records of a family of engineers(一个工程师的家庭)-第41节
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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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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 a perfectly sound state； and apparently just
as it had been left in the month of November。 But the tides being neap； the
lower parts； particularly where the beams rested on the rock； could not
now be seen。 The floor of the mortar gallery having been already laid
down by Mr。 Watt and his men on a former visit； was merely soaked with
the sprays； but the joisting…beams which supported it had； in the course of
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the winter； been covered with a fine downy conferva produced by the
range of the sea。 They were also a good deal whitened with the mute of
the cormorant and other sea…fowls； which had roosted upon the beacon in
winter。 Upon ascending to the apartments； it was found that the motion
of the sea had thrown open the door of the cook…house： this was only shut
with a single latch； that in case of shipwreck at the Bell Rock the mariner
might find ready access to the shelter of this forlorn habitation； where a
supply of provisions was kept； and being within two miles and a half of
the floating light； a signal could readily be observed； when a boat might be
sent to his relief as the weather permitted。 An arrangement for this
purpose formed one of the instructions on board of the floating light； but
happily no instance occurred for putting it in practice。 The hearth or
fireplace of the cook…house was built of brick in as secure a manner as
possible； to prevent accident from fire； but some of the plaster…work had
shaken loose； from its damp state and the tremulous motion of the beacon
in stormy weather。 The writer next ascended to the floor which was
occupied by the cabins of himself and his assistants； which were in
tolerably good order； having only a damp and musty smell。 The barrack
for the artificers； over all； was next visited； it had now a very dreary and
deserted appearance when its former thronged state was recollected。 In
some parts the water had come through the boarding； and had discoloured
the lining of green cloth； but it was； nevertheless； in a good habitable
condition。 While the seamen were employed in landing a stock of
provisions； a few of the artificers set to work with great eagerness to
sweep and clean the several apartments。 The exterior of the beacon was；
in the meantime； examined； and found in perfect order。 The painting；
though it had a somewhat blanched appearance； adhered firmly both on
the sides and roof； and only two or three panes of glass were broken in the
cupola； which had either been blown out by the force of the wind； or
perhaps broken by sea…fowl。
Having on this occasion continued upon the building and beacon a
considerable time after the tide had begun to flow； the artificers were
occupied in removing the forge from the top of the building； to which the
gangway or wooden bridge gave great facility； and； although it stretched
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or had a span of forty…two feet； its construction was extremely simple；
while the road…way was perfectly firm and steady。 In returning from this
visit to the rock every one was pretty well soused in spray before reaching
the tender at two o'clock p。m。； where things awaited the landing party in as
comfortable a way as such a situation would admit。
＇Friday； 11th May＇
The wind was still easterly； accompanied with rather a heavy swell of
sea for the operations in hand。 A landing was； however； made this
morning； when the artificers were immediately employed in scraping the
seaweed off the upper course of the building； in order to apply the moulds
of the first course of the staircase； that the joggle…holes might be marked
off in the upper course of the solid。 This was also necessary previously
to the writer's fixing the position of the entrance door； which was regulated
chiefly by the appearance of the growth of the seaweed on the building；
indicating the direction of the heaviest seas； on the opposite side of which
the door was placed。 The landing…master's crew succeeded in towing into
the creek on the western side of the rock the praam…boat with the balance…
crane； which had now been
