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sound of a blowing…horn。 The only fire…arms on board were a pair of
swivels of one…inch calibre； but it is quite surprising how much the sound
is lost in foggy weather； as the report was heard but at a very short
distance。 The sound from the explosion of gunpowder is so
instantaneous that the effect of the small guns was not so good as either
the blowing of a horn or the tolling of a bell； which afforded a more
constant and steady direction for the pilot。
＇Wednesday； 6th July＇
Landed on the rock with the three boats belonging to the tender at five
p。m。； and began immediately to bale the water out of the foundation…pit
with a number of buckets； while the pumps were also kept in action with
relays of artificers and seamen。 The work commenced upon the higher
parts of the foundation as the water left them； but it was now pretty
generally reduced to a level。 About twenty men could be conveniently
employed at each pump； and it is quite astonishing in how short a time so
great a body of water could be drawn off。 The water in the foundation…
pit at this time measured about two feet in depth； on an area of forty…two
feet in diameter； and yet it was drawn off in the course of about half an
hour。 After this the artificers commenced with their picks and continued
at work for two hours and a half； some of the sailors being at the same
time busily employed in clearing the foundation of chips and in conveying
the irons to and from the smiths on the beacon； where they were sharped。
At eight o'clock the sea broke in upon us and overflowed the foundation…
pit； when the boats returned to the tender。
＇Thursday； 7th July＇
The landing…master's bell rung this morning about four o'clock； and at
half…past five； the foundation being cleared； the work commenced on the
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site of the building。 But from the moment of landing； the squad of
joiners and millwrights was at work upon the higher parts of the rock in
laying the railways； while the anvils of the smith resounded on the beacon；
and such columns of smoke ascended from the forges that they were often
mistaken by strangers at a distance for a ship on fire。 After continuing
three hours at work the foundation of the building was again overflowed；
and the boats returned to the ship at half…past eight o'clock。 the masons
and pickmen had； at this period； a pretty long day on board of the tender；
but the smiths and joiners were kept constantly at work upon the beacon；
the stability and great conveniency of which had now been so fully shown
that no doubt remained as to the propriety of fitting it up as a barrack。
The workmen were accordingly employed； during the period of high…water；
in making preparations for this purpose。
The foundation…pit now assumed the appearance of a great platform；
and the late tides had been so favourable that it became apparent that the
first course； consisting of a few irregular and detached stones for making
up certain inequalities in the interior parts of the site of the building； might
be laid in the course of the present spring… tides。 Having been enabled
to…day to get the dimensions of the foundation； or first stone； accurately
taken； a mould was made of its figure； when the writer left the rock； after
the tide's work of this morning； in a fast rowing…boat for Arbroath； and；
upon landing； two men were immediately set to work upon one of the
blocks from Mylnefield quarry； which was prepared in the course of the
following day； as the stone… cutters relieved each other； and worked both
night and day； so that it was sent off in one of the stone…lighters without
delay。
＇Saturday； 9th July＇
The site of the foundation…stone was very difficult to work； from its
depth in the rock； but being now nearly prepared； it formed a very
agreeable kind of pastime at high… water for all hands to land the stone
itself upon the rock。 The landing…master's crew and artificers accordingly
entered with great spirit into this operation。 The stone was placed upon
the deck of the HEDDERWICK praam…boat； which had just been brought
from Leith； and was decorated with colours for the occasion。 Flags were
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also displayed from the shipping in the offing； and upon the beacon。
Here the writer took his station with the greater part of the artificers； who
supported themselves in every possible position while the boats towed the
praam from her moorings and brought her immediately over the site of the
building； where her grappling anchors were let go。 The stone was then
lifted off the deck by a tackle hooked into a Lewis bat inserted into it；
when it was gently lowered into the water and grounded on the site of the
building； amidst the cheering acclamations of about sixty persons。
＇Sunday； 10th July＇
At eleven o'clock the foundation…stone was laid to hand。 It was of a
square form； containing about twenty cubic feet； and had the figures； or
date； of 1808 simply cut upon it with a chisel。 A derrick； or spar of
timber； having been erected at the edge of the hole and guyed with ropes；
the stone was then hooked to the tackle and lowered into its place； when
the writer； attended by his assistants … Mr。 Peter Logan； Mr。 Francis Watt；
and Mr。 James Wilson； … applied the square； the level； and the mallet； and
pronounced the following benediction： ‘May the great Architect of the
Universe complete and bless this building；' on which three hearty cheers
were given； and success to the future operations was drunk with the
greatest enthusiasm。
＇Tuesday； 26th July＇
The wind being at S。E。 this evening； we had a pretty heavy swell of
sea upon the rock； and some difficulty attended our getting off in safety； as
the boats got aground in the creek and were in danger of being upset。
Upon extinguishing the torchlights； about twelve in number； the darkness
of the night seemed quite horrible； the water being also much charged with
the phosphorescent appearance which is familiar to every one on
shipboard； the waves； as they dashed upon the rock； were in some degree
like so much liquid flame。 The scene； upon the whole； was truly awful！
＇Wednesday； 27th July＇
In leaving the rock this evening everything； after the torches were
extinguished； had the same dismal appearance as last night； but so
perfectly acquainted were the landing… master and his crew with the
position of things at the rock； that comparatively little inconveniency was
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experienced on these occasions when the weather was moderate； such is
the effect of habit； even in the most unpleasant situations。 If； for example；
it had been proposed to a person accustomed to a city life； at once to take
up his quarters off a sunken reef and land upon it in boats at all hours of
the night； the proposition must have appeared quite impracticable and
extravagant； but this practice coming progressively upon the artificers； it
was ultimately undertaken with the greatest alacrity。 Notwithstanding
this； however； it must be acknowledged that it was not till after much
labour and peril； and many an anxious hour； that the writer is enabled to
state that the site of the Bell Rock Lighthouse is fully prepared for the first
entire course of the building。
＇Friday； 12th Aug。＇
The artificers landed this morning at half…past ten； and after an hour
and a half's work eight stones were laid； which completed the first entire
course of the building； consisting of 123 blocks； the last of which was laid
with three hearty cheers。
＇Saturday； 10th Sept。＇
Landed at nine a。m。； and by a quarter…past twelve noon twenty…three
stones ha