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rock and on shipboard； were the inseparable companions of every work
connected with the erection of the Bell Rock Lighthouse。 It will
naturally be supposed that about twenty…five masons； occupied with their
picks in executing and preparing the foundation of the lighthouse； in the
course of a tide of about three hours； would make a considerable
impression upon an area even of forty…two feet in diameter。 But in
proportion as the foundation was deepened； the rock was found to be
much more hard and difficult to work； while the baling and pumping of
water became much more troublesome。 A joiner was kept almost
constantly employed in fitting the picks to their handles； which； as well as
the points to the irons； were very frequently broken。
The Bell Rock this morning presented by far the most busy and active
appearance it had exhibited since the erection of the principal beams of the
beacon。 The surface of the rock was crowded with men； the two forges
flaming； the one above the other； upon the beacon； while the anvils
thundered with the rebounding noise of their wooden supports； and formed
a curious contrast with the occasional clamour of the surges。 The wind was
westerly； and the weather being extremely agreeable； as soon after
breakfast as the tide had sufficiently overflowed the rock to float the boats
over it； the smiths； with a number of the artificers； returned to the beacon；
carrying their fishing…tackle along with them。 In the course of the
forenoon； the beacon exhibited a still more extraordinary appearance than
the rock had done in the morning。 The sea being smooth； it seemed to be
afloat upon the water； with a number of men supporting themselves in all
the variety of attitude and position： while； from the upper part of this
wooden house； the volumes of smoke which ascended from the forges
gave the whole a very curious and fanciful appearance。
In the course of this tide it was observed that a heavy swell was setting
in from the eastward； and the appearance of the sky indicated a change of
weather； while the wind was shifting about。 The barometer also had
fallen from 30 in。 to 29。6。 It was； therefore； judged prudent to shift the
vessel to the S。W。 or more distant buoy。 Her bowsprit was also soon
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RECORDS OF A FAMILY OF ENGINEERS
afterwards taken in； the topmasts struck； and everything made SNUG； as
seamen term it； for a gale。 During the course of the night the wind
increased and shifted to the eastward； when the vessel rolled very hard；
and the sea often broke over her bows with great force。
＇Wednesday； 8th June＇
Although the motion of the tender was much less than that of the
floating light … at least； in regard to the rolling motion … yet she SENDED；
or pitched； much。 Being also of a very handsome build； and what
seamen term very CLEAN AFT； the sea often struck the counter with such
force that the writer； who possessed the aftermost cabin； being
unaccustomed to this new vessel； could not divest himself of uneasiness；
for when her stern fell into the sea； it struck with so much violence as to
be more like the resistance of a rock than the sea。 The water； at the same
time； often rushed with great force up the rudder…case； and； forcing up the
valve of the water…closet； the floor of his cabin was at times laid under
water。 The gale continued to increase； and the vessel rolled and pitched
in such a manner that the hawser by which the tender was made fast to the
buoy snapped； and she went adrift。 In the act of swinging round to the
wind she shipped a very heavy sea； which greatly alarmed the artificers；
who imagined that we had got upon the rock； but this； from the direction
of the wind； was impossible。 The writer； however； sprung upon deck；
where he found the sailors busily employed in rigging out the bowsprit
and in setting sail。 From the easterly direction of the wind； it was
considered most advisable to steer for the Firth of Forth； and there wait a
change of weather。 At two p。m。 we accordingly passed the Isle of May；
at six anchored in Leith Roads； and at eight the writer landed； when he
came in upon his friends； who were not a little surprised at his unexpected
appearance； which gave an instantaneous alarm for the safety of things at
the Bell Rock。
＇Thursday； 9th June＇
The wind still continued to blow very hard at E。 by N。； and the SIR
JOSEPH BANKS rode heavily； and even drifted with both anchors ahead；
in Leith Roads。 The artificers did not attempt to leave the ship last night；
but there being upwards of fifty people on board； and the decks greatly
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RECORDS OF A FAMILY OF ENGINEERS
lumbered with the two large boats； they were in a very crowded and
impatient state on board。 But to…day they got ashore； and amused
themselves by walking about the streets of Edinburgh； some in very
humble apparel； from having only the worst of their jackets with them；
which； though quite suitable for their work； were hardly fit for public
inspection； being not only tattered； but greatly stained with the red colour
of the rock。
＇Friday； 10th June＇
To…day the wind was at S。E。； with light breezes and foggy weather。
At six a。m。 the writer again embarked for the Bell Rock； when the vessel
immediately sailed。 At eleven p。m。； there being no wind； the kedge…
anchor was LET GO off Anstruther； one of the numerous towns on the
coast of Fife； where we waited the return of the tide。
＇Saturday； 11th June＇
At six a。m。 the SIR JOSEPH got under weigh； and at eleven was again
made fast to the southern buoy at the Bell Rock。 Though it was now late in
the tide； the writer； being anxious to ascertain the state of things after the
gale； landed with the artificers to the number of forty…four。 Everything
was found in an entire state； but； as the tide was nearly gone； only half an
hour's work had been got