records of a family of engineers(一个工程师的家庭)-第48节
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second jib。 When in the act of making a tack towards the tender； the
sailors who worked the head…sheets were； all of a sudden； alarmed with the
sound of the smith's hammer and anvil on the beacon； and had just time to
put the ship about to save her from running ashore on the northwestern
point of the rock； marked ‘James Craw's Horse。' On looking towards the
direction from whence the sound came； the building and beacon…house
were seen； with consternation； while the ship was hailed by those on the
rock； who were no less confounded at seeing the near approach of the
SMEATON； and； just as the vessel cleared the danger； the smith and those
in the mortar gallery made signs in token of their happiness at our
fortunate escape。 From this occurrence the writer had an experimental
proof of the utility of the large bells which were in preparation to be rung
by the machinery of the revolving light； for； had it not been the sound of
the smith's anvil； the SMEATON； in all probability； would have been
wrecked upon the rock。 In case the vessel had struck； those on board
might have been safe； having now the beacon… house； as a place of refuge；
but the vessel； which was going at a great velocity； must have suffered
severely； and it was more than probable that the horse would have been
drowned； there being no means of getting him out of the vessel。 Of this
valuable animal and his master we shall take an opportunity of saying
more in another place。
＇Thursday； 5th July＇
The weather cleared up in the course of the night； but the wind shifted
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to the N。E。 and blew very fresh。 From the force of the wind； being now
the period of spring…tides； a very heavy swell was experienced at the rock。
At two o'clock on the following morning the people on the beacon were in
a state of great alarm about their safety； as the sea had broke up part of the
floor of the mortar gallery！； which was thus cleared of the lime…casks and
other buoyant articles； and； the alarm…bell being rung； all hands were
called to render what assistance was in their power for the safety of
themselves and the materials。 At this time some would willingly have
left the beacon and gone into the building： the sea； however； ran so high
that there was no passage along the bridge of communication； and； when
the interior of the lighthouse came to be examined in the morning； it
appeared that great quantities of water had come over the walls … now
eighty feet in height … and had run down through the several apartments
and out at the entrance door。
The upper course of the lighthouse at the workyard of Arbroath was
completed on the 6th； and the whole of the stones were； therefore； now
ready for being shipped to the rock。 From the present state of the works it
was impossible that the two squads of artificers at Arbroath and the Bell
Rock could meet together at this period； and as in public works of this
kind； which had continued for a series of years； it is not customary to
allow the men to separate without what is termed a 〃finishing…pint；〃 five
guineas were for this purpose placed at the disposal of Mr。 David Logan；
clerk of works。 With this sum the stone…cutters at Arbroath had a merry
meeting in their barrack； collected their sweethearts and friends； and
concluded their labours with a dance。 It was remarked； however； that
their happiness on this occasion was not without alloy。 The consideration
of parting and leaving a steady and regular employment； to go in quest of
work and mix with other society； after having been harmoniously lodged
for years together in one large 〃guildhall or barrack；〃 was rather painful。
＇Friday； 6th July＇
While the writer was at Edinburgh he was fortunate enough to meet
with Mrs。 Dickson； only daughter of the late celebrated Mr。 Smeaton；
whose works at the Eddystone Lighthouse had been of such essential
consequence to the operations at the Bell Rock。 Even her own elegant
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accomplishments are identified with her father's work； she having herself
made the drawing of the vignette on the title… page of the NARRATIVE
OF THE EDDYSTONE LIGHTHOUSE。 Every admirer of the works of
that singularly eminent man must also feel an obligation to her for the very
comprehensive and distinct account given of his life； which is attached to
his reports； published； in three volumes quarto； by the Society of Civil
Engineers。 Mrs。 Dickson； being at this time returning from a tour to the
Hebrides and Western Highlands of Scotland； had heard of the Bell Rock
works； and from their similarity to those of the Eddystone was strongly
impressed with a desire of visiting the spot。 But on inquiring for the
writer at Edinburgh； and finding from him that the upper part of the
lighthouse； consisting of nine courses； might be seen in the immediate
vicinity； and also that one of the vessels which； in compliment to her
father's memory； had been named the SMEATON； might also now be seen
in Leith； she considered herself extremely fortunate； and having first
visited the works at Greenside； she afterwards went to Leith to see the
SMEATON； then loading for the Bell Rock。 On stepping on board； Mrs。
Dickson seemed to be quite overcome with so many concurrent
circumstances； tending in a peculiar manner to revive and enliven the
memory of her departed father； and； on leaving the vessel； she would not
be restrained from presenting the crew with a piece of money。 The
SMEATON had been named spontaneously； from a sense of the obligation
which a public work of the description of the Bell Rock owed to the
labours and abilities of Mr。 Smeaton。 The writer certainly never could
have anticipated the satisfaction which he this day felt in witnessing the
pleasure it afforded to the only representative of this great man's family。
＇Friday； 20th July＇
The gale from the N。E。 still continued so strong； accompanied with a
heavy sea； that the PATRIOT could not approach her moorings； and
although the tender still kept her station； no landing was made to…day at
the rock。 At high… water it was remarked that the spray rose to the height
of about sixty feet upon the building。 The SMEATON now lay in Leith
loaded； but； the wind and weather being so unfavourable for her getting
down the Firth； she did not sail till this afternoon。 It may be here proper
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to notice that the loading of the centre of the light…room floor； or last
principal stone of the building； did not fail； when put on board； to excite
an interest among those connected with the work。 When the stone was
laid upon the cart to be conveyed to Leith； the seamen fixed an ensign…
staff and flag into the circular hole in the centre of the stone； and
decorated their own hats； and that of James Craw； the Bell Rock carter；
with ribbons； even his faithful and trusty horse Brassey was ornamented
with bows and streamers of various colours。 The masons also provided
themselves with new aprons； and in this manner the cart was attended in
its progress to the ship。 When the cart came opposite the Trinity House
of Leith； the officer of that corporation made his appearance dressed in his
uniform； with his staff of office； and when it reached the harbour； the
shipping in the different tiers where the SMEATON lay hoisted their
c
