Chapter XXXI: Appendix: No. I (4)

+ |Course. | |Granite Beds | |and Joints | |in superficial | |feet. | | |Sandstone | | |Beds and | | |Joints in | | |sup. feet. | | | |Granite | | | |face-work | | | |in superficial | | | |feet. | | | | |Sandstone | | | | |face-work. | | | | | |Sandstone | | | | | |polish-work. | | | | | | |Granite | | | | | | |boring in | | | | | | |lineal | | | | | | |feet. | | | | | | | |Sandstone | | | | | | | |boring in | | | | | | | |lineal | | | | | | | |feet. | | | | | | | | |Granite | | | | | | | | |wedge | | | | | | | | |grooves in | | | | | | | | |lin. feet. | | | | | | | | | |Sandstone | | | | | | | | | |wedge | | | | | | | | | |grooves in | | | | | | | | | |lin. feet. | | | | | | | | | | |Granite | | | | | | | | | | |Lewis | | | | | | | | | | |holes. | | | | | | | | | | | |Sand- stone | | | | | | | | | | | |Lewis | | | | | | | | | | | |holes. +--+-----+-----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+ --+----+ |1 | | 500 | | | | | | | | | 18 | |2 |1165 |3354 |132 | | |156 |264 |208 |170 | 2 | 71 | |3 |2472 |3141 |275 | | |208 |325 |260 |421 | 2 | 84 | |4 |1832 |2980 |265 | | |208 |325 |300 |300 | 2 | 71 | |5 |1735 |2406 |220 | | |208 |251 |300 |204 | 2 | 54 | |6 |1120 |2788 |196 | | |104 |316 |156 |349 | 6 | 71 | |7 | 679 |2100 |159 | | | 69 |267 |138 |185 | 6 | 58 | |8 | 613 |1858 |110 | | | 78 |184 |104 |164 | 6 | 45 | |9 | 750 |1359 |113 | | | 82 |166 |113 |125 | 6 | 45 | |10| 626 |1887 |111 | | | 87 |173 |112 |145 | 6 | 45 | |11| 898 |1216 |114 | | | 91 |181 |130 |156 | 6 | 45 | |12| 519 |1394 | 90 | | | 51 |125 | 69 |120 | 6 | 37 | |13| 522 |1157 | 87 | | | 51 |125 | 69 |120 | 6 | 37 | |14| 443 |1148 | 86 | | | 51 |125 | 69 |120 | 6 | 37 | |15| 539 | 997 | 84 | | | 51 |125 | 69 |120 | 6 | 37 | |16| 448 |1123 | 82 | | | 51 |125 | 69 |120 | 6 | 37 | |17| 484 |1093 | 80 | | | 51 |125 | 69 |120 | 6 | 37 | |18| 430 |1036 | 79 | | | 51 |125 | 69 |120 | 6 | 37 | |19| 467 |1023 | 84 | | | 56 |134 | 74 |129 | 6 | 37 | |20| 484 | 952 | 89 | | | 56 |110 | 80 |114 | 6 | 29 | |21| 513 | 872 | 87 | | | 56 |110 | 80 |114 | 6 | 29 | |22| 319 | 981 | 82 | | | 53 |113 | 76 |118 | 6 | 29 | |23| 464 | 829 | 78 | | | 53 |113 | 76 |118 | 6 | 29 | |24| 361 | 926 | 88 | | | 59 |107 | 83 |111 | 6 | 29 | |25| 388 | 802 | 77 | | | 56 |110 | 80 |114 | 6 | 29 | |26| 370 | 818 | 76 | | | 56 |110 | 80 |114 | 6 | 39 | |27| |1017 | | 70 | 36 | |130 | | 78 | | 38 | |28| | 943 | | 62 | 31 | | 99 | | 58 | | 33 | |29| | 956 | | 61 | 31 | | 81 | | 61 | | 26 | |30| | 785 | | 61 | 30 | | 78 | | 54 | | 26 | |31| | 754 | | 60 | 30 | | 75 | | 68 | | 25 | |32| | 762 | | 70 | 35 | | 87 | | 80 | | 26 | |33| | 868 | | 73 | 47 | | 98 | | 97 | | 28 | |34| | 908 | | 68 | 23 | |100 | | 93 | | 30 | |35| |1022 | | 68 | 23 | |106 | | 93 | | 32 | |36| | 854 | | 64 | 21 | |106 | | 86 | | 32 | |37| | 782 | | 71 | 25 | |112 | |100 | | 32 | |38| | 502 | | 70 |111 | | 24 | | | | | |39| | 421 | | 56 | 37 | | 16 | | | | | |40| | 417 | | 56 | 37 | | 16 | | | | | |41| | 391 | | 55 | 37 | | 14 | | | | | |42| | 372 | | 60 | 44 | | 14 | | | | | |43| | 383 | | 60 | 44 | | | | | | 16 | |44| | 409 | | 59 | 40 | | | | | | 16 | |45| | 395 | | 59 | 40 | | | | | | 16 | |46| | 388 | | 58 | 40 | | | | | | 16 | |47| | 685 | | 67 |231 | | | | 80 | | 18 | |48| | 361 | | 54 | 38 | | | | | | 16 | |49| | 352 | | 54 | 38 | | | | | | 16 | |50| | 335 | | 54 | 52 | | | | | | 14 | |51| | 322 | | 64 | 44 | | | | | | 14 | |52| | 315 | | 64 | 44 | | | | | | 16 | |53| | 335 | | 58 | 49 | | | | | | 16 | |54| | 339 | | 58 | 41 | | | | | | 16 | |55| | 318 | | 54 | 38 | | | | | | 16 | |56| | 672 | | 65 |231 | | | | 80 | | 18 | |57| | 320 | | 51 | 38 | | | | | | 16 | |58| | 318 | | 51 | 38 | | | | | | 16 | |59| | 301 | | 51 | 48 | | | | | | 14 | |60| | 250 | | 60 | 41 | | | | | | 14 | |61| | 273 | | 60 | 41 | | | | | | 16 | |62| | 298 | | 55 | 49 | | | | | | 16 | |63| | 294 | | 51 | 41 | | | | | | 16 | |64| | 294 | | 51 | 41 | | | | | | 16 | |65| | 645 | | 55 |231 | | | | 80 | | 18 | |66| | 277 | | 49 | 38 | | | | | | 16 | |67| | 274 | | 49 | 38 | | | | | | 16 | |68| | 250 | | 53 | 57 | | | | | | 16 | |69| | 192 | | 43 | 61 | | | | | | 12 | |70| | 198 | | 43 | 61 | | | | | | 16 | |71| | 282 | | 57 | 44 | | | | | | 16 | |72| | 259 | | 49 | 38 | | | | | | 16 | |73| | 254 | | 49 | 38 | | | | | | 16 | |74| | 645 | | 51 |247 | | | | 80 | | 18 | |75| | 209 | | 45 | 45 | | | | | | 16 | |76| | 247 | | 53 | 41 | | | | | | 16 | |77| | 226 | | 57 | 52 | | | | | | 16 | |78| | 165 | | 54 | 61 | | | | | | 12 | |79| | 221 | | 54 | 61 | | | | | | 12 | |80| | 225 | | 52 | 49 | | | | | | 12 | |81| | 368 | | | 49 | 38 | | | | | 16 | |82| | 679 | | |115 | | | | | | 16 | |83| | 846 | | |160 | | | | | | 16 | |84| | 671 | | |148 | | | | | | 16 | |85| | 165 | | |399 | | | | | | 16 | |86| | 157 | | | 92 | | | | | | 8 | |87| | 147 | | | 91 | | | | | | 8 | |88| | 138 | | | 90 | | | | | | 8 | |89| | 129 | | | 89 | | | | | | 8 | |90| | 120 | | | 88 | | | | | | 8 | +--+-----+-----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+---+----+ |A |18641|66440|2944|3145|4377|2093|5306|2933|5179|594|2240| +--+-----+-----+----+----+----+----+----+----+----+---+----+

No. VII.

ABSTRACT-ACCOUNT OF THE EXPENCE OF ERECTING THE BELL-ROCK
LIGHT-HOUSE, AND OF EXECUTING THE ULTERIOR WORKS CONNECTED WITH THAT
ESTABLISHMENT.

WAGES AND PREMIUMS.

Wages of artificers while off at the Bell Rock, and in the work-yards at Arbroath and Edinburgh, where the stones were cut and prepared in regular courses, L.11,980 15 8

Premiums to artificers for Sundays’ work and extra hours upon the Rock, and in the Work-yard at Arbroath, 998 14 9

Premiums to seamen, including Sundays’ work at the Bell Rock, 473 5 6

_Note._--Masons and smiths were paid at the rate of 3s. 4d.,--mill-wrights 3s. 6d.,--joiners 3s., and labourers at from 2s. 2d. to 2s. 8d. per day; besides lodgings ashore, and victuals while afloat.--The premiums paid to artificers were at the rate of 6d. per hour for extra time; eight hours constituting a day’s work at the Rock.--The seamen were paid at the same rate on Sundays as on week days.

_Amount for wages and premiums to artificers, and including premiums to seamen,_ ---- L. 13,452 15 11

BUILDING MATERIALS.

35,952 cubic feet of Sandstone from Mylnefield quarry, dressed to the quarry-moulds, and put on ship-board, L. 3,412 18 5

Extra dressing in reducing the courses to regular thicknesses at Mylnfield, 667 2 8

1700 cubic feet of sandstone from Craigleith Quarry for the cornice and parapet wall of the Light-room, 200 0 10

13,964 cubic feet of granite from Rubieslaw and other quarries at Aberdeen, and from Cairngall near Peterhead, 1,979 1 4

Extra dressing in reducing the granite stones to the quarry-moulds, and to regular thicknesses, to suit the respective courses, including cartage and charges of shipping, 1,291 7 2½

40 Tons of Pozzolano-earth in casks, 398 3 4

60 Tons of Aberthaw-limestone, including freight from South Wales, 78 14 2

100 Bushels Parker’s or Roman cement, including casks and shipping charges, 43 12 0

6 Tons of Tarras, including casks and shipping charges, 52 19 10

Casks for carrying lime and sand from the workyard to the Bell Rock, 38 3 3

4824 oaken trenails, from 21 to 24 inches and 6195 oaken wedges, from 12 to 18 inches in length, 216 1 6

_Note._--The quarry price of Sandstone varied from 1s. to 2s. 9d., and Granite from 1s. 3d. to 5s. per cubic foot. Pozzolano from L. 6 to L. 14 per ton. Tarras from L. 6, 10s. to L. 11 per ton. Limestone was 1s. per ton. Cement varied from 5s. to 6s. 6d. per bushel; oaken trenails from L. 1 to L. 5 per hundred, and wedges were L. 1: 6: 6 per hundred.

_Amount for Building Materials_, ---- 8,378 4 1½

IMPLEMENTS AND MACHINERY FOR THE WORKS, INCLUDING BEACON-HOUSE, CAST-IRON RAILWAYS, &c. &c. (SEE PLATES VIII., IX., X., XIV., XVII., AND XVIII.)

4662 cubic feet of Memel and Swedish timber, and 480 Petersburgh deals for the use of the Beacon-house, cast-iron Railways and wharfs upon the Bell Rock, and for making moulds for the stone-cutters, L. 1,436 19 7

69 tons 9 cwt. of cast-iron for Railways, 812 15 11

25,893 lb. malleable iron in stanchions, bats, knees, stays, bracing-chains, screw and spear bolts, including other apparatus for the use of the Beacon-house and Railways, 1,244 3 7

19 Tons 13 cwt. 2 qrs. 3 lb. cast-iron, 14,002 lb. malleable iron, and 505 lb. of brass for cranes, winch-machines, and other apparatus, 1,191 14 7½

Cordage for cranes, &c. 409 1 0

Two large Sling or Woolwich-carts, for conveying large blocks of stone, fitted up with wheel and pinion-work for slinging or lifting the stones off the ground, 150 3 6

15,446 lb. quarry and stone-cutters’ tools; 11,934 lb. malleable iron, and 771 lb. steel, used in the work-yard; exclusively of tools, nails, and other furnishings connected with joiners’ and smiths’ shops; but including stone-jacks and common carts used in work-yard, &c. &c., 1,567 10 1½

_Note._--The price of fir-timber varied from 3s. to 5s. 6d. per cubic foot; cast-iron from L. 10, 10s. to L. 23:6:8 per ton; chains and axles, &c. 6½d. to 1s. per lb.; quarry and stone-cutters tools from 6d. to 10d. per lb.; Swedish and British bar-iron from L. 21 to L. 29 per ton. Steel was 7d. per lb., and brass 1s. 10d. per lb.

_Amount for Machinery, &c._ ---- 6,812 8 4

SHIPPING.

Price of the hull of a Prussian fishing-dogger, L. 250 0 2

Carpenter-work, altering and fitting up the dogger as the Pharos Floating-light, 1,397 12 8

Two sets of chains, with mushroom anchors, spare shackles and swivels, &c., for mooring her off the Bell Rock, the whole weighing about 13,083 lb. of malleable, and 3200 lb. of cast-iron, 462 9 4

Outfit in hempen cables, sails and rigging, including 11 tons cast-iron, ballast, ship-hearth, cabin-stoves, alarm-bell, &c., 1,664 2 3

Three large copper lanterns, glazed with plate glass, (so constructed, that the ship’s masts passed through them), fitted with brass chandeliers for 60 agitable-lamps, each having a small silvered-copper reflector, 397 1 2½

Freight of a vessel, and expence of laying down the moorings for the Floating-light, 81 5 6

Wear and tear of the Floating-light riding off the Bell Rock, from July 1807 till February 1811, 1,059 11 5½

Advertising the mooring and exhibition of the Floating-light, generally, in the Newspapers of the United Kingdom, 227 18 9

Victualling the crew of the Floating-light, including occasional subsisting money and board-wages while ashore, 1,149 18 7

Pay of the master, mate, principal and assistant light-keepers, and seven seamen, from 1807 to March 1811, 1,632 12 8

---- 8,322 12 5

First Cost and Outfit of the Sir Joseph Banks Tender of 84 tons register, the Sloop Smeaton of 42 tons, the Sloop Patriot of 46 tons, and of four Stone Lighters of about 15 tons each, including wear and tear during the progress of the works, L. 5,436 9 7½

Bedding for seamen and artificers during the progress of the works, 349 7 2

Victualling seamen and artificers afloat, including occasional subsisting money for seamen while ashore, 2,930 12 7½

Pay of the masters, mates, and seamen of the respective vessels, 2,434 2 2

Freight of hired vessels bringing stone from Mylnefield, Aberdeen, and Peterhead quarries, and timber and cast-iron from Leith and other ports to Arbroath, 930 17 11

Port charges and sailing disbursements of the several vessels, 358 8 4½

Insurance of Shipping, effected only for a limited period, 647 12 6

14 Mushroom Anchors, weighing 13 tons 7 cwts. 0 qrs. 10 lb. of cast-iron, 235 15 8

28,456 lb. malleable iron, in mooring-chains, shanks of mushroom-anchors, spare swivels and shackles, 891 11 2

16 Large mooring buoys of coopers’ work, and one of carpenters’ work, 456 19 2

_Note._--Pay of the masters of the respective vessels in the service was from L. 5 to L. 6, 6s., mates from L. 4 to L. 5, 5s., principal light-keeper L. 5, 5s., assistant light-keeper L. 3, 15s., seamen from L. 2, 10s. to L. 3, 15s. per month. Officers’ occasional subsisting money 2s., and seamens’ 1s. 8d. per day.

The price of the hulls of the vessels were from L. 9, 15s. to L. 10 per ton, and cordage from L. 77 to L. 130 per ton; cordage subject to a discount of 7½ per cent.; other articles generally to 5 per cent.

_Amount for shipping_, ---- 14,671 16 4½

LIGHT-ROOM, &c. (See Plates XVI. and XX.)

Lantern or Light-room with tinned copper roof, 8 cast-iron sashes, 8 feet in height, glazed with 48 squares of plate-glass, measuring 13½ by 26¾ inches. Malleable iron stays, copper rings, flag-staff, and signal-ball, &c. L. 1,135 1 11

24 Reflectors raised to the parabolic-curve, made from copper plated, in the proportion of 6 oz. of silver to each lb. of copper; arranged upon a malleable iron chandelier, furnished with brass fountains, and argand burners, including a train of Revolving-machinery, and two alarm-bells, set upon tripods on the balcony, &c. 1,287 17 2

Balcony-railing of cast-iron, with brass supports and top-rail; and a conductor or thunder-rod extending, from the Light-room to the Rock, 216 0 3

_Amount of Light-room, &c._ ---- 2,638 19 4

ULTERIOR WORKS, &c. (See Plate XII.)

Finishing and Completing the interior of the Light-house, with wainscot partitions,--doors,-- trap-ladders,--furniture of oaken-timber for the several apartments,--kitchen range with cast-iron chimney,--tinned-copper oil cisterns--brass and copper bolts and hinges for doors,--window-shutters,--brasslocks,--brass hand-rails for inside stairs,--water-cisterns, and coal magazines, &c. L. 1,489 16 6

Erecting permanent Railways upon the Bell Rock, improving the wharfs or landing places, and removing the Beacon-house, 1,338 16 6

Houses erected for the families of the light-keepers and seamen of the Tender, signal-tower, store-houses, and sea-wall, at Arbroath, 4,500 8 3

The price of about 1½ acre of ground for a garden, trenching, and enclosing it for the use of the light-keepers, and seamen, and their families, 1,158 18 10

The price of a pew of 14 sittings in the parish-church of Arbroath, for the use of the Light-keepers and their families, 52 10 0

_Note._--Wainscot 7s. 6d. per foot, brass 1s. 8d. to 2s. per lb.

_Amount for Ulterior Works_, ---- 8,540 10 1

INCIDENTS.

Expence of Act of Parliament, L. 548 8 0

Travelling charges connected with the work, 312 14 7

Incidental charges for stamps and postages, including letters for artificers afloat, salary for Engineer’s clerk, &c. 882 5 1

Advertising the exhibition of the Light upon the Bell Rock, and the discontinuance of the Floating-light, on the 1st of February 1811, 219 10 3

The cost-price of the artificers barracks, platform of aisler-masonry for fitting the courses before shipping them to the Rock,--engineer’s office,--smith and joiner’s shops,--store-house and stable, estimated at 1,255 5 6

Rent of the work-yard, and compensation to the landlord for taking it off the hands of the Commissioners before the expiry of the lease, 174 19 6

Price, hire, and keep of work-horses, 593 5 11½ 481 tons coals, used in the artificers’ barracks, smith’s-shop, lime-kiln in the work-yard, and at the beacon-house, &c. 347 4 2

Shore-dues upon materials for the Light-house, and other articles during the progress of the works, 270 9 6

57½ dozen of flambeaux, for night-work at the Bell Rock, 32 9 6

Stationery and books for Engineer’s office, and shipping, 134 10 8½

One five feet Achromatic-telescope with brass-stand, steadying-rods, two eye-tubes, a mahogany-stand with night-glass for signal-room, 35 1 0

Pension, and Sick lists for wages of artificers and seamen when off work, medical attendance, &c. 925 12 2

Superintendence of engineers, and plans, including L. 300 to Captain Brodie, 4,858 13 5

Interest upon L. 25,000 of Government loan, up to March 1810, 3,446 11 5

Treasury fees for Exchequer bonds, &c. 235 10 4

_Note._--Price of coal 13s. 4d. to 19s. per ton. Oats from 20s. to 23s. per boll. Hay from 10½d. to 1s. 3d. per stone of 22 lb.

_Amount for Incidents_ ---- 14,272 11 1

Amount of gross expenditure in erecting the Light-house, including Ulterior Works, L. 77,089 17 8

[Sidenote: Gross Expenditure.]

[Sidenote: Deductions.]

DEDUCTIONS.

For workmens’ barracks, implements, machinery, shipping and old materials, disposed of by public sale, or transferred to the Northern Light-houses for the general service of the Board, at the conclusion of the works.

By the price of the workmens’ barracks, storehouses and offices in the work-yard at Arbroath, L. 700 0 0

By old gable-walls, lime-house, and sundries in workyard, and engineer’s office, 52 8 2

By the price of three work horses and carts sold at different times, 86 0 0

By fulzie of stable and work-yard, 21 17 0

By stone-shivers sold by public sale at different times, including 232 cart loads for the use of the Roads in the vicinity of Arbroath, 48 4 6

By artificers’ time three weeks at Mylnefield, deducted from Quarry Account, 42 0 0

By two large Woolwich-carts, 55 0 0

By sundries, sold in the work-yard, by public sale, at the conclusion of the work, 121 16 5

By the price of two cast-iron cranes, in use upon the quays at Aberdeen and Arbroath, and a small boring-machine used in the work-yard, 273 3 0

By broken cast-iron railways, 97 19 0

By the price of drift timber recovered, 6 10 0

By a stone-waggon and quarry-tools, sold at Aberdeen, 15 13 0

By old brass and bell-metal, 12 16 9

By scrap-iron from the smith’s shop, 6 10 8

By sale of old timber, and the soil taken off the site of the light-keepers houses at Arbroath, 15 3 11

By the price of the Sir Joseph Banks Tender, 1,510 0 0

By the price of the Patriot, 400 0 0

By the price of an old boat and mast belonging to the Patriot, 12 0 0

By cash, in name of damages, in consequence of sap-wood in the Patriot’s hull, 80 0 0

By the amount of sales of sundry stores, 406 0 0

By the price of three praam-boats or stone-lighters, 193 0 0

By the price of the wreck of an old stone-lighter and boat, 10 10 0

By retaining-money paid during the winter months, to one of the seamen who left the service, 1 11 6

By interest upon the engineer’s deposit-account with the Dundee Banking Company at Arbroath, from the commencement till the conclusion of the works, 26 5 7

By return-freight of the sloop Smeaton, from Aberdeen to Arbroath, 18 18 0

By shipping, boats, machinery, implements, stores, and moorings, transferred to the general service of the Northern Light-houses, 3,222 8 7

By the nett cost and maintenance of the Floating-light deducted, as belonging to the general service of the Northern Light-houses, L. 7,901 10 7

By the price of the vessel and her stores when sold, 421 1 10
---- 8,322 12 5

---- 15,758 8 6

Nett cost of the Bell Rock Light-house, and Ulterior Works connected with that establishment, L. 61,331 9 2 ===============

[Sidenote: Nett Cost.]

Extracted by
LACHLAN KENNEDY, Engineer’s Clerk.

* * * * *

[Sidenote: Average Price of Provisions.]

_Average Price of Provisions during the Period of the Bell Rock Works._

Beef 6d. per lb. of 17½ oz. avoirdupois. Ship-biscuit L. 1, 9s. per cwt. Quartern Loaf 13½d. per loaf, of 4 lb. 5½ oz. Oat-meal L. 1, 11s. per boll, of 140 lb. Barley 2½d. per lb. of 17½ oz. Butter 1s. 8d. per lb. of 24 oz. Salt 10s. per bushel, of 56 lb. Whisky 11s. per gallon. Small Beer 1s. 10d. per Scots gallon, of 8 Scots points.

DESCRIPTION OF PLATES.

DESCRIPTION of the PLATES, as they are mentioned in the Work.

PLATE I.

INCHKEITH LIGHT-HOUSE.

_INCH KEITH LIGHT HOUSE._

_Drawn by W. Lorimer_

_PLATE I._]

The Light-house of Inchkeith, delineated on Plate I. was erected while Mr THOMAS SMITH, the writer’s predecessor, held the situation of Engineer for the Northern Light-houses. A plan of it is given, as having been the first of these establishments erected upon the new principle; the Reflectors being illuminated with Argand-burners; the Light-room rendered completely fire-proof; and the Dwelling-house fitted for the accommodation of two keepers. But as this establishment is described in the introductory chapter, at page 24, and the names of the several apartments are marked upon the Plate, it seems unnecessary here to enter into detail.

PLATE II.

CARR ROCK BEACON.

_CARR ROCK BEACON AS DESIGNED IN THE YEAR 1810._

_CARR ROCK BEACON AS EXECUTED IN THE YEAR 1821._

_Drawn by J. Slight_

_Eng^d. by E. Mitchell_

_PLATE II._]

[Sidenote: Pl. II.]

The Carr Rock Beacon is represented in Plate II. and referred to in the introduction at page 53. The diagram marked Figure 1. is an outline of the rock, shewing the position of the beacon, and plan of the first course of the building, made to a radius of nine feet, cut in a dove-tailed form, after the manner of the courses of the Edystone and Bell Rock Light-houses.

Figure 2. is a section of the rock on the line A, B, Fig. 1. with a perpendicular section also of a tower of masonry and apparatus, for tolling an alarm-bell, which was originally intended for this situation. In Fig. 2. letter _a_ represents an aperture measuring 3 inches in diameter, which was perforated with much labour and care through a block of granite 7 feet in length, previously to its being laid. This canal was intended to admit the tidal-waters into the interior chamber of the building marked _b_, in which the flood-tide was to act upon an air-tight copper-tank, marked _c_, and its rod of connection formed into a rack with teeth, by which motion was to be given to a train of machinery, represented at _d_ in the void of the building. The machine was to act on the vertical shaft _e_, connected with a series of hammers _f_, placed under the great bell _g_, which was to have measured 5 feet in diameter, and become the cupola or roof of the building. In this manner the bell was to be tolled to forewarn the mariner of his approach to the dangers of the Carr, and the other extensive ledges of sunken rocks in its neighbourhood. By the rise of the flood-tide, and consequent admission of the waters into the canal _a_, the tank _c_, with its connecting rod, not only lifted the bell-hammers _f_, and, at the same time, also elevated the weight marked _h_, which, in its descent during ebb-tide, was to have continued the motion of the machinery; and thus, by the alternate operation of the tides, the continual tolling of the Bell was to have been preserved.

It will further be seen from the section of this building, that the masonry of the solid is connected perpendicularly by means of stone-joggles inserted half into the one course and half into the other. But in the void or upper part, instead of the joggles, the bed-joints of the stones were let or sunk about an inch in depth, into each other, as at the Bell Rock, forming so many bands or girths to the work. This will be observed by narrowly examining the section at letter _i_, with its accompanying diagram Fig. 3., which represents a plan of one of the courses of the void, shewing how the stones were connected horizontally by a system of dove-tailing, as is further represented in Fig. 4., being a plan of a course at the level _a_, _k_, in which the perforation is delineated for the admission of the tidal-waters.

The ascent to this building was to have been by means of a ladder of cast-iron or flight of steps, marked _a_, _i_, _l_, fixed on the outward wall by means of screw-bolts fixed into brass-bats, sunk into the masonry, and run up with lead. The entrance-door of this building was formed in the cast-iron frame or pedestal on which the great bell was to have been supported, the access to the interior being by the balcony, round which a cast-iron rail was intended, not only for the safety of the keepers or occasional attendants, but also, in some measure, to defend the bell from the sprays of the sea.

Figure 5. represents the Pillar-formed Beacon, as finished at the Carr Rock in the year 1821. The lower part of this diagram is a perpendicular section of the rock on the line A B, Fig. 1. The masonry is also shewn with two of the six great malleable iron-bats or stancheons marked _a_ in Fig. 5., which passing through the several courses, are sunk about 30 inches into the Rock. The upper part of this diagram represents a frame of cast-iron work, of great strength, fashioned somewhat after the manner of what seamen term a _spar_ or _spur beacon_, from being made generally of timber, set up in the form of struts or spur-beams. The connection of this frame will be understood from the detached diagram Fig. 6., taken upon the line or level marked _b_ in Fig. 5. From Figs. 5. and 6. it will be observed, that the beacon consists of 6 pipes or hollow tubes, marked letter A, which are inserted into the sockets _c_, in the sill-plate of Fig. 6, into which these hollow tubes are strongly wedged and keyed with culter or spear bolts, which pass through each of the sockets and base of the hollow tubes at _c_. Besides the main hollow tubes marked A, other six marked B, are set up as spurs or diagonals, which radiate from sockets cast in the centre of the sill-plate marked _e_. These diagonals are so situated, and connected by dove-tail or hook-joints, that they butt against the main tubes, and support them at _f_. The main tubes are further connected by means of horizontal bars of malleable iron, marked _g_ in Fig. 5, laid into grooves formed in the arms of the cast-iron collars F, _k_, which clasp around the main tubes at these points, immediately above and below their connection with the diagonal tubes. These collars are also keyed with the main tubes by means of spear-bolts. At the point of junction _d d_, towards the top, the main tubes form segments of a common circle, and rest upon the centre block _h_, into which they are keyed and wedged. As a further security, a strong cast-iron tubular formed case, marked _i i_, is made to clasp around the whole upper parts of the main tubes at their point of junction _d d_, so as to form a girth to them. This tubular case or cap _i i_, is 8 feet in length, and terminates with a cast-iron ball marked _m m_, which is 3½ feet in diameter, formed into ribs, connected with the cap _i i_, by means of a socket, through which a spear-bolt passes, and binds it to the top of the tubular-case at the point _l_.

Fig. 6. represents the Ballast-plate, which forms the sill or basement of the superstructure. It contains about 8 tons of cast-iron, and is so constructed as to become a cap or girth to the upper course of the masonry which it is calculated to secure, by means of a flange of 6 inches in depth at the outward extremity, marked _b b_ in Fig. 5, where it is let into the stone. This plate is cast in six pieces, connected together at the points _m m m m m m_, by means of screw-bolts of one and a half inch in diameter (with nuts), passing through flanges raised at the joints of its several compartments. At the points _n n n n n n_, there were six socket-holes, for the reception of the great stancheons or bolts, marked _a a_, Fig. 5, which, passing through the masonry, are sunk 30 inches into the Rock, where they are fixed at the lower ends with iron-wedges, driven home by means of a long iron-driver. The ballast-plate is connected with the upper ends of these great stancheons, by means of a shackle and bolt, in such a manner that the more exposed parts may be renewed. The whole is imbedded and run up with pozzolano-mortar, so as to preserve the several parts as much as possible from the effects of oxidation.

Fig. 7. represents a horizontal section of this beacon, on the line F F, shewing the connection of the horizontal malleable iron-bars or braces _g g g g_, which fit into the grooves of the arms of the collars, embracing the hollow tubes or pillars A A A A, and connecting them by means of spear-bolts at _k k k k_. The grooves in these arms are so formed as to command the braces, and to contain a quantity of Parker’s or Roman cement, by which the bolts are preserved from the effects of oxidation. These collars and arms, with their connecting malleable iron-bars, form a girth immediately above the diagonal struts or braces B B B, Fig. 5. A similar chain of connection is in like manner formed below the junction of these diagonal struts, with the main tubes, which, like those described above, has the effect of binding the whole fabric horizontally.

Fig. 8. is a horizontal section upon the line _d d_, delineated upon a scale of double the size of the other parts of the beacon, shewing the connection of the hollow tubes A A A A A A, at the top, where they change their cylindrical form into segments of a circle at the point of contact, so as to embrace the centre-block _h h_. The top of these tubes thus formed into a compact figure, is cased or covered with the cylindrical cap _i i_, through which the spear-bolts immediately above and below the points _d d_, in Fig. 5, are made to pass and bind the whole firmly together.

PLATE III.

GENERAL CHART, SHEWING THE RELATIVE POSITION OF THE BELL ROCK.

_CHART shewing the relative situation of the BELL ROCK LIGHT HOUSE._

_Drawn by J. Steedman_

_Eng^d. by W. H. Lizars_

_Plate III._]

[Sidenote: Pl. III.]

This Plate is reduced from a manuscript-map in the possession of the writer, which is drawn upon a large scale, originally intended for exhibiting the depths of the German Ocean or North Sea, and the situations of the numerous Light-houses on the coasts of the United Kingdom, and opposite Continent, but is here given with the view of shewing the relative position of the Bell Rock.

The chief peculiarity of this map is the sectional lines, exhibiting at one view the relative depths of the ocean, in connection with a theory which the writer has advanced, regarding the wasting of the firm ground by the effects of the sea, as alluded to in Appendix V. These sectional lines, of a deeper shade, are drawn across the German Ocean, from shore to shore. As, for example, between Shetland and Norway, the greatest depth is ascertained to be about 140 fathoms, and so of other examples, extending southward as far as the Straits of Dover. The soundings are all marked in fathoms, and, in so far as regards the east coast of Scotland, have been very generally made from on board of the vessels belonging to the service of the Northern Lights. The forms given to the principal sand-banks, and the soundings in the central and eastern parts of this great basin, have been taken from the best maritime surveys, and nautical authorities. The numerous Light-houses on the respective coasts are coloured; those of Scotland being blue, England red, Ireland green, and the foreign Lights yellow.

PLATE IV.

CHART, SHEWING THE PARTICULAR POSITION OF THE BELL ROCK.

_CHART Shewing the Position_ of the _BELL ROCK LIGHTHOUSE_ relatively to the Coasts of _FIFE and FORFAR SHIRES._

_Drawn by A. Stevenson_

_Eng^d. by W. H. Lizars_

_PLATE IV._]

[Sidenote: Pl. IV.]

This chart is intended to shew the position of the Rock in reference to the opposite shores of Fife and Forfar, and to the entrances to the Friths of Forth and Tay. The most contiguous point of land, being in the immediate neighbourhood of Aberbrothwick, is distant about 11¾ miles. This chart also exhibits the depths of water, and the nature of the bottom, in the vicinity of the Rock.

PLATE V.

CHART OF THE BELL ROCK, SHEWING ITS POSITION RELATIVELY TO THE SHIPPING EMPLOYED AT THE WORK.

_BELL ROCK Shewing the relative position of the SHIPPING EMPLOYED_ at the _WORKS_

_Drawn by J. Steedman_

_Eng^d. by W. H. Lizars_

_PLATE V._]

[Sidenote: Pl. V.]

This Plate represents the Rock at low-water of spring-tides, when that part of it which extends about 1000 feet in a south-western direction from the Light-house, may be traced by the appearance of some detached portions of rock, but chiefly from the sea-weeds which float at the surface of the water. Its greatest extent, in a north-eastern and south-western direction, is about 1400 feet, and in a south-eastern and a north-western direction about 240 feet.

KING GEORGE III.--This is an insulated rock which lies towards the south-eastern extremity of the Main or House Rock, and has been named in reference to the reign in which the Light-house was erected.

KING JAMES V.--is also a detached rock, forming the south-western extremity of the reef, which extends from the House-rock, and is named in reference to that Monarch’s memorable voyage round his dominions, about the year 1540, as alluded to in the Introduction, at page 4.

On the north-western side of the Rock, as nearly as may be, the figures of the respective vessels employed at the work are delineated, and the positions of their moorings laid down; with the exception of those of the Pharos Floating-light, whose bearing or direction is only to be understood, as the full distance at which she was ultimately moored would fall beyond the limits of the Plate. The house-part of the Rock is left bare at low-water of ordinary spring-tides, and at high-water of these tides it is from 10 to 12 feet under water; but during the storms of winter, the sea generally breaks over the whole surface of the rock, so as to render walking upon it impracticable, even in the lowest ebbs; while at high water, the sprays fly over the building, or rise to a height of upwards of 100 feet. The reef, which extends in a south-western direction from the House-rock, contains many Travellers or large boulder-stones; affording a proof that the Bell Rock has at one time been of greater dimensions than at present, and these detached stones may be regarded as part of the debris, which have been separated in the lapse of ages from the main Rock.

PLATE VI.

PLAN OF THE NORTH EASTERN PARTS OF THE BELL ROCK, SHEWING THE POSITION OF THE LIGHT-HOUSE, RAILWAYS, AND WHARFS, &c.

_NORTH EASTERN PARTS OF THE BELL ROCK SHEWING THE POSITION OF THE LIGHT HOUSE, RAILWAYS, WHARFS, &C._

_Drawn by G. C. Scott_

_Eng^d. by E. Mitchell_

_PLATE VI._]

[Sidenote: Pl. VI.]

The description of this Plate, representing the higher parts of the Rock as seen at low-water of spring-tides, affords the writer an opportunity of mentioning many distinguished names connected either officially, or in a friendly manner, with the erection of the Light-house. In corresponding about the state of the Rock, he has often found the advantage of this particular nomenclature of its different parts, as affording a reference to all its localities.

SITE OF THE LIGHT-HOUSE, AND RAILWAY-TRACKS.--The site of the Light-house, which will be seen from the Plate, was fixed by the writer in a central position of what may be termed the House-Rock. From this, as a centre, the Railways ramify in various directions. Upon these the materials for the erection of the house were conveyed, and they are still partly preserved, as convenient foot-paths and wharfs, in landing stores for the Light-house. The portions of the Railway-tracks marked with light dotted lines, were only used during the continuation of the works; while those of a deeper shade represent the permanent railways.

SITE OF CAPTAIN BRODIE’S BEACON.--The late Captain Joseph Brodie, of the Royal Navy, was perhaps not less known to the public as the fortunate bearer of Lord Duncan’s dispatches announcing the victory obtained by the British fleet off Camperdown, than for his unwearied exertions in keeping up the interest of the public, relative to the important results to navigation which would attend the erection of a Light-house upon the Bell Rock, of which notice is taken at page 88.

SITE OF MR STEVENSON’S BEACON.--The position of the Beacon or temporary erection delineated in Plate VIII., was fixed upon the southern side of the site of the Light-house, with the ultimate view of obtaining shelter from the breach of the north-east seas. It was farther important, for the conveniency it afforded of a communication during the progress of the works, by means of a wooden bridge, which will be understood by examining Plate XVIII.

HALDANE’S LEDGE--is situate on the south-eastern side of the Rock, where the writer made his first landing with his friend Mr James Haldane, architect, as noticed at page 91.

GRAY’S ROCK.--Toward the eastern side of the Rock, there is a small outlier, or reef, important as a low-water-mark, which is named Gray’s Rock, in compliment to the late Mr John Gray, Writer to the Signet, and the first Secretary to the Light-house Board, as noticed in the Introduction, page 5.

SMITH’S ROCK,--situate on the eastern side of the Light-house, derives its name from the late Mr Thomas Smith, who introduced Reflecting-Lights upon the coast of Scotland; and was the first Engineer to the Board, as noticed at page 7.

CUNINGHAM’S LEDGE.--This ledge of rock has its name from Mr Charles Cuningham, Writer to the Signet, and successor to Mr Gray, as Secretary and Cashier to the Light-house Board.

PORT HAMILTON.--This creek is situate at the south-eastern extremity of the House-rock, and derives its name from Mr Robert Hamilton, Sheriff of Lanarkshire, and _ex officio_ one of the Commissioners of the Northern Light-houses; who first landed here in the year 1805, accompanied by Mr Rennie and the writer, with a view further to ascertain the practicability of erecting the proposed Light-house, as noticed at page 95. Mr Hamilton has been a zealous member of the Bell Rock Committee since the period of its institution in the year 1807, and, from his literary habits, he has taken much interest in the pages of this work.

PORT RENNIE--is situate in the north-eastern part of the House-rock, and derives its name from the late Mr John Rennie, the celebrity and extent of whose works as a Civil Engineer are well known to the public. Mr Rennie was consulted by the Light-house Board relative to this work. His reports will be found in Appendix, No. IV.; and his plan in Plate VII.

PORT STEVENSON--enters from the north-eastern side of the Rock, and forms the principal landing-place in that direction; it was named for the writer by Mr Hamilton, at the landing above alluded to, in the year 1805.

THE ABBOT’S LEDGE--forms the north-western extremity of the House-rock, and derives its name from a tradition (for we can find no authentic record) of one of the Abbots of Aberbrothwick having erected an Alarm-bell, to forewarn mariners of their danger in approaching the Bell Rock.

SIR RALPH THE ROVER’S LEDGE--forms the south-western extremity of the House-rock, and takes the name of Sir Ralph the Rover from a noted pirate who is said to have landed upon it, and carried away the Alarm-bell. This traditionary story is beautifully alluded to in a ballad by Mr Southey in his Minor Poems, which, with his permission, is included in Appendix, No. II. page 438.

DUNNICHEN LEDGE,--on the north-western side of the Rock, is named in compliment to Mr Dempster of Dunnichen, who is mentioned in the Introduction, page 5.

DUNSKEY LEDGE,--which is contiguous to the former, is named in compliment to Sir James Hunter Blair of Dunskey, first Preses of the Commissioners of the Northern Light-houses, as mentioned at page 6.

ARNISTON LEDGE.--Named in compliment to the late Lord Chief-Baron Dundas of Arniston, who, while Solicitor-General and Lord Advocate of Scotland, took an active part in Light-house affairs; and visited the Bell Rock in the year 1812, as noticed at page 413.

RATTRAY LEDGE.--In compliment to Mr Baron Clerk Rattray, who, while Sheriff of the Shire of Edinburgh, as noticed at page 98, was _ex officio_ one of the Commissioners of the Northern Light-houses, and, as one of the Bell Rock Committee, took much interest in the work.

HOPE’S WHARF--forms the termination of the permanent railway toward the west. It was named for the Right Honourable Charles Hope, Lord President of the Court of Session, who landed here in the year 1815. While Lord Advocate of Scotland, he took a warm interest in the affairs of the Northern Light-houses, and in 1803 brought the first bill into Parliament for the erection of the Bell Rock Light-house, as noticed at page 93.

PULTENEY LEDGE.--So named in compliment to Sir William Pulteney, who, as a Member of Parliament, took a lively interest in the bill brought forward for the Bell Rock Light-house in the year 1803, as alluded to at page 92.

BANKS LEDGE.--Named in compliment to Sir Joseph Banks, who was Vice-President of the Board of Trade in the year 1806, when the Bill for the Light-house was in Parliament, and who took much interest in it, as noticed at page 101.

COCHRANE’S LEDGE--is named in compliment to Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane, who first called the attention of the Light-house Board to an erection upon the Bell Rock, as mentioned at page 85.

PORT ERSKINE--forms the principal landing-place on the western side of the Rock, and derives its name from the Honourable Henry Erskine, who, when Lord Advocate of Scotland, and _ex officio_ one of the Commissioners of the Northern Light-houses, brought the second Bill for the Bell Rock Light-house into Parliament, which passed in the year 1806, as stated at page 100.

ULBSTER LEDGE.--Named in compliment to the Right Honourable Sir John Sinclair, Baronet, of Ulbster, Chairman of the Committee of the House of Commons, and who brought up its report relative to the Bell Rock bill, as stated at page 103.

KELLIE LEDGE.--Named in compliment to the Earl of Kellie, who visited the works at the Bell Rock in the year 1810, as noticed at page 378.

PITMILLY WHARF--formed the western extremity of the landing-wharf in use during the Light-house operations, and was named in compliment to Mr Monypenny, now Lord Pitmilly, who, while in the commission both as Sheriff of Fife and Solicitor-General of Scotland, was a member of the Bell Rock Committee, and visited the works in the year 1810, as stated at page 378.

KINEDDER LEDGE--is named in compliment to the late Mr William Erskine, Sheriff of Orkney and Shetland, and a member of the Bell Rock Committee. From Mr Erskine’s literary pursuits, he took a lively interest in this work, before he left the Light-house Board, and also after he was raised to the Bench, where he took his seat as Lord Kinedder.

THE ABBOTSFORD.--This spot, where the waters of the two principal and opposite landing-places meet, is named in compliment to Sir Walter Scott, Baronet, of Abbotsford, who landed here in the year 1814, as noticed at page 419, when he wrote the beautiful and expressive lines inserted in a _fac-simile_ of his handwriting in the 2d Title-page.

RAE’S WHARF--forms the extremity of the southern reach of the permanent railway, and derives its name from Sir William Rae, Baronet, who, in the several capacities of Sheriff-Depute and Lord Advocate of Scotland, has long been a member of the Light-house Board and Bell Rock Committee. His Lordship visited the Rock in 1810, as noticed at page 387.

DUFF’S WHARF--derives its name from Mr Adam Duff, Sheriff of the shire of Edinburgh, and a member of the Bell Rock Committee, who repeatedly visited the works at the Bell Rock while in progress, particularly in the year 1810, as noticed at page 387.

PORT BOYLE--takes its name from the Right Honourable David Boyle, Lord Justice-Clerk, who, while Solicitor-General of Scotland, was a member of the Bell Rock Committee, and visited the Light-house in the year 1811, as noticed at page 411.

THE CROWN LAWYERS.--This name is given to two detached rocks, which lie on the south-eastern side of the House-rock, in allusion to the Lord Advocate and Solicitor-General of Scotland, who are _ex officio_ Commissioners of the Northern Light-houses, as noticed at page 6.

THE MARITIME SHERIFFS.--This name comprehends a range of rocks, also on the south-eastern side of the main Rock, in reference to the Sheriffs of maritime counties, who are _ex officio_ Commissioners of the Northern Light-houses, as noticed at page 6.

THE ROYAL BURGHS,--A group of rocks lying on the south-western side of the House-rock, so named from certain of the Chief Magistrates of the Royal Burghs of Scotland who are _ex officio_ Commissioners of the Northern Light-houses, as noticed at page 6.

TELFORD’S LEDGE--is named in compliment to Mr Thomas Telford, Civil Engineer, who was requested by Sir William Pulteney to visit the Bell Rock professionally in the year 1803, as noticed at page 92.

DOWNIE’S LEDGE--derives its name from the late Mr Murdoch Downie, a Marine Surveyor of considerable eminence, who suggested a plan for erecting a Light-house on the Bell Rock, as noticed at page 93.

NEILL’S POOL--derives its name from Mr Patrick Neill, a particular friend of the writer’s, who first visited the Bell Rock in 1808, as noticed at page 235. The surface of this pool measures about three fathoms across, and a fathom and a half in depth, when the tide leaves the Rock. The bottom is generally covered with boulder-stones, which are whirled about with much force when the sea is in a state of agitation.

STUART’S TRACK--is on the south-western side of the Rock, derives its name from the late Captain Harry Stuart of the Royal Navy, who visited the Bell Rock in the year 1810, as alluded to at page 387. Captain Stuart took an early interest in the plans for the Light-house, both by Captain Brodie and the writer.

BRUCE’S LEDGE--was named in compliment to the memory of the late Mr James Bruce of the Naval Yard, Leith, who frequently visited the Bell Rock, and to whose ingenuity the Light-house service is indebted for the improved construction of a boat, delineated in Plate XI. and noticed at page 412.

RUSSELL’S LEDGE--is named in compliment to Mr Claud Russell, Accountant to the Light-house Board, who visited the Rock in the year 1812, as mentioned in page 414.

SCORESBY’S POINT,--the most northern part of the Rock, named in compliment to the writer’s friend Captain Scoresby _junior_, who has so much extended our information regarding the Polar Regions.

TRINITY ROCK.--This rock is named in compliment to a Committee of the Trinity House of Leith, consisting of Messrs Thomas Grindlay, John Hay, and Thomas Ritchie, who gave their advice and assistance in the fitting out and mooring the Floating-light in the year 1807, as alluded to at page 110.

BALFOUR’S LEDGE--is named in compliment to the late Provost Balfour of Arbroath, who felt the most lively interest in the Light-house affairs. In his hospitable mansion the writer occasionally resided while the works were in progress.

LEITCH’S LEDGE--is named in compliment to the writer’s friend Mr Quintin Leitch, who visited the Rock in the year 1818. Mr Leitch is further noticed at page 43.

PILLANS’S LEDGE--is named in compliment to the writer’s friend Mr James Pillans of Leith, who took an early interest in the erection of the Light-house, and who signs the Report of the Merchants of Leith regarding it, as noticed at page 96.