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beams were fixed to the rock； 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 connection； and； excepting the loosening of the bracing…
chains； everything was found in the same entire state in which it had been
left in the month of October。 This； in the estimation of the writer； was a
matter of no small importance to the future success of the work。 He from
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that moment saw the practicability and propriety of fitting up the beacon；
not only as a place of refuge in case of accident to the boats in landing； but
as a residence for the artificers during the working months。
While upon the top of the beacon the writer was reminded by the
landing…master that the sea was running high； and that it would be
necessary to set off while the rock afforded anything like shelter to the
boats； which by this time had been made fast by a long line to the beacon；
and rode with much agitation； each requiring two men with boat…hooks to
keep them from striking each other； or from ranging up against the beacon。
But even under these circumstances the greatest confidence was felt by
every one； from the security afforded by this temporary erection。 For；
supposing the wind had suddenly increased to a gale； and that it had been
found unadvisable to go into the boats； or； supposing they had drifted or
sprung a leak from striking upon the rocks； in any of these possible and
not at all improbable cases； those who might thus have been left upon the
rock had now something to lay hold of； and； though occupying this dreary
habitation of the sea…gull and the cormorant； affording only bread and
water； yet LIFE； would be preserved； and the mind would still be
supported by the hope of being ultimately relieved。
＇Wednesday； 25th May＇
On the 25th of May the writer embarked at Arbroath； on board of the
SIR JOSEPH BANKS； for the Bell Rock； accompanied by Mr。 Logan
senior； foreman builder； with twelve masons and two smiths； together with
thirteen seamen； including the master； mate； and steward。
＇Thursday； 26th May＇
Mr。 James Wilson； now commander of the PHAROS； floating light；
and landing…master； in the room of Mr。 Sinclair； who had left the service；
came into the writer's cabin this morning at six o'clock； and intimated that
there was a good appearance of landing on the rock。 Everything being
arranged； both boats proceeded in company； and at eight a。m。 they reached
the rock。 The lighthouse colours were immediately hoisted upon the
flagstaff of the beacon； a compliment which was duly returned by the
tender and floating light； when three hearty cheers were given； and a glass
of rum was served out to all hands to drink success to the operations of
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RECORDS OF A FAMILY OF ENGINEERS
1808。
＇Friday； 27th May＇
This morning the wind was at east； blowing a fresh gale； the weather
being hazy； with a considerable breach of sea setting in upon the rock。
The morning bell was therefore rung； in some doubt as to the practicability
of making a landing。 After allowing the rock to get fully up； or to be
sufficiently left by the tide； that the boats might have some shelter from
the range of the sea； they proceeded at 8 a。m。； and upon the whole made a
pretty good landing； and after two hours and three…quarters' work returned
to the ship in safety。
In the afternoon the wind considerably increased； and； as a pretty
heavy sea was still running； the tender rode very hard； when Mr。 Taylor；
the commander； found it necessary to take in the bowsprit； and strike the
fore and main topmasts； that she might ride more easily。 After consulting
about the state of the weather； it was resolved to leave the artificers on
board this evening； and carry only the smiths to the rock； as the sharpening
of the irons was rather behind； from their being so much broken and
blunted by the hard and tough nature of the rock； which became much
more compact and hard as the depth of excavation was increased。
Besides avoiding the risk of encumbering the boats with a number of men
who had not yet got the full command of the oar in a breach of sea； the
writer had another motive for leaving them behind。 He wanted to
examine the site of the building without interruption； and to take the
comparative levels of the different inequalities of its area； and as it would
have been painful to have seen men standing idle upon the Bell Rock；
where all moved with activity； it was judged better to leave them on board。
The boats landed at half…past seven p。m。； and the landing…master； with the
seamen； was employed during this tide in cutting the seaweeds from the
several paths leading to the landing…places； to render walking more safe；
for； from the slippery state of the surface of the rock； many severe tumbles
had taken place。 In the meantime the writer took the necessary levels； and
having carefully examined the site of the building and considered all its
parts； it still appeared to be necessary to excavate to the average depth of
fourteen inches over the whole area of the foundation。
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＇Saturday； 28th May＇
The wind still continued from the eastward with a heavy swell； and to…
day it was accompanied with foggy weather and occasional showers of
rain。 Notwithstanding this； such was the confidence which the erection
of the beacon had inspired that the boats landed the artificers on the rock
under very unpromising circumstances； at half…past eight； and they
continued at work till half…past eleven； being a period of three hours；
which was considered a great tide's work in the present low state of the
foundation。 Three of the masons on board were so afflicted with sea…
sickness that they had not been able to take any food for almost three days；
and they were literally assisted into the boats this morning by their
companions。 It was； however； not a little surprising to see how speedily
these men revived upon landing on the rock and eating a little dulse。
Two of them afterwards assisted the sailors in collecting the chips of stone
and carrying them out of the way of the pickmen； but the third complained
of a pain in his head； and was still unable to do anything。 Instead of
returning to the tender with the boats； these three men remained on the
beacon all day； and had their victuals sent to them along with the smiths'。
From Mr。 Dove； the foreman smith； they had much sympathy； for he
preferred remaining on the beacon at all hazards； to be himself relieved
from the malady of sea…sickness。 The wind continuing high； with a
heavy sea； and the tide falling late； it was not judged proper to land the
artificers this evening； but in the twilight the boats were sent to fetch the
people on board who had been left on the rock。
＇Sunday； 29th May＇
The wind was from the S。W。 to…day； and the signal…bell rung； as usual；
about an hour before the period for landing on the rock。 The writer was
rather surprised； however； to hear the landing…master repeatedly call； ‘All
hands for the rock！' and； coming on deck； he was disappointed to find the
seamen only in the boats。 Upon inquiry； it appeared that some
misunderstanding had taken place about the wages of the artificers for
Sundays。 They had preferred wages for seven days statedly to the former
mode of allowing a day for each tide's work on Sunday； as they did not
like the appearance of working for double or even treble wages on Sunday；
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