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brought in safety to the western creek； these stones were immediately laid
by the artificers； who gladly embraced the return of good weather to
proceed with their operations。 The writer had this day taken possession
of his cabin in the beacon…house。 It was small； but commodious； and was
found particularly convenient in coarse and blowing weather； instead of
being obliged to make a passage to the tender in an open boat at all times；
both during the day and the night； which was often attended with much
difficulty and danger。
＇Saturday； 19th Aug。＇
For some days past the weather had been occasionally so thick and
foggy that no small difficulty was experienced in going even between the
rock and the tender； though quite at hand。 But the floating light's boat
lost her way so far in returning on board that the first land she made； after
rowing all night； was Fifeness； a distance of about fourteen miles。 The
weather having cleared in the morning； the crew stood off again for the
floating light； and got on board in a half… famished and much exhausted
state； having been constantly rowing for about sixteen hours。
＇Sunday； 20th Aug。＇
The weather being very favourable to…day； fifty…three stones were
landed； and the builders were not a little gratified in having built the
twenty…second course； consisting of fifty…one stones； being the first course
which had been completed in one day。 This； as a matter of course；
produced three hearty cheers。 At twelve noon prayers were read for the
first time on the Bell Rock； those present； counting thirty； were crowded
into the upper apartment of the beacon； where the writer took a central
position； while two of the artificers； joining hands； supported the Bible。
＇Friday； 25th Aug。＇
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RECORDS OF A FAMILY OF ENGINEERS
To…day the artificers laid forty…five stones； which completed the
twenty…fourth course； reckoning above the first entire one； and the twenty…
sixth above the rock。 This finished the solid part of the building； and
terminated the height of the outward casing of granite； which is thirty…one
feet six inches above the rock or site of the foundation… stone； and about
seventeen feet above high…water of spring… tides。 Being a particular crisis
in the progress of the lighthouse； the landing and laying of the last stone
for the season was observed with the usual ceremonies。
From observations often made by the writer； in so far as such can be
ascertained； it appears that no wave in the open seas； in an unbroken state；
rises more than from seven to nine feet above the general surface of the
ocean。 The Bell Rock Lighthouse may therefore now be considered at
from eight to ten feet above the height of the waves； and； although the
sprays and heavy seas have often been observed； in the present state of the
building； to rise to the height of fifty feet； and fall with a tremendous noise
on the beacon…house； yet such seas were not likely to make any impression
on a mass of solid masonry； containing about 1400 tons；
＇Wednesday； 30th Aug。＇
The whole of the artificers left the rock at mid…day； when the tender
made sail for Arbroath； which she reached about six p。m。 The vessel
being decorated with colours； and having fired a salute of three guns on
approaching the harbour； the workyard artificers； with a multitude of
people； assembled at the harbour； when mutual cheering and
congratulations took place between those afloat and those on the quays。
The tender had now； with little exception； been six months on the station
at the Bell Rock； and during the last four months few of the squad of
builders had been ashore。 In particular； Mr。 Peter Logan； the foreman； and
Mr。 Robert Selkirk； principal builder； had never once left the rock。 The
artificers； having made good wages during their stay； like seamen upon a
return voyage； were extremely happy； and spent the evening with much
innocent mirth and jollity。
In reflecting upon the state of the matters at the Bell Rock during the
working months； when the writer was much with the artificers； nothing
can equal the happy manner in which these excellent workmen spent their
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RECORDS OF A FAMILY OF ENGINEERS
time。 They always went from Arbroath to their arduous task cheering
and they generally returned in the same hearty state。 While at the rock；
between the tides； they amused themselves in reading； fishing； music；
playing cards； draughts； etc。； or in sporting with one another。 In the
workyard at Arbroath the young men were almost； without exception；
employed in the evening at school； in writing and arithmetic； and not a
few were learning architectural drawing； for which they had every
convenience and facility； and were； in a very obliging manner； assisted in
their studies by Mr。 David Logan； clerk of the works。 It therefore affords
the most pleasing reflections to look back upon the pursuits of about sixty
individuals who for years conducted themselves； on all occasions； in a
sober and rational manner。
IV … OPERATIONS OF 1810
＇Thursday； 10th May＇
The wind had shifted to…day to W。N。W。； when the writer； with
considerable difficulty； was enabled to land upon the rock for the first time
this season； at ten a。m。 Upon examining the state of the building； and
apparatus in general； he had the satisfaction to find everything in good
order。 The mortar in all the joints was perfectly entire。 The building；
now thirty feet in height； was thickly coated with FUCI to the height of
about fifteen feet； calculating from the rock： on the eastern side； indeed；
the growth of seaweed was observable to the full height of thirty feet； and
even on the top or upper bed of the last…laid course； especially towards the
eastern side； it had germinated； so as to render walking upon it somewhat
difficult。
The beacon…house was in