按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
landing on the rock when the state of the weather would permit。 The
writer further took them to witness that it did not proceed from want of
respect for the appointments and established forms of religion that he had
himself adopted the resolution of attending the Bell Rock works on the
Sunday； but； as he hoped； from a conviction that it was his bounden duty；
on the strictest principles of morality。 At the same time it was intimated
that； if any were of a different opinion； they should be perfectly at liberty
to hold their sentiments without the imputation of contumacy or
disobedience； the only difference would be in regard to the pay。
Upon stating this much； he stepped into his boat； requesting all who
were so disposed to follow him。 The sailors； from their habits； found no
scruple on this subject； and all of the artificers； though a little tardy； also
embarked； excepting four of the masons； who； from the beginning；
mentioned that they would decline working on Sundays。 It may here be
noticed that throughout the whole of the operations it was observable that
the men wrought； if possible； with more keenness upon the Sundays than
at other times from an impression that they were engaged in a work of
imperious necessity； which required every possible exertion。 On returning
to the floating light； after finishing the tide's work； the boats were received
by the part of the ship's crew left on board with the usual attention of
handing ropes to the boats and helping the artificers on board； but the four
masons who had absented themselves from the work did not appear upon
deck。
＇Monday； 24th Aug。＇
The boats left the floating light at a quarter…past nine o'clock this
morning； and the work began at three…quarters past nine； but as the neap…
tides were approaching the working time at the rock became gradually
shorter； and it was now with difficulty that two and a half hours' work
73
… Page 74…
RECORDS OF A FAMILY OF ENGINEERS
could be got。 But so keenly had the workmen entered into the spirit of
the beacon…house operations； that they continued to bore the holes in the
rock till some of them were knee…deep in water。
The operations at this time were entirely directed to the erection of the
beacon； in which every man felt an equal interest； as at this critical period
the slightest casualty to any of the boats at the rock might have been fatal
to himself individually； while it was perhaps peculiar to the writer more
immediately to feel for the safety of the whole。 Each log or upright beam
of the beacon was to be fixed to the rock by two strong and massive bats
or stanchions of iron。 These bats； for the fixture of the principal and
diagonal beams and bracing chains； required fifty…four holes； each
measuring two inches in diameter and eighteen inches in depth。 There
had already been so considerable a progress made in boring and
excavating the holes that the writer's hopes of getting the beacon erected
this year began to be more and more confirmed； although it was now
advancing towards what was considered the latter end of the proper
working season at the Bell Rock。 The foreman joiner； Mr。 Francis Watt；
was accordingly appointed to attend at the rock to…day； when the necessary
levels were taken for the step or seat of each particular beam of the beacon；
that they might be cut to their respective lengths； to suit the inequalities of
the rock； several of the stanchions were also tried into their places； and
other necessary observations made； to prevent mistakes on the application
of the apparatus； and to facilitate the operations when the beams came to
be set up； which would require to be done in the course of a single tide。
＇Tuesday； 25th Aug。＇
We had now experienced an almost unvaried tract of light airs of
easterly wind； with clear weather in the fore…part of the day and fog in the
evenings。 To…day； however； it sensibly changed； when the wind came to
the south…west； and blew a fresh breeze。 At nine a。m。 the bell rung； and
the boats were hoisted out； and though the artificers were now pretty well
accustomed to tripping up and down the sides of the floating light； yet it
required more seamanship this morning than usual。 It therefore afforded
some merriment to those who had got fairly seated in their respective
boats to see the difficulties which attended their companions； and the
74
… Page 75…
RECORDS OF A FAMILY OF ENGINEERS
hesitating manner in which they quitted hold of the man…ropes in leaving
the ship。 The passage to the rock was tedious； and the boats did not
reach it till half…past ten。
It being now the period of neap…tides； the water only partially left the
rock； and some of the men who were boring on the lower ledges of the site
of the beacon stood knee…deep in water。 The situation of the smith to…day
was particularly disagreeable； but his services were at all times
indispensable。 As the tide did not leave the site of the forge； he stood in
the water； and as there was some roughness on the surface it was with
considerable difficulty that； with the assistance of the sailors； he was
enabled to preserve alive his fire； and； while his feet were immersed in
water； his face was not only scorched but continually exposed to volumes
of smoke； accompanied with sparks from the fire； which were occasionally
set up owing to the strength and direction of the wind。
＇Wednesday； 26th Aug。＇
The wind had shifted this morning to N。N。W。； with rain； and was
blowing what sailors call a fresh breeze。 To speak； perhaps； somewhat
more intelligibly to the general reader； the wind was such that a fishing…
boat could just carry full sail。 But as it was of importance； specially in the
outset of the business； to keep up the spirit of enterprise for landing on all
practicable occasions； the writer； after consulting with the landing…master；
ordered the bell to be rung for embarking； and at half…past eleven the boats
reached the rock； and left it ag