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practicable。
Having made fast a piece of very good new line； at about two…thirds
from the lower end of one of the beams； the purchase…tackle of the derrick
was hooked into the turns of the line； and it was speedily raised by the
number of men on the rock and the power of the winch tackle。 When this
log was lifted to a sufficient height； its foot； or lower end； was STEPPED
into the spot which had been previously prepared for it。 Two of the great
iron stanchions were then set in their respective holes on each side of the
beam； when a rope was passed round them and the beam； to prevent it
from slipping till it could be more permanently fixed。 The derrick； or
upright spar used for carrying the tackle to raise the first beam； was placed
in such a position as to become useful for supporting the upper end of it；
which now became； in its turn； the prop of the tackle for raising the second
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beam。 The whole difficulty of this operation was in the raising and
propping of the first beam； which became a convenient derrick for raising
the second； these again a pair of shears for lifting the third； and the shears
a triangle for raising the fourth。 Having thus got four of the six principal
beams set on end； it required a considerable degree of trouble to get their
upper ends to fit。 Here they formed the apex of a cone； and were all
together mortised into a large piece of beechwood； and secured； for the
present； with ropes； in a temporary manner。 During the short period of one
tide all that could further be done for their security was to put a single
screw…bolt through the great kneed bats or stanchions on each side of the
beams； and screw the nut home。
In this manner these four principal beams were erected； and left in a
pretty secure state。 The men had commenced while there was about two
or three feet of water upon the side of the beacon； and as the sea was
smooth they continued the work equally long during flood…tide。 Two of
the boats being left at the rock to take off the joiners； who were busily
employed on the upper parts till two o'clock p。m。； this tide's work may be
said to have continued for about seven hours； which was the longest that
had hitherto been got upon the rock by at least three hours。
When the first boats left the rock with the artificers employed on the
lower part of the work during the flood…tide； the beacon had quite a novel
appearance。 The beams erected formed a common base of about thirty…
three feet； meeting at the top； which was about forty…five feet above the
rock； and here half a dozen of the artificers were still at work。 After
clearing the rock the boats made a stop； when three hearty cheers were
given； which were returned with equal goodwill by those upon the beacon；
from the personal interest which every one felt in the prosperity of this
work； so intimately connected with his safety。
All hands having returned to their respective ships； they got a shift of
dry clothes and some refreshment。 Being Sunday； they were afterwards
convened by signal on board of the Lighthouse yacht； when prayers were
read； for every heart upon this occasion felt gladness； and every mind was
disposed to be thankful for the happy and successful termination of the
operations of this day。
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RECORDS OF A FAMILY OF ENGINEERS
＇Monday； 21st Sept。＇
The remaining two principal beams were erected in the course of this
tide； which； with the assistance of those set up yesterday； was found to be
a very simple operation。
The six principal beams of the beacon were thus secured； at least in a
temporary manner； in the course of two tides； or in the short space of
about eleven hours and a half。 Such is the progress that may be made
when active hands and willing minds set properly to work in operations of
this kind。
＇Tuesday 22nd； Sept。＇
Having now got the weighty part of this work over； and being thereby
relieved of the difficulty both of landing and victualling such a number of
men； the SMEATON could now be spared； and she was accordingly
despatched to Arbroath for a supply of water and provisions； and carried
with her six of the artificers who could best be spared。
＇Wednesday； 23rd Sept。＇
In going out of the eastern harbour； the boat which the writer steered
shipped a sea； that filled her about one…third with water。 She had also
been hid for a short time； by the waves breaking upon the rock； from the
sight of the crew of the preceding boat； who were much alarmed for our
safety； imagining for a time that she had gone down。
The SMEATON returned from Arbroath this afternoon； but there was
so much sea that she could not be made fast to her moorings； and the
vessel was obliged to return to Arbroath without being able either to
deliver the provisions or take the artificers on board。 The Lighthouse
yacht was also soon obliged to follow her example； as the sea was
breaking heavily over her bows。 After getting two reefs in the mainsail；
and the third or storm…jib set； the wind being S。W。； she bent to windward；
though blowing a hard gale； and got into St。 Andrews Bay； where we
passed the night under the lee of Fifeness。
＇Thursday； 24th Sept。＇
At two o'clock this morning we were in St。 Andrews Bay； standing off
and on shore； with strong gales of wind at S。W。； at seven we were off the
entrance of the Tay； at eight stood towards the rock； and at ten passed to
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leeward of it； but could not attempt a landing。 The beacon； however；
appeared to remain in good order； and by six p。m。 the vessel had again
beaten up to St。 Andrews Bay； and got into somewhat smoother water for
the night。
＇Friday； 25th Sept。＇
At seven o'clock bore away for the Bell Rock； but finding a heavy sea
running on it were unable to land。 The writer； however； had the
sati