records of a family of engineers(一个工程师的家庭)-第42节
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the creek on the western side of the rock the praam…boat with the balance…
crane； which had now been on board of the praam for five days。 The
several pieces of this machine； having been conveyed along the railways
upon the waggons to a position immediately under the bridge； were
elevated to its level； or thirty feet above the rock； in the following manner。
A chain…tackle was suspended over a pulley from the cross…beam
connecting the tops of the kingposts of the bridge； which was worked by a
winch…machine with wheel； pinion； and barrel； round which last the chain
was wound。 This apparatus was placed on the beacon side of the bridge； at
the distance of about twelve feet from the cross…beam and pulley in the
middle of the bridge。 Immediately under the cross…beam a hatch was
formed in the roadway of the bridge； measuring seven feet in length and
five feet in breadth； made to shut with folding boards like a double door；
through which stones and other articles were raised； the folding doors
were then let down； and the stone or load was gently lowered upon a
waggon which was wheeled on railway trucks towards the lighthouse。 In
this manner the several castings of the balance…crane were got up to the
top of the solid of the building。
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The several apartments of the beacon…house having been cleaned out
and supplied with bedding； a sufficient stock of provisions was put into
the store； when Peter Fortune； formerly noticed； lighted his fire in the
beacon for the first time this season。 Sixteen artificers at the same time
mounted to their barrack…room； and all the foremen of the works also took
possession of their cabin； all heartily rejoiced at getting rid of the trouble
of boating and the sickly motion of the tender。
＇Saturday； 12th May＇
The wind was at E。N。E。； blowing so fresh； and accompanied with so
much sea； that no stones could be landed to…day。 The people on the rock；
however； were busily employed in screwing together the balance…crane；
cutting out the joggle…holes in the upper course； and preparing all things
for commencing the building operations。
＇Sunday； 13th May＇
The weather still continues boisterous； although the barometer has all
the while stood at about 30 inches。 Towards evening the wind blew so
fresh at E。 by S。 that the boats both of the SMEATON and tender were
obliged to be hoisted in； and it was feared that the SMEATON would have
to slip her moorings。 The people on the rock were seen busily employed；
and had the balance…crane apparently ready for use； but no communication
could be had with them to…day。
＇Monday； 14th May＇
The wind continued to blow so fresh； and the SMEATON rode so
heavily with her cargo； that at noon a signal was made for her getting
under weigh； when she stood towards Arbroath； and on board of the tender
we are still without any communication with the people on the rock； where
the sea was seen breaking over the top of the building in great sprays； and
raging with much agitation among the beams of the beacon。
＇Thursday； 17th May＇
The wind； in the course of the day； had shifted from north to west； the
sea being also considerably less； a boat landed on the rock at six p。m。； for
the first time since the 11th； with the provisions and water brought off by
the PATRIOT。 The inhabitants of the beacon were all well； but tired
above measure for want of employment； as the balance… crane and
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RECORDS OF A FAMILY OF ENGINEERS
apparatus was all in readiness。 Under these circumstances they felt no
less desirous of the return of good weather than those afloat； who were
continually tossed with the agitation of the sea。 The writer； in particular；
felt himself almost as much fatigued and worn…out as he had been at any
period since the commencement of the work。 The very backward state of
the weather at so advanced a period of the season unavoidably created
some alarm； lest he should be overtaken with bad weather at a late period
of the season； with the building operations in an unfinished state。 These
apprehensions were； no doubt； rather increased by the inconveniences of
his situation afloat； as the tender rolled and pitched excessively at times。
This being also his first off…set for the season； every bone of his body felt
sore with preserving a sitting posture while he endeavoured to pass away
the time in reading； as for writing； it was wholly impracticable。 He had
several times entertained thoughts of leaving the station for a few days and
going into Arbroath with the tender till the weather should improve； but as
the artificers had been landed on the rock he was averse to this at the
commencement of the season； knowing also that he would be equally
uneasy in every situation till the first cargo was landed： and he therefore
resolved to continue at his post until this should be effected。
＇Friday； 18th May＇
The wind being now N。W。； the sea was considerably run down； and
this morning at five o'clock the landing…master's crew； thirteen in number；
left the tender； and having now no detention with the landing of artificers；
they proceeded to unmoor the HEDDERWICK praam…boat； and towed her
alongside of the SMEATON： and in the course of the day twenty…three
blocks of stone； three casks of pozzolano； three of sand； three of lime； and
one of Roman cement； together with three bundles of trenails and three of
wedges； were all landed on the rock and raised the top of the building by
means of the tackle suspended from the cross…beam on the middle of the
bridge。 The stones were then moved along the bridge on the waggon to the
building within reach of the balance…crane； with which they were laid in
their respective places on the building。 The masons immediately thereafter
proceeded to bore the trenail…holes into the course below； and otherwise to
complete the one in hand。 When the first stone was to be suspended by
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the balance…crane； the bell on the beacon was rung； and all the artificers
and seamen were collected on the building。 Three hearty cheers were
given while it was lowered into its place； and the steward served round a
glass of rum； when success was drunk to the further progress of the
building。
＇Sunday； 20th May＇
The wind was southerly to…day； but there was much less sea than
yesterday； and the landing…master's crew were enabled to discharge and
land twenty…three pieces of stone and other articles for the work。 The
artificers had completed the laying of the twenty…seventh or first course of
the staircase this morning； and in the evening they finished the boring；
trenailing； wedging； and grouting it with mortar。 At twelve o'clock noon
the beacon…house bell was rung； and all hands were collected on the top of
the building； where prayers were read for the first time on the lighthouse；
which forcibly struck every one； and had； upon the whole； a very
impressive effect。
From the hazardous situation of the beacon…house with regard to fire；
being composed wholly of timber； there was no small risk from accident：
and on this account one of the most steady of the artificers was appointed
to see that the fire of the cooking…house； and the lights in general； were
carefully extinguished at stated hours。
＇Monday； 4th June＇
This being the birthday of our much…revered Sovereign King George
III； now in the fiftieth year of his reign； the shipping of the Lighthouse
service were this morning decorated with colours according to the taste of
their respective captains。 Flags were also hoisted upon the beacon…house
and balance…crane on the top of the building。 At twelve noon a salute
was fired from the tender
