CHAPTER VII.

ACCOUNT OF THE BELL ROCK LIGHT-HOUSE, FROM ITS COMPLETION IN 1810 TILL THE YEAR 1823, INCLUDING A STATEMENT OF THE EXPENCE OF THE WORK.

[Sidenote: 1811, January.]

When the artificers left the Bell Rock, on the 27th of December 1810, Mr Forrest’s first object was to take down the rope-ladder, distended in a horizontal position between the entrance-door of the Light-house and the mortar-gallery of the Beacon, as it prevented the door from being conveniently shut, and thereby occasioned a draught of air through the several apartments, rendering the house uncomfortable, and proving injurious to the lustre of the reflectors. In lieu of this, another rope-ladder, fitted with wooden steps, was suspended from a Lewis-bat, inserted into the sill of the door. This ladder, when hauled up, was stowed in the passage, and thus admitted of the door being shut.

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

During the last fortnight of the month of January 1811, the weather had been very unsteady, with gales of wind chiefly from the eastward; which prevented the Light-house Yacht, now acting as Tender, from sailing for the Rock till Thursday the 17th. Mr Forrest and the light-keepers were found in good health, and busily employed in their respective operations, now nearly brought to a close. No communication having been had with the shore for the last three weeks, their stock of fresh meat and vegetables was expended; and, looking forward to the possibility of a continuation of similar weather, they had begun to economise the fuel and water before this day’s supply came to hand.

[Sidenote: A supply is received.]

The next trip which the Yacht made to the Rock was on Tuesday the 29th. A letter from Mr Forrest stated, that he had received a very full supply of every thing, both for the light-room and provision-store, and added, “Let the weather be how it will, we shall not be in want even of the most trifling article, for a month to come.”

[Sidenote: February.]

[Sidenote: Friday, 1st.]

[Sidenote: The Light is exhibited.]

The day long wished for, on which the mariner was to see a light exhibited on the Bell Rock, at length arrived. Captain Wilson, as usual, hoisted the Float’s lanterns to the topmast on the evening of the 1st of February; but the moment that the light appeared on the Rock, the crew, giving three cheers, lowered them, and finally extinguished the lights. The Yacht had sailed on the 31st of January, for the purpose of taking this ship in tow for Leith, as being no longer necessary here; but in the course of that night, it came to blow so excessively hard from E.SE., that she was obliged to bear away for the Firth of Forth, leaving the Floating-light at her moorings.

[Sidenote: Friday, 8th.]

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

On the 9th, the Yacht returned, and, although a very heavy sea then ran upon the Rock, a landing was effected with a boat-load of coals, water, and fresh provisions. Mr Forrest states in his letter at this time, that every thing on the 1st of February, had been found to answer to his entire satisfaction. He, however, mentions, that the wind blew excessively hard during the three first days after the house was lighted, and that the sprays had risen to the height of 80 feet upon the building. He adds, that, in the course of this gale, all hands had kept watch without intermission for twenty-four hours, with the storm-window-frames at hand, in case of accident, as the plates of glass on the windward side of the light-room had shaken loose, and, by the continued violence of the wind, the putty had been “wrought quite thin, and was softened like mortar.” These plates of glass, measuring each 32½ inches by 26¼ inches, were so fitted with brass-guards that they could not possibly be blown out, in an entire state, but were in some danger of being broken, by pressing upon the window-sashes while the putty was thus softened. Mr Taylor, who upon this occasion commanded the Yacht, had considerable difficulty in approaching the Light-house, and observes, “There being now no attending-boat to accompany our landings at the Rock, I find we must not run such risks as formerly, as, in the event of an accident happening to us singly, no assistance can be got. To-day, one of those heavy rolling seas struck the boat, and pitched her upon one of the ledges, but she was got afloat again before the next breach of the sea reached her, and was afterwards carried like a shot out of the creek.”

[Sidenote: Tuesday, 12th.]

[Sidenote: Floating-light puts into Anstruther.]

The wind having shifted to the west, with moderate weather, the Yacht sailed from Arbroath to-day, to take charge of the Floating-light. Having accordingly received a hawser on board, she cast off the chain-cable moorings, on which a buoy was placed, it being impossible, at this time, to lift the mushroom-anchor. The wind was then at N.NE., and the crew were all extremely happy in the prospect of soon finishing their task, declaring that they had been more tired of the Floating-light during the last twelve days, than all the time they had been on board of her. At 10 P. M., the wind suddenly shifted to W.NW., and when abreast of the Island of May they wore-ship, for the Floating-light was so unmanageable that she could not be stayed or tacked in the usual manner. They then stood to the north shore, and anchored off Crail during the night, in seven fathoms water. On the 14th, the wind being still down the Firth , it occupied the whole period of the flood-tide to get about six miles to windward, and night coming on, Captains Wilson and Taylor concluded that it would be most prudent for them to put into Anstruther harbour, and there wait for a fair wind. While the Floating-light lay here, the Yacht made a trip to the Bell Rock, and relieved the Light-keepers, when all was found well.

[Sidenote: Some of her Crew get married.]

At Anstruther a great deal of interest was felt, and people even flocked from a considerable distance, to see a vessel which had been moored, for nearly four years, off the Bell Rock. The singularity and simplicity of her rigging attracted the attention particularly of nautical men, while the thick bed of sea-weed and shell-fish on her bottom, was matter of surprise to every one. The crew had also become so well acquainted in this port, and the neighbouring fishing-towns, that some of them had got married, and if the vessel had remained another week or two in port, the probability is that she would not have had an unmarried man on board.

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

[Sidenote: 1811, March.]

The Floating-light at length arrived at Leith, on the 8th of March, after a passage of no less than three weeks from her station. The account given of the marine productions on the ship’s bottom, had excited the curiosity of several of the writer’s friends; and, on her arrival, he was accompanied by the Reverend Dr Fleming of Flisk, Dr Leach of the British Museum, and Mr Patrick Neill, Secretary to the Wernerian Society, who examined, with great attention, the numerous crustaceous, testaceous and molluscous animals, and zoophytes, which still adhered in great numbers to her bottom. Mussels of the species called Mytilus pellucidus, were abundant: they were of a large size, the striæ on the shells measuring 3½ inches in length, by 1¼ inch in breadth. Some of the common acorn-shell, Balanus communis, were so large as 1½ inch in diameter. The sea-weeds were chiefly Fucus digitatus and esculentus, and were in general 4 or 5 feet in length. During the time the Floating-light had rode off the Bell Rock, the crew had made a regular practice of picking off considerable quantities of the mussels for fishing-bait for the several vessels in the Light-house service, and also for the artificers at the Rock. It was therefore chiefly in the runs and lower parts of the bottom, where they had never been disturbed, that the animals were in the greatest numbers; and here also the fuci were longest. Next to the keel, the writer measured a compact bed of these mussels and vermes, of the depth of from six to eight inches; and Captain Wilson, upon first seeing her bottom at Anstruther, described it in his letter to be a “complete mussel-scalp.” The timber of the ship, however, was quite sound.

[Sidenote: Sunday, 24th.]

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

The Light-house Yacht had no sooner got her troublesome charge safely into port, to be dismantled and sold, than she returned to the Rock, to supply the Light-house and shift the keepers; but such was the boisterous state of the weather, that no landing could be made till the 22d, when Mr John Reid relieved Mr John Bonyman, who went ashore in his turn. The Yacht then steered for Leith, when the command of that vessel was given to Captain Wilson, while Captain Taylor took charge of the Bell Rock Tender,--situations for which their services had respectively qualified them.

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

The Yacht, when last at the Rock, brought a letter from Mr Forrest, in answer to a number of queries, on points to which his attention had been directed, during his residence in the Light-house. He replied with so much intelligence and correctness of observation, that it may be proper here to give his letter verbatim.

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

“SIR,

“I received your letter of the 7th of January, desiring me to give you an account of every particular occurrence at the Bell Rock during the winter, including the effects of the sea on the building, the comfortableness of the Light-house as a dwelling, and the ability of the light-keepers for their duty. In answer, I will now endeavour to give you the information wanted, which I shall do in the order of the particulars which you sent me, having, in consequence of your instructions, noticed every thing about the place.

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

“Nothing extraordinary happened from the time I came here, on the 15th day of December, till the 1st day of February, when the house was lighted to the public. On that night, it appeared as if nature, on the first lighting of the house, were making trial of the sufficiency of the building. During all that night and the following day, there was nothing to be seen but the sea covered with foam as far as the eye could reach. The only damage we sustained, was the loosening of a number of the panes of glass, which I noticed to you in a former letter. During the gale, the sprays did not rise higher than the bed-room windows, or about 70 feet above the level of the sea. I paid particular attention to your directions, as to whether I could feel the house shake; but I was not then very sensible of this effect, the tides being neap, though, at the time of high-water, there was a kind of vibration felt when the sea did not break till it reached the building. The most sensible feeling, however, of this kind which we have, is when there is a very heavy ground-swell after a gale at N.E. On these occasions, the sea rises at intervals on the building, till the sprays are stopped in their course upwards by the cornice; but this only happens when the heavy swell occurs with spring-tides. On the 15th of February, we felt the vibration very sensibly, which had not so much the effect of shaking, as that of the tremor produced by the striking of the alarm bells, on the balcony of the Light-house, in foggy weather, when the storm-shutters, windows, and hatches are shut. During some gales from the S.E., especially when the wind continues two or three days from that quarter, the seas rise to a great height. At high-water, on these occasions, I have observed the Beacon-house, for perhaps a second or two, completely covered with waves and sprays. But every thing about that fabric remains quite entire, without the least damage that I can discover.

[Sidenote: State of the Wagon-ways.]

“I have done all in my power, with the assistance of the light-keepers, to preserve the waggon-ways, and we have frequently forgot ourselves in working at them, till the tide was too far advanced; and, in stormy weather, have been obliged to make a precipitate retreat up the rope-ladder, after a complete wetting. Some of the reaches are notwithstanding much broken up, and it will be a great pity if the remainder do not stand till the summer months, when they can be properly secured; for, at times, in the course of this winter, the Tender’s boat has brought us supplies, when, but for the waggon-ways, it would have been just the same as going to destruction, to have attempted a landing.

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

“I often take pleasure in looking at the seas breaking upon the Light-house, and it is awfully grand, at the time of high-water, to observe the sprays rising to such a height on the building, and even to be on the Rock at low-water, when the waves are about to break. Being in a manner only a few yards distant, they approach as if they were about to overwhelm us altogether. But now that we are accustomed to such scenes, we think little of it. You will perhaps form a better idea of the force of the sea, during these gales, when I relate to you, that, on the 15th of February, the large piece of lead that was used as the back weight of the balance-crane, weighing 4 cwt. 3 qrs. 17 lb., or nearly a quarter of a ton, was fairly lifted by the sea, and carried to the distance of six feet from the hole, in which it had lain since the month of August. It was now found turned with the ring-bolt downwards, and it was with great difficulty that four of us could muster strength enough to return it to its former shelf in the Rock.

[Sidenote: Direction of the seas which have most effect upon the Light-house.]

“All the observations which I have made regarding the effects of the seas and weather on the Light-house, while I have been here, lead me to conclude, that when the wind is from the S., S.W., W., N.W., and even N., the sea has little effect on the building; but, from south to north-easterly, the force of the waves is considerable, especially when it comes to blow hard. During the gale of the 22d February, I remarked, that even the heaviest seas, if they broke before they came to the foot of the building, slipped past without giving the least shock to the house; and it is only a very few of the waves that reach the building, in the course of a tide, which cause the vibration alluded to; but we fear those seas only which come from the NE., as they break close upon the house. I may say, in general, that the higher or stronger the wind is, the less power the sea has on the Light-house; the heaviest seas being accompanied with little wind, or occurring after the gale has abated.

[Sidenote: Comfortable state of the building.]

“With regard to the comfort of this building as a dwelling, I had no other expectation but that, on account of the sea-air, and newness of the walls, the house would have, in the first instance, been damp. It is, however, the very reverse of this, and I may confidently say, that it is as dry round the inside walls, and on the floors, as any house in Edinburgh. This may be chiefly occasioned by the smoke-tube which passes from the kitchen through the upper floors to the cupola of the Light-room, which contributes greatly to the dry state of the building; but we even find the store-rooms and stair-case, which, as yet, have not the benefit of a fire, also comparatively free of dampness. As a proof of this, it may be noticed, that the lower parts of the house dry pretty readily when the floors are washed, excepting, indeed, when a heavy sea runs, and some water comes in at the checks of the windows, and partially wets the lower apartments. It is, however, impossible entirely to keep out wetness at windows, which, for conveniency, must be made to open, especially when so great a body of water occasionally presses upon them. As to the warmth of the house, ever since we got _The Jacob’s ladder_ taken down, and the Entrance-door shut, we have been very comfortable. I never heard the least complaint on this head from any of the Light-keepers, and it is a general remark that we are warmer here than ashore.

[Sidenote: Qualifications of the Light-keepers.]

“With regard to your inquiries about the Light-keepers, I may remark, that Mr John Reid, the principal keeper, appears to like his situation very well, though, at first, when the sea struck hard upon the building, he seemed rather sad, and was perhaps not so confident about it. When he was in that mood, I used to cheer him by telling him it was only a fancy; and as he is a very sensible man, and originally bred a seaman and carpenter, his mind readily complies with a belief in our safety. Mr John Bonyman, the principal assistant, appears to take well with his situation; and having been personally employed as a mason from first to last in the erection, and more fully understanding its nature, he always keeps himself very easy upon this point. Mr Henry Leask, though formerly a shipmaster, yet having for several years been a light-keeper, has been much at home with his family, and his attention is naturally drawn more towards them; however, he appears quite satisfied, though he does not speak very confidently about our habitation, but shrugs up his shoulders, and looks strange when he feels the tremor of the house. As to their qualifications as light-keepers, I have not the least hesitation in stating, that Mr Reid and his assistants are now fully competent for their duty. We proceed agreeably to our written instructions, though there are some parts of them which I shall take the liberty of submitting to you for alteration.

[Sidenote: 1811, April.]

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

“I will now let you know how we come on with what I may call our _domestic life_. When the duty of the house is over for the day, we generally take a walk on the waggon-ways, and search about the crevices of the rock for small fishes, when the state of the tides and weather permit; but when that is not the case, we content ourselves without it, and find amusement in reading a small library, consisting of about a dozen of volumes of one kind or other, collected among us; and you know we have the progressive numbers of the Scots Magazine and the Weekly Chronicle, which we receive as regularly as the situation of the place will admit. I may further notice, that it gives the Light-keepers much pleasure to learn that Mr Slight has received orders, in fitting up the strangers’ room, to provide it with a book-case, which we understand the Commissioners are to supply with books. On Sunday, we attend to the general rule of the service, doing no more work in the Light-room than is necessary, cleaning only the reflectors, lamp-glasses and windows, operations which are usually over at this season about 12 o’clock, after which we meet for prayers, and read two or three chapters of the Bible.

“I have perhaps tired you with this long letter, but I could not give you the description you wanted in fewer words. I shall only further add, that we all remain in good health, and that every thing connected with the Light-room apparatus is in good order.--I am, &c. &c.

“JOHN FORREST”

“_To Mr Robert Stevenson_, “_Engineer for Northern Light-houses_.”

[Sidenote: Friday, 2d.]

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

From this very satisfactory communication, it was evident that the Light-house might now be left under the charge of Mr Reid and his assistants. The Tender accordingly sailed this morning, carrying off Mr Bonyman, who had been at Arbroath on leave; when Mr Forrest, who had been upwards of three months at the Rock, came on shore, leaving Mr Reid to instruct his third assistant, Michael Wishart, the mason who had been so severely hurt on the 30th June 1809, by the fall of the moveable beam-crane.

[Sidenote: Progress of the ulterior works.]

[Sidenote: 1811, May.]

The houses erecting at Arbroath for the families of the Light-keepers, were roofed over in the month of May; at which period, the signal-tower for communicating with the Light-house, represented in Plate XII., had attained to half its height, or about 30 feet. The shipping at this station consisted only of the Smeaton as Bell Rock Tender, the other vessels which had been employed in carrying on the work, having been disposed of by public sale. As soon as the weather permitted, the artificers went off to the Rock to put the Railways in a state of repair after the gales of winter; for this purpose, the Beacon-house was still extremely useful as a smith’s shop, while it also served as a store for the implements and bulky articles connected with the fitting up of the interior of the Light-house.

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

On the 24th of July, Lord Justice-Clerk Hope, Lord Boyle, Dr Hope, Mr Hamilton, and Mr James Spreull, besides Lady Charlotte Hope and Mrs Hamilton, embarked at Leith in the Light-house Yacht, to visit the Bell Rock. The wind being at SW., and blowing hard, the vessel had to put into Arbroath till the 26th, which prevented the Lord Justice-Clerk and his Lady from visiting the Light-house; but the rest of the party having remained, they had a most convenient landing on the Rock; were highly gratified with their visit, and returned in the Yacht to Leith on the 28th.

[Sidenote: 1811, September.]

[Sidenote: State of things at the Rock.]

In the course of his annual voyage to the Northern Light-houses, the writer, on the 27th September, touched at Arbroath, and had the satisfaction to find that the Light-keepers’ houses were nearly in a habitable state, while the Signal-tower was ready for the plaster-work. Having landed on the following day at the Bell Rock, with Mr James Haldane, who had accompanied him thither on his first visit in the year 1800, they did not fail to express their mutual congratulations on the successful result of those operations which, on the former occasion, had been contemplated at a very distant view. On examining the Light-house, every thing was found to be in good order, and Mr Reid, and his assistants, quite satisfied with their habitation. Mr Dove had completed the copper flag-staff, and also the iron-grating on the outside of the Light-room, for the greater conveniency of cleaning the windows: Mr Slight had made great progress in fitting up the oak partitions, beds, and interior finishing of the house; and had dismantled the upper parts of the Beacon-house, which was now reduced to its state in 1809, as represented in Plate VIII. At low-water, all hands were engaged at the Railways to fortify them also for withstanding the storms of winter; and it was chiefly for this purpose that the principal beams of the Beacon-house were preserved on the Rock. It had been originally intended to erect a stone-slip for the conveniency of landing, till, from experience, it was found that the iron Railways were more suitable to the circumstances of the place than solid masonry; the waves acting with much more force on the solid wall, than on the open railways.

[Sidenote: Tender goes adrift.]

On the 12th of this month, the Smeaton having been, for several days, at the Rock, landing stores and articles for the artificers, unluckily broke adrift by the failure of the mooring-chain. As it came to blow fresh from W. NW., she narrowly escaped shipwreck; and having been driven eastward as far as Dunnottar Castle, it was not till Tuesday the 15th that she returned. This shewed the uncertainty of making the Tender fast to moorings at the Rock, excepting in fine weather, and pointed out the propriety of keeping her under-way, during her future casual attendance for the supply of the Light-house. This arrangement, however, required that the mate and one seaman should be left on board, while the master and other two were at work in the boat.

[Sidenote: Boats suitable for the Bell Rock.]

[Sidenote: “Bruce’s boat.”]

It may here be noticed, that a boat, in order to be at once safe and convenient for landing at the Bell Rock, should measure not more than from 14 to 16 feet in length of keel. A boat, therefore, of a proper size for parties visiting the Light-house from the shore, will be found too large for landing at the Rock; because, when she has still a depth of water to float her into the several creeks, the tide has not sufficiently ebbed to afford shelter from the breach of the sea, even when there is but a slight swell on the Rock. In like manner, she requires to lie too long in floating off again, and is consequently more apt to be damaged than a smaller boat. A decked vessel, with a float-boat of the dimensions mentioned above, is the safest; or, if a large open boat is used to go from the shore, it should not be less than 20 feet in length of keel, carrying a small boat, upon the plan of “Bruce’s Two-half boat.” This description of craft may be conveniently stowed into the fore-peak of a large boat, and, when put to use, the two-halves are screwed together with great facility, and used with perfect safety as one boat. For this ingenious contrivance, the public are indebted to the late Mr James Bruce, of the Naval Yard establishment, Leith.

[Sidenote: Light-house Stove takes fire.]

Owing to inattention on the part of the Light-keepers, the chimney of the temporary stove, which, for the present, was fitted up in the kitchen, had been allowed, on the 20th of this month, to take fire; and though the surrounding apparatus was proof against burning, yet the heat of the tube, which passes through the Light-room, so cracked and damaged six of the squares of plate-glass, that it was judged proper to replace them with others from the stock on hand.

[Sidenote: 1811, November.]

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

The month of November set in with S.E. winds, and the tides and sea upon the shores of the Firth of Forth, rose higher than had been observed for the last thirty years. During this gale, while Mr Leask, one of the keepers, was standing upon the balcony, a considerable quantity of sprays broke over the cornice, so as to wet all his clothes, and to strike against the glass of the Light-room so forcibly, as to alarm those who were within. This was the first instance observed of the sea rising to the height of about 108 feet above the surface of the Rock. The Light-keepers also stated, that when the tide was at the highest, they expected every minute that the Beacon would have been swept away, as it was frequently wholly under water when the sea broke around the Light-house; nor were they altogether at ease as to their own situation. Several large masses of stone were, upon this occasion, thrown upon the Rock; a mass of about two tons, completely blocked up one of the landing-places until it was broken and removed. The Railways also suffered severely, having been dislocated in several places.

[Sidenote: Advantage of double windows.]

In the course of the month of December, the Light-house had been visited with very severe gales, but the keepers were now gaining more confidence in the stability of their habitation. Captain Taylor, who commanded the Tender, on questioning them when he landed on the Rock, how they had stood out the bad weather, they, to his surprise, replied, “There has been nothing remarkable in the weather.” They further stated, “that, when the doors and storm-shutters were made fast, and the double windows shut, all was quiet in the several apartments: it was only when they went to the Balcony that they heard the wind: and that the house had little or no motion by the sea striking it, excepting in storms from the north-east, east, or south-east, but especially from the north-east.”

[Sidenote: 1812.]

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

The light had now been exhibited for twelve months; and it was highly gratifying to the Board to find, from almost every quarter of the coast, by the testimony of those who had seen it at sea, that this important edifice gave universal satisfaction, appearing in all respects to answer the fullest expectations of the mariner. It appeared also from the _Album_, or book kept at the Light-house, for inserting names, that nearly 500 strangers had landed to see it, in the course of the summer season.

[Sidenote: 1812, August.]

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

On the 21st of August, Sir William Rae, Baronet, the Lord Chief-Baron Dundas, General Francis Dundas, Mr Jardine of the Exchequer, and Mr Russell, accountant to the Board, visited the Light-house, when the Chief-Baron expressed his entire approbation of the work and establishment in general. About the same period, Mr Duff landed, accompanied by Mr Foulerton, one of the Elder Brethren of the Trinity-House, Mr Menzies of Pitfoddels, and the late Mr Taylor of Kirktonhill, who were in like manner much pleased. It was, upon this occasion, gratifying to hear Captain Foulerton’s remarks of approbation, as his official connection with the English Light-house Board, more especially qualified him for judging of the Bell Rock works.

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

On Friday the 4th September, at 5 A. M., the writer landed at the Rock with Mr James Slight, clerk of works, who, with eight artificers, was to commence taking down the frame or principal beams of the Beacon-house. This useful fabric might have remained for an indefinite period, but for the ravages of the insect already described, which had now affected the beams so much where they rested upon the Rock, as to render its removal advisable. In this operation the artificers were only employed for about three weeks, although it had occupied nearly the whole of two working seasons to erect it. The Tender made occasional trips ashore with the timber, the great iron stanchions, bracing-bars, and numerous bolts, which were to be employed in the erection of the buildings at Arbroath, and in the works of the Carr Rock Beacon.

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

The only remark which the writer has to make, regarding the erection of such a building as the Beacon-house is, that due precaution should be used in protecting the soles or feet of the beams, where they rest upon the Rock, and are inaccessible to the application of pitch or other preventives. Sheathing with copper might, perhaps, be found the best protection; but, in such situations, the copper should be coated with tin, to prevent any action between it and the iron-work.

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

On the 1st of October, Mr Slight, accompanied by several artificers, went again off to the Light-house with the remaining apparatus for finishing the interior of the house, having still the bed-room to fit up, the brass-plates for the safety of the sill and lintel of the entrance-door, and a variety of other small works to complete. The railways were also in want of some additional stays, to fit them for withstanding the storms of winter. These operations, however, were conducted much more slowly since the removal of the Beacon; and it now became necessary to erect the smith’s forge upon the balcony of the Light-house, for sharpening tools, and other little operations.

[Sidenote: 1812, November.]

[Sidenote: Remarkable shock of the sea.]

On Saturday the 14th of November, a very severe storm took place, accompanied with a heavy sea from the S.E. A letter from the Light-house stated, that, “at high-water in the evening, a tremendous sea struck the house, the effect of which was the most alarming that had been experienced perhaps since it was erected. The locks upon the doors were heard to rattle; and what makes this the more singular is, that not another sea of consequence struck the house during the whole tide.” Upon further inquiry into this matter, the writer found that the artificers, and two of the light-keepers were then in the kitchen; upon the shock taking place, the whole sprung up to the balcony, imagining for the moment that some vessel must have got upon the Rock, and that the report heard was the discharge of a gun, so sudden and sharp was the sensation which it occasioned. But they soon found that their alarm was occasioned by the sea alone.

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

The writer has often thought of this surprising effect of the force of the sea; and he finds it difficult to assign a cause for the motion of the doors in so low a position of the building as the kitchen; otherwise than by supposing a disturbance in the equilibrium of the air, by the sudden displacement of the column of water, which, upon these occasions, rises upon the building. The tremor felt in leaning against the walls in the upper apartments, when it blows fresh, or when the house is struck by a sea, or by a boat coming suddenly against it, may be compared to that which is perceptible in a common house, upon the slamming of particular doors, or when a carriage makes a rattling noise in passing along the streets; but it is attended with no real danger. In confirmation of this, it may be mentioned, that when the late Professor Robison of Edinburgh visited the Edystone Light-house, something having forcibly struck the building, he was sensible of a vibratory motion in one of the rooms in which he was then sitting. But, instead of producing any alarm in the mind of the Professor, he assured his friends, that it was to him the strongest proof of the unity and connection of the fabric in all its parts. This anecdote the writer is desirous of preserving, as it was communicated to him by this eminent person.

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

[Sidenote: 1812, December.]

The writer being in Forfarshire at this time, was desirous of seeing the effects of the sea upon the Light-house, after the Beacon had been removed. He accordingly embraced the opportunity of sailing from Arbroath with the Tender, in a pretty hard gale from north-east, at 4 o’clock in the morning of the 9th of December, and, at 7, got close to the Rock. The Light-house now appeared in one of its most interesting aspects, standing proudly among the waves, while the sea around it was in the wildest state of agitation. The Light-keepers did not seem to be in motion; but the scene was by no means still, as the noise and dashing of the waves were unceasing. The seas rose in the most surprising manner to the height of the kitchen windows, or about 70 feet above the Rock; and after expending their force in a perpendicular direction, successively fell in great quantities round the base of the Light-house, while considerable portions of the spray were seen adhering as it were to the building, and guttering down its sides in the state of froth as white as snow. Some of the great waves burst, and were expended upon the Rock before they reached the building; while others struck the base, and, embracing the walls, met on the western side of the house, where they dashed together, and produced a most surprising quantity of foam. Upon this view of the breaking of the seas at the Light-house, the frontispiece for this work has been delineated.

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

Though there was no possibility of effecting a landing to-day, yet the vessel lay off-and-on till low-water, that the writer might also then see the state of the waves upon the Railways. He found that they still continued to make a constant run over them; and that no one could have stood upon any part of the rock, even for the space of one minute, without having been thrown down and carried away by their force. After lying-to till 10 o’clock, the Tender bore away for the Firth of Forth, leaving the inhabitants of the Rock surrounded, and even enveloped by the sea in its utmost fury, yet in a state of comparative comfort, and enjoying feelings of the most perfect security.

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

The regulations observed in attending the Bell Rock are these. The vessel stationed at Arbroath goes off every fortnight, or in the course of each set of spring-tides, to relieve the Light-keepers, and to supply the house with necessaries; but when the weather does not admit of this, the master’s instructions direct him to embrace the first favourable opportunity thereafter. Of the four keepers belonging to this establishment, three are always at the Light-house, while one is ashore on liberty. The regular term ashore is a fortnight, and the duty at the Rock is six weeks. During the rotations, however, in the course of the winter and spring, some of the keepers were detained upwards of three months upon the Rock, while others were four or five weeks ashore. The Tender had made several unsuccessful attempts to effect a landing during this period, and had been twice forced to Leith Roads, and once to the northward as far as Aberdeen. The light-keepers, however, seemed, upon the whole, pleased with their situation; and talked in a feeling manner of the hardships of mariners, whom they often saw tossed about during the storms of winter.

[Sidenote: 1813.]

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

In the course of the year 1813, the Light-keepers’ houses, at Arbroath, signal-tower, and sea-wall connected with them, were completed; and a garden of upwards of an acre was enclosed, and laid out for the use of the families of the light-keepers, and for supplying the Light-house and Tender with vegetables. These buildings formed no part of the original design; but the Commissioners were resolved that this establishment should be complete. Had houses been hired in the town of Arbroath, for the light-keepers, much inconvenience would have arisen to the service, especially when the attending vessel was going off to the Rock under night. Besides the principal building occupied by the light-keepers, there are store-houses, and accommodation for the master and crew of the attending vessels, in an adjoining building, where each family has two or three rooms. The top of the signal-tower is formed into a small observatory, furnished with a 5 feet achromatic telescope, a flag-staff, and copper signal-ball measuring 18 inches in diameter.

[Sidenote: Signals observed at the Rock.]

By means of this, and a corresponding ball at the Light-house, certain signals are daily kept up between Arbroath and the Rock. The chief of which consists in hoisting the ball at the latter place to the top of the flag-staff, where it is kept, _when all is well_, every morning, between the hours of 9 and 10. But in case the weather should prove so foggy or cloudy at this hour, that the signals cannot be seen, the watch is again set at 1 P. M., and should it then become clear, the ball is again elevated, and allowed to remain till 2 o’clock. This signal is watched by the light-keeper who, in his turn, happens to be ashore on liberty, and who immediately answers it by hoisting the ball at Arbroath. Should the ball at the Rock, however, be allowed to remain down, as is the case when any thing is particularly wanted, or in the event of sickness, the Tender immediately puts to sea.

[Sidenote: 1814.]

[Sidenote: Thunder-rod.]

The mechanical operations at the Bell Rock, during the year 1814, consisted principally in fitting up a thunder-rod or electrical conductor, on the exterior and western side of the building, as may be observed on the elevation of the Light-house in Plate XVI. This rod is continuous from the top to the foundation of the building, being connected with the sash-frames of the light-room, and the Railways upon the Rock. The best construction and application of rods for conducting the electric fluid, is a problem upon which scientific men are not altogether agreed; some being of opinion, that the conducting-surface should be large; while the slender bell-wires in dwelling-houses are found capable of conveying it in a body sufficient to destroy the premises. The fixing of a plate of any considerable breadth upon the exterior of the Light-house would have been attended with much difficulty; and the writer having consulted Professors Playfair and Leslie, and Dr Brewster, a rod was prepared by Mr Adie, optician, 2¼ inches in breadth, and, where thickest, 1 inch, the external side being slightly rounded, to suit the circle of the wall, and thus presenting the least possible resistance to the sea. The composition of this rod was one ounce and a half of tin to a pound of pure copper; and with its bats, screws, and connecting pieces, it weighed 556 pounds, or about one-quarter of a ton.

[Sidenote: Method of fixing it.]

In order to fix it to the building, a groove was cut in the exterior wall, as high as the solid part, about half an inch in depth, which was sufficient to receive the edge or thinnest part of the rod. On the higher parts of the building the wall was not cut, the flat side of the rod being simply applied to it; and in its track, brass-bats, previously perforated and screwed, were sunk in the wall to the depth of three inches, and run up with melted lead, at about two feet apart. The rod being cast in lengths of seven feet, the pieces were successively applied to the building, when the precise positions of the holes in the brass-bats were ascertained, marked on the rod, and bored on the spot for screw-nails of ⅝ths of an inch in diameter; the several lengths of the rod being half checked at each end, and the nail-heads counter-sunk, as shewn in Plate XIX. Fig. 10. The cutting of this groove and the bat-holes in the masonry, was done in a very masterly manner by the late Thomas Selkirk, of whom notice is here more particularly taken, as this was the last piece of work which he executed, as well as from his having been acknowledged by his companions to have been one of the best stone-cutters in Scotland.

[Sidenote: 1814.]

[Sidenote: A party of the Commissioners and Sir Walter Scott visit the Light-house.]

On the 30th of July this year, Mr Hamilton, Mr Erskine, and Mr Duff, Commissioners, along with Mr (now Sir) Walter Scott, and the writer, visited the Light-house; the Commissioners being then on one of their voyages of Inspection, noticed in the Introduction. They breakfasted in the library, when Sir Walter, at the entreaty of the party, upon inscribing his name in the _album_, added the interesting lines, of which the reader will find a fac-simile on the second title-page.

[Sidenote: 1815.]

[Sidenote: Permanent Railways began to be fitted.]

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

Though the temporary railways originally fitted up for the building operations had been thoroughly repaired, they were often found much in disorder, and required a still stronger mode of construction. In the course of this summer, therefore, part of the western-reach of the new or permanent Railway was fitted up, which was named Hope’s Wharf; Lord President Hope having landed upon it in the month of August, from the Latona Frigate.

[Sidenote: 1816.]

[Sidenote: Pharos Tender built.]

The sloop Smeaton having been originally constructed as a stone-lighter, was not well adapted for sailing, or doing the duty of a Tender. A vessel, of 51 tons register, properly fitted for this service, was therefore built at Leith by Mr Morton, and launched in the summer of 1816, under the appropriate name of The Pharos. Besides her stern-boat, this vessel carries another upon deck, measuring 15 feet in length of keel; she is also sheathed with copper, and laid out with a fore and after cabin.

[Sidenote: The Light-house is Painted.]

Owing to the sprays of the sea, the colour of the upper part of the Light-house had become much changed, and had acquired a dark olive hue, while, on the western side, the granite courses below were of a whitish-grey; so that the building had now a party-coloured appearance. To remedy this, and especially to prevent the sandstone from imbibing moisture, it was, in the summer of 1816, painted in oil colour, of a greyish tint. The whole of the interior of the house being of polished masonry, was at the same time painted white; while the walls and roof of the library were decorated with pannelled work, in a very tasteful manner. Mr Macdonald of Arbroath the painter, having remained a considerable period in the Light-house, had several opportunities of observing the effects of the sea upon the Rock, and made some striking sketches of its appearance upon the building in storms, which have afforded useful hints to the artist who furnished the draught from which the frontispiece to this work is taken.

[Sidenote: 1818.]

[Sidenote: Fuci disappear from the Rock.]

On visiting the Light-house in the summer of 1818, the writer was struck with the naked appearance of the Rock, the _fuci_ having in a great measure disappeared. On examination he found that they had been cut off by vast numbers of a species of limpet, curiously striated with blue lines, (the Patella pellucida of naturalists). Among various other changes incidental to the plants and animals on the Rock, the barnacle was found to be fully more prevalent than formerly, and covered all the higher parts, like a greyish coloured scurf. One good effect connected with the disappearance of the sea-weed, was a more complete exposure of several large holes or inequalities in the Rock. Some of those, on the north-eastern side of the Light-house, being of a large size, varying from two to four feet in depth, the writer considered necessary to have filled with ruble-building, which, in an imbedded state, when executed with pozzolano-mortar, had been found to withstand the utmost force of the sea.

[Sidenote: 1819.]

[Sidenote: Permanent Railways completed.]

In the course of the summer of 1819, Mr James Slight, and his brother Alexander (who had assisted throughout the works in making moulds for the stone-cutters, and in other operations requiring neat and ingenious workmanship), together with Messrs George Dove, Robert Selkirk, James Glen, James Scott, Alexander Brebner, and John Mitchell, completed the remaining parts of the western and southern-reaches of the railways, by the addition of a number of large cast-iron stays or braces, as represented in Figs. 13, 14, and 15, of Plate X. The bats of these new railways were wedged with timber and iron in the usual manner, and the feet of the supports, with their bats and spear-bolts, were plastered over with Roman-cement, with a view to secure them against the effects of oxidation.

[Sidenote: Improvement on the entrance to the Light-house by a ladder of brass.]

By taking the stores from the railways to the entrance of the Light-house up the sloping exterior wall, the joints of the courses at that part had been somewhat injured. The access also to the door had hitherto been only by a rope-ladder, or, to strangers, by a suspended chair, which was hoisted up by the crane fixed to the building. Both of these were liable to accidents and decay, from the wearing of the ropes by frequent use. In order, therefore, to prevent injury to the building, and to remove these defects, two strong bars of brass, of the same composition as the thunder-rod, were fixed on the building, from the door down to the rock, to answer the purpose of _skids_; and steps of the same metal, being attached to these bars by screw-bolts, a substantial and convenient ladder, or rather flight of steps, was thus constructed; and, as this apparatus became a fixture, ready entrance to the Light-house was provided for, and could on all occasions of emergency be safely obtained. A connection being also formed between this metallic-stair and the kitchen-chimney, a thunder-rod was thus obtained for the interior as well as the exterior of the house; the whole including the stair, weighing about 3133 pounds, or about 1 ton 8 cwt. of brass.

[Sidenote: Sprays rise 105 feet.]

In the course of the three last winters, the weather had been so uncommonly mild, that the sea, as appears from the Light-house Returns, had rarely risen upon the building higher than from 30 to 50 feet. But, in October 1819, there were some very severe gales, accompanied with heavy seas, the sprays of which, on the 24th, rose to the height of 105 feet above the Rock. The water had struck the light-room with such force at this time, that one of the assistants, then on watch, started from his seat, imagining that some serious accident had occurred. The writer having landed on the 20th November following, examined into the precise state of matters upon that occasion, when it was stated, that it appeared as if a bucket or two of water had been thrown with violence against the Light-room windows. Mr Reid, principal Light-keeper, and Mr Taylor, commander of the Tender, also confidently observed, that this was the most severe gale which they had experienced since they were connected with the service. It may, perhaps, therefore, be concluded, that the maximum force of the sea at the Bell Rock is to raise the sprays to the height of about 105 feet above the surface of the Rock.

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

These storms had proved so severe, that the Rock actually lost about 18 inches of its height, a fragment of that thickness having been carried away from the highest part. This spot the workmen had significantly termed “The Last-hope,” as marked on Plate VI., in allusion to the imminent hazard which the party on the Rock had incurred in the year 1807. The removal of this highest stratum is the more particularly noticed, as forming a link in the chain of probabilities, leading to the conclusion of the Bell Rock having once been of much greater extent.

[Sidenote: 1820.]

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

Though the Light-house might be considered as long since finished, various improvements have still at different times been made on it. In the course of the year 1820, an inner entrance-door was hung in the passage, chiefly to prevent the necessity of shutting the outer-door so frequently during the continuance of westerly winds. To save room, and cutting the walls, this door was constructed of brass-pannelled work, and the upper part glazed with plate-glass, to preserve the light. In the original fitting up of the interior of the house, the machinery-weight had been carried through the centre of the several apartments; but this having been found incommodious, the rope was now conducted close to the wall, in a small case; and, by introducing a double-pulley, the weight does not require to be brought higher than the floor of the Light-room-store, from which it descends into the drop-hole formed in the solid part of the building, as shewn in Plate XVI. The store-room for water, fuel, and provisions, was also fitted up this year in a more commodious manner, with cast-iron cisterns, an enlarged magazine for fuel, and a complete set of lockers. The water, which hitherto had been carried from the store to the kitchen in buckets, was now raised by a pump, fitted up after the manner of the beer-pumps in general use in London.

[Sidenote: 1821.]

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

The weather during 1821 was comparatively mild, and no storm of any consequence occurred at the Rock. The only work deserving notice that year, was the removal of the small crane from the entrance-door, to the provision-store; where a machine, upon a new principle, was constructed, the barrel or drum of which moves vertically upon its axis, instead of horizontally, while it winds up the chain. By means of this machine, the stores are now taken up to the entrance-door more conveniently; while both the door and passage are entirely relieved of the encumbrance of the crane-apparatus; as will be understood by examining Plate XIV. Fig. 7. and Plate XVI.

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

In the course of this year, Mr John Reid, the principal light-keeper, on account of the state of his health, resigned his situation, and was succeeded by Mr Thomson Milne, reflector-maker. In consideration of Mr Reid’s faithful services, the Board put him on the half-pay list, at the rate of 30 guineas per annum.

[Sidenote: 1822.]

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

In the year 1822, the several large holes in the Rock, formerly alluded to, were filled up, and that important work completed. The writer may here mention, that he is possessed of a complete model of the Bell Rock Light-house as executed, and of the chief implements mentioned in this work, which he will take measures for preserving to the Public; from a recollection of the interest he should have felt in examining any model of the Edystone Light-house, before he had an opportunity of seeing that work itself. He also, for similar reasons, gives a design, in Plate XXIII., founded on experience, as applicable to the erection of Light-houses on sunken rocks, which more particularly occurred to him after his first visit to the Wolf Rock situate between the Land’s End and the Scilly Islands, in the year 1813, under the auspices of the Admiralty, in the Orestes sloop of war, commanded by Captain Smith.

[Sidenote: 1823.]

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

The year 1823 set in with perhaps as severe a storm as has occurred on this coast since the Light-house was erected. The Pharos, in the course of her attendance on the Rock, was driven first into the Firth of Tay, and thereafter into the Forth, where she was forced to anchor above Queensferry, about 70 miles from her station; and in the course of the winter, it was fully two months before she could effect a landing at the Light-house. The only accident, however, which happened during that period, was the breaking of the ratchet-wheel spring, which keeps the reflector-frame in motion, while the machinery is winding up. Though only of a trivial nature, and unconnected with the stormy effects of the sea, it nevertheless created considerable alarm among the families of the Light-keepers ashore, as the signal-ball was very properly kept down upon this occasion. Their anxiety, however, was relieved in the course of the day, by the arrival of a carrier-pigeon, with a billet from the principal light-keeper, intimating what had happened. A pair of these curious birds had originally been presented to the establishment by Captain Samuel Brown of the Royal Navy. They have now multiplied considerably; and two or more are generally conveyed to the Rock at every trip of the Tender, and let off occasionally for amusement. Their flight between the Light-house and the Signal-tower at Arbroath, upwards of 11 miles, has been ascertained to have been at the rate of about one mile per minute.

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

In concluding these details, it may be proper to state, from the Abstract Accounts of the expence, quantity of materials, and description of workmanship, given in Appendix, No. VI., that the expence of this important national work amounted to L. 61,331:9:2; and that the cubical contents of the materials used in its erection were about 28,530 feet, and would weigh about 2078 tons.

APPENDIX.

No. I.

CONTAINING A NOTICE OF ADDITIONAL LIGHT-HOUSE STATIONS, LIGHT-KEEPERS’ INSTRUCTIONS, FORMS OF MONTHLY AND SHIPWRECK RETURNS.

ADDITIONAL LIGHT-HOUSE STATIONS.

[Sidenote: Additional Light-houses.]

In noticing the different points alluded to, at page 60., as the most prominent stations for additional Light-houses on the coast of Scotland, we shall follow a course from east to west, including the Orkney and Shetland Islands.

[Sidenote: Eastern Coast.]

On the eastern coast two light-houses seem particularly to be required, in addition to the present Light on Kinnaird-Head. One of these, at Buchan-Ness, near Peterhead, which becomes a _turning-point_ in the navigation of that coast, as will be seen from Plate III., would be an excellent guide to the southward, for shipping on the long flat shores of Aberdeenshire, and not less useful as a direction for the foul ground or sunken rocks called Rattray Briggs to the northward of Buchan-Ness. Some are also of opinion, that Girdle-Ness, at the entrance of Aberdeen harbour, would be a proper station for a sea or public Light. The next station in the order of position on the eastern coast, is Tarbetness, a centrical point of land extending into the Moray Firth , which leads to Cromarty Roads, a great rendezvous for shipping in stormy weather. A Light upon this projecting point would also be extremely useful as a direction to the numerous small ports of this district, and would prevent the losses which occasionally happen on Culloden Rock, and Halliman’s Scars, and by the Firth of Tain being mistaken for a continuation of the Moray Firth . It would also serve as a guide to the narrow passage of Fort George, leading to the eastern entrance of the Caledonian Canal.

[Sidenote: Northern Coast.]

Several Light-houses are still wanted for the protection of shipping on the Northern Coast. In particular we notice, that although the eastern entrance of the Pentland Firth is already well marked by the Light-house on the Skerries; yet the western approach to this dangerous, but important channel, requires a light upon Dunnet-head in Caithness, which would prevent vessels from mistaking Murkle Bay for the Pentland Firth , and, at the same time, form an excellent guide for the south-western coast of Orkney. Cape Wrath in Sutherland is the north-western point of the Mainland of Scotland, as will be seen from Plate III. A Light-house upon that promontory would be of great importance to the navigation of the dreary coast of Caithness and Sutherland, and as a direction for the sunken rock called the Nun, surveyed by Captain Ramage, in H. M. S. Cherokee in the year 1814; and by him found to lie 15 miles in a north-eastern direction from that shore. A light upon Cape Wrath would likewise serve as an excellent guide to the northern entrance of the Great and Little Minish, or Friths of Lewis and Uist, a central track in the navigation of the Hebrides, now much frequented by shipping since the erection of the Light-house upon Glass, one of the Harris Isles.

[Sidenote: Orkney and Shetland Islands.]

Perhaps the only additional light still wanted in Orkney, to which it is here necessary to allude, is one upon Nouphead of Westra, to direct shipping on the north-western side of these Islands. In addition to Sumburgh-head Light-house in Shetland, one upon the Out-skerries of Whalsey, on the east, another upon the Scaw of Unst, in the north; and a third on the Skerries of Ve, on the western side, would seem to render these Islands complete in regard to Light-houses.

[Sidenote: Western Coast.]

The opening of the sheltered passage through the Friths of Lewis and Uist, by the Light-house on Glass, has, in a great measure, superseded the use of the outward course of shipping by St Kilda, which is now seldom taken by coasting vessels, though a Light upon that island would be extremely useful to ships making the land from the Western Ocean. The next Light-house that seems wanting in connection with the navigation of the Minish is one upon the Island of Bara, as a direction to its western entrance by the Firth of Uist. It will only further be necessary, on this coast, to direct our attention to the position of the Rocks of Skerryvore, in order to perceive the importance of a light upon that dangerous reef, which lies about 12 miles south-west from the Island of Tiree. The principal rock here is a circular mass of granite, about 60 feet in diameter, and elevated about 20 feet above the highest tides. The rocks of Skerryvore prove not only a great bar to ships making the coast from foreign voyages, but, it is feared, have been fatal to many vessels sailing along these western shores.

The Rhins, a promontory forming the south-western extremity of the Island of Islay, is another position of importance for pointing out the northern side of the passage from the Atlantic to the Clyde and Irish Sea, between Islay and Bengore Head in Ireland. The Commissioners, at their meeting in the month of January 1823, having ordered a Light-house to be built at this station, it is accordingly in progress. The navigation of the sounds and tracks among the Western Isles would also be greatly facilitated by the erection of four Light-houses, of the smallest class of sea-lights, on stations connected with the inner Sounds of Skye and Mull. One of these lights, erected at the south entrance of the Sound of Mull, would not only be important to that passage, but to the various tracks leading to the Sounds of Islay, and by those of Linnehe and Loing, to the western entrances of the Caledonian and Crinan Canals. The Island Devaar, at the entrance of the much frequented anchorage of Campbeltown Loch, is another station for a small Light, to which the attention of the Board has been directed by the Shipping Interest of the Western Coast.

[Sidenote: Southern Coast.]

Although the lights upon the Point of Corsewall and Isle of Man, form a good direction for the southern coast of Scotland, yet a light upon the Mull of Galloway would still be of much utility in preventing northern-bound ships from mistaking Glenluce Bay for the Irish Channel; and in leading them along the Scotch side, between the Firth of Clyde and the Irish Sea. Application has also been made for the erection of a small Light upon the Little-Ross Island, at the entrance of Kirkcudbright-anchorage.

INSTRUCTIONS for the BELL ROCK LIGHT-KEEPERS.

[Sidenote: Instructions to Light-Keepers.]

I.--The Keepers of the Bell Rock Light-house are hereby instructed and directed to keep the lamps of the reflecting-apparatus burning bright and clear, from the going away of day-light in the evening till the return of day-light in the morning. The better to obtain this purpose, the period of night is to be divided into Watches, and each keeper in rotation will mount guard for three hours. The fountains of the lamps being daily supplied with oil, the wicks must be frequently trimmed in the course of the night, but more particularly at the end of each watch.

II.--The motion of the machinery of the reflector-frame must be so regulated, that one of the lights of the natural appearance, and one of those coloured red, shall be exhibited to the mariner in their most brilliant effect, in the course of every four minutes; or the reflector-frame must make one entire revolution in the space of eight minutes.

III.--The keeper on watch will look out for the occurrence of foggy or snowy weather, and during the continuance of either, the bells must be kept tolling both day and night.

IV.--At the end of each watch, the keeper respectively on duty must ring the house or bed-room bell, as the case may be, and thereafter remain at his post until he is relieved by the keeper in person whose turn it is to mount guard.

V.--In the event of any thing getting out of order about the machinery of the reflector-frame, so as to prevent its operation, the Lights, and also the Bell-hammers, if required, must be moved by hand, as nearly to the periodic time as possible, until the repair of the machine can be accomplished.

VI.--Should the stock of Oil in the Light-house by any means be reduced to 150 gallons, between the 1st day of October and the last day of February; or to 50 gallons between the 1st day of March and the 30th day of September, the number of lights on each side of the reflector-frame shall be reduced to three; but in the event of the stock of Oil being respectively lessened to one-half of the above quantities, or that any of the other stores essential to the support of the Light, are getting so low as to endanger its total failure, only one burner shall be lighted on each side of the reflector-frame, or four burners in all.

VII.--Unless, under these circumstances, a supply comes to hand, recourse must ultimately be had to the use of the Wax Candles in store.

VIII.--During any period that the stores or provisions appear to the acting Principal Light-keeper to be in danger of falling short, or in the event of sickness, or under any other circumstances considered of a calamitous and hazardous nature, the signal of distress shall be observed, by ceasing to hoist the Signal-ball at the stated periods, until the arrival of the Attending-vessel.

IX.--In all cases of difficulty, especially such as are referred to by the tenor of the Articles VI. VII. and VIII. of these Instructions, the acting Principal Light-keeper shall use his discretion and judgment in lessening the daily allowance of provisions, water, and fuel, according to his view of the circumstances of the case.

X.--No lights of any kind are to be left in such a situation as to endanger accident by fire. If at any time it should be found necessary to enter the store-room under night, the light must be carried in a lantern.

XI.--The better to ensure regularity and good order in the Light-house-duty, it shall be performed in three distinct departments. The keepers to shift in rotation weekly, from the performance of one department to another. These changes are to take place every Saturday-night.

XII.--The light-keeper performing the duty of the first department, shall, in the course of the day, supply the lamp-fountains with oil, and the burners with cotton; he shall clean the reflecting-apparatus, and all the utensils connected with the trimming of the lights. He shall also take his turn in mounting guard both day and night.

XIII.--The day-work of the second department includes the cleaning of the machinery-case, windows, walls, floors, and apparatus connected with the light-room, not already specified as coming under the first department; he shall likewise clean the balcony and library; the books of which must be dusted or cleaned on the first Saturday of every month. The keeper in this department will also take his turn at day and night watches.

XIV.--The third department includes the cleaning of the bed-room, kitchen, and provision store-room; together with the passages, stairs, and whole utensils connected with these apartments. He shall likewise cook the provisions, and take charge of them from the time of their being served out, until they are set upon the table in a prepared state. The keeper acting in this department shall only be subject to the performance of night-watches.

XV.--The acting Principal Light-keeper will mount guard in his turn by day and night, and do the duty of the first and second departments, but he is hereby exempted from personally performing the duty of the third department; he will, however, serve out the stores, and keep the light-room store in a cleanly and orderly state.

XVI.--The chimney or smoke-tube of the kitchen-range, and the windows of the several apartments, are to be cleaned on the last Saturday of every month, or as soon thereafter as the weather will permit: The performance of which is to be entered into the Monthly Return.

XVII.--The wharfs or cast-iron railways, rope-ladder (now brazen stair), shall, in like manner, be overhauled and examined during the period of spring-tides, on the full and change days of the moon. The condition of these works to be also regularly entered into the Monthly Returns.

XVIII.--The light-keeper on guard is to give immediate notice to the acting Principal-Keeper of the appearance of the Tender, or of any other vessel or boat, which is seemingly approaching the Rock; when the proper signals will be made as to the practicability and safety of landing, and the necessary attendance given; according to the instructions of the Signal-Book.

XIX.--The Keeper on watch between the hours of 9 and 10 in the morning, shall hoist the signal-ball to the flag-staff-head (if the weather will permit), and, in this position, allow it remain during that hour, when _all is well_; but in the event of foggy or stormy weather, such as shall obstruct the view with the telescope between the Light-house and the Signal-tower at Arbroath, the ball shall be hoisted between the hours of 1 and 2 in the afternoon, should the weather have then improved. These circumstances are to be stated in the Monthly Returns.

XX.--The keepers, in rotation, shall have leave, and be carried ashore in the Attending-vessel, at such periods as may best suit the service. When this occurs in regular succession, each of the four keepers will remain six weeks at the Light-house, and two weeks at Arbroath with their families.

XXI.--The keeper who for the time being is on leave at the establishment at Arbroath, will there attend the duty of the signal-room, from 9 to 10 every morning, and likewise from 1 to 2 in the afternoon, when, from the state of the weather, the signals at the Bell Rock cannot be seen and repeated at the appointed hour in the morning, agreeably to Article XIX.

XXII.--The rotation for leave on shore must be so regulated, that the turns of the Principal and Principal-assistant Light-keepers do not immediately or successively follow each other.

XXIII.--When at the Light-house, the keepers will have Rations of provisions and other allowances, as stated in the annexed Schedule, but while they are on shore they provide for themselves.

XXIV.--In case the Rations served out should not at any time be used, the same must be returned to the store, as no provisions of any kind are permitted to be taken away from the Light-house.

XXV.--The Principal Light-keeper, and, in his absence, the Acting Principal-keeper, is held responsible for the due performance of the duty of the other keepers; for the correctness of the Requisitions made for stores; for the Monthly Returns written by the Assistant or Expectant Light-keepers; for all Entries made in the store and journal books; for the regular and properly serving out of the daily allowance of light-room stores and provisions; for the regular use and cleanly state of the bed and table linen; for the good order of the Light-house furniture, apparatus and appurtenances; that none of the stores be wasted or embezzled, but that the strictest economy and careful management be observed, yet so as to preserve a good and sufficient light.

XXVI.--The light-keepers are hereby prohibited from receiving, bringing, or allowing to be brought to the Light-house, any spiritous liquors, as private stores. The Acting Principal Light-keeper is held responsible for the conduct of his assistants; and the Master of the Tender for the conduct of his men in this respect.

XXVII.--The Bell Rock being the chief station at which Light-keepers are instructed in their duty for the service of the Northern Lights, the Principal, or, in his absence, the Acting-principal Keeper, is directed to superintend this department, and they are respectively held responsible for the certificate they may ultimately give as to the qualifications of Expectant-keepers. Upon production of the certificate to the Engineer, the light-keepers will be found entitled to the premium stated in the annexed Schedule of Allowances.

XXVIII.--Each Expectant-light-keeper is to be resident for at least six weeks at the Bell Rock. In the course of this period he is to practise the whole duty performed in the light-room; to write the Monthly Returns; and carefully to peruse these Instructions. If, at the end of this period, he is found qualified, he will receive a certificate to the following effect: “Bell Rock Light-house,” (_here insert the date_.) “These certify, That” (_here insert the name_,) “has resided” (_here insert the number of_) “days at this Light-house; and having been duly instructed in the whole practice of the Keeper’s duty in the Light-room, he is considered qualified to act as an Assistant Light-keeper,” _or is found deficient in certain points_, (_here state the case as it may be_.) “Witness my hand,” (_Signature of Principal, or, in his absence, of the Principal Assistant Light-keeper_.)

XXIX.--The Inventory of the Light-house apparatus, books, furniture, and utensils, is to be compared with the Inventory-book upon the first Friday of the months of May and November half-yearly, or as soon thereafter as the Principal and Principal Assistant Light-keepers are both upon the Rock. Any deficiency in the articles of the Inventory-Book is to be stated in the respective Returns for these months.

XXX.--It being a rule in the Service of the Commissioners of the Northern Light-houses, that access to their establishments shall be free and open to the Public, the keepers are enjoined to pay attention to Strangers, shewing them every civility in their power; and, particularly, to afford their aid and assistance, in cases of Ship-wreck; yet so as not to neglect any thing incumbent upon them, in the proper discharge of their duty as light-keepers.

XXXI.--It is recommended to the light-keepers to be cleanly in their persons and linens, and proper in their apparel in general.

XXXII.--The Light-keepers are enjoined to assemble in the Library, for the purpose of reading the Scriptures, and for Prayers, every Sunday, at 12 o’clock noon, in their Uniform-dress. This service is to be performed by the Acting Principal Light-keeper, or Principal Officer of the Board present. The table is to be covered during this service with a flag; and, when the weather is moderate, the Light-house flag is, at the same time, to be hoisted to the mast-head, and allowed to remain till sunset.

XXXIII.--Should any difference of opinion arise among the Light-keepers about the meaning of these Instructions, the duty shall in such cases be performed agreeably to the explanation and orders of the Acting Principal Light-keeper. In the same manner, in all matters to which these Instructions may not seem fully to apply, the orders of the Acting Principal Light-keeper are hereby declared to be binding upon the respective Light-keepers.

XXXIV.--In case of neglect of duty on the part of any of the Assistant-keepers, the Principal shall, according to the nature of the offence, communicate the circumstances to the Superintendant Light-keeper, on his first visit, or immediately by letter to the Engineer, that the offending party may be reprimanded, put under stoppages, or ultimately dismissed from the service, as the case may require.

XXXV.--These Instructions, with such additional orders as may be issued from time to time, are to be read by the officiating Officer, immediately before reading Prayers, on the first Sunday of the months of May and November.

_Edinburgh, 1st August 1823._

ROBERT STEVENSON,

Engineer to the Commissioners of the Northern Light-houses.

* * * * *

SCHEDULE referred to in the XXIII. and XXVII. Articles of the INSTRUCTIONS.

Daily Allowance per Man, 1 lb. Beef; 1 lb. Bread; 2 oz. Oatmeal; 2 oz. Barley; 2 oz. Butter; 3 quarts Beer; Vegetables and Salt no stated allowance; For Tea and other necessaries 4d. per day; For instructing each Expectant-Light-keeper L. 2, distributed as follows, viz. Principal Light-keeper 15s., Principal-Assistant 10s., each of the two Ordinary Assistants 7s. 6d.

MONTHLY RETURN from the BELL ROCK LIGHT-HOUSE, for _November 1812_.

[Sidenote: Monthly Return.]

Key: A Spermaceti Oil, in Gallons. B Wicks in Dozens C Lamp glasses D Beef, in Lib. E Bread, in Lib. F Oatmeal in Lib. G Barley, in Lib. H Butter, in Lib. I Beer, in Qrts. J Water, in Gallons K Coals in Cwts L Vegetables in Dozens M Number of People victualled

+--------------------------+--------------------------------------+ |Light-House | | |Stores received. |Provisions, Water, and Fuel, received.| +--------------------------+--------------------------------------+ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Nov. 1812. | A | B | C | D | E |F |G |H | I | J | K| L | M | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | +-------------+----+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--+---+---+ |Stock on |313 |593|360|263|243|72 |32 | 2 |200|615|60|11 | | | hand, | | | | | | | | | | | | | | +-------------+----+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--+---+---+ |Sunday, 1.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8| |Monday, 2.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8| |Tuesday, 3.|200 | | | 60|112| | | |160|200|12| 6 | 9| |Wednesd. 4.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 9| |Thursday, 5.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 9| |Friday, 6.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8| |Saturday, 7.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8| |Sunday, 8.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8| |Monday, 9.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8| |Tuesday, 10.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8| |Wednesd. 11.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8| |Thursday, 12.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8| |Friday, 13.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8| |Saturday, 14.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8| |Sunday, 15.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8| |Monday, 16.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8| |Tuesday, 17.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8| |Wednesd. 18.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8| |Thursday, 19.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 8| |Friday, 20.|100 | | | 37| | | | | 80| | 4| 3 | 3| |Saturday, 21.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 3| |Sunday, 22.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 3| |Monday, 23.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 3| |Tuesday, 24.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 3| |Wednesd. 25.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 3| |Thursday, 26.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 3| |Friday, 27.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 3| |Saturday, 28.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 3| |Sunday, 29.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 3| |Monday, 30.| | | | | | | | | | | | | 3| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | +-------------+----+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--+---+---+ |Received, |613 |593|360|360|355|72 |32 |25 |440|815|76|20 |188| +-------------+----+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--+---+---+ |Expended, |111¼| 12| 36|188|188|23½|23½|23½|376|260|19|13½| | +-------------+----+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--+---+---+ |Remainder } |501¾|581|324|172|167|48½| 8½| 1½| 64|555|57| 6¼| --| |in Store, } | | | | | | | | | | | | | | +-------------+----+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--+---+---+

Key: AA Spermaceti Oil. AB „ Galls. AC „ Qs. AD „ Pts. BB Wicks in Dozens CC Lamp Glasses DD Number of Lamps in Light-Room. EE Beef in Lib. FF Bread, in Lib. GG Oatmeal in Lib. HH Barley, in Lib. II Butter, in Lib. JJ Beer, in Qts. KK Water, in Gallons LL Coals in Cwts MM Vegetables used.

+--------------------------------+-------------------------------------+ | Light-House Stores | Provisions, Water, and Fuel, | | served out. | served out. | +-------------+---------+--------+-------------------------------------+ | | AA | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Nov. 1812. +---+--+--+BB|CC|DD| EE| FF| GG| HH | II | JJ| KK|LL| MM| | | AB|AC|AD| | | | | | | | | | | | | +-------------+---+--+--+--+--+--+---+---+---+-----+----+---+---+--+---+ |Stock on | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | hand, | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | +-------------+---+--+--+--+--+--+---+---+---+-----+----+---+---+--+---+ |Sunday, 1.| 3| 2| | | |24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16| | | 6| |Monday, 2.| 3| 2| | | |24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16| | | 6| |Tuesday, 3.| 13| 2| | | 6|24| 9| 9|1 2| 1 2 | 1 2| 18| 30| | 6| |Wednesd. 4.| 3| 2| | | |24| 9| 9|1 2| 1 2 | 1 2| 18| | 2| 6| |Thursday, 5.| 3| 2| | | |24| 9| 9|1 2| 1 2 | 1 2| 18| | 1| 6| |Friday, 6.| 3| 2| | | |24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16| | | 6| |Saturday, 7.| 3| 2| | 6| |24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16| | 2| 6| |Sunday, 8.| 3| 2| | | 6|24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16| | | 6| |Monday, 9.| 3| 3| | | |24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16| 40| | 6| |Tuesday, 10.| 3| 2| | | |24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16| | 2| 6| |Wednesd. 11.| 4| 0| | | |24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16| | | 6| |Thursday, 12.| 4| 0| | | |24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16| | 2| 6| |Friday, 13.| 3| 2| | | |24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16| | | 6| |Saturday, 14.| 3| 2| | | 6|24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16| | | 6| |Sunday, 15.| 3| 3| | | |24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16| | 2| 6| |Monday, 16.| 3| 3| | | |24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16|150| | 6| |Tuesday, 17.| 3| 3| | | |24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16| | | 6| |Wednesd. 18.| 3| 3| | | |24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16| | 2| 6| |Thursday, 19.| 3| 3| | | |24| 8| 8|1 0| 1 0 | 1 0| 16| | | 6| |Friday, 20.| 3| 3| | | 6|24| 3| 3|0 6| 0 6 | 0 6| 6| | | 4| |Saturday, 21.| 3| 3| | | |24| 3| 3|0 6| 0 6 | 0 6| 6| | 2| 4| |Sunday, 22.| 3| 2| | | |24| 3| 3|0 6| 0 6 | 0 6| 6| | | 4| |Monday, 23.| 4| 0| | | |24| 3| 3|0 6| 0 6 | 0 6| 6| | | 4| |Tuesday, 24.| 4| 0| | | |24| 3| 3|0 6| 0 6 | 0 6| 6| | | 4| |Wednesd. 25.| 3| 3| | | 6|24| 3| 3|0 6| 0 6 | 0 6| 6| | 2| 4| |Thursday, 26.| 4| 0| | | |24| 3| 3|0 6| 0 6 | 0 6| 6| | | 4| |Friday, 27.| 3| 3| | | |24| 3| 3|0 6| 0 6 | 0 6| 6| 40| | 4| |Saturday, 28.| 4| 0| | | |24| 3| 3|0 6| 0 6 | 0 6| 6| | | 4| |Sunday, 29.| 3| 3| | | |24| 3| 3|0 6| 0 6 | 0 6| 6| | | 4| |Monday, 30.| 4| 0| | 6| 6|24| 3| 3|0 6| 0 6 | 0 6| 6| | 2| 4| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | +-------------+---+--+--+--+--+--+---+---+---+-----+----+---+---+--+---+ |Received, |111| 1| |12|36| |188|188|23 |23 0½|23 0|376|260|19| 13| +-------------+---+--+--+--+--+--+---+---+---+-----+----+---+---+--+---+ |Expended, | | +-------------+ | |Remainder } | Carried to return for next month. | |in Store, } | | +-------------+--------------------------------------------------------+

Written by _M. Wishart, Assis^t._

Principal or Principal Assistant } _John Reid, Prin^l._ Light-Keeper’s Signature, }

JOURNAL relative to the Duty of the Light-Keepers, and the State of the Weather, &c. at the Bell Rock, for _November 1812_.

+-------------+---------+-------+------+----------+-------+-------+-------+ | | | | | | | | | | | Time of |Time of|Night-| Keeper |Keeper |Tolling|Tolling| | | Extin- | Light-|Watch | on |absent | of | of | | Nov. 1812. |guishing,| ing, | Set, | First | on |Bells |Bells | | | A.M. | P.M. | P.M. | Watch. |Leave. |begun. |ceased.| +-------------+---------+-------+------+----------+-------+-------+-------+ |Sunday, 1.| 6.50 | 4.55 | 5 |J. Reid |Wishart| | | |Monday, 2.| 6.20 | 4.55 | - |J. Bonyman| | | | |Tuesday, 3.| 6.30 | 4.55 | - |H. Leask | | | | |Wednesday, 4.| 6.25 | 5. | - |Reid |Bonyman| | | |Thursday, 5.| 6.25 | 4.45 | - |Leask | | | | |Friday, 6.| 6.40 | 4.45 | - |M. Wishart| |8 A.M. |10 A.M.| |Saturday, 7.| 6.45 | 4.40 | - |Reid | | | | |Sunday, 8.| 6.50 | 4.40 | - |Leask | | | | |Monday, 9.| 6.40 | 4.45 | - |Wishart | | | | |Tuesday, 10.| 6.45 | 4.35 | - |Reid | | | | |Wednesd. 11.| 6.30 | 4.35 | - |Leask | | | | |Thursday, 12.| 7. | 4.30 | - |Wishart | | | | |Friday, 13.| 6.55 | 4.30 | - |Reid | | | | |Saturday, 14.| 6.30 | 4.30 | - |Leask | | | | |Sunday, 15.| 7. | 4.20 | - |Wishart | | | | |Monday, 16.| 6.55 | 4.20 | - |Reid | | | | |Tuesday, 17.| 7. | 4.20 | - |Leask | | | | |Wednesd. 18.| 7.5 | 4.20 | - |Wishart | | | | |Thursday, 19.| 7. | 4.15 | - |Reid | | | | |Friday, 20.| 7.15 | 4.10 | - |Leask | | | | |Saturday, 21.| 7.15 | 4.10 | - |Wishart | | | | |Sunday, 22.| 7. | 4.10 | - |Reid | | | | |Monday, 23.| 7. | 4.10 | - |Leask | | | | |Tuesday, 24.| 7.10 | 4.10 | - |Wishart | | | | |Wednesd. 25.| 7.10 | 4.15 | - |Reid | | | | |Thursday, 26.| 7.20 | 4.10 | - |Leask | | | | |Friday, 27.| 7.15 | 4.5 | - |Wishart | | | | |Saturday, 28.| 7.20 | 4.15 | - |Reid | | | | |Sunday, 29.| 7.10 | 4.10 | - |Leask | |12 noon|10 P.M.| |Monday, 30.| 7.10 | 4.10 | - |Wishart | | | | +-------------+---------+-------+------+----------+-------+-------+-------+

+-------------+--------+------------+----------+-------+-------+ | |Prevailing State of the Weather.|Barom. |Therm. | | +--------+------------+----------+ in | in | | | Foggy, | Hazy, H. | |Inches |Degrees| | Nov. 1812. | | Rain, R. | Wind | at | at | | | Snowy. | Clear, C. | Calm, C. |8 A.M. |8 A.M. | +-------------+--------+------------+----------+-------+-------+ |Sunday, 1.| | R.H. | S.W. | 29.40 | 46 | |Monday, 2.| | C. | W.S.W. | 29.50 | 42 | |Tuesday, 3.| | C. | West. | 29.68 | 42 | |Wednesday, 4.| | C. | N.N.W. | 29.69 | 43 | |Thursday, 5.| | C. | North. | 29.70 | 45 | |Friday, 6.| Foggy, | C. | North. | 29.50 | 45 | |Saturday, 7.| | C. | N.N.E. | 29.60 | 50 | |Sunday, 8.| | H. | Variable.| 29.88 | 50 | |Monday, 9.| | C. | S.E. | 30.10 | 49 | |Tuesday, 10.| | C. | Variable.| 30.12 | 48 | |Wednesd. 11.| | C. | N.E. | 30.30 | 48 | |Thursday, 12.| | H.R. | N.E. | 29.90 | 45 | |Friday, 13.| | H.R. | S.E. | 29.52 | 42 | |Saturday, 14.| | H.R. | S.S.E. | 29.60 | 43 | |Sunday, 15.| | H.R. | N.E. | 29.65 | 41 | |Monday, 16.| | H.R. | N.E. | 29.92 | 41 | |Tuesday, 17.| | H. | East. | 29.41 | 44 | |Wednesd. 18.| | H. | N.E. | 29.70 | 43 | |Thursday, 19.| | C. | N.N.E. | 29.22 | 45 | |Friday, 20.| | C. | Variable.| 29.50 | 45 | |Saturday, 21.| | H. | N.W. | 29.47 | 50 | |Sunday, 22.| | H. | W.S.W. | 29.58 | 49 | |Monday, 23.| | H. | W.S.W | 29.60 | 46 | |Tuesday, 24.| | H.R. | Variable.| 29.50 | 45 | |Wednesd. 25.| | R.H. | N.E. | 29.86 | 45 | |Thursday, 26.| | R.H. | E.N. | 29.66 | 49 | |Friday, 27.| | C. | S.S.E. | 29.97 | 48 | |Saturday, 28.| | H. | S. by E. | 30.23 | 47 | |Sunday, 29.| Foggy, | H. | Variable.| 30.34 | 43 | |Monday, 30.| | C. | S.W. | 30.15 | 43 | +-------------+--------+------------+----------+-------+-------+ 30) 892.25 | 1356 ------- |------ Average, 29.742 | 45.2

+-------------+-----------------+-------------------+------+-------------+ | |Supposed rise at | |Sick, | Number | | |High Water on the| Tender’s Boat | and | of | | | Building of | |unable| Strangers | | Nov. 1812. +-------+---------+--------+----------+ for | on the | | | Tide. | Spray. |Arrives.| Departs. |Duty. | Rock. | +-------------+-------+---------+--------+----------+------+-------------+ |Sunday, 1.| 8 | 40 | | | |5 Artificers.| |Monday, 2.| 9 | 40 | | | | | |Tuesday, 3.| 10 | 40 | 8 A.M.| 10 A.M.| |2 Surveyors. | |Wednesday, 4.| 11 | 40 | 8 A.M.| 9.30 A.M.| |2 depart. | |Thursday, 5.| 11 | 50 | 10 A.M.|10.15 A.M.| | | |Friday, 6.| 11 | 70 | | | | | |Saturday, 7.| 10 | 40 | | | | | |Sunday, 8.| 9 | 40 | | | | | |Monday, 9.| 9 | 40 | | | | | |Tuesday, 10.| 8 | 40 | | | | | |Wednesd. 11.| 8 | 50 | | | | | |Thursday, 12.| 7 | 50 | | | | | |Friday, 13.| 7 | 40 | | | | | |Saturday, 14.| 8 | 60 | | | | | |Sunday, 15.| 8 | 96 | | | | | |Monday, 16.| 9 | 60 | | | | | |Tuesday, 17.| 9 | 70 | | | | | |Wednesd. 18.| 10 | 60 | | | | | |Thursday, 19.| 11 | 50 | 7 A.M.| 10 A.M.| |5 depart. | |Friday, 20.| 11 | 50 | | | | | |Saturday, 21.| 10 | 40 | | | | | |Sunday, 22.| 10 | 50 | | | | | |Monday, 23.| 9 | 40 | | | | | |Tuesday, 24.| 9 | 50 | | | | | |Wednesd. 25.| 8 | 90 | | | | | |Thursday, 26.| 8 | 40 | | | | | |Friday, 27.| 8 | 40 | | | | | |Saturday, 28.| 8 | 40 | | | | | |Sunday, 29.| 9 | 30 | | | | | |Monday, 30.| 9 | 30 | | | | | +-------------+-----------------+--------+----------+------+-------------+

Written by _M. Wishart, Assis^t._

Principal or Principal Assistant } _John Reid, Prin^l._ Light-Keeper’s Signature, }

REMARKS regarding any Accident or Particular which occurred connected with the Bell Rock Light-house during the Month of _November 1812_.

1812.

Nov. 1. The first part of these twenty-four hours strong gales, with much rain, middle and latter parts moderate and changeable.

... 3. Blowing fresh breezes to-day, with fine clear weather. At 8 A. M. the Light-house Yacht’s boat landed twenty ankers of spermaceti oil. Mr John Steedman, and Mr William Lorimer, from Mr Stevenson’s office, also came to the Rock to do business at the House. Returned by the boat one anker of dregs of oil, with a box of broken lamp-glasses, together with 20 empty casks. One mason went ashore.

... 4. At 8 A. M. the Yacht’s boat landed, and made two trips with a variety of articles and materials for the joiners, and provisions for the use of the house. Returned some extra bolts. Mr Steedman and his assistant employed with their instruments measuring the Rock at low-water.

... 5. These twenty-four hours, strong breezes with clear weather. At 10 A. M. the Yacht’s boat landed, and took off Mr Steedman and Mr Lorimer.

... 15. A constant gale, with much rain until the 19th, when it fell moderate. The signal-ball was not hoisted to-day, as an intimation ashore that the artificers were ready to leave the Rock.

... 20. Variable weather to-day, with flying showers. At 7 A. M. the Tender’s boat landed at three trips, with water, fuel, and provisions, for the use of the House, and ten ankers of oil for the use of the Light-room. At 10 o’clock the boat departed, when Mr Slight, James Glen, Robert Selkirk, and two others, left the Rock to proceed to the shore for the season.

... 23. All these twenty-four hours it blew strong gales, with very hazy weather. Signal-ball not hoisted, owing to the state of the weather.

... 25. Blowing a gale with much rain. Signal-ball not hoisted.

... 26. Do. weather with much sea.

... 29. First and middle parts of these twenty-four hours hazy and variable. Middle parts foggy and calm, with frost. Bells tolling. Signal-balls not hoisted.

... 30. Fine clear weather. Cleaned the chimney to-day.

Written by, _M. Wishart, Assis^t_.

Principal or Principal Assistant } _John Reid, Prin^l._ Light-keeper’s Signature. }

To ROBERT STEVENSON, Esq. Engineer for Northern Light-houses, Edinburgh.

_Note._--Similar Monthly Returns are also sent from the other Light-house Stations, independently of which, the Light-keepers are directed to correspond with the Engineer as often as the circumstances of the Service require.

SHIPWRECK RETURN from _Pladda_ Light-House.

[Sidenote: Shipwreck Return.]

DESCRIPTION of Vessels or Boats Wrecked within Fifty Miles of any of the Northern Light-House Stations, to be immediately communicated to the Engineer, in so far as the circumstances can be ascertained by the observation or diligent inquiries of the respective Light-Keepers; who are also instructed to render every assistance in their power to Shipwrecked Mariners; without however neglecting the proper duties of their charge.

---------+------------+-----------+---------+-----------+--------------- |Ship, Brig, | Belonging | Name of | Name of | Where Date. |Schooner, or| to what | the | the | Wrecked. | Sloop, &c. | Port. | Vessel. | Commander.| ---------+------------+-----------+---------+-----------+--------------- | | | | | Tuesday, | Sloop, | Greenock, | Atlas, | Alexander | Island of 18th | | | | Duncan. | Pladda, to the February | | | | | S. W. of the 1823. | | | | | Light-house. | | | | | ---------+------------+-----------+---------+-----------+---------------

----------------+---------------+-------------------+------------------- At what Hour | In what kind | No. of the Crew | No. of the Crew Wrecked, | of Weather. | or Passengers | or Passengers A. M. or P. M. | | Saved. | Lost. ----------------+---------------+-------------------+------------------- | | | At | Stormy, Hazy | 5 | none. 5 A. M. | Weather. | | | Wind S. S. E. | | | | | | | | ----------------+---------------+-------------------+-------------------

-------+----------+--------+--------+-----------+----------- Whence| Where | | | Supposed | Supposed from. | Bound. | Cargo. |Tonnage.| Value of | Value of | | | |the Vessel.|the Cargo. -------+----------+--------+--------+-----------+----------- | | | | | Sydney.|Greenock. |British | 75 | £ 400 0 0 | £ 200 0 0 | | Oak | | | | |Timber. | | | | | | | | | | | | | -------+----------+--------+--------+-----------+-----------

Principal or Assistant’s } _William Soutar, Prin^l._ Signature, }

_Note._--It fortunately happens that no instance of Shipwreck has occurred at the Bell Rock since its erection; and therefore a Return from one of the other Light-house Stations is given.

LETTER accompanying the foregoing Shipwreck Return.

_Pladda Light-House_, _18th February 1823_.

SIR,

I beg leave to inform you, that this vessel was observed by the keeper on watch in the Light-room to be ashore at 5.30 A.M., who gave the alarm to all the inmates of the Light-house; but no assistance could be given to the crew by us till 8.30 A.M., when the tide ebbed so far that they could heave us a rope; then we assisted them in getting their clothes, and themselves, and some other articles, ashore. It is thought by the Captain and crew that the vessel will not be got off. As it happened to be about high-water when she came ashore, she is very far up on the shore, and ebbs almost dry at low-water, although it be neap-tides.

The report given us by the Captain and crew is, that they thought to have weathered this island, as they had the light three points on their weather-bow; but having so little sail set at the time, they observed they were so near the shore they thought the vessel would not stay. Their jib and top-sail was all the sail they could carry to the storm. They say they were in the act of setting a small bit of the peak of their mainsail when the vessel struck, to enable them to keep more to windward of the island.

Wednesday, 19th. At low-water, the Captain and crew, with other assistance, stripped the vessel of her sails and materials, which were carefully laid aside, and partly got into the store-house. Nothing more particular about the wreck at this date; but we shall be as serviceable to the unfortunate men as we can.

I remain,

SIR,

Your most obedient humble Servant,

WILLIAM SOUTAR.

To ROBERT STEVENSON, Esq. } Engineer for Northern Light-Houses, Edinburgh.}

No. II.

INCHCAPE ROCK.

_Extracted, by Mr SOUTHEY’s permission, from his Minor Poems_, Vol. III. p. 148.

[Sidenote: Inchcape Ballad.]

An old writer mentions a curious Tradition, which may be worth quoting. “By east of the Isle of May,” says he, “twelve miles from all land in the German Seas, lyes a great hidden rock, called Inchcape, very dangerous for navigators, because it is overflowed every tide. It is reported in old times, upon the saide rocke there was a bell, fixed upon a tree or timber, which rang continually, being moved by the sea, giving notice to the saylers of the danger. This bell or clocke was put there and maintained by the Abbot of Aberbrothok, and being taken down by a sea pirate, a yeare thereafter he perished upon the same rocke, with ship and goodes, in the righteous judgment of God.”

STODDART’S _Remarks on Scotland_.

No stir in the air, no stir in the sea, The Ship was still as she could be; Her sails from heaven received no motion, Her keel was steady in the ocean.

Without either sign or sound of their shock, The waves flow’d over the Inchcape Rock; So little they rose, so little they fell, They did not move the Inchcape Bell.

The Abbot of Aberbrothok Had placed that bell on the Inchcape Rock; On a buoy in the storm it floated and swung, And over the waves its warning rung.

When the Rock was hid by the surge’s swell, The Mariners heard the warning Bell; And then they knew the perilous Rock, And blest the Abbot of Aberbrothok.

The Sun in heaven was shining gay, All things were joyful on that day; The sea-birds scream’d as they wheel’d round, And there was joyaunce in their sound.

The buoy of the Inchcape Bell was seen A darker speck on the ocean green; Sir Ralph the Rover walk’d his deck, And he fix’d his eye on the darker speck.

He felt the cheering power of spring, It made him whistle, it made him sing; His heart was mirthful to excess, But the Rover’s mirth was wickedness.

His eye was on the Inchcape Float; Quoth he, “My men, put out the boat, And row me to the Inchcape Rock, And I’ll plague the Abbot of Aberbrothok.”

The boat is lower’d, the boatmen row, And to the Inchcape Rock they go; Sir Ralph bent over from the boat, And he cut the Bell from the Inchcape Float.

Down sunk the Bell with a gurgling sound. The bubbles rose and burst around; Quoth Sir Ralph, “The next who comes to the Rock Won’t bless the Abbot of Aberbrothok.”

Sir Ralph the Rover sail’d away, He scour’d the seas for many a day; And now grown rich with plunder’d store, He steers his course for Scotland’s shore.

So thick a haze o’erspreads the sky They cannot see the sun on high; The wind hath blown a gale all day, At evening it hath died away.

On the deck the Rover takes his stand, So dark it is they see no land. Quoth Sir Ralph, “It will be lighter soon, For there is the dawn of the rising Moon.”

“Canst hear,” said one, “the breakers roar? For methinks we should be near the shore.” “Now, where we are I cannot tell, But I wish we could hear the Inchcape Bell.”

They hear no sound, the swell is strong; Though the wind hath fallen they drift along, Till the vessel strikes with a shivering shock, “Oh Christ! it is the Inchcape Rock!”

Sir Ralph the Rover tore his hair; He curst himself in his despair; The waves rush in on every side, The ship is sinking beneath the tide.

But even in his dying fear One dreadful sound could the Rover hear, A sound as if with the Inchcape Bell, The Devil below was ringing his knell.

1820.

No. III.

[Sidenote: Light-house Duties.]

ABSTRACT ACCOUNT of LIGHT-HOUSE DUTIES, furnished to the COMMITTEE of the HOUSE of COMMONS, in reference to the Bell Rock Act.

“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 Rock; calculated from the Custom-House Returns, 13th May 1806, at the rate of 1½d. _per_ ton, whether Outwards or Inwards.

‘ 1804.{ Foreign, { Inwards, 93,782 { { Outwards, 67,633 { Coastways, { Inwards, 239,037 { { Outwards, 170,174 Tons. ------- 570,626 L. 3566 8 3 ‘ 1805.{ Foreign, { Inwards, 81,123 { { Outwards, 73,289 { Coastways, { Inwards, 259,997 { { Outwards, 203,564 ------- 617,973 3862 6 7½ ‘ 1806.{ Foreign, { Inwards, 97,205 { { Outwards, 86,739 { Coastways, { Inwards, 270,737 { { Outwards, 215,637 ------- 670,318 4,189 9 9 --------- ----------------- Total of three years, 1,858,917 L. 11,618 4 7½

“The tonnage of the ports of the Firth of Forth, already pay ½d. _per_ ton for Inchkeith light, so that the additional duty payable by them, will be only one penny _per_ ton, the total tonnage thus paying ½d. is, for the whole three years, 971,482.

Deduct, therefore, ½d. _per_ ton for this amount, L. 2023 18 5

Deduct also expences of collection, and the charges of management, say 15 _per cent._ 1742 14 9 --------- 3766 13 2 ------------- “Nett total for three years, L. 7851 11 5½ ------------- “Nett yearly total L. 2617 3 9½

(Signed) “C. CUNINGHAM, Secretary to the Commissioners of the Northern Light-houses.”

_Note._--The District of coast referred to in the above Abstract, lies between Peterhead, in Aberdeenshire, towards the north, and Berwick-upon-Tweed, to the south, both inclusive.

No. IV.

[Sidenote: Relative Reports.]

Containing REPORTS relative to the BELL ROCK LIGHT-HOUSE, addressed to the COMMISSIONERS of the Northern Light-houses, by JOHN RENNIE and ROBERT STEVENSON, Civil Engineers.

REPORT by Mr Stevenson.

_Edinburgh, 23d December 1800._

During the reign of his present Majesty (George III.), a spirit for discovery and improvement, in maritime affairs, has been pursued with the greatest energy, and crowned with a success, which can only be equalled by the happy effects that have followed to commerce. In proportion, therefore, as the pursuits of the navigator are considered essential to the wealth of the community, every effort to Assist him, in his course through the pathless ocean, must be regarded both as the call of interest and humanity. The most prominent causes of the perfection to which coasting-navigation has been brought, may be ascribed to the accuracy of our charts, and an increase of land-marks, by which the mariner, after braving the dangers of the seas, is enabled to guide his ship with safety into her intended port. It is well known, that before the Maritime Survey of the Orkneys and Hebrides, by Mackenzie; and until an act of Parliament was passed, appointing Commissioners for erecting Light-houses upon the coast of Scotland, mariners were left to grope their way from the Firth of Forth to the Firth of Clyde, without the assistance either of proper charts or land-marks. Under these circumstances, they passed the Pentland Firth , and generally held a course to the northward of the Orkney islands; then steering westward, they sailed on the outward side of the Lewis Isles into the Atlantic Ocean, exposed to many dangers, and unable to avail themselves of the advantages of the sheltered sounds and harbours of the Friths of Lewis and Uist. Hence the difficulty of navigating this district, was long a great bar to the improvement of the Highlands, and to the extension of the British fisheries. It was, likewise, a material drawback to the present flourishing trade, carried on through these sounds to the Baltic and other parts of the northern Continent of Europe.

From the earliest accounts which tradition gives of the navigation of the Firth of Forth, a Light-house upon the Bell Rock appears to have been looked forward to as an essential pre-requisite to the advancement of its commerce: And in proportion to the extent of the one, the call for the other has become more and more urgent, and is now regarded as a matter of the greatest importance.

Since the publication of Adair’s Charts, there has been no want of a survey of the Firth of Forth; but this important estuary still remains extremely deficient with regard to land-marks, and the reporter will venture to say, that there is not any where a more dangerous reef in the kingdom, or one that calls more loudly for something to be done, than the Cape or Bell Rock. When, therefore, the extensive benefits derived from those powers, which have enabled the Commissioners of the Northern Light-houses to erect and maintain six Light-houses upon the coast, are considered, it is much to be wished that some measure were adopted for enabling that Board to add to the number of these land-marks, by the erection of one upon this most destructive rock. From the numerous losses by shipwreck, which have happened upon the Bell Rock, it is presumed, that some account of its position and extent, from actual survey,--a few remarks upon the description of building best suited to the situation of the rock,--together with an attempt to point out the extensive use of such a light,--and the ports which appear to be within the limits of any duty to be levied for its support, will not be deemed unnecessary at a time when the public look forward, with anxious expectation, to this Board, in a matter of so much importance, not only to the navigation of the Firth of Forth, but in general, to the eastern coast of Great Britain.

Having finished a design and model of a pillar-formed light-house for the Bell Rock, immediately after the very fatal storm which occurred in the month of December 1799, the next object of the Reporter, was to survey the rock itself, that he might judge more fully of its fitness for the situation. Accordingly, in the month of April following, he set off for the rock, and had reached Fifeness, when, from the state of the weather, he was obliged to return, after an absence of ten days, without accomplishing his purpose. Soon after his return from his annual voyage to the Northern Light-houses, Mr Gray, secretary for the Commissioners, requested of the Board of Customs to grant the use of one of its yachts, to make another attempt. An order having been accordingly obtained for the Osnaburgh cutter, Captain Campbell, then lying at the Elie, the reporter, accompanied by his friend Mr James Haldane, architect, set off for that place. But the Osnaburgh being then under repair, and the period of spring-tides being at hand, it was found advisable to proceed along the coast to West-haven, on the northern side of the Firth of Tay; and upon Sunday the 5th of October 1800, a landing was effected upon the Rock, and an ample opportunity afforded of gaining all necessary information.

The Bell Rock, as appears by the best charts of the coast, is situated at the mouth of the Firth of Forth, in west longitude 2° 22´, and north latitude 56° 29´. It lies nearly fifteen miles from the Island of May, in a north-eastern direction _per_ compass, and twelve miles south-west from the Red-head in Angusshire, which it resembles, being a free-stone of a reddish colour, though of a much harder body, and closer grit. Besides its natural asperities, the surface in general is thickly coated with sea-weed, and, on the higher parts, the barnacle, white buckie or whelk, and limpets, abound, and altogether it presents a very rugged appearance, owing to the sloping of the strata from south, where highest, to north, at an angle of about 30 degrees. The material part of the rock, which lies north-east and south-west, measures, on an average, about 300 feet in length, and 240 feet in breadth. The highest part above the surface of the sea, does not exceed seven feet at low-water of spring-tides; which part, at high-water of same tides, is from nine to ten feet under water. The reporter also found, that the medium height of the foundation of any building erected upon it, will not exceed two or three feet above the surface of the sea at low-water of spring-tides. The above dimensions may be termed the material part of the rock; but, south-west of this, there runs a reef or shoal, of considerable extent, which is only visible in very low tides.

The short time which the Bell Rock is seen above water, and the irregularity of the soundings in its vicinity, are the cause of many wrecks upon it. Indeed, after the water has flowed, in ordinary tides, but a very short time, the most skilful mariner cannot point out its place, without its proper meaths or land-marks in sight, which lie from twelve to twenty miles distant. Under these circumstances, the Bell Rock will be found more dangerous to vessels coming near it, than perhaps any of those reefs upon which Light-houses have as yet been erected.

The Edystone Rock, for example, is about eleven miles from land, situate at the entrance of Plymouth Sound. Before the rock was reduced for the foundation of the Light-house, it was about three feet above high-water of spring-tides. The Longships Rock, situate three miles off the Lands-End, is about forty feet above high-water mark, though barely large enough for the foundation of the Light-house. The Smalls lie fourteen miles off St David’s Head; and the rock on which the light-house is built, is about five feet above high-water of spring-tides. The South Rock, lying three miles off the land, between Loch Strangford and Donaghadee, is about four feet under the surface at high-water of spring-tides. The Tour de Corduan, upon the coast of France, is built upon a sunken rock at the entrance of the Garonne, and is said to be about eight feet under the surface of the sea at high-water of spring-tides. And, lastly, the Bell Rock, the subject of this report, lying upwards of eleven miles from land, is from nine to ten feet under water, as before stated.

Ever since the reporter had an opportunity to know the danger and inconvenience that must attend the navigation of the Firth of Forth, while the Bell Rock remains without some signal upon it, to forewarn seamen, he has been much employed in considering what kind of building would be most applicable to its situation; and he has, therefore, endeavoured to obtain as much information as possible about works of this kind. The first light-house erected upon an insulated rock on the coast of Great Britain or Ireland, appears to have been that of the Edystone, which was begun in 1696, and was scarcely finished, when a dreadful storm carried it completely away. This erection was constructed of timber, and was designed and executed by Mr William Winstanly, who, with his artificers and the light-keepers, unfortunately perished in its ruins. The next light-house that was built upon the Edystone Rocks, consisting partly of stone and partly of wood, it was finished in 1709, and was the work of Mr John Rudyard, who, carefully avoiding the errors of his predecessor, lopped off all superfluous ornaments, and produced a plain building; which, after withstanding the fury of the waves for forty-nine years, had the misfortune to be destroyed by fire. The present Edystone Light-house was begun in 1756, and finished in 1759. It has now stood forty-four years, a memorial of the ingenuity and indefatigable labours of Mr John Smeaton, who, guarding against the defects of the two former buildings, constructed the whole of stone; the blocks of the solid part are curiously dove-tailed into each other; and every thing unnecessarily tending to give resistance to the water is carefully avoided, while the whole is completely fire-proof. The next light-house erected upon a situation of this kind, was the Smalls, which is placed upon eight beams of oak, arranged round a centre one. The latest light-house built on an insulated situation, is that upon the South Rock on the coast of Ireland. The reporter made three successive journeys to this light-house, during its progress: First in 1796, when it was only 12 feet in height; again in 1797, when it was nearly finished; and a third time in the month of August 1800. This light-house is built of granite, quarried in the mountains of Morne. The method of dove-tailing or joggling the stones, and attaching the courses to each other, is different from that of the Edystone; throughout the solid part of the masonry, and eighteen inches within the circumference of the building, six great bars of malleable iron are carried up, each four inches square; and upon the top of every alternate course, a circular plate of iron is let into the stone, and fixed by spear-bolts to the upright bars. The building is of a conical figure, and was built in the course of three years from a design by Mr John Rodgers of Dublin.

Before being properly certified as to the possibility of getting a foundation for a building of any kind upon the Bell Rock, the reporter thought of a Floating-light, like those moored off the Dudgeon-shoal, and other sand-banks on the coast of England. But the foulness of the ground about the Bell Rock, the great depth of water near it, together with the unsteadiness of a light of this description,--and above all, the perplexing uncertainty which must ever attend such a light in a storm, cannot fail to unhinge the confidence of the mariner, and thereby prevent him from making free with his course; and when, from an error in it, or in the distance run, he is disappointed in seeing the light, wrong conclusions are apt to be formed: he supposes that the Floating-light has drifted, and by changing his course, perhaps turns upon the very point of danger. These were considerations from which much relief was felt, upon learning that the rock was large enough to form the foundation of a permanent building; but, till the moment he landed upon it, he was uncertain if a building of stone was applicable; and foreseeing the difficulties which would be avoided, if, instead of carrying up the lower part solid, it could be formed of pillars, after the manner of the Smalls Light-house; reflecting also upon that elegant and useful application lately made of cast-iron, in the construction of bridges, choice was made of this metal, in his first model for the Bell Rock, as being more substantial than timber, and also less liable to corrosion from the action of the atmosphere than malleable-iron. This light-house (see Plate VII.), was to consist of six hollow tubes or pillars, built each to the height of ninety feet, measuring two feet in diameter at the base, and diminishing to six inches at the top, ranged round a common centre so as to form a diameter of thirty-five feet at the base, and eight feet at the top, immediately under the light-room. The pillars were to be cast in lengths or pieces of ten feet each; and at every joint horizontal bars were made to grasp the pillars, and the whole was also connected diagonally with various cross braces. Under the light-room, the building was to be laid out into four heights of apartments for the light-keepers and stores, formed within the range of the pillars, which occupying 45 feet of their height, the part below being of similar height, was left free for the passage of the sea, thus presenting the least possible resistance to the waves. These apartments were to be formed and covered in with strong copper, which, to prevent its acting upon the iron, was to be coated with tin. The lower part, or floor nearest to the sea, was to form an inverted cone, presenting a surface calculated to disperse the seas which might strike against it. In order still more to increase the common base, and strengthen this fabric, Professor Robison advised that a diagonal bar should be attached to the exterior side of each of the pillars.

In this first design, provision was made chiefly against the impulse of the sea, without taking into account the possibility of a vessel or wreck getting near it; but he found, after landing upon the rock, that it was possible for a vessel at high-water to come, without interruption, against the pillars. To guard against misfortune from this quarter, the reporter first thought of defending the pillars in various ways, particularly by throwing a kind of _Chevaux de Frise_ round them, with beams of oak. He, however, found it difficult to suppose any set of pillars of adequate strength to resist the force of a loaded vessel, violently agitated in a winter storm, which must render the pillar-formed construction very uncertain, even after every precaution should be taken to guard against such accidents. Nor ought the danger to which such a mass of metal, constantly exposed to the effects of the marine-acid, to be wholly overlooked, in giving a preference to a circular building of stone, which being a compact figure of solid matter, would resist any force that might be brought against it. The reporter has estimated the Pillar-formed Light-house at L. 15,000; and, although that for the Tower of masonry amounts to L. 42,636, 8s., yet, as it is treading a beaten path, which leads to certainty, it is surely to be preferred in a work of this kind: the foundation-course of stone must be more tedious than that of so many pillars, yet, in this there is nothing impracticable; and when the difficulties of the first courses are surmounted, the superiority of a fabric of stone over one of iron will readily be admitted.

In the model for a building of stone, made since the reporter first landed upon the Bell Rock, he has retained nearly the same elevation as that of the Edystone Light-house, which presents less resistance, and preserves a greater base than perhaps any other figure that could have been thought of. In this design he has also followed Mr Smeaton in the use of oak-trenails to keep the stones in their places, while the work is in progress; but has differed in the mode of diminishing the interior-walls, as the building rises in height. Instead, also, of Mr Smeaton’s plan of dove-tailing the stones, and connecting the floors, various other modes are resorted to, for effecting this perpendicularly as well as laterally, with the view of introducing larger materials, and keeping the stones in a more entire state. One of these is by an iron-bat, which is inserted into the joints of the lower courses, while the void or upper courses are to be indented, or let perpendicularly into one another. Upon inspection of the models and drawings of this design, it will perhaps be found to render the construction more simple, to divide the strength of the walls more equally, and, upon the whole, to give that stability which the situation of the Bell Rock seems so peculiarly to require. (See Plate VII.)

Upon comparing the pillar-formed Light-house, with the circular tower of masonry, it is matter of surprise that ever the Smalls Light-house should have been erected upon that plan, unless it were to avoid the additional expence of a stone building. There is, however, one circumstance which materially favours the pillar-formed construction at the Smalls, the want of which becomes a principal objection to its application at the Bell Rock; namely, that the Smalls Rock being five feet above high-water of spring-tides, the pillars are more obviously defended from injury in the event of a vessel or wreck coming against them, and also from the violence of the sea, whereas the Bell Rock, at certain periods of the tide, is from nine to ten feet under water.

When Mr John Rennie, civil engineer, obligingly favoured the reporter by examining his models, he gave a decided preference to the structure of stone, as did Professors Robison and Playfair. And Captain Huddart also, upon seeing the pillar-formed model, mentioned that the Trinity-House did not approve of iron pillars which, in the instance of the Smalls, were considered not so proper as beams of oak. The chief motives which induced the reporter to model a light-house upon the plan of the Smalls, were the uncertainty of procuring a foundation for a stone building; the small resistance which the pillars present to the force of the waves, and the first cost being very considerably less. But although this is true, with regard to the resistance, it must also be remembered, that the pillars come prodigiously short of the weight of a tower of masonry, of the dimensions of the one modelled, containing upwards of 2000 tons; whereas the iron pillars, even in their most improved state, do not exceed 200 tons. When, therefore, the stone light-house is compared with the iron one, all idea of the greater resistance of the former is lost in its solid contents, and in the uniformity of its figure.

In alluding to the great utility of an erection on the Bell Rock, it may, in general, be observed, that it is in the same degree of latitude with the Town of Holstebro in Denmark, and that the Naze of Norway, or entrance to the Baltic, lies north of Holstebro 1° 30´. It therefore follows, that all vessels bound to the Baltic, from, any port south of the River Tweed, must cross the latitude of the Bell Rock, while the degree of east or west longitude, in which such vessels pass, must depend upon the direction of the winds and other circumstances. In order to avoid the enemy in the time of war, it is common for shipping in this track, first to make the land about Buchanness in Aberdeenshire, and from thence take their departure either over seas, or along shore to their respective ports. With regard to ships bound for Archangel and Greenland, they, at all times, make the Islands of Shetland, and from thence take their departure. If, therefore, lines be drawn from Buchanness and Girdleness in Aberdeenshire, to Flamborough Head in Yorkshire, and the mouth of the Tyne in Northumberland, the Bell Rock will only be found to lie from six to ten leagues distant from these courses or lines. So that vessels crossing the mouth of the Firth of Forth, from Buchanness to the Humber and Thames, &c., may not only come in sight of a light upon this rock, but be materially benefited by it, according to the state of the weather, while those upon the course of the nearest line bound for Newcastle and Sunderland, &c. must, in every voyage which carries them north of the Tweed, be essentially served by a light upon the Bell Rock.

It further deserves notice in this place, that the principal estuaries on the eastern coast of Great Britain, are those of the Friths of Moray and Forth, and the Rivers Humber, and Thames. The most material general purpose which would be answered by a Light upon the Bell Rock, is the opening of the Firth of Forth as a place of safety, in storms from south-east, east, and north-east. When mariners at sea are overtaken with a gale under such circumstances, they make for the most contiguous of these four inlets; but are often known to avoid the Forth, on account of this Rock, which, like another Cerberus, guards its entrance. Of this, a melancholy example occurred (which will long be remembered with that regret which never fails to accompany the forlorn case of the widow and fatherless), in that heavy gale at south-east, which happened in the winter of 1799, and drove many vessels from their moorings in Yarmouth Roads, put them past the Humber, and the crews being afraid to make free with the Firth of Forth, even though the wind was fair, were, with others, driven ashore between the Redhead in Forfarshire, and Kinnaird Head in Aberdeenshire, to the number of about thirty sail. Nor were they all saved that weathered Kinnaird Head; several were wrecked in Orkney and Shetland; and the whole loss occasioned by this gale has been stated as high as seventy sail, with many of their crews! amongst which are reckoned two that were known to have been lost upon the Bell Rock. This fatal catastrophe, of which the history of our coast affords few examples, is the more to be lamented, when it is considered that a light upon the Bell Rock, by opening the way to a place of safety, would infallibly have been the means of preventing much calamity, to those who sought safety, with various fortune, in more northern latitudes. In conclusion, it may be observed, that until this improvement of the coast comes from the Commissioners of the Northern Light-houses, it is much to be feared that the cause continuing, the sad effects will not cease.

(Signed) ROBERT STEVENSON.

To the Honourable the COMMISSIONERS } of the Northern Light-houses. }

REPORT by Mr RENNIE.

_London, 30th December 1805._

GENTLEMEN,

In consequence of your directions, I set out in a vessel called the Pharos, from Leith, on the 15th of August last, early in the morning, in company with ROBERT HAMILTON, Esq. one of your Commissioners, and Mr STEVENSON, your Engineer, to view the Bell or Cape Rock, for the purpose of considering the practicability of building a Light-house thereon. But, owing to the want of wind, we did not get near the Rock till dusk, _i. e._ about half-past seven, which was near half ebb; but although we were not above a mile distant, we could discover but little of the rock itself. Its situation, however, was sufficiently apparent, by the breakers upon it, which, although the sea was very little agitated where we were, yet the waves were very high on the Rock itself, breaking over it with considerable violence. We approached within less than half a mile of it, and took soundings; but it becoming dark, we judged it advisable to sail further off, and anchored about a mile from the Rock all the night, in expectation we should be able to land on it next morning, which, from the serene appearance of the sky, we doubted not we should be able to effect. We had not dropped the anchor long, when the little wind there was during the day ceased, and it became a dead calm, but, notwithstanding this, there was a heavy swell, and the vessel rolled much. Frequently, during the night, I viewed the place where the Rock lies, and saw the heavy breakers which played about it, till near three quarters flood, when they nearly ceased, and no appearance of such a place was to be observed. They commenced again about quarter ebb, and continued increasing for some time; but, by nine in the morning, the sea became more smooth, and about half-past nine, the rock appearing several feet above water, we left the Pharos in a small boat, and had the satisfaction of landing on it about half-past ten, a little before low water. The spring-tides, however, were rather past their height, being five days after the full moon. We landed on the north-east side of the Rock, in a little bay or inlet, through some breakers, but these were just on the verge of the Rock, for when we got in, the water was quite smooth.

The Rock lies in a direction nearly south-west and north-east, magnetic bearing. That part which was dry, saving some small inlets, I found to be about 280 feet long, and 220 feet wide. Its general surface was about 4 feet above the level of low water, though some places were about 6 feet high. The Rock, however, extends for some distance all round that part which was dry, and dips downward. It extends under the surface for about 400 feet on the south-west side, about 100 feet on the north-east side, and about 50 on the south-east and north-west sides; and on those parts the water is shallow. At about 300 feet south-west, I found about 13 feet water, but, on account of the breakers, could not sound on the low parts of the Rock, or either of the other sides. At the extremities of the main Rock above mentioned, the dip is sudden; the bottom, however, is rocky for a considerable extent round its bed, but the water is deep.

The Rock itself is a hard red freestone, in beds dipping to the south-east, about one in five; these beds are various in their thickness, some being much greater than others; but, generally, well connected together. Such parts as are not immediately exposed to the violent wash of the waves, are coated with a hard crust, and covered with limpets; and, indeed, when it is exposed to the full fury of the sea, there seems to be little appearance of decay, so that I have no doubt, were a Light-house constructed here, no fears need be entertained for the durability of the Rock, as it seems to me well calculated to resist the effects of the waves.

We remained on the Rock for about an hour and a half, when the tide began to flow rather quickly, and having got all the necessary measurements as to height and size, we left it, and returned to our vessel, having been much gratified with the ample view we had of it, and soon after our getting on board the vessel, we weighed anchor at one, and the wind suiting, we arrived at Arbroath about four o’clock.

The Inch Cape, or Bell Rock, lies in West longitude 2° 22´; North latitude 56° 29´, as stated by Mr STEVENSON. It is about eleven miles distant from the harbour of Arbroath, about ten miles from the Bluff Point of the Sands of Barry, at the northern side of the entrance to the River Tay, and about eleven miles from the Red Head, which lies between Arbroath and Montrose; so that in fact it is about the same distance from the shore as the Edystone Rock, on which Mr SMEATON completed a stone light-house in the year 1759. The soundings on the south-west side, and near to this Rock, as taken at low water, were about 7 fathoms, within half a mile of it; and, in the same direction, about 15 fathoms, bottom rock. About three-fourths of a mile, 19 to 20 fathoms, bottom gravel. At the north-east side, and near to the Rock, the soundings were 6 fathoms. About three-fourths of a mile north-west of the Rock 15 fathoms, and about a mile and a quarter in the same direction 18 fathoms. We did not take the soundings on any other side of the Rock, or at a greater distance; but I was informed they were full as much as those we had taken.

Such being the situation of the Cape or Bell Rock, lying nearly in the direction which vessels generally take in sailing into the Firth of Forth, from northerly directions, or out of it, in sailing to the north or east, it is no wonder that many accidents should arise in hazy weather or dark nights, there being no means of discovering its situation correctly, unless when the land-marks are to be seen, for the deep water lying so close all round the Rock, nothing can be ascertained from soundings, until too near to enable vessels to get out of the way. Breakers, no doubt, frequently point out its situation, but these, in dark nights, and hazy weather, often are not sufficient, and at high-water, even in good nights, are not always discernible; for want of other means, many vessels have been wrecked thereon, and numberless valuable lives and much property lost.

Vessels trading from the Humber, and northwards to the Baltic, to Norway, Greenland, &c. are often, by stress of weather, driven towards the coast, and even those from more southerly ports often share the unfortunate fate of coasting vessels. It is therefore of the utmost importance that something should be done to mark out the situation of this dangerous and frightful Rock.

A Beacon has been proposed, but this would but ill answer the purpose. Nothing, in my opinion, would do it effectually, except a Light-house; and the question is, whether a Light-house could be built on this Rock, and, if so, of what materials it should be composed, and which, in point of strength and durability, are most likely to become a lasting work, without which the mariner can never make free with his course.

Of all the works which could be erected here, perhaps a wooden Light-house would be the cheapest. But were a wooden Light-house to be constructed, I apprehend a solid base of stone must first be constructed, similar to that built on the Edystone by Mr RUDYARD; but wood is liable to decay; it would require constant repairs, and would also be liable to be destroyed by fire, as that of Mr RUDYARD’S was. A Light-house of cast-iron might also be constructed here, and I will allow that it might have a coating of lead, or other metallic substance, so as for a long time at least to resist the effects of the marine acid. But to make a Light-house that would last of such materials, would be nearly, if not wholly, as expensive as one of stone, which I believe, I need scarcely say, no human ingenuity could render as durable; and as the durability of such a work as this is of the utmost consequence, I apprehend a moderate sum of extra expence ought not to be looked on as an object of material consideration, when put in competition with the advantages of durability. But, besides these objections to a work constructed of wood or iron, vessels being apt to be driven against it at high-water, there being at spring-tides from nine to ten feet deep on the top of the Rock, and should the vessel be a large one, and acted on by a heavy sea, it would not be difficult to foretell the consequences.

The durability and efficacy of a stone Light-house has been proved in the most satisfactory manner at the Tour de Corduan, near the mouth of the River Garonne, on the coast of France; at the Edystone, off the mouth of Plymouth Harbour, and in other situations. Why, therefore, with such incontestible proofs before our eyes, should recourse be had to a material new in itself for such purposes, and untried? a material which, if fitted and joined together as it ought to be, would consume nearly as much time in getting the lower part laid, as the laying of three or four courses at the bottom of a stone Light-house, and when the stone-work is got to the height of five or six feet above the Rock, the greatest part of the difficulty may be said to be over; and besides, such a solid mass of materials would resist any violent shock of a vessel which might be brought against it by the sea. I have, therefore, no hesitation in giving a decided opinion in favour of a stone Light-house.

As to the practicability of erecting such a work on the Bell Rock, I think no doubt can be entertained, with such examples before us as the Tour de Corduan and Edystone before mentioned.--In the 4th volume of the _Architecture Hydraulique_ of BELIDER, an account is given of the Tour de Corduan. It is built on a low rocky island, dry at low water, and whose surface is nearly level; it is covered at high-water, as near as I can ascertain from his draughts and description, about 8 or 9 feet. It is exposed to a very heavy swell of the sea, lying quite open to the Bay of Biscay, from whence it is well known very heavy swells come, and beat against it with great fury; yet this Light-house has resisted the fury of the waves for above 250 years.

The Edystone Light-house is built even in a more exposed situation than that of the Tour de Corduan, and upon a rock whose surface is little larger than the base of the Light-house itself. The top of this rock is shelving, and was seldom covered by ordinary spring-tides before Mr SMEATON began his foundation; the lower part, however, was always covered over at the top of neap-tides. At the lowest place, when he began his work, the rock was dry about six hours each tide, although there the Edystone Rock is less in size than the Cape Rock, yet the advantage of being so long dry, is greatly in favour of building a Light-house; the most difficult and tedious part of the work being the establishment of the four or five lower courses of the foundation.

The higher parts of the Cape Rock, as I have before stated, are little more than six feet above the low water of an ordinary spring-tide. But I apprehend, when a place sufficiently large for the foundation is levelled, its surface will be little more than three and a half feet above the low water of an ordinary spring-tide. I do not think that above three hours’ time for work can be expected, which is about half of what was got at the Edystone. The depth of the water all round it, and its exposure to the German Ocean, renders it as difficult a situation to construct a durable work upon as that of the Edystone, if not more so. I doubt, therefore, more time will be required for the work; but this depends so much on the state of the weather, that no certain calculation can be made. It is better, therefore, to reckon on a sufficient time, and this I would beg leave to state at four years; and if it can be done in less time so much the better. The Rock upon which the Edystone Light-house stands is certainly harder than the Cape Rock, and of course required more time to work; but, on the other hand, the Cape Rock lying in a more northerly latitude, and where the weather is more variable, it is likely that greater interruption will be given to the proceedings than in the other; so that, all circumstances considered, the time I have mentioned, I doubt, will be little enough.

Mr STEVENSON, to whose merit I am happy to bear ample testimony, has been indefatigable in obtaining information respecting this Rock, and he has made a model of a stone Light-house, nearly resembling that of the Edystone, in which he has proposed various ingenious methods of constructing the work, by way of facilitating the operations. I own, however, after considering these in the fullest manner I have been able, and comparing them with the construction of Mr SMEATON’S, I mean in the building, and also that there is undoubted proofs of the stability of the Edystone, I am inclined to give it the preference. No doubt some methods different from the Edystone will require to be put in practice for the foundation; but its general construction, in my opinion, renders it as strong as can well be conceived,--in fact, it may be looked upon as a solid mass of rock. Viewing the matter, therefore, in this light, it will be unnecessary for me to accompany this Report with the design of a Light-house. It will be time enough to make such a design, when the Commissioners shall be in a situation to give orders for the erection, and then I have no doubt Mr STEVENSON will furnish much valuable matter towards the perfecting of it.

The total height of the Edystone Light-house, from the lower course of stones on the rock to the top of the platform or balcony-floor, is about 70 feet; from thence to the bottom of the iron-frame of the lantern about 6 feet 9 inches; and the lantern itself is about 8 feet 3 inches; so that the total height to the eve of the cupola is about 84 feet 6 inches. Now, as the Bell Rock lies so much lower than that of the Edystone, I think the height of the shaft or tower of the Light-house should not be less than 80 feet, or, perhaps, a little more, say 85 feet; so that the cupola will, in this case, be about 100 feet above the surface of the rock. With such a height of Light-house as is here proposed, I would advise that the diameter of the base should be greater, and as it is less surrounded by such an extent of rock, it will give facility to the gradual diminution of the effects of the waves breaking upon it; will render the fabric more steady, and, as it will diminish quickly, no great additional surface will be presented to the sea.

The floor of the lower room, _i. e._ the height of the solid part of the Light-house, I would propose to be about 50 feet, and from thence to the top of the platform 35 feet, making a total height, from the rock to the platform or gallery, of 85 feet. As to the lantern itself, I need say little on that head, as lanterns for light-houses have, of late years, been greatly improved, as well as the lights. The substitution of lamps with reflectors, in place of coal or candle lights, has been found of the greatest advantage to the mariner; and it is not unlikely, from what I have been lately made acquainted with, that the substitution of the hydrogen gas in place of lamps, will not only prove a much cheaper, but a better light than even lamps. I am told that it will not cost above one-eighth of the price of oil. The kind of light to be used is also a matter of consideration, for unless lights are so constructed as to enable the mariner to distinguish between one and another, he may be apt to mistake his situation; but that also can be easily arranged, when this part of the subject comes to require consideration. The new light on the Skerries in Orkney is a revolving one; perhaps a similar one may also be judged advisable here, as, if the Light-house on the Island of May was to be fitted up with reflectors in the usual manner, it would not always be easy to distinguish this from the Cape Rock, unless one of them was to be made a revolving, or the lights to be placed in different situations of the house.

A Light-house has, of late years, been built on the South Rock, near the mouth of Loch Strangford, on the coast of Ireland. This Light-house was begun on the 11th of June 1795, and completed the 25th March 1797. It is 30 feet diameter at the base, and about 15½ feet just below the balcony floor. It is 56 feet high from the rock to the platform or balcony floor, and its shape is the frustum of a cone. It is built of granite from the Mountains of Morne; and the lantern, from the platform to the cupola, is about 12 feet high, and 10 feet wide. The light is a revolving one, and lighted by 10 lamps with reflectors, 3 in the upper course, 3 in the lower course, and 4 in the middle, and makes a revolution in five minutes. This distinguishes it from the Copland lights.

The rock on which this Light-house stands is about 400 yards long, and about 100 wide, and is covered about 18 inches deep at high-water, ordinary spring-tides. The rock is composed of beds of schistus, intermixed with beds of a kind of indurated clay, which are wearing fast away by the washing of the sea; and, unless some speedy and effectual means are taken to secure it, this Light-house will not be of long duration. It has cost about L. 22,000, and it is said that L. 7000 more will be required to secure the rock from washing away. I will not take upon me to say that this sum will be sufficient for the purpose; but it seems to me that it will not be a very difficult matter to secure the rock, if proper means are taken. The channel is here narrow, and the seas cannot be very heavy; indeed MACCULLOCH the Light-house keeper informed me, that they seldom rise above the first landing, which is only about 27 feet from the top of the rock.

In the construction of a Light-house at the Cape Rock, great care will be necessary in choosing stone of the most durable quality, fit to resist the effects of the waves. For this purpose, I examined the rocks lying along the shore nearest adjoining the Inch Cape Rock, but found none of a very durable quality; most of it is a red freestone, softer than the rock itself, which has been much worn away by the wash of the sea, and therefore by no means fit for the exterior work of such a building; and there does not appear to be any fit for that purpose nearer than Kingoodie, about three or four miles from Dundee. This stone is a hard millstone-grit, of an excellent quality; very hard to work, but can be raised in blocks of any size and thickness required. It therefore appears to me to be most fit for the exterior work of a Light-house to be built on the Cape Rock; but as the price the proprietor asks for it is very high, it becomes a question whether the solid part of the building may not be done with the stone from near Arbroath, which, although not fit for exterior work, is yet of a pretty strong quality, and might be used in the solid part of the building, not exposed to the weather or wash of the sea: Or, it may be a question, whether the saving that would arise from using the stone near Arbroath, is a consideration, when put in competition with the superior strength and specific gravity of the Kingoodie stone.

Granite is also a stone that will resist the waves without wearing, and it is therefore a matter of consideration, whether granite stone might not be had from Peterhead or Aberdeen for this purpose. Granite, it is true, cannot conveniently be had in such large blocks as the Kingoodie stone, but it may be had in blocks sufficiently large to answer the purpose, and, if well dove-tailed, and properly cemented together, the whole may be made to act as one solid body of rock.

As to the expence of a Light-house in such a situation, it is not a very easy matter to form any thing like a correct calculation. So much depends on weather, on the untoward circumstances that may probably happen while the work is in hand, that they baffle even the most experienced artist to make the proper allowances. The price and quantity of materials is by no means difficult to ascertain; but the expence of putting them together must be more a matter of guess than of correct and well founded calculation. I have, however, computed the expence that such a work ought to cost, and have made every allowance for contingencies, from my own experience of works in the sea, and from what I have been able to collect from the experience of others, in which, I think, I have made a very full allowance for contingencies, and the cost amounts, by my estimate, to L. 41,844, but I will say L. 42,000, and, I trust, if ever the work is executed, and done with judgment, it will not exceed that sum.

I have gone on the supposition, that the outside is to be made of Kingoodie stone, and the hearting of stone from near Arbroath. I am, Gentlemen, your most humble servant,

(Signed) JOHN RENNIE.

To the Honourable the COMMISSIONERS} of the Northern Light-houses. }

REPORT by Mr STEVENSON.

_Edinburgh, 15th November 1806._

In the year 1800, when the Reporter laid before the Commissioners various models of a Light-house for the Bell Rock, the prospect of the undertaking was so distant, that it then appeared unnecessary to trouble the Board with any scheme for carrying the work into execution; but since the passing of the act of Parliament for this purpose, the case is materially altered. In preparing any method for carrying on a work, the most difficult in its nature, and one to which the common tests of experience can hardly be applied, he is aware, that it is impossible, by any previous arrangement, to determine what will answer in all respects. In so far as the operations on shore are considered, the ordinary rules of practice apply, but, in forming plans for the Rock itself, matters must be adjusted to the situation and circumstances of the case.

Certain measures, of a preliminary nature, are, however, indispensably necessary, while others may be of doubtful application; among the former, 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 Rock. She must, of course, be fitted up as a store-ship, with accommodation for the artificers, and ground-tackle for riding in from 17 to 20 fathoms water, on rather a hard bottom. This vessel, besides answering as a store-ship for water and provisions, may occasionally take on board lime, cement, and other materials from the small craft at the Rock, when lying at anchor with them on board may be found inconvenient. There is also another and most important service, which this vessel will fall to perform in terms of the act of Parliament, which is the carrying of a Light upon her mast, for the benefit of shipping, and to enable a duty to be collected, even before the commencement of the work, agreeably to the suggestion of Mr CUNINGHAM.

The Reporter, in order to inform himself more fully regarding the construction of such a vessel, while attending the progress of the Bill in London, visited the Floating-light ship at the Nore, under the command of Mr BENNET, who very politely described every particular connected with the business. He had also frequent communications with Captain HUDDART of the Trinity House, who takes a particular charge of the Floating-lights under the management of that Board, since which he has also corresponded with him upon the subject, who has obligingly stated his ideas relative to a vessel and moorings fitted for the Bell Rock. Upon the whole, the Reporter is of opinion, that a dogger, or Dutch-built vessel, is best calculated for this service. Such a vessel would require to be from 80 to 100 tons burden, moored with a mushroom-anchor, weighty iron mooring-irons, having likewise on board a hempen cable of 16 inches in circumference. The mushroom-anchor, which is but a late invention, is now in use at all the Floating-lights on the coast, and even in some of his Majesty’s store-ships. Its great property consists in its being hardly possible for a vessel to _foul her anchor_ with it; and the construction is such, that it may be made in part, or wholly, of cast-iron, agreeably to the accompanying model, from which an idea may more easily be formed of its application. (See Plate X.). This vessel must be furnished with such a light as to be readily distinguishable from the Coal-light on the Island of May; and although the Dudgeon Floating-light, off the Norfolk coast, which carries two lanterns, is at a great distance, yet, as it is the nearest Floating-light to the Bell Rock, it may be advisable to distinguish it from that also. As a vessel cannot be dispensed with for the accommodation of the artificers, it will be found to be a great saving to employ her as a store-ship. As this vessel is only meant to answer a temporary purpose, by purchasing one of the Dutch or Prussian prize-ships, now for sale in Leith, she might perhaps be fitted up for about L. 2000.

Although it would be perfectly impossible to do any thing with much effect at the Bell Rock, without a vessel stationed in the offing; yet as she must necessarily be moored at the distance of about a mile from it, to give a sufficient birth for swinging, according to the wind, and also to give sea-room to clear the Rock, in the event of her breaking adrift, the inconveniency and difficulty of the frequent passage between the Floating-light and the Rock must be very considerable. It therefore occurs to the Reporter, that the greatest advantages would arise from the erection of a temporary residence for the artificers upon the Rock during the working-months of summer, and also to answer as a store for some of the materials. The greatest difficulties which Mr SMEATON had to struggle with at the Edystone, arose from the smallness of the rock, which at once precluded any attempt of this kind from being undertaken, and subjected the work to all the disadvantages and trouble so particularly described as experienced in communicating on all occasions with the store-ship. But, from the extent of the Bell Rock, an opportunity may be had for erecting a temporary residence, for facilitating the work. It was under the conviction that such an accommodation might be constructed, that the clause was introduced into the act for allowing the collection of half-duties upon the erection of a Beacon. But, independently of these advantages, the Reporter conceives some erection of this kind necessary, to give confidence to the artificers, in the event of accident to the boats, of which they might lay hold, until assistance could be procured from the store-vessel. This temporary residence is provided for in his estimate for the Light-house, and having modelled it, he proposes that it should consist of beams of timber, not less than 50 feet in length, and of proportional strength; the beams are coupled together at the top, where they form a cabin for the workmen, and, at the same time, answer all the purposes of a Beacon.

The next material object to be considered, is a method which may prolong or extend the working hours at the Rock, especially in the first instance, to low water of neap, as well as spring tides. In this respect we also find, that Mr SMEATON had no alternative, having had barely extent for the foundation of the Light-house; but, in this respect, he had less occasion for such an apparatus, as the top of the Edystone Rock was rather above high-water, although, from its shelving form, the level of the ground-course was not more than nine feet above low water of spring-tides. The ground-course of the Bell Rock, however, will not be more than about two feet above low-water of such tides. It therefore becomes an object of great importance, to construct a water-tight fence round the site of the building, which might be the means of saving a whole season with the work, and securing the proper execution of the lower courses, by enabling the workmen to go on in a more deliberate manner with their operations. The Reporter has had several methods in view for raising a coffer-dam for this purpose to the height of about six feet or thereby, which would allow the work to proceed regularly in moderate weather at low water of neap as well as spring-tides. He has, accordingly, modelled a coffer-dam with this view, which he proposes to be three feet more in diameter than the base of the building, and, from its exposed situation, the greatest attention must be paid to the strength and fitness of the materials. At first he intended this to be of timber, but at length fixed upon cast-iron, strongly connected with iron-bolts, passing through flanges raised upon the joints, which are to be provided with a groove, for the conveniency of tightening them. The whole of this apparatus is estimated to weigh about 40 tons, and is so constructed, that when all the pieces are landed on the rock, and laid in their places, the foundation for them being prepared, they may be set up, and temporarily fixed, in the course of a good spring-tide.

There is no part of this critical work which will be attended with so much difficulty as the landing of heavy materials, nor is there any part of the business that has occupied so much of the Reporter’s attention. Mr SMEATON appears to have had a great deal of trouble upon this head; and in conversing with one of those having charge at the South Rock Light-house, on the coast of Downshire in Ireland, while it was building, it was stated, that there was more time lost in getting a regular supply of materials, and more vexation attending this department, than any other part of the operations, although this rock is exposed and dry at every tide, and only 3 miles from the shore, with a beach where vessels were laid to discharge their cargoes; whereas the Bell Rock is about 11 miles from land, forming neither a steep-face, like that of the Edystone, nor a sloping beach, like that of the South Rock, while it is so low in the water, that it can afford little or no shelter to vessels, if brought alongside of it. Under all these adverse circumstances, the landing of the materials becomes a consideration of the most perplexing nature. He has sometimes thought that the depth of water upon the rock might be turned to advantage in landing the stones at high-water; yet this mode has its disadvantages, and could not always be depended upon; others must, therefore, be resorted to, more certain in their application. Vessels of an easy draught of water, and not exceeding 20 tons burden, might in very moderate weather be brought close into some of the small creeks of the rock. Some of these will admit of improvement, where cranes might be fixed for unloading them. This may, perhaps, turn out to be the surest mode upon trial; but it may also be necessary to resort to others, such as having buoys moored in different directions, at a convenient distance from the rock; by making fast a hawser to the buoy best suited to the direction of the wind; the hawser may be veered out till the vessel with the materials gets so close to the Rock as to discharge. Some have even supposed, that the materials may be transported to the Rock under these circumstances by a float of cork or timber, and when the vessel is thus cleared of her cargo, she may be hauled off again, and so make sail. The stones, when landed, if not immediately built, may be stowed into the cast-iron coffer-dam, which, for this purpose, will be found of the greatest use, while the lower courses of the building are in progress; and as the work advances, other plans will present themselves.

* * * * *

In the Report dated 23d December 1800, on the subject of the Bell Rock, the Reporter explained his reasons for laying aside the plan of a cast-iron Light-house, and, after what has since been stated in Mr RENNIE’s report 30th December 1805, it is unnecessary for him to enter again upon that subject, especially as it has been fixed that the building is to be of stone. The matter which he, therefore, now submits to the consideration of the Board, is, the quarry or quarries from which these materials should be taken. It is to be regretted, that the extensive quarries in the neighbourhood of Arbroath are not of so durable a nature as to render them fit for outside work. On his way from Fraserburgh lately, he passed through Aberdeen, Arbroath, and Dundee, and, in addition to former inquiries, brought with him a note of prices, and specimens of the stone of the quarries of these places. Upon the whole, there seems to be objection to the use of best Arbroath or Red Head stone, for the hearting or inside-work, which may be had for 9s. 4d. per ton. The Mylnefield or Dundee stone at 25s., but for the granite, of the sizes wanted, no price could be quoted. Stone is the principal material that requires consideration. As for lime, we have an extensive choice in this country, and nothing can perhaps answer the purpose better for securing the outside joints than Parker’s cement. The Reporter has a specimen of Aberthaw lime, which Mr SMEATON used with so much advantage; it would be no difficult matter to get a cargo of it, which would be sufficient for the whole building.

* * * * *

With regard to the Lantern, and other parts of the building which require to be of metal, without entering into particulars, they will no doubt fall to be made of copper, at least such parts as are more particularly exposed to the action of the air or water. As to the nature of the Light itself, there may be some improvements and alterations upon the present system, before the building is completed; but, after erecting such a fabric as will be necessary at the Bell Rock, no pains will of course be spared upon so essential a part as the quality or description of Light to be exhibited.

* * * * *

Supposing the work to commence in the Spring of the year 1807, it is already time that the store-vessel were in preparation, and the necessary arrangements made for fitting her up as a Floating-light, that the collection of the duties may commence; and, when got to her moorings, the workmen may begin to the temporary residence or beacon, and prepare the rock for the building, which would form the primary operations, and occupy the first Summer. If the beams are found to withstand the storms of winter, the upper part can then be covered in as a residence for the artificers in 1808; and, at all events, be habitable for the Summer of 1809. While these measures are carrying forward, and the site of the building is in progress, the lower course of stones will be in preparation on shore. The place which the Reporter would propose for carrying on these works is Arbroath, as the port most contiguous to the Rock, being situate at the northern side of that range of coast which forms St Andrew’s Bay, in which the Bell Rock holds a centrical situation. A passage may be made from Arbroath to the Rock with much more regularity than from the Tay. On the southern side of this great Bay, there is no convenient harbour between the Tay and Fifeness. The stones, being transported from Mylnefield and Aberdeen, would be hewn at Arbroath, and after being laid and marked upon a platform, course by course, would then be shipped for the Rock.

* * * * *

It is unnecessary at this time to enter further into particulars. When the dimensions of the building are finally arranged, it will then be proper to enter into contracts for the materials, and shipping for conveying them, and to provide implements and artificers for the work.

(Signed) ROBERT STEVENSON.

To the Honourable the COMMISSIONERS} of the Northern Light-houses. }

JOINT REPORT by JOHN RENNIE and ROBERT STEVENSON.

_Edinburgh, 26th December 1806._

GENTLEMEN,

You having at your meeting on the 10th instant resolved that the Light-house to be erected on the Bell Rock shall be of stone, we, according to your request, went to Aberdeen and Mylnefield, for the purpose of examining into the quality and price at which stone for the erection of the Light-house could be delivered at Arbroath, the place where it is proposed the materials shall be prepared for the work.

At Aberdeen, we found that many additional quarries had lately been opened, some of them of an excellent quality, and capable of producing larger blocks of stone than granite quarries usually do; but still it is doubtful, as has been formerly mentioned, whether any one quarry will be found to produce a sufficiency of large blocks in any reasonable time; but by purchasing from different quarries, a regular supply may be procured for all the purposes wanted, in case you shall determine upon using the granite in preference to stones from Kingoodie. The Aberdeen granite is of so very strong and durable a nature, and has been used in works where the sea has acted upon it for time immemorial, that no doubt can possibly be entertained respecting its adaptation to a work of this kind. There is also every reason to believe, that the Kingoodie stone resists the sea and weather equally well, but we have not been able to collect such positive proofs of this as of the other; for, although a good deal of that stone has been used in the piers of the harbour of Dundee, yet, as this has been mixed with other sorts of the same appearance, and nearly of the same composition of those of Kingoodie, it prevents the possibility of our saying whether some of the stones that have wasted may not be Kingoodie, although we have great reason to believe that they are not. However, where facts cannot be positively ascertained, doubts exist; and we think, that a Light-house upon the Bell Rock is too important a work to suffer even a doubt to exist; and we have no hesitation, therefore, in recommending, that the under part of the building, at least as high as the first apartment, should be of Aberdeen granite; and as this is the great bulk of the work, it may be as well, perhaps, to complete the outer course of granite to the top.

As to the extra price this will incur, we cannot at present correctly say. We have had two offers for granite from the Rubislaw and Dancing-Cairn Quarries. The former by Robert Spalding, is at 10d. per cubic foot, delivered on the quay at Aberdeen, but, as the expence of shipping and shore-dues are not included, this may be fairly reckoned at 2d. per cubic foot more. The other is from Snell, Ranie and Thom, at 1s. 4d. per cubic foot, delivered free on board a vessel at the quay. Now, as the freight from Aberdeen to Arbroath will be about 7d. per cubic foot, and as an agent must be employed to examine and see the stone delivered by the different quarry-men, we suppose that 1d. per foot may be added for commission; so that, exclusive of Government duties, the offer for Aberdeen stones will stand nearly as follows: Spalding’s offer, with charges, will amount to 1s. 8d. per cubic foot, and Snell and Company’s at 2s. The expence of working the Aberdeen stone will come high, we doubt, for such a work as this. Where dove-tails, and other devices for the security of the building will be necessary, it cannot cost less than 2s. 6d. per cubic foot. Now, taking the price of stone at the average of the above offers, it will amount, with workmanship and freights, to 4s. 4d. per cubic foot, so that the casing or outside course of granite will amount to about L. 7266. Mr Mylne offers to supply blocks of Dundee or Kingoodie stone, put free on ship-board, at 1s. per cubic foot; the freight from thence to Arbroath will be about 4d. per cubic foot, so that the stone will cost at Arbroath 1s. 4d. The working of this stone will cost about 1s. 6d. per foot, making the cost of the Kingoodie stone 2s. 10d.; therefore a casing of Dundee stone would amount to L. 4760, making a difference in favour of Kingoodie stone of L. 2506.

The next question that arises here is, what kind of stone should be used for the hearting of the building, where nothing can affect the stone, of whatever quality it may be; and here the Arbroath or Redhead quarries may come into competition. There are arguments in favour of both; the Kingoodie will be more expensive, but its specific gravity is greater, and it is of a much stronger nature than the Arbroath stone. If Kingoodie stone is used for the hearting, the cost of the stone, with freight and cutting, will be about L. 2124. The Arbroath stone will cost, delivered at the work, about 9s. per ton of 16 cubic feet, and cutting about 1s. per cubic foot, so that the total cost will be about L. 1172, a difference in favour of the Arbroath stone, besides duty, of about L. 952. Now, whether you may agree to pay this extra price we will not venture to anticipate, but we have no hesitation in saying that the Kingoodie stone is the best.

Another object which occupied our attention, was the procuring of a piece of ground at Arbroath, with proper sheds and warehouses, near the harbour, for the purpose of dressing the stones, laying the courses as they are to be in the Light-house, keeping stores, &c. &c. For this purpose we applied to Messrs Duncan and Cargill, who have a ship-builder’s yard adjoining the harbour, and who some time since intimated their intention of disposing of it; but we found that the place was not of the dimensions necessary for the work, that the warehouses on the ground did not belong to the ship-yard, and that the people had not finally determined upon disposing of this place. We therefore inquired further, and found a piece of ground much larger than the carpenter’s yard, and nearly as well situated, but there are no buildings upon it; and indeed, there is no other spot at all convenient, or near the harbour, that can be had. We therefore saw the proprietor John Taylor, and he has offered to let the whole for seven years, at the rent of Twenty Guineas per annum. The rent is high, but the situation is such as to render it more suitable than any other, and therefore we advise Mr Taylor’s proposal to be accepted.

Having now stated the result of the several objects for which our journey northward was undertaken, 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-house, with the construction that appears best suited to the stability of the work. The first object that naturally presents itself is the establishment of the Floating-Light, now in preparation, respecting which some correspondence has taken place between Mr Stevenson and Captain Huddert of the Trinity Board of London, which is now before you. Their information is very satisfactory, and from the measures taken in advising with the Trinity-House of Leith, it is hoped that every thing relative to the fitting out of the Prussian-dogger, purchased for this service, will be the most complete of the kind, and the sooner she can be got to her moorings the better, that the operations at the Rock may be commenced, and that the duties may be collected for paying the Treasury loan, and otherwise adding to the general fund.

The second object that comes under consideration is the inclosing the piece of ground at Arbroath for a work-yard. This may either be done by a ruble wall or a wooden fence, but the former is preferable, because several buildings must be made for stores, and for floors, to mark out the different courses with the dove-tails as they form the building, so that the ruble wall may form part of these buildings. Sheds must also be erected for the masons to work in.

Thirdly, Two vessels, of about 30 tons each, for conveying stones from Arbroath to the Rock, should, without delay, be contracted for. These vessels must be built strong, and of good materials, and calculated to work well at sea, that no opportunity of going to the Rock may be lost.

Fourthly, A crane for unloading the vessels should be established at Arbroath, and another at the Rock, for landing the materials, as also the necessary tools and triangles, with tackle for setting the stones in the work-yard, and at the Rock likewise, stone-carriages, jacks, &c.

Fifthly, Mooring-chains, anchors, buoys, with ropes, &c., to assist in landing the materials, and for enabling the men to leave the Rock when the tide prevents them from working.

Sixthly, A coffer-dam will be wanted, to the height of 4 or 5 feet, so as to enable the workmen to continue so much longer on the Rock than they could do, were the tide allowed to flow over the foundation when it rises above the level of the Rock.

Seventhly, Although we do not pretend to say that a stage, for the accommodation of the workmen, can with certainty be constructed on the Rock, yet it might be worth while to attempt the establishment of such a work, as, if it did answer, great facility in carrying forward the work would be obtained; and, should the project fail, the timber and iron can be applied to other uses, and the expence of the experiment cannot be great.

Eighthly, A variety of small tools, for cutting the foundation of the Rock, for dove-tailing the stones, and sundry other uses too tedious to mention, will also be wanted.

Ninthly, A quantity of Aberthaw lime should be procured, as well as other lime of the best quality which the country affords, and a small lime-kiln for burning it erected, and no more burned at once than can be used in a short time, that it may be always had as fresh as possible, as the less it is exposed to the air after being burned the better will it cement. Pozzolano or tarras should be got, if possible, to mix with the lime, these making the best cement that has yet been discovered; but, if it cannot be had, manganese, or even burnt ironstone, will form a good substitute. A quantity of Parker and Company’s Roman cement will be wanted, to keep the sea from washing out the other cement before it has time to harden in the joints.

Tenthly, Oak trenails will be required for fixing down the stones, while the building is in operation, and the several courses liable to be washed by the waves. Lead for running bolts into the Rock, &c. will also be necessary.

As to the construction of the Light-house itself, we are of opinion, that it is much better to follow what has been found to answer at the Edystone, a situation nearly similar to the present, than, in a work so important, to look for other methods that have not stood the test of trial. It must, however, be observed, that some alteration, suited to the difference of local circumstances, ought to be adopted. The Rock at the Edystone differs both in form and quality from the Bell Rock; it lies in a slanting direction, and the higher part was never covered by the tide. It is of a harder quality, and but small in size; nothing, therefore, was to be found in this case in regard to the wearing or wasting of the Rock; and from its limited size, there was no more space than what merely enabled the engineer to make the erection upon it.

The case at the Bell Rock is very different, the Rock being, on an average, not more than four feet higher than low-water of spring-tides. It is of a softer quality, but the dimensions are large. It therefore becomes necessary that the base should be more extended and flat where it is connected with the Rock, so that when the waves break upon it, they may spend their fury on the base of the Light-house, instead of the Rock itself, and thereby prevent it from wearing away. The tower should also be higher, as the tide rises more upon it than on the Edystone. These, and a few other alterations, will adapt the Edystone plan to the Bell Rock, unless in so far as the light itself is connected; but this need not now be a subject of inquiry. A Plan of the Light-house, nearly similar to what is proposed, is handed herewith, but no plan of the dove-tailing has been made, nor can it well be done at present, as the dove-tails must be suited to the different courses of stone as they come from the quarry; but, as the principle is similar to that of the Edystone, the design may be easily judged of.

It is of much importance, that, in so hazardous a work as the present, recourse should speedily be had to advice when occasion requires; and, as a Quorum at all times cannot be got, it might be advisable to appoint a Sub-Committee of your number, to be called together when necessity may require.

(Signed) JOHN RENNIE. ROBERT STEVENSON.

To the Honourable the COMMISSIONERS } of the Northern Light-houses. }

REPORT by Mr RENNIE.

_Edinburgh, October 29. 1807._

GENTLEMEN,

I went to the Bell Rock on the 5th instant, when I found Mr Stevenson with his workmen engaged in preparing the Rock to receive the foundation of the Light-house; also in erecting a Beacon on it, for the double purpose of pointing out to mariners the situation of the Rock more correctly than can be done by the Floating-Light, and as an asylum to the men employed on the Rock, in case they should be overtaken by the tide before the boats had time to take them to the vessel. Mr Stevenson had been constantly engaged in the different operations for about two months, during which time he had never been ashore; and it was fortunate he had taken the resolution of remaining constantly on board, for, without this, there is every reason to believe that the workmen could not have been prevailed on to continue at the work, they having previously shewn a disposition to leave it; but by perseverance, and by allowing them their provisions while on board the vessel and working at the Rock, they have not only been prevailed on to remain at the work, but they now seem to be better satisfied when at the Rock than on shore; and as no accident has happened, although the weather has several times been very stormy, there is great reason to believe that the workmen, being now accustomed to the work, and having gained entire confidence by the success of the past year, will return with redoubled vigour next season, and that the work will proceed with much spirit and regularity.

The work performed in the course of the present season, consists first of preparing the Rock for the foundation of the Light-house to a certain extent; but owing to that part of the Rock where the Light-house is to stand being very uneven in the surface, and some of it within 2½ feet of the level of the sea at low-water of spring-tides, the time at which the men can work is of course very limited; and as there would be great danger of shivering the Rock, if blasting or any other violent measure were resorted to for expediting the work, it has been thought better to proceed in the more secure mode of cutting the stone by picks and chisels, which, as the Rock is hard, and so consumes much time, considerable progress has been made towards this; and I hope, by the end of next June, the whole of the Rock will be completely ready to receive the foundation-course of the Light-house: perhaps it may even be ready sooner; but so much depends on weather, I do not venture to state particularly the time when this most essential object will be completed; but I have great confidence in the zeal Mr Stevenson has shewn in the past season, to prognosticate that he will do all that can be done in the next to expedite the work.

A large beacon, consisting of six main beams of timber, about 13 inches square, and 44 feet long, has been erected on the Rock; it forms a pyramid of about 42 feet high, and a base of the same extent. This is well secured to the Rock with dove-tail cramps, and with chains and braces. Near the top are cross-bars to stiffen the upper part of it, which have been found of great use, as the smith’s forge for sharping tools was erected there, and for the last fortnight the tools were sharped, and various other works done, which tended greatly to facilitate the operations at the Rock. The workmen continued there during the time the Rock was covered with the tide, which enabled them to begin working the moment the part was uncovered where they were employed, and it likewise enabled them to work till the last moment, when the tide began to cover the work. Had no such asylum been provided, the workmen would not only have lost much time in getting from the vessel to the Rock, but also in getting from it. This beacon is not yet entirely finished: a few good tides would enable the workmen to complete it, and when done, I have great hopes it will be found to resist the storms; indeed it has resisted several even in the unfinished state it is, and therefore is a favourable prognostication that it would be stable when completed.

There is, besides, a provision-chest intended to be placed on its top, and above this a ball and flag-staff, so that I hope it will be a very useful additional mark for mariners to avoid this dangerous Rock, and should be advertised as well as the Floating-Light.

The advanced state of the year renders it necessary that the operations at the Rock should stand until the spring of the year. This is proposed to be done whenever the beacon is completed; but during the winter every requisite measure should be taken to proceed with the work for the Rock as expeditiously as possible. For this purpose I must beg leave to recommend to the Commissioners that the remainder of the articles mentioned in our Report of the 26th December last, should be provided with as little delay as possible.

The ground taken on lease from John Taylor, at Arbroath, for a wood-yard, has been covered in part with the necessary buildings and workshops, but sheds for the masons to work in during the winter season are not yet done. These may be got of the most temporary kind; if they just keep off the rain it will be enough, and no delay should take place in procuring them.

Several cargoes of Aberdeen and Dundee stones have been laid down and landed at the yard, part of which are worked, and the masons are engaged in working the remainder. I am sorry, however, to say, that neither the supply from Aberdeen nor Kingoodie has been so abundant as could be wished. Unless exertions far greater than has hitherto appeared be made, it will be impossible to proceed with the building on the Rock next season. I accompanied Mr Stevenson both to Aberdeen and Kingoodie. In viewing the former, it appears, that unless stones are purchased from such quarries near Aberdeen, as may turn them out, 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 alone. It therefore will be advisable, that Mr Skene empower his agent to purchase from the other quarries whenever blocks of the requisite size can be found. As to the Kingoodie quarry, it only wants a little exertion on the part of Colonel Mylne’s agents, as the quantity wanted would be easily got in a few weeks, if exertion such as has been promised be made.

The Floating-Light was completed and moored within the distance of one mile from the Rock on the 9th July, and for some time the people employed at the Rock lodged in her; but the situation in which she was moored has been found not to answer, as, after the gale of the 6th September last, which she rode out with perfect safety, it was found that her cable had been cut by a piece of rock or wreck. She went adrift next day, luckily without receiving any injury, but it has been found that there is no clear ground, (at least that has yet been discovered), less than the distance of about two miles and a half from the Rock, which will render her of no use as a place to accommodate the workmen; another vessel of some sort must therefore be provided. The Yacht has been used since the Float was removed to such a distance, but as neither the manner she was rigged, nor her accommodation, is suitable, nor indeed can she well be spared from attending the other light-houses, she cannot be counted upon in future. In my opinion a proper vessel should be purchased, and fitted up for this purpose, and she will sell at little discount after the work is completed.

One vessel of the description mentioned in the second article of the Report of 26th December 1806, has been built and fitted out. She has been engaged in carrying materials to the Rock; in carrying stones to the yard; and sundry other matters. A second vessel of the like description should be got ready against the spring, to carry the stones and materials to the Rock, &c. Two cranes have been purchased for loading and unloading stones; one has been erected at Aberdeen, and the other at Arbroath; and they both answer the purpose very well. Triangles, and other necessary apparatus are preparing for the work on the Rock, and will be ready against the time they are wanted. Mooring-chains and buoys for the vessels employed about the Rock have also been prepared and laid down.

It was proposed, in the Report of December last, to have a coffer-dam on the Rock, for keeping out the water during a part of the time the tide is flowing; but it rises so quickly here, after having turned, that I do not think a coffer-dam will produce advantages adequate to the expence. It is therefore proposed to do the work without any coffer-dam at all: there has been sufficient trial already made, to satisfy us respecting its practicability without a coffer-dam. The beacon already erected, and which there is reason to believe will stand, renders a stage of the description formerly mentioned unnecessary. It is intended, should this beacon stand over the winter, to erect places for the accommodation of the workmen employed at the Rock on its top. This will greatly facilitate the operations, as before stated.

Most of the small tools mentioned in article 9th of Report of December last, have been procured. Some are still wanting; but these are few. No Aberthaw lime has been procured, nor any pozzolano. Mr Stevenson intends to send the Yacht for a cargo of Aberthaw limestone, as soon as she can be spared from the service of the Light-houses; and, if a vessel is purchased for the accommodation of the workmen at the Rock, she may also be sent for a cargo of Aberthaw lime. I have not been able to procure any pozzolano, although many trials have been made. I have some hopes that a small quantity may still be procured; but I cannot speak with certainty: if not, tarras, or burnt ironstone, must be used. No oak trenails for the stones have yet been got. Mr Stevenson, however, is about to order some from Southampton; and I hope they will be in time for the work. Lead is, at this time, very cheap. I submit it to the wisdom of the Commissioners, whether it might not be advisable to purchase now what may be wanted for the work.

As to the construction of the Light-house, I submitted a plan to your consideration in the month of February last, (see Plate VII.) According to this plan, the works are proceeding; plans of each course of stone have been made; the whole is dove-tailed, but somewhat different from the mode pursued at the Edystone; they are less in length on the outside, but deeper in the direction of the radius of the Light-house, which will render the structure, on the whole, stronger than the Edystone plan. The extension of the base of the building is also much greater; and the base is considerably different. By this means, not only the impulse of the waves on the building will be less, but their action on the part of the rock adjoining the foundation will be much easier. The Rock is softer than that on which the Edystone is built, but it is harder than I imagined when last here. On the whole, I feel confident, that this work will be brought to a successful termination, within a reasonable period. The knowledge which has been acquired by the operations of the last season, impresses me with additional confidence in the practicability of the work, although confident, from the commencement, that, with proper care and attention, such a work might, with certainty, be completed.

The necessity of Mr Stevenson’s remaining much at the Rock while the operations are going forward, render it necessary that some person, by way of agent, should be appointed to pay money at Arbroath, and to credit and settle accounts. As to this the Commissioners will order as they think right. I am, honourable gentlemen, your most obedient servant,

(Signed) JOHN RENNIE.

To the Honourable the Commissioners } of the Northern Light-houses. }

REPORT by Mr RENNIE.

_Edinburgh, 12th December 1808._

GENTLEMEN,

I visited the Bell Rock on the 25th _ult._ The weather was favourable, 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 wished; but as there was little swell, I was enabled to form a tolerable judgment concerning the perfection with which it is executed, and this, I have the pleasure to say, is very favourable.

The Rock was nearly all cut last season, but several parts in the interior was hollow, and others appearing unsound, they could not be cut out without a serious expence in money, as well as a great loss of time. It was therefore judged preferable to make up these places with stone, and, accordingly, 17 stones have been let into different parts of the foundation, which brought the whole on which the Tower stands to a level; on which level, the first course of 12 inches was laid in August, and the outer-edge margin of this course, was nicely fitted all round to the rock, which, in every place except one, as I have been told by Mr Stevenson, projects higher than the upper part of it, by which, the base may be said to be completely indented into the Rock. Above this 12 inch course, two others, of 18 inches, have been laid, and it gives me great satisfaction to inform you, that they are done in a very complete manner, and the mortar, in all the outside joints, has not been at all affected by the sea beating upon it. A very small quantity was out of some of the inside joints, which, I am told, had arisen from the sea catching it (the weather being unfavourable) while the course was laying; this has been directed to be made up, and covered with Roman cement, which will render it as perfect as if no such thing had happened.

It is here proper to remark, that although the pozzolano mortar forms the best of all cements I have seen, yet it does not acquire a sufficient degree of induration to resist the effect of heavy waves for several weeks after it is used. The Roman, or Parker’s cement, acquires almost an immediate induration, capable of resisting the heavy waves; but it never acquires so great a degree of induration, nor does it bind the stones so well together as the pozzolano mortar ultimately does. Its use, therefore, is to guard or preserve the pozzolano mortar until it has time to harden, which it does most effectually, and therefore every joint should be plastered over with this cement as soon as laid.

The place where the lower or 12 inch course is above the Rock, should be made up with stone of the same quality as the Rock itself. These stones should be dove-tailed into the rock, and laid with pozzolano mortar, secured by the Roman cement, the same as the other; for if done with harder stone (should the rock waste at all) it would resist the waves better than the soft, and occasion a more speedy waste of the other parts of the Rock than the Tower. All the protuberances of the Rock round the base of the Tower, should likewise be cut off, and smoothed, so as to form a regular curve at the base of the Tower, by this means there will be no place for the waves to catch, and their action will be regular on the whole, and I have no doubt, when so done, there will be little or no wasting in the rock itself.

The operations in the work-yard seem to be proceeding with much regularity, and there is a good stock of materials now there. Two courses are nearly completed on the platform, and as the diameter of the Tower diminishes fast, 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 Rock; so that if the next season is at all favourable, I would fain hope the whole solid part of the Tower may be completed; every course of stone will raise it so much above the rock, and, of course, prolong the time of working a tide, until it is above the top of the springs, and then, if materials can be landed at the rock in sufficient quantity, the laying of them on the Tower will proceed with little or no interruption.

To secure a regular supply, another Praam or Stone-lighter should be got ready by the end of April next. Mr Stevenson has already received proposals for the building of one, and the sooner it is set about the better. It will also be necessary to build or hire another vessel, to assist the Smeaton in carrying out the stones from the work-yard; I apprehend it will be best to hire a vessel for that purpose, as the services required of her will be of short duration. About 10 tons more of pozzolano will probably be wanted, and this I have been able to procure through the friendship of the Hull Dock Company; it is already ground, and now lying there to be shipped. A small additional quantity of Aberthaw limestone is likewise to be procured, by the kelp-vessels that trade to Bristol, as a return freight.

It happens, rather unfortunately, that some of the granite quarries about Aberdeen have veins of a soft sort, which I have reason to believe decomposes with the sea and weather. Some of these stones have, unluckily, been sent to the work-yard. My decided opinion is, that all of this kind should be laid aside for the out-side work, and others of a good quality procured in their place. They can be substituted for the Dundee stone, and, therefore, although some loss will by this means be sustained, it will, on the whole, be trivial. I am, Gentlemen, your most humble servant,

(Signed) JOHN RENNIE.

To the Honourable the Commissioners} of the Northern Light-houses. }

No. V.

REMARKS relative to the Ground-swells of the Sea.

[Sidenote: Wasting Effects of the Ocean.]

In the Memoirs of the Wernerian Natural History Society, Vol. III. p. 814., and in the Edinburgh Philosophical Journal, Vol. III. p. 42., the subject of the Wasting Effects of the Sea upon the firm ground, is variously treated by the writer; and is here alluded to, in reference to the production of the appearance termed a Ground-swell, so often observed on our shores. In these papers it has been assumed, that the German Ocean, or North Sea, bounded partly by the coasts of Great Britain, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Holland, and France, as will be seen from Plate III., is almost every where wasting and extending its margin, upon the principle of its forming the great receptacle for all the debris of the surrounding countries above mentioned, which have a direct tendency to lessen its capacity for containing the waters which flow into it from the Atlantic, by the apertures between the shores of Scotland and Norway, towards the north, and between Dover and Calais, to the south. These passages may respectively be conceived as admitting a constant quantity, while this great basin is continually receiving the debris of the extensive tracts of country which surround it, through the medium of the innumerable rivers and streams that fall into it.

[Sidenote: Wasting Effects of the Ocean.]

Upon similar principles, the extensive lakes of interior countries become so many receptacles for the debris of their respective districts; and must in the lapse of time, contain less water, in proportion to the cubical contents of solid matters carried into them. So it is upon the great scale with the basin of the North Sea, from the extensive banks deposited therein, which lessen its capacity, and thereby give a tendency to the water which flows into it to overflow and waste its margin, producing, under various modifications, those heavy swells in the Sea to which we now allude. With this state of things in view, we may now inquire into the effects of the storms which agitate the waters of the Atlantic, and reach our shores only in the form of what has been significantly termed a Ground-swell; which may partly be illustrated from the storm described in page 312. of this work. We accordingly find the waters of the North Sea often in an agitated state, without any apparent cause, though no doubt proceeding from distant storms at sea. Hence, a continued gale from the westward, passing along the Atlantic Ocean, overcharges all the seas and inlets communicating immediately with it. Under these circumstances, although the surface of the North Sea be comparatively smooth, yet having acquired motion to a considerable depth from the distant storm, it continues to produce the effect of a Ground-swell for a considerable period. A swell of this description is almost constantly observable in the Bay of Biscay, owing to its exposure to the Atlantic, and from the configuration of the bounding land between Cape Finesterre in Spain, Ushant in France, and the relative position of the British Isles. Here the Ground-swells, proceeding from the same cause as those of the North Sea, are either the precursors of a gale of wind, or the effects of one which does not reach us.

Similar, though less evident effects, are produced by gales of wind which may be conceived to be confined to the boundary of the North Sea itself. Hence the heavy waves which often break upon the eastern shores of Great Britain, without any apparent cause at the time, are afterwards found to arise from storms at sea. But the heaviest Ground-swells of the North Sea are produced by gales from the north-east, which proceed in a progressive manner along the inclined plane of its bed, until the waves, by impinging upon the bottom and sides of the firm ground, are so disturbed that they ultimately cease, after wasting the whole extent of the shores, and sometimes causing the most destructive effects upon the coast of Holland, forming the southern extremity of this great basin.

No. VI.

[Sidenote: Materials.]

SCHEDULE, containing an Enumeration of the MATERIALS used in the Erection of the Bell Rock Light-House.

Key: A Total 90 +--+---+----+----+-----+--------+---+----+----+-----+-----+--------+ |Course. | |Granite | | |in Pieces. | | | |Sandstone | | | |in Pieces. | | | | |Granite in | | | | |cubic feet. | | | | | |Sandstone in | | | | | |cubic feet. | | | | | | |Tons of Sandstone | | | | | | |and Granite. | | | | | | | |Sandstone | | | | | | | |Joggles. | | | | | | | | |Oak | | | | | | | | |Trenails. | | | | | | | | | |Oak Wedges | | | | | | | | | |in pairs. | | | | | | | | | | |Pozzolano | | | | | | | | | | |in Barrels. | | | | | | | | | | | |Lime in | | | | | | | | | | | |Barrels. | | | | | | | | | | | | |Sand in | | | | | | | | | | | | |Barrels.| ---+---+----+----+-----+--------+---+----+----+-----+-----+--------+ | 1| 4| 14| 6| 146| 10.891| | | | 1.5| 2.2| 1.1| | 2| 52| 71| 508| 876| 101.648| 13| 246| 378| 13.6| 19.9| 10.7| | 3| 52| 84| 808| 1269| 152.797| 13| 246| 437| 16.9| 24.8| 13.3| | 4| 52| 71| 696| 1009| 125.609| 13| 246| 400| 14.5| 21.2| 11.4| | 5| 53| 54| 593| 849| 106.258| 13| 212| 336| 12.5| 18.3| 9.8| | 6| 26| 71| 492| 790| 94.275| 13| 194| 270| 11.8| 17.2| 9.2| | 7| 26| 58| 238| 767| 73.094| 13| 168| 242| 8.3| 12.3| 6.6| | 8| 26| 45| 196| 547| 54.148| 13| 142| 268| 7.4| 11.0| 5.8| | 9| 26| 45| 264| 426| 50.737| 13| 142| 229| 6.3| 9.3| 5.0| |10| 26| 45| 292| 606| 65.748| 13| 142| 229| 7.6| 11.0| 5.9| |11| 26| 45| 339| 363| 52.006| 13| 142| 229| 6.3| 9.3| 5.0| |12| 16| 37| 160| 462| 45.308| 8| 108| 184| 5.7| 8.4| 4.5| |13| 16| 37| 194| 347| 39.709| 8| 108| 184| 5.0| 7.4| 3.9| |14| 16| 37| 168| 329| 36.423| 8| 108| 184| 4.8| 7.0| 3.7| |15| 16| 37| 188| 301| 35.962| 8| 108| 184| 4.6| 6.8| 3.6| |16| 16| 37| 153| 321| 34.698| 8| 108| 184| 4.7| 6.9| 3.7| |17| 16| 37| 182| 308| 36.000| 8| 103| 184| 4.7| 6.9| 3.7| |18| 16| 37| 153| 297| 32.983| 8| 108| 184| 4.4| 6.4| 3.4| |19| 16| 37| 180| 304| 35.560| 8| 108| 184| 4.5| 6.6| 3.5| |20| 16| 29| 196| 308| 37.077| 8| 108| 152| 4.3| 6.3| 3.4| |21| 16| 29| 211| 264| 35.088| 8| 92| 152| 4.2| 6.1| 3.2| |22| 16| 29| 100| 311| 29.906| 8| 92| 152| 3.9| 5.7| 3.0| |23| 16| 29| 177| 238| 30.615| 8| 92| 152| 3.9| 5.7| 3.0| |24| 16| 29| 147| 303| 32.951| 8| 92| 152| 3.9| 5.6| 3.0| |25| 16| 29| 149| 235| 28.248| 8| 92| 152| 3.5| 5.2| 2.8| |26| 6| 39| 142| 250| 28.780| 8| 92| 152| 3.5| 5.2| 2.8| |27| | 38| | 315| 22.500| 8| 79| 67| 3.0| 4.4| 2.4| |28| | 33| | 259| 18.500| 8| 66| 58| 2.8| 4.1| 2.2| |29| | 26| | 236| 16.857| 8| 54| 61| 2.9| 4.2| 2.2| |30| | 26| | 249| 17.786| 8| 52| 54| 2.4| 3.4| 1.8| |31| | 25| | 238| 17.000| 8| 50| 68| 2.2| 3.3| 1.8| |32| | 26| | 274| 19.571| 8| 52| 69| 2.3| 3.3| 1.8| |33| | 28| | 302| 21.571| 8| 56| 78| 2.6| 3.8| 2.0| |34| | 30| | 296| 21.143| 8| 60| 80| 2.7| 4.0| 2.1| |35| | 32| | 271| 19.357| 8| 64| 80| 3.0| 4.5| 2.4| |36| | 32| | 266| 19.000| 8| 64| 80| 2.5| 3.7| 2.0| |37| | 32| | 279| 19.929| 8| 64| 80| 2.3| 3.5| 1.8| |38| | 24| | 275| 19.643| | | | 1.5| 2.2| 2.0| |39| | 16| | 138| 9.857| | | | 1.2| 1.8| 1.6| |40| | 16| | 136| 9.714| | | | 1.2| 1.7| 1.5| |41| | 14| | 133| 9.500| | | | 1.1| 1.6| 1.4| |42| | 14| | 142| 10.143| | | | 1.1| 1.6| 1.4| |43| | 16| | 140| 10.000| | | | 1.1| 1.6| 1.4| |44| | 16| | 139| 9.929| | | | 1.2| 1.8| 1.6| |45| | 16| | 135| 9.643| | | | 1.1| 1.7| 1.4| |46| | 16| | 132| 9.429| | | | 1.1| 1.6| 1.4| |47| | 18| | 261| 18.643| 16| | 64| 2.0| 3.0| 1.5| |48| | 16| | 118| 8.429| | | | 1.0| 1.5| 0.8| |49| | 16| | 115| 8.214| | | | 1.0| 1.5| 0.8| |50| | 14| | 114| 8.143| | | | 1.0| 1.5| 0.8| |51| | 14| | 123| 8.786| | | | 0.9| 1.4| 0.7| |52| | 16| | 122| 8.714| | | | 0.9| 1.4| 0.7| |53| | 16| | 115| 8.214| | | | 1.0| 1.5| 0.8| |54| | 16| | 113| 8.072| | | | 1.0| 1.5| 0.8| |55| | 16| | 102| 7.286| | | | 0.9| 1.4| 0.7| |56| | 18| | 258| 18.428| 16| | 64| 2.0| 3.1| 1.5| |57| | 16| | 97| 6.929| | | | 0.9| 1.4| 0.7| |58| | 16| | 104| 7.429| | | | 0.9| 1.4| 0.7| |59| | 14| | 96| 6.857| | | | 0.9| 1.4| 0.7| |60| | 14| | 102| 7.286| | | | 0.7| 1.1| 0.5| |61| | 16| | 100| 7.143| | | | 0.8| 1.2| 0.6| |62| | 16| | 97| 6.929| | | | 0.8| 1.3| 0.6| |63| | 16| | 90| 6.429| | | | 0.7| 1.1| 0.5| |64| | 16| | 86| 6.143| | | | 2.0| 3.1| 1.5| |65| | 18| | 228| 16.288| 16| | 64| 0.6| 0.9| 0.4| |66| | 16| | 83| 5.929| | | | 0.7| 1.0| 0.5| |67| | 16| | 82| 5.859| | | | 0.6| 0.9| 0.4| |68| | 16| | 88| 6.286| | | | 0.4| 0.7| 0.3| |69| | 12| | 76| 5.429| | | | 0.6| 0.9| 0.4| |70| | 16| | 74| 5.286| | | | 0.6| 0.9| 0.4| |71| | 16| | 95| 6.786| | | | 1.0| 1.5| 0.8| |72| | 16| | 77| 5.500| | | | 2.0| 3.1| 1.5| |73| | 16| | 75| 5.357| | | | 2.5| 3.7| 2.0| |74| | 18| | 225| 16.071| 16| | 64| 2.0| 3.1| 1.5| |75| | 16| | 73| 5.216| | | | 0.6| 0.8| 0.4| |76| | 16| | 73| 5.216| | | | 0.7| 1.1| 0.5| |77| | 16| | 82| 5.859| | | | 0.6| 0.7| 0.4| |78| | 12| | 62| 4.429| | | | 0.5| 0.7| 0.4| |79| | 12| | 62| 4.429| | | | 0.6| 0.9| 0.4| |80| | 12| | 75| 5.357| | | | 0.6| 0.9| 0.4| |81| | 16| | 70| 5.000| | | | 1.0| 1.5| 0.8| |82| | 16| | 181| 12.929| | | | 1.0| 1.5| 0.8| |83| | 16| | 190| 13.571| 16| | | 2.0| 3.1| 1.5| |84| | 16| | 257| 18.357| 16| | | 2.0| 3.1| 1.5| |85| | 16| | 298| 21.286| 16| | | 2.5| 3.7| 2.0| |86| | 8| | 62| 4.429| | | | 0.4| 0.7| 0.3| |87| | 8| | 60| 4.286| | | | 0.4| 0.6| 0.3| |88| | 8| | 56| 4.000| | | | 0.3| 0.6| 0.2| |89| | 8| | 52| 3.716| | | | 0.3| 0.5| 0.2| |90| | 8| | 48| 3.429| | | | 0.2| 0.5| 0.1| +--+---+----+----+-----+--------+---+----+----+-----+-----+--------+ |A |599|2236|6932|21598|2075.945|450|4065|6585|255.0|377.9| 204.5| +--+---+----+----+-----+--------+---+----+----+-----+-----+--------+

Masonry, 2075.945 Lantern, and its Apparatus, 7.500 -------- Total in Tons, 2083.445

In this Table, 13 cubic feet are allowed to a ton of Granite, and 14 cubic feet to a ton of Sandstone.

[Sidenote: Workmanship.]

SCHEDULE, shewing the Extent and Description of WORK executed on the Sandstone and Granite employed in the Erection of the Bell Rock Light-house.

Key: A Total 90

+ |Course. | |Granite Beds | |and Joints | |in superficial | |feet. | | |Sandstone | | |Beds and | | |Joints in | | |sup. feet. | | | |Granite | | | |face-work | | | |in superficial | | | |feet. | | | | |Sandstone | | | | |face-work. | | | | | |Sandstone | | | | | |polish-work. | | | | | | |Granite | | | | | | |boring in | | | | | | |lineal | | | | | | |feet. | | | | | | | |Sandstone | | | | | | | |boring in | | | | | | | |lineal | | | | | | | |feet. | | | | | | | | |Granite | | | | | | | | |wedge | | | | | | | | |grooves in | | | | | | | | |lin. feet. | | | | | | | | | |Sandstone | | | | | | | | | |wedge | | | | | | | | | |grooves in | | | | | | | | | |lin. feet. | | | | | | | | | | |Granite | | | | | | | | | | |Lewis | | | | | | | | | | |holes. | | | | | | | | | | | |Sand- stone | | | | | | | | | | | |Lewis | | | | | | | | | | | |holes. +--+-----+-----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+ --+----+ |1 | | 500 | | | | | | | | | 18 | |2 |1165 |3354 |132 | | |156 |264 |208 |170 | 2 | 71 | |3 |2472 |3141 |275 | | |208 |325 |260 |421 | 2 | 84 | |4 |1832 |2980 |265 | | |208 |325 |300 |300 | 2 | 71 | |5 |1735 |2406 |220 | | |208 |251 |300 |204 | 2 | 54 | |6 |1120 |2788 |196 | | |104 |316 |156 |349 | 6 | 71 | |7 | 679 |2100 |159 | | | 69 |267 |138 |185 | 6 | 58 | |8 | 613 |1858 |110 | | | 78 |184 |104 |164 | 6 | 45 | |9 | 750 |1359 |113 | | | 82 |166 |113 |125 | 6 | 45 | |10| 626 |1887 |111 | | | 87 |173 |112 |145 | 6 | 45 | |11| 898 |1216 |114 | | | 91 |181 |130 |156 | 6 | 45 | |12| 519 |1394 | 90 | | | 51 |125 | 69 |120 | 6 | 37 | |13| 522 |1157 | 87 | | | 51 |125 | 69 |120 | 6 | 37 | |14| 443 |1148 | 86 | | | 51 |125 | 69 |120 | 6 | 37 | |15| 539 | 997 | 84 | | | 51 |125 | 69 |120 | 6 | 37 | |16| 448 |1123 | 82 | | | 51 |125 | 69 |120 | 6 | 37 | |17| 484 |1093 | 80 | | | 51 |125 | 69 |120 | 6 | 37 | |18| 430 |1036 | 79 | | | 51 |125 | 69 |120 | 6 | 37 | |19| 467 |1023 | 84 | | | 56 |134 | 74 |129 | 6 | 37 | |20| 484 | 952 | 89 | | | 56 |110 | 80 |114 | 6 | 29 | |21| 513 | 872 | 87 | | | 56 |110 | 80 |114 | 6 | 29 | |22| 319 | 981 | 82 | | | 53 |113 | 76 |118 | 6 | 29 | |23| 464 | 829 | 78 | | | 53 |113 | 76 |118 | 6 | 29 | |24| 361 | 926 | 88 | | | 59 |107 | 83 |111 | 6 | 29 | |25| 388 | 802 | 77 | | | 56 |110 | 80 |114 | 6 | 29 | |26| 370 | 818 | 76 | | | 56 |110 | 80 |114 | 6 | 39 | |27| |1017 | | 70 | 36 | |130 | | 78 | | 38 | |28| | 943 | | 62 | 31 | | 99 | | 58 | | 33 | |29| | 956 | | 61 | 31 | | 81 | | 61 | | 26 | |30| | 785 | | 61 | 30 | | 78 | | 54 | | 26 | |31| | 754 | | 60 | 30 | | 75 | | 68 | | 25 | |32| | 762 | | 70 | 35 | | 87 | | 80 | | 26 | |33| | 868 | | 73 | 47 | | 98 | | 97 | | 28 | |34| | 908 | | 68 | 23 | |100 | | 93 | | 30 | |35| |1022 | | 68 | 23 | |106 | | 93 | | 32 | |36| | 854 | | 64 | 21 | |106 | | 86 | | 32 | |37| | 782 | | 71 | 25 | |112 | |100 | | 32 | |38| | 502 | | 70 |111 | | 24 | | | | | |39| | 421 | | 56 | 37 | | 16 | | | | | |40| | 417 | | 56 | 37 | | 16 | | | | | |41| | 391 | | 55 | 37 | | 14 | | | | | |42| | 372 | | 60 | 44 | | 14 | | | | | |43| | 383 | | 60 | 44 | | | | | | 16 | |44| | 409 | | 59 | 40 | | | | | | 16 | |45| | 395 | | 59 | 40 | | | | | | 16 | |46| | 388 | | 58 | 40 | | | | | | 16 | |47| | 685 | | 67 |231 | | | | 80 | | 18 | |48| | 361 | | 54 | 38 | | | | | | 16 | |49| | 352 | | 54 | 38 | | | | | | 16 | |50| | 335 | | 54 | 52 | | | | | | 14 | |51| | 322 | | 64 | 44 | | | | | | 14 | |52| | 315 | | 64 | 44 | | | | | | 16 | |53| | 335 | | 58 | 49 | | | | | | 16 | |54| | 339 | | 58 | 41 | | | | | | 16 | |55| | 318 | | 54 | 38 | | | | | | 16 | |56| | 672 | | 65 |231 | | | | 80 | | 18 | |57| | 320 | | 51 | 38 | | | | | | 16 | |58| | 318 | | 51 | 38 | | | | | | 16 | |59| | 301 | | 51 | 48 | | | | | | 14 | |60| | 250 | | 60 | 41 | | | | | | 14 | |61| | 273 | | 60 | 41 | | | | | | 16 | |62| | 298 | | 55 | 49 | | | | | | 16 | |63| | 294 | | 51 | 41 | | | | | | 16 | |64| | 294 | | 51 | 41 | | | | | | 16 | |65| | 645 | | 55 |231 | | | | 80 | | 18 | |66| | 277 | | 49 | 38 | | | | | | 16 | |67| | 274 | | 49 | 38 | | | | | | 16 | |68| | 250 | | 53 | 57 | | | | | | 16 | |69| | 192 | | 43 | 61 | | | | | | 12 | |70| | 198 | | 43 | 61 | | | | | | 16 | |71| | 282 | | 57 | 44 | | | | | | 16 | |72| | 259 | | 49 | 38 | | | | | | 16 | |73| | 254 | | 49 | 38 | | | | | | 16 | |74| | 645 | | 51 |247 | | | | 80 | | 18 | |75| | 209 | | 45 | 45 | | | | | | 16 | |76| | 247 | | 53 | 41 | | | | | | 16 | |77| | 226 | | 57 | 52 | | | | | | 16 | |78| | 165 | | 54 | 61 | | | | | | 12 | |79| | 221 | | 54 | 61 | | | | | | 12 | |80| | 225 | | 52 | 49 | | | | | | 12 | |81| | 368 | | | 49 | 38 | | | | | 16 | |82| | 679 | | |115 | | | | | | 16 | |83| | 846 | | |160 | | | | | | 16 | |84| | 671 | | |148 | | | | | | 16 | |85| | 165 | | |399 | | | | | | 16 | |86| | 157 | | | 92 | | | | | | 8 | |87| | 147 | | | 91 | | | | | | 8 | |88| | 138 | | | 90 | | | | | | 8 | |89| | 129 | | | 89 | | | | | | 8 | |90| | 120 | | | 88 | | | | | | 8 | +--+-----+-----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+---+----+ |A |18641|66440|2944|3145|4377|2093|5306|2933|5179|594|2240| +--+-----+-----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+---+----+

No. VII.

ABSTRACT-ACCOUNT OF THE EXPENCE OF ERECTING THE BELL-ROCK LIGHT-HOUSE, AND OF EXECUTING THE ULTERIOR WORKS CONNECTED WITH THAT ESTABLISHMENT.

WAGES AND PREMIUMS.

Wages of artificers while off at the Bell Rock, and in the work-yards at Arbroath and Edinburgh, where the stones were cut and prepared in regular courses, L.11,980 15 8

Premiums to artificers for Sundays’ work and extra hours upon the Rock, and in the Work-yard at Arbroath, 998 14 9

Premiums to seamen, including Sundays’ work at the Bell Rock, 473 5 6

_Note._--Masons and smiths were paid at the rate of 3s. 4d.,--mill-wrights 3s. 6d.,--joiners 3s., and labourers at from 2s. 2d. to 2s. 8d. per day; besides lodgings ashore, and victuals while afloat.--The premiums paid to artificers were at the rate of 6d. per hour for extra time; eight hours constituting a day’s work at the Rock.--The seamen were paid at the same rate on Sundays as on week days.

_Amount for wages and premiums to artificers, and including premiums to seamen,_ ---- L. 13,452 15 11

BUILDING MATERIALS.

35,952 cubic feet of Sandstone from Mylnefield quarry, dressed to the quarry-moulds, and put on ship-board, L. 3,412 18 5

Extra dressing in reducing the courses to regular thicknesses at Mylnfield, 667 2 8

1700 cubic feet of sandstone from Craigleith Quarry for the cornice and parapet wall of the Light-room, 200 0 10

13,964 cubic feet of granite from Rubieslaw and other quarries at Aberdeen, and from Cairngall near Peterhead, 1,979 1 4

Extra dressing in reducing the granite stones to the quarry-moulds, and to regular thicknesses, to suit the respective courses, including cartage and charges of shipping, 1,291 7 2½

40 Tons of Pozzolano-earth in casks, 398 3 4

60 Tons of Aberthaw-limestone, including freight from South Wales, 78 14 2

100 Bushels Parker’s or Roman cement, including casks and shipping charges, 43 12 0

6 Tons of Tarras, including casks and shipping charges, 52 19 10

Casks for carrying lime and sand from the workyard to the Bell Rock, 38 3 3

4824 oaken trenails, from 21 to 24 inches and 6195 oaken wedges, from 12 to 18 inches in length, 216 1 6

_Note._--The quarry price of Sandstone varied from 1s. to 2s. 9d., and Granite from 1s. 3d. to 5s. per cubic foot. Pozzolano from L. 6 to L. 14 per ton. Tarras from L. 6, 10s. to L. 11 per ton. Limestone was 1s. per ton. Cement varied from 5s. to 6s. 6d. per bushel; oaken trenails from L. 1 to L. 5 per hundred, and wedges were L. 1: 6: 6 per hundred.

_Amount for Building Materials_, ---- 8,378 4 1½

IMPLEMENTS AND MACHINERY FOR THE WORKS, INCLUDING BEACON-HOUSE, CAST-IRON RAILWAYS, &c. &c. (SEE PLATES VIII., IX., X., XIV., XVII., AND XVIII.)

4662 cubic feet of Memel and Swedish timber, and 480 Petersburgh deals for the use of the Beacon-house, cast-iron Railways and wharfs upon the Bell Rock, and for making moulds for the stone-cutters, L. 1,436 19 7

69 tons 9 cwt. of cast-iron for Railways, 812 15 11

25,893 lb. malleable iron in stanchions, bats, knees, stays, bracing-chains, screw and spear bolts, including other apparatus for the use of the Beacon-house and Railways, 1,244 3 7

19 Tons 13 cwt. 2 qrs. 3 lb. cast-iron, 14,002 lb. malleable iron, and 505 lb. of brass for cranes, winch-machines, and other apparatus, 1,191 14 7½

Cordage for cranes, &c. 409 1 0

Two large Sling or Woolwich-carts, for conveying large blocks of stone, fitted up with wheel and pinion-work for slinging or lifting the stones off the ground, 150 3 6

15,446 lb. quarry and stone-cutters’ tools; 11,934 lb. malleable iron, and 771 lb. steel, used in the work-yard; exclusively of tools, nails, and other furnishings connected with joiners’ and smiths’ shops; but including stone-jacks and common carts used in work-yard, &c. &c., 1,567 10 1½

_Note._--The price of fir-timber varied from 3s. to 5s. 6d. per cubic foot; cast-iron from L. 10, 10s. to L. 23:6:8 per ton; chains and axles, &c. 6½d. to 1s. per lb.; quarry and stone-cutters tools from 6d. to 10d. per lb.; Swedish and British bar-iron from L. 21 to L. 29 per ton. Steel was 7d. per lb., and brass 1s. 10d. per lb.

_Amount for Machinery, &c._ ---- 6,812 8 4

SHIPPING.

Price of the hull of a Prussian fishing-dogger, L. 250 0 2

Carpenter-work, altering and fitting up the dogger as the Pharos Floating-light, 1,397 12 8

Two sets of chains, with mushroom anchors, spare shackles and swivels, &c., for mooring her off the Bell Rock, the whole weighing about 13,083 lb. of malleable, and 3200 lb. of cast-iron, 462 9 4

Outfit in hempen cables, sails and rigging, including 11 tons cast-iron, ballast, ship-hearth, cabin-stoves, alarm-bell, &c., 1,664 2 3

Three large copper lanterns, glazed with plate glass, (so constructed, that the ship’s masts passed through them), fitted with brass chandeliers for 60 agitable-lamps, each having a small silvered-copper reflector, 397 1 2½

Freight of a vessel, and expence of laying down the moorings for the Floating-light, 81 5 6

Wear and tear of the Floating-light riding off the Bell Rock, from July 1807 till February 1811, 1,059 11 5½

Advertising the mooring and exhibition of the Floating-light, generally, in the Newspapers of the United Kingdom, 227 18 9

Victualling the crew of the Floating-light, including occasional subsisting money and board-wages while ashore, 1,149 18 7

Pay of the master, mate, principal and assistant light-keepers, and seven seamen, from 1807 to March 1811, 1,632 12 8

---- 8,322 12 5

First Cost and Outfit of the Sir Joseph Banks Tender of 84 tons register, the Sloop Smeaton of 42 tons, the Sloop Patriot of 46 tons, and of four Stone Lighters of about 15 tons each, including wear and tear during the progress of the works, L. 5,436 9 7½

Bedding for seamen and artificers during the progress of the works, 349 7 2

Victualling seamen and artificers afloat, including occasional subsisting money for seamen while ashore, 2,930 12 7½

Pay of the masters, mates, and seamen of the respective vessels, 2,434 2 2

Freight of hired vessels bringing stone from Mylnefield, Aberdeen, and Peterhead quarries, and timber and cast-iron from Leith and other ports to Arbroath, 930 17 11

Port charges and sailing disbursements of the several vessels, 358 8 4½

Insurance of Shipping, effected only for a limited period, 647 12 6

14 Mushroom Anchors, weighing 13 tons 7 cwts. 0 qrs. 10 lb. of cast-iron, 235 15 8

28,456 lb. malleable iron, in mooring-chains, shanks of mushroom-anchors, spare swivels and shackles, 891 11 2

16 Large mooring buoys of coopers’ work, and one of carpenters’ work, 456 19 2

_Note._--Pay of the masters of the respective vessels in the service was from L. 5 to L. 6, 6s., mates from L. 4 to L. 5, 5s., principal light-keeper L. 5, 5s., assistant light-keeper L. 3, 15s., seamen from L. 2, 10s. to L. 3, 15s. per month. Officers’ occasional subsisting money 2s., and seamens’ 1s. 8d. per day.

The price of the hulls of the vessels were from L. 9, 15s. to L. 10 per ton, and cordage from L. 77 to L. 130 per ton; cordage subject to a discount of 7½ per cent.; other articles generally to 5 per cent.

_Amount for shipping_, ---- 14,671 16 4½

LIGHT-ROOM, &c. (See Plates XVI. and XX.)

Lantern or Light-room with tinned copper roof, 8 cast-iron sashes, 8 feet in height, glazed with 48 squares of plate-glass, measuring 13½ by 26¾ inches. Malleable iron stays, copper rings, flag-staff, and signal-ball, &c. L. 1,135 1 11

24 Reflectors raised to the parabolic-curve, made from copper plated, in the proportion of 6 oz. of silver to each lb. of copper; arranged upon a malleable iron chandelier, furnished with brass fountains, and argand burners, including a train of Revolving-machinery, and two alarm-bells, set upon tripods on the balcony, &c. 1,287 17 2

Balcony-railing of cast-iron, with brass supports and top-rail; and a conductor or thunder-rod extending, from the Light-room to the Rock, 216 0 3

_Amount of Light-room, &c._ ---- 2,638 19 4

ULTERIOR WORKS, &c. (See Plate XII.)

Finishing and Completing the interior of the Light-house, with wainscot partitions,--doors,-- trap-ladders,--furniture of oaken-timber for the several apartments,--kitchen range with cast-iron chimney,--tinned-copper oil cisterns--brass and copper bolts and hinges for doors,--window-shutters,--brasslocks,--brass hand-rails for inside stairs,--water-cisterns, and coal magazines, &c. L. 1,489 16 6

Erecting permanent Railways upon the Bell Rock, improving the wharfs or landing places, and removing the Beacon-house, 1,338 16 6

Houses erected for the families of the light-keepers and seamen of the Tender, signal-tower, store-houses, and sea-wall, at Arbroath, 4,500 8 3

The price of about 1½ acre of ground for a garden, trenching, and enclosing it for the use of the light-keepers, and seamen, and their families, 1,158 18 10

The price of a pew of 14 sittings in the parish-church of Arbroath, for the use of the Light-keepers and their families, 52 10 0

_Note._--Wainscot 7s. 6d. per foot, brass 1s. 8d. to 2s. per lb.

_Amount for Ulterior Works_, ---- 8,540 10 1

INCIDENTS.

Expence of Act of Parliament, L. 548 8 0

Travelling charges connected with the work, 312 14 7

Incidental charges for stamps and postages, including letters for artificers afloat, salary for Engineer’s clerk, &c. 882 5 1

Advertising the exhibition of the Light upon the Bell Rock, and the discontinuance of the Floating-light, on the 1st of February 1811, 219 10 3

The cost-price of the artificers barracks, platform of aisler-masonry for fitting the courses before shipping them to the Rock,--engineer’s office,--smith and joiner’s shops,--store-house and stable, estimated at 1,255 5 6

Rent of the work-yard, and compensation to the landlord for taking it off the hands of the Commissioners before the expiry of the lease, 174 19 6

Price, hire, and keep of work-horses, 593 5 11½ 481 tons coals, used in the artificers’ barracks, smith’s-shop, lime-kiln in the work-yard, and at the beacon-house, &c. 347 4 2

Shore-dues upon materials for the Light-house, and other articles during the progress of the works, 270 9 6

57½ dozen of flambeaux, for night-work at the Bell Rock, 32 9 6

Stationery and books for Engineer’s office, and shipping, 134 10 8½

One five feet Achromatic-telescope with brass-stand, steadying-rods, two eye-tubes, a mahogany-stand with night-glass for signal-room, 35 1 0

Pension, and Sick lists for wages of artificers and seamen when off work, medical attendance, &c. 925 12 2

Superintendence of engineers, and plans, including L. 300 to Captain Brodie, 4,858 13 5

Interest upon L. 25,000 of Government loan, up to March 1810, 3,446 11 5

Treasury fees for Exchequer bonds, &c. 235 10 4

_Note._--Price of coal 13s. 4d. to 19s. per ton. Oats from 20s. to 23s. per boll. Hay from 10½d. to 1s. 3d. per stone of 22 lb.

_Amount for Incidents_ ---- 14,272 11 1

Amount of gross expenditure in erecting the Light-house, including Ulterior Works, L. 77,089 17 8

[Sidenote: Gross Expenditure.]

[Sidenote: Deductions.]

DEDUCTIONS.

For workmens’ barracks, implements, machinery, shipping and old materials, disposed of by public sale, or transferred to the Northern Light-houses for the general service of the Board, at the conclusion of the works.

By the price of the workmens’ barracks, storehouses and offices in the work-yard at Arbroath, L. 700 0 0

By old gable-walls, lime-house, and sundries in workyard, and engineer’s office, 52 8 2

By the price of three work horses and carts sold at different times, 86 0 0

By fulzie of stable and work-yard, 21 17 0

By stone-shivers sold by public sale at different times, including 232 cart loads for the use of the Roads in the vicinity of Arbroath, 48 4 6

By artificers’ time three weeks at Mylnefield, deducted from Quarry Account, 42 0 0

By two large Woolwich-carts, 55 0 0

By sundries, sold in the work-yard, by public sale, at the conclusion of the work, 121 16 5

By the price of two cast-iron cranes, in use upon the quays at Aberdeen and Arbroath, and a small boring-machine used in the work-yard, 273 3 0

By broken cast-iron railways, 97 19 0

By the price of drift timber recovered, 6 10 0

By a stone-waggon and quarry-tools, sold at Aberdeen, 15 13 0

By old brass and bell-metal, 12 16 9

By scrap-iron from the smith’s shop, 6 10 8

By sale of old timber, and the soil taken off the site of the light-keepers houses at Arbroath, 15 3 11

By the price of the Sir Joseph Banks Tender, 1,510 0 0

By the price of the Patriot, 400 0 0

By the price of an old boat and mast belonging to the Patriot, 12 0 0

By cash, in name of damages, in consequence of sap-wood in the Patriot’s hull, 80 0 0

By the amount of sales of sundry stores, 406 0 0

By the price of three praam-boats or stone-lighters, 193 0 0

By the price of the wreck of an old stone-lighter and boat, 10 10 0

By retaining-money paid during the winter months, to one of the seamen who left the service, 1 11 6

By interest upon the engineer’s deposit-account with the Dundee Banking Company at Arbroath, from the commencement till the conclusion of the works, 26 5 7

By return-freight of the sloop Smeaton, from Aberdeen to Arbroath, 18 18 0

By shipping, boats, machinery, implements, stores, and moorings, transferred to the general service of the Northern Light-houses, 3,222 8 7

By the nett cost and maintenance of the Floating-light deducted, as belonging to the general service of the Northern Light-houses, L. 7,901 10 7

By the price of the vessel and her stores when sold, 421 1 10 ---- 8,322 12 5

---- 15,758 8 6

Nett cost of the Bell Rock Light-house, and Ulterior Works connected with that establishment, L. 61,331 9 2 ===============

[Sidenote: Nett Cost.]

Extracted by LACHLAN KENNEDY, Engineer’s Clerk.

* * * * *

[Sidenote: Average Price of Provisions.]

_Average Price of Provisions during the Period of the Bell Rock Works._

Beef 6d. per lb. of 17½ oz. avoirdupois. Ship-biscuit L. 1, 9s. per cwt. Quartern Loaf 13½d. per loaf, of 4 lb. 5½ oz. Oat-meal L. 1, 11s. per boll, of 140 lb. Barley 2½d. per lb. of 17½ oz. Butter 1s. 8d. per lb. of 24 oz. Salt 10s. per bushel, of 56 lb. Whisky 11s. per gallon. Small Beer 1s. 10d. per Scots gallon, of 8 Scots points.

DESCRIPTION OF PLATES.

DESCRIPTION of the PLATES, as they are mentioned in the Work.

PLATE I.

INCHKEITH LIGHT-HOUSE.

The Light-house of Inchkeith, delineated on Plate I. was erected while Mr THOMAS SMITH, the writer’s predecessor, held the situation of Engineer for the Northern Light-houses. A plan of it is given, as having been the first of these establishments erected upon the new principle; the Reflectors being illuminated with Argand-burners; the Light-room rendered completely fire-proof; and the Dwelling-house fitted for the accommodation of two keepers. But as this establishment is described in the introductory chapter, at page 24, and the names of the several apartments are marked upon the Plate, it seems unnecessary here to enter into detail.

PLATE II.

CARR ROCK BEACON.

[Sidenote: Pl. II.]

The Carr Rock Beacon is represented in Plate II. and referred to in the introduction at page 53. The diagram marked Figure 1. is an outline of the rock, shewing the position of the beacon, and plan of the first course of the building, made to a radius of nine feet, cut in a dove-tailed form, after the manner of the courses of the Edystone and Bell Rock Light-houses.

Figure 2. is a section of the rock on the line A, B, Fig. 1. with a perpendicular section also of a tower of masonry and apparatus, for tolling an alarm-bell, which was originally intended for this situation. In Fig. 2. letter _a_ represents an aperture measuring 3 inches in diameter, which was perforated with much labour and care through a block of granite 7 feet in length, previously to its being laid. This canal was intended to admit the tidal-waters into the interior chamber of the building marked _b_, in which the flood-tide was to act upon an air-tight copper-tank, marked _c_, and its rod of connection formed into a rack with teeth, by which motion was to be given to a train of machinery, represented at _d_ in the void of the building. The machine was to act on the vertical shaft _e_, connected with a series of hammers _f_, placed under the great bell _g_, which was to have measured 5 feet in diameter, and become the cupola or roof of the building. In this manner the bell was to be tolled to forewarn the mariner of his approach to the dangers of the Carr, and the other extensive ledges of sunken rocks in its neighbourhood. By the rise of the flood-tide, and consequent admission of the waters into the canal _a_, the tank _c_, with its connecting rod, not only lifted the bell-hammers _f_, and, at the same time, also elevated the weight marked _h_, which, in its descent during ebb-tide, was to have continued the motion of the machinery; and thus, by the alternate operation of the tides, the continual tolling of the Bell was to have been preserved.

It will further be seen from the section of this building, that the masonry of the solid is connected perpendicularly by means of stone-joggles inserted half into the one course and half into the other. But in the void or upper part, instead of the joggles, the bed-joints of the stones were let or sunk about an inch in depth, into each other, as at the Bell Rock, forming so many bands or girths to the work. This will be observed by narrowly examining the section at letter _i_, with its accompanying diagram Fig. 3., which represents a plan of one of the courses of the void, shewing how the stones were connected horizontally by a system of dove-tailing, as is further represented in Fig. 4., being a plan of a course at the level _a_, _k_, in which the perforation is delineated for the admission of the tidal-waters.

The ascent to this building was to have been by means of a ladder of cast-iron or flight of steps, marked _a_, _i_, _l_, fixed on the outward wall by means of screw-bolts fixed into brass-bats, sunk into the masonry, and run up with lead. The entrance-door of this building was formed in the cast-iron frame or pedestal on which the great bell was to have been supported, the access to the interior being by the balcony, round which a cast-iron rail was intended, not only for the safety of the keepers or occasional attendants, but also, in some measure, to defend the bell from the sprays of the sea.

Figure 5. represents the Pillar-formed Beacon, as finished at the Carr Rock in the year 1821. The lower part of this diagram is a perpendicular section of the rock on the line A B, Fig. 1. The masonry is also shewn with two of the six great malleable iron-bats or stancheons marked _a_ in Fig. 5., which passing through the several courses, are sunk about 30 inches into the Rock. The upper part of this diagram represents a frame of cast-iron work, of great strength, fashioned somewhat after the manner of what seamen term a _spar_ or _spur beacon_, from being made generally of timber, set up in the form of struts or spur-beams. The connection of this frame will be understood from the detached diagram Fig. 6., taken upon the line or level marked _b_ in Fig. 5. From Figs. 5. and 6. it will be observed, that the beacon consists of 6 pipes or hollow tubes, marked letter A, which are inserted into the sockets _c_, in the sill-plate of Fig. 6, into which these hollow tubes are strongly wedged and keyed with culter or spear bolts, which pass through each of the sockets and base of the hollow tubes at _c_. Besides the main hollow tubes marked A, other six marked B, are set up as spurs or diagonals, which radiate from sockets cast in the centre of the sill-plate marked _e_. These diagonals are so situated, and connected by dove-tail or hook-joints, that they butt against the main tubes, and support them at _f_. The main tubes are further connected by means of horizontal bars of malleable iron, marked _g_ in Fig. 5, laid into grooves formed in the arms of the cast-iron collars F, _k_, which clasp around the main tubes at these points, immediately above and below their connection with the diagonal tubes. These collars are also keyed with the main tubes by means of spear-bolts. At the point of junction _d d_, towards the top, the main tubes form segments of a common circle, and rest upon the centre block _h_, into which they are keyed and wedged. As a further security, a strong cast-iron tubular formed case, marked _i i_, is made to clasp around the whole upper parts of the main tubes at their point of junction _d d_, so as to form a girth to them. This tubular case or cap _i i_, is 8 feet in length, and terminates with a cast-iron ball marked _m m_, which is 3½ feet in diameter, formed into ribs, connected with the cap _i i_, by means of a socket, through which a spear-bolt passes, and binds it to the top of the tubular-case at the point _l_.

Fig. 6. represents the Ballast-plate, which forms the sill or basement of the superstructure. It contains about 8 tons of cast-iron, and is so constructed as to become a cap or girth to the upper course of the masonry which it is calculated to secure, by means of a flange of 6 inches in depth at the outward extremity, marked _b b_ in Fig. 5, where it is let into the stone. This plate is cast in six pieces, connected together at the points _m m m m m m_, by means of screw-bolts of one and a half inch in diameter (with nuts), passing through flanges raised at the joints of its several compartments. At the points _n n n n n n_, there were six socket-holes, for the reception of the great stancheons or bolts, marked _a a_, Fig. 5, which, passing through the masonry, are sunk 30 inches into the Rock, where they are fixed at the lower ends with iron-wedges, driven home by means of a long iron-driver. The ballast-plate is connected with the upper ends of these great stancheons, by means of a shackle and bolt, in such a manner that the more exposed parts may be renewed. The whole is imbedded and run up with pozzolano-mortar, so as to preserve the several parts as much as possible from the effects of oxidation.

Fig. 7. represents a horizontal section of this beacon, on the line F F, shewing the connection of the horizontal malleable iron-bars or braces _g g g g_, which fit into the grooves of the arms of the collars, embracing the hollow tubes or pillars A A A A, and connecting them by means of spear-bolts at _k k k k_. The grooves in these arms are so formed as to command the braces, and to contain a quantity of Parker’s or Roman cement, by which the bolts are preserved from the effects of oxidation. These collars and arms, with their connecting malleable iron-bars, form a girth immediately above the diagonal struts or braces B B B, Fig. 5. A similar chain of connection is in like manner formed below the junction of these diagonal struts, with the main tubes, which, like those described above, has the effect of binding the whole fabric horizontally.

Fig. 8. is a horizontal section upon the line _d d_, delineated upon a scale of double the size of the other parts of the beacon, shewing the connection of the hollow tubes A A A A A A, at the top, where they change their cylindrical form into segments of a circle at the point of contact, so as to embrace the centre-block _h h_. The top of these tubes thus formed into a compact figure, is cased or covered with the cylindrical cap _i i_, through which the spear-bolts immediately above and below the points _d d_, in Fig. 5, are made to pass and bind the whole firmly together.

PLATE III.

GENERAL CHART, SHEWING THE RELATIVE POSITION OF THE BELL ROCK.

[Sidenote: Pl. III.]

This Plate is reduced from a manuscript-map in the possession of the writer, which is drawn upon a large scale, originally intended for exhibiting the depths of the German Ocean or North Sea, and the situations of the numerous Light-houses on the coasts of the United Kingdom, and opposite Continent, but is here given with the view of shewing the relative position of the Bell Rock.

The chief peculiarity of this map is the sectional lines, exhibiting at one view the relative depths of the ocean, in connection with a theory which the writer has advanced, regarding the wasting of the firm ground by the effects of the sea, as alluded to in Appendix V. These sectional lines, of a deeper shade, are drawn across the German Ocean, from shore to shore. As, for example, between Shetland and Norway, the greatest depth is ascertained to be about 140 fathoms, and so of other examples, extending southward as far as the Straits of Dover. The soundings are all marked in fathoms, and, in so far as regards the east coast of Scotland, have been very generally made from on board of the vessels belonging to the service of the Northern Lights. The forms given to the principal sand-banks, and the soundings in the central and eastern parts of this great basin, have been taken from the best maritime surveys, and nautical authorities. The numerous Light-houses on the respective coasts are coloured; those of Scotland being blue, England red, Ireland green, and the foreign Lights yellow.

PLATE IV.

CHART, SHEWING THE PARTICULAR POSITION OF THE BELL ROCK.

[Sidenote: Pl. IV.]

This chart is intended to shew the position of the Rock in reference to the opposite shores of Fife and Forfar, and to the entrances to the Friths of Forth and Tay. The most contiguous point of land, being in the immediate neighbourhood of Aberbrothwick, is distant about 11¾ miles. This chart also exhibits the depths of water, and the nature of the bottom, in the vicinity of the Rock.

PLATE V.

CHART OF THE BELL ROCK, SHEWING ITS POSITION RELATIVELY TO THE SHIPPING EMPLOYED AT THE WORK.

[Sidenote: Pl. V.]

This Plate represents the Rock at low-water of spring-tides, when that part of it which extends about 1000 feet in a south-western direction from the Light-house, may be traced by the appearance of some detached portions of rock, but chiefly from the sea-weeds which float at the surface of the water. Its greatest extent, in a north-eastern and south-western direction, is about 1400 feet, and in a south-eastern and a north-western direction about 240 feet.

KING GEORGE III.--This is an insulated rock which lies towards the south-eastern extremity of the Main or House Rock, and has been named in reference to the reign in which the Light-house was erected.

KING JAMES V.--is also a detached rock, forming the south-western extremity of the reef, which extends from the House-rock, and is named in reference to that Monarch’s memorable voyage round his dominions, about the year 1540, as alluded to in the Introduction, at page 4.

On the north-western side of the Rock, as nearly as may be, the figures of the respective vessels employed at the work are delineated, and the positions of their moorings laid down; with the exception of those of the Pharos Floating-light, whose bearing or direction is only to be understood, as the full distance at which she was ultimately moored would fall beyond the limits of the Plate. The house-part of the Rock is left bare at low-water of ordinary spring-tides, and at high-water of these tides it is from 10 to 12 feet under water; but during the storms of winter, the sea generally breaks over the whole surface of the rock, so as to render walking upon it impracticable, even in the lowest ebbs; while at high water, the sprays fly over the building, or rise to a height of upwards of 100 feet. The reef, which extends in a south-western direction from the House-rock, contains many Travellers or large boulder-stones; affording a proof that the Bell Rock has at one time been of greater dimensions than at present, and these detached stones may be regarded as part of the debris, which have been separated in the lapse of ages from the main Rock.

PLATE VI.

PLAN OF THE NORTH EASTERN PARTS OF THE BELL ROCK, SHEWING THE POSITION OF THE LIGHT-HOUSE, RAILWAYS, AND WHARFS, &c.

[Sidenote: Pl. VI.]

The description of this Plate, representing the higher parts of the Rock as seen at low-water of spring-tides, affords the writer an opportunity of mentioning many distinguished names connected either officially, or in a friendly manner, with the erection of the Light-house. In corresponding about the state of the Rock, he has often found the advantage of this particular nomenclature of its different parts, as affording a reference to all its localities.

SITE OF THE LIGHT-HOUSE, AND RAILWAY-TRACKS.--The site of the Light-house, which will be seen from the Plate, was fixed by the writer in a central position of what may be termed the House-Rock. From this, as a centre, the Railways ramify in various directions. Upon these the materials for the erection of the house were conveyed, and they are still partly preserved, as convenient foot-paths and wharfs, in landing stores for the Light-house. The portions of the Railway-tracks marked with light dotted lines, were only used during the continuation of the works; while those of a deeper shade represent the permanent railways.

SITE OF CAPTAIN BRODIE’S BEACON.--The late Captain Joseph Brodie, of the Royal Navy, 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 Camperdown, than for his unwearied exertions in keeping up the interest of the public, relative to the important results to navigation which would attend the erection of a Light-house upon the Bell Rock, of which notice is taken at page 88.

SITE OF MR STEVENSON’S BEACON.--The position of the Beacon or temporary erection delineated in Plate VIII., was fixed upon the southern side of the site of the Light-house, with the ultimate view of obtaining shelter from the breach of the north-east seas. It was farther important, for the conveniency it afforded of a communication during the progress of the works, by means of a wooden bridge, which will be understood by examining Plate XVIII.

HALDANE’S LEDGE--is situate on the south-eastern side of the Rock, where the writer made his first landing with his friend Mr James Haldane, architect, as noticed at page 91.

GRAY’S ROCK.--Toward the eastern side of the Rock, there is a small outlier, or reef, important as a low-water-mark, which is named Gray’s Rock, in compliment to the late Mr John Gray, Writer to the Signet, and the first Secretary to the Light-house Board, as noticed in the Introduction, page 5.

SMITH’S ROCK,--situate on the eastern side of the Light-house, derives its name from the late Mr Thomas Smith, who introduced Reflecting-Lights upon the coast of Scotland; and was the first Engineer to the Board, as noticed at page 7.

CUNINGHAM’S LEDGE.--This ledge of rock has its name from Mr Charles Cuningham, Writer to the Signet, and successor to Mr Gray, as Secretary and Cashier to the Light-house Board.

PORT HAMILTON.--This creek is situate at the south-eastern extremity of the House-rock, and derives its name from Mr Robert Hamilton, Sheriff of Lanarkshire, and _ex officio_ one of the Commissioners of the Northern Light-houses; who first landed here in the year 1805, accompanied by Mr Rennie and the writer, with a view further to ascertain the practicability of erecting the proposed Light-house, as noticed at page 95. Mr Hamilton has been a zealous member of the Bell Rock Committee since the period of its institution in the year 1807, and, from his literary habits, he has taken much interest in the pages of this work.

PORT RENNIE--is situate in the north-eastern part of the House-rock, and derives its name from the late Mr John Rennie, the celebrity and extent of whose works as a Civil Engineer are well known to the public. Mr Rennie was consulted by the Light-house Board relative to this work. His reports will be found in Appendix, No. IV.; and his plan in Plate VII.

PORT STEVENSON--enters from the north-eastern side of the Rock, and forms the principal landing-place in that direction; it was named for the writer by Mr Hamilton, at the landing above alluded to, in the year 1805.

THE ABBOT’S LEDGE--forms the north-western extremity of the House-rock, and derives its name from a tradition (for we can find no authentic record) of one of the Abbots of Aberbrothwick having erected an Alarm-bell, to forewarn mariners of their danger in approaching the Bell Rock.

SIR RALPH THE ROVER’S LEDGE--forms the south-western extremity of the House-rock, and takes the name of Sir Ralph the Rover from a noted pirate who is said to have landed upon it, and carried away the Alarm-bell. This traditionary story is beautifully alluded to in a ballad by Mr Southey in his Minor Poems, which, with his permission, is included in Appendix, No. II. page 438.

DUNNICHEN LEDGE,--on the north-western side of the Rock, is named in compliment to Mr Dempster of Dunnichen, who is mentioned in the Introduction, page 5.

DUNSKEY LEDGE,--which is contiguous to the former, is named in compliment to Sir James Hunter Blair of Dunskey, first Preses of the Commissioners of the Northern Light-houses, as mentioned at page 6.

ARNISTON LEDGE.--Named in compliment to the late Lord Chief-Baron Dundas of Arniston, who, while Solicitor-General and Lord Advocate of Scotland, took an active part in Light-house affairs; and visited the Bell Rock in the year 1812, as noticed at page 413.

RATTRAY LEDGE.--In compliment to Mr Baron Clerk Rattray, who, while Sheriff of the Shire of Edinburgh, as noticed at page 98, was _ex officio_ one of the Commissioners of the Northern Light-houses, and, as one of the Bell Rock Committee, took much interest in the work.

HOPE’S WHARF--forms the termination of the permanent railway toward the west. It was named for the Right Honourable Charles Hope, Lord President of the Court of Session, who landed here in the year 1815. While Lord Advocate of Scotland, he took a warm interest in the affairs of the Northern Light-houses, and in 1803 brought the first bill into Parliament for the erection of the Bell Rock Light-house, as noticed at page 93.

PULTENEY LEDGE.--So named in compliment to Sir William Pulteney, who, as a Member of Parliament, took a lively interest in the bill brought forward for the Bell Rock Light-house in the year 1803, as alluded to at page 92.

BANKS LEDGE.--Named in compliment to Sir Joseph Banks, who was Vice-President of the Board of Trade in the year 1806, when the Bill for the Light-house was in Parliament, and who took much interest in it, as noticed at page 101.

COCHRANE’S LEDGE--is named in compliment to Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane, who first called the attention of the Light-house Board to an erection upon the Bell Rock, as mentioned at page 85.

PORT ERSKINE--forms the principal landing-place on the western side of the Rock, and derives its name from the Honourable Henry Erskine, who, when Lord Advocate of Scotland, and _ex officio_ one of the Commissioners of the Northern Light-houses, brought the second Bill for the Bell Rock Light-house into Parliament, which passed in the year 1806, as stated at page 100.

ULBSTER LEDGE.--Named in compliment to the Right Honourable Sir John Sinclair, Baronet, of Ulbster, Chairman of the Committee of the House of Commons, and who brought up its report relative to the Bell Rock bill, as stated at page 103.

KELLIE LEDGE.--Named in compliment to the Earl of Kellie, who visited the works at the Bell Rock in the year 1810, as noticed at page 378.

PITMILLY WHARF--formed the western extremity of the landing-wharf in use during the Light-house operations, and was named in compliment to Mr Monypenny, now Lord Pitmilly, who, while in the commission both as Sheriff of Fife and Solicitor-General of Scotland, was a member of the Bell Rock Committee, and visited the works in the year 1810, as stated at page 378.

KINEDDER LEDGE--is named in compliment to the late Mr William Erskine, Sheriff of Orkney and Shetland, and a member of the Bell Rock Committee. From Mr Erskine’s literary pursuits, he took a lively interest in this work, before he left the Light-house Board, and also after he was raised to the Bench, where he took his seat as Lord Kinedder.

THE ABBOTSFORD.--This spot, where the waters of the two principal and opposite landing-places meet, is named in compliment to Sir Walter Scott, Baronet, of Abbotsford, who landed here in the year 1814, as noticed at page 419, when he wrote the beautiful and expressive lines inserted in a _fac-simile_ of his handwriting in the 2d Title-page.

RAE’S WHARF--forms the extremity of the southern reach of the permanent railway, and derives its name from Sir William Rae, Baronet, who, in the several capacities of Sheriff-Depute and Lord Advocate of Scotland, has long been a member of the Light-house Board and Bell Rock Committee. His Lordship visited the Rock in 1810, as noticed at page 387.

DUFF’S WHARF--derives its name from Mr Adam Duff, Sheriff of the shire of Edinburgh, and a member of the Bell Rock Committee, who repeatedly visited the works at the Bell Rock while in progress, particularly in the year 1810, as noticed at page 387.

PORT BOYLE--takes its name from the Right Honourable David Boyle, Lord Justice-Clerk, who, while Solicitor-General of Scotland, was a member of the Bell Rock Committee, and visited the Light-house in the year 1811, as noticed at page 411.

THE CROWN LAWYERS.--This name is given to two detached rocks, which lie on the south-eastern side of the House-rock, in allusion to the Lord Advocate and Solicitor-General of Scotland, who are _ex officio_ Commissioners of the Northern Light-houses, as noticed at page 6.

THE MARITIME SHERIFFS.--This name comprehends a range of rocks, also on the south-eastern side of the main Rock, in reference to the Sheriffs of maritime counties, who are _ex officio_ Commissioners of the Northern Light-houses, as noticed at page 6.

THE ROYAL BURGHS,--A group of rocks lying on the south-western side of the House-rock, so named from certain of the Chief Magistrates of the Royal Burghs of Scotland who are _ex officio_ Commissioners of the Northern Light-houses, as noticed at page 6.

TELFORD’S LEDGE--is named in compliment to Mr Thomas Telford, Civil Engineer, who was requested by Sir William Pulteney to visit the Bell Rock professionally in the year 1803, as noticed at page 92.

DOWNIE’S LEDGE--derives its name from the late Mr Murdoch Downie, a Marine Surveyor of considerable eminence, who suggested a plan for erecting a Light-house on the Bell Rock, as noticed at page 93.

NEILL’S POOL--derives its name from Mr Patrick Neill, a particular friend of the writer’s, who first visited the Bell Rock in 1808, as noticed at page 235. The surface of this pool measures about three fathoms across, and a fathom and a half in depth, when the tide leaves the Rock. The bottom is generally covered with boulder-stones, which are whirled about with much force when the sea is in a state of agitation.

STUART’S TRACK--is on the south-western side of the Rock, derives its name from the late Captain Harry Stuart of the Royal Navy, who visited the Bell Rock in the year 1810, as alluded to at page 387. Captain Stuart took an early interest in the plans for the Light-house, both by Captain Brodie and the writer.

BRUCE’S LEDGE--was named in compliment to the memory of the late Mr James Bruce of the Naval Yard, Leith, who frequently visited the Bell Rock, and to whose ingenuity the Light-house service is indebted for the improved construction of a boat, delineated in Plate XI. and noticed at page 412.

RUSSELL’S LEDGE--is named in compliment to Mr Claud Russell, Accountant to the Light-house Board, who visited the Rock in the year 1812, as mentioned in page 414.

SCORESBY’S POINT,--the most northern part of the Rock, named in compliment to the writer’s friend Captain Scoresby _junior_, who has so much extended our information regarding the Polar Regions.

TRINITY ROCK.--This rock is named in compliment to a Committee of the Trinity House of Leith, consisting of Messrs Thomas Grindlay, John Hay, and Thomas Ritchie, who gave their advice and assistance in the fitting out and mooring the Floating-light in the year 1807, as alluded to at page 110.

BALFOUR’S LEDGE--is named in compliment to the late Provost Balfour of Arbroath, who felt the most lively interest in the Light-house affairs. In his hospitable mansion the writer occasionally resided while the works were in progress.

LEITCH’S LEDGE--is named in compliment to the writer’s friend Mr Quintin Leitch, who visited the Rock in the year 1818. Mr Leitch is further noticed at page 43.

PILLANS’S LEDGE--is named in compliment to the writer’s friend Mr James Pillans of Leith, who took an early interest in the erection of the Light-house, and who signs the Report of the Merchants of Leith regarding it, as noticed at page 96.

THE LAST HOPE.--This name was given by the writer to the highest part of the rock, in allusion to the narrow escape which he and the artificers made in the year 1807, by the timeous arrival of James Spink, the Bell Rock pilot at Arbroath, as noticed at page 149. Spink is a remarkably strong man, whose _tout ensemble_ is highly characteristic of a North-country fisherman. He usually dresses in a _pé-jacket_, cut after a particular fashion, and wears a large flat blue bonnet. A striking likeness of Spink, in his pilot-dress, with the badge or insignia on his left arm, which is characteristic of the boatmen in the service of the Northern Lights has been taken by Howe, and is in the writer’s possession.

FORREST’S PASSAGE.--This gully or opening on the eastern side of the Rock, is sometimes taken as a track by boats in certain states of the sea and tide. It derives its name from the late Mr John Forrest, Superintendant of Lightkeepers’ duty in the service of the Northern Lights, who is particularly noticed at page 406.

LOGANS’ REACH.--This reach or compartment of the Railway, on the eastern side of the Light-house, is named in compliment to the late Mr Peter Logan, foreman-builder at the Bell Rock, and his son Mr David Logan, clerk-of-works, whose active and faithful services, in their respective departments, have been too often noticed in this work to admit of reference to particular pages.

WATT’S REACH--has its name in compliment to Mr Francis Watt, foreman-mill-wright, whose services have also already been often particularised in the course of this work, and whose exertions in erecting the beacon and temporary-railways did much credit to his zeal and intrepidity. The writer also often profited by his ingenuity, in reference to the various pieces of machinery employed at the works.

KENNEDY’S REACH--derives its name from Mr Lachlan Kennedy, who, as Accountant and Cashier in the Engineer’s Office, discharged the various duties of his situation in a manner equally creditable to himself and satisfactory to his employers. An Abstract-Account of the expence of the work, as drawn up by him, appears in the Appendix, No. VII. page 475.

SLIGHTS’ REACH,--named in compliment to Mr James Slight, and his brother Alexander, who were chiefly employed in drawing the courses of the building at large, and in making the various and nicely formed moulds for fashioning the stones. They also fitted up the interior of the house, and the permanent railways on the rock; and made a complete model of the Light-house.

THE SMITHS’ FORGE AND LEDGE--named in compliment to Mr James Dove, foreman-smith, and his assistants, who have been frequently alluded to in these pages. It was here that the forge was erected at the commencement of the works on the Rock; and on the connecting ledge the first or experimental cargo of stones was landed.

REID’S LEDGE--is named in compliment to Mr John Reid, the first principal Lightkeeper at the Bell Rock, who retired from the service in the year 1821, as noticed at page 422.

SELKIRKS’ LEDGE,--named for Mr Robert Selkirk, principal builder, and his brother Thomas, who was the principal stone-cutter at the work.

WISHART’S LEDGE--is named for Mr Michael Wishart, some time principal builder at the Rock, as noticed at page 291.

GLEN’S LEDGE.--This ledge has its name from Mr James Glen, millwright and joiner, particularly noticed at page 279.

JOHN WATT.--A detached rock on the western side of the main rock, named for John Watt, principal mortar-maker at the Bell Rock.

PETER FORTUNE.--A detached reef on the western side of the Rock, named for a well known character in the Light-house service, as noticed at page 299.

GLOAG’S TRACK--leads into Port Hamilton, and is named for Mr Robert Gloag, who commanded the Light-house Yacht in the year 1807, and who has otherwise had a good deal of connection with the Light-house service.

MACURICH’S TRACK--on the western side of the Rock, is named in compliment to Mr Thomas Macurich, mate of the sloop Smeaton, and afterwards commander of the Bell Rock Tender, who had a very narrow escape in a boat off the Rock, as noticed at page 253.

WEBB’S ROCK--is named in compliment to Mr Joseph Webb, one of the King’s pilots at Yarmouth, who superintended the fitting out and mooring of the Floating-light, as noticed at page 108.

SINCLAIR’S TRACK--is named in compliment to Mr George Sinclair, who, in 1807, commanded the Floating-light, and acted as landing-master.

WILSON’S TRACK--named for Mr James Wilson, landing-master, whose active and enterprising conduct is often noticed in the course of this work. In the year 1815, Mr Wilson left the Light-house service, when he was appointed one of the Harbour-masters of Leith. The speaking-trumpet which he used at the Bell Rock was presented to him, with the sanction of the Light-house Board, when a suitable inscription was engraved on a plate of silver attached to it.

TAYLOR’S TRACK--leads into Port Erskine, and derives its name from Mr David Taylor, who commanded the Sir Joseph Banks Tender during the progress of the works, and afterwards became Light-house Storekeeper at Leith.

CALDER’S TRACK--situate on the north-western side of the Rock, derives its name from Mr Thomas Calder, who commanded the Light-house Yacht, and other craft, connected with the works, as noticed at page 260.

SOUTAR’S TRACK--derives its name from Mr Peter Soutar, who was one of the Praam-masters while the works were in progress. In 1815 he succeeded Mr James Wilson in the command of the Light-house Yacht.

POOL’S TRACK--is named for Mr Robert Pool, commander of the Smeaton stone-lighter, a very active and persevering seaman.

THE ENGINEERS’ LEDGE,--situate on the eastern side of the Rock, is named in compliment to certain of the Engineer’s assistants, who, though belonging more especially to his general or private business, have nevertheless been occasionally employed in the department of the Bell Rock, particularly Mr John Steedman, Mr John Thin, Mr William Lorimer, Mr G. C. Scott, and Mr Robert Shortreed, some of whose names are attached to several of the Plates.

THE ARTIFICERS.--A name given to a parcel of detached rocks, lying on the north-western side of the main Rock, in allusion to the numerous artificers employed at the works, many of whom are now moving in spheres of more extended usefulness, and, did our limits admit, would be deserving of particular notice, as may be learned from page 379.

THE MARINERS.--This is also a group of detached rocks on the north-eastern side of the Rock, which in like manner is named in compliment to the exertions of the Seamen, who, as _men-of-all-works_, gave a helping hand to every operation; and many of whom deserve the warmest acknowledgments of the writer.

STRACHAN’S LEDGE,--situate on the north-eastern side of the Rock, was named for Mr Robert Strachan of Leith, who fitted out the Floating-light, and narrowly escaped being lost upon the Rock, when approaching it in a boat which was upset in the year 1808, as noticed at page 244.

CRAW’S HORSE.--Another detached rock, deriving its name from a narrow escape which the sloop Smeaton made in foggy weather, as noticed at page 364, while James Craw, who had charge of the stable, and was principal carter at the work-yard of Arbroath, was on board, with his favourite horse, on his way to Leith, to convey the upper part of the Light-house, from Edinburgh, to be shipped for the Bell Rock. The horse alluded to was a remarkably strong and powerful animal, measuring about 16 hands in height, and having, in the language of jockies, a great deal of bone. It is not a little remarkable, that while the work was in progress, this animal must actually have drawn the materials of the Light-house, extending to upwards of 2000 tons in its finished state, perhaps three or four times, in removing the blocks of stone from the ship to the work-yard, again to the platform, and from the work-yard, when they were to be shipped for the Rock, besides occasional movements to and from the hands of the stone-cutters. A sketch of this animal, and of his master James Craw, will be found at Fig. 21. Plate X. The horse having failed from age, towards the close of the work he was removed to the Island of Inchkeith, to go at large, where he died in the year 1813. The fame of this animal’s labours, together with his strength and excellent proportion as a draught-horse, having attracted the notice of Dr John Barclay, that eminent anatomist procured the bones, and set them up in his Museum. This valuable collection, it is understood, is to be bequeathed to the College of Surgeons of Edinburgh; so that the bones of the Bell Rock-horse, to use the Doctor’s own language, “will be seen and admired as a useful skeleton, and a source of instruction, when those of his employers lie mingled with the dust.”

PLATE VII.

ORIGINAL DESIGNS FOR THE BELL ROCK LIGHT-HOUSE.

[Sidenote: Pl. VII.]

Fig. 1. shews the sites of the principal and diagonal supports of cast-iron of the Pillar-formed Light-house, modelled by the writer prior to his landing on the Rock in the year 1800, as alluded to in his report, included in the Appendix, No. IV. at page 440. This Figure is a Plan in which letters _a a a a a a a a_ point out the feet of the eight principal columns; _e_ the central shoe or socket, intended to receive the feet of the diagonal supports or braces, which correspond in number with those of the main columns. This fabric, at the base, was to form a common diameter of about 35 feet, diminishing to 12 feet at the top, or immediately under the Light-room.

Fig. 2. The great columns in this design, which are sunk into the Rock, and the diagonal braces _d d d d_, which butt against, or step into the shoe _c_, are also strongly connected by the braces _b b b b b b b b_, and cross ties marked _c c c c c c_. The habitable part of this building is formed by two concentric rings of copper, marked _a f_, _a f_, the one upon the outside, and the other upon the inside, of the main columns. The space between these rings was to be filled with plaster-of-Paris, or some light substance, to render the apartments air-tight. Letter _g_ is the position of the entrance-door, and the space below the first floor, marked _h_, is a coal magazine. The better to throw off the sprays of the sea, the lower part, as will be seen from the diagram, is of a conical form inverted.

Fig. 3. Shews the mode of fixing the principal columns, to the Rock, and of building or connecting them together, being an enlarged section of the foot of one of the main columns. The hollow cylindrical tube marked _b b_, is sunk 24 inches, and acts as a steady pin or joggle to the column which is wedged into the Rock, as shewn at _c c c c_, by driving oaken and iron wedges alternately, instead of running them up with melted lead. The next length of the column, marked _a a a a_, is slipped over this tube, and has a seat cut in the rock at right angles to the oblique direction of the column, to which it is connected by the cutter or spear-bolts marked _d d d_, whose directions respectively cross each other, as shewn in the section.

Fig. 4. represents one of the joints of the main columns, which occur at every 7 feet of their length, from the rock to the habitable part of the Light-house. This description of joint is what is technically termed _spigot_ and _faucet_; _a a_ is the upper half, _b b b_ the lower, _c c_ the joint, _d d d d_ the collar-piece clasping the joint, and connecting it with the horizontal arms or braces _e e_, which, in Fig. 2, are marked _b_, and in connection with the cross ties _c_, and diagonal-supports _d_, bind the whole firmly together.

Fig. 5. represents the lower floor of the five apartments, in which _a a a a a a a a_, as in the foregoing Figs. 1, 2, and 3. shew the main columns passing between the outer covering and inner lining of copper. Letter _c_ marks the entrance door, shewn at _g_, in Fig. 2., in which d is the plat at the top of the ladder, formed on one of the columns, which may also be conceived as passing up through the habitable part of the building; the floors of which are formed with plates of cast-iron.

Fig. 6. represents a Light-house of masonry, modelled by the writer immediately after his first landing upon the Rock. The better to illustrate this design, the solid or lower part is given in elevation, and the upper or habitable part in section. Compared with the Edystone Light-house, upon the principles of which it was designed, the chief differences consist in the exterior spiral-formed stair, intended to afford permanent access to the Light-house, and also to serve as a landing quay or wharf at high-water. The steps of this stair were to be 3 feet in length, forming a kind of scarsement upon the outer-wall, there being nothing to obstruct the force of the sea under the stair; as it formed part of the main-wall, it may be conceived calculated to have become a kind of spiral buttress to the building. In the upper or habitable part, the interior walls diminish gradually, instead of forming abrupt scarsements, and the floors were laid horizontally, instead of being arched.

Fig. 7. Shews one of the floors, each stone of which forms part of the outward walls, extending inwards to a centre stone, independently of which they were to be connected, by means of copper-batts, with a view to preserve their square form at the extremity, instead of dove-tailing. These stones were also modelled with joggles sidewise, upon the principles of the common-floor, termed Feathering in carpentry; and also with dove-tailed joggles across the joints, where they formed part of the outward wall, as shewn in this figure.

Fig. 8. is a plan of one of the courses of the void or habitable part of this design, shewing both the joggles of the end joint and the girth, raised upon the upper beds of the courses, and sunk into the groove cut in the lower beds of the respective covering courses.

Figs. 9. and 10. exhibit different modes of connecting the stones and courses of the solid of the building, both perpendicularly and horizontally, by means of dove-tailing. But as a certain degree of weakness is unavoidably incident to every system of dove-tailing, and, as the method of forming the bed-joints of the void above alluded to is equally effective, in its application to the solid or lower part of the building, as represented in Plate XXIII., this is considered preferable to the dove-tailing system.

Fig. 11. is part of a course, shewing a simple mode of connecting the stones in water-buildings, so as to avoid dove-tailing, and preserve, as much as possible, the entire figure of the stones. This is effected by inserting square joggles into the joints, and allowing these joggles to project 6 inches into the course immediately above, thereby forming a connection horizontally between the stones of a course, and vertically with the several courses.

Fig. 12. is also a course of masonry, in which the square or entire form of the materials is preserved, while the stones are bound both horizontally and vertically, by means of metallic-batts and plates, as represented in the enlarged diagram described in the following Figure.

Fig. 13., _a_ is the dove-tailed cross-head or plate; _b_ is a section both of the batt and plate, in their places, shewing their connection with two courses of the building marked A B; _c_ shews the mode in which the batt is fixed into the lower course, by means of wedges; _d_ the upper end of the batt and plate, which is also wedged, and appears, when in its place, as in Fig. 11., marked also _a a a_. But these several modes of connecting the materials of masonry are considered more or less objectionable, when compared with the girths delineated in the design represented in Plate XXIII.

Figs. 14. and 15. are a reduced plan and elevation of the Bell Rock Light-house by Mr Rennie, in the year 1807. They will be found so obvious upon inspection, as not to require explanation, and are here preserved as the only plans or drawings furnished for this work by that eminent engineer.

PLATE VIII.

BEACON-HOUSE.

[Sidenote: Pl. VIII.]

Fig. 1. represents the Beacon-house, which was used as a barrack for the artificers during the working seasons of 1809 and 1810. Letter A A A is the surface of the Rock. The principal legs or beams, with their diagonal supports, radiating from the centre of the plan, are marked _a a a a a a_, and the bracing chains _b b b_, as completed in the year 1807. In 1808 the bracing-chains were removed, and the malleable iron-bars marked _c c c_ were substituted. The dotted lines _d d d d d_, are intended to show the form of the upper or habitable part of the Beacon as it was ultimately finished, with its lantern, for ventilating the barrack-room. One of the figures characterised as sailors, and used for illustrating this elevation, is represented as standing upon the Rock, and laying hold of one of the bracing-chains. The next figure is ascending the trap-ladder, formed with cleats of timber nailed upon one of the principal beams; he is on a level with the mortar-gallery, marked letter _e e e_. The third figure is standing upon the cross or collar-beams, nearly on a level with the floor of the cook-room, marked _f f_. The fourth, or highest figure, is standing upon one of the principal beams, 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 g_; the head of this figure being within the artificers’ barrack, marked _h h_. With one hand he is supposed to be touching the provision-chest, marked _i_, and with the other he is laying hold of the rope for hoisting the copper signal-ball _k_ upon the flag-staff.

Fig. 2. represents the gallery where the mortar-makers and smiths latterly worked. _a a a a a a_ represent the principal beams of the Beacon cut across; _b b b_ the position of the mortar tubs and lime-casks; _c_ the smith’s anvil; _d_ his bellows; _e_ the hearth or fire-place.

Fig. 3. represents the floor of the cook-room, in which _a a a a a a_ shew the principal beams cut across; _b_ the platt or landing at the entrance-door; _c c_ the coboose or cooking-hearth; _d_ the chimney or smoke funnel; _e e e e_ the provision casks; _f_ the trap stair leading to the floor above; _g g_ the small life-boat, suspended by davits from the principal beams of the beacon; _i i i i i i_ the six angular upright posts cut across, marked _d_ in Fig. 1., which form the framing of the hexagonal apartments or floors marked III. and IV. Letter _k_ represents the position of the privy, and stair leading to it.

Fig. 4. is the floor of the cabins of the engineer and his assistants. Letters _a a a a a a_ mark the position of the six principal beams of the beacon, now approaching closely together from their diagonal direction: _b b b b b b_ the angular upright posts, which, together with those marked _i i i i i i_, as referable to Fig. 3., form the upper apartments into twelve sides; _c_ is the trap-ladder, corresponding with letter _f_ in Fig. 3., which communicates with the cook-room floor below; _d_ is another ladder, leading to the artificers’ barrack above.

Fig. 5. represents the upper floor, or that of the artificers’ barrack-room, on a level with the top of the principal beams, marked a in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. In this diagram _a a a a a_ represent the ground-tier of beds, which were ranged in five heights, excepting at the space over the man-hole, leading up to this apartment, where there was only three heights of beds; _c_ represents the trap ladder answerable to letter _d_ of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6. represents what may be termed a bird’s-eye view of the Beacon, as completed in 1807, and before it was converted into a barrack. In reference to Fig. 1., letter _a_ represents the six principal beams, forming a common base measuring about 35 feet across, including the bracing-chains, which are marked _b b b b b b_. These beams meet in a point at the top, where they rest upon a block of beechwood, to which the upper ends of the beams were fitted, the whole being girded with strong malleable iron rings or hoops, keyed with spear-bolts. Here the provision-chest _i_, and signal-ball _k_, are represented as resting upon the top of the principal beams.

Fig. 7. is an enlarged view of two of the bracing-chains, marked _a a_, with their tightening shakle marked _b b_, meeting in the ring _c c_. Letter _d_ represents one of the batts, which were sunk into the rock A A about 20 inches, and wedged with timber and iron, as shewn at _e e_.

Fig. 8. represents a side view of one of the beams of the beacon, marked _a a a a_, cut across immediately above the great stancheons _b b b b_, with its bolts, which were fitted upon each side of the beam; _c c_ represent the clasp-plates, which embraced each foot of the beacon, with its two stancheons. These clasp-plates were fixed with spear-bolts, as shewn at _d d_. Letters _e e_ represent the wedging with timber and iron, referred to in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9. represents a front view of a like portion of one of the principal beams, as in Fig. 8.; _a a a a_ shew the stancheons on each side of the beam, and _b b_ the lower extremity of the stancheons sunk into the Rock A; _c c_ one of the clasp-plates; _d d d d_ the spear-bolts.

Fig. 10. is one of the principal beams, _a_ cut across at the clasp-plate _c c c c_. Letters _b b_ are the great iron-stancheons; and _d d d_ shew the spear-bolts.

PLATE IX.

SHEWING THE PROGRESS OF THE WORKS DURING THE SECOND, THIRD, AND FOURTH YEARS’ OPERATIONS.

[Sidenote: Pl. IX.]

Fig. 1. shews the state of the works about the close of the second season, or year 1808, with two of the moveable beam-cranes, with their guy tackles and working gear, which will be more particularly described under Plate XIV. These are placed upon the top or fourth course of the building. In the fore-ground, part of the unfinished railways are seen, with waggons and artificers at work; and on the right the beacon is partly traced in faint lines.

Fig. 2. represents the state of the works in the month of August 1809, at the close of the third season’s work, when only one of the cranes was set upon the building; the other, as the work increased in height, and became less in diameter, was placed upon a temporary stool or prop of masonry, marked _a a a a_. This prop was found extremely useful, as, by elevating one of the cranes upon the top of it, the lift of the materials was divided, and brought more conveniently within reach of the higher crane, which at this period was about 30 feet above the Rock. In the fore-ground of this diagram, part of the circular track of railway round the building is seen. On the right, a part of the Beacon-house appears with the rope-ladder of communication, extending from the top of the solid of the Light-house to the mortar-gallery. On the rope-ladder a figure is represented walking from the Beacon to the Light-house, and a tackle, with its travelling pulley, is also stretched, for conveying the mortar-bucket, to the builders.

Fig. 3. represents a section of the void or habitable part of the Light-house as it appeared in the month of August 1810, when the masonry was nearly completed. On the right is an elevation of part of the Beacon-house, but instead of the rope-ladder of communication, a bridge of timber is constructed. Letters _a a_ represent the top of the solid, or level of the entrance-door of the building, from which the stair-case ascends to the several apartments. Resting on the sill of the door at _b_, is seen one of the beams for supporting the road-way of the bridge, and below this, at the point _c_, is the step of one of the diagonal braces of the bridge, where it is inserted about 6 inches into one of the courses of the solid masonry. Regarding the frame-work of the bridge, it may only further be noticed, that the road-way was chiefly suspended from the king-posts _d d_.

Letter _e_ represents a block of stone, in the act of being raised from the rail-way on the Rock, to the level of the bridge, by means of the crab or winch-machine marked _f_, with wheel and pinion apparatus; the pully of the working chain is suspended from the cross beam _g_, which rests or is supported upon the top of the king-posts. One of the figures on the bridge at _h_, is in the act of pushing forward a truck cart or waggon _i_, to receive the stone _e_; when raised through the aperture in the road-way, it is then lowered upon this waggon, and removed towards the building within the sphere of the several purchases or machines, by which it is transported to the hands of the builders.

Letter _k_ refers to a life-buoy, and a coil of rope, kept in readiness upon the bridge, in case of accident by the fall of any of the people from the building or beacon while the Rock was covered by the tide. _l l_ represent two of the fire-buckets, which were hung round the beacon, under the projection immediately above the cook-room. The stone marked _e_, in the second stage of its progress towards the top of the building, is now seen immediately above the lintel of the entrance-door, the purchase chain, by which it is suspended, passes over a pulley at _m_, attached to the beam _n n_, which is projected from one of the windows of the Light-room store, where it is supported upon a block of timber, so as to admit of the chain passing under it. The further end of this beam, being within the Light-house, was bolted to an upright post marked _o o_, and the whole apparatus was worked by means of the crab or winch-machine at _p_, similar to that upon the bridge marked _f f_. The stone _e_ is next supposed to have gained the height of the floor of the bed-room, where another apparatus, similar to those at _f_ and _p_, is placed. Here a figure is represented at _q_, with a rod in his hand, in the act of hooking the chain of the balance-crane into the Lewis-batt, fixed in the stone _e_, still in its progress to the top of the building. _r r r_ represent the strong oaken beams placed on the floor of the library, on which the foot of the cast-iron balance-crane is supported. _s s_ two of the four diagonal braces of oak timber, bolted into a collar-piece of cast-iron, clasping the upright shaft of the crane at _t t_, and butting against the upright stretchers at _u u_; intended as a security to the walls, in case the balance-crane should at any time get out of equilibrium. The two figures marked _v v_, are represented as working the balance-crane, and are supposed to be standing upon a moveable platform _x x_, suspended from the body of the crane by rods of iron _y y_. This platform or stage, with the artificers upon it, being moveable with the body of the crane, gave great facility and conveniency to those who wrought it. _z_ is the balance-weight, moveable by the machinery along the balance-beam of the crane, to keep the whole in a state of equilibrium, according to the varied load suspended from the working or opposite beam; accented _á_ represents the moveable block or cross-head of malleable iron, with two eyes, into which the chains of the crane were hooked, when the _body_ (comprehending the machinery and beams) was to be elevated upon the shaft in the progress of building. But the cross-head, together with the other apparatus of this machine, will be better understood by examining Plate XVII., with its letter-press description. _b´ b´ b´_ represent the form and position of the Light-room in dotted lines; _c´_ the mortar-bucket made to traverse upon the guide-rope _d´ d´_, stretched between the building and the mortar-gallery of the Beacon; the end of the rope attached to the building being fixed to the stanchion _é_, inserted into one of the Lewis batt-holes, on the balcony of the Light-room.

PLATE X.

VARIOUS IMPLEMENTS AND APPARATUS CONNECTED WITH THE WORKS.

[Sidenote: Pl. X.]

Fig. 1.--is an elevation of one of the three large copper Lanterns carried by the Pharos Floating-Light, which was moored off the Bell Rock while the Light-house was erecting. In order to relieve this vessel of the cumbrous yards with which Floating-lights were in use to be fitted, these lanterns were so constructed as to clasp round the masts, and traverse upon them. This was effected by constructing them with a tube of copper in the centre, capable of receiving the mast, and through which it passed. The lanterns were first completely formed, and fitted with brass flanges; they were then cut longitudinally asunder, which conveniently admitted of their being screwed together on the masts, after the vessel was fully equipped and moored in her station. Letters _a a a a_ shew part of one of the masts, _b_ one of the tackle-hooks for raising and lowering the lanterns at pleasure, _c c c c c c c c c c_ the brass flanges, with their screw-bolts, by which the body or case of the lantern was ultimately put together; _d d d_ shew the position of certain holes in the bottom for the admission of air, _f f f f_ the holes at the top, connected with the ventilation, to which the collar-pieces _e e_ and _g g_ form guards against the immediate effects of the weather. The detached diagram, upon an enlarged scale, shows the air-hole, which is marked _m_. The letters _h h h h_ shew the part of the lantern which was glazed with plate-glass; _i_ is one of the glass shutters, by which the lamps were trimmed; the lower half being raised, slides into a groove made for its reception; _k k_ shew the range of ten agitable burners or lamps, out of which the oil cannot be spilt by the rolling motion of the ship. Each lamp having a silvered-copper speculum or reflector _l l_ placed behind the flame, was found greatly to increase the brilliancy of the light.

Fig. 2.--is a cross section of the bottom of the lantern, shewing the mast _a_ cut across, _b b_ is the sole or bottom of the lantern, _c c_ the flanges at the junction of the body, in reference to the same letter in Fig. 1.; _d d d d_ the small holes for the admission of air, _e e e_ the brass zone or chandelier, with its ten arms and sockets marked _f f_, &c. in which the stalks of the burners are inserted. The chandelier is made to traverse horizontally into a corresponding groove fixed upon the interior cylinder or case, through which the mast passes, and upon which the whole moves up and down. When, therefore, the lamps require to be trimmed or taken out of the lantern, the chandelier is turned until they are respectively brought opposite to the shutter marked _i_.

Fig. 3. is an enlarged view of one of the agitable burners _a_, with its reflector _b_, which last measures four inches over the lips, and is raised to the parabolic curve of three inches focus; _c_ the socket, _d_ the section of the moveable chandelier in its groove, answerable to letters _k_ and _l_, Fig. 1., and _f_ and _e_ Fig. 2. In reference to Fig. 3., _e e_ is a section of part of the central cylinder of the lantern and mast of the ship.

Fig. 4. represents one of the Mushroom-Anchors, constructed wholly of cast-iron, used for mooring the Floating-Light and other craft off the Bell Rock, to which part of the mooring-chain is attached. This diagram seems so obvious as to require no particular description. Towards the head _a a_ the shank is strengthened by means of four feathers or brackets raised upon it, somewhat resembling the connecting gills of the vegetable mushroom. These anchors weighed from 14 to 21 cwt.

Figs. 5. to 9.--QUARRY TOOLS.--Fig. 5. is a common stone-pick, weighing from 8 to 10 lb., shown with and without the handle, which measured about 2 feet in length, but is here shortened. Fig. 6. is the Aberdeen or granite pick, weighing from 6 to 16 lb. Fig. 7. is a quarry hammer, weighing from 6 to 8 lb. used for jumping or boring batt-holes in the Rock, and the trenail-holes in the courses of the building. Fig. 8. represents the boring-irons for the trenail-holes, measuring 1¾ inches in breadth at the cutting end, and varying in length according to the depth of the respective holes. Fig. 9. is the scraper used for cleaning the holes; the perforated end being applied with a piece of rag for drying up the moisture.

Fig. 10. represents one of the oaken trenails used for keeping the stones in their places while the building was within the ordinary range of the sea. The positions of these trenails may be traced in the small circular holes of the courses, in Plate XIII. Their lower ends were cut with a saw-draught as at letter _a_, into which a small wedge marked _b_ was inserted, and the trenail having been driven home, the small wedge had the effect of tightening or fixing it. The upper end _c_ was then cut off flush with the upper bed of the stone, when it was split, and another small wedge, marked _d_, driven into the chisel-mark, which completed the operation of fixing the trenails into their places.

Fig. 11. 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-house, as may be traced in the small oblong holes, marked in the joints of the courses in Plate XIII. These wedges were chiefly intended for bringing the dove-tailed parts of the stones to a general bearing. The thick end of the wedge marked _a_ being dropped into its groove, the smaller end of the corresponding wedge _b_ was then inserted, and driven home till some degree of tension or firmness was obtained. This operation of trenailing and wedging was followed from Mr Smeaton’s practice at the Edystone Light-house.

Fig. 12. is a section of one of the cast-iron mortar-tubs, with its pestle, shod or loaded with a piece of malleable iron.

Figs. 13. to 15.--CAST-IRON PLATE-RAILWAY.--Fig. 13. is a longitudinal view of one length of the cast-iron railways erected upon the Rock; _a a a a_ represent the stools or upright supports, _b b_ are the tracks of the roadway, _c c_ one of the side stays or braces. Fig. 14. is a cross section on the line A B of Fig. 15, in which _a a_ is the support with its cross-brace _f_, bolted at _g g g g_; _b b_ are the railway tracks, _c c c c_ the stays, with their connecting bolts on each side, _d d_ the sleeper or horizontal brace connecting the top of the stools, and forming a chair or seat for the rails and grated roadway; _e e e e_ represent the batts and spear-bolts, with which the whole was connected to the Rock, by the process of wedging with timber and iron. Fig. 15. is a plan of the finished railway; _a a a a_ are the feet of the stools, _b b_ the side rails or waggon-tracks, _c c_ the stays or side braces, _d d_ the sleepers, and _h h_ the grated footpath. The weight of a yard in length of the railways complete, of the height of four feet, as represented in these diagrams, may be estimated about 5 cwt.

Fig. 16. represents a plan of one of the railway waggons; _a_ is the iron handle made to hook upon either end of the waggon, so as to prevent the necessity of turning it; _b b_ is the body of the waggon, consisting of two pieces of oak timber, bolted upon the upper part of the double frame intended for accommodating the wheels to the circular track of the railway round the building. The upper and under frames are connected with the bolt _c c_, so as to admit of the movement above alluded to. For the same reason, a joint was formed in the perch or middle of the frame at _d_. The trucks or wheels _e e e e_ were of cast-iron, measuring 15 inches in diameter. These waggons were always left upon the Rock, being simply turned upside down, or off their wheels, in a particular part, and were seldom moved by the sea, as they weighed about 2 cwt. each.

Fig. 17. The ten diagrams, marked _a_, _b_, _c_, _d_, _e_, _f_, _g_, _h_, _i_, and _k_, are a set of moulds for one course of the solid part of the building, by which the stones were cut and prepared in the work-yard previous to their being shipped for the Rock. The application and connection of these diagrams will be better understood by examining the courses of the building in Plate XIII.

Fig. 18. a Trainer or Rule, framed of timber, applied by the builders, for ascertaining the exact position of the stones of the respective courses. _a_ is the eye or socket on which it was fitted to a steady-pin placed exactly in the centre. This rule was used chiefly for ascertaining the radiating direction of the stones, from the centre towards the circumference, being laid agreeably to corresponding notches and lines marked upon their upper-beds, so as to preserve band throughout the work, and prevent difficulty with the closing or finishing stones.

Fig. 19. is a perpendicular section of the carpenter’s jack, used with much advantage for shifting and turning the stones in the work-yard. The case of this machine was made of elm, and strongly bound at the ends with iron. It measured 4 feet in height, its greatest breadth 12 inches, and its thickness 6 inches. _a a_ is the stock or case, _b b_ the rack, fashioned at the lower end somewhat like the claws of a carpenter’s hammer. The upper end is of a forked form, both ends being conveniently applicable to the varied positions of the stones; _c_ and _d_ are the wheel and pinion work; _e_ the handle by which the machinery is worked, affording a purchase or mechanical advantage in the ratio of about 64 to 1.

Fig. 20. is a plan of the useful machine called The Woolwich Sling-Cart, applicable to transporting large blocks of stone suspended between the wheels by means of a Lewis-batt. When a stone was of considerable length, it became necessary to employ a chain to steady it at the farther end, the application of which will be seen in this and the following figure. _a a a a_ represent the shafts and body of the cart, _b b b b_ the wheels, _c c_ the handles passing between the spokes of the wheels, by which the machinery is worked for lifting the stone. The dotted line _d d d d_ represents a plan of a stone in its state of suspension, _e e e_ the wheel and pinion work, _f_ the barrel or cylinder on which the chain turns as the stone is raised; _g g_ is the tail-beam with its chain _h h_, and steady-pin _i_.

Fig. 21. represents the sling-cart in its working state, with letters corresponding to Fig. 20. Here the Bell Rock carter, and his horse, are shown, already noticed in the description of Plate VI., page 498.

PLATE XI.

THE SHEER-CRANE, LEWIS-BATT, PRAAM-BOAT WITH CARGO, SLOOP SMEATON DISCHARGING, AND BRUCE’s _TWO-HALF_ ATTENDING-BOAT.

[Sidenote: Pl. XI.]

Fig. 1.--THE SHEER-CRANE at Duff’s Wharf. _a a a_ are the working-sheers, to the upper extremity of which the purchase-chain _a_, _e_, _g_, is attached; from the hook marked _i_, the stone _k_ is suspended by the sling-chain _i_, _k_, which was lengthened or shortened according to the state of the tide. _b b_ are the upright-sheers; _c c_ the diagonal or supporting sheers. Those last, though acting as braces, had also a motion upon the connecting block _d_ at the top, from which the pulley _e_ is suspended, and over which the purchase-chain passes. This motion had the effect of giving the stone a _kant_ inwards, when the working-sheers came to the perpendicular, so as to lay it upon the waggon _f_, to be wheeled along the railways, as will be understood by examining Plate XVIII. The crab or winch machine _g g_, fixed upon the Rock at one side of the railway, with batts and spear-bolts, was worked with a less or greater purchase, according to the weight of the stone to be lifted. The large wheel measuring 3 feet 3 inches in diameter, formed the single purchase, and the smaller wheel of 2 feet 6 inches, with its pinion of 6 inches, when connected with the former by an intermediate pinion, formed the greater purchase, exerting a power in the one case in the ratio of about 20 to 1, and in the other of 98 to 1.

Fig. 2. is a front view of the machine described above, with corresponding letters. At letters _h h_, will be seen more distinctly the cast-iron bed, with the snugs or flanges for the reception of the lower ends of the sheers _a a a_ and _b b b b_, with their journal-bolts. This apparatus, along with the other parts of the works, have been modelled for preservation.

Fig. 3. represents one of the malleable iron Lewis-batts, with which the stones were lifted from stage to stage, after leaving the hands of the stone-cutter. This useful implement consists of six members, viz. the palm, which is in three pieces, marked _a_, _b_, _c_; the palm-bolt _d d_; the shackle _e_. The spear-bolt _f_, for preventing the palm-bolt from drawing, was seldom used in practice.

Fig. 4. is a section of one of the praam-boats, shewing her cargo on deck, and more particularly the form and application of the mushroom-anchor and chain-moorings of the Bell Rock craft. _a a_ is the cargo upon deck; _b b_ is the hold or compartment under deck, calculated to contain a sufficient number of empty casks, for floating her, in the event of receiving injury at the rock. _c c_ mark the fore and after peaks, for containing warps, kedge-anchors, grapplings, defenders, and other tackle; _d_ marks the position of the bits and cross-tree to which a hook at _e_ was fixed, for attaching the end of the mooring-chain; _f_ is the slit in the stem, answerable to a hawse-hole, through which the mooring-chain passed almost on a level with the deep water-line, and was ultimately fixed by the ring _g_, to the lower swivel of the floating buoy _h_, and also with the mushroom-anchor _i_ at the bottom, connected with a length of chain extending to about twice the depth of the water.

The detached diagram towards the stern of the praam-boat, consisting of a mushroom-anchor, a larger and smaller floating buoy, with their respective chains, represent the state of the moorings while the praam-boats were employed at the Rock. The small buoy _k_, with its chain _l_, was connected at the ring accented _l´_ to the hawser-chain of the praam. When she was unmoored, this small buoy prevented the end of the chain from sinking. In this manner the praams were conveniently disengaged, or attached to the large buoy _h_. When at their moorings, the small buoy _k_ was unhooked and stowed below, the strong mooring-chain being now drawn through the hawse, or slit at _f_, and the ring at _l´_ being simply laid into the hook at _e_.

Fig. 5. is a perspective view of the sloop Smeaton at her moorings, delivering a cargo of stones, with one of the praam-boats along-side. In the back ground, the Light-house is seen partly built, together with the Beacon-house. Two of the three figures shewn on the deck, near the mast, are working the winch-machine of the ship in raising a stone from the hold, while the figure, in a lying posture, is holding-on the end of the tackle-fall, as described at page 144. A stone is seen in the main hatch of the ship, suspended from the end of a short boom nearly at right angles to the mast. The figure near the companion or cabin-stair is working one of the guy-tackles. On the praam’s deck, part of a cargo may be seen, and the figure towards her stern is laying hold of the stone, suspended in the tackle, to guide it to its birth, while the other contiguous figure is working an opposite guy-tackle. To avoid confusion, only five figures are here introduced. The praam-boat is understood to be lashed head and stern to the ship, having three or four large wooden defenders slung between them, to prevent the vessels from injuring each other with the undulating motion of the sea. The Smeaton’s sails are handed, and the main and gaff-booms braced to one side, to give room upon deck, in bringing the stones out of the hold. The only peculiarities about the fitting of the Smeaton, were her large main hatch, for the conveniency of loading and discharging; her winch-machine was pretty powerful, exerting a force in the ratio of about 20 to 1, independently of the purchase-tackle; her cargo was also carried upon a temporary platform laid in the hold.

Fig. 6. is a perspective view of the smith’s forge, which was partly fixed with batts upon the Rock; and also of the Foundation-pit, with a number of figures pumping water from the excavated site of the Light-house. The pumps for this purpose were laid in an inclined direction, made of a square form, and very simple in their construction; the pump-spear with its leathern valve, being worked by the artificers, who laid hold of a rope attached to the end of it. In the back ground of this diagram, the Floating-light is seen as if through the haze of the atmosphere.

Fig. 7. represents an Attending-boat, occasionally used during the summer months for visiting the Rock, and relieving the light-keepers. _a a_ is a section of the principal boat, measuring 22 feet in length of keel, and equipped in her rigging after the manner technically termed _Lateen-sails_, which were originally introduced into use on the Firth of Forth by Mr Thomas Bruce of Grangemuir. These sails are considered more safe than the common _lug-sail_, from their greatest breadth being carried very low on the mast. But the chief peculiarity of this boat is the launch or “two-half boat” of Mr James Bruce, which she carries, for more conveniently communicating with the Rock, as alluded to at page 412, and further described in Thomson’s Annals of Philosophy, vol. viii. p. 58. In this diagram _b_ is the two-half boat, stowed the one-half within the other, between the main and fore masts, _c c_ the two halves about to be joined and used as one boat, _d d_ the stern view of these boats in a separated state, _e e_ the chatter and catch-bolt for connecting the boats together, after the manner of a ship’s rudder, _f f f f_ the bolt holes, by which the upper parts of the boats are connected and held together.

PLATE XII.

WORK-YARD, LIGHT-KEEPER’s HOUSES, SEA-WALL AT ARBROATH, AND SEAMEN’s PROTECTION-MEDAL.

[Sidenote: Pl. XII.]

WORK-YARD.--The left-hand side of this Plate is occupied with a plan of the harbour of Arbroath, shewing the relative positions of the Bell Rock work-yard and light-keepers’ houses.

LIGHT-KEEPERS’ HOUSES.--The other side of the Plate is occupied with a plan and elevation of the light-keepers’ houses; but as the apartments are respectively marked, it seems unnecessary to enter farther into particulars, than to notice that each family has three rooms, with other conveniencies. Connected with this establishment, there is also a signal-room at the top of the tower, represented in the elevation, where a five-feet achromatic telescope is placed upon a stand. On the roof a flag-staff is erected, and here the signals made by the light-keepers at the Rock are watched and repeated. On the opposite side of the small court formed by these buildings, there is a range of houses for stores, and accommodation for the seamen belonging to the Bell Rock Tender. The whole occupies a piece of ground extending to about one-third of an acre. While the works were in progress, the large telescope was placed at one of the attic-room windows of Provost Balfour’s house, which commands a view of the Rock, as may be observed from the Plate.

SEA-WALL.--The diagram laid down on the left of the light-keeper’s houses, represents a section of the wall erected for the protection of the property against the encroachment of the sea. It extends to about 100 feet, and consists of a face-wall of stone from Mylnefield quarry, backed with Arbroath stone, and a granite pavement along its seaward base.

PROTECTION MEDAL.--The diagram in the central part of this Plate represents the obverse and reverse of the seamen’s protection medal, described at page 209.

PLATE XIII.

PLANS OF THE SEVERAL COURSES OF THE MASONRY OF THE LIGHT-HOUSE.

[Sidenote: Pl. XIII.]

As the ground or imperfect course of the building could not be ascertained till towards the second year’s work, when the site of the Light-house was excavated, this course is represented in Plate XV.

Fig. 1. Plate XIII., is the first entire course, which measures 42 feet in diameter. The dove-tailed method of connecting the solid part of the Light-house here delineated, extends to the height of the entrance-door, as will be further understood by examining the section in Plate XVI. The outward stones of this course are of a lighter shade, being intended to represent the granite blocks, while the central part of a darker shade, represents the sandstone. The thirteen small square or cubical stones in the Plan of this course, shew the upper sides of the joggles, sunk half into the one course, and penetrating half into the superincumbent one, acting as so many steady-pins, calculated to guard against any force tending to affect the fabric horizontally. By tracing the bounding-lines of the stones, from the centre to the circumference, it will be observed, that the whole are connected by means of a system of attachments technically termed Dove-tailing, by which the stones may be said to hook laterally into one another, forming a vertical bond of connection; but it is on _the gravity of the materials_ that the chief dependence is placed for the stability of the fabric. The small circular dots, of which there are four in the centre-stone, and two in each of the others, shew the position of the oaken trenails, measuring 1¾ inch in diameter, and varying in length from 16 to 26 inches, so as to pass through the upper or last laid course, and penetrate 6 inches into the course immediately below. Besides these circular holes, others of an oblong form were cut in the joints, as will also be observed from the Figure. These last were for the reception of wooden wedges, driven in pairs perpendicularly into the joints of the stones, with a view to bring the dove-tailed parts to a uniform bearing, before the joints were grouted with mortar; the bond throughout the building being carefully preserved, by placing the perpendicular joints over the middle of the stones immediately below, being what is technically termed “Breaking-band,”--a system universally attended to in good masonry.

Fig. 2. represents the upper side of the 27th course, or first of the Stair-case, which measures 6 feet 4 inches in diameter within walls, and 19 feet 8 inches over walls. This course is elevated 32 feet 8 inches above the Rock at the foundation of the first stone, as will be seen in the section of Plate XVI. Here the granite casing is discontinued, and sandstone only is in future used. It will be observed, that the same system of dove-tailing is attended to in the stair-case as in the solid: this unavoidably occasioned the working of the stones into very awkward forms, and required the utmost precaution in landing them on the Rock with safety.

The parts of this course which are not shaded, shew the plan of the entrance-door, passage, and circular void of the stair, crossed by the radiating lines of the steps, as also the form of some of the stones of the top of the solid. _a a_ represent the base of a column of cast-iron, which renders the drop-hole for the machinery continuous from the floor of the oil-store down to the level of the passage, and so through the centre of the solid, as shewn in the section Plate XVI.; _b_ is a small stove placed in the stair-case; _c_ is the position of the Inner door, of brass, as shewn in Fig. 2. Plate XIX., the upper part of which is glazed with plate-glass, to preserve the light of the stair-case; _d_ is the position of the entrance-door, which is fashioned agreeably to the circular form of the building, and is strongly bound with the brass-hinges, as also shewn in Figs. 1. and 2. of Plate XIX.

Fig. 3. is the 39th course of the building, and first of the provision-store, and is 45 feet 11 inches above the foundation. This apartment measures 11 feet 9 inches in diameter within walls, and 18 feet over walls. From the floor to the roof the height is 8 feet 7 inches. Here the dove-tailed system, excepting at the end joints, and in the centre stones of the floors, was laid aside. At this level another system of connecting the courses was adopted, by means of a zone or belt, which was raised or worked upon the upper bed of the stones, and fitted to a corresponding groove in the course laid immediately above, as may be seen by tracing the diagrams representing the habitable parts of the house. This zone or belt, together with the horizontal plan of the floors, form the chief distinctive differences between the Designs of the Edystone and Bell Rock.

Fig. 3. 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-case. _a a_ represent the storm-shutters, which will be more fully seen in Plate XIX. _b b_ are the outer glazed windows; _c c_ the inner glazed windows; _d_ the open trap-ladder, with its brass hand-rail, leading to the light-room-store; _e e_ the cast-iron coal magazine; _f f f f_ the water-cisterns, of cast-iron, lined with a mixture of pitch and sand, and containing each 150 gallons; _g g g g_ the four cast-iron magazines, for containing the provision casks, and various implements; _h h_ the machinery, placed on a level with the top of the water-cisterns, for raising the stores from the entrance-door of the building to the Light-house; _i i_ is the hole perforated through the wall for the passage of the chain for lifting the stores, the operation of which will be better understood by examining Plate XVI.; _k_ the cast-iron stage upon which the light-keepers stand when they work the machinery for taking up the stores; _l l_ the cast-iron steps leading to the stage _k_.

Fig. 4. is a plan of the floor of the light-room store, being the 48th course, which is 55 feet 10 inches above the foundation. This apartment, within walls, measures 11 feet 10 inches, over walls 16 feet 10 inches, and its height is 8 feet 7 inches. The shaded part of the floor marked _a a a a a a a_, represents the copper oil-cisterns, coated with tin, calculated to contain one whole year’s stock of oil, or about 1100 gallons. This apartment being chiefly occupied with these cisterns, there is only one window in it; _b_ is the trap-ladder, and shews also the manhole, measuring 3 feet in its greatest length and 2 feet in breadth; _c_ the store-room door; _d d_ the position of the oaken pannelled partitions, which separate and inclose the store-room from the stair.

Fig. 5. being the kitchen floor, forms the 57th course, which is elevated 65 feet 8 inches above the foundation. This apartment measures 11 feet 11 inches in diameter, over all 16 feet, and its walls are 8 feet 9 inches in height. This room, in the position of its windows, manhole, and trap-ladder, is similar to what has already been described in reference to Figs. 3. and 4. In Fig. 5, _a_ is the door leading to the apartment below; _b_ the door leading to the trap-ladder of the apartment above; _c c_ the oaken partitions, formed into lockers, which shut off the stair from the apartment; _d_ is the cast-iron kitchen range or fire-place, which stands free and unconnected with the walls, forming a connected piece of pannelled work, extending from the floor to the ceiling; _e_ is a strong cast-iron fender, and also a receptacle for the ashes; _f f_ copper coal-boxes, formed into seats, on each side of the fire-place; _g_ the cook’s table and locker; _h_ the handle of the pump, by which water is raised from the provision-store or the second floor below; _i i_ other lockers, also formed into seats.

Fig. 6. is the bed-room floor, or 66th course of the building, and is elevated 75 feet 8 inches above the foundation; it measures 11 feet 11½ inches in diameter, and over all 15 feet 6 inches; the walls are 9 feet in height. The windows, manhole, trap-ladder, doors, and oaken partition are similar to what have already been described in the floors below; _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-house; _b b_ the bed-frames, forming two bed-places in breadth, which are three tiers in height, reaching from the floor to the roof, and capable of accommodating six persons; _c c_ lockers on each side of the beds, for the use of the four light-keepers.

Fig. 7. the next in order is the floor of the Strangers’-room or Library, being the 75th course of the building, which is 85 feet 11 inches above the foundation. The diameter of this floor is 12 feet, it measures 15 feet over walls, and the height of the roof, at the centre, is 11 feet 1 inch. The walls, windows, and other particulars of this apartment are nearly similar to those formerly described; _a_ is the cast-iron funnel leading from the kitchen-chimney; _b b_ the oaken framed book-case; _c_ the tube through which the machinery-rope is conducted by the side of the walls of the several apartments, to the ceiling of the Provision-store.

Fig. 8. is the Light-room floor, or 86th course of the building, which is elevated 97 feet 9 inches above the foundation; within walls the floor measures 11 feet in diameter, over walls 13 feet 6 inches. The stones of the floor of this apartment, as will be observed, extend from the centre stone to the circumference of the balcony, varying from 7 feet to 7 feet 6 inches in length. The parapet-wall of the light-room, as will be seen from the Plate, has its outward face of an octagon form, but is worked circular within. In the several courses of the parapet, the principle of the zone or belt in the beds of the stones is still continued, and also the dove-tail of the end joints. The Light-room measures from the floor to the top of the stone work, or sole of the glazed sash-frames, 6 feet. _a_ is the circular aperture for the cast-iron smoke-tube leading from the kitchen-chimney; _b b_ is the manhole of this floor, having its landing towards the centre of the apartment, instead of being close to the wall, as in the several floors below. To have formed the length-way of the man-hole of this floor along the wall, would have occasioned the cutting of the stones in the dome-roof of the Library, in a manner hurtful to the strength of the building, which was conveniently avoided by introducing a platt in the ladder, instead of ascending more directly as by the trap-ladders of the floors below; _c c_ is the case of the revolving-machinery, which gives motion to the Lights; _d d_ is the drum or barrel, with its connecting wheels, on which the rope is coiled, from which the weight is suspended; _e_ the position of the upright shaft for supporting the chandelier on which the reflectors are ranged, which is put in motion by its connecting train of machinery. The dotted lines marked _f f_ shew the direction of the grooves cut in the floor for the horizontal shafts, which derive their motion from the machinery, and work the hammers of the two alarm-bells placed on the balcony; _g g_ the bell-hammers with their cases; _h h_ the bells, weighing each 5 cwt., which are tolled during the continuance of foggy or snowy weather; _i i_, &c. are the screwed batts of brass, forming the fixtures of the balcony-rail; _k_ the Light-room door communicating with the balcony, which measures in the clear 5 feet in height, and 1 foot 10 inches in breadth.

Fig. 9. is a plan of the Lantern, showing the position of the trimming-path, and reflector-frame. The height from the foundation to the sill of the sash-frame is 102 feet 6 inches, and from thence to the lining of the cupola 13 feet four inches. _a_ is the smoke-tube leading from the kitchen to the cupola; _b b b b_ the cast-iron grated trimming-path, on which the light-keepers stand when they trim the lamps; _c c_ the reflector-frame or chandelier, on which three tiers of reflectors are ranged; _d_ the upright shaft; _f f_, &c. the position of the fountains for the reflector-burners, _g g_ the position of the shades of red-coloured glass, by which the light is distinguished; _h_ the iron trap-ladder communicating with the trimming-path.

PLATE XIV.

MOVEABLE BEAM CRANE.

[Sidenote: Pl. XIV.]

Fig. 1. is an Elevation of the Crane. In cranes of the common construction, the beam is a fixture, and is placed at right angles to the upright-shaft; but in the machine represented in this Plate, its attachment is at the lower extremity of the crane, where it is moveable up and down upon a journal or bolt. This crane is therefore termed a Moveable-beam-crane. The moveable property of the beam, in so far as the writer knows, is new, and possesses the advantage of laying any stone within its range perpendicularly on its site. This, from the dove-tailed form of the stones at the Bell Rock, rendered it essentially useful to this work, to which a crane of the ordinary construction could hardly be said to be applicable. At the Edystone Light-house this operation was performed by means of Triangular-sheers; but, from the greater extent of the Bell Rock works, and their greater depth in the water, such means must have rendered the process of building extremely tedious.

In reference to this Figure, _a a a_ is the upright shaft of the crane; _b b_ the cast-iron foot into which the lower journal of the shaft was stepped; _c_ the cap into which the upper journal works, and into which two of the hooks _d d_ of the four guy-ropes _x x x x_ were entered, for commanding the top of the upright-shaft. From the immersed state of these cranes, while the building was low in the water, a guard-plate was introduced, and bolted to the cap, which laid hold of a collar raised round the journal, to prevent the cap from being unshipped by the waves; _e e_ is the moveable beam, formed and built of two strong pieces of oak timber, connected in the centre by a serpentine row of bolts. This beam was mounted at the upper and lower extremities with strong cast-iron plates; _f_ marks the cast-iron sheers or cheeks, fixed to the bottom of the upright shaft, into which the moveable beam works upon the journal or bolt _g_.

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 shaft, and to prevent its effect from bringing home the moveable beam _e e_ to the upright shaft, a martingale or tail-block _l_ is introduced and made fast to the shaft at _m_. When the purchase-chain is not in action, the block _l_ is suspended from the small chain at _n_, which prevents it from falling too low, and thereby deranging the position of the purchase-chain. That the beam may be made applicable to laying the stone marked _k_, at the foot of the crane, or at the utmost reach of the beam, a chain or purchase marked _o o o_, is introduced, which also passes over a cheek-pulley _i_ on the opposite side of the shaft. By this additional apparatus the beam is capable of being elevated or depressed at pleasure. The handle marked _p p_, with its pinion and connecting wheel _q q_, and larger wheel _r r_, together with its intermediate pinion, form the main purchase, and exert a force calculated at the rate of about 98 to 1. When a smaller weight was to be lifted, and greater speed wanted, the handle was transferred to the axle _s_, whose pinion being always in gear with the wheel _r r_, produced an accelerated motion, with a power in the ratio of 20 to 1; at the same time, the handle _t t_, with its pinion in action with the wheel _u u_, worked the beam _e e_, so as to lay a stone perpendicularly with the greatest facility within any part of its range.

Fig. 2. is the cast-iron tripod, used as a prop to the moveable beam, when applied as a lever, for lifting the crane; _a a a_ mark the foot, _b_ the cross head, having a stud which works into a circular hole perforated in the top of the tripod. By this simple apparatus, the crane could be moved and shifted either perpendicularly or horizontally, with a facility which added greatly to the conveniency of the operations. When the tripod was applied to use, it was placed under the heel-plate of the moveable beam marked _v_, and when rested upon it, the beam became a lever of great power.

Fig. 3. is an Elevation of the Working-gear of the Moveable Beam-Crane. _a a a_ is the upright-shaft, as in Fig. 2.; _b b_ the cast-iron foot; _c_ the cap with its guard-plate; _d d_ guy-hooks for commanding the top of the shaft; _f f_ the edges of the sheers or cheeks, for the heel of the moveable beam; _g_ the bolt or journal on which the beam is moveable; _h h_ the purchase-chain; _i i_ the cheek pulleys; _o o_ the moveable beam-chain; _p p_ the two main purchase-handles; _q q_ the smaller wheel of the main purchase; _r_ the greater wheel, with the intermediate pinion _w_, connected with the axle _s_ of the wheel _q q_. The handles and pinion _t t_ are connected with the wheel _u u_, for working the moveable beam-purchase; _x_ is the drum or barrel for the main purchase-chain; _y_ the barrel of the purchase-chain of the moveable beam.

Fig. 4. is a Section, shewing the connection of the purchases for working the beam, and lifting the weight: the axle _s_, of the lesser wheel _q_, with its intermediate pinion _x_ of the main-purchase, work through the eye or centre of the wheel _u u_, and barrel _y_ of the beam-purchase. _x_ and _r_ refer to the corresponding letters in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5. is an Elevation of the Winch-machine. The machines, used for the various purposes of landing the materials and raising them to the top of the building, were framed or made of cast and malleable iron. _a a a a_ are the cheek plates or frames in which the axles of the machinery work. Those employed upon the Rock were fixed down by means of spear-bolts, to four bats, as shewn at _b b_; but in other situations they were fixed by straps of iron to beams of timber. The cheeks _a a a a_ were connected by means of three strong bolts passing through hollow tubes, which butted against the inner sides of the cheeks and kept them in their places. The large wheel marked _c c_ measures 3 feet 3 inches in diameter, and the smaller wheel _d d_ is 2 feet 6 inches: these, with their respective pinions, of 6 inches in diameter, exerted powers respectively of 20 to 1, and 98 to 1, being of a size similar to the cranes; as one set of wheel and pinion patterns were made to answer the several machines employed at the work. Letter _e_ is one of the handles connected with its axle and pinions, which, at pleasure, is made to work with a double or single purchase, by simply slipping the axle out and into gear with the larger and smaller wheels.

Fig. 6. is a Plan of the Winch-machine. _a a a a_ is the sole of the frame, shewing the bat-holes for fixing it down; _c_ is the large, and _d_ the small wheel, with its axle; _e e_ the handles, with their axle and pinions _f f f_; letter _g_ is the barrel attached to the axle of the large wheel, with part of the purchase-chain; _h h_ is the axle of the small wheel and intermediate pinion; and _i i_ one of the hollow pipes through which the bolts pass for connecting the two cheeks or frame of the machine together.

Fig. 7. refers to a machine fixed to the walls of the Provision-store, for raising the stores from the railways to the entrance-door, as pointed out in Plate XVI. _a a a a_ a section of part of the walls of the Provision-store, in which a hole _x x_ is perforated, and lined with a copper tube, for the passage of the purchase-chain; _b_ is the pulley, with its case, over which it works; _c c c_ is the frame of the machine; and _d_ the handle, with its bevelled pinion. The distinctive feature of this apparatus is the vertical motion of the barrel, by which it receives and discharges the chain always at the same point; the direction also of the chain may thus be altered almost close to the barrel, which in this case was the chief desideratum. To effect this purpose, the barrel is made to move vertically upon the axle _f_, by means of a screw _y_, upon its lower end, which works into a corresponding screw-rack _g_; in its operation, the wheel _h h_ is worked by the cylindrical upright-pinion of brass, marked _i_. The two pairs of bevelled wheels, supported upon the small intermediate frame _l_, are introduced, for applying a double or single purchase, according to the load to be raised.

PLATE XV.

FOUNDATION-PIT, OR EXCAVATED SITE OF THE LIGHT-HOUSE.

[Sidenote: Pl. XV.]

Fig. 1. is a Plan of the site of the Light-house, and of the ground or _imperfect course_, in readiness for receiving the first _entire course_ of the building, represented in Plate XIII. Fig. 1. The dark shaded figures delineated upon the Plan in Plate XV. represent the stones of the ground-course, consisting of 18 detached pieces, which vary in their forms according to certain irregular holes in the Rock. From the same cause, the stones of this imperfect course vary in thickness from 6 to 18 inches. The situation of the Foundation-stone will be seen from its having the year of our Lord 1808 cut upon it, as noticed at page 237. The four exterior stones, which are cut somewhat of a dove-tail form, are of a lighter shade being granite, while the 14 interior pieces, being of sandstone, are of a darker shade. 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-house.

Fig. 2. is a Section of the Foundation-pit, upon the line A B, varying in depth from 18 inches to 5 feet, representing also the dip or inclination of the strata; while the dotted lines above show the form of the lower part of the Light-house.

PLATE XVI.

ELEVATION AND SECTION OF THE LIGHT-HOUSE.

[Sidenote: Plate XVI.]

Fig. 1. is an Elevation of the Light-house, with the brazen-ladder leading up to the entrance-door. Part of the Rock and railways are seen, on which several figures are at work, landing stones from a boat, as at low-water of spring-tides. The small aperture bored through the outward wall between the door and the window of the Light-room-store, is for the passage of the chain for raising the stores, as described in Fig. 7. Plate XIV. The two leaves of the entrance-door are shewn folded back upon the walls. The first window above the door seen in this view of the building, is that of the Light-room store; the second is one of the bed-room windows; and the third is in the Library; immediately over this are the cornice and balcony-rail, through which last is seen the Light-room door, with the alarm bells on each side. Through the glazed sashes, the reflectors are seen arranged upon the chandelier, connected with the revolving apparatus. On a level with the lower part of the cupola is the signal-ball. On the ensign-staff a flag is hoisted, with a light-house in the field, used as a complimentary signal in the service of the Northern Light-houses.

Fig. 2. is a Section of the Light-house, shewing parts of the Rock and ground-course. _a a_ show part of the railways; _b_ the brazen ladder leading to the entrance-door, which is marked _c_. In the central part of the solid of the building is shewn the cylindrical drop-hole _d d_, which passes through the centre-stones of each course, and forms part of the range of the machinery-weight. On each side of the drop-hole, throughout the solid, and walls of the stair-case, are seen the stone-joggles _e e_, &c. as they occur in the several courses, and were noticed in the description of Plate XIII. Figs. 1. and 2. At the entrance-door a figure is represented receiving stores into the house. Immediately behind him, one of the leaves of the inner door, of brass, appears folded back into its recess in the wall, the upper part being glazed with plate-glass, for the admission of light to the stair-case. In continuation of the range of the machinery-weight above alluded to, and extending between the solid and the ceiling of the provision-store, a column of cast-iron, marked _x x_, passes up through the well-hole of the stair. The provision store, with which the stone stair communicates, is formed by a scarsement of the walls at the level of letter _f_, on which the water-cisterns, lockers for provisions, and coal magazine, are ranged. Over these a stage or platform of cast iron is erected, on which a figure is seen at work at the machinery for raising the stores from the railways to the entrance-door of the house. The purchase-chain of this machine passes over the pully at _g_, as described in Plate XIV. Fig. 7.

The next apartment in ascending the oaken trap-ladders leading through the several apartment, is the Light-room-store, marked _h_, occupied chiefly with 7 copper oil-cisterns, which are strengthened with polished brass bars forming the front into pannels. This, and the several apartments above are partitioned off from the stair with a pannelled framing of oak. The kitchen _i_, over the store-room, is chiefly occupied with the fire-place, (though not seen in this section), which, with its cast-iron pipe or chimney ascending through the different rooms to the cupola, stand free, or are not embedded in the walls of the house. On the right-hand side of the kitchen a figure is seen at the cook’s table and lockers; and on the left are seen the oaken trap-ladder set close to the wall, and the lockers, by which it is partitioned off from the apartments. A similar arrangement takes place in the bed-room marked _h_, occupied chiefly with the oaken bed frames, described in Fig. 6. Plate XIII. The apartment marked _l_ is the Strangers’-room or Library, which contains a small collection of books. The furniture is of oak timber, executed in Mr Trotter of Edinburgh’s best style. The walls were painted by Mr Macdonald of Arbroath, in handsomely decorated pannel-work; and from the dome an antique bronze lamp is suspended. The upper apartment _m_ forms the Light-room and Lantern, rendered fire-proof, as every thing is of stone or metal, excepting a small oaken table and chair for the use of the light-keeper on watch; accented _m´_ is the copper-ball, shown as hoisted for the signal “All is Well.” The reflecting apparatus and revolving machinery with which the Light-room is occupied, will fall to be described under Plate XX.

PLATE XVII.

BALANCE-CRANE.

[Sidenote: Pl. XVII.]

Fig. 1. is an elevation of the Balance-Crane, constructed for building the upper part of the Bell Rock Light-house, when the guy-ropes of the Moveable Beam-crane, became “too taunt,” as sailors express it, or were too near the perpendicular, thereby rendering the machine unstable. To remedy this, the crane alluded to was kept in equilibrium by a back-weight of cast-iron, so adapted as to counteract the varying load upon the working arm or beam. The elevation here represented is the same in principle with that used at the Bell Rock, but differs somewhat in form, agreeably to more recent improvements made in order to adapt it to the erection of the Carr Rock Beacon. _a a_ is the cast-iron foot or socket, into which the upright central column _b b_ is stepped, being a tube of cast-iron put together in convenient lengths, with flush joints, after the manner of spiggot and faucet, fitted by turning and boring. The centre column of this machine might have been carried to any suitable or convenient height, by adding length to length, as the building advanced, without once moving the foot; but at the Bell Rock, not more than three lengths of from 6 to 9 feet were generally in use. _c c_ represent a malleable iron cross-head, which was stepped into the void of the central shaft or column, when the body of the crane was to be elevated. This operation was accomplished simply by hooking the main-purchase and traveller-chains into the eyes _c c_, when the machinery of the crane was employed with great facility as a locomotive power for lifting itself; _d_ is a stone supposed to be suspended in the purchase-chain; and _e_ is the back-weight or counterpoise, which, at pleasure, was moved horizontally along the balance-beam marked _f_, consisting of two plates or bars of malleable iron; _g_ is the working-beam, of similar construction; _h-h_, _h-h_, _h_, _h_, are four of the eight main and secondary suspending ties of malleable iron, applied from above, in order to leave the lower part of the crane unobstructed. This afforded great conveniencey particularly at the Carr Rock, and also at the erection of the Melville Monument of Edinburgh, where the space for the workmen was extremely circumscribed, the shaft of the column not being more than 10 feet 6 inches in diameter towards the top. The main ties _h-h_, _h-h_, at the lower extremity, were made fast by the same bolt which passes through the pulleys _f_ and _g_, while the upper ends were bolted into a collar, which is seen clasping the central column at _i i_. This collar is fitted with four friction-rollers, one of which is seen at _k_. _l l_ shew two of the four principal rods or bars of malleable iron for connecting the Crane, and answering the purpose of a king-post to the ties _h-h_, _h-h_, of the frame-work; _m m_ mark two of the four braces forming a connection between the main ties and arms or beams of the crane. The cheeks _n n n_, which contain the train or series of wheels of the crane, are of cast-iron. In the formation of these cheeks they present as little obstruction to the workmen as possible, while, at the same time, they embrace the various journals or axles of the machinery. The upper part is connected by a square framed collar of malleable iron, seen at Fig. 5. fitted with friction rollers, and, like the collar above alluded to, works round the central column. This lower collar is connected with the cheeks of the crane by studs passing through them, and fixed by means of screw-nuts. The lower part of the frame is in like manner connected with the upright shaft, by a collar, which is moveable upon friction-balls of cast-iron, contained in a circular race or chamber _o o_, a plan of which, shewing the balls, is given at Fig. 3. The whole machine thus fitted, is supported upon the central shaft by means of the cutter or spear-bolt _p_. The winch handle marked _q_, is that with which the main-purchase chain _r_, passing over the pulley _s_, is worked, from which the stone _d_ is suspended. Connected with the main-purchase, a wheel, marked _w_, of 30 inches diameter, is worked by a pinion of 5 inches, mounted upon the axle of the handle _q_, producing a power or force in the ratio of 18 to 1; this power may at pleasure be increased by throwing another pinion on the same axle into gear with the wheel marked _n´_, of 16 inches diameter.

The handle _u u_ is connected with the main-traveller _s_, balance-chain _v v v_, and their traveller _x_, to which the back-weight _e_ is appended. The main-traveller wheel _y_ measuring 36 inches in diameter, with its pinion of 5 inches marked _u_, exerting a power in the ratio of 21 to 1, serves to work the main-traveller. On the same axle with the pinion _u_, is another pinion, working two wheels, as seen in Fig. 4, which gives motion to the balance-traveller. These two combinations of wheels are so arranged, that, by working the small levers _m_ and _z_, they can with facility be thrown in and out of gear, so as to work the traveller either together or separately. The whole weight of the Balance-crane, here represented as resting upon the oaken beams A A B, on one of the floors, weighed about three tons; but the balance and working beams having latterly been made of malleable iron, and the other parts of the machine considerably lightened, it did not exceed more than two tons in weight when used at the Carr Rock.

Fig. 2. The cast-iron foot of the Crane is necessarily very ponderous, and weighs about half a ton. The toes _a a a a_ extend about 5 feet; _b b b b_ are the bat-holes for fixing it down, in case of its at any time getting off the balance, but, in practice, these bats were seldom applied. When the crane was supported over the void or central holes left in the floors during the progress of the work, the toes were clasped to the oaken beams A A B, formerly noticed, represented as resting on one of the upper floors of the building, B, in Fig. 1., being a cross section of the lower beam, with its levelling-block; _c_, the socket for the central column, or upright shaft, is 10 inches in diameter at the upper side, and diminishes to 9 inches, that the column may become fixed into it by the pressure of the machine.

Fig. 3. _o o_, in reference to Fig. 1., represents the collar-chamber, filled with cast iron friction-balls, upon which the body of the machine rested, and traversed horizontally with the greatest facility.

Fig. 4. is a perpendicular section taken across the cheeks and wheels with a view to shew the train of the machine more fully. _a a_ is the foot; _b b_ two lengths of the central column, or hollow cylinder, with their spiggot and faucet joint in the middle, shewing also that the metal is about an inch and a quarter in thickness; _c c_ the cross-head, referred to in Fig. 1.; _i i_ the upper collar, shewing its connection _l l_ with the king-posts or main rods; _n n_ the cast-iron cheeks, with the lower collar, and the chamber for the friction-balls; _o_ the cutter or spear-bolt, which supports the whole machine; _u u_ the traveller handles, the main-purchase handles not being embraced in this section; _y y_ the wheels and pinion of the main traveller; accented _y´ y´_ the wheel and pinion of the balance-traveller _x x_. In the central part of this figure, the barrel or drum _x_ of the traveller-chains is seen, and also the middle collar _x_, with its friction rollers.

Fig. 5. is a plan of the body of the Crane, in reference to Fig. 1. _b_ is a cross section of the central column, seen in connection with the upper collar _d d_; with a stone suspended from the end of the main-beam; _e e_ the back weight suspended from the balance-beam: _f_ and _g_ the extremities of these two beams; _h´ h´ h´ h´_ four horizontal braces, extending from the cast-iron cheeks to the middle of the beam. Letters _n n n n_ the cast-iron cheeks of the body; _q q_ the main purchase-handles; _r_ the main-purchase chain; _s_ its traveller; _t t_ the traveller-chain; _u u_ the traveller handles; _v_ the balance traveller-chain; _x_ its traveller; _w w_ the main-purchase wheels; _y y_ the traveller wheels; _z_ the lever, for stopping the main traveller-wheel.

Fig. 6. is a plan of the frame work of this machine: _b_ is the upright column, with the upper malleable iron-collar, shewing its connection with the king-posts _l l_ of Fig. 1.; _f_ and _g_ are the extremities of the main-purchase and balance-beams; _m´ m´_ the horizontal rods connecting with the main-ties; _h h_, &c. the main ties; _h´ h´_, &c. the horizontal braces; _n n n n_ the cheeks or frame of the wheels and machinery, with the two great bolts marked _n´ n´_, by which the frame was principally connected; these bolts being passed also through the interior ends of the balance and working beams.

PLATE XVIII.

GENERAL VIEW OF THE WORKS.

[Sidenote: Pl. XVIII.]

This Plate gives a Perspective view of the Works at the Bell Rock, taken by Carse, at low-water of spring-tide, from on board the Light-house Yacht, in the month of July 1810, at the distance of about half a mile in a southern direction from the Rock, and is here reduced from a picture in the possession of the writer. In the fore-ground a boat is introduced, approaching the Rock with a party of strangers, and another is leaving it, supposed to be receiving orders from a figure on the Rock, who is pointing towards her. In the back-ground, the shipping belonging to the work is introduced, viz. the Tender, a Schooner, and the stone-vessels Smeaton and Patriot, with the Floating-light. In the distance, the hills of Fife and Forfar are seen, but the entrance to the Firth of Tay is intercepted by the beams of the Beacon-house. Between the Light-house and Beacon, or in the direction of the chain and stone suspended from the Wooden-bridge, the ruins of the Abbey of Aberbrothwick are seen. The operation of landing the stones with the sheer-crane at Duff’s Wharf, toward the right, is seen; and also one of the moveable beam-cranes, in a working position, at Pitmilly Wharf, on the left.

The principal lines of the railways, with waggons, and a variety of operations which are in progress, form a very busy scene upon the Rock. On the praam-boat’s deck, toward the left of the picture, Captain Wilson, the landing-master, is represented with a speaking-trumpet in his hand; and at the foot of the Beacon-house, Mr Francis Watt, foreman mill-wright, is supposed to be giving directions about some operations. On a level with the entrance-door of the Light-house, the bridge of communication is situate, and four blocks of stone are seen, in progress of being raised from the railways to the top of the building, viz. one is suspended from the winch-machine upon the bridge, another from the beam projecting out of the window of the Light-room store, a third from the bed-room, and a fourth from the Balance-crane, which last is about to be laid upon the parapet-wall of the Light-room. Here the operations are going forward under the direction of Mr Peter Logan, foreman builder. In the open gallery of the Beacon-house, Mr Dove, the foreman smith, is seen at work, with the smoke of the respective fires of the forge and cook-room. The tackle, distended in a diagonal direction, from the balcony of the Light-house, to the mortar-gallery of the Beacon, shews the mode of raising the mortar-buckets. The figure on the small scaffold suspended from the balcony, shews the method of pointing the walls with Roman cement.

PLATE XIX.

ENTRANCE-DOOR, WINDOWS, HINGES, AND THUNDER-ROD.

[Sidenote: Pl. XIX.]

Fig. 1. represents part of the outward wall A A A A, and entrance-door, one leaf or half of which is open, and the other shut; _a_, one of the handles for opening and shutting it, connected with a thumb-latch; _b b_ the bolts for securing the door when shut; _c c c c_ the hinges; _d d d d_ the brass guard-plates at top and bottom of the door, for defending the timber. The door is framed of fir-wood, and measures 6 feet 4 inches in height in the clear, besides the brass-checks upon which it shuts at top and bottom, which are of 2 inches in depth, as shewn at _e_ in Fig. 1., and also by an end view in Fig. 2. The two leaves form a common breadth of 2 feet 10 inches in the clear. A cornice of brass is formed on the lintel of the door answerable to an eaves-drop, in which a friction roller _h_ is placed, for the chain of the crane, with which the stores are raised. The door, when shut, finishes flush with the building, and is therefore of a circular form, framed and double lined, the whole being put together with white-lead paint: each leaf measures 5 inches in thickness at the hinge side, and diminishes to 2½ inches at the meeting edges, as will be understood by examining the section in Fig 3. When the leaves of the door are thrown open, they are kept in their places by catch-hooks of brass, to prevent gusts of wind from shutting them suddenly; _f_ shews a moveable handle or piece of brass rail, within the passage, for laying hold of in stepping off the brazen ladder to enter the house; _g_ shews the upper extremity or highest step of the ladder, which terminates at the sill of the door.

Fig. 2. shews the relative position of the outer and inner entrance-doors, in which _a a a_ is an end view of the former; _b b b b_ a front view of one of the leaves of the inner brass door; _e e_ the outer door check, faced with plates of brass; _f_ the moveable handle or rail, for the greater conveniency of entering the threshold; _g_ the termination and upper step of the brazen-ladder, attached to the building, for communicating with the Rock. _h_, section of the cornice and friction-roller. The passage being only 2 feet 10 inches in breadth, the rails or moveable handles _f_, on each side, are made to slide into brass sockets _i i_, sunk into the walls, and, like the inner door, are flush with the wall when not at use. _k k_ the sockets for the centre-pin hinge of the inner-door.

Fig. 3. is a cross section of one of the leaves of the entrance-door, shewing the position of the brass-case of the hinge-bat, as it lies in the building. A A part of the walls, B B part of the side-walls of passage, C C part of the surface of the outward wall. _a a a a_ is the brass-case, containing the Lewis-bat-tails or palm of the hinge, (described in Plate XI. Fig. 3.); _b b b b_ the working-tails; _c c_ the outside lining; _d d_ the inside lining; _e e e_ the frame-work of the door, with the bolts and nails connecting the hinges; _f_ the joint of the hinge, shewing the journal pin-hole; _g_ the half-check joint of the door.

Fig. 4. represents a front view of the door-hinges, lettered in reference to Fig. 3. _a a a a_ is the brass box or case, which is built into the wall for containing the palm-end of the Lewis-hinge; _b b_ is the exterior or working tail, with its screw bolt and nail holes; _f f f_ the double-joint and slip-pin.

Fig. 5. is a cross section of the Lewis-box on the line A B of Fig. 4. with its dove-tail feathers; _a a a a_ shew the parts of the Lewis-bat _b c d_, as it lies in the box, which is built into the wall.

Fig. 6. represents a longitudinal section of the box and palm of the hinge, shewing its position, in reference to the cross section in Fig. 5. _a a a a_ is the brass box; _b_ and _d_ are the dove-tailed compartments of the palm; _c_ is the tongue or locking-piece; _e_ the pin hole, perforated in the locking-piece, for drawing the parts of the palm in the event of the joint wearing and requiring to be renewed; _f f_ is the slip pin-hole in the other two parts of the palm of the Lewis. The weight of one of the entire hinges of the door, with its Lewis-tail and brass-box was 56 lb., and consequently the four sets for the door weighed about 2 cwt.

Fig. 7. shews the elevation of one of the windows of the Light-house, with part of the exterior wall marked A A A A; one-half of one of the storm-shutters, marked _a a_, is closed, and the other marked _c c_, is open; _b_ is a bar of brass, which folds across the window when the shutters are closed, and is used as a stretcher, for preserving them in their places when opened. It will be observed by comparing the close shutter _a a_ with the open one _c c_, that they are double or cross boarded; they are also fastened with hammered copper nails; _d_ is the clasp used as a handle, which also locks the shutter; _e e e e_ the ends of the dove-tailed hinges as they appear projecting through the walls; _f f f f_ the working-tails of the hinge, forming at the same time the guard-plate of the shutters, as described in Fig. 1. Letter _g_, upon the open shutter, shews one of the brackets connected with the stretching-bar _b_, for keeping them open, as will be better understood by examining the following Figure.

Fig. 8. is a plan of one of the window-sills, and a section of one of the storm-shutters, with part of the walls A A, shewing the position of the Lewis-bat cases; _a_ and _c_, the storm-shutters in an open state; _b_ the stretching-bar in its place, when the shutters are open; _e e_ the exterior ends of the Lewis-bats, with their cases _é é é é_, which are built into the wall, and, together with the other parts of the hinge, weigh about 28 lb., or 1 cwt. for each set, being one-half of the weight of the door-hinges; _g g_ the brackets connected with the stretching-bar; _h h_ the check in the wall for receiving the shutters; _i i_ the stiles or framing of the outer-window, which opens in two leaves; _k k k_ the framing and case of the inner window, which slides up and down in one sash; _l l_ the balance-weight of the inner-window.

Fig. 9. is a perpendicular section of one of the windows, shewing the triple mode of shutting them during stormy weather. A A a section of a part of the walls. _a a_, the storm-shutter; _h h_ the check in the building for its reception; _i i_ the frame of the outer-window; _k k_ the inner-window; _l_ the case into which the inner-window drops when not in use.

Fig. 10. A A is a section of part of the thunder-rod and outward wall. _a a_ shew part of the zones or bond-belts, noticed in Plate VII. Fig. 7., and Plate XVI. Fig. 2.; _b b_ the brass-bats let into the wall, for attaching the thunder-rod with the screws _c c_, which vary from 2 to 3½ feet apart; _d d_ the thunder-rod, made of the best gun-metal, and weighing at the rate of 7 lb. per lineal foot in the range of the sea, or from the Rock to the entrance-door, and from thence to the Light-room, at the rate of about 4 lb. per lineal foot; _e_ is the joint technically termed Half-checking, by which the pieces, of about 7 feet in length, are connected by two screws at each joint, as shewn in the section. This rod, which extends from the Light-room to the Railways, forms an exterior Conductor, while another, which is not seen here, is connected with the chimney, brazen ladder and railways, and completes the interior conducting process.

PLATE XX.

BALCONY AND LIGHT-ROOM.

[Sidenote: Pl. XX.]

Fig. 1. _a a_ represent the Balcony or walk round the exterior of the Light-room; _b b_, &c. the brass bats, made in the form of the paw of an animal, are used for supporting the balcony-rail; _c c_ the two Alarm-Bells; _d d_ the hammers by which they are tolled, during the continuance of foggy or stormy weather; _e e_ the case for defending the levers which work the hammers; _f f f_ the stone parapet-wall of the Light-room, of an octagon form on the outside, and circular within; _g g g_ the cast-iron sill of the lantern; _h h_, &c. the angular cast-iron pillars or mullions, formed by the junction of the contiguous parts of two of the sash-frames; _i i_, &c. the smaller upright bars, forming the astragals or principal divisions of the sash-frames; _k k_, &c. the grated cast-iron trimming-path; _l_ the smoke-tube, leading from the kitchen through the cupola or roof; _m_ the trap-ladder leading from the light-room-floor to the trimming-path; _n n_ the reflector frame or chandelier, on which are seen 8 of the reflectors marked _o o_, &c. with their oil-fountains _p p_, &c. the whole being framed or built upon the moveable upright-shaft _q_.

Fig. 2. is a section of the dome-roof of the library, the parapet-walls of the light-room, the lantern and its cupola. _a a_ is the balcony, shewing the position of the Alarm-Bells, and cast-iron rail; which last is made in the form of meshes, with a massive coping of brass; _f f_ the parapet-wall of the light-room; _g g_ the cast-iron sill of the lantern; _h h_, &c. the angular pillars or mullions; _i i_, &c. the astragals; _k k_ the grated trimming-path; _l l_ the smoke-tube passing through the cupola; _n n_, &c. the reflector frame, on which 20 reflectors, marked _o o_, &c. with their fountains _p p_, &c. are ranged; _q q_ the upright shaft upon which the reflector-frame is built, and which is connected with the revolving-machinery; _r r_, &c. the copper smoke-tubes from the respective reflectors; _s s_ the cross-bars supporting the upright shaft at _t t_; and _u u_ a copper receiver for any accidental drop from the upper or central ventilator marked _v´ v´ v´_, while the letters _v v v v_ mark the exterior line of the cupola; _w w_ the external cornice of the lantern, used as a gutter or eaves-drop, from which the rain-water is conducted off the roof in small pipes to the parapet-wall of the Light-room; _x x_ the handles which the light-keepers lay hold of; and _y y_ the exterior grated path on which they stand when cleaning the outside of the windows; _z z z_ the steps fixed to the parapet of the Light-room and lantern, by which they ascend to the cupola; _á á_ the copper-tube, used as a flag-staff; _b´_ the signal-ball, hoisted daily at the Light-house, between the hours of 9 and 10 o’clock in the morning, when “All is Well:” The ropes for raising this ball pass over two pulleys fixed in the top of the flag-staff, and are let down through the interior of it: _c´ c´_ part of the cornice of the building, shewing the mode of connecting the horizontal and perpendicular joints of the Library-roof; _d´ d´_, &c. shew the zone or bond-belt worked in the beds of the courses, as mentioned in the description of Plate VII. Fig. 7., Plate XVI. Fig. 2., and Plate XIX. Fig. 10.; _e´ e´_, &c. from the enlargement of the scale, shews more distinctly than any of the other diagrams, the mode in which the horizontal joggling of the joints of the Light-room and other floors of the building is accomplished; _f´_ the door leading from the Light-room to the balcony; _g´ g´ g´_ the case and machinery for causing the Reflecting-apparatus to revolve, so as to distinguish this Light from others upon the coast; _h´ h´_, &c. the connection-rods, with their various wheels of communication, for changing the direction, and giving motion to the Bell-hammers; _i´ i´_, &c. the brass tubes for supplying fresh air to the Light-room; _k´_ the Time-piece, set upon brackets fixed in the wall, for regulating the Revolving-machinery, and for the direction of the light-keepers in changing the day and night watches; _l´_ a bracket of cast-iron attached to the machinery-case, for supporting the foot on which the upright shaft works; _m´_ the bevelled wheels connected with the interior machinery and upright shaft, which can be thrown out and into gear at pleasure.

In describing the Reflecting-apparatus delineated in Fig. 3., we may notice, that, agreeably to the laws of optics, almost inconceivable effects are produced by the use of these specula, by which portions of a sphere are illuminated, whose radii seem to be proportionate to the elevation of the radiant point, and the particular state of the atmosphere. Taking these conditions into view, the Revolving-light at the Bell Rock has been seen, from an elevated position on the land, at the distance of about 35 miles. According also to observations which have been made upon Sumburgh-Head Light, in Shetland, which is elevated about 300 feet above the medium level of the sea, it has been seen from a ship’s deck at the distance of about 27 miles. Similar effects are also expected to be produced with light refracted through glass-lenses. These, it is believed, are about to be made trial of in the Tour de Corduan, at the entrance of the Garonne, with what are termed Polygonal Lenses, being one large lens, built or composed of a number of small lenses, as suggested by Dr Brewster, in the Edinburgh Encyclopædia, in the year 1811, under the article “Burning Glass.”

Fig. 3. _a a a_ represents one of the reflectors, measuring 25 inches over the lips, in a finished state, as now in use at the Bell Rock and Northern Light-houses in general. They consist of a circular sheet of copper, measuring, when flat, 26¼ inches in diameter; weighing 11½ lb. on an average; and plated with silver in the proportion of 6 oz. to each pound avoirdupois of copper. These plates are formed into the Parabolic curve by a very nice process of hammering, and afterwards set into a bezil or ring of brass; _b_ is the lamp, being an Argand-burner, with a circular wick, of about three-fourths of an inch in diameter. If the parabolic figure of the reflector could be constructed and its form preserved with perfect accuracy, the magnitude of the flame of the lamp employed for its illumination would be of less importance. From certain experiments now in progress, the writer is in expectation that considerable improvements may be introduced, in the construction of reflectors, and that additional modes of distinguishing the Light-houses on the coast will be obtained. _c_ is a cylindrical fountain of brass, which contains 24 oz. of oil, suitable for the consumpt of the lamp for about 18 hours, or equal to its expenditure during the longest night in Shetland. A great improvement upon the Burner-apparatus has lately been introduced into the Northern Lights, by affording the light-keeper an opportunity of cleaning the reflector without the obstruction of the burner: the oil-pipe and fountain of the burner is connected with the rectangular frame _d_, and moveable in a perpendicular direction upon the guide-rods _e_ and _f_, by which it can be let down and taken out of the reflector, by simply turning the handle _g_, as will be more fully understood by examining Fig. 5. In this way, the necessity of lifting the reflector, or deranging its focus, is avoided. Although a properly trimmed lamp, especially upon the Argand principle, does not emit smoke, yet the heat and effluvia arising from it, are sufficient to oxydise or sully the upper part of the reflector: an aperture of an elliptical form, measuring about 2 inches by 3 inches, is therefore cut in the upper part of the reflector, to which the copper-tube _h_ is attached. Letter _i_, immediately behind the reflector, refers to a cross section of the main-bar of the chandelier or frame on which the reflectors are ranged, each being made to rest upon three knobs of brass, one of which, as seen at _k k_, is soldered upon the brass band _l_, that clasps the exterior of the reflector.

To distinguish the Bell Rock Light from others on the coast, as noticed at page 401, it is made to revolve, and to exhibit periodically a bright light of the natural appearance, alternating with a red coloured light. This last effect is produced by means of shades of red glass, one of which, represented at _m m_, is also set in a brass bezil, and made to slide horizontally upon two rods marked _n n_, into corresponding sockets, fixed upon the reflector-frame at _o_, so as to enable the light-keeper to trim the lamp without entirely removing the red coloured shade. In the present aspect of the shade, the rods are drawn out to their full extent; but when set for use, the shade is pushed in till its bezil and that of the reflector are within half an inch of each other.

Fig. 4. is a section of the reflector _a a_, shewing the position of the burner _b_, with the glass chimney accented _b´ b´_, and oil cup _b_, or receiver for any drop that may fall from the lamp. The letters _c_, _d_, _f_, and _g_, in reference to the corresponding letters in Fig. 3., shew the oil-fountain in its place when the burner is in use.

Fig. 5. has reference to the apparatus for moving the burner up and down, so as to admit freely of the reflector being cleaned. In the present position, _c_, the fountain, is moved partly down; _d d_, &c. shows the rectangular frame on which the burner is mounted; _e e_ the elongated socket-guides; _f_ the rectangular guide-rod, connected with the sockets on which the perforated check-handle _g_ slides; accented _c´_ is a cross section of the oil-pipe, where it joins the valve of the fountain.

Figs. 6, 7, and 8. These three diagrams represent a different mode of withdrawing the burner from the reflector, for the conveniency of cleaning it. In Figs. 3, 4, and 5., this is supposed to be done by a perpendicular motion of the burner; but in Figs. 6, 7, and 8. it slides horizontally. Fig. 8. is a horizontal section of the reflector _a a a_, and its apparatus, the letters in which correspond with those of Figs. 3, 4, and 5. The advantages attending this mode, are the rendering of the apparatus more steady, by its having two points of support upon the bars _i i_ and _k k_; while its motion is more direct. The part of the reflector cut out for the admission of the burner in this case, being that which is partly intercepted by it, little of the reflecting surface is thus lost; and this mode may therefore be considered an improvement upon the perpendicular manner of lifting and lowering the burner.

FRONTISPIECE.

[Sidenote: Pl. XXI.]

This scene, which is intended to represent the Bell Rock after a storm at north-east, will hardly admit of any adequate description, from the evanescence of the form of the waves upon these occasions. It is, however, founded upon observations made at the Light-house, between the years 1810 and 1822, or during twelve successive winters. The great rise of the sea during a gale, as delineated in the Vignette to the Narrative of the Edystone Light-house, being so surprising, the writer was at much pains to ascertain the effect also at the Bell Rock; and the _maximum_ height of the sprays hitherto observed has been about 105 feet, or as high as the central part of the Light-room windows.

Mr Andrew Masson, an artist who in early life had been at sea, having expressed a desire to reside in the Light-house for some time during winter, that he might observe the waves in a storm, was readily furnished with an opportunity. He went there in the month of December 1816, and remained for six weeks and four days, when he produced various sketches of the appearances which he witnessed; and Mr Macdonald, noticed at page 519, made several outlines from actual observation, in the winter of 1820. All of these were put into the hands of Mr Turner, Royal Academician; who gave the very spirited drawing from which Mr Horsburgh, an artist of much promise, has succeeded in producing the striking representation in the Frontispiece. The writer has also the pleasure of acknowledging the obligations he owes to Mr Williams, author of Views in Greece, for his friendly advice and assistance.

It may here be remarked, as not a little surprising, that while the sea is running nearly to the height represented in the Frontispiece, the entrance-door of the Light-house, or at least one of its leaves, may nevertheless be left open; and the portion of water which on these occasions makes its way into the passage, is found to be very trifling. This is owing to the fortunate position of the door; for, while the sprays on the eastern side fly with the quickness of lightning to the top of the house, the waves separate below, and are sent round the building with such force, that their collision upon the lee-side produces the wonderful appearance in the picture; where a downy spray, white as snow, rises at some distance from the house, to the height of 20 or 30 feet above the medium surface of the sea, and comes in minute particles upon those within the entrance-door, producing a sensation as if dust were falling upon them.

VIGNETTE OF SECOND TITLE-PAGE.

[Sidenote: Pl. XXII.]

The night scene of the Bell Rock Light-house, in the Vignette of the Second Title-page, was drawn by Miss Stevenson, from a sketch by the masterly hand of Mr Skene of Rubislaw. To Miss Stevenson, also, as an amanuensis, the writer takes this opportunity, with parental affection, of acknowledging his obligation for almost the entire manuscript written to his diction. The reader will be gratified to find, in connection with this Vignette, inserted at page 64., a _fac-simile_ of the handwriting of Sir Walter Scott, Bart. in the expressive and beautiful lines which he wrote in the Album kept at the Light-house, as noticed at page 419.

PLATE XXIII.

DESIGN FOR A LIGHT-HOUSE, SUGGESTED UPON VISITING THE WOLF ROCK SITUATE EIGHT MILES _S. S. W._ FROM THE LAND’S-END.

[Sidenote: Pl. XXIII.]

In the range of aquatic buildings applicable to the purposes of a Light-house, which the writer has examined, he was forcibly struck with the magnitude of the Tour de Corduan, on the French coast. This magnificent edifice measures about 145 feet in diameter at the base, and 150 feet in height. Its cubical contents may perhaps be stated at the immense quantity of 339,432 feet; of which the basement alone forms about 200,000 feet. This building has undergone considerable alterations since its completion in the year 1609, as appears from Belidor’s _Architecture Hydraulique_, tom. ii. At the time of its alteration from a coal fire to an oil light with reflectors, the upper parts in particular seem to have been greatly simplified, by the removal of several of its exterior ornamental appendages.

The Edystone Light-house, owing to the smallness of the rock, as appears from Mr Smeaton’s Narrative of this celebrated building, measures only 26 feet in diameter, at the level of the first entire course; but if there had been space on the Rock for extending it equally on all sides, the ground-course, according to the curve of the outward walls, and the position of the foundation-stone, would have measured 32 feet in diameter. The height of the cupola of the Edystone Light-house is 90 feet, and the cubical contents of the masonry is about 13,147 feet. The Bell Rock Light-house, measures 42 feet in diameter at the base; its height, from the foundation to the cupola, is 118 feet; and the cubical contents of the masonry, as appears from the Table in Appendix, No. VI. is 28,530 feet.

Though the design represented in Plate XXIII., is more or less applicable to several situations upon the coast, yet the writer, in making this Sketch, had special reference to the Wolf Rock, which, as noticed at page 423, he visited in the Orestes sloop of war, commanded by Captain Smith. The extreme dimensions of the upper surface of this rock are about 115 feet, by 90 feet. It is not liable to be covered by the ordinary rise of the tide, though little of it appears above water in spring-tides. The Rock consists of grey porphyry, and is extremely hard. Its outline is somewhat uniform, and the depth of water in its vicinity is from 20 to 40 fathoms. The dangerous position of this reef, in reference to the navigation of the British Channel, led to the proposition of having a Light-house upon it many years since. The erection, however, was ultimately made upon the Long-Ships Rocks, lying about one mile off the Land’s-End.

With the construction and dimensions, therefore, of the Light-houses above alluded to in view, the design delineated in this Plate is given, as the result of the writer’s knowledge and experience on subjects of this kind. Without, however, entering into particulars as to the mode in which such an operation should be conducted, he merely notices, in reference to the various curves delineated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4. as applicable to Light-houses upon sunken rocks, that he prefers the curve of the diagram represented in Fig. 3., as the outline of a building for a situation like the Wolf Rock.

Fig. 1. is formed by the supposed revolution of the cycloidal curve round the axis of a building, whose base is 50 feet, and which, at the entrance-door or top of the solid, measures 25 feet in diameter; the lines produced beyond these dimensions, which would form the habitable part of the Light-house, being tangents to the curves below. Between the base _a b_, and its parallel _c d_, this Figure contains 29,635 cubic feet.

Fig. 2. 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 Fig. 1., and contains 31,867 cubic feet.

Fig. 3. is obtained by the revolution of a parabola round the axis of the supposed building. The contents of the solid part, ascertained as in the two former Figures, is 34,006 cubic feet, being 4,371 cubic feet more than that of the cycloidal curve, and 2,139 cubic feet more than in the logarithmic curve.

Fig. 4. is formed by the revolution of the hyperbola between the two parallels _a b_, and _c d_, and contains 39,655 cubic feet, or 5,649 cubic feet more than the parabola. But, from the divergent nature of this curve, it is not applicable to the purposes of a Light-house tower, in its pure or simple form.

Fig. 5. is the section of a design formed by the revolution of the parabola round the axis of a building, as its asymptote, whose base _a b_, measures 56 feet in diameter, and parallel _c d_, at the top of the solid, is 36 feet; and height to the entrance-door, 35 feet. The contents of this Figure between these parallels is calculated at 45,000 cubic feet; but the whole of the masonry of the design is estimated at 70,624 cubit feet. Its general features may be stated as similar to those of the Edystone and Bell Rock Light-houses, the parts being only enlarged and the parabolic instead of the logarithmic curve, adopted for its outline. In this design, the parabolic curve is continued from the basement to the cope-stone of the Light-room, exclusively of the projection for the cornice and balcony. The masonry is intended to be 120 feet in height, estimating from the medium level of the sea, of which the solid, or from the foundation to the entrance-door, forms 35 feet, the stair-case 25 feet; and the remaining 60 feet of its height is occupied with six apartments, and the walls of the Light-room. In the stair-case a recess is formed for containing the machinery, for raising the stores to the height of the entrance-door; here a small hole, marked _g g_, is perforated through the building, for the admission of the purchase-chain. The thickness of the walls immediately above the solid, marked _c c_, is 12 feet; at the top of the stone staircase or level _e f_, they are 8 feet, and where the walls are thinnest, as at _h i_, immediately under the cornice, they measure 2 feet. _k k_ represents a drop-hole formed in the courses of the stair-case and solid, for the range of the weight of the machinery of a revolving Light. The ascent to this building, as at the Bell Rock, is intended to be by an exterior stair or ladder of brass, and the interior communication between the several apartments by means of flights of circular oaken-steps.

Fig. 6. represents the first entire course of this design, drawn to a scale double the size of the former Figure, and shows the manner in which the courses are proposed to be built or connected with each other. In every building of this kind, it is proper that two or more of the lower courses, according to the situation and circumstances of the rock, should be sunk or imbedded in it. Since the erection of the present Light-house on the Edystone, the practice of dove-tailing and trenailing stones in water-buildings has been occasionally followed; and there can be no doubt that in some instances it is attended with advantage. But it is also true, that, independently of the extra quantity of rock and workmanship required, the stones are thereby greatly weakened, and rendered much more difficult to be landed in safety in such situations, and that there is often more apparent than real utility in cutting them agreeably to this system of building, as the great bond of the fabric still resolves itself into the gravity of the materials. It may likewise be noticed, that, unless in very peculiar circumstances, the process of trenailing stones newly laid in mortar ought to be avoided, as it becomes necessary to bore holes into the course immediately below, which is apt to break the bond of the mortar by the tremulous motion of the jumper or chisel and hammer.

To avoid these disadvantages, and more effectually to preserve the square or simplest form of the stones, it is proposed, in this new design, to adopt the same mode throughout, that was followed with the courses of the void or habitable part of the building at the Bell Rock, viz. to have zones or joggle-belts worked on the upper beds, and corresponding grooves cut into the under beds, of all the stones. In the plan represented in this Figure these zones are intended to be 1 foot in breadth, and 1½ inch in depth or thickness, forming the concentric rings, marked _c c c c c c_, which become so many girths to the course, superseding the necessity both of the dove-tailing system, and of the cubic joggles described in Plate XVI.

In tracing the general aspect of Fig. 6., it may be observed that the outer circle of stones is more lightly shaded, being intended for granite, while the hearting or interior part is of a darker shade, as descriptive of sandstone. The whole course of the building here represented, is uniformly simple, and when laid in its place, no mode of attachment can be conceived more effectually to add to the strength and connection of the fabric than these circular belts. Letter _d_ refers to the recess worked in the outward wall of the solid, measuring 2 feet in breadth and 1 foot in depth, for the reception of a flight of brazen-steps for ascending to the entrance-door, instead of the greater projection of the spiral-formed stair delineated in Plate VII., Fig. 6., or the uncertain means of communication by a rope-ladder. The recess alluded to on the outward wall is worked with a small projection, which gradually falls into the circle of the building, without presenting any abrupt face to the waves. A stair of this description, upon a sloping wall, is ascended with great ease.

Fig. 7. is a section of part of the solid of the building, of which _a b_ is the foundation course, and, in reference to Fig 6., letters _c c_, &c. correspond with the zones or joggle-belts; _d d_, shew a section of part of the brazen-ladder, answerable to the purposes of a stair, and a pair of skids, for preventing the joints of the building from being injured in taking up stores to the Light-house. This ladder may also be applied as a part of the thunder-rod, as is the case at the Bell Rock.

Fig. 8. is a plan of an entire course of the void or habitable part of the Light-house, showing one of the joggle-belts of the bed-joints. The form of joggle for the end-joints here shewn is also simple, and suited for preserving the strength of the materials more entire than the method of dove-tailing.

Fig. 9. is a section of three courses of the void of the building, showing the connection of the bed-joints.

FINIS.

P. NEILL, Printer.

DIRECTIONS TO THE BINDER.

The View of the Light-house in a Storm, to be placed as a Frontispiece, opposite the General Title-page.

The Engraved Title-page, with the Vignette representing the Light-house during Night, to be placed immediately after p. 64.

The General View of the Works, or Plate XVIII, to be placed immediately after p. 424.

* * * * * *

Transcriber's Note

The following printed corrigenda have been incorporated into the text:

CORRIGENDA.

Page 90, line 10. _after_ matter _insert_ rested

---- 414, marginal note, _for_ April _read_ August

---- 516, line 38. -- one of the ---- the two

The following further apparent errors have been corrected:

p. vi "Inchkeith Light-hoouse" changed to "Inchkeith Light-house"

p. vi "Corsewall Light-houuse" changed to "Corsewall Light-house"

p. vii "92-74" changed to "72-74"

p. vii "93-81" changed to "75-81"

p. viii "is passed" changed to "is passed."

p. ix "137-130" changed to "127-130"

p. x "a Life-boats" changed to "a Life-boat"

p. xii "hree" changed to "three"

p. xii "562-277" changed to "272-277"

p. xiv "Tinber" changed to "Timber"

p. xvii "Mr Forest" changed to "Mr Forrest"

p. xix "Instructions" changed to "Instructions."

p. xix "VI Schedules" changed to "VI. Schedules"

p. xix "wth Sections" changed to "with Sections"

p. 5 (sidenote) "1736" changed to "1786"

p. 10 "E," changed to "E.,"

p. 10 "SE," changed to "SE.,"

p. 20 (sidenote) "Sanday." changed to "Sanday"

p. 26 "From the" changed to "“From the"

p. 28 "uinformity" changed to "uniformity"

p. 29 "nonoticed" changed to "noticed"

p. 44 "Turnberry Point." changed to "Turnberry Point,"

p. 50 "Langnees" changed to "Langness"

p. 53 "MASTERS’ NAMES" changed to "MASTERS’ NAMES."

p. 55 "Plate II,;" changed to "Plate II.;"

p. 56 "Puzzolano" changed to "Pozzolano"

p. 67 "sea-cost" changed to "sea-coast"

p. 74 "them," changed to "then,"

p. 79 "Bell Rock;" changed to "Bell Rock,"

p. 79 (sidenote) "Dee." changed to "Dee"

p. 81 "southernside" changed to "southern side"

p. 100 (sidenote) "Loan" changed to "Loan."

p. 105 (sidenote) "reading" changed to "reading."

p. 116 (sidenote) "7th August" changed to "7th August."

p. 133 "duty," changed to "duty."

p. 142 (sidenote) "Monday, 31st" changed to "Monday, 31st."

p. 159 "artifieers" changed to "artificers"

p. 172 "Plate XII" changed to "Plate VIII"

p. 194 "Plate XIII" changed to "Plate XIII."

p. 196 "Plate XII." changed to "Plate IX."

p. 206 "Bell Rock," changed to "Bell Rock."

p. 213 "the a species" changed to "a species"

p. 225 (sidenote) "12th" changed to "12th."

p. 238 (sidenote) "13th" changed to "13th."

p. 238 (sidenote) "the Rock" changed to "the Rock."

p. 239 "circumtances" changed to "circumstances"

p. 247 "applyed" changed to "applied"

p. 250 (sidenote) "pram boats" changed to "praam-boats"

p. 254 (sidenote) "a a small" changed to "a small"

p. 259 (sidenote) "February," changed to "February."

p. 267 "lowt hey" changed to "low they"

p. 272 "windlas" changed to "windlass"

p. 282 "obliged slip" changed to "obliged to slip"

p. 282 (sidenote) "to day" changed to "to-day"

p. 288 (sidenote) "Mortar makers" changed to "Mortar-makers"

p. 292 "_hyp num_" changed to "_hypnum_"

p. 293 "opportuty" changed to "opportunity"

p. 296 "tthe Rock" changed to "the Rock"

p. 303 (sidenote) "5th" changed to "5th."

p. 305 (sidenote) "Beacon" changed to "Beacon."

p. 308 "with rain," changed to "with rain."

p. 311 "A. M" changed to "A. M."

p. 329 (sidenote) "Beacon" changed to "Beacon."

p. 329 "bridge, which which" changed to "bridge, which"

p. 331 "measuer" changed to "measure"

p. 334 "cr e" changed to "crew"

p. 334 "ballass" changed to "ballast"

p. 335 (sidenote) "Thirty-fifth" changed to "Thirty-first"

p. 335 (sidenote) "Beacon" changed to "Beacon."

p. 340 "provided" changed to "provided."

p. 343 "Thirtieth" changed to "Fortieth"

p. 343 "balance-crane" changed to "balance-crane."

p. 348 "petticoat-trowers" changed to "petticoat-trowsers"

p. 363 "3rd" changed to "3rd."

p. 364 "respresented" changed to "represented"

p. 373 (sidenote) "20th." changed to "19th."

p. 373 (sidenote) "21st." changed to "20th."

p. 374 (sidenote) "3d." changed to "23d."

p. 374 (sidenote) "2d." changed to "24th."

p. 376 (sidenote) "27th." changed to "26th."

p. 376 (sidenote) "26th." changed to "27th."

p. 383 (sidenote) "Station" changed to "Station."

p. 383 "29.90." changed to "29.90"

p. 386 "&c" changed to "&c."

p. 389 (sidenote) "landed" changed to "landed."

p. 410 (sidenote) "house" changed to "house."

p. 411 (sidenote) "Rock" changed to "Rock."

p. 412 "propritey" changed to "propriety"

p. 418 "premisses" changed to "premises"

p. 422 "seeiug" changed to "seeing"

p. 428 "prosions" changed to "provisions"

p. 433 "eef, Bin Llb." changed to "Beef, in Lib."

p. 433 "Galls" changed to "Galls."

p. 433 "Butter in Lib." changed to "Butter, in Lib."

p. 433 ",Beer in Qts." changed to "Beer, in Qts."

p. 434 "Articers" changed to "Artificers"

p. 434 "89.225" changed to "892.25"

p. 435 "Syevenson" changed to "Stevenson"

p. 440 "Cssist" changed to "Assist"

p. 443 "of a a" changed to "of a"

p. 449 "foretel" changed to "foretell"

p. 459 "cubit" changed to "cubic"

p. 471 "7 4" changed to "7.4"

p. 496 "FOREST’S PASSAGE." changed to "FORREST’S PASSAGE."

p. 501 "Plate XXIII" changed to "Plate XXIII."

p. 503 "faint lines" changed to "faint lines."

p. 505 "Plate XVII" changed to "Plate XVII."

p. 523 "Fig.1." changed to "Fig. 1."

p. 523 "in this way" changed to "In this way"

p. 527 "lense" changed to "lens"

p. 533 "Plate VII" changed to "Plate VII."

(plate) "_PLATE II_" changed to "_PLATE II._"

(plate) "_PLATE XII_" changed to "_PLATE XII._"

(plate) "_PLATE XVI_" changed to "_PLATE XVI._"

(plate) "_PLATE XXI._" changed to "_PLATE XXIII._"

The following additional changes have been made from the printed text:

Plates I to XXI have been moved next to their descriptions.

Duplicate sidenotes have been removed.

Totals carried forward at the end of each page of the Account of Expence have been removed.

Large tables have been split and reformatted with keys and altered punctuation, in order to fit smaller displays.

Spacing of sums of money has been regularised in the form L. 61,331:9:2.

The text contains many Scottish and archaic words and spellings, as well as inconsistent capitalisation and punctuation, which have otherwise been retained. Apostrophes are not consistently used in possessive plurals.

Compass directions are inconsistently presented in the forms SW. and S.W.; S. SW. and S.SW.

References to diagrams are given in the forms á and a´.

The colours mentioned in the description of plate III. on p. 490 are not apparent.

The following possible errors have been left as printed:

p. 239 "35 persons"

p. 334 "with it mortar"

p. 339 "Thirty-eighth"

p. 346 "slump sum"

p. 353 "alwise"

p. 457 "begin to the"

p. 500 "plat"

p. 519 "several apartment"

The name of the engraver of Plate I was not intact in the copy of text transcribed.

In addition to variant spellings in quotations, the following are used inconsistently in the text:

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 bat, Lewis batt, 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 boat, praam-boat and Praam-boat

railway and rail-way

Redhead and Red-head

relaid and re-laid

roadway and road-way

Rubislaw, 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 Kingdom, United kingdom, and united kingdom

_vice versa_ and _vice versâ_

workshop and work-shop

workyard and work-yard