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ropes in their hands； they had often to wait for some time till a favourable
opportunity occurred for stepping into the boat。 While in this situation；
with the vessel rolling from side to side； watching the proper time for
letting go the man…ropes； it required the greatest dexterity and presence of
mind to leap into the boats。 One who was rather awkward would often
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wait a considerable period in this position： at one time his side of the ship
would be so depressed that he would touch the boat to which he belonged；
while the next sea would elevate him so much that he would see his
comrades in the boat on the opposite side of the ship； his friends in the one
boat calling to him to ‘Jump；' while those in the boat on the other side； as
he came again and again into their view； would jocosely say； ‘Are you
there yet？ You seem to enjoy a swing。' In this situation it was common
to see a person upon each side of the ship for a length of time； waiting to
quit his hold。
On leaving the rock to…day a trial of seamanship was proposed
amongst the rowers； for by this time the artificers had become tolerably
expert in this exercise。 By inadvertency some of the oars provided had
been made of fir instead of ash； and although a considerable stock had
been laid in； the workmen； being at first awkward in the art； were
constantly breaking their oars； indeed it was no uncommon thing to see the
broken blades of a pair of oars floating astern； in the course of a passage
from the rock to the vessel。 The men； upon the whole； had but little work
to perform in the course of a day； for though they exerted themselves
extremely hard while on the rock； yet； in the early state of the operations；
this could not be continued for more than three or four hours at a time； and
as their rations were large … consisting of one pound and a half of beef； one
pound of ship biscuit； eight ounces oatmeal； two ounces barley； two
ounces butter； three quarts of small beer； with vegetables and salt … they
got into excellent spirits when free of sea…sickness。 The rowing of the
boats against each other became a favourite amusement； which was rather
a fortunate circumstance； as it must have been attended with much
inconvenience had it been found necessary to employ a sufficient number
of sailors for this purpose。 The writer； therefore； encouraged the spirit of
emulation； and the speed of their respective boats became a favourite topic。
Premiums for boat…races were instituted； which were contended for with
great eagerness； and the respective crews kept their stations in the boats
with as much precision as they kept their beds on board of the ship。 With
these and other pastimes； when the weather was favourable； the time
passed away among the inmates of the forecastle and waist of the ship。
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RECORDS OF A FAMILY OF ENGINEERS
The writer looks back with interest upon the hours of solitude which he
spent in this lonely ship with his small library。
This being the first Saturday that the artificers were afloat； all hands
were served with a glass of rum and water at night； to drink the sailors'
favourite toast of ‘Wives and Sweethearts。' It was customary； upon these
occasions； for the seamen and artificers to collect in the galley； when the
musical instruments were put in requisition： for； according to invariable
practice； every man must play a tune； sing a song； or tell a story。
＇Sunday； 23rd Aug。＇
Having； on the previous evening； arranged matters with the landing…
master as to the business of the day； the signal was rung for all hands at
half…past seven this morning。 In the early state of the spring…tides the
artificers went to the rock before breakfast； but as the tides fell later in the
day； it became necessary to take this meal before leaving the ship。 At eight
o'clock all hands were assembled on the quarter…deck for prayers； a
solemnity which was gone through in as orderly a manner as
circumstances would admit。 When the weather permitted； the flags of
the ship were hung up as an awning or screen； forming the quarter…deck
into a distinct compartment； the pendant was also hoisted at the mainmast；
and a large ensign flag was displayed over the stern； and lastly； the ship's
companion； or top of the staircase； was covered with the FLAG PROPER
of the Lighthouse Service； on which the Bible was laid。 A particular toll
of the bell called all hands to the quarter…deck； when the writer read a
chapter of the Bible； and； the whole ship's company being uncovered； he
also read the impressive prayer composed by the Reverend Dr。 Brunton；
one of the ministers of Edinburgh。
Upon concluding this service； which was attended with becoming
reverence and attention； all on board retired to their respective berths to
breakfast； and； at half…past nine； the bell again rung for the artificers to
take their stations in their respective boats。 Some demur having been
evinced on board about the propriety of working on Sunday； which had
hitherto been touched upon as delicately as possible； all hands being called
aft； the writer； from the quarter…deck； stated generally the nature of the
service； expressing his hopes that every man would feel himself called
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upon to consider the erection of a lighthouse on the Bell Rock； in every
point of view； as a work of necessity and mercy。 He knew that scruples
had existed with some； and these had； indeed； been fairly and candidly
urged before leaving the shore； but it was expected that； after having seen
the critical nature of the rock； and the necessity of the measure； every man
would now be satisfied of the propriety of embracing all opportunities of
landing on the rock when the state of the weather would permit。 The
writer further took them to witness tha