in page #cab4 of this work4 ,we accordingly find the waters of the ,north ,sea often in an agitated state1 without any apparent cause1 though no doubt proceeding from distant storms at sea4 ,hence1 a continued gale from the westward1 passing along the ,atlantic ,ocean1 overcharges all the seas and inlets communicating immediately with it4 ,under these circumstances1 although the surface of the ,north ,sea be comparatively smooth1 yet having acquired motion to a considerable depth from the distant storm1 it continues to produce the effect of a ,ground-swell for a considerable period4 ,a swell of this description is almost constantly observable in the ,bay of ,biscay1 owing to its exposure to the ,atlantic1 and from the configuration of the bounding land between ,cape ,finesterre in ,spain1 ,ushant in ,france1 and the relative position of the ,british ,isles4 ,here the ,ground-swells1 proceeding from the same cause as those of the ,north ,sea1 are either the precursors of a gale of wind1 or the effects of one which does not reach us4 ,similar1 though less evident effects1 are produced by gales of wind which may be conceived to be confined to the boundary of the ,north ,sea itself4 ,hence the heavy waves which often break upon the eastern shores of ,great ,britain1 without any apparent cause at the time1 are afterwards found to arise from storms at sea4 ,but the heaviest ,ground-swells of the ,north ,sea are produced by gales from the north-east1 which proceed in a progressive manner along the inclined plane of its bed1 until the waves1 by impinging upon the bottom and sides of the firm ground1 are so disturbed that they ultimately cease1 after wasting the whole extent of the shores1 and sometimes causing the most destructive effects upon the coast of ,holland1 forming the southern extremity of this great basin4 ,no4 ,,vi4 ,sidenote3 ,materials4 ,,schedule1 containing an ,enumeration of the ,,materials used in the ,erection of the ,bell ,rock ,light-,house4 ,key3 ,a ,total #ij ---------------------------------------- --------------- ,course4 ,granite in ,pieces4 ,sandstone in ,pieces4 ,granite in cubic feet4 ,sandstone in cubic feet4 ,tons of ,sandstone and ,granite4 ,sandstone ,joggles4 ,oak ,trenails4 ,oak ,wedges in pairs4 ,pozzolano in ,barrels4 ,lime in ,barrels4 ,sand in ,barrels4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------- #a #d #ad #f #adf #aj4hia #a4e #b4b #a4a #b #eb #ga #ejh #hgf #aja4fdh #ac #bdf #cgh #ac4f #ai4i #aj4g #c #eb #hd #hjh #abfi #aeb4gig #ac #bdf #dcg #af4i #bd4h #ac4c #d #eb #ga #fif #ajji #abe4fji #ac #bdf #djj #ad4e #ba4b #aa4d #e #ec #ed #eic #hdi #ajf4beh #ac #bab #ccf #ab4e #ah4c #i4h #f #bf #ga #dib #gij #id4bge #ac #aid #bgj #aa4h #ag4b #i4b #g #bf #eh #bch #gfg #gc4jid #ac #afh #bdb #h4c #ab4c #f4f #h #bf #de #aif #edg #ed4adh #ac #adb #bfh #g4d #aa4j #e4h #i #bf #de #bfd #dbf #ej4gcg #ac #adb #bbi #f4c #i4c #e4j #aj #bf #de #bib #fjf #fe4gdh #ac #adb #bbi #g4f #aa4j #e4i #aa #bf #de #cci #cfc #eb4jjf #ac #adb #bbi #f4c #i4c #e4j #ab #af #cg #afj #dfb #de4cjh #h #ajh #ahd #e4g #h4d #d4e #ac #af #cg #aid #cdg #ci4gji #h #ajh #ahd #e4j #g4d #c4i #ad #af #cg #afh #cbi #cf4dbc #h #ajh #ahd #d4h #g4j #c4g #ae #af #cg #ahh #cja #ce4ifb #h #ajh #ahd #d4f #f4h #c4f #af #af #cg #aec #cba #cd4fih #h #ajh #ahd #d4g #f4i #c4g #ag #af #cg #ahb #cjh #cf4jjj #h #ajc #ahd #d4g #f4i #c4g #ah #af #cg #aec #big #cb4ihc #h #ajh #ahd #d4d #f4d #c4d #ai #af #cg #ahj #cjd #ce4efj #h #ajh #ahd #d4e #f4f #c4e #bj #af #bi #aif #cjh #cg4jgg #h #ajh #aeb #d4c #f4c #c4d #ba #af #bi #baa #bfd #ce4jhh #h #ib #aeb #d4b #f4a #c4b #bb #af #bi #ajj #caa #bi4ijf #h #ib #aeb #c4i #e4g #c4j #bc #af #bi #agg #bch #cj4fae #h #ib #aeb #c4i #e4g #c4j #bd #af #bi #adg #cjc #cb4iea #h #ib #aeb #c4i #e4f #c4j #be #af #bi #adi #bce #bh4bdh #h #ib #aeb #c4e #e4b #b4h #bf #f #ci #adb #bej #bh4ghj #h #ib #aeb #c4e #e4b #b4h #bg #ch #cae #bb4ejj #h #gi #fg #c4j #d4d #b4d #bh #cc #bei #ah4ejj #h #ff #eh #b4h #d4a #b4b #bi #bf #bcf #af4heg #h #ed #fa #b4i #d4b #b4b #cj #bf #bdi #ag4ghf #h #eb #ed #b4d #c4d #a4h #ca #be #bch #ag4jjj #h #ej #fh #b4b #c4c #a4h #cb #bf #bgd #ai4ega #h #eb #fi #b4c #c4c #a4h #cc #bh #cjb #ba4ega #h #ef #gh #b4f #c4h #b4j #cd #cj #bif #ba4adc #h #fj #hj #b4g #d4j #b4a #ce #cb #bga #ai4ceg #h #fd #hj #c4j #d4e #b4d #cf #cb #bff #ai4jjj #h #fd #hj #b4e #c4g #b4j #cg #cb #bgi #ai4ibi #h #fd #hj #b4c #c4e #a4h #ch #bd #bge #ai4fdc #a4e #b4b #b4j #ci #af #ach #i4heg #a4b #a4h #a4f #dj #af #acf #i4gad #a4b #a4g #a4e #da #ad #acc #i4ejj #a4a #a4f #a4d #db #ad #adb #aj4adc #a4a #a4f #a4d #dc #af #adj #aj4jjj #a4a #a4f #a4d #dd #af #aci #i4ibi #a4b #a4h #a4f #de #af #ace #i4fdc #a4a #a4g #a4d #df #af #acb #i4dbi #a4a #a4f #a4d #dg #ah #bfa #ah4fdc #af #fd #b4j #c4j #a4e #dh #af #aah #h4dbi #a4j #a4e #j4h #di #af #aae #h4bad #a4j #a4e #j4h #ej #ad #aad #h4adc #a4j #a4e #j4h #ea #ad #abc #h4ghf #j4i #a4d #j4g #eb #af #abb #h4gad #j4i #a4d #j4g #ec #af #aae #h4bad #a4j #a4e #j4h #ed #af #aac #h4jgb #a4j #a4e #j4h #ee #af #ajb #g4bhf #j4i #a4d #j4g #ef #ah #beh #ah4dbh #af #fd #b4j #c4a #a4e #eg #af #ig #f4ibi #j4i #a4d #j4g #eh #af #ajd #g4dbi #j4i #a4d #j4g #ei #ad #if #f4heg #j4i #a4d #j4g #fj #ad #ajb #g4bhf #j4g #a4a #j4e #fa #af #ajj #g4adc #j4h #a4b #j4f #fb #af #ig #f4ibi #j4h #a4c #j4f #fc #af #ij #f4dbi #j4g #a4a #j4e #fd #af #hf #f4adc #b4j #c4a #a4e #fe #ah #bbh #af4bhh #af #fd #j4f #j4i #j4d #ff #af #hc #e4ibi #j4g #a4j #j4e #fg #af #hb #e4hei #j4f #j4i #j4d #fh #af #hh #f4bhf #j4d #j4g #j4c #fi #ab #gf #e4dbi #j4f #j4i #j4d #gj #af #gd #e4bhf #j4f #j4i #j4d #ga #af #ie #f4ghf #a4j #a4e #j4h #gb #af #gg #e4ejj #b4j #c4a #a4e #gc #af #ge #e4ceg #b4e #c4g #b4j #gd #ah #bbe #af4jga #af #fd #b4j #c4a #a4e #ge #af #gc #e4baf #j4f #j4h #j4d #gf #af #gc #e4baf #j4g #a4a #j4e #gg #af #hb #e4hei #j4f #j4g #j4d #gh #ab #fb #d4dbi #j4e #j4g #j4d #gi #ab #fb #d4dbi #j4f #j4i #j4d #hj #ab #ge #e4ceg #j4f #j4i #j4d #ha #af #gj #e4jjj #a4j #a4e #j4h #hb #af #aha #ab4ibi #a4j #a4e #j4h #hc #af #aij #ac4ega #af #b4j #c4a #a4e #hd #af #beg #ah4ceg #af #b4j #c4a #a4e #he #af #bih #ba4bhf #af #b4e #c4g #b4j #hf #h #fb #d4dbi #j4d #j4g #j4c #hg #h #fj #d4bhf #j4d #j4f #j4c #hh #h #ef #d4jjj #j4c #j4f #j4b #hi #h #eb #c4gaf #j4c #j4e #j4b #ij #h #dh #c4dbi #j4b #j4e #j4a ---------------------------------------- --------------- ,a #eiibbcfficbbaeihbjge4idedejdjfefehebee4 jcgg4i #bjd4e ---------------------------------------- --------------- ,masonry1 #bjge4ide ,lantern1 and its ,apparatus1 #g4ejj -------- ,total in ,tons1 #bjhc4dde ,in this ,table1 #ac cubic feet are allowed to a ton of ,granite1 and #ad cubic feet to a ton of ,sandstone4 ,sidenote3 ,workmanship4 ,,schedule1 shewing the ,extent and ,description of ,,work executed on the ,sandstone and ,granite employed in the ,erection of the ,bell ,rock ,light-house4 ,key3 ,a ,total #ij ,course4 ,granite ,beds and ,joints in superficial feet4 ,sandstone ,beds and ,joints in sup4 feet4 ,granite face-work in superficial feet4 ,sandstone face-work4 ,sandstone polish-work4 ,granite boring in lineal feet4 ,sandstone boring in lineal feet4 ,granite wedge grooves in lin4 feet4 ,sandstone wedge grooves in lin4 feet4 ,granite ,lewis holes4 ,sand- stone ,lewis holes4 ---------------------------------------- ------ #a #ejj #ah #b #aafe #cced #acb #aef #bfd #bjh #agj #b #ga #c #bdgb #cada #bge #bjh #cbe #bfj #dba #b #hd #d #ahcb #bihj #bfe #bjh #cbe #cjj #cjj #b #ga #e #agce #bdjf #bbj #bjh #bea #cjj #bjd #b #ed #f #aabj #bghh #aif #ajd #caf #aef #cdi #f #ga #g #fgi #bajj #aei #fi #bfg #ach #ahe #f #eh #h #fac #aheh #aaj #gh #ahd #ajd #afd #f #de #i #gej #acei #aac #hb #aff #aac #abe #f #de #aj #fbf #ahhg #aaa #hg #agc #aab #ade #f #de #aa #hih #abaf #aad #ia #aha #acj #aef #f #de #ab #eai #acid #ij #ea #abe #fi #abj #f #cg #ac #ebb #aaeg #hg #ea #abe #fi #abj #f #cg #ad #ddc #aadh #hf #ea #abe #fi #abj #f #cg #ae #eci #iig #hd #ea #abe #fi #abj #f #cg #af #ddh #aabc #hb #ea #abe #fi #abj #f #cg #ag #dhd #ajic #hj #ea #abe #fi #abj #f #cg #ah #dcj #ajcf #gi #ea #abe #fi #abj #f #cg #ai #dfg #ajbc #hd #ef #acd #gd #abi #f #cg #bj #dhd #ieb #hi #ef #aaj #hj #aad #f #bi #ba #eac #hgb #hg #ef #aaj #hj #aad #f #bi #bb #cai #iha #hb #ec #aac #gf #aah #f #bi #bc #dfd #hbi #gh #ec #aac #gf #aah #f #bi #bd #cfa #ibf #hh #ei #ajg #hc #aaa #f #bi #be #chh #hjb #gg #ef #aaj #hj #aad #f #bi #bf #cgj #hah #gf #ef #aaj #hj #aad #f #ci #bg #ajag #gj #cf #acj #gh #ch #bh #idc #fb #ca #ii #eh #cc #bi #ief #fa #ca #ha #fa #bf #cj #ghe #fa #cj #gh #ed #bf #ca #ged #fj #cj #ge #fh #be #cb #gfb #gj #ce #hg #hj #bf #cc #hfh #gc #dg #ih #ig #bh #cd #ijh #fh #bc #ajj #ic #cj #ce #ajbb #fh #bc #ajf #ic #cb #cf #hed #fd #ba #ajf #hf #cb #cg #ghb #ga #be #aab #ajj #cb #ch #ejb #gj #aaa #bd #ci #dba #ef #cg #af #dj #dag #ef #cg #af #da #cia #ee #cg #ad #db #cgb #fj #dd #ad #dc #chc #fj #dd #af #dd #dji #ei #dj #af #de #cie #ei #dj #af #df #chh #eh #dj #af #dg #fhe #fg #bca #hj #ah #dh #cfa #ed #ch #af #di #ceb #ed #ch #af #ej #cce #ed #eb #ad #ea #cbb #fd #dd #ad #eb #cae #fd #dd #af #ec #cce #eh #di #af #ed #cci #eh #da #af #ee #cah #ed #ch #af #ef #fgb #fe #bca #hj #ah #eg #cbj #ea #ch #af #eh #cah #ea #ch #af #ei #cja #ea #dh #ad #fj #bej #fj #da #ad #fa #bgc #fj #da #af #fb #bih #ee #di #af #fc #bid #ea #da #af #fd #bid #ea #da #af #fe #fde #ee #bca #hj #ah #ff #bgg #di #ch #af #fg #bgd #di #ch #af #fh #bej #ec #eg #af #fi #aib #dc #fa #ab #gj #aih #dc #fa #af #ga #bhb #eg #dd #af #gb #bei #di #ch #af #gc #bed #di #ch #af #gd #fde #ea #bdg #hj #ah #ge #bji #de #de #af #gf #bdg #ec #da #af #gg #bbf #eg #eb #af #gh #afe #ed #fa #ab #gi #bba #ed #fa #ab #hj #bbe #eb #di #ab #ha #cfh #di #ch #af #hb #fgi #aae #af #hc #hdf #afj #af #hd #fga #adh #af #he #afe #cii #af #hf #aeg #ib #h #hg #adg #ia #h #hh #ach #ij #h #hi #abi #hi #h #ij #abj #hh #h ---------------------------------------- ------- ,a #ahfdaffddjbiddcadedcggbjicecjfbicceagie idbbdj ---------------------------------------- ------- ,no4 ,,vii4 ,,abstract-,,account ,,of ,,the ,,expence ,,of ,,erecting ,,the ,,bell-,,rock ,,light-,,house1 ,,and ,,of ,,executing ,,the ,,ulterior ,,works ,,connected ,,with ,,that ,,establishment4 ,,wages ,,and ,,premiums4 ,wages of artificers while off at the ,bell ,rock1 and in the work-yards at ,arbroath and ,edinburgh1 where the stones were cut and prepared in regular courses1 ,l4#aa1ihj #ae #h ,premiums to artificers for ,sundays' work and extra hours upon the ,rock1 and in the ,work-yard at ,arbroath1 #iih #ad #i ,premiums to seamen1 including ,sundays' work at the ,bell ,rock1 #dgc #e #f ,note4--,masons and smiths were paid at the rate of #cs4 #d;d41--mill-wrights #cs4 #f;d41--joiners #cs41 and labourers at from #bs4 #b;d4 to #bs4 #h;d4 per day2 besides lodgings ashore1 and victuals while afloat4--,the premiums paid to artificers were at the rate of #f;d4 per hour for extra time2 eight hours constituting a day's work at the ,rock4--,the seamen were paid at the same rate on ,sundays as on week days4 ,amount for wages and premiums to artificers1 and including premiums to seamen1 ---- ,l4 #ac1deb #ae #aa ,,building ,,materials4 #ce1ieb cubic feet of ,sandstone from ,mylnefield quarry1 dressed to the quarry-moulds1 and put on ship-board1 ,l4 #c1dab #ah #e ,extra dressing in reducing the courses to regular thicknesses at ,mylnfield1 #ffg #b #h #agjj cubic feet of sandstone from ,craigleith ,quarry for the cornice and parapet wall of the ,light-room1 #bjj #j #aj #ac1ifd cubic feet of granite from ,rubieslaw and other quarries at ,aberdeen1 and from ,cairngall near ,peterhead1 #a1igi #a #d ,extra dressing in reducing the granite stones to the quarry-moulds1 and to regular thicknesses1 to suit the respective courses1 including cartage and charges of shipping1 #a1bia #g #b #dj ,tons of ,pozzolano-earth in casks1 #cih #c #d #fj ,tons of ,aberthaw-limestone1 including freight from ,south ,wales1 #gh #ad #b #ajj ,bushels ,parker's or ,roman cement1 including casks and shipping charges1 #dc #ab #j #f ,tons of ,tarras1 including casks and shipping charges1 #eb #ai #aj ,casks for carrying lime and sand from the workyard to the ,bell ,rock1 #ch #c #c #dhbd oaken trenails1 from #ba to #bd inches and #faie oaken wedges1 from #ab to #ah inches in length1 #baf #a #f ,note4--,the quarry price of ,sandstone varied from #as4 to #bs4 #i;d41 and ,granite from #as4 #c;d4 to #es4 per cubic foot4 ,pozzolano from ,l4 #f to ,l4 #ad per ton4 ,tarras from ,l4 #f1 #ajs4 to ,l4 #aa per ton4 ,limestone was #as4 per ton4 ,cement varied from #es4 to #fs4 #f;d4 per bushel2 oaken trenails from ,l4 #a to ,l4 #e per hundred1 and wedges were ,l4 #a3 #f3 #f per hundred4 ,amount for ,building ,materials1 ---- #h1cgh #d #a ,,implements ,,and ,,machinery ,,for ,,the ,,works1 ,,including ,,beacon-,,house1 ,,cast-,,iron ,,railways1 c4 c4 7,,see ,,plates ,,viii41 ,,ix41 ,x41 ,,xiv41 ,,xvii41 ,,and ,,xviii47 #dffb cubic feet of ,memel and ,swedish timber1 and #dhj ,petersburgh deals for the use of the ,beacon-house1 cast-iron ,railways and wharfs upon the ,bell ,rock1 and for making moulds for the stone-cutters1 ,l4 #a1dcf #ai #g #fi tons #i cwt4 of cast-iron for ,railways1 #hab #ae #aa #be1hic lb4 malleable iron in stanchions1 bats1 knees1 stays1 bracing-chains1 screw and spear bolts1 including other apparatus for the use of the ,beacon-house and ,railways1 #a1bdd #c #g #ai ,tons #ac cwt4 #b qrs4 #c lb4 cast-iron1 #ad1jjb lb4 malleable iron1 and #eje lb4 of brass for cranes1 winch-machines1 and other apparatus1 #a1aia #ad #g ,cordage for cranes1 c4 #dji #a #j ,two large ,sling or ,woolwich-carts1 for conveying large blocks of stone1 fitted up with wheel and pinion-work for slinging or lifting the stones off the ground1 #aej #c #f #ae1ddf lb4 quarry and stone-cutters' tools2 #aa1icd lb4 malleable iron1 and #gga lb4 steel1 used in the work-yard2 exclusively of tools1 nails1 and other furnishings connected with joiners' and smiths' shops2 but including stone-jacks and common carts used in work-yard1 c4 c41 #a1efg #aj #a ,note4--,the price of fir-timber varied from #cs4 to #es4 #f;d4 per cubic foot2 cast-iron from ,l4 #aj1 #ajs4 to ,l4 #bc3f3h per ton2 chains and axles1 c4 #f;d4 to #as4 per lb42 quarry and stone-cutters tools from #f;d4 to #aj;d4 per lb42 ,swedish and ,british bar-iron from ,l4 #ba to ,l4 #bi per ton4 ,steel was #g;d4 per lb41 and brass #as4 #aj;d4 per lb4 ,amount for ,machinery1 c4 ---- #f1hab #h #d ,,shipping4 ,price of the hull of a ,prussian fishing-dogger1 ,l4 #bej #j #b ,carpenter-work1 altering and fitting up the dogger as the ,pharos ,floating-light1 #a1cig #ab #h ,two sets of chains1 with mushroom anchors1 spare shackles and swivels1 c41 for mooring her off the ,bell ,rock1 the whole weighing about #ac1jhc lb4 of malleable1 and #cbjj lb4 of cast-iron1 #dfb #i #d ,outfit in hempen cables1 sails and rigging1 including #aa tons cast-iron1 ballast1 ship-hearth1 cabin-stoves1 alarm-bell1 c41 #a1ffd #b #c ,three large copper lanterns1 glazed with plate glass1 7so constructed1 that the ship's masts passed through them71 fitted with brass chandeliers for #fj agitable-lamps1 each having a small silvered-copper reflector1 #cig #a #b ,freight of a vessel1 and expence of laying down the moorings for the ,floating-light1 #ha #e #f ,wear and tear of the ,floating-light riding off the ,bell ,rock1 from ,july #ahjg till ,february #ahaa1 #a1jei #aa #e ,advertising the mooring and exhibition of the ,floating-light1 generally1 in the ,newspapers of the ,united ,kingdom1 #bbg #ah #i ,victualling the crew of the ,floating-light1 including occasional subsisting money and board-wages while ashore1 #a1adi #ah #g ,pay of the master1 mate1 principal and assistant light-keepers1 and seven seamen1 from #ahjg to ,march #ahaa1 #a1fcb #ab #h ---- #h1cbb #ab #e ,first ,cost and ,outfit of the ,sir ,joseph ,banks ,tender of #hd tons register1 the ,sloop ,smeaton of #db tons1 the ,sloop ,patriot of #df tons1 and of four ,stone ,lighters of about #ae tons each1 including wear and tear during the progress of the works1 ,l4 #e1dcf #i #g ,bedding for seamen and artificers during the progress of the works1 #cdi #g #b ,victualling seamen and artificers afloat1 including occasional subsisting money for seamen while ashore1 #b1icj #ab #g ,pay of the masters1 mates1 and seamen of the respective vessels1 #b1dcd #b #b ,freight of hired vessels bringing stone from ,mylnefield1 ,aberdeen1 and ,peterhead quarries1 and timber and cast-iron from ,leith and other ports to ,arbroath1 #icj #ag #aa ,port charges and sailing disbursements of the several vessels1 #ceh #h #d ,insurance of ,shipping1 effected only for a limited period1 #fdg #ab #f #ad ,mushroom ,anchors1 weighing #ac tons #g cwts4 #j qrs4 #aj lb4 of cast-iron1 #bce #ae #h #bh1def lb4 malleable iron1 in mooring-chains1 shanks of mushroom-anchors1 spare swivels and shackles1 #hia #aa #b #af ,large mooring buoys of coopers' work1 and one of carpenters' work1 #def #ai #b ,note4--,pay of the masters of the respective vessels in the service was from ,l4 #e to ,l4 #f1 #fs41 mates from ,l4 #d to ,l4 #e1 #es41 principal light-keeper ,l4 #e1 #es41 assistant light-keeper ,l4 #c1 #aes41 seamen from ,l4 #b1 #ajs4 to ,l4 #c1 #aes4 per month4 ,officers' occasional subsisting money #bs41 and seamens' #as4 #h;d4 per day4 ,the price of the hulls of the vessels were from ,l4 #i1 #aes4 to ,l4 #aj per ton1 and cordage from ,l4 #gg to ,l4 #acj per ton2 cordage subject to a discount of #g per cent42 other articles generally to #e per cent4 ,amount for shipping1 ---- #ad1fga #af #d ,,light-,,room1 c4 7,see ,plates ,,xvi4 and ,,xx47 ,lantern or ,light-room with tinned copper roof1 #h cast-iron sashes1 #h feet in height1 glazed with #dh squares of plate-glass1 measuring #ac by #bf inches4 ,malleable iron stays1 copper rings1 flag-staff1 and signal-ball1 c4 ,l4 #a1ace #a #aa #bd ,reflectors raised to the parabolic-curve1 made from copper plated1 in the proportion of #f oz4 of silver to each lb4 of copper2 arranged upon a malleable iron chandelier1 furnished with brass fountains1 and argand burners1 including a train of ,revolving-machinery1 and two alarm-bells1 set upon tripods on the balcony1 c4 #a1bhg #ag #b ,balcony-railing of cast-iron1 with brass supports and top-rail2 and a conductor or thunder-rod extending1 from the ,light-room to the ,rock1 #baf #j #c ,amount of ,light-room1 c4 ---- #b1fch #ai #d ,,ulterior ,,works1 c4 7,see ,plate ,,xii47 ,finishing and ,completing the interior of the ,light-house1 with wainscot partitions1--doors1-- trap-ladders1--furniture of oaken-timber for the several apartments1--kitchen range with cast-iron chimney1--tinned-copper oil cisterns--brass and copper bolts and hinges for doors1--window-shutters1--brasslocks1--b rass hand-rails for inside stairs1--water-cisterns1 and coal magazines1 c4 ,l4 #a1dhi #af #f ,erecting permanent ,railways upon the ,bell ,rock1 improving the wharfs or landing places1 and removing the ,beacon-house1 #a1cch #af #f ,houses erected for the families of the light-keepers and seamen of the ,tender1 signal-tower1 store-houses1 and sea-wall1 at ,arbroath1 #d1ejj #h #c ,the price of about #a acre of ground for a garden1 trenching1 and enclosing it for the use of the light-keepers1 and seamen1 and their families1 #a1aeh #ah #aj ,the price of a pew of #ad sittings in the parish-church of ,arbroath1 for the use of the ,light-keepers and their families1 #eb #aj #j ,note4--,wainscot #gs4 #f;d4 per foot1 brass #as4 #h;d4 to #bs4 per lb4 ,amount for ,ulterior ,works1 ---- #h1edj #aj #a ,,incidents4 ,expence of ,act of ,parliament1 ,l4 #edh #h #j ,travelling charges connected with the work1 #cab #ad #g ,incidental charges for stamps and postages1 including letters for artificers afloat1 salary for ,engineer's clerk1 c4 #hhb #e #a ,advertising the exhibition of the ,light upon the ,bell ,rock1 and the discontinuance of the ,floating-light1 on the #ast of ,february #ahaa1 #bai #aj #c ,the cost-price of the artificers barracks1 platform of aisler-masonry for fitting the courses before shipping them to the ,rock1--engineer's office1--smith and joiner's shops1--store-house and stable1 estimated at #a1bee #e #f ,rent of the work-yard1 and compensation to the landlord for taking it off the hands of the ,commissioners before the expiry of the lease1 #agd #ai #f ,price1 hire1 and keep of work-horses1 #eic #e #aa #dha tons coals1 used in the artificers' barracks1 smith's-shop1 lime-kiln in the work-yard1 and at the beacon-house1 c4 #cdg #d #b ,shore-dues upon materials for the ,light-house1 and other articles during the progress of the works1 #bgj #i #f #eg dozen of flambeaux1 for night-work at the ,bell ,rock1 #cb #i #f ,stationery and books for ,engineer's office1 and shipping1 #acd #aj #h ,one five feet ,achromatic-telescope with brass-stand1 steadying-rods1 two eye-tubes1 a mahogany-stand with night-glass for signal-room1 #ce #a #j ,pension1 and ,sick lists for wages of artificers and seamen when off work1 medical attendance1 c4 #ibe #ab #b ,superintendence of engineers1 and plans1 including ,l4 #cjj to ,captain ,brodie1 #d1heh #ac #e ,interest upon ,l4 #be1jjj of ,government loan1 up to ,march #ahaj1 #c1ddf #aa #e ,treasury fees for ,exchequer bonds1 c4 #bce #aj #d ,note4--,price of coal #acs4 #d;d4 to #ais4 per ton4 ,oats from #bjs4 to #bcs4 per boll4 ,hay from #aj;d4 to #as4 #c;d4 per stone of #bb lb4 ,amount for ,incidents ---- #ad1bgb #aa #a ,amount of gross expenditure in erecting the ,light-house1 including ,ulterior ,works1 ,l4 #gg1jhi #ag #h ,sidenote3 ,gross ,expenditure4 ,sidenote3 ,deductions4 ,,deductions4 ,for workmens' barracks1 implements1 machinery1 shipping and old materials1 disposed of by public sale1 or transferred to the ,northern ,light-houses for the general service of the ,board1 at the conclusion of the works4 ,by the price of the workmens' barracks1 storehouses and offices in the work-yard at ,arbroath1 ,l4 #gjj #j #j ,by old gable-walls1 lime-house1 and sundries in workyard1 and engineer's office1 #eb #h #b ,by the price of three work horses and carts sold at different times1 #hf #j #j ,by fulzie of stable and work-yard1 #ba #ag #j ,by stone-shivers sold by public sale at different times1 including #bcb cart loads for the use of the ,roads in the vicinity of ,arbroath1 #dh #d #f ,by artificers' time three weeks at ,mylnefield1 deducted from ,quarry ,account1 #db #j #j ,by two large ,woolwich-carts1 #ee #j #j ,by sundries1 sold in the work-yard1 by public sale1 at the conclusion of the work1 #aba #af #e ,by the price of two cast-iron cranes1 in use upon the quays at ,aberdeen and ,arbroath1 and a small boring-machine used in the work-yard1 #bgc #c #j ,by broken cast-iron railways1 #ig #ai #j ,by the price of drift timber recovered1 #f #aj #j ,by a stone-waggon and quarry-tools1 sold at ,aberdeen1 #ae #ac #j ,by old brass and bell-metal1 #ab #af #i ,by scrap-iron from the smith's shop1 #f #aj #h ,by sale of old timber1 and the soil taken off the site of the light-keepers houses at ,arbroath1 #ae #c #aa ,by the price of the ,sir ,joseph ,banks ,tender1 #a1eaj #j #j ,by the price of the ,patriot1 #djj #j #j ,by the price of an old boat and mast belonging to the ,patriot1 #ab #j #j ,by cash1 in name of damages1 in consequence of sap-wood in the ,patriot's hull1 #hj #j #j ,by the amount of sales of sundry stores1 #djf #j #j ,by the price of three praam-boats or stone-lighters1 #aic #j #j ,by the price of the wreck of an old stone-lighter and boat1 #aj #aj #j ,by retaining-money paid during the winter months1 to one of the seamen who left the service1 #a #aa #f ,by interest upon the engineer's deposit-account with the ,dundee ,banking ,company at ,arbroath1 from the commencement till the conclusion of the works1 #bf #e #g ,by return-freight of the sloop ,smeaton1 from ,aberdeen to ,arbroath1 #ah #ah #j ,by shipping1 boats1 machinery1 implements1 stores1 and moorings1 transferred to the general service of the ,northern ,light-houses1 #c1bbb #h #g ,by the nett cost and maintenance of the ,floating-light deducted1 as belonging to the general service of the ,northern ,light-houses1 ,l4 #g1ija #aj #g ,by the price of the vessel and her stores when sold1 #dba #a #aj ---- #h1cbb #ab #e ---- #ae1geh #h #f ,nett cost of the ,bell ,rock ,light-house1 and ,ulterior ,works connected with that establishment1 ,l4 #fa1cca #i #b ,sidenote3 ,nett ,cost4 ,extracted by ,,lachlan ,,kennedy1 ,engineer's ,clerk4 99 99 99 99 99 ,sidenote3 ,average ,price of ,provisions4 ,average ,price of ,provisions during the ,period of the ,bell ,rock ,works4 ,beef #f;d4 per lb4 of #ag oz4 avoirdupois4 ,ship-biscuit ,l4 #a1 #is4 per cwt4 ,quartern ,loaf #ac;d4 per loaf1 of #d lb4 #e oz4 ,oat-meal ,l4 #a1 #aas4 per boll1 of #adj lb4 ,barley #b;d4 per lb4 of #ag oz4 ,butter #as4 #h;d4 per lb4 of #bd oz4 ,salt #ajs4 per bushel1 of #ef lb4 ,whisky #aas4 per gallon4 ,small ,beer #as4 #aj;d4 per ,scots gallon1 of #h ,scots points4 ,,description ,,of ,,plates4 ,,description of the ,,plates1 as they are mentioned in the ,work4 ,,plate ,i4 ,,inchkeith ,,light-,,house4 ,illustration3 ,,inch ,,keith ,,light ,,house4 ,drawn by ,w4 ,lorimer ,,plate ,i4 ,the ,light-house of ,inchkeith1 delineated on ,plate ,i4 was erected while ,mr ,,thomas ,,smith1 the writer's predecessor1 held the situation of ,engineer for the ,northern ,light-houses4 ,a plan of it is given1 as having been the first of these establishments erected upon the new principle2 the ,reflectors being illuminated with ,argand-burners2 the ,light-room rendered completely fire-proof2 and the ,dwelling-house fitted for the accommodation of two keepers4 ,but as this establishment is described in the introductory chapter1 at page #bd1 and the names of the several apartments are marked upon the ,plate1 it seems unnecessary here to enter into detail4 ,,plate ,,ii4 ,,carr ,,rock ,,beacon4 ,illustration3 ,,carr ,,rock ,,beacon ,,as ,,designed ,,in ,,the ,,year #ahaj4 ,,carr ,,rock ,,beacon ,,as ,,executed ,,in ,,the ,,year #ahba4 ,drawn by ,j4 ,slight ,engd4 by ,e4 ,mitchell ,,plate ,,ii4 ,sidenote3 ,pl4 ,,ii4 ,the ,carr ,rock ,beacon is represented in ,plate ,,ii4 and referred to in the introduction at page #ec4 ,the diagram marked ,figure #a4 is an outline of the rock1 shewing the position of the beacon1 and plan of the first course of the building1 made to a radius of nine feet1 cut in a dove-tailed form1 after the manner of the courses of the ,edystone and ,bell ,rock ,light-houses4 ,figure #b4 is a section of the rock on the line ,a1 ,b1 ,fig4 #a4 with a perpendicular section also of a tower of masonry and apparatus1 for tolling an alarm-bell1 which was originally intended for this situation4 ,in ,fig4 #b4 letter a represents an aperture measuring #c inches in diameter1 which was perforated with much labour and care through a block of granite #g feet in length1 previously to its being laid4 ,this canal was intended to admit the tidal-waters into the interior chamber of the building marked b1 in which the flood-tide was to act upon an air-tight copper-tank1 marked c1 and its rod of connection formed into a rack with teeth1 by which motion was to be given to a train of machinery1 represented at d in the void of the building4 ,the machine was to act on the vertical shaft e1 connected with a series of hammers f1 placed under the great bell g1 which was to have measured #e feet in diameter1 and become the cupola or roof of the building4 ,in this manner the bell was to be tolled to forewarn the mariner of his approach to the dangers of the ,carr1 and the other extensive ledges of sunken rocks in its neighbourhood4 ,by the rise of the flood-tide1 and consequent admission of the waters into the canal a1 the tank c1 with its connecting rod1 not only lifted the bell-hammers f1 and1 at the same time1 also elevated the weight marked h1 which1 in its descent during ebb-tide1 was to have continued the motion of the machinery2 and thus1 by the alternate operation of the tides1 the continual tolling of the ,bell was to have been preserved4 ,it will further be seen from the section of this building1 that the masonry of the solid is connected perpendicularly by means of stone-joggles inserted half into the one course and half into the other4 ,but in the void or upper part1 instead of the joggles1 the bed-joints of the stones were let or sunk about an inch in depth1 into each other1 as at the ,bell ,rock1 forming so many bands or girths to the work4 ,this will be observed by narrowly examining the section at letter i1 with its accompanying diagram ,fig4 #c41 which represents a plan of one of the courses of the void1 shewing how the stones were connected horizontally by a system of dove-tailing1 as is further represented in ,fig4 #d41 being a plan of a course at the level a1 k1 in which the perforation is delineated for the admission of the tidal-waters4 ,the ascent to this building was to have been by means of a ladder of cast-iron or flight of steps1 marked a1 i1 l1 fixed on the outward wall by means of screw-bolts fixed into brass-bats1 sunk into the masonry1 and run up with lead4 ,the entrance-door of this building was formed in the cast-iron frame or pedestal on which the great bell was to have been supported1 the access to the interior being by the balcony1 round which a cast-iron rail was intended1 not only for the safety of the keepers or occasional attendants1 but also1 in some measure1 to defend the bell from the sprays of the sea4 ,figure #e4 represents the ,pillar-formed ,beacon1 as finished at the ,carr ,rock in the year #ahba4 ,the lower part of this diagram is a perpendicular section of the rock on the line ,a ,b1 ,fig4 #a4 ,the masonry is also shewn with two of the six great malleable iron-bats or stancheons marked a in ,fig4 #e41 which passing through the several courses1 are sunk about #cj inches into the ,rock4 ,the upper part of this diagram represents a frame of cast-iron work1 of great strength1 fashioned somewhat after the manner of what seamen term a spar or spur beacon1 from being made generally of timber1 set up in the form of struts or spur-beams4 ,the connection of this frame will be understood from the detached diagram ,fig4 #f41 taken upon the line or level marked b in ,fig4 #e4 ,from ,figs4 #e4 and #f4 it will be observed1 that the beacon consists of #f pipes or hollow tubes1 marked letter ,a1 which are inserted into the sockets c1 in the sill-plate of ,fig4 #f1 into which these hollow tubes are strongly wedged and keyed with culter or spear bolts1 which pass through each of the sockets and base of the hollow tubes at c4 ,besides the main hollow tubes marked ,a1 other six marked ,b1 are set up as spurs or diagonals1 which radiate from sockets cast in the centre of the sill-plate marked e4 ,these diagonals are so situated1 and connected by dove-tail or hook-joints1 that they butt against the main tubes1 and support them at f4 ,the main tubes are further connected by means of horizontal bars of malleable iron1 marked g in ,fig4 #e1 laid into grooves formed in the arms of the cast-iron collars ,f1 k1 which clasp around the main tubes at these points1 immediately above and below their connection with the diagonal tubes4 ,these collars are also keyed with the main tubes by means of spear-bolts4 ,at the point of junction d d1 towards the top1 the main tubes form segments of a common circle1 and rest upon the centre block h1 into which they are keyed and wedged4 ,as a further security1 a strong cast-iron tubular formed case1 marked i i1 is made to clasp around the whole upper parts of the main tubes at their point of junction d d1 so as to form a girth to them4 ,this tubular case or cap i i1 is #h feet in length1 and terminates with a cast-iron ball marked m m1 which is #c feet in diameter1 formed into ribs1 connected with the cap i i1 by means of a socket1 through which a spear-bolt passes1 and binds it to the top of the tubular-case at the point l4 ,fig4 #f4 represents the ,ballast-plate1 which forms the sill or basement of the superstructure4 ,it contains about #h tons of cast-iron1 and is so constructed as to become a cap or girth to the upper course of the masonry which it is calculated to secure1 by means of a flange of #f inches in depth at the outward extremity1 marked b b in ,fig4 #e1 where it is let into the stone4 ,this plate is cast in six pieces1 connected together at the points m m m m m m1 by means of screw-bolts of one and a half inch in diameter 7with nuts71 passing through flanges raised at the joints of its several compartments4 ,at the points n n n n n n1 there were six socket-holes1 for the reception of the great stancheons or bolts1 marked a a1 ,fig4 #e1 which1 passing through the masonry1 are sunk #cj inches into the ,rock1 where they are fixed at the lower ends with iron-wedges1 driven home by means of a long iron-driver4 ,the ballast-plate is connected with the upper ends of these great stancheons1 by means of a shackle and bolt1 in such a manner that the more exposed parts may be renewed4 ,the whole is imbedded and run up with pozzolano-mortar1 so as to preserve the several parts as much as possible from the effects of oxidation4 ,fig4 #g4 represents a horizontal section of this beacon1 on the line ,f ,f1 shewing the connection of the horizontal malleable iron-bars or braces g g g g1 which fit into the grooves of the arms of the collars1 embracing the hollow tubes or pillars ,a ,a ,a ,a1 and connecting them by means of spear-bolts at k k k k4 ,the grooves in these arms are so formed as to command the braces1 and to contain a quantity of ,parker's or ,roman cement1 by which the bolts are preserved from the effects of oxidation4 ,these collars and arms1 with their connecting malleable iron-bars1 form a girth immediately above the diagonal struts or braces ,b ,b ,b1 ,fig4 #e4 ,a similar chain of connection is in like manner formed below the junction of these diagonal struts1 with the main tubes1 which1 like those described above1 has the effect of binding the whole fabric horizontally4 ,fig4 #h4 is a horizontal section upon the line d d1 delineated upon a scale of double the size of the other parts of the beacon1 shewing the connection of the hollow tubes ,a ,a ,a ,a ,a ,a1 at the top1 where they change their cylindrical form into segments of a circle at the point of contact1 so as to embrace the centre-block h h4 ,the top of these tubes thus formed into a compact figure1 is cased or covered with the cylindrical cap i i1 through which the spear-bolts immediately above and below the points d d1 in ,fig4 #e1 are made to pass and bind the whole firmly together4 ,,plate ,,iii4 ,,general ,,chart1 ,,shewing ,,the ,,relative ,,position ,,of ,,the ,,bell ,,rock4 ,illustration3 ,,chart shewing the relative situation of the ,,bell ,,rock ,,light ,,house4 ,drawn by ,j4 ,steedman ,engd4 by ,w4 ,h4 ,lizars ,plate ,,iii4 ,sidenote3 ,pl4 ,,iii4 ,this ,plate is reduced from a manuscript-map in the possession of the writer1 which is drawn upon a large scale1 originally intended for exhibiting the depths of the ,german ,ocean or ,north ,sea1 and the situations of the numerous ,light-houses on the coasts of the ,united ,kingdom1 and opposite ,continent1 but is here given with the view of shewing the relative position of the ,bell ,rock4 ,the chief peculiarity of this map is the sectional lines1 exhibiting at one view the relative depths of the ocean1 in connection with a theory which the writer has advanced1 regarding the wasting of the firm ground by the effects of the sea1 as alluded to in ,appendix ,v4 ,these sectional lines1 of a deeper shade1 are drawn across the ,german ,ocean1 from shore to shore4 ,as1 for example1 between ,shetland and ,norway1 the greatest depth is ascertained to be about #adj fathoms1 and so of other examples1 extending southward as far as the ,straits of ,dover4 ,the soundings are all marked in fathoms1 and1 in so far as regards the east coast of ,scotland1 have been very generally made from on board of the vessels belonging to the service of the ,northern ,lights4 ,the forms given to the principal sand-banks1 and the soundings in the central and eastern parts of this great basin1 have been taken from the best maritime surveys1 and nautical authorities4 ,the numerous ,light-houses on the respective coasts are coloured2 those of ,scotland being blue1 ,england red1 ,ireland green1 and the foreign ,lights yellow4 ,,plate ,,iv4 ,,chart1 ,,shewing ,,the ,,particular ,,position ,,of ,,the ,,bell ,,rock4 ,illustration3 ,,chart ,shewing the ,position of the ,,bell ,,rock ,,lighthouse relatively to the ,coasts of ,,fife and ,,forfar ,,shires4 ,drawn by ,a4 ,stevenson ,engd4 by ,w4 ,h4 ,lizars ,,plate ,,iv4 ,sidenote3 ,pl4 ,,iv4 ,this chart is intended to shew the position of the ,rock in reference to the opposite shores of ,fife and ,forfar1 and to the entrances to the ,friths of ,forth and ,tay4 ,the most contiguous point of land1 being in the immediate neighbourhood of ,aberbrothwick1 is distant about #aa miles4 ,this chart also exhibits the depths of water1 and the nature of the bottom1 in the vicinity of the ,rock4 ,,plate ,v4 ,,chart ,,of ,,the ,,bell ,,rock1 ,,shewing ,,its ,,position ,,relatively ,,to ,,the ,,shipping ,,employed ,,at ,,the ,,work4 ,illustration3 ,,bell ,,rock ,shewing the relative position of the ,,shipping ,,employed at the ,,works ,drawn by ,j4 ,steedman ,engd4 by ,w4 ,h4 ,lizars ,,plate ,v4 ,sidenote3 ,pl4 ,v4 ,this ,plate represents the ,rock at low-water of spring-tides1 when that part of it which extends about #ajjj feet in a south-western direction from the ,light-house1 may be traced by the appearance of some detached portions of rock1 but chiefly from the sea-weeds which float at the surface of the water4 ,its greatest extent1 in a north-eastern and south-western direction1 is about #adjj feet1 and in a south-eastern and a north-western direction about #bdj feet4 ,,king ,,george ,,iii4--,this is an insulated rock which lies towards the south-eastern extremity of the ,main or ,house ,rock1 and has been named in reference to the reign in which the ,light-house was erected4 ,,king ,,james ,v4--is also a detached rock1 forming the south-western extremity of the reef1 which extends from the ,house-rock1 and is named in reference to that ,monarch's memorable voyage round his dominions1 about the year #aedj1 as alluded to in the ,introduction1 at page #d4 ,on the north-western side of the ,rock1 as nearly as may be1 the figures of the respective vessels employed at the work are delineated1 and the positions of their moorings laid down2 with the exception of those of the ,pharos ,floating-light1 whose bearing or direction is only to be understood1 as the full distance at which she was ultimately moored would fall beyond the limits of the ,plate4 ,the house-part of the ,rock is left bare at low-water of ordinary spring-tides1 and at high-water of these tides it is from #aj to #ab feet under water2 but during the storms of winter1 the sea generally breaks over the whole surface of the rock1 so as to render walking upon it impracticable1 even in the lowest ebbs2 while at high water1 the sprays fly over the building1 or rise to a height of upwards of #ajj feet4 ,the reef1 which extends in a south-western direction from the ,house-rock1 contains many ,travellers or large boulder-stones2 affording a proof that the ,bell ,rock has at one time been of greater dimensions than at present1 and these detached stones may be regarded as part of the debris1 which have been separated in the lapse of ages from the main ,rock4 ,,plate ,,vi4 ,,plan ,,of ,,the ,,north ,,eastern ,,parts ,,of ,,the ,,bell ,,rock1 ,,shewing ,,the ,,position ,,of ,,the ,,light-,,house1 ,,railways1 ,,and ,,wharfs1 c4 ,illustration3 ,,north ,,eastern ,,parts ,,of ,,the ,,bell ,,rock ,,shewing ,,the ,,position ,,of ,,the ,,light ,,house1 ,,railways1 ,,wharfs1 ,c4 ,drawn by ,g4 ,c4 ,scott ,engd4 by ,e4 ,mitchell ,,plate ,,vi4 ,sidenote3 ,pl4 ,,vi4 ,the description of this ,plate1 representing the higher parts of the ,rock as seen at low-water of spring-tides1 affords the writer an opportunity of mentioning many distinguished names connected either officially1 or in a friendly manner1 with the erection of the ,light-house4 ,in corresponding about the state of the ,rock1 he has often found the advantage of this particular nomenclature of its different parts1 as affording a reference to all its localities4 ,,site ,,of ,,the ,,light-,,house1 ,,and ,,railway-,,tracks4--,the site of the ,light-house1 which will be seen from the ,plate1 was fixed by the writer in a central position of what may be termed the ,house-,rock4 ,from this1 as a centre1 the ,railways ramify in various directions4 ,upon these the materials for the erection of the house were conveyed1 and they are still partly preserved1 as convenient foot-paths and wharfs1 in landing stores for the ,light-house4 ,the portions of the ,railway-tracks marked with light dotted lines1 were only used during the continuation of the works2 while those of a deeper shade represent the permanent railways4 ,,site ,,of ,,captain ,,brodie',s ,,beacon4--,the late ,captain ,joseph ,brodie1 of the ,royal ,navy1 was perhaps not less known to the public as the fortunate bearer of ,lord ,duncan's dispatches announcing the victory obtained by the ,british fleet off ,camperdown1 than for his unwearied exertions in keeping up the interest of the public1 relative to the important results to navigation which would attend the erection of a ,light-house upon the ,bell ,rock1 of which notice is taken at page #hh4 ,,site ,,of ,,mr ,,stevenson',s ,,beacon4--,the position of the ,beacon or temporary erection delineated in ,plate ,,viii41 was fixed upon the southern side of the site of the ,light-house1 with the ultimate view of obtaining shelter from the breach of the north-east seas4 ,it was farther important1 for the conveniency it afforded of a communication during the progress of the works1 by means of a wooden bridge1 which will be understood by examining ,plate ,,xviii4 ,,haldane',s ,,ledge--is situate on the south-eastern side of the ,rock1 where the writer made his first landing with his friend ,mr ,james ,haldane1 architect1 as noticed at page #ia4 ,,gray',s ,,rock4--,toward the eastern side of the ,rock1 there is a small outlier1 or reef1 important as a low-water-mark1 which is named ,gray's ,rock1 in compliment to the late ,mr ,john ,gray1 ,writer to the ,signet1 and the first ,secretary to the ,light-house ,board1 as noticed in the ,introduction1 page #e4 ,,smith',s ,,rock1--situate on the eastern side of the ,light-house1 derives its name from the late ,mr ,thomas ,smith1 who introduced ,reflecting-,lights upon the coast of ,scotland2 and was the first ,engineer to the ,board1 as noticed at page #g4 ,,cuningham',s ,,ledge4--,this ledge of rock has its name from ,mr ,charles ,cuningham1 ,writer to the ,signet1 and successor to ,mr ,gray1 as ,secretary and ,cashier to the ,light-house ,board4 ,,port ,,hamilton4--,this creek is situate at the south-eastern extremity of the ,house-rock1 and derives its name from ,mr ,robert ,hamilton1 ,sheriff of ,lanarkshire1 and ex officio one of the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses2 who first landed here in the year #ahje1 accompanied by ,mr ,rennie and the writer1 with a view further to ascertain the practicability of erecting the proposed ,light-house1 as noticed at page #ie4 ,mr ,hamilton has been a zealous member of the ,bell ,rock ,committee since the period of its institution in the year #ahjg1 and1 from his literary habits1 he has taken much interest in the pages of this work4 ,,port ,,rennie--is situate in the north-eastern part of the ,house-rock1 and derives its name from the late ,mr ,john ,rennie1 the celebrity and extent of whose works as a ,civil ,engineer are well known to the public4 ,mr ,rennie was consulted by the ,light-house ,board relative to this work4 ,his reports will be found in ,appendix1 ,no4 ,,iv42 and his plan in ,plate ,,vii4 ,,port ,,stevenson--enters from the north-eastern side of the ,rock1 and forms the principal landing-place in that direction2 it was named for the writer by ,mr ,hamilton1 at the landing above alluded to1 in the year #ahje4 ,,the ,,abbot',s ,,ledge--forms the north-western extremity of the ,house-rock1 and derives its name from a tradition 7for we can find no authentic record7 of one of the ,abbots of ,aberbrothwick having erected an ,alarm-bell1 to forewarn mariners of their danger in approaching the ,bell ,rock4 ,,sir ,,ralph ,,the ,,rover',s ,,ledge--forms the south-western extremity of the ,house-rock1 and takes the name of ,sir ,ralph the ,rover from a noted pirate who is said to have landed upon it1 and carried away the ,alarm-bell4 ,this traditionary story is beautifully alluded to in a ballad by ,mr ,southey in his ,minor ,poems1 which1 with his permission1 is included in ,appendix1 ,no4 ,,ii4 page #dch4 ,,dunnichen ,,ledge1--on the north-western side of the ,rock1 is named in compliment to ,mr ,dempster of ,dunnichen1 who is mentioned in the ,introduction1 page #e4 ,,dunskey ,,ledge1--which is contiguous to the former1 is named in compliment to ,sir ,james ,hunter ,blair of ,dunskey1 first ,preses of the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 as mentioned at page #f4 ,,arniston ,,ledge4--,named in compliment to the late ,lord ,chief-,baron ,dundas of ,arniston1 who1 while ,solicitor-,general and ,lord ,advocate of ,scotland1 took an active part in ,light-house affairs2 and visited the ,bell ,rock in the year #ahab1 as noticed at page #dac4 ,,rattray ,,ledge4--,in compliment to ,mr ,baron ,clerk ,rattray1 who1 while ,sheriff of the ,shire of ,edinburgh1 as noticed at page #ih1 was ex officio one of the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 and1 as one of the ,bell ,rock ,committee1 took much interest in the work4 ,,hope',s ,,wharf--forms the termination of the permanent railway toward the west4 ,it was named for the ,right ,honourable ,charles ,hope1 ,lord ,president of the ,court of ,session1 who landed here in the year #ahae4 ,while ,lord ,advocate of ,scotland1 he took a warm interest in the affairs of the ,northern ,light-houses1 and in #ahjc brought the first bill into ,parliament for the erection of the ,bell ,rock ,light-house1 as noticed at page #ic4 ,,pulteney ,,ledge4--,so named in compliment to ,sir ,william ,pulteney1 who1 as a ,member of ,parliament1 took a lively interest in the bill brought forward for the ,bell ,rock ,light-house in the year #ahjc1 as alluded to at page #ib4 ,,banks ,,ledge4--,named in compliment to ,sir ,joseph ,banks1 who was ,vice-,president of the ,board of ,trade in the year #ahjf1 when the ,bill for the ,light-house was in ,parliament1 and who took much interest in it1 as noticed at page #aja4 ,,cochrane',s ,,ledge--is named in compliment to ,admiral ,sir ,alexander ,cochrane1 who first called the attention of the ,light-house ,board to an erection upon the ,bell ,rock1 as mentioned at page #he4 ,,port ,,erskine--forms the principal landing-place on the western side of the ,rock1 and derives its name from the ,honourable ,henry ,erskine1 who1 when ,lord ,advocate of ,scotland1 and ex officio one of the ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 brought the second ,bill for the ,bell ,rock ,light-house into ,parliament1 which passed in the year #ahjf1 as stated at page #ajj4 ,,ulbster ,,ledge4--,named in compliment to the ,right ,honourable ,sir ,john ,sinclair1 ,baronet1 of ,ulbster1 ,chairman of the ,committee of the ,house of ,commons1 and who brought up its report relative to the ,bell ,rock bill1 as stated at page #ajc4 ,,kellie ,,ledge4--,named in compliment to the ,earl of ,kellie1 who visited the works at the ,bell ,rock in the year #ahaj1 as noticed at page #cgh4 ,,pitmilly ,,wharf--formed the western extremity of the landing-wharf in use during the ,light-house operations1 and was named in compliment to ,mr ,monypenny1 now ,lord ,pitmilly1 who1 while in the commission both as ,sheriff of ,fife and ,solicitor-,general of ,scotland1 was a member of the ,bell ,rock ,committee1 and visited the works in the year #ahaj1 as stated at page #cgh4 ,,kinedder ,,ledge--is named in compliment to the late ,mr ,william ,erskine1 ,sheriff of ,orkney and ,shetland1 and a member of the ,bell ,rock ,committee4 ,from ,mr ,erskine's literary pursuits1 he took a lively interest in this work1 before he left the ,light-house ,board1 and also after he was raised to the ,bench1 where he took his seat as ,lord ,kinedder4 ,,the ,,abbotsford4--,this spot1 where the waters of the two principal and opposite landing-places meet1 is named in compliment to ,sir ,walter ,scott1 ,baronet1 of ,abbotsford1 who landed here in the year #ahad1 as noticed at page #dai1 when he wrote the beautiful and expressive lines inserted in a fac-simile of his handwriting in the #b;d ,title-page4 ,,rae',s ,,wharf--forms the extremity of the southern reach of the permanent railway1 and derives its name from ,sir ,william ,rae1 ,baronet1 who1 in the several capacities of ,sheriff-,depute and ,lord ,advocate of ,scotland1 has long been a member of the ,light-house ,board and ,bell ,rock ,committee4 ,his ,lordship visited the ,rock in #ahaj1 as noticed at page #chg4 ,,duff',s ,,wharf--derives its name from ,mr ,adam ,duff1 ,sheriff of the shire of ,edinburgh1 and a member of the ,bell ,rock ,committee1 who repeatedly visited the works at the ,bell ,rock while in progress1 particularly in the year #ahaj1 as noticed at page #chg4 ,,port ,,boyle--takes its name from the ,right ,honourable ,david ,boyle1 ,lord ,justice-,clerk1 who1 while ,solicitor-,general of ,scotland1 was a member of the ,bell ,rock ,committee1 and visited the ,light-house in the year #ahaa1 as noticed at page #daa4 ,,the ,,crown ,,lawyers4--,this name is given to two detached rocks1 which lie on the south-eastern side of the ,house-rock1 in allusion to the ,lord ,advocate and ,solicitor-,general of ,scotland1 who are ex officio ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 as noticed at page #f4 ,,the ,,maritime ,,sheriffs4--,this name comprehends a range of rocks1 also on the south-eastern side of the main ,rock1 in reference to the ,sheriffs of maritime counties1 who are ex officio ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 as noticed at page #f4 ,,the ,,royal ,,burghs1--,a group of rocks lying on the south-western side of the ,house-rock1 so named from certain of the ,chief ,magistrates of the ,royal ,burghs of ,scotland who are ex officio ,commissioners of the ,northern ,light-houses1 as noticed at page #f4 ,,telford',s ,,ledge--is named in compliment to ,mr ,thomas ,telford1 ,civil ,engineer1 who was requested by ,sir ,william ,pulteney to visit the ,bell ,rock professionally in the year #ahjc1 as noticed at page #ib4 ,,downie',s ,,ledge--derives its name from the late ,mr ,murdoch ,downie1 a ,marine ,surveyor of considerable eminence1 who suggested a plan for erecting a ,light-house on the ,bell ,rock1 as noticed at page #ic4 ,,neill',s ,,pool--derives its name from ,mr ,patrick ,neill1 a particular friend of the writer's1 who first visited the ,bell ,rock in #ahjh1 as noticed at page #bce4 ,the surface of this pool measures about three fathoms across1 and a fathom and a half in depth1 when the tide leaves the ,rock4 ,the bottom is generally covered with boulder-stones1 which are whirled about with much force when the sea is in a state of agitation4 ,,stuart',s ,,track--is on the south-western side of the ,rock1 derives its name from the late ,captain ,harry ,stuart of the ,royal ,navy1 who visited the ,bell ,rock in the year #ahaj1 as alluded to at page #chg4 ,captain ,stuart took an early interest in the plans for the ,light-house1 both by ,captain ,brodie and the writer4 ,,bruce',s ,,ledge--was named in compliment to the memory of the late ,mr ,james ,bruce of the ,naval ,yard1 ,leith1 who frequently visited the ,bell ,rock1 and to whose ingenuity the ,light-house service is indebted for the improved construction of a boat1 delineated in ,plate ,,xi4 and noticed at page #dab4 ,,russell',s ,,ledge--is named in compliment to ,mr ,claud ,russell1 ,accountant to the ,light-house ,board1 who visited the ,rock in the year #ahab1 as mentioned in page #dad4 ,,scoresby',s ,,point1--the most northern part of the ,rock1 named in compliment to the writer's friend ,captain ,scoresby junior1 who has so much extended our information regarding the ,polar ,regions4 ,,trinity ,,rock4--,this rock is named in compliment to a ,committee of the ,trinity ,house of ,leith1 consisting of ,messrs ,thomas ,grindlay1 ,john ,hay1 and ,thomas ,ritchie1 who gave their advice and assistance in the fitting out and mooring the ,floating-light in the year #ahjg1 as alluded to at page #aaj4 ,,balfour',s ,,ledge--is named in compliment to the late ,provost ,balfour of ,arbroath1 who felt the most lively interest in the ,light-house affairs4 ,in his hospitable mansion the writer occasionally resided while the works were in progress4 ,,leitch',s ,,ledge--is named in compliment to the writer's friend ,mr ,quintin ,leitch1 who visited the ,rock in the year #ahah4 ,mr ,leitch is further noticed at page #dc4 ,,pillans',s ,,ledge--is named in compliment to the writer's friend ,mr ,james ,pillans of ,leith1 who took an early interest in the erection of the ,light-house1 and who signs the ,report of the ,merchants of ,leith regarding it1 as noticed at page #if4 ,,the ,,last ,,hope4--,this name was given by the writer to the highest part of the rock1 in allusion to the narrow escape which he and the artificers made in the year #ahjg1 by the timeous arrival of ,james ,spink1 the ,bell ,rock pilot at ,arbroath1 as noticed at page #adi4 ,spink is a remarkably strong man1 whose tout ensemble is highly characteristic of a ,north-country fisherman4 ,he usually dresses in a p-jacket1 cut after a particular fashion1 and wears a large flat blue bonnet4 ,a striking likeness of ,spink1 in his pilot-dress1 with the badge or insignia on his left arm1 which is characteristic of the boatmen in the service of the ,northern ,lights has been taken by ,howe1 and is in the writer's possession4 ,,forrest',s ,,passage4--,this gully or opening on the eastern side of the ,rock1 is sometimes taken as a track by boats in certain states of the sea and tide4 ,it derives its name from the late ,mr ,john ,forrest1 ,superintendant of ,lightkeepers' duty in the service of the ,northern ,lights1 who is particularly noticed at page #djf4 ,,logans' ,,reach4--,this reach or compartment of the ,railway1 on the eastern side of the ,light-house1 is named in compliment to the late ,mr ,peter ,logan1 foreman-builder at the ,bell ,rock1 and his son ,mr ,david ,logan1 clerk-of-works1 whose active and faithful services1 in their respective departments1 have been too often noticed in this work to admit of reference to particular pages4 ,,watt',s ,,reach--has its name in compliment to ,mr ,francis ,watt1 foreman-mill-wright1 whose services have also already been often particularised in the course of this work1 and whose exertions in erecting the beacon and temporary-railways did much credit to his zeal and intrepidity4 ,the writer also often profited by his ingenuity1 in reference to the various pieces of machinery employed at the works4 ,,kennedy',s ,,reach--derives its name from ,mr ,lachlan ,kennedy1 who1 as ,accountant and ,cashier in the ,engineer's ,office1 discharged the various duties of his situation in a manner equally creditable to himself and satisfactory to his employers4 ,an ,abstract-,account of the expence of the work1 as drawn up by him1 appears in the ,appendix1 ,no4 ,,vii4 page #dge4 ,,slights' ,,reach1--named in compliment to ,mr ,james ,slight1 and his brother ,alexander1 who were chiefly employed in drawing the courses of the building at large1 and in making the various and nicely formed moulds for fashioning the stones4 ,they also fitted up the interior of the house1 and the permanent railways on the rock2 and made a complete model of the ,light-house4 ,,the ,,smiths' ,,forge ,,and ,,ledge--named in compliment to ,mr ,james ,dove1 foreman-smith1 and his assistants1 who have been frequently alluded to in these pages4 ,it was here that the forge was erected at the commencement of the works on the ,rock2 and on the connecting ledge the first or experimental cargo of stones was landed4 ,,reid',s ,,ledge--is named in compliment to ,mr ,john ,reid1 the first principal ,lightkeeper at the ,bell ,rock1 who retired from the service in the year #ahba1 as noticed at page #dbb4 ,,selkirks' ,,ledge1--named for ,mr ,robert ,selkirk1 principal builder1 and his brother ,thomas1 who was the principal stone-cutter at the work4 ,,wishart',s ,,ledge--is named for ,mr ,michael ,wishart1 some time principal builder at the ,rock1 as noticed at page #bia4 ,,glen',s ,,ledge4--,this ledge has its name from ,mr ,james ,glen1 millwright and joiner1 particularly noticed at page #bgi4 ,,john ,,watt4--,a detached rock on the western side of the main rock1 named for ,john ,watt1 principal mortar-maker at the ,bell ,rock4 ,,peter ,,fortune4--,a detached reef on the western side of the ,rock1 named for a well known character in the ,light-house service1 as noticed at page #bii4 ,,gloag',s ,,track--leads into ,port ,hamilton1 and is named for ,mr ,robert ,gloag1 who commanded the ,light-house ,yacht in the year #ahjg1 and who has otherwise had a good deal of connection with the ,light-house service4 ,,macurich',s ,,track--on the western side of the ,rock1 is named in compliment to ,mr ,thomas ,macurich1 mate of the sloop ,smeaton1 and afterwards commander of the ,bell ,rock ,tender1 who had a very narrow escape in a boat off the ,rock1 as noticed at page #bec4 ,,webb',s ,,rock--is named in compliment to ,mr ,joseph ,webb1 one of the ,king's pilots at ,yarmouth1 who superintended the fitting out and mooring of the ,floating-light1 as noticed at page #ajh4 ,,sinclair',s ,,track--is named in compliment to ,mr ,george ,sinclair1 who1 in #ahjg1 commanded the ,floating-light1 and acted as landing-master4 ,,wilson',s ,,track--named for ,mr ,james ,wilson1 landing-master1 whose active and enterprising conduct is often noticed in the course of this work4 ,in the year #ahae1 ,mr ,wilson left the ,light-house service1 when he was appointed one of the ,harbour-masters of ,leith4 ,the speaking-trumpet which he used at the ,bell ,rock was presented to him1 with the sanction of the ,light-house ,board1 when a suitable inscription was engraved on a plate of silver attached to it4 ,,taylor',s ,,track--leads into ,port ,erskine1 and derives its name from ,mr ,david ,taylor1 who commanded the ,sir ,joseph ,banks ,tender during the progress of the works1 and afterwards became ,light-house ,storekeeper at ,leith4 ,,calder',s ,,track--situate on the north-western side of the ,rock1 derives its name from ,mr ,thomas ,calder1 who commanded the ,light-house ,yacht1 and other craft1 connected with the works1 as noticed at page #bfj4 ,,soutar',s ,,track--derives its name from ,mr ,peter ,soutar1 who was one of the ,praam-masters while the works were in progress4 ,in #ahae he succeeded ,mr ,james ,wilson in the command of the ,light-house ,yacht4 ,,pool',s ,,track--is named for ,mr ,robert ,pool1 commander of the ,smeaton stone-lighter1 a very active and persevering seaman4 ,,the ,,engineers' ,,ledge1--situate on the eastern side of the ,rock1 is named in compliment to certain of the ,engineer's assistants1 who1 though belonging more especially to his general or private business1 have nevertheless been occasionally employed in the department of the ,bell ,rock1 particularly ,mr ,john ,steedman1 ,mr ,john ,thin1 ,mr ,william ,lorimer1 ,mr ,g4 ,c4 ,scott1 and ,mr ,robert ,shortreed1 some of whose names are attached to several of the ,plates4 ,,the ,,artificers4--,a name given to a parcel of detached rocks1 lying on the north-western side of the main ,rock1 in allusion to the numerous artificers employed at the works1 many of whom are now moving in spheres of more extended usefulness1 and1 did our limits admit1 would be deserving of particular notice1 as may be learned from page #cgi4 ,,the ,,mariners4--,this is also a group of detached rocks on the north-eastern side of the ,rock1 which in like manner is named in compliment to the exertions of the ,seamen1 who1 as men-of-all-works1 gave a helping hand to every operation2 and many of whom deserve the warmest acknowledgments of the writer4 ,,strachan',s ,,ledge1--situate on the north-eastern side of the ,rock1 was named for ,mr ,robert ,strachan of ,leith1 who fitted out the ,floating-light1 and narrowly escaped being lost upon the ,rock1 when approaching it in a boat which was upset in the year #ahjh1 as noticed at page #bdd4 ,,craw',s ,,horse4--,another detached rock1 deriving its name from a narrow escape which the sloop ,smeaton made in foggy weather1 as noticed at page #cfd1 while ,james ,craw1 who had charge of the stable1 and was principal carter at the work-yard of ,arbroath1 was on board1 with his favourite horse1 on his way to ,leith1 to convey the upper part of the ,light-house1 from ,edinburgh1 to be shipped for the ,bell ,rock4 ,the horse alluded to was a remarkably strong and powerful animal1 measuring about #af hands in height1 and having1 in the language of jockies1 a great deal of bone4 ,it is not a little remarkable1 that while the work was in progress1 this animal must actually have drawn the materials of the ,light-house1 extending to upwards of #bjjj tons in its finished state1 perhaps three or four times1 in removing the blocks of stone from the ship to the work-yard1 again to the platform1 and from the work-yard1 when they were to be shipped for the ,rock1 besides occasional movements to and from the hands of the stone-cutters4 ,a sketch of this animal1 and of his master ,james ,craw1 will be found at ,fig4 #ba4 ,plate ,x4 ,the horse having failed from age1 towards the close of the work he was removed to the ,island of ,inchkeith1 to go at large1 where he died in the year #ahac4 ,the fame of this animal's labours1 together with his strength and excellent proportion as a draught-horse1 having attracted the notice of ,dr ,john ,barclay1 that eminent anatomist procured the bones1 and set them up in his ,museum4 ,this valuable collection1 it is understood1 is to be bequeathed to the ,college of ,surgeons of ,edinburgh2 so that the bones of the ,bell ,rock-horse1 to use the ,doctor's own language1 8will be seen and admired as a useful skeleton1 and a source of instruction1 when those of his employers lie mingled with the dust40 ,,plate ,,vii4 ,,original ,,designs ,,for ,,the ,,bell ,,rock ,,light-,,house4 ,illustration3 ,,designs ,,for ,,the ,,bell ,,rock ,,light ,,house ,,by ,m,r4 ,,stevenson4 ,,design ,,for ,,the ,,bell ,,rock ,,light ,,house ,,by ,m,r4 ,,rennie4 ,drawn by ,j4 ,slight ,engraved by ,r4 ,scott ,,plate ,,vii4 ,sidenote3 ,pl4 ,,vii4 ,fig4 #a4 shews the sites of the principal and diagonal supports of cast-iron of the ,pillar-formed ,light-house1 modelled by the writer prior to his landing on the ,rock in the year #ahjj1 as alluded to in his report1 included in the ,appendix1 ,no4 ,,iv4 at page #ddj4 ,this ,figure is a ,plan in which letters a a a a a a a a point out the feet of the eight principal columns2 e the central shoe or socket1 intended to receive the feet of the diagonal supports or braces1 which correspond in number with those of the main columns4 ,this fabric1 at the base1 was to form a common diameter of about #ce feet1 diminishing to #ab feet at the top1 or immediately under the ,light-room4 ,fig4 #b4 ,the great columns in this design1 which are sunk into the ,rock1 and the diagonal braces d d d d1 which butt against1 or step into the shoe c1 are also strongly connected by the braces b b b b b b b b1 and cross ties marked c c c c c c4 ,the habitable part of this building is formed by two concentric rings of copper1 marked a f1 a f1 the one upon the outside1 and the other upon the inside1 of the main columns4 ,the space between these rings was to be filled with plaster-of-,paris1 or some light substance1 to render the apartments air-tight4 ,letter g is the position of the entrance-door1 and the space below the first floor1 marked h1 is a coal magazine4 ,the better to throw off the sprays of the sea1 the lower part1 as will be seen from the diagram1 is of a conical form inverted4 ,fig4 #c4 ,shews the mode of fixing the principal columns1 to the ,rock1 and of building or connecting them together1 being an enlarged section of the foot of one of the main columns4 ,the hollow cylindrical tube marked b b1 is sunk #bd inches1 and acts as a steady pin or joggle to the column which is wedged into the ,rock1 as shewn at c c c c1 by driving oaken and iron wedges alternately1 instead of running them up with melted lead4 ,the next length of the column1 marked a a a a1 is slipped over this tube1 and has a seat cut in the rock at right angles to the oblique direction of the column1 to which it is connected by the cutter or spear-bolts marked d d d1 whose directions respectively cross each other1 as shewn in the section4 ,fig4 #d4 represents one of the joints of the main columns1 which occur at every #g feet of their length1 from the rock to the habitable part of the ,light-house4 ,this description of joint is what is technically termed spigot and faucet2 a a is the upper half1 b b b the lower1 c c the joint1 d d d d the collar-piece clasping the joint1 and connecting it with the horizontal arms or braces e e1 which1 in ,fig4 #b1 are marked b1 and in connection with the cross ties c1 and diagonal-supports d1 bind the whole firmly together4 ,fig4 #e4 represents the lower floor of the five apartments1 in which a a a a a a a a1 as in the foregoing ,figs4 #a1 #b1 and #c4 shew the main columns passing between the outer covering and inner lining of copper4 ,letter c marks the entrance door1 shewn at g1 in ,fig4 #b41 in which d is the plat at the top of the ladder1 formed on one of the columns1 which may also be conceived as passing up through the habitable part of the building2 the floors of which are formed with plates of cast-iron4 ,fig4 #f4 represents a ,light-house of masonry1 modelled by the writer immediately after his first landing upon the ,rock4 ,the better to illustrate this design1 the solid or lower part is given in elevation1 and the upper or habitable part in section4 ,compared with the ,edystone ,light-house1 upon the principles of which it was designed1 the chief differences consist in the exterior spiral-formed stair1 intended to afford permanent access to the ,light-house1 and also to serve as a landing quay or wharf at high-water4 ,the steps of this stair were to be #c feet in length1 forming a kind of scarsement upon the outer-wall1 there being nothing to obstruct the force of the sea under the stair2 as it formed part of the main-wall1 it may be conceived calculated to have become a kind of spiral buttress to the building4 ,in the upper or habitable part1 the interior walls diminish gradually1 instead of forming abrupt scarsements1 and the floors were laid horizontally1 instead of being arched4 ,fig4 #g4 ,shews one of the floors1 each stone of which forms part of the outward walls1 extending inwards to a centre stone1 independently of which they were to be connected1 by means of copper-batts1 with a view to preserve their square form at the extremity1 instead of dove-tailing4 ,these stones were also modelled with joggles sidewise1 upon the principles of the common-floor1 termed ,feathering in carpentry2 and also with dove-tailed joggles across the joints1 where they formed part of the outward wall1 as shewn in this figure4 ,fig4 #h4 is a plan of one of the courses of the void or habitable part of this design1 shewing both the joggles of the end joint and the girth1 raised upon the upper beds of the courses1 and sunk into the groove cut in the lower beds of the respective covering courses4 ,figs4 #i4 and #aj4 exhibit different modes of connecting the stones and courses of the solid of the building1 both perpendicularly and horizontally1 by means of dove-tailing4 ,but as a certain degree of weakness is unavoidably incident to every system of dove-tailing1 and1 as the method of forming the bed-joints of the void above alluded to is equally effective1 in its application to the solid or lower part of the building1 as represented in ,plate ,,xxiii41 this is considered preferable to the dove-tailing system4 ,fig4 #aa4 is part of a course1 shewing a simple mode of connecting the stones in water-buildings1 so as to avoid dove-tailing1 and preserve1 as much as possible1 the entire figure of the stones4 ,this is effected by inserting square joggles into the joints1 and allowing these joggles to project #f inches into the course immediately above1 thereby forming a connection horizontally between the stones of a course1 and vertically with the several courses4 ,fig4 #ab4 is also a course of masonry1 in which the square or entire form of the materials is preserved1 while the stones are bound both horizontally and vertically1 by means of metallic-batts and plates1 as represented in the enlarged diagram described in the following ,figure4 ,fig4 #ac41 a is the dove-tailed cross-head or plate2 b is a section both of the batt and plate1 in their places1 shewing their connection with two courses of the building marked ,a ,b2 c shews the mode in which the batt is fixed into the lower course1 by means of wedges2 d the upper end of the batt and plate1 which is also wedged1 and appears1 when in its place1 as in ,fig4 #aa41 marked also a a a4 ,but these several modes of connecting the materials of masonry are considered more or less objectionable1 when compared with the girths delineated in the design represented in ,plate ,,xxiii4 ,figs4 #ad4 and #ae4 are a reduced plan and elevation of the ,bell ,rock ,light-house by ,mr ,rennie1 in the year #ahjg4 ,they will be found so obvious upon inspection1 as not to require explanation1 and are here preserved as the only plans or drawings furnished for this work by that eminent engineer4 ,,plate ,,viii4 ,,beacon-,,house4 ,illustration3 ,,bell ,,rock ,,beacon ,drawn by ,w4 ,lorimer ,engd4 by ,w4 ,h4 ,lizars ,,plate ,,viii4 ,sidenote3 ,pl4 ,,viii4 ,fig4 #a4 represents the ,beacon-house1 which was used as a barrack for the artificers during the working seasons of #ahji and #ahaj4 ,letter ,a ,a ,a is the surface of the ,rock4 ,the principal legs or beams1 with their diagonal supports1 radiating from the centre of the plan1 are marked a a a a a a1 and the bracing chains b b b1 as completed in the year #ahjg4 ,in #ahjh the bracing-chains were removed1 and the malleable iron-bars marked c c c were substituted4 ,the dotted lines d d d d d1 are intended to show the form of the upper or habitable part of the ,beacon as it was ultimately finished1 with its lantern1 for ventilating the barrack-room4 ,one of the figures characterised as sailors1 and used for illustrating this elevation1 is represented as standing upon the ,rock1 and laying hold of one of the bracing-chains4 ,the next figure is ascending the trap-ladder1 formed with cleats of timber nailed upon one of the principal beams2 he is on a level with the mortar-gallery1 marked letter e e e4 ,the third figure is standing upon the cross or collar-beams1 nearly on a level with the floor of the cook-room1 marked f f4 ,the fourth1 or highest figure1 is standing upon one of the principal beams1 with his feet on a level with the top of the windows in the floor of the cabins of the engineer and his assistants marked g g2 the head of this figure being within the artificers' barrack1 marked h h4 ,with one hand he is supposed to be touching the provision-chest1 marked i1 and with the other he is laying hold of the rope for hoisting the copper signal-ball k upon the flag-staff4 ,fig4 #b4 represents the gallery where the mortar-makers and smiths latterly worked4 a a a a a a represent the principal beams of the ,beacon cut across2 b b b the position of the mortar tubs and lime-casks2 c the smith's anvil2 d his bellows2 e the hearth or fire-place4 ,fig4 #c4 represents the floor of the cook-room1 in which a a a a a a shew the principal beams cut across2 b the platt or landing at the entrance-door2 c c the coboose or cooking-hearth2 d the chimney or smoke funnel2 e e e e the provision casks2 f the trap stair leading to the floor above2 g g the small life-boat1 suspended by davits from the principal beams of the beacon2 i i i i i i the six angular upright posts cut across1 marked d in ,fig4 #a41 which form the framing of the hexagonal apartments or floors marked ,,iii4 and ,,iv4 ,letter k represents the position of the privy1 and stair leading to it4 ,fig4 #d4 is the floor of the cabins of the engineer and his assistants4 ,letters a a a a a a mark the position of the six principal beams of the beacon1 now approaching closely together from their diagonal direction3 b b b b b b the angular upright posts1 which1 together with those marked i i i i i i1 as referable to ,fig4 #c41 form the upper apartments into twelve sides2 c is the trap-ladder1 corresponding with letter f in ,fig4 #c41 which communicates with the cook-room floor below2 d is another ladder1 leading to the artificers' barrack above4 ,fig4 #e4 represents the upper floor1 or that of the artificers' barrack-room1 on a level with the top of the principal beams1 marked a in ,figs4 #a1 #b1 and #c4 ,in this diagram a a a a a represent the ground-tier of beds1 which were ranged in five heights1 excepting at the space over the man-hole1 leading up to this apartment1 where there was only three heights of beds2 c represents the trap ladder answerable to letter d of ,fig4 #d4 ,fig4 #f4 represents what may be termed a bird's-eye view of the ,beacon1 as completed in #ahjg1 and before it was converted into a barrack4 ,in reference to ,fig4 #a41 letter a represents the six principal beams1 forming a common base measuring about #ce feet across1 including the bracing-chains1 which are marked b b b b b b4 ,these beams meet in a point at the top1 where they rest upon a block of beechwood1 to which the upper ends of the beams were fitted1 the whole being girded with strong malleable iron rings or hoops1 keyed with spear-bolts4 ,here the provision-chest i1 and signal-ball k1 are represented as resting upon the top of the principal beams4 ,fig4 #g4 is an enlarged view of two of the bracing-chains1 marked a a1 with their tightening shakle marked b b1 meeting in the ring c c4 ,letter d represents one of the batts1 which were sunk into the rock ,a ,a about #bj inches1 and wedged with timber and iron1 as shewn at e e4 ,fig4 #h4 represents a side view of one of the beams of the beacon1 marked a a a a1 cut across immediately above the great stancheons b b b b1 with its bolts1 which were fitted upon each side of the beam2 c c represent the clasp-plates1 which embraced each foot of the beacon1 with its two stancheons4 ,these clasp-plates were fixed with spear-bolts1 as shewn at d d4 ,letters e e represent the wedging with timber and iron1 referred to in ,fig4 #g4 ,fig4 #i4 represents a front view of a like portion of one of the principal beams1 as in ,fig4 #h42 a a a a shew the stancheons on each side of the beam1 and b b the lower extremity of the stancheons sunk into the ,rock ,a2 c c one of the clasp-plates2 d d d d the spear-bolts4 ,fig4 #aj4 is one of the principal beams1 a cut across at the clasp-plate c c c c4 ,letters b b are the great iron-stancheons2 and d d d shew the spear-bolts4 ,,plate ,,ix4 ,,shewing ,,the ,,progress ,,of ,,the ,,works ,,during ,,the ,,second1 ,,third1 ,,and ,,fourth ,,years' ,,operations4 ,illustration3 ,,progress ,,of ,,the ,,bell ,,rock ,,works4 ,drawn by ,j4 ,slight4 ,engd4 by ,w4 ,miller4 ,,plate ,,ix4 ,sidenote3 ,pl4 ,,ix4 ,fig4 #a4 shews the state of the works about the close of the second season1 or year #ahjh1 with two of the moveable beam-cranes1 with their guy tackles and working gear1 which will be more particularly described under ,plate ,,xiv4 ,these are placed upon the top or fourth course of the building4 ,in the fore-ground1 part of the unfinished railways are seen1 with waggons and artificers at work2 and on the right the beacon is partly traced in faint lines4 ,fig4 #b4 represents the state of the works in the month of ,august #ahji1 at the close of the third season's work1 when only one of the cranes was set upon the building2 the other1 as the work increased in height1 and became less in diameter1 was placed upon a temporary stool or prop of masonry1 marked a a a a4 ,this prop was found extremely useful1 as1 by elevating one of the cranes upon the top of it1 the lift of the materials was divided1 and brought more conveniently within reach of the higher crane1 which at this period was about #cj feet above the ,rock4 ,in the fore-ground of this diagram1 part of the circular track of railway round the building is seen4 ,on the right1 a part of the ,beacon-house appears with the rope-ladder of communication1 extending from the top of the solid of the ,light-house to the mortar-gallery4 ,on the rope-ladder a figure is represented walking from the ,beacon to the ,light-house1 and a tackle1 with its travelling pulley1 is also stretched1 for conveying the mortar-bucket1 to the builders4 ,fig4 #c4 represents a section of the void or habitable part of the ,light-house as it appeared in the month of ,august #ahaj1 when the masonry was nearly completed4 ,on the right is an elevation of part of the ,beacon-house1 but instead of the rope-ladder of communication1 a bridge of timber is constructed4 ,letters a a represent the top of the solid1 or level of the entrance-door of the building1 from which the stair-case ascends to the several apartments4 ,resting on the sill of the door at b1 is seen one of the beams for supporting the road-way of the bridge1 and below this1 at the point c1 is the step of one of the diagonal braces of the bridge1 where it is inserted about #f inches into one of the courses of the solid masonry4 ,regarding the frame-work of the bridge1 it may only further be noticed1 that the road-way was chiefly suspended from the king-posts d d4 ,letter e represents a block of stone1 in the act of being raised from the rail-way on the ,rock1 to the level of the bridge1 by means of the crab or winch-machine marked f1 with wheel and pinion apparatus2 the pully of the working chain is suspended from the cross beam g1 which rests or is supported upon the top of the king-posts4 ,one of the figures on the bridge at h1 is in the act of pushing forward a truck cart or waggon i1 to receive the stone e2 when raised through the aperture in the road-way1 it is then lowered upon this waggon1 and removed towards the building within the sphere of the several purchases or machines1 by which it is transported to the hands of the builders4 ,letter k refers to a life-buoy1 and a coil of rope1 kept in readiness upon the bridge1 in case of accident by the fall of any of the people from the building or beacon while the ,rock was covered by the tide4 l l represent two of the fire-buckets1 which were hung round the beacon1 under the projection immediately above the cook-room4 ,the stone marked e1 in the second stage of its progress towards the top of the building1 is now seen immediately above the lintel of the entrance-door1 the purchase chain1 by which it is suspended1 passes over a pulley at m1 attached to the beam n n1 which is projected from one of the windows of the ,light-room store1 where it is supported upon a block of timber1 so as to admit of the chain passing under it4 ,the further end of this beam1 being within the ,light-house1 was bolted to an upright post marked o o1 and the whole apparatus was worked by means of the crab or winch-machine at p1 similar to that upon the bridge marked f f4 ,the stone e is next supposed to have gained the height of the floor of the bed-room1 where another apparatus1 similar to those at f and p1 is placed4 ,here a figure is represented at q1 with a rod in his hand1 in the act of hooking the chain of the balance-crane into the ,lewis-batt1 fixed in the stone e1 still in its progress to the top of the building4 r r r represent the strong oaken beams placed on the floor of the library1 on which the foot of the cast-iron balance-crane is supported4 s s two of the four diagonal braces of oak timber1 bolted into a collar-piece of cast-iron1 clasping the upright shaft of the crane at t t1 and butting against the upright stretchers at u u2 intended as a security to the walls1 in case the balance-crane should at any time get out of equilibrium4 ,the two figures marked v v1 are represented as working the balance-crane1 and are supposed to be standing upon a moveable platform x x1 suspended from the body of the crane by rods of iron y y4 ,this platform or stage1 with the artificers upon it1 being moveable with the body of the crane1 gave great facility and conveniency to those who wrought it4 z is the balance-weight1 moveable by the machinery along the balance-beam of the crane1 to keep the whole in a state of equilibrium1 according to the varied load suspended from the working or opposite beam2 accented represents the moveable block or cross-head of malleable iron1 with two eyes1 into which the chains of the crane were hooked1 when the body 7comprehending the machinery and beams7 was to be elevated upon the shaft in the progress of building4 ,but the cross-head1 together with the other apparatus of this machine1 will be better understood by examining ,plate ,,xvii41 with its letter-press description4 b b b represent the form and position of the ,light-room in dotted lines2 c the mortar-bucket made to traverse upon the guide-rope d d1 stretched between the building and the mortar-gallery of the ,beacon2 the end of the rope attached to the building being fixed to the stanchion 1 inserted into one of the ,lewis batt-holes1 on the balcony of the ,light-room4 ,,plate ,x4 ,,various ,,implements ,,and ,,apparatus ,,connected ,,with ,,the ,,works4 ,illustration3 ,,certain ,,implements ,,connected ,,with ,,the ,,bell ,,rock ,,works ,drawn by ,g4 ,c4 ,scott ,engd4 by ,e4 ,mitchell ,,plate ,x4 ,sidenote3 ,pl4 ,x4 ,fig4 #a4--;is an elevation of one of the three large copper ,lanterns carried by the ,pharos ,floating-,light1 which was moored off the ,bell ,rock while the ,light-house was erecting4 ,in order to relieve this vessel of the cumbrous yards with which ,floating-lights were in use to be fitted1 these lanterns were so constructed as to clasp round the masts1 and traverse upon them4 ,this was effected by constructing them with a tube of copper in the centre1 capable of receiving the mast1 and through which it passed4 ,the lanterns were first completely formed1 and fitted with brass flanges2 they were then cut longitudinally asunder1 which conveniently admitted of their being screwed together on the masts1 after the vessel was fully equipped and moored in her station4 ,letters a a a a shew part of one of the masts1 b one of the tackle-hooks for raising and lowering the lanterns at pleasure1 c c c c c c c c c c the brass flanges1 with their screw-bolts1 by which the body or case of the lantern was ultimately put together2 d d d shew the position of certain holes in the bottom for the admission of air1 f f f f the holes at the top1 connected with the ventilation1 to which the collar-pieces e e and g g form guards against the immediate effects of the weather4 ,the detached diagram1 upon an enlarged scale1 shows the air-hole1 which is marked m4 ,the letters h h h h shew the part of the lantern which was glazed with plate-glass2 i is one of the glass shutters1 by which the lamps were trimmed2 the lower half being raised1 slides into a groove made for its reception2 k k shew the range of ten agitable burners or lamps1 out of which the oil cannot be spilt by the rolling motion of the ship4 ,each lamp having a silvered-copper speculum or reflector l l placed behind the flame1 was found greatly to increase the brilliancy of the light4 ,fig4 #b4--;is a cross section of the bottom of the lantern1 shewing the mast a cut across1 b b is the sole or bottom of the lantern1 c c the flanges at the junction of the body1 in reference to the same letter in ,fig4 #a42 d d d d the small holes for the admission of air1 e e e the brass zone or chandelier1 with its ten arms and sockets marked f f1 c4 in which the stalks of the burners are inserted4 ,the chandelier is made to traverse horizontally into a corresponding groove fixed upon the interior cylinder or case1 through which the mast passes1 and upon which the whole moves up and down4 ,when1 therefore1 the lamps require to be trimmed or taken out of the lantern1 the chandelier is turned until they are respectively brought opposite to the shutter marked i4 ,fig4 #c4 is an enlarged view of one of the agitable burners a1 with its reflector b1 which last measures four inches over the lips1 and is raised to the parabolic curve of three inches focus2 c the socket1 d the section of the moveable chandelier in its groove1 answerable to letters k and l1 ,fig4 #a41 and f and e ,fig4 #b4 ,in reference to ,fig4 #c41 e e is a section of part of the central cylinder of the lantern and mast of the ship4 ,fig4 #d4 represents one of the ,mushroom-,anchors1 constructed wholly of cast-iron1 used for mooring the ,floating-,light and other craft off the ,bell ,rock1 to which part of the mooring-chain is attached4 ,this diagram seems so obvious as to require no particular description4 ,towards the head a a the shank is strengthened by means of four feathers or brackets raised upon it1 somewhat resembling the connecting gills of the vegetable mushroom4 ,these anchors weighed from #ad to #ba cwt4 ,figs4 #e4 to #i4--,,quarry ,,tools4--,fig4 #e4 is a common stone-pick1 weighing from #h to #aj lb41 shown with and without the handle1 which measured about #b feet in length1 but is here shortened4 ,fig4 #f4 is the ,aberdeen or granite pick1 weighing from #f to #af lb4 ,fig4 #g4 is a quarry hammer1 weighing from #f to #h lb4 used for jumping or boring batt-holes in the ,rock1 and the trenail-holes in the courses of the building4 ,fig4 #h4 represents the boring-irons for the trenail-holes1 measuring #a inches in breadth at the cutting end1 and varying in length according to the depth of the respective holes4 ,fig4 #i4 is the scraper used for cleaning the holes2 the perforated end being applied with a piece of rag for drying up the moisture4 ,fig4 #aj4 represents one of the oaken trenails used for keeping the stones in their places while the building was within the ordinary range of the sea4 ,the positions of these trenails may be traced in the small circular holes of the courses1 in ,plate ,,xiii4 ,their lower ends were cut with a saw-draught as at letter a1 into which a small wedge marked b was inserted1 and the trenail having been driven home1 the small wedge had the effect of tightening or fixing it4 ,the upper end c was then cut off flush with the upper bed of the stone1 when it was split1 and another small wedge1 marked d1 driven into the chisel-mark1 which completed the operation of fixing the trenails into their places4 ,fig4 #aa4 represents a pair of the oaken wedges inserted into corresponding grooves cut into the perpendicular joints of the stones in each course of the solid or lower part of the ,light-house1 as may be traced in the small oblong holes1 marked in the joints of the courses in ,plate ,,xiii4 ,these wedges were chiefly intended for bringing the dove-tailed parts of the stones to a general bearing4 ,the thick end of the wedge marked a being dropped into its groove1 the smaller end of the corresponding wedge b was then inserted1 and driven home till some degree of tension or firmness was obtained4 ,this operation of trenailing and wedging was followed from ,mr ,smeaton's practice at the ,edystone ,light-house4 ,fig4 #ab4 is a section of one of the cast-iron mortar-tubs1 with its pestle1 shod or loaded with a piece of malleable iron4 ,figs4 #ac4 to #ae4--;,,cast-,,iron ,,plate-,,railway4--,fig4 #ac4 is a longitudinal view of one length of the cast-iron railways erected upon the ,rock2 a a a a represent the stools or upright supports1 b b are the tracks of the roadway1 c c one of the side stays or braces4 ,fig4 #ad4 is a cross section on the line ,a ,b of ,fig4 #ae1 in which a a is the support with its cross-brace f1 bolted at g g g g2 b b are the railway tracks1 c c c c the stays1 with their connecting bolts on each side1 d d the sleeper or horizontal brace connecting the top of the stools1 and forming a chair or seat for the rails and grated roadway2 e e e e represent the batts and spear-bolts1 with which the whole was connected to the ,rock1 by the process of wedging with timber and iron4 ,fig4 #ae4 is a plan of the finished railway2 a a a a are the feet of the stools1 b b the side rails or waggon-tracks1 c c the stays or side braces1 d d the sleepers1 and h h the grated footpath4 ,the weight of a yard in length of the railways complete1 of the height of four feet1 as represented in these diagrams1 may be estimated about #e cwt4 ,fig4 #af4 represents a plan of one of the railway waggons2 a is the iron handle made to hook upon either end of the waggon1 so as to prevent the necessity of turning it2 b b is the body of the waggon1 consisting of two pieces of oak timber1 bolted upon the upper part of the double frame intended for accommodating the wheels to the circular track of the railway round the building4 ,the upper and under frames are connected with the bolt c c1 so as to admit of the movement above alluded to4 ,for the same reason1 a joint was formed in the perch or middle of the frame at d4 ,the trucks or wheels e e e e were of cast-iron1 measuring #ae inches in diameter4 ,these waggons were always left upon the ,rock1 being simply turned upside down1 or off their wheels1 in a particular part1 and were seldom moved by the sea1 as they weighed about #b cwt4 each4 ,fig4 #ag4 ,the ten diagrams1 marked a1 b1 c1 d1 e1 f1 g1 h1 i1 and k1 are a set of moulds for one course of the solid part of the building1 by which the stones were cut and prepared in the work-yard previous to their being shipped for the ,rock4 ,the application and connection of these diagrams will be better understood by examining the courses of the building in ,plate ,,xiii4 ,fig4 #ah4 a ,trainer or ,rule1 framed of timber1 applied by the builders1 for ascertaining the exact position of the stones of the respective courses4 a is the eye or socket on which it was fitted to a steady-pin placed exactly in the centre4 ,this rule was used chiefly for ascertaining the radiating direction of the stones1 from the centre towards the circumference1 being laid agreeably to corresponding notches and lines marked upon their upper-beds1 so as to preserve band throughout the work1 and prevent difficulty with the closing or finishing stones4 ,fig4 #ai4 is a perpendicular section of the carpenter's jack1 used with much advantage for shifting and turning the stones in the work-yard4 ,the case of this machine was made of elm1 and strongly bound at the ends with iron4 ,it measured #d feet in height1 its greatest breadth #ab inches1 and its thickness #f inches4 a a is the stock or case1 b b the rack1 fashioned at the lower end somewhat like the claws of a carpenter's hammer4 ,the upper end is of a forked form1 both ends being conveniently applicable to the varied positions of the stones2 c and d are the wheel and pinion work2 e the handle by which the machinery is worked1 affording a purchase or mechanical advantage in the ratio of about #fd to #a4 ,fig4 #bj4 is a plan of the useful machine called ,the ,woolwich ,sling-,cart1 applicable to transporting large blocks of stone suspended between the wheels by means of a ,lewis-batt4 ,when a stone was of considerable length1 it became necessary to employ a chain to steady it at the farther end1 the application of which will be seen in this and the following figure4 a a a a represent the shafts and body of the cart1 b b b b the wheels1 c c the handles passing between the spokes of the wheels1 by which the machinery is worked for lifting the stone4 ,the dotted line d d d d represents a plan of a stone in its state of suspension1 e e e the wheel and pinion work1 f the barrel or cylinder on which the chain turns as the stone is raised2 g g is the tail-beam with its chain h h1 and steady-pin i4 ,fig4 #ba4 represents the sling-cart in its working state1 with letters corresponding to ,fig4 #bj4 ,here the ,bell ,rock carter1 and his horse1 are shown1 already noticed in the description of ,plate ,,vi41 page #dih4 ,,plate ,,xi4 ,,the ,,sheer-,,crane1 ,,lewis-,,batt1 ,,praam-,,boat ,,with ,,cargo1 ,,sloop ,,smeaton ,,discharging1 ,,and ,,bruce's ,,two-,,half ,,attending-,,boat4 ,illustration3 ,,apparatus ,,connected ,,with ,,the ,,bell ,,rock ,,works4 ,drawn by ,g4 ,c4 ,scott ,engd4 by ,w4 ,miller4 ,,plate ,,xi4 ,sidenote3 ,pl4 ,,xi4 ,fig4 #a4--,,the ,,sheer-,,crane at ,duff's ,wharf4 a a a are the working-sheers1 to the upper extremity of which the purchase-chain a1 e1 g1 is attached2 from the hook marked i1 the stone k is suspended by the sling-chain i1 k1 which was lengthened or shortened according to the state of the tide4 b b are the upright-sheers2 c c the diagonal or supporting sheers4 ,those last1 though acting as braces1 had also a motion upon the connecting block d at the top1 from which the pulley e is suspended1 and over which the purchase-chain passes4 ,this motion had the effect of giving the stone a kant inwards1 when the working-sheers came to the perpendicular1 so as to lay it upon the waggon f1 to be wheeled along the railways1 as will be understood by examining ,plate ,,xviii4 ,the crab or winch machine g g1 fixed upon the ,rock at one side of the railway1 with batts and spear-bolts1 was worked with a less or greater purchase1 according to the weight of the stone to be lifted4 ,the large wheel measuring #c feet #c inches in diameter1 formed the single purchase1 and the smaller wheel of #b feet #f inches1 with its pinion of #f inches1 when connected with the former by an intermediate pinion1 formed the greater purchase1 exerting a power in the one case in the ratio of about #bj to #a1 and in the other of #ih to #a4 ,fig4 #b4 is a front view of the machine described above1 with corresponding letters4 ,at letters h h1 will be seen more distinctly the cast-iron bed1 with the snugs or flanges for the reception of the lower ends of the sheers a a a and b b b b1 with their journal-bolts4 ,this apparatus1 along with the other parts of the works1 have been modelled for preservation4 ,fig4 #c4 represents one of the malleable iron ,lewis-batts1 with which the stones were lifted from stage to stage1 after leaving the hands of the stone-cutter4 ,this useful implement consists of six members1 viz4 the palm1 which is in three pieces1 marked a1 b1 c2 the palm-bolt d d2 the shackle e4 ,the spear-bolt f1 for preventing the palm-bolt from drawing1 was seldom used in practice4 ,fig4 #d4 is a section of one of the praam-boats1 shewing her cargo on deck1 and more particularly the form and application of the mushroom-anchor and chain-moorings of the ,bell ,rock craft4 a a is the cargo upon deck2 b b is the hold or compartment under deck1 calculated to contain a sufficient number of empty casks1 for floating her1 in the event of receiving injury at the rock4 c c mark the fore and after peaks1 for containing warps1 kedge-anchors1 grapplings1 defenders1 and other tackle2 d marks the position of the bits and cross-tree to which a hook at e was fixed1 for attaching the end of the mooring-chain2 f is the slit in the stem1 answerable to a hawse-hole1 through which the mooring-chain passed almost on a level with the deep water-line1 and was ultimately fixed by the ring g1 to the lower swivel of the floating buoy h1 and also with the mushroom-anchor i at the bottom1 connected with a length of chain extending to about twice the depth of the water4 ,the detached diagram towards the stern of the praam-boat1 consisting of a mushroom-anchor1 a larger and smaller floating buoy1 with their respective chains1 represent the state of the moorings while the praam-boats were employed at the ,rock4 ,the small buoy k1 with its chain l1 was connected at the ring accented l to the hawser-chain of the praam4 ,when she was unmoored1 this small buoy prevented the end of the chain from sinking4 ,in this manner the praams were conveniently disengaged1 or attached to the large buoy h4 ,when at their moorings1 the small buoy k was unhooked and stowed below1 the strong mooring-chain being now drawn through the hawse1 or slit at f1 and the ring at l being simply laid into the hook at e4 ,fig4 #e4 is a perspective view of the sloop ,smeaton at her moorings1 delivering a cargo of stones1 with one of the praam-boats along-side4 ,in the back ground1 the ,light-house is seen partly built1 together with the ,beacon-house4 ,two of the three figures shewn on the deck1 near the mast1 are working the winch-machine of the ship in raising a stone from the hold1 while the figure1 in a lying posture1 is holding-on the end of the tackle-fall1 as described at page #add4 ,a stone is seen in the main hatch of the ship1 suspended from the end of a short boom nearly at right angles to the mast4 ,the figure near the companion or cabin-stair is working one of the guy-tackles4 ,on the praam's deck1 part of a cargo may be seen1 and the figure towards her stern is laying hold of the stone1 suspended in the tackle1 to guide it to its birth1 while the other contiguous figure is working an opposite guy-tackle4 ,to avoid confusion1 only five figures are here introduced4 ,the praam-boat is understood to be lashed head and stern to the ship1 having three or four large wooden defenders slung between them1 to prevent the vessels from injuring each other with the undulating motion of the sea4 ,the ,smeaton's sails are handed1 and the main and gaff-booms braced to one side1 to give room upon deck1 in bringing the stones out of the hold4 ,the only peculiarities about the fitting of the ,smeaton1 were her large main hatch1 for the conveniency of loading and discharging2 her winch-machine was pretty powerful1 exerting a force in the ratio of about #bj to #a1 independently of the purchase-tackle2 her cargo was also carried upon a temporary platform laid in the hold4 ,fig4 #f4 is a perspective view of the smith's forge1 which was partly fixed with batts upon the ,rock2 and also of the ,foundation-pit1 with a number of figures pumping water from the excavated site of the ,light-house4 ,the pumps for this purpose were laid in an inclined direction1 made of a square form1 and very simple in their construction2 the pump-spear with its leathern valve1 being worked by the artificers1 who laid hold of a rope attached to the end of it4 ,in the back ground of this diagram1 the ,floating-light is seen as if through the haze of the atmosphere4 ,fig4 #g4 represents an ,attending-boat1 occasionally used during the summer months for visiting the ,rock1 and relieving the light-keepers4 a a is a section of the principal boat1 measuring #bb feet in length of keel1 and equipped in her rigging after the manner technically termed ,lateen-sails1 which were originally introduced into use on the ,firth of ,forth by ,mr ,thomas ,bruce of ,grangemuir4 ,these sails are considered more safe than the common lug-sail1 from their greatest breadth being carried very low on the mast4 ,but the chief peculiarity of this boat is the launch or 8two-half boat0 of ,mr ,james ,bruce1 which she carries1 for more conveniently communicating with the ,rock1 as alluded to at page #dab1 and further described in ,thomson's ,annals of ,philosophy1 vol4 viii4 p4 #eh4 ,in this diagram b is the two-half boat1 stowed the one-half within the other1 between the main and fore masts1 c c the two halves about to be joined and used as one boat1 d d the stern view of these boats in a separated state1 e e the chatter and catch-bolt for connecting the boats together1 after the manner of a ship's rudder1 f f f f the bolt holes1 by which the upper parts of the boats are connected and held together4 ,,plate ,,xii4 ,,work-,,yard1 ,,light-,,keeper's ,,houses1 ,,sea-,,wall ,,at ,,arbroath1 ,,and ,,seamen's ,,protection-,,medal4 ,illustration3 ,,plan of the ,,harbour and part of the ,,town of ,,aberbrothock ,,plans ,,elevation of the ,,light ,,keepers ,,houses ,,signal ,,tower ,drawn by ,d4 ,logan ,engd4 by ,w4 ,h4 ,lizars ,,plate ,,xii4 ,sidenote3 ,pl4 ,,xii4 ,,work-,,yard4--,the left-hand side of this ,plate is occupied with a plan of the harbour of ,arbroath1 shewing the relative positions of the ,bell ,rock work-yard and light-keepers' houses4 ,,light-,,keepers' ,,houses4--,the other side of the ,plate is occupied with a plan and elevation of the light-keepers' houses2 but as the apartments are respectively marked1 it seems unnecessary to enter farther into particulars1 than to notice that each family has three rooms1 with other conveniencies4 ,connected with this establishment1 there is also a signal-room at the top of the tower1 represented in the elevation1 where a five-feet achromatic telescope is placed upon a stand4 ,on the roof a flag-staff is erected1 and here the signals made by the light-keepers at the ,rock are watched and repeated4 ,on the opposite side of the small court formed by these buildings1 there is a range of houses for stores1 and accommodation for the seamen belonging to the ,bell ,rock ,tender4 ,the whole occupies a piece of ground extending to about one-third of an acre4 ,while the works were in progress1 the large telescope was placed at one of the attic-room windows of ,provost ,balfour's house1 which commands a view of the ,rock1 as may be observed from the ,plate4 ,,sea-,,wall4--,the diagram laid down on the left of the light-keeper's houses1 represents a section of the wall erected for the protection of the property against the encroachment of the sea4 ,it extends to about #ajj feet1 and consists of a face-wall of stone from ,mylnefield quarry1 backed with ,arbroath stone1 and a granite pavement along its seaward base4 ,,protection ,,medal4--,the diagram in the central part of this ,plate represents the obverse and reverse of the seamen's protection medal1 described at page #bji4 ,,plate ,,xiii4 ,,plans ,,of ,,the ,,several ,,courses ,,of ,,the ,,masonry ,,of ,,the ,,light-,,house4 ,illustration3 ,,plans ,,of ,,the ,,courses ,,of ,,the ,,masonry ,,of ,,the ,,bell ,,rock ,,light ,,house ,drawn by ,d4 ,logan4 ,engd4 by ,w4 ,h4 ,lizars ,,plate ,,xiii4 ,sidenote3 ,pl4 ,,xiii4 ,as the ground or imperfect course of the building could not be ascertained till towards the second year's work1 when the site of the ,light-house was excavated1 this course is represented in ,plate ,,xv4 ,fig4 #a4 ,plate ,,xiii41 is the first entire course1 which measures #db feet in diameter4 ,the dove-tailed method of connecting the solid part of the ,light-house here delineated1 extends to the height of the entrance-door1 as will be further understood by examining the section in ,plate ,,xvi4 ,the outward stones of this course are of a lighter shade1 being intended to represent the granite blocks1 while the central part of a darker shade1 represents the sandstone4 ,the thirteen small square or cubical stones in the ,plan of this course1 shew the upper sides of the joggles1 sunk half into the one course1 and penetrating half into the superincumbent one1 acting as so many steady-pins1 calculated to guard against any force tending to affect the fabric horizontally4 ,by tracing the bounding-lines of the stones1 from the centre to the circumference1 it will be observed1 that the whole are connected by means of a system of attachments technically termed ,dove-tailing1 by which the stones may be said to hook laterally into one another1 forming a vertical bond of connection2 but it is on the gravity of the materials that the chief dependence is placed for the stability of the fabric4 ,the small circular dots1 of which there are four in the centre-stone1 and two in each of the others1 shew the position of the oaken trenails1 measuring #a inch in diameter1 and varying in length from #af to #bf inches1 so as to pass through the upper or last laid course1 and penetrate #f inches into the course immediately below4 ,besides these circular holes1 others of an oblong form were cut in the joints1 as will also be observed from the ,figure4 ,these last were for the reception of wooden wedges1 driven in pairs perpendicularly into the joints of the stones1 with a view to bring the dove-tailed parts to a uniform bearing1 before the joints were grouted with mortar2 the bond throughout the building being carefully preserved1 by placing the perpendicular joints over the middle of the stones immediately below1 being what is technically termed 8,breaking-band10--a system universally attended to in good masonry4 ,fig4 #b4 represents the upper side of the #bgth course1 or first of the ,stair-case1 which measures #f feet #d inches in diameter within walls1 and #ai feet #h inches over walls4 ,this course is elevated #cb feet #h inches above the ,rock at the foundation of the first stone1 as will be seen in the section of ,plate ,,xvi4 ,here the granite casing is discontinued1 and sandstone only is in future used4 ,it will be observed1 that the same system of dove-tailing is attended to in the stair-case as in the solid3 this unavoidably occasioned the working of the stones into very awkward forms1 and required the utmost precaution in landing them on the ,rock with safety4 ,the parts of this course which are not shaded1 shew the plan of the entrance-door1 passage1 and circular void of the stair1 crossed by the radiating lines of the steps1 as also the form of some of the stones of the top of the solid4 a a represent the base of a column of cast-iron1 which renders the drop-hole for the machinery continuous from the floor of the oil-store down to the level of the passage1 and so through the centre of the solid1 as shewn in the section ,plate ,,xvi42 b is a small stove placed in the stair-case2 c is the position of the ,inner door1 of brass1 as shewn in ,fig4 #b4 ,plate ,,xix41 the upper part of which is glazed with plate-glass1 to preserve the light of the stair-case2 d is the position of the entrance-door1 which is fashioned agreeably to the circular form of the building1 and is strongly bound with the brass-hinges1 as also shewn in ,figs4 #a4 and #b4 of ,plate ,,xix4 ,fig4 #c4 is the #cith course of the building1 and first of the provision-store1 and is #de feet #aa inches above the foundation4 ,this apartment measures #aa feet #i inches in diameter within walls1 and #ah feet over walls4 ,from the floor to the roof the height is #h feet #g inches4 ,here the dove-tailed system1 excepting at the end joints1 and in the centre stones of the floors1 was laid aside4 ,at this level another system of connecting the courses was adopted1 by means of a zone or belt1 which was raised or worked upon the upper bed of the stones1 and fitted to a corresponding groove in the course laid immediately above1 as may be seen by tracing the diagrams representing the habitable parts of the house4 ,this zone or belt1 together with the horizontal plan of the floors1 form the chief distinctive differences between the ,designs of the ,edystone and ,bell ,rock4 ,fig4 #c4 ,the parts in this ,figure which are not shaded represent the two windows of this apartment with the landing at the top of the stone stair-case4 a a represent the storm-shutters1 which will be more fully seen in ,plate ,,xix4 b b are the outer glazed windows2 c c the inner glazed windows2 d the open trap-ladder1 with its brass hand-rail1 leading to the light-room-store2 e e the cast-iron coal magazine2 f f f f the water-cisterns1 of cast-iron1 lined with a mixture of pitch and sand1 and containing each #aej gallons2 g g g g the four cast-iron magazines1 for containing the provision casks1 and various implements2 h h the machinery1 placed on a level with the top of the water-cisterns1 for raising the stores from the entrance-door of the building to the ,light-house2 i i is the hole perforated through the wall for the passage of the chain for lifting the stores1 the operation of which will be better understood by examining ,plate ,,xvi42 k the cast-iron stage upon which the light-keepers stand when they work the machinery for taking up the stores2 l l the cast-iron steps leading to the stage k4 ,fig4 #d4 is a plan of the floor of the light-room store1 being the #dhth course1 which is #ee feet #aj inches above the foundation4 ,this apartment1 within walls1 measures #aa feet #aj inches1 over walls #af feet #aj inches1 and its height is #h feet #g inches4 ,the shaded part of the floor marked a a a a a a a1 represents the copper oil-cisterns1 coated with tin1 calculated to contain one whole year's stock of oil1 or about #aajj gallons4 ,this apartment being chiefly occupied with these cisterns1 there is only one window in it2 b is the trap-ladder1 and shews also the manhole1 measuring #c feet in its greatest length and #b feet in breadth2 c the store-room door2 d d the position of the oaken pannelled partitions1 which separate and inclose the store-room from the stair4 ,fig4 #e4 being the kitchen floor1 forms the #egth course1 which is elevated #fe feet #h inches above the foundation4 ,this apartment measures #aa feet #aa inches in diameter1 over all #af feet1 and its walls are #h feet #i inches in height4 ,this room1 in the position of its windows1 manhole1 and trap-ladder1 is similar to what has already been described in reference to ,figs4 #c4 and #d4 ,in ,fig4 #e1 a is the door leading to the apartment below2 b the door leading to the trap-ladder of the apartment above2 c c the oaken partitions1 formed into lockers1 which shut off the stair from the apartment2 d is the cast-iron kitchen range or fire-place1 which stands free and unconnected with the walls1 forming a connected piece of pannelled work1 extending from the floor to the ceiling2 e is a strong cast-iron fender1 and also a receptacle for the ashes2 f f copper coal-boxes1 formed into seats1 on each side of the fire-place2 g the cook's table and locker2 h the handle of the pump1 by which water is raised from the provision-store or the second floor below2 i i other lockers1 also formed into seats4 ,fig4 #f4 is the bed-room floor1 or #ffth course of the building1 and is elevated #ge feet #h inches above the foundation2 it measures #aa feet #aa inches in diameter1 and over all #ae feet #f inches2 the walls are #i feet in height4 ,the windows1 manhole1 trap-ladder1 doors1 and oaken partition are similar to what have already been described in the floors below2 a shews the position of the aperture for the cast-iron funnel leading from the kitchen-chimney through the several apartments to the cupola of the ,light-house2 b b the bed-frames1 forming two bed-places in breadth1 which are three tiers in height1 reaching from the floor to the roof1 and capable of accommodating six persons2 c c lockers on each side of the beds1 for the use of the four light-keepers4 ,fig4 #g4 the next in order is the floor of the ,strangers'-room or ,library1 being the #geth course of the building1 which is #he feet #aa inches above the foundation4 ,the diameter of this floor is #ab feet1 it measures #ae feet over walls1 and the height of the roof1 at the centre1 is #aa feet #a inch4 ,the walls1 windows1 and other particulars of this apartment are nearly similar to those formerly described2 a is the cast-iron funnel leading from the kitchen-chimney2 b b the oaken framed book-case2 c the tube through which the machinery-rope is conducted by the side of the walls of the several apartments1 to the ceiling of the ,provision-store4 ,fig4 #h4 is the ,light-room floor1 or #hfth course of the building1 which is elevated #ig feet #i inches above the foundation2 within walls the floor measures #aa feet in diameter1 over walls #ac feet #f inches4 ,the stones of the floor of this apartment1 as will be observed1 extend from the centre stone to the circumference of the balcony1 varying from #g feet to #g feet #f inches in length4 ,the parapet-wall of the light-room1 as will be seen from the ,plate1 has its outward face of an octagon form1 but is worked circular within4 ,in the several courses of the parapet1 the principle of the zone or belt in the beds of the stones is still continued1 and also the dove-tail of the end joints4 ,the ,light-room measures from the floor to the top of the stone work1 or sole of the glazed sash-frames1 #f feet4 a is the circular aperture for the cast-iron smoke-tube leading from the kitchen-chimney2 b b is the manhole of this floor1 having its landing towards the centre of the apartment1 instead of being close to the wall1 as in the several floors below4 ,to have formed the length-way of the man-hole of this floor along the wall1 would have occasioned the cutting of the stones in the dome-roof of the ,library1 in a manner hurtful to the strength of the building1 which was conveniently avoided by introducing a platt in the ladder1 instead of ascending more directly as by the trap-ladders of the floors below2 c c is the case of the revolving-machinery1 which gives motion to the ,lights2 d d is the drum or barrel1 with its connecting wheels1 on which the rope is coiled1 from which the weight is suspended2 e the position of the upright shaft for supporting the chandelier on which the reflectors are ranged1 which is put in motion by its connecting train of machinery4 ,the dotted lines marked f f shew the direction of the grooves cut in the floor for the horizontal shafts1 which derive their motion from the machinery1 and work the hammers of the two alarm-bells placed on the balcony2 g g the bell-hammers with their cases2 h h the bells1 weighing each #e cwt41 which are tolled during the continuance of foggy or snowy weather2 i i1 c4 are the screwed batts of brass1 forming the fixtures of the balcony-rail2 k the ,light-room door communicating with the balcony1 which measures in the clear #e feet in height1 and #a foot #aj inches in breadth4 ,fig4 #i4 is a plan of the ,lantern1 showing the position of the trimming-path1 and reflector-frame4 ,the height from the foundation to the sill of the sash-frame is #ajb feet #f inches1 and from thence to the lining of the cupola #ac feet four inches4 a is the smoke-tube leading from the kitchen to the cupola2 b b b b the cast-iron grated trimming-path1 on which the light-keepers stand when they trim the lamps2 c c the reflector-frame or chandelier1 on which three tiers of reflectors are ranged2 d the upright shaft2 f f1 c4 the position of the fountains for the reflector-burners1 g g the position of the shades of red-coloured glass1 by which the light is distinguished2 h the iron trap-ladder communicating with the trimming-path4 ,,plate ,,xiv4 ,,moveable ,,beam ,,crane4 ,illustration3 ,,moveable ,,beam ,,crane c4 ,drawn by ,a4 ,slight ,engd4 by ,a4 ,wilson ,,plate ,,xiv4 ,sidenote3 ,pl4 ,,xiv4 ,fig4 #a4 is an ,elevation of the ,crane4 ,in cranes of the common construction1 the beam is a fixture1 and is placed at right angles to the upright-shaft2 but in the machine represented in this ,plate1 its attachment is at the lower extremity of the crane1 where it is moveable up and down upon a journal or bolt4 ,this crane is therefore termed a ,moveable-beam-crane4 ,the moveable property of the beam1 in so far as the writer knows1 is new1 and possesses the advantage of laying any stone within its range perpendicularly on its site4 ,this1 from the dove-tailed form of the stones at the ,bell ,rock1 rendered it essentially useful to this work1 to which a crane of the ordinary construction could hardly be said to be applicable4 ,at the ,edystone ,light-house this operation was performed by means of ,triangular-sheers2 but1 from the greater extent of the ,bell ,rock works1 and their greater depth in the water1 such means must have rendered the process of building extremely tedious4 ,in reference to this ,figure1 a a a is the upright shaft of the crane2 b b the cast-iron foot into which the lower journal of the shaft was stepped2 c the cap into which the upper journal works1 and into which two of the hooks d d of the four guy-ropes x x x x were entered1 for commanding the top of the upright-shaft4 ,from the immersed state of these cranes1 while the building was low in the water1 a guard-plate was introduced1 and bolted to the cap1 which laid hold of a collar raised round the journal1 to prevent the cap from being unshipped by the waves2 e e is the moveable beam1 formed and built of two strong pieces of oak timber1 connected in the centre by a serpentine row of bolts4 ,this beam was mounted at the upper and lower extremities with strong cast-iron plates2 f marks the cast-iron sheers or cheeks1 fixed to the bottom of the upright shaft1 into which the moveable beam works upon the journal or bolt g4 ,in order to direct the strain of the main purchase-chain h h h h h h passing over the cheek pulley i fixed upon the shaft1 and to prevent its effect from bringing home the moveable beam e e to the upright shaft1 a martingale or tail-block l is introduced and made fast to the shaft at m4 ,when the purchase-chain is not in action1 the block l is suspended from the small chain at n1 which prevents it from falling too low1 and thereby deranging the position of the purchase-chain4 ,that the beam may be made applicable to laying the stone marked k1 at the foot of the crane1 or at the utmost reach of the beam1 a chain or purchase marked o o o1 is introduced1 which also passes over a cheek-pulley i on the opposite side of the shaft4 ,by this additional apparatus the beam is capable of being elevated or depressed at pleasure4 ,the handle marked p p1 with its pinion and connecting wheel q q1 and larger wheel r r1 together with its intermediate pinion1 form the main purchase1 and exert a force calculated at the rate of about #ih to #a4 ,when a smaller weight was to be lifted1 and greater speed wanted1 the handle was transferred to the axle s1 whose pinion being always in gear with the wheel r r1 produced an accelerated motion1 with a power in the ratio of #bj to #a2 at the same time1 the handle t t1 with its pinion in action with the wheel u u1 worked the beam e e1 so as to lay a stone perpendicularly with the greatest facility within any part of its range4 ,fig4 #b4 is the cast-iron tripod1 used as a prop to the moveable beam1 when applied as a lever1 for lifting the crane2 a a a mark the foot1 b the cross head1 having a stud which works into a circular hole perforated in the top of the tripod4 ,by this simple apparatus1 the crane could be moved and shifted either perpendicularly or horizontally1 with a facility which added greatly to the conveniency of the operations4 ,when the tripod was applied to use1 it was placed under the heel-plate of the moveable beam marked v1 and when rested upon it1 the beam became a lever of great power4 ,fig4 #c4 is an ,elevation of the ,working-gear of the ,moveable ,beam-,crane4 a a a is the upright-shaft1 as in ,fig4 #b42 b b the cast-iron foot2 c the cap with its guard-plate2 d d guy-hooks for commanding the top of the shaft2 f f the edges of the sheers or cheeks1 for the heel of the moveable beam2 g the bolt or journal on which the beam is moveable2 h h the purchase-chain2 i i the cheek pulleys2 o o the moveable beam-chain2 p p the two main purchase-handles2 q q the smaller wheel of the main purchase2 r the greater wheel1 with the intermediate pinion w1 connected with the axle s of the wheel q q4 ,the handles and pinion t t are connected with the wheel u u1 for working the moveable beam-purchase2 x is the drum or barrel for the main purchase-chain2 y the barrel of the purchase-chain of the moveable beam4 ,fig4 #d4 is a ,section1 shewing the connection of the purchases for working the beam1 and lifting the weight3 the axle s1 of the lesser wheel q1 with its intermediate pinion x of the main-purchase1 work through the eye or centre of the wheel u u1 and barrel y of the beam-purchase4 x and r refer to the corresponding letters in ,fig4 #c4 ,fig4 #e4 is an ,elevation of the ,winch-machine4 ,the machines1 used for the various purposes of landing the materials and raising them to the top of the building1 were framed or made of cast and malleable iron4 a a a a are the cheek plates or frames in which the axles of the machinery work4 ,those employed upon the ,rock were fixed down by means of spear-bolts1 to four bats1 as shewn at b b2 but in other situations they were fixed by straps of iron to beams of timber4 ,the cheeks a a a a were connected by means of three strong bolts passing through hollow tubes1 which butted against the inner sides of the cheeks and kept them in their places4 ,the large wheel marked c c measures #c feet #c inches in diameter1 and the smaller wheel d d is #b feet #f inches3 these1 with their respective pinions1 of #f inches in diameter1 exerted powers respectively of #bj to #a1 and #ih to #a1 being of a size similar to the cranes2 as one set of wheel and pinion patterns were made to answer the several machines employed at the work4 ,letter e is one of the handles connected with its axle and pinions1 which1 at pleasure1 is made to work with a double or single purchase1 by simply slipping the axle out and into gear with the larger and smaller wheels4 ,fig4 #f4 is a ,plan of the ,winch-machine4 a a a a is the sole of the frame1 shewing the bat-holes for fixing it down2 c is the large1 and d the small wheel1 with its axle2 e e the handles1 with their axle and pinions f f f2 letter g is the barrel attached to the axle of the large wheel1 with part of the purchase-chain2 h h is the axle of the small wheel and intermediate pinion2 and i i one of the hollow pipes through which the bolts pass for connecting the two cheeks or frame of the machine together4 ,fig4 #g4 refers to a machine fixed to the walls of the ,provision-store1 for raising the stores from the railways to the entrance-door1 as pointed out in ,plate ,,xvi4 a a a a a section of part of the walls of the ,provision-store1 in which a hole x x is perforated1 and lined with a copper tube1 for the passage of the purchase-chain2 b is the pulley1 with its case1 over which it works2 c c c is the frame of the machine2 and d the handle1 with its bevelled pinion4 ,the distinctive feature of this apparatus is the vertical motion of the barrel1 by which it receives and discharges the chain always at the same point2 the direction also of the chain may thus be altered almost close to the barrel1 which in this case was the chief desideratum4 ,to effect this purpose1 the barrel is made to move vertically upon the axle f1 by means of a screw y1 upon its lower end1 which works into a corresponding screw-rack g2 in its operation1 the wheel h h is worked by the cylindrical upright-pinion of brass1 marked i4 ,the two pairs of bevelled wheels1 supported upon the small intermediate frame l1 are introduced1 for applying a double or single purchase1 according to the load to be raised4 ,,plate ,,xv4 ,,foundation-,,pit1 ,,or ,,excavated ,,site ,,of ,,the ,,light-,,house4 ,illustration3 ,,foundation ,,pit ,,of ,,the ,,lighthouse4 ,drawn by ,j4 ,slight4 ,engd4 by ,w4 ,h4 ,lizars ,,plate ,,xv4 ,sidenote3 ,pl4 ,,xv4 ,fig4 #a4 is a ,plan of the site of the ,light-house1 and of the ground or imperfect course1 in readiness for receiving the first entire course of the building1 represented in ,plate ,,xiii4 ,fig4 #a4 ,the dark shaded figures delineated upon the ,plan in ,plate ,,xv4 represent the stones of the ground-course1 consisting of #ah detached pieces1 which vary in their forms according to certain irregular holes in the ,rock4 ,from the same cause1 the stones of this imperfect course vary in thickness from #f to #ah inches4 ,the situation of the ,foundation-stone will be seen from its having the year of our ,lord #ahjh cut upon it1 as noticed at page #bcg4 ,the four exterior stones1 which are cut somewhat of a dove-tail form1 are of a lighter shade being granite1 while the #ad interior pieces1 being of sandstone1 are of a darker shade4 ,the dark shading on the northern side of the ,plan represents merely the shadow of the higher parts of the ,rock round the excavated site of the ,light-house4 ,fig4 #b4 is a ,section of the ,foundation-pit1 upon the line ,a ,b1 varying in depth from #ah inches to #e feet1 representing also the dip or inclination of the strata2 while the dotted lines above show the form of the lower part of the ,light-house4 ,,plate ,,xvi4 ,,elevation ,,and ,,section ,,of ,,the ,,light-,,house4 ,illustration3 ,,elevation ,,and ,,section ,,of ,,the ,,bell ,,rock ,,light ,,house4 ,drawn by ,d4 ,logan ,engd4 by ,w4 ,h4 ,lizars ,,plate ,,xvi4 ,sidenote3 ,plate ,,xvi4 ,fig4 #a4 is an ,elevation of the ,light-house1 with the brazen-ladder leading up to the entrance-door4 ,part of the ,rock and railways are seen1 on which several figures are at work1 landing stones from a boat1 as at low-water of spring-tides4 ,the small aperture bored through the outward wall between the door and the window of the ,light-room-store1 is for the passage of the chain for raising the stores1 as described in ,fig4 #g4 ,plate ,,xiv4 ,the two leaves of the entrance-door are shewn folded back upon the walls4 ,the first window above the door seen in this view of the building1 is that of the ,light-room store2 the second is one of the bed-room windows2 and the third is in the ,library2 immediately over this are the cornice and balcony-rail1 through which last is seen the ,light-room door1 with the alarm bells on each side4 ,through the glazed sashes1 the reflectors are seen arranged upon the chandelier1 connected with the revolving apparatus4 ,on a level with the lower part of the cupola is the signal-ball4 ,on the ensign-staff a flag is hoisted1 with a light-house in the field1 used as a complimentary signal in the service of the ,northern ,light-houses4 ,fig4 #b4 is a ,section of the ,light-house1 shewing parts of the ,rock and ground-course4 a a show part of the railways2 b the brazen ladder leading to the entrance-door1 which is marked c4 ,in the central part of the solid of the building is shewn the cylindrical drop-hole d d1 which passes through the centre-stones of each course1 and forms part of the range of the machinery-weight4 ,on each side of the drop-hole1 throughout the solid1 and walls of the stair-case1 are seen the stone-joggles e e1 c4 as they occur in the several courses1 and were noticed in the description of ,plate ,,xiii4 ,figs4 #a4 and #b4 ,at the entrance-door a figure is represented receiving stores into the house4 ,immediately behind him1 one of the leaves of the inner door1 of brass1 appears folded back into its recess in the wall1 the upper part being glazed with plate-glass1 for the admission of light to the stair-case4 ,in continuation of the range of the machinery-weight above alluded to1 and extending between the solid and the ceiling of the provision-store1 a column of cast-iron1 marked x x1 passes up through the well-hole of the stair4 ,the provision store1 with which the stone stair communicates1 is formed by a scarsement of the walls at the level of letter f1 on which the water-cisterns1 lockers for provisions1 and coal magazine1 are ranged4 ,over these a stage or platform of cast iron is erected1 on which a figure is seen at work at the machinery for raising the stores from the railways to the entrance-door of the house4 ,the purchase-chain of this machine passes over the pully at g1 as described in ,plate ,,xiv4 ,fig4 #g4 ,the next apartment in ascending the oaken trap-ladders leading through the several apartment1 is the ,light-room-store1 marked h1 occupied chiefly with #g copper oil-cisterns1 which are strengthened with polished brass bars forming the front into pannels4 ,this1 and the several apartments above are partitioned off from the stair with a pannelled framing of oak4 ,the kitchen i1 over the store-room1 is chiefly occupied with the fire-place1 7though not seen in this section71 which1 with its cast-iron pipe or chimney ascending through the different rooms to the cupola1 stand free1 or are not embedded in the walls of the house4 ,on the right-hand side of the kitchen a figure is seen at the cook's table and lockers2 and on the left are seen the oaken trap-ladder set close to the wall1 and the lockers1 by which it is partitioned off from the apartments4 ,a similar arrangement takes place in the bed-room marked h1 occupied chiefly with the oaken bed frames1 described in ,fig4 #f4 ,plate ,,xiii4 ,the apartment marked l is the ,strangers'-room or ,library1 which contains a small collection of books4 ,the furniture is of oak timber1 executed in ,mr ,trotter of ,edinburgh's best style4 ,the walls were painted by ,mr ,macdonald of ,arbroath1 in handsomely decorated pannel-work2 and from the dome an antique bronze lamp is suspended4 ,the upper apartment m forms the ,light-room and ,lantern1 rendered fire-proof1 as every thing is of stone or metal1 excepting a small oaken table and chair for the use of the light-keeper on watch2 accented m is the copper-ball1 shown as hoisted for the signal 8,all is ,well40 ,the reflecting apparatus and revolving machinery with which the ,light-room is occupied1 will fall to be described under ,plate ,,xx4 ,,plate ,,xvii4 ,,balance-,,crane4 ,illustration3 ,,balance-,,crane4 ,drawn by ,j4 ,slight ,engd4 by ,a4 ,wilson ,,plate ,,xvii4 ,sidenote3 ,pl4 ,,xvii4 ,fig4 #a4 is an elevation of the ,balance-,crane1 constructed for building the upper part of the ,bell ,rock ,light-house1 when the guy-ropes of the ,moveable ,beam-crane1 became 8too taunt10 as sailors express it1 or were too near the perpendicular1 thereby rendering the machine unstable4 ,to remedy this1 the crane alluded to was kept in equilibrium by a back-weight of cast-iron1 so adapted as to counteract the varying load upon the working arm or beam4 ,the elevation here represented is the same in principle with that used at the ,bell ,rock1 but differs somewhat in form1 agreeably to more recent improvements made in order to adapt it to the erection of the ,carr ,rock ,beacon4 a a is the cast-iron foot or socket1 into which the upright central column b b is stepped1 being a tube of cast-iron put together in convenient lengths1 with flush joints1 after the manner of spiggot and faucet1 fitted by turning and boring4 ,the centre column of this machine might have been carried to any suitable or convenient height1 by adding length to length1 as the building advanced1 without once moving the foot2 but at the ,bell ,rock1 not more than three lengths of from #f to #i feet were generally in use4 c c represent a malleable iron cross-head1 which was stepped into the void of the central shaft or column1 when the body of the crane was to be elevated4 ,this operation was accomplished simply by hooking the main-purchase and traveller-chains into the eyes c c1 when the machinery of the crane was employed with great facility as a locomotive power for lifting itself2 d is a stone supposed to be suspended in the purchase-chain2 and e is the back-weight or counterpoise1 which1 at pleasure1 was moved horizontally along the balance-beam marked f1 consisting of two plates or bars of malleable iron2 g is the working-beam1 of similar construction2 h-h1 h-h1 h1 h1 are four of the eight main and secondary suspending ties of malleable iron1 applied from above1 in order to leave the lower part of the crane unobstructed4 ,this afforded great conveniencey particularly at the ,carr ,rock1 and also at the erection of the ,melville ,monument of ,edinburgh1 where the space for the workmen was extremely circumscribed1 the shaft of the column not being more than #aj feet #f inches in diameter towards the top4 ,the main ties h-h1 h-h1 at the lower extremity1 were made fast by the same bolt which passes through the pulleys f and g1 while the upper ends were bolted into a collar1 which is seen clasping the central column at i i4 ,this collar is fitted with four friction-rollers1 one of which is seen at k4 l l shew two of the four principal rods or bars of malleable iron for connecting the ,crane1 and answering the purpose of a king-post to the ties h-h1 h-h1 of the frame-work2 m m mark two of the four braces forming a connection between the main ties and arms or beams of the crane4 ,the cheeks n n n1 which contain the train or series of wheels of the crane1 are of cast-iron4 ,in the formation of these cheeks they present as little obstruction to the workmen as possible1 while1 at the same time1 they embrace the various journals or axles of the machinery4 ,the upper part is connected by a square framed collar of malleable iron1 seen at ,fig4 #e4 fitted with friction rollers1 and1 like the collar above alluded to1 works round the central column4 ,this lower collar is connected with the cheeks of the crane by studs passing through them1 and fixed by means of screw-nuts4 ,the lower part of the frame is in like manner connected with the upright shaft1 by a collar1 which is moveable upon friction-balls of cast-iron1 contained in a circular race or chamber o o1 a plan of which1 shewing the balls1 is given at ,fig4 #c4 ,the whole machine thus fitted1 is supported upon the central shaft by means of the cutter or spear-bolt p4 ,the winch handle marked q1 is that with which the main-purchase chain r1 passing over the pulley s1 is worked1 from which the stone d is suspended4 ,connected with the main-purchase1 a wheel1 marked w1 of #cj inches diameter1 is worked by a pinion of #e inches1 mounted upon the axle of the handle q1 producing a power or force in the ratio of #ah to #a2 this power may at pleasure be increased by throwing another pinion on the same axle into gear with the wheel marked n1 of #af inches diameter4 ,the handle u u is connected with the main-traveller s1 balance-chain v v v1 and their traveller x1 to which the back-weight e is appended4 ,the main-traveller wheel y measuring #cf inches in diameter1 with its pinion of #e inches marked u1 exerting a power in the ratio of #ba to #a1 serves to work the main-traveller4 ,on the same axle with the pinion u1 is another pinion1 working two wheels1 as seen in ,fig4 #d1 which gives motion to the balance-traveller4 ,these two combinations of wheels are so arranged1 that1 by working the small levers m and z1 they can with facility be thrown in and out of gear1 so as to work the traveller either together or separately4 ,the whole weight of the ,balance-crane1 here represented as resting upon the oaken beams ,a ,a ,b1 on one of the floors1 weighed about three tons2 but the balance and working beams having latterly been made of malleable iron1 and the other parts of the machine considerably lightened1 it did not exceed more than two tons in weight when used at the ,carr ,rock4 ,fig4 #b4 ,the cast-iron foot of the ,crane is necessarily very ponderous1 and weighs about half a ton4 ,the toes a a a a extend about #e feet2 b b b b are the bat-holes for fixing it down1 in case of its at any time getting off the balance1 but1 in practice1 these bats were seldom applied4 ,when the crane was supported over the void or central holes left in the floors during the progress of the work1 the toes were clasped to the oaken beams ,a ,a ,b1 formerly noticed1 represented as resting on one of the upper floors of the building1 ,b1 in ,fig4 #a41 being a cross section of the lower beam1 with its levelling-block2 c1 the socket for the central column1 or upright shaft1 is #aj inches in diameter at the upper side1 and diminishes to #i inches1 that the column may become fixed into it by the pressure of the machine4 ,fig4 #c4 o o1 in reference to ,fig4 #a41 represents the collar-chamber1 filled with cast iron friction-balls1 upon which the body of the machine rested1 and traversed horizontally with the greatest facility4 ,fig4 #d4 is a perpendicular section taken across the cheeks and wheels with a view to shew the train of the machine more fully4 a a is the foot2 b b two lengths of the central column1 or hollow cylinder1 with their spiggot and faucet joint in the middle1 shewing also that the metal is about an inch and a quarter in thickness2 c c the cross-head1 referred to in ,fig4 #a42 i i the upper collar1 shewing its connection l l with the king-posts or main rods2 n n the cast-iron cheeks1 with the lower collar1 and the chamber for the friction-balls2 o the cutter or spear-bolt1 which supports the whole machine2 u u the traveller handles1 the main-purchase handles not being embraced in this section2 y y the wheels and pinion of the main traveller2 accented y y the wheel and pinion of the balance-traveller x x4 ,in the central part of this figure1 the barrel or drum x of the traveller-chains is seen1 and also the middle collar x1 with its friction rollers4 ,fig4 #e4 is a plan of the body of the ,crane1 in reference to ,fig4 #a4 b is a cross section of the central column1 seen in connection with the upper collar d d2 with a stone suspended from the end of the main-beam2 e e the back weight suspended from the balance-beam3 f and g the extremities of these two beams2 h h h h four horizontal braces1 extending from the cast-iron cheeks to the middle of the beam4 ,letters n n n n the cast-iron cheeks of the body2 q q the main purchase-handles2 r the main-purchase chain2 s its traveller2 t t the traveller-chain2 u u the traveller handles2 v the balance traveller-chain2 x its traveller2 w w the main-purchase wheels2 y y the traveller wheels2 z the lever1 for stopping the main traveller-wheel4 ,fig4 #f4 is a plan of the frame work of this machine3 b is the upright column1 with the upper malleable iron-collar1 shewing its connection with the king-posts l l of ,fig4 #a42 f and g are the extremities of the main-purchase and balance-beams2 m m the horizontal rods connecting with the main-ties2 h h1 c4 the main ties2 h h1 c4 the horizontal braces2 n n n n the cheeks or frame of the wheels and machinery1 with the two great bolts marked n n1 by which the frame was principally connected2 these bolts being passed also through the interior ends of the balance and working beams4 ,,plate ,,xviii4 ,,general ,,view ,,of ,,the ,,works4 ,sidenote3 ,pl4 ,,xviii4 ,this ,plate gives a ,perspective view of the ,works at the ,bell ,rock1 taken by ,carse1 at low-water of spring-tide1 from on board the ,light-house ,yacht1 in the month of ,july #ahaj1 at the distance of about half a mile in a southern direction from the ,rock1 and is here reduced from a picture in the possession of the writer4 ,in the fore-ground a boat is introduced1 approaching the ,rock with a party of strangers1 and another is leaving it1 supposed to be receiving orders from a figure on the ,rock1 who is pointing towards her4 ,in the back-ground1 the shipping belonging to the work is introduced1 viz4 the ,tender1 a ,schooner1 and the stone-vessels ,smeaton and ,patriot1 with the ,floating-light4 ,in the distance1 the hills of ,fife and ,forfar are seen1 but the entrance to the ,firth of ,tay is intercepted by the beams of the ,beacon-house4 ,between the ,light-house and ,beacon1 or in the direction of the chain and stone suspended from the ,wooden-bridge1 the ruins of the ,abbey of ,aberbrothwick are seen4 ,the operation of landing the stones with the sheer-crane at ,duff's ,wharf1 toward the right1 is seen2 and also one of the moveable beam-cranes1 in a working position1 at ,pitmilly ,wharf1 on the left4 ,the principal lines of the railways1 with waggons1 and a variety of operations which are in progress1 form a very busy scene upon the ,rock4 ,on the praam-boat's deck1 toward the left of the picture1 ,captain ,wilson1 the landing-master1 is represented with a speaking-trumpet in his hand2 and at the foot of the ,beacon-house1 ,mr ,francis ,watt1 foreman mill-wright1 is supposed to be giving directions about some operations4 ,on a level with the entrance-door of the ,light-house1 the bridge of communication is situate1 and four blocks of stone are seen1 in progress of being raised from the railways to the top of the building1 viz4 one is suspended from the winch-machine upon the bridge1 another from the beam projecting out of the window of the ,light-room store1 a third from the bed-room1 and a fourth from the ,balance-crane1 which last is about to be laid upon the parapet-wall of the ,light-room4 ,here the operations are going forward under the direction of ,mr ,peter ,logan1 foreman builder4 ,in the open gallery of the ,beacon-house1 ,mr ,dove1 the foreman smith1 is seen at work1 with the smoke of the respective fires of the forge and cook-room4 ,the tackle1 distended in a diagonal direction1 from the balcony of the ,light-house1 to the mortar-gallery of the ,beacon1 shews the mode of raising the mortar-buckets4 ,the figure on the small scaffold suspended from the balcony1 shews the method of pointing the walls with ,roman cement4 ,,plate ,,xix4 ,,entrance-,,door1 ,,windows1 ,,hinges1 ,,and ,,thunder-,,rod4 ,illustration3 ,,entrance ,,door1 ,,windows1 ,,hinges ,,and ,,thunder ,,rod4 ,drawn by ,j4 ,slight ,engraved by ,r4 ,scott ,,plate ,,xix4 ,sidenote3 ,pl4 ,,xix4 ,fig4 #a4 represents part of the outward wall ,a ,a ,a ,a1 and entrance-door1 one leaf or half of which is open1 and the other shut2 a1 one of the handles for opening and shutting it1 connected with a thumb-latch2 b b the bolts for securing the door when shut2 c c c c the hinges2 d d d d the brass guard-plates at top and bottom of the door1 for defending the timber4 ,the door is framed of fir-wood1 and measures #f feet #d inches in height in the clear1 besides the brass-checks upon which it shuts at top and bottom1 which are of #b inches in depth1 as shewn at e in ,fig4 #a41 and also by an end view in ,fig4 #b4 ,the two leaves form a common breadth of #b feet #aj inches in the clear4 ,a cornice of brass is formed on the lintel of the door answerable to an eaves-drop1 in which a friction roller h is placed1 for the chain of the crane1 with which the stores are raised4 ,the door1 when shut1 finishes flush with the building1 and is therefore of a circular form1 framed and double lined1 the whole being put together with white-lead paint3 each leaf measures #e inches in thickness at the hinge side1 and diminishes to #b inches at the meeting edges1 as will be understood by examining the section in ,fig #c4 ,when the leaves of the door are thrown open1 they are kept in their places by catch-hooks of brass1 to prevent gusts of wind from shutting them suddenly2 f shews a moveable handle or piece of brass rail1 within the passage1 for laying hold of in stepping off the brazen ladder to enter the house2 g shews the upper extremity or highest step of the ladder1 which terminates at the sill of the door4 ,fig4 #b4 shews the relative position of the outer and inner entrance-doors1 in which a a a is an end view of the former2 b b b b a front view of one of the leaves of the inner brass door2 e e the outer door check1 faced with plates of brass2 f the moveable handle or rail1 for the greater conveniency of entering the threshold2 g the termination and upper step of the brazen-ladder1 attached to the building1 for communicating with the ,rock4 h1 section of the cornice and friction-roller4 ,the passage being only #b feet #aj inches in breadth1 the rails or moveable handles f1 on each side1 are made to slide into brass sockets i i1 sunk into the walls1 and1 like the inner door1 are flush with the wall when not at use4 k k the sockets for the centre-pin hinge of the inner-door4 ,fig4 #c4 is a cross section of one of the leaves of the entrance-door1 shewing the position of the brass-case of the hinge-bat1 as it lies in the building4 ,a ,a part of the walls1 ,b ,b part of the side-walls of passage1 ,c ,c part of the surface of the outward wall4 a a a a is the brass-case1 containing the ,lewis-bat-tails or palm of the hinge1 7described in ,plate ,,xi4 ,fig4 #c472 b b b b the working-tails2 c c the outside lining2 d d the inside lining2 e e e the frame-work of the door1 with the bolts and nails connecting the hinges2 f the joint of the hinge1 shewing the journal pin-hole2 g the half-check joint of the door4 ,fig4 #d4 represents a front view of the door-hinges1 lettered in reference to ,fig4 #c4 a a a a is the brass box or case1 which is built into the wall for containing the palm-end of the ,lewis-hinge2 b b is the exterior or working tail1 with its screw bolt and nail holes2 f f f the double-joint and slip-pin4 ,fig4 #e4 is a cross section of the ,lewis-box on the line ,a ,b of ,fig4 #d4 with its dove-tail feathers2 a a a a shew the parts of the ,lewis-bat b c d1 as it lies in the box1 which is built into the wall4 ,fig4 #f4 represents a longitudinal section of the box and palm of the hinge1 shewing its position1 in reference to the cross section in ,fig4 #e4 a a a a is the brass box2 b and d are the dove-tailed compartments of the palm2 c is the tongue or locking-piece2 e the pin hole1 perforated in the locking-piece1 for drawing the parts of the palm in the event of the joint wearing and requiring to be renewed2 f f is the slip pin-hole in the other two parts of the palm of the ,lewis4 ,the weight of one of the entire hinges of the door1 with its ,lewis-tail and brass-box was #ef lb41 and consequently the four sets for the door weighed about #b cwt4 ,fig4 #g4 shews the elevation of one of the windows of the ,light-house1 with part of the exterior wall marked ,a ,a ,a ,a2 one-half of one of the storm-shutters1 marked a a1 is closed1 and the other marked c c1 is open2 b is a bar of brass1 which folds across the window when the shutters are closed1 and is used as a stretcher1 for preserving them in their places when opened4 ,it will be observed by comparing the close shutter a a with the open one c c1 that they are double or cross boarded2 they are also fastened with hammered copper nails2 d is the clasp used as a handle1 which also locks the shutter2 e e e e the ends of the dove-tailed hinges as they appear projecting through the walls2 f f f f the working-tails of the hinge1 forming at the same time the guard-plate of the shutters1 as described in ,fig4 #a4 ,letter g1 upon the open shutter1 shews one of the brackets connected with the stretching-bar b1 for keeping them open1 as will be better understood by examining the following ,figure4 ,fig4 #h4 is a plan of one of the window-sills1 and a section of one of the storm-shutters1 with part of the walls ,a ,a1 shewing the position of the ,lewis-bat cases2 a and c1 the storm-shutters in an open state2 b the stretching-bar in its place1 when the shutters are open2 e e the exterior ends of the ,lewis-bats1 with their cases 1 which are built into the wall1 and1 together with the other parts of the hinge1 weigh about #bh lb41 or #a cwt4 for each set1 being one-half of the weight of the door-hinges2 g g the brackets connected with the stretching-bar2 h h the check in the wall for receiving the shutters2 i i the stiles or framing of the outer-window1 which opens in two leaves2 k k k the framing and case of the inner window1 which slides up and down in one sash2 l l the balance-weight of the inner-window4 ,fig4 #i4 is a perpendicular section of one of the windows1 shewing the triple mode of shutting them during stormy weather4 ,a ,a a section of a part of the walls4 a a1 the storm-shutter2 h h the check in the building for its reception2 i i the frame of the outer-window2 k k the inner-window2 l the case into which the inner-window drops when not in use4 ,fig4 #aj4 ,a ,a is a section of part of the thunder-rod and outward wall4 a a shew part of the zones or bond-belts1 noticed in ,plate ,,vii4 ,fig4 #g41 and ,plate ,,xvi4 ,fig4 #b42 b b the brass-bats let into the wall1 for attaching the thunder-rod with the screws c c1 which vary from #b to #c feet apart2 d d the thunder-rod1 made of the best gun-metal1 and weighing at the rate of #g lb4 per lineal foot in the range of the sea1 or from the ,rock to the entrance-door1 and from thence to the ,light-room1 at the rate of about #d lb4 per lineal foot2 e is the joint technically termed ,half-checking1 by which the pieces1 of about #g feet in length1 are connected by two screws at each joint1 as shewn in the section4 ,this rod1 which extends from the ,light-room to the ,railways1 forms an exterior ,conductor1 while another1 which is not seen here1 is connected with the chimney1 brazen ladder and railways1 and completes the interior conducting process4 ,,plate ,,xx4 ,,balcony ,,and ,,light-,,room4 ,illustration3 ,,light-,,room ,,and ,,balcony4 ,drawn by ,w4 ,lorimer ,engd4 by ,j4 ,moffat ,edinr4 ,,plate ,,xx4 ,sidenote3 ,pl4 ,,xx4 ,fig4 #a4 a a represent the ,balcony or walk round the exterior of the ,light-room2 b b1 c4 the brass bats1 made in the form of the paw of an animal1 are used for supporting the balcony-rail2 c c the two ,alarm-,bells2 d d the hammers by which they are tolled1 during the continuance of foggy or stormy weather2 e e the case for defending the levers which work the hammers2 f f f the stone parapet-wall of the ,light-room1 of an octagon form on the outside1 and circular within2 g g g the cast-iron sill of the lantern2 h h1 c4 the angular cast-iron pillars or mullions1 formed by the junction of the contiguous parts of two of the sash-frames2 i i1 c4 the smaller upright bars1 forming the astragals or principal divisions of the sash-frames2 k k1 c4 the grated cast-iron trimming-path2 l the smoke-tube1 leading from the kitchen through the cupola or roof2 m the trap-ladder leading from the light-room-floor to the trimming-path2 n n the reflector frame or chandelier1 on which are seen #h of the reflectors marked o o1 c4 with their oil-fountains p p1 c4 the whole being framed or built upon the moveable upright-shaft q4 ,fig4 #b4 is a section of the dome-roof of the library1 the parapet-walls of the light-room1 the lantern and its cupola4 a a is the balcony1 shewing the position of the ,alarm-,bells1 and cast-iron rail2 which last is made in the form of meshes1 with a massive coping of brass2 f f the parapet-wall of the light-room2 g g the cast-iron sill of the lantern2 h h1 c4 the angular pillars or mullions2 i i1 c4 the astragals2 k k the grated trimming-path2 l l the smoke-tube passing through the cupola2 n n1 c4 the reflector frame1 on which #bj reflectors1 marked o o1 c4 with their fountains p p1 c4 are ranged2 q q the upright shaft upon which the reflector-frame is built1 and which is connected with the revolving-machinery2 r r1 c4 the copper smoke-tubes from the respective reflectors2 s s the cross-bars supporting the upright shaft at t t2 and u u a copper receiver for any accidental drop from the upper or central ventilator marked v v v1 while the letters v v v v mark the exterior line of the cupola2 w w the external cornice of the lantern1 used as a gutter or eaves-drop1 from which the rain-water is conducted off the roof in small pipes to the parapet-wall of the ,light-room2 x x the handles which the light-keepers lay hold of2 and y y the exterior grated path on which they stand when cleaning the outside of the windows2 z z z the steps fixed to the parapet of the ,light-room and lantern1 by which they ascend to the cupola2 the copper-tube1 used as a flag-staff2 b the signal-ball1 hoisted daily at the ,light-house1 between the hours of #i and #aj o'clock in the morning1 when 8,all is ,well30 ,the ropes for raising this ball pass over two pulleys fixed in the top of the flag-staff1 and are let down through the interior of it3 c c part of the cornice of the building1 shewing the mode of connecting the horizontal and perpendicular joints of the ,library-roof2 d d1 c4 shew the zone or bond-belt worked in the beds of the courses1 as mentioned in the description of ,plate ,,vii4 ,fig4 #g41 ,plate ,,xvi4 ,fig4 #b41 and ,plate ,,xix4 ,fig4 #aj42 e e1 c4 from the enlargement of the scale1 shews more distinctly than any of the other diagrams1 the mode in which the horizontal joggling of the joints of the ,light-room and other floors of the building is accomplished2 f the door leading from the ,light-room to the balcony2 g g g the case and machinery for causing the ,reflecting-apparatus to revolve1 so as to distinguish this ,light from others upon the coast2 h h1 c4 the connection-rods1 with their various wheels of communication1 for changing the direction1 and giving motion to the ,bell-hammers2 i i1 c4 the brass tubes for supplying fresh air to the ,light-room2 k the ,time-piece1 set upon brackets fixed in the wall1 for regulating the ,revolving-machinery1 and for the direction of the light-keepers in changing the day and night watches2 l a bracket of cast-iron attached to the machinery-case1 for supporting the foot on which the upright shaft works2 m the bevelled wheels connected with the interior machinery and upright shaft1 which can be thrown out and into gear at pleasure4 ,in describing the ,reflecting-apparatus delineated in ,fig4 #c41 we may notice1 that1 agreeably to the laws of optics1 almost inconceivable effects are produced by the use of these specula1 by which portions of a sphere are illuminated1 whose radii seem to be proportionate to the elevation of the radiant point1 and the particular state of the atmosphere4 ,taking these conditions into view1 the ,revolving-light at the ,bell ,rock has been seen1 from an elevated position on the land1 at the distance of about #ce miles4 ,according also to observations which have been made upon ,sumburgh-,head ,light1 in ,shetland1 which is elevated about #cjj feet above the medium level of the sea1 it has been seen from a ship's deck at the distance of about #bg miles4 ,similar effects are also expected to be produced with light refracted through glass-lenses4 ,these1 it is believed1 are about to be made trial of in the ,tour de ,corduan1 at the entrance of the ,garonne1 with what are termed ,polygonal ,lenses1 being one large lens1 built or composed of a number of small lenses1 as suggested by ,dr ,brewster1 in the ,edinburgh ,encyclopdia1 in the year #ahaa1 under the article 8,burning ,glass40 ,fig4 #c4 a a a represents one of the reflectors1 measuring #be inches over the lips1 in a finished state1 as now in use at the ,bell ,rock and ,northern ,light-houses in general4 ,they consist of a circular sheet of copper1 measuring1 when flat1 #bf inches in diameter2 weighing #aa lb4 on an average2 and plated with silver in the proportion of #f oz4 to each pound avoirdupois of copper4 ,these plates are formed into the ,parabolic curve by a very nice process of hammering1 and afterwards set into a bezil or ring of brass2 b is the lamp1 being an ,argand-burner1 with a circular wick1 of about three-fourths of an inch in diameter4 ,if the parabolic figure of the reflector could be constructed and its form preserved with perfect accuracy1 the magnitude of the flame of the lamp employed for its illumination would be of less importance4 ,from certain experiments now in progress1 the writer is in expectation that considerable improvements may be introduced1 in the construction of reflectors1 and that additional modes of distinguishing the ,light-houses on the coast will be obtained4 c is a cylindrical fountain of brass1 which contains #bd oz4 of oil1 suitable for the consumpt of the lamp for about #ah hours1 or equal to its expenditure during the longest night in ,shetland4 ,a great improvement upon the ,burner-apparatus has lately been introduced into the ,northern ,lights1 by affording the light-keeper an opportunity of cleaning the reflector without the obstruction of the burner3 the oil-pipe and fountain of the burner is connected with the rectangular frame d1 and moveable in a perpendicular direction upon the guide-rods e and f1 by which it can be let down and taken out of the reflector1 by simply turning the handle g1 as will be more fully understood by examining ,fig4 #e4 ,in this way1 the necessity of lifting the reflector1 or deranging its focus1 is avoided4 ,although a properly trimmed lamp1 especially upon the ,argand principle1 does not emit smoke1 yet the heat and effluvia arising from it1 are sufficient to oxydise or sully the upper part of the reflector3 an aperture of an elliptical form1 measuring about #b inches by #c inches1 is therefore cut in the upper part of the reflector1 to which the copper-tube h is attached4 ,letter i1 immediately behind the reflector1 refers to a cross section of the main-bar of the chandelier or frame on which the reflectors are ranged1 each being made to rest upon three knobs of brass1 one of which1 as seen at k k1 is soldered upon the brass band l1 that clasps the exterior of the reflector4 ,to distinguish the ,bell ,rock ,light from others on the coast1 as noticed at page #dja1 it is made to revolve1 and to exhibit periodically a bright light of the natural appearance1 alternating with a red coloured light4 ,this last effect is produced by means of shades of red glass1 one of which1 represented at m m1 is also set in a brass bezil1 and made to slide horizontally upon two rods marked n n1 into corresponding sockets1 fixed upon the reflector-frame at o1 so as to enable the light-keeper to trim the lamp without entirely removing the red coloured shade4 ,in the present aspect of the shade1 the rods are drawn out to their full extent2 but when set for use1 the shade is pushed in till its bezil and that of the reflector are within half an inch of each other4 ,fig4 #d4 is a section of the reflector a a1 shewing the position of the burner b1 with the glass chimney accented b b1 and oil cup b1 or receiver for any drop that may fall from the lamp4 ,the letters c1 d1 f1 and g1 in reference to the corresponding letters in ,fig4 #c41 shew the oil-fountain in its place when the burner is in use4 ,fig4 #e4 has reference to the apparatus for moving the burner up and down1 so as to admit freely of the reflector being cleaned4 ,in the present position1 c1 the fountain1 is moved partly down2 d d1 c4 shows the rectangular frame on which the burner is mounted2 e e the elongated socket-guides2 f the rectangular guide-rod1 connected with the sockets on which the perforated check-handle g slides2 accented c is a cross section of the oil-pipe1 where it joins the valve of the fountain4 ,figs4 #f1 #g1 and #h4 ,these three diagrams represent a different mode of withdrawing the burner from the reflector1 for the conveniency of cleaning it4 ,in ,figs4 #c1 #d1 and #e41 this is supposed to be done by a perpendicular motion of the burner2 but in ,figs4 #f1 #g1 and #h4 it slides horizontally4 ,fig4 #h4 is a horizontal section of the reflector a a a1 and its apparatus1 the letters in which correspond with those of ,figs4 #c1 #d1 and #e4 ,the advantages attending this mode1 are the rendering of the apparatus more steady1 by its having two points of support upon the bars i i and k k2 while its motion is more direct4 ,the part of the reflector cut out for the admission of the burner in this case1 being that which is partly intercepted by it1 little of the reflecting surface is thus lost2 and this mode may therefore be considered an improvement upon the perpendicular manner of lifting and lowering the burner4 ,,frontispiece4 ,sidenote3 ,pl4 ,,xxi4 ,this scene1 which is intended to represent the ,bell ,rock after a storm at north-east1 will hardly admit of any adequate description1 from the evanescence of the form of the waves upon these occasions4 ,it is1 however1 founded upon observations made at the ,light-house1 between the years #ahaj and #ahbb1 or during twelve successive winters4 ,the great rise of the sea during a gale1 as delineated in the ,vignette to the ,narrative of the ,edystone ,light-house1 being so surprising1 the writer was at much pains to ascertain the effect also at the ,bell ,rock2 and the maximum height of the sprays hitherto observed has been about #aje feet1 or as high as the central part of the ,light-room windows4 ,mr ,andrew ,masson1 an artist who in early life had been at sea1 having expressed a desire to reside in the ,light-house for some time during winter1 that he might observe the waves in a storm1 was readily furnished with an opportunity4 ,he went there in the month of ,december #ahaf1 and remained for six weeks and four days1 when he produced various sketches of the appearances which he witnessed2 and ,mr ,macdonald1 noticed at page #eai1 made several outlines from actual observation1 in the winter of #ahbj4 ,all of these were put into the hands of ,mr ,turner1 ,royal ,academician2 who gave the very spirited drawing from which ,mr ,horsburgh1 an artist of much promise1 has succeeded in producing the striking representation in the ,frontispiece4 ,the writer has also the pleasure of acknowledging the obligations he owes to ,mr ,williams1 author of ,views in ,greece1 for his friendly advice and assistance4 ,it may here be remarked1 as not a little surprising1 that while the sea is running nearly to the height represented in the ,frontispiece1 the entrance-door of the ,light-house1 or at least one of its leaves1 may nevertheless be left open2 and the portion of water which on these occasions makes its way into the passage1 is found to be very trifling4 ,this is owing to the fortunate position of the door2 for1 while the sprays on the eastern side fly with the quickness of lightning to the top of the house1 the waves separate below1 and are sent round the building with such force1 that their collision upon the lee-side produces the wonderful appearance in the picture2 where a downy spray1 white as snow1 rises at some distance from the house1 to the height of #bj or #cj feet above the medium surface of the sea1 and comes in minute particles upon those within the entrance-door1 producing a sensation as if dust were falling upon them4 ,,vignette ,,of ,,second ,,title-,,page4 ,sidenote3 ,pl4 ,,xxii4 ,the night scene of the ,bell ,rock ,light-house1 in the ,vignette of the ,second ,title-page1 was drawn by ,miss ,stevenson1 from a sketch by the masterly hand of ,mr ,skene of ,rubislaw4 ,to ,miss ,stevenson1 also1 as an amanuensis1 the writer takes this opportunity1 with parental affection1 of acknowledging his obligation for almost the entire manuscript written to his diction4 ,the reader will be gratified to find1 in connection with this ,vignette1 inserted at page #fd41 a fac-simile of the handwriting of ,sir ,walter ,scott1 ,bart4 in the expressive and beautiful lines which he wrote in the ,album kept at the ,light-house1 as noticed at page #dai4 ,,plate ,,xxiii4 ,,design ,,for ,a ,,light-,,house1 ,,suggested ,,upon ,,visiting ,,the ,,wolf ,,rock ,,situate ,,eight ,,miles ,s4 ,s4 ,w4 ,,from ,,the ,,land',s-,,end4 ,illustration3 ,,sketches ,,of ,a ,,new ,,design ,,for ,a ,,light ,,house4 ,drawn by ,g4 ,c4 ,scott ,engd4 by ,j4 ,moffat ,edinr4 ,,plate ,,xxiii4 ,sidenote3 ,pl4 ,,xxiii4 ,in the range of aquatic buildings applicable to the purposes of a ,light-house1 which the writer has examined1 he was forcibly struck with the magnitude of the ,tour de ,corduan1 on the ,french coast4 ,this magnificent edifice measures about #ade feet in diameter at the base1 and #aej feet in height4 ,its cubical contents may perhaps be stated at the immense quantity of #cci1dcb feet2 of which the basement alone forms about #bjj1jjj feet4 ,this building has undergone considerable alterations since its completion in the year #afji1 as appears from ,belidor's ,architecture ,hydraulique1 tom4 ii4 ,at the time of its alteration from a coal fire to an oil light with reflectors1 the upper parts in particular seem to have been greatly simplified1 by the removal of several of its exterior ornamental appendages4 ,the ,edystone ,light-house1 owing to the smallness of the rock1 as appears from ,mr ,smeaton's ,narrative of this celebrated building1 measures only #bf feet in diameter1 at the level of the first entire course2 but if there had been space on the ,rock for extending it equally on all sides1 the ground-course1 according to the curve of the outward walls1 and the position of the foundation-stone1 would have measured #cb feet in diameter4 ,the height of the cupola of the ,edystone ,light-house is #ij feet1 and the cubical contents of the masonry is about #ac1adg feet4 ,the ,bell ,rock ,light-house1 measures #db feet in diameter at the base2 its height1 from the foundation to the cupola1 is #aah feet2 and the cubical contents of the masonry1 as appears from the ,table in ,appendix1 ,no4 ,,vi4 is #bh1ecj feet4 ,though the design represented in ,plate ,,xxiii41 is more or less applicable to several situations upon the coast1 yet the writer1 in making this ,sketch1 had special reference to the ,wolf ,rock1 which1 as noticed at page #dbc1 he visited in the ,orestes sloop of war1 commanded by ,captain ,smith4 ,the extreme dimensions of the upper surface of this rock are about #aae feet1 by #ij feet4 ,it is not liable to be covered by the ordinary rise of the tide1 though little of it appears above water in spring-tides4 ,the ,rock consists of grey porphyry1 and is extremely hard4 ,its outline is somewhat uniform1 and the depth of water in its vicinity is from #bj to #dj fathoms4 ,the dangerous position of this reef1 in reference to the navigation of the ,british ,channel1 led to the proposition of having a ,light-house upon it many years since4 ,the erection1 however1 was ultimately made upon the ,long-,ships ,rocks1 lying about one mile off the ,land's-,end4 ,with the construction and dimensions1 therefore1 of the ,light-houses above alluded to in view1 the design delineated in this ,plate is given1 as the result of the writer's knowledge and experience on subjects of this kind4 ,without1 however1 entering into particulars as to the mode in which such an operation should be conducted1 he merely notices1 in reference to the various curves delineated in ,figs4 #a1 #b1 #c1 and #d4 as applicable to ,light-houses upon sunken rocks1 that he prefers the curve of the diagram represented in ,fig4 #c41 as the outline of a building for a situation like the ,wolf ,rock4 ,fig4 #a4 is formed by the supposed revolution of the cycloidal curve round the axis of a building1 whose base is #ej feet1 and which1 at the entrance-door or top of the solid1 measures #be feet in diameter2 the lines produced beyond these dimensions1 which would form the habitable part of the ,light-house1 being tangents to the curves below4 ,between the base a b1 and its parallel c d1 this ,figure contains #bi1fce cubic feet4 ,fig4 #b4 is in like manner formed by the revolution of the logarithmic curve round the axis of a building of similar dimensions at the base and top of the solid with ,fig4 #a41 and contains #ca1hfg cubic feet4 ,fig4 #c4 is obtained by the revolution of a parabola round the axis of the supposed building4 ,the contents of the solid part1 ascertained as in the two former ,figures1 is #cd1jjf cubic feet1 being #d1cga cubic feet more than that of the cycloidal curve1 and #b1aci cubic feet more than in the logarithmic curve4 ,fig4 #d4 is formed by the revolution of the hyperbola between the two parallels a b1 and c d1 and contains #ci1fee cubic feet1 or #e1fdi cubic feet more than the parabola4 ,but1 from the divergent nature of this curve1 it is not applicable to the purposes of a ,light-house tower1 in its pure or simple form4 ,fig4 #e4 is the section of a design formed by the revolution of the parabola round the axis of a building1 as its asymptote1 whose base a b1 measures #ef feet in diameter1 and parallel c d1 at the top of the solid1 is #cf feet2 and height to the entrance-door1 #ce feet4 ,the contents of this ,figure between these parallels is calculated at #de1jjj cubic feet2 but the whole of the masonry of the design is estimated at #gj1fbd cubit feet4 ,its general features may be stated as similar to those of the ,edystone and ,bell ,rock ,light-houses1 the parts being only enlarged and the parabolic instead of the logarithmic curve1 adopted for its outline4 ,in this design1 the parabolic curve is continued from the basement to the cope-stone of the ,light-room1 exclusively of the projection for the cornice and balcony4 ,the masonry is intended to be #abj feet in height1 estimating from the medium level of the sea1 of which the solid1 or from the foundation to the entrance-door1 forms #ce feet1 the stair-case #be feet2 and the remaining #fj feet of its height is occupied with six apartments1 and the walls of the ,light-room4 ,in the stair-case a recess is formed for containing the machinery1 for raising the stores to the height of the entrance-door2 here a small hole1 marked g g1 is perforated through the building1 for the admission of the purchase-chain4 ,the thickness of the walls immediately above the solid1 marked c c1 is #ab feet2 at the top of the stone staircase or level e f1 they are #h feet1 and where the walls are thinnest1 as at h i1 immediately under the cornice1 they measure #b feet4 k k represents a drop-hole formed in the courses of the stair-case and solid1 for the range of the weight of the machinery of a revolving ,light4 ,the ascent to this building1 as at the ,bell ,rock1 is intended to be by an exterior stair or ladder of brass1 and the interior communication between the several apartments by means of flights of circular oaken-steps4 ,fig4 #f4 represents the first entire course of this design1 drawn to a scale double the size of the former ,figure1 and shows the manner in which the courses are proposed to be built or connected with each other4 ,in every building of this kind1 it is proper that two or more of the lower courses1 according to the situation and circumstances of the rock1 should be sunk or imbedded in it4 ,since the erection of the present ,light-house on the ,edystone1 the practice of dove-tailing and trenailing stones in water-buildings has been occasionally followed2 and there can be no doubt that in some instances it is attended with advantage4 ,but it is also true1 that1 independently of the extra quantity of rock and workmanship required1 the stones are thereby greatly weakened1 and rendered much more difficult to be landed in safety in such situations1 and that there is often more apparent than real utility in cutting them agreeably to this system of building1 as the great bond of the fabric still resolves itself into the gravity of the materials4 ,it may likewise be noticed1 that1 unless in very peculiar circumstances1 the process of trenailing stones newly laid in mortar ought to be avoided1 as it becomes necessary to bore holes into the course immediately below1 which is apt to break the bond of the mortar by the tremulous motion of the jumper or chisel and hammer4 ,to avoid these disadvantages1 and more effectually to preserve the square or simplest form of the stones1 it is proposed1 in this new design1 to adopt the same mode throughout1 that was followed with the courses of the void or habitable part of the building at the ,bell ,rock1 viz4 to have zones or joggle-belts worked on the upper beds1 and corresponding grooves cut into the under beds1 of all the stones4 ,in the plan represented in this ,figure these zones are intended to be #a foot in breadth1 and #a inch in depth or thickness1 forming the concentric rings1 marked c c c c c c1 which become so many girths to the course1 superseding the necessity both of the dove-tailing system1 and of the cubic joggles described in ,plate ,,xvi4 ,in tracing the general aspect of ,fig4 #f41 it may be observed that the outer circle of stones is more lightly shaded1 being intended for granite1 while the hearting or interior part is of a darker shade1 as descriptive of sandstone4 ,the whole course of the building here represented1 is uniformly simple1 and when laid in its place1 no mode of attachment can be conceived more effectually to add to the strength and connection of the fabric than these circular belts4 ,letter d refers to the recess worked in the outward wall of the solid1 measuring #b feet in breadth and #a foot in depth1 for the reception of a flight of brazen-steps for ascending to the entrance-door1 instead of the greater projection of the spiral-formed stair delineated in ,plate ,,vii41 ,fig4 #f41 or the uncertain means of communication by a rope-ladder4 ,the recess alluded to on the outward wall is worked with a small projection1 which gradually falls into the circle of the building1 without presenting any abrupt face to the waves4 ,a stair of this description1 upon a sloping wall1 is ascended with great ease4 ,fig4 #g4 is a section of part of the solid of the building1 of which a b is the foundation course1 and1 in reference to ,fig #f41 letters c c1 c4 correspond with the zones or joggle-belts2 d d1 shew a section of part of the brazen-ladder1 answerable to the purposes of a stair1 and a pair of skids1 for preventing the joints of the building from being injured in taking up stores to the ,light-house4 ,this ladder may also be applied as a part of the thunder-rod1 as is the case at the ,bell ,rock4 ,fig4 #h4 is a plan of an entire course of the void or habitable part of the ,light-house1 showing one of the joggle-belts of the bed-joints4 ,the form of joggle for the end-joints here shewn is also simple1 and suited for preserving the strength of the materials more entire than the method of dove-tailing4 ,fig4 #i4 is a section of three courses of the void of the building1 showing the connection of the bed-joints4 ,,finis4 ,p4 ,,neill1 ,printer4 ,,directions ,,to ,,the ,,binder4 ,the ,view of the ,light-house in a ,storm1 to be placed as a ,frontispiece1 opposite the ,general ,title-page4 ,the ,engraved ,title-page1 with the ,vignette representing the ,light-house during ,night1 to be placed immediately after p4 #fd4 ,the ,general ,view of the ,works1 or ,plate ,,xviii1 to be placed immediately after p4 #dbd4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,transcriber's ,note ,the following printed corrigenda have been incorporated into the text3 ,,corrigenda4 ,page #ij1 line #aj4 after matter insert rested ---- #dad1 marginal note1 for ,april read ,august ---- #eaf1 line #ch4 -- one of the ---- the two ,the following further apparent errors have been corrected3 p4 vi ,inchkeith ,light-hoouse changed to ,inchkeith ,light-house p4 vi ,corsewall ,light-houuse changed to ,corsewall ,light-house p4 vii #ib-gd changed to #gb-gd p4 vii #ic-ha changed to #ge-ha p4 viii is passed changed to is passed4 p4 ix #acg-acj changed to #abg-acj p4 x a ,life-boats changed to a ,life-boat p4 xii hree changed to three p4 xii #efb-bgg changed to #bgb-bgg p4 xiv ,tinber changed to ,timber p4 xvii ,mr ,forest changed to ,mr ,forrest p4 xix ,instructions changed to ,instructions4 p4 xix ,,vi ,schedules changed to ,,vi4 ,schedules p4 xix wth ,sections changed to with ,sections p4 #e 7sidenote7 #agcf changed to #aghf p4 #aj ,e1 changed to ,e41 p4 #aj ,,se1 changed to ,,se41 p4 #bj 7sidenote7 ,sanday4 changed to ,sanday p4 #bf ,from the changed to 8,from the p4 #bh uinformity changed to uniformity p4 #bi nonoticed changed to noticed p4 #dd ,turnberry ,point4 changed to ,turnberry ,point1 p4 #ej ,langnees changed to ,langness p4 #ec ,,masters' ,,names changed to ,,masters' ,,names4 p4 #ee ,plate ,,ii12 changed to ,plate ,,ii42 p4 #ef ,puzzolano changed to ,pozzolano p4 #fg sea-cost changed to sea-coast p4 #gd them1 changed to then1 p4 #gi ,bell ,rock2 changed to ,bell ,rock1 p4 #gi 7sidenote7 ,dee4 changed to ,dee p4 #ha southernside changed to southern side p4 #ajj 7sidenote7 ,loan changed to ,loan4 p4 #aje 7sidenote7 reading changed to reading4 p4 #aaf 7sidenote7 #gth ,august changed to #gth ,august4 p4 #acc duty1 changed to duty4 p4 #adb 7sidenote7 ,monday1 #cast changed to ,monday1 #cast4 p4 #aei artifieers changed to artificers p4 #agb ,plate ,,xii changed to ,plate ,,viii p4 #aid ,plate ,,xiii changed to ,plate ,,xiii4 p4 #aif ,plate ,,xii4 changed to ,plate ,,ix4 p4 #bjf ,bell ,rock1 changed to ,bell ,rock4 p4 #bac the a species changed to a species p4 #bbe 7sidenote7 #abth changed to #abth4 p4 #bch 7sidenote7 #acth changed to #acth4 p4 #bch 7sidenote7 the ,rock changed to the ,rock4 p4 #bci circumtances changed to circumstances p4 #bdg applyed changed to applied p4 #bej 7sidenote7 pram boats changed to praam-boats p4 #bed 7sidenote7 a a small changed to a small p4 #bei 7sidenote7 ,february1 changed to ,february4 p4 #bfg lowt hey changed to low they p4 #bgb windlas changed to windlass p4 #bhb obliged slip changed to obliged to slip p4 #bhb 7sidenote7 to day changed to to-day p4 #bhh 7sidenote7 ,mortar makers changed to ,mortar-makers p4 #bib hyp num changed to hypnum p4 #bic opportuty changed to opportunity p4 #bif tthe ,rock changed to the ,rock p4 #cjc 7sidenote7 #eth changed to #eth4 p4 #cje 7sidenote7 ,beacon changed to ,beacon4 p4 #cjh with rain1 changed to with rain4 p4 #caa ,a4 ,m changed to ,a4 ,m4 p4 #cbi 7sidenote7 ,beacon changed to ,beacon4 p4 #cbi bridge1 which which changed to bridge1 which p4 #cca measuer changed to measure p4 #ccd cr e changed to crew p4 #ccd ballass changed to ballast p4 #cce 7sidenote7 ,thirty-fifth changed to ,thirty-first p4 #cce 7sidenote7 ,beacon changed to ,beacon4 p4 #cdj provided changed to provided4 p4 #cdc ,thirtieth changed to ,fortieth p4 #cdc balance-crane changed to balance-crane4 p4 #cdh petticoat-trowers changed to petticoat-trowsers p4 #cfc #crd changed to #crd4 p4 #cfd respresented changed to represented p4 #cgc 7sidenote7 #bjth4 changed to #aith4 p4 #cgc 7sidenote7 #bast4 changed to #bjth4 p4 #cgd 7sidenote7 #c;d4 changed to #bc;d4 p4 #cgd 7sidenote7 #b;d4 changed to #bdth4 p4 #cgf 7sidenote7 #bgth4 changed to #bfth4 p4 #cgf 7sidenote7 #bfth4 changed to #bgth4 p4 #chc 7sidenote7 ,station changed to ,station4 p4 #chc #bi4ij4 changed to #bi4ij p4 #chf c changed to c4 p4 #chi 7sidenote7 landed changed to landed4 p4 #daj 7sidenote7 house changed to house4 p4 #daa 7sidenote7 ,rock changed to ,rock4 p4 #dab propritey changed to propriety p4 #dah premisses changed to premises p4 #dbb seeiug changed to seeing p4 #dbh prosions changed to provisions p4 #dcc eef1 ,bin ,llb4 changed to ,beef1 in ,lib4 p4 #dcc ,galls changed to ,galls4 p4 #dcc ,butter in ,lib4 changed to ,butter1 in ,lib4 p4 #dcc 1,beer in ,qts4 changed to ,beer1 in ,qts4 p4 #dcd ,articers changed to ,artificers p4 #dcd #hi4bbe changed to #hib4be p4 #dce ,syevenson changed to ,stevenson p4 #ddj ,cssist changed to ,assist p4 #ddc of a a changed to of a p4 #ddi foretel changed to foretell p4 #dei cubit changed to cubic p4 #dga #g #d changed to #g4d p4 #dif ,,forest',s ,,passage4 changed to ,,forrest',s ,,passage4 p4 #eja ,plate ,,xxiii changed to ,plate ,,xxiii4 p4 #ejc faint lines changed to faint lines4 p4 #eje ,plate ,,xvii changed to ,plate ,,xvii4 p4 #ebc ,fig4#a4 changed to ,fig4 #a4 p4 #ebc in this way changed to ,in this way p4 #ebg lense changed to lens p4 #ecc ,plate ,,vii changed to ,plate ,,vii4 7plate7 ,,plate ,,ii changed to ,,plate ,,ii4 7plate7 ,,plate ,,xii changed to ,,plate ,,xii4 7plate7 ,,plate ,,xvi changed to ,,plate ,,xvi4 7plate7 ,,plate ,,xxi4 changed to ,,plate ,,xxiii4 ,the following additional changes have been made from the printed text3 ,plates ,i to ,,xxi have been moved next to their descriptions4 ,duplicate sidenotes have been removed4 ,totals carried forward at the end of each page of the ,account of ,expence have been removed4 ,large tables have been split and reformatted with keys and altered punctuation1 in order to fit smaller displays4 ,spacing of sums of money has been regularised in the form ,l4 #fa1cca3i3b4 ,the text contains many ,scottish and archaic words and spellings1 as well as inconsistent capitalisation and punctuation1 which have otherwise been retained4 ,apostrophes are not consistently used in possessive plurals4 ,compass directions are inconsistently presented in the forms ,,sw4 and ,s4,w42 ,s4 ,,sw4 and ,s4,,sw4 ,references to diagrams are given in the forms and a4 ,the colours mentioned in the description of plate ,,iii4 on p4 #dij are not apparent4 ,the following possible errors have been left as printed3 p4 #bci #ce persons p4 #ccd with it mortar p4 #cci ,thirty-eighth p4 #cdf slump sum p4 #cec alwise p4 #deg begin to the p4 #ejj plat p4 #eai several apartment ,the name of the engraver of ,plate ,i was not intact in the copy of text transcribed4 ,in addition to variant spellings in quotations1 the following are used inconsistently in the text3 adrift and a-drift ahead and a-head aisler and aislar alongside and along-side ,belider and ,belidor blacksmith and black-smith brushwood and brush-wood bucky and buckie ,burlington ,bay and ,burlington-,bay cast iron and cast-iron coalfish and coal-fish coboose and co-boose cofferdam and coffer-dam conveniencey and conveniency ,copinsha and ,copinsay coxswain and coxwain creeking and creaking daylight and day-light dovetail and dove-tail forepeak and fore-peak freestone and free-stone halfpenny and half-penny hawsehole and hawse-hole ,island ,glass and ,island-,glass ,kinghornness and ,kinghorn-ness ,kinnaird ,head and ,kinnaird-,head landmark and land-mark lengthway and length-way ,lewis bat1 ,lewis batt1 ,lewis-bat and ,lewis-batt lighthouse and light-house lightkeeper and light-keeper lightroom and light-room manhole and man-hole millwright and mill-wright ,milnfield and ,mylnefield ,mull of ,kantire and ,mull of ,kintyre oatmeal and oat-meal overboard and over-board praam boat1 praam-boat and ,praam-boat railway and rail-way ,redhead and ,red-head relaid and re-laid roadway and road-way ,rubislaw1 ,rubieslaw and ,rubeslaw ,scottish and ,scotish shackle and shakle shipboard and ship-board shipmaster and ship-master shipowner and ship-owner shipwreck and ship-wreck skylight and sky-light staircase and stair-case ,start ,point and ,start-,point storehouse and store-house tie chain and tie-chain torchlight and torch-light topmast and top-mast torchlight and torch-light ,traill and ,trail ,united ,kingdom1 ,united kingdom1 and united kingdom vice versa and vice vers workshop and work-shop workyard and work-yard