Chapter XXXII: Appendix: No. I (5)

THE LAST HOPE.--This name was given by the writer to the highest part of the rock, in allusion to the narrow escape which he and the artificers made in the year 1807, by the timeous arrival of James Spink, the Bell Rock pilot at Arbroath, as noticed at page 149. Spink is a remarkably strong man, whose _tout ensemble_ is highly characteristic of a North-country fisherman. He usually dresses in a _pé-jacket_, cut after a particular fashion, and wears a large flat blue bonnet. A striking likeness of Spink, in his pilot-dress, with the badge or insignia on his left arm, which is characteristic of the boatmen in the service of the Northern Lights has been taken by Howe, and is in the writer’s possession.

FORREST’S PASSAGE.--This gully or opening on the eastern side of the Rock, is sometimes taken as a track by boats in certain states of the sea and tide. It derives its name from the late Mr John Forrest, Superintendant of Lightkeepers’ duty in the service of the Northern Lights, who is particularly noticed at page 406.

LOGANS’ REACH.--This reach or compartment of the Railway, on the eastern side of the Light-house, is named in compliment to the late Mr Peter Logan, foreman-builder at the Bell Rock, and his son Mr David Logan, clerk-of-works, whose active and faithful services, in their respective departments, have been too often noticed in this work to admit of reference to particular pages.

WATT’S REACH--has its name in compliment to Mr Francis Watt, foreman-mill-wright, whose services have also already been often particularised in the course of this work, and whose exertions in erecting the beacon and temporary-railways did much credit to his zeal and intrepidity. The writer also often profited by his ingenuity, in reference to the various pieces of machinery employed at the works.

KENNEDY’S REACH--derives its name from Mr Lachlan Kennedy, who, as Accountant and Cashier in the Engineer’s Office, discharged the various duties of his situation in a manner equally creditable to himself and satisfactory to his employers. An Abstract-Account of the expence of the work, as drawn up by him, appears in the Appendix, No. VII. page 475.

SLIGHTS’ REACH,--named in compliment to Mr James Slight, and his brother Alexander, who were chiefly employed in drawing the courses of the building at large, and in making the various and nicely formed moulds for fashioning the stones. They also fitted up the interior of the house, and the permanent railways on the rock; and made a complete model of the Light-house.

THE SMITHS’ FORGE AND LEDGE--named in compliment to Mr James Dove, foreman-smith, and his assistants, who have been frequently alluded to in these pages. It was here that the forge was erected at the commencement of the works on the Rock; and on the connecting ledge the first or experimental cargo of stones was landed.

REID’S LEDGE--is named in compliment to Mr John Reid, the first principal Lightkeeper at the Bell Rock, who retired from the service in the year 1821, as noticed at page 422.

SELKIRKS’ LEDGE,--named for Mr Robert Selkirk, principal builder, and his brother Thomas, who was the principal stone-cutter at the work.

WISHART’S LEDGE--is named for Mr Michael Wishart, some time principal builder at the Rock, as noticed at page 291.

GLEN’S LEDGE.--This ledge has its name from Mr James Glen, millwright and joiner, particularly noticed at page 279.

JOHN WATT.--A detached rock on the western side of the main rock, named for John Watt, principal mortar-maker at the Bell Rock.

PETER FORTUNE.--A detached reef on the western side of the Rock, named for a well known character in the Light-house service, as noticed at page 299.

GLOAG’S TRACK--leads into Port Hamilton, and is named for Mr Robert Gloag, who commanded the Light-house Yacht in the year 1807, and who has otherwise had a good deal of connection with the Light-house service.

MACURICH’S TRACK--on the western side of the Rock, is named in compliment to Mr Thomas Macurich, mate of the sloop Smeaton, and afterwards commander of the Bell Rock Tender, who had a very narrow escape in a boat off the Rock, as noticed at page 253.

WEBB’S ROCK--is named in compliment to Mr Joseph Webb, one of the King’s pilots at Yarmouth, who superintended the fitting out and mooring of the Floating-light, as noticed at page 108.

SINCLAIR’S TRACK--is named in compliment to Mr George Sinclair, who, in 1807, commanded the Floating-light, and acted as landing-master.

WILSON’S TRACK--named for Mr James Wilson, landing-master, whose active and enterprising conduct is often noticed in the course of this work. In the year 1815, Mr Wilson left the Light-house service, when he was appointed one of the Harbour-masters of Leith. The speaking-trumpet which he used at the Bell Rock was presented to him, with the sanction of the Light-house Board, when a suitable inscription was engraved on a plate of silver attached to it.

TAYLOR’S TRACK--leads into Port Erskine, and derives its name from Mr David Taylor, who commanded the Sir Joseph Banks Tender during the progress of the works, and afterwards became Light-house Storekeeper at Leith.

CALDER’S TRACK--situate on the north-western side of the Rock, derives its name from Mr Thomas Calder, who commanded the Light-house Yacht, and other craft, connected with the works, as noticed at page 260.

SOUTAR’S TRACK--derives its name from Mr Peter Soutar, who was one of the Praam-masters while the works were in progress. In 1815 he succeeded Mr James Wilson in the command of the Light-house Yacht.

POOL’S TRACK--is named for Mr Robert Pool, commander of the Smeaton stone-lighter, a very active and persevering seaman.

THE ENGINEERS’ LEDGE,--situate on the eastern side of the Rock, is named in compliment to certain of the Engineer’s assistants, who, though belonging more especially to his general or private business, have nevertheless been occasionally employed in the department of the Bell Rock, particularly Mr John Steedman, Mr John Thin, Mr William Lorimer, Mr G. C. Scott, and Mr Robert Shortreed, some of whose names are attached to several of the Plates.

THE ARTIFICERS.--A name given to a parcel of detached rocks, lying on the north-western side of the main Rock, in allusion to the numerous artificers employed at the works, many of whom are now moving in spheres of more extended usefulness, and, did our limits admit, would be deserving of particular notice, as may be learned from page 379.

THE MARINERS.--This is also a group of detached rocks on the north-eastern side of the Rock, which in like manner is named in compliment to the exertions of the Seamen, who, as _men-of-all-works_, gave a helping hand to every operation; and many of whom deserve the warmest acknowledgments of the writer.

STRACHAN’S LEDGE,--situate on the north-eastern side of the Rock, was named for Mr Robert Strachan of Leith, who fitted out the Floating-light, and narrowly escaped being lost upon the Rock, when approaching it in a boat which was upset in the year 1808, as noticed at page 244.

CRAW’S HORSE.--Another detached rock, deriving its name from a narrow escape which the sloop Smeaton made in foggy weather, as noticed at page 364, while James Craw, who had charge of the stable, and was principal carter at the work-yard of Arbroath, was on board, with his favourite horse, on his way to Leith, to convey the upper part of the Light-house, from Edinburgh, to be shipped for the Bell Rock. The horse alluded to was a remarkably strong and powerful animal, measuring about 16 hands in height, and having, in the language of jockies, a great deal of bone. It is not a little remarkable, that while the work was in progress, this animal must actually have drawn the materials of the Light-house, extending to upwards of 2000 tons in its finished state, perhaps three or four times, in removing the blocks of stone from the ship to the work-yard, again to the platform, and from the work-yard, when they were to be shipped for the Rock, besides occasional movements to and from the hands of the stone-cutters. A sketch of this animal, and of his master James Craw, will be found at Fig. 21. Plate X. The horse having failed from age, towards the close of the work he was removed to the Island of Inchkeith, to go at large, where he died in the year 1813. The fame of this animal’s labours, together with his strength and excellent proportion as a draught-horse, having attracted the notice of Dr John Barclay, that eminent anatomist procured the bones, and set them up in his Museum. This valuable collection, it is understood, is to be bequeathed to the College of Surgeons of Edinburgh; so that the bones of the Bell Rock-horse, to use the Doctor’s own language, “will be seen and admired as a useful skeleton, and a source of instruction, when those of his employers lie mingled with the dust.”

PLATE VII.

ORIGINAL DESIGNS FOR THE BELL ROCK LIGHT-HOUSE.

_DESIGNS FOR THE BELL ROCK LIGHT HOUSE BY M^R. STEVENSON._

_DESIGN FOR THE BELL ROCK LIGHT HOUSE BY M^R. RENNIE._

_Drawn by J. Slight_

_Engraved by R. Scott_

_PLATE VII._]

[Sidenote: Pl. VII.]

Fig. 1. shews the sites of the principal and diagonal supports of cast-iron of the Pillar-formed Light-house, modelled by the writer prior to his landing on the Rock in the year 1800, as alluded to in his report, included in the Appendix, No. IV. at page 440. This Figure is a Plan in which letters _a a a a a a a a_ point out the feet of the eight principal columns; _e_ the central shoe or socket, intended to receive the feet of the diagonal supports or braces, which correspond in number with those of the main columns. This fabric, at the base, was to form a common diameter of about 35 feet, diminishing to 12 feet at the top, or immediately under the Light-room.

Fig. 2. The great columns in this design, which are sunk into the Rock, and the diagonal braces _d d d d_, which butt against, or step into the shoe _c_, are also strongly connected by the braces _b b b b b b b b_, and cross ties marked _c c c c c c_. The habitable part of this building is formed by two concentric rings of copper, marked _a f_, _a f_, the one upon the outside, and the other upon the inside, of the main columns. The space between these rings was to be filled with plaster-of-Paris, or some light substance, to render the apartments air-tight. Letter _g_ is the position of the entrance-door, and the space below the first floor, marked _h_, is a coal magazine. The better to throw off the sprays of the sea, the lower part, as will be seen from the diagram, is of a conical form inverted.

Fig. 3. Shews the mode of fixing the principal columns, to the Rock, and of building or connecting them together, being an enlarged section of the foot of one of the main columns. The hollow cylindrical tube marked _b b_, is sunk 24 inches, and acts as a steady pin or joggle to the column which is wedged into the Rock, as shewn at _c c c c_, by driving oaken and iron wedges alternately, instead of running them up with melted lead. The next length of the column, marked _a a a a_, is slipped over this tube, and has a seat cut in the rock at right angles to the oblique direction of the column, to which it is connected by the cutter or spear-bolts marked _d d d_, whose directions respectively cross each other, as shewn in the section.

Fig. 4. represents one of the joints of the main columns, which occur at every 7 feet of their length, from the rock to the habitable part of the Light-house. This description of joint is what is technically termed _spigot_ and _faucet_; _a a_ is the upper half, _b b b_ the lower, _c c_ the joint, _d d d d_ the collar-piece clasping the joint, and connecting it with the horizontal arms or braces _e e_, which, in Fig. 2, are marked _b_, and in connection with the cross ties _c_, and diagonal-supports _d_, bind the whole firmly together.

Fig. 5. represents the lower floor of the five apartments, in which _a a a a a a a a_, as in the foregoing Figs. 1, 2, and 3. shew the main columns passing between the outer covering and inner lining of copper. Letter _c_ marks the entrance door, shewn at _g_, in Fig. 2., in which d is the plat at the top of the ladder, formed on one of the columns, which may also be conceived as passing up through the habitable part of the building; the floors of which are formed with plates of cast-iron.

Fig. 6. represents a Light-house of masonry, modelled by the writer immediately after his first landing upon the Rock. The better to illustrate this design, the solid or lower part is given in elevation, and the upper or habitable part in section. Compared with the Edystone Light-house, upon the principles of which it was designed, the chief differences consist in the exterior spiral-formed stair, intended to afford permanent access to the Light-house, and also to serve as a landing quay or wharf at high-water. The steps of this stair were to be 3 feet in length, forming a kind of scarsement upon the outer-wall, there being nothing to obstruct the force of the sea under the stair; as it formed part of the main-wall, it may be conceived calculated to have become a kind of spiral buttress to the building. In the upper or habitable part, the interior walls diminish gradually, instead of forming abrupt scarsements, and the floors were laid horizontally, instead of being arched.

Fig. 7. Shews one of the floors, each stone of which forms part of the outward walls, extending inwards to a centre stone, independently of which they were to be connected, by means of copper-batts, with a view to preserve their square form at the extremity, instead of dove-tailing. These stones were also modelled with joggles sidewise, upon the principles of the common-floor, termed Feathering in carpentry; and also with dove-tailed joggles across the joints, where they formed part of the outward wall, as shewn in this figure.

Fig. 8. is a plan of one of the courses of the void or habitable part of this design, shewing both the joggles of the end joint and the girth, raised upon the upper beds of the courses, and sunk into the groove cut in the lower beds of the respective covering courses.

Figs. 9. and 10. exhibit different modes of connecting the stones and courses of the solid of the building, both perpendicularly and horizontally, by means of dove-tailing. But as a certain degree of weakness is unavoidably incident to every system of dove-tailing, and, as the method of forming the bed-joints of the void above alluded to is equally effective, in its application to the solid or lower part of the building, as represented in Plate XXIII., this is considered preferable to the dove-tailing system.

Fig. 11. is part of a course, shewing a simple mode of connecting the stones in water-buildings, so as to avoid dove-tailing, and preserve, as much as possible, the entire figure of the stones. This is effected by inserting square joggles into the joints, and allowing these joggles to project 6 inches into the course immediately above, thereby forming a connection horizontally between the stones of a course, and vertically with the several courses.

Fig. 12. is also a course of masonry, in which the square or entire form of the materials is preserved, while the stones are bound both horizontally and vertically, by means of metallic-batts and plates, as represented in the enlarged diagram described in the following Figure.

Fig. 13., _a_ is the dove-tailed cross-head or plate; _b_ is a section both of the batt and plate, in their places, shewing their connection with two courses of the building marked A B; _c_ shews the mode in which the batt is fixed into the lower course, by means of wedges; _d_ the upper end of the batt and plate, which is also wedged, and appears, when in its place, as in Fig. 11., marked also _a a a_. But these several modes of connecting the materials of masonry are considered more or less objectionable, when compared with the girths delineated in the design represented in Plate XXIII.

Figs. 14. and 15. are a reduced plan and elevation of the Bell Rock Light-house by Mr Rennie, in the year 1807. They will be found so obvious upon inspection, as not to require explanation, and are here preserved as the only plans or drawings furnished for this work by that eminent engineer.

PLATE VIII.

BEACON-HOUSE.

_BELL ROCK BEACON_

_Drawn by W. Lorimer_

_Eng^d. by W. H. Lizars_

_PLATE VIII._]

[Sidenote: Pl. VIII.]

Fig. 1. represents the Beacon-house, which was used as a barrack for the artificers during the working seasons of 1809 and 1810. Letter A A A is the surface of the Rock. The principal legs or beams, with their diagonal supports, radiating from the centre of the plan, are marked _a a a a a a_, and the bracing chains _b b b_, as completed in the year 1807. In 1808 the bracing-chains were removed, and the malleable iron-bars marked _c c c_ were substituted. The dotted lines _d d d d d_, are intended to show the form of the upper or habitable part of the Beacon as it was ultimately finished, with its lantern, for ventilating the barrack-room. One of the figures characterised as sailors, and used for illustrating this elevation, is represented as standing upon the Rock, and laying hold of one of the bracing-chains. The next figure is ascending the trap-ladder, formed with cleats of timber nailed upon one of the principal beams; he is on a level with the mortar-gallery, marked letter _e e e_. The third figure is standing upon the cross or collar-beams, nearly on a level with the floor of the cook-room, marked _f f_. The fourth, or highest figure, is standing upon one of the principal beams, with his feet on a level with the top of the windows in the floor of the cabins of the engineer and his assistants marked _g g_; the head of this figure being within the artificers’ barrack, marked _h h_. With one hand he is supposed to be touching the provision-chest, marked _i_, and with the other he is laying hold of the rope for hoisting the copper signal-ball _k_ upon the flag-staff.

Fig. 2. represents the gallery where the mortar-makers and smiths latterly worked. _a a a a a a_ represent the principal beams of the Beacon cut across; _b b b_ the position of the mortar tubs and lime-casks; _c_ the smith’s anvil; _d_ his bellows; _e_ the hearth or fire-place.

Fig. 3. represents the floor of the cook-room, in which _a a a a a a_ shew the principal beams cut across; _b_ the platt or landing at the entrance-door; _c c_ the coboose or cooking-hearth; _d_ the chimney or smoke funnel; _e e e e_ the provision casks; _f_ the trap stair leading to the floor above; _g g_ the small life-boat, suspended by davits from the principal beams of the beacon; _i i i i i i_ the six angular upright posts cut across, marked _d_ in Fig. 1., which form the framing of the hexagonal apartments or floors marked III. and IV. Letter _k_ represents the position of the privy, and stair leading to it.

Fig. 4. is the floor of the cabins of the engineer and his assistants. Letters _a a a a a a_ mark the position of the six principal beams of the beacon, now approaching closely together from their diagonal direction: _b b b b b b_ the angular upright posts, which, together with those marked _i i i i i i_, as referable to Fig. 3., form the upper apartments into twelve sides; _c_ is the trap-ladder, corresponding with letter _f_ in Fig. 3., which communicates with the cook-room floor below; _d_ is another ladder, leading to the artificers’ barrack above.

Fig. 5. represents the upper floor, or that of the artificers’ barrack-room, on a level with the top of the principal beams, marked a in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. In this diagram _a a a a a_ represent the ground-tier of beds, which were ranged in five heights, excepting at the space over the man-hole, leading up to this apartment, where there was only three heights of beds; _c_ represents the trap ladder answerable to letter _d_ of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6. represents what may be termed a bird’s-eye view of the Beacon, as completed in 1807, and before it was converted into a barrack. In reference to Fig. 1., letter _a_ represents the six principal beams, forming a common base measuring about 35 feet across, including the bracing-chains, which are marked _b b b b b b_. These beams meet in a point at the top, where they rest upon a block of beechwood, to which the upper ends of the beams were fitted, the whole being girded with strong malleable iron rings or hoops, keyed with spear-bolts. Here the provision-chest _i_, and signal-ball _k_, are represented as resting upon the top of the principal beams.

Fig. 7. is an enlarged view of two of the bracing-chains, marked _a a_, with their tightening shakle marked _b b_, meeting in the ring _c c_. Letter _d_ represents one of the batts, which were sunk into the rock A A about 20 inches, and wedged with timber and iron, as shewn at _e e_.

Fig. 8. represents a side view of one of the beams of the beacon, marked _a a a a_, cut across immediately above the great stancheons _b b b b_, with its bolts, which were fitted upon each side of the beam; _c c_ represent the clasp-plates, which embraced each foot of the beacon, with its two stancheons. These clasp-plates were fixed with spear-bolts, as shewn at _d d_. Letters _e e_ represent the wedging with timber and iron, referred to in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9. represents a front view of a like portion of one of the principal beams, as in Fig. 8.; _a a a a_ shew the stancheons on each side of the beam, and _b b_ the lower extremity of the stancheons sunk into the Rock A; _c c_ one of the clasp-plates; _d d d d_ the spear-bolts.

Fig. 10. is one of the principal beams, _a_ cut across at the clasp-plate _c c c c_. Letters _b b_ are the great iron-stancheons; and _d d d_ shew the spear-bolts.

PLATE IX.

SHEWING THE PROGRESS OF THE WORKS DURING THE SECOND, THIRD, AND FOURTH YEARS’ OPERATIONS.

PROGRESS OF THE BELL ROCK WORKS.

_Drawn by J. Slight._

_Eng^d. by W. Miller._

_PLATE IX._]

[Sidenote: Pl. IX.]

Fig. 1. shews the state of the works about the close of the second season, or year 1808, with two of the moveable beam-cranes, with their guy tackles and working gear, which will be more particularly described under Plate XIV. These are placed upon the top or fourth course of the building. In the fore-ground, part of the unfinished railways are seen, with waggons and artificers at work; and on the right the beacon is partly traced in faint lines.

Fig. 2. represents the state of the works in the month of August 1809, at the close of the third season’s work, when only one of the cranes was set upon the building; the other, as the work increased in height, and became less in diameter, was placed upon a temporary stool or prop of masonry, marked _a a a a_. This prop was found extremely useful, as, by elevating one of the cranes upon the top of it, the lift of the materials was divided, and brought more conveniently within reach of the higher crane, which at this period was about 30 feet above the Rock. In the fore-ground of this diagram, part of the circular track of railway round the building is seen. On the right, a part of the Beacon-house appears with the rope-ladder of communication, extending from the top of the solid of the Light-house to the mortar-gallery. On the rope-ladder a figure is represented walking from the Beacon to the Light-house, and a tackle, with its travelling pulley, is also stretched, for conveying the mortar-bucket, to the builders.

Fig. 3. represents a section of the void or habitable part of the Light-house as it appeared in the month of August 1810, when the masonry was nearly completed. On the right is an elevation of part of the Beacon-house, but instead of the rope-ladder of communication, a bridge of timber is constructed. Letters _a a_ represent the top of the solid, or level of the entrance-door of the building, from which the stair-case ascends to the several apartments. Resting on the sill of the door at _b_, is seen one of the beams for supporting the road-way of the bridge, and below this, at the point _c_, is the step of one of the diagonal braces of the bridge, where it is inserted about 6 inches into one of the courses of the solid masonry. Regarding the frame-work of the bridge, it may only further be noticed, that the road-way was chiefly suspended from the king-posts _d d_.

Letter _e_ represents a block of stone, in the act of being raised from the rail-way on the Rock, to the level of the bridge, by means of the crab or winch-machine marked _f_, with wheel and pinion apparatus; the pully of the working chain is suspended from the cross beam _g_, which rests or is supported upon the top of the king-posts. One of the figures on the bridge at _h_, is in the act of pushing forward a truck cart or waggon _i_, to receive the stone _e_; when raised through the aperture in the road-way, it is then lowered upon this waggon, and removed towards the building within the sphere of the several purchases or machines, by which it is transported to the hands of the builders.

Letter _k_ refers to a life-buoy, and a coil of rope, kept in readiness upon the bridge, in case of accident by the fall of any of the people from the building or beacon while the Rock was covered by the tide. _l l_ represent two of the fire-buckets, which were hung round the beacon, under the projection immediately above the cook-room. The stone marked _e_, in the second stage of its progress towards the top of the building, is now seen immediately above the lintel of the entrance-door, the purchase chain, by which it is suspended, passes over a pulley at _m_, attached to the beam _n n_, which is projected from one of the windows of the Light-room store, where it is supported upon a block of timber, so as to admit of the chain passing under it. The further end of this beam, being within the Light-house, was bolted to an upright post marked _o o_, and the whole apparatus was worked by means of the crab or winch-machine at _p_, similar to that upon the bridge marked _f f_. The stone _e_ is next supposed to have gained the height of the floor of the bed-room, where another apparatus, similar to those at _f_ and _p_, is placed. Here a figure is represented at _q_, with a rod in his hand, in the act of hooking the chain of the balance-crane into the Lewis-batt, fixed in the stone _e_, still in its progress to the top of the building. _r r r_ represent the strong oaken beams placed on the floor of the library, on which the foot of the cast-iron balance-crane is supported. _s s_ two of the four diagonal braces of oak timber, bolted into a collar-piece of cast-iron, clasping the upright shaft of the crane at _t t_, and butting against the upright stretchers at _u u_; intended as a security to the walls, in case the balance-crane should at any time get out of equilibrium. The two figures marked _v v_, are represented as working the balance-crane, and are supposed to be standing upon a moveable platform _x x_, suspended from the body of the crane by rods of iron _y y_. This platform or stage, with the artificers upon it, being moveable with the body of the crane, gave great facility and conveniency to those who wrought it. _z_ is the balance-weight, moveable by the machinery along the balance-beam of the crane, to keep the whole in a state of equilibrium, according to the varied load suspended from the working or opposite beam; accented _á_ represents the moveable block or cross-head of malleable iron, with two eyes, into which the chains of the crane were hooked, when the _body_ (comprehending the machinery and beams) was to be elevated upon the shaft in the progress of building. But the cross-head, together with the other apparatus of this machine, will be better understood by examining Plate XVII., with its letter-press description. _b´ b´ b´_ represent the form and position of the Light-room in dotted lines; _c´_ the mortar-bucket made to traverse upon the guide-rope _d´ d´_, stretched between the building and the mortar-gallery of the Beacon; the end of the rope attached to the building being fixed to the stanchion _é_, inserted into one of the Lewis batt-holes, on the balcony of the Light-room.

PLATE X.

VARIOUS IMPLEMENTS AND APPARATUS CONNECTED WITH THE WORKS.

_CERTAIN IMPLEMENTS CONNECTED WITH THE BELL ROCK WORKS_

_Drawn by G. C. Scott_

_Eng^d. by E. Mitchell_

_PLATE X._]

[Sidenote: Pl. X.]

Fig. 1.--is an elevation of one of the three large copper Lanterns carried by the Pharos Floating-Light, which was moored off the Bell Rock while the Light-house was erecting. In order to relieve this vessel of the cumbrous yards with which Floating-lights were in use to be fitted, these lanterns were so constructed as to clasp round the masts, and traverse upon them. This was effected by constructing them with a tube of copper in the centre, capable of receiving the mast, and through which it passed. The lanterns were first completely formed, and fitted with brass flanges; they were then cut longitudinally asunder, which conveniently admitted of their being screwed together on the masts, after the vessel was fully equipped and moored in her station. Letters _a a a a_ shew part of one of the masts, _b_ one of the tackle-hooks for raising and lowering the lanterns at pleasure, _c c c c c c c c c c_ the brass flanges, with their screw-bolts, by which the body or case of the lantern was ultimately put together; _d d d_ shew the position of certain holes in the bottom for the admission of air, _f f f f_ the holes at the top, connected with the ventilation, to which the collar-pieces _e e_ and _g g_ form guards against the immediate effects of the weather. The detached diagram, upon an enlarged scale, shows the air-hole, which is marked _m_. The letters _h h h h_ shew the part of the lantern which was glazed with plate-glass; _i_ is one of the glass shutters, by which the lamps were trimmed; the lower half being raised, slides into a groove made for its reception; _k k_ shew the range of ten agitable burners or lamps, out of which the oil cannot be spilt by the rolling motion of the ship. Each lamp having a silvered-copper speculum or reflector _l l_ placed behind the flame, was found greatly to increase the brilliancy of the light.

Fig. 2.--is a cross section of the bottom of the lantern, shewing the mast _a_ cut across, _b b_ is the sole or bottom of the lantern, _c c_ the flanges at the junction of the body, in reference to the same letter in Fig. 1.; _d d d d_ the small holes for the admission of air, _e e e_ the brass zone or chandelier, with its ten arms and sockets marked _f f_, &c. in which the stalks of the burners are inserted. The chandelier is made to traverse horizontally into a corresponding groove fixed upon the interior cylinder or case, through which the mast passes, and upon which the whole moves up and down. When, therefore, the lamps require to be trimmed or taken out of the lantern, the chandelier is turned until they are respectively brought opposite to the shutter marked _i_.

Fig. 3. is an enlarged view of one of the agitable burners _a_, with its reflector _b_, which last measures four inches over the lips, and is raised to the parabolic curve of three inches focus; _c_ the socket, _d_ the section of the moveable chandelier in its groove, answerable to letters _k_ and _l_, Fig. 1., and _f_ and _e_ Fig. 2. In reference to Fig. 3., _e e_ is a section of part of the central cylinder of the lantern and mast of the ship.

Fig. 4. represents one of the Mushroom-Anchors, constructed wholly of cast-iron, used for mooring the Floating-Light and other craft off the Bell Rock, to which part of the mooring-chain is attached. This diagram seems so obvious as to require no particular description. Towards the head _a a_ the shank is strengthened by means of four feathers or brackets raised upon it, somewhat resembling the connecting gills of the vegetable mushroom. These anchors weighed from 14 to 21 cwt.

Figs. 5. to 9.--QUARRY TOOLS.--Fig. 5. is a common stone-pick, weighing from 8 to 10 lb., shown with and without the handle, which measured about 2 feet in length, but is here shortened. Fig. 6. is the Aberdeen or granite pick, weighing from 6 to 16 lb. Fig. 7. is a quarry hammer, weighing from 6 to 8 lb. used for jumping or boring batt-holes in the Rock, and the trenail-holes in the courses of the building. Fig. 8. represents the boring-irons for the trenail-holes, measuring 1¾ inches in breadth at the cutting end, and varying in length according to the depth of the respective holes. Fig. 9. is the scraper used for cleaning the holes; the perforated end being applied with a piece of rag for drying up the moisture.

Fig. 10. represents one of the oaken trenails used for keeping the stones in their places while the building was within the ordinary range of the sea. The positions of these trenails may be traced in the small circular holes of the courses, in Plate XIII. Their lower ends were cut with a saw-draught as at letter _a_, into which a small wedge marked _b_ was inserted, and the trenail having been driven home, the small wedge had the effect of tightening or fixing it. The upper end _c_ was then cut off flush with the upper bed of the stone, when it was split, and another small wedge, marked _d_, driven into the chisel-mark, which completed the operation of fixing the trenails into their places.

Fig. 11. represents a pair of the oaken wedges inserted into corresponding grooves cut into the perpendicular joints of the stones in each course of the solid or lower part of the Light-house, as may be traced in the small oblong holes, marked in the joints of the courses in Plate XIII. These wedges were chiefly intended for bringing the dove-tailed parts of the stones to a general bearing. The thick end of the wedge marked _a_ being dropped into its groove, the smaller end of the corresponding wedge _b_ was then inserted, and driven home till some degree of tension or firmness was obtained. This operation of trenailing and wedging was followed from Mr Smeaton’s practice at the Edystone Light-house.

Fig. 12. is a section of one of the cast-iron mortar-tubs, with its pestle, shod or loaded with a piece of malleable iron.

Figs. 13. to 15.--CAST-IRON PLATE-RAILWAY.--Fig. 13. is a longitudinal view of one length of the cast-iron railways erected upon the Rock; _a a a a_ represent the stools or upright supports, _b b_ are the tracks of the roadway, _c c_ one of the side stays or braces. Fig. 14. is a cross section on the line A B of Fig. 15, in which _a a_ is the support with its cross-brace _f_, bolted at _g g g g_; _b b_ are the railway tracks, _c c c c_ the stays, with their connecting bolts on each side, _d d_ the sleeper or horizontal brace connecting the top of the stools, and forming a chair or seat for the rails and grated roadway; _e e e e_ represent the batts and spear-bolts, with which the whole was connected to the Rock, by the process of wedging with timber and iron. Fig. 15. is a plan of the finished railway; _a a a a_ are the feet of the stools, _b b_ the side rails or waggon-tracks, _c c_ the stays or side braces, _d d_ the sleepers, and _h h_ the grated footpath. The weight of a yard in length of the railways complete, of the height of four feet, as represented in these diagrams, may be estimated about 5 cwt.

Fig. 16. represents a plan of one of the railway waggons; _a_ is the iron handle made to hook upon either end of the waggon, so as to prevent the necessity of turning it; _b b_ is the body of the waggon, consisting of two pieces of oak timber, bolted upon the upper part of the double frame intended for accommodating the wheels to the circular track of the railway round the building. The upper and under frames are connected with the bolt _c c_, so as to admit of the movement above alluded to. For the same reason, a joint was formed in the perch or middle of the frame at _d_. The trucks or wheels _e e e e_ were of cast-iron, measuring 15 inches in diameter. These waggons were always left upon the Rock, being simply turned upside down, or off their wheels, in a particular part, and were seldom moved by the sea, as they weighed about 2 cwt. each.

Fig. 17. The ten diagrams, marked _a_, _b_, _c_, _d_, _e_, _f_, _g_, _h_, _i_, and _k_, are a set of moulds for one course of the solid part of the building, by which the stones were cut and prepared in the work-yard previous to their being shipped for the Rock. The application and connection of these diagrams will be better understood by examining the courses of the building in Plate XIII.

Fig. 18. a Trainer or Rule, framed of timber, applied by the builders, for ascertaining the exact position of the stones of the respective courses. _a_ is the eye or socket on which it was fitted to a steady-pin placed exactly in the centre. This rule was used chiefly for ascertaining the radiating direction of the stones, from the centre towards the circumference, being laid agreeably to corresponding notches and lines marked upon their upper-beds, so as to preserve band throughout the work, and prevent difficulty with the closing or finishing stones.

Fig. 19. is a perpendicular section of the carpenter’s jack, used with much advantage for shifting and turning the stones in the work-yard. The case of this machine was made of elm, and strongly bound at the ends with iron. It measured 4 feet in height, its greatest breadth 12 inches, and its thickness 6 inches. _a a_ is the stock or case, _b b_ the rack, fashioned at the lower end somewhat like the claws of a carpenter’s hammer. The upper end is of a forked form, both ends being conveniently applicable to the varied positions of the stones; _c_ and _d_ are the wheel and pinion work; _e_ the handle by which the machinery is worked, affording a purchase or mechanical advantage in the ratio of about 64 to 1.

Fig. 20. is a plan of the useful machine called The Woolwich Sling-Cart, applicable to transporting large blocks of stone suspended between the wheels by means of a Lewis-batt. When a stone was of considerable length, it became necessary to employ a chain to steady it at the farther end, the application of which will be seen in this and the following figure. _a a a a_ represent the shafts and body of the cart, _b b b b_ the wheels, _c c_ the handles passing between the spokes of the wheels, by which the machinery is worked for lifting the stone. The dotted line _d d d d_ represents a plan of a stone in its state of suspension, _e e e_ the wheel and pinion work, _f_ the barrel or cylinder on which the chain turns as the stone is raised; _g g_ is the tail-beam with its chain _h h_, and steady-pin _i_.

Fig. 21. represents the sling-cart in its working state, with letters corresponding to Fig. 20. Here the Bell Rock carter, and his horse, are shown, already noticed in the description of Plate VI., page 498.

PLATE XI.

THE SHEER-CRANE, LEWIS-BATT, PRAAM-BOAT WITH CARGO, SLOOP SMEATON DISCHARGING, AND BRUCE’s _TWO-HALF_ ATTENDING-BOAT.

APPARATUS CONNECTED WITH THE BELL ROCK WORKS.

_Drawn by G. C. Scott_

_Eng^d. by W. Miller._

_PLATE XI._]

[Sidenote: Pl. XI.]

Fig. 1.--THE SHEER-CRANE at Duff’s Wharf. _a a a_ are the working-sheers, to the upper extremity of which the purchase-chain _a_, _e_, _g_, is attached; from the hook marked _i_, the stone _k_ is suspended by the sling-chain _i_, _k_, which was lengthened or shortened according to the state of the tide. _b b_ are the upright-sheers; _c c_ the diagonal or supporting sheers. Those last, though acting as braces, had also a motion upon the connecting block _d_ at the top, from which the pulley _e_ is suspended, and over which the purchase-chain passes. This motion had the effect of giving the stone a _kant_ inwards, when the working-sheers came to the perpendicular, so as to lay it upon the waggon _f_, to be wheeled along the railways, as will be understood by examining Plate XVIII. The crab or winch machine _g g_, fixed upon the Rock at one side of the railway, with batts and spear-bolts, was worked with a less or greater purchase, according to the weight of the stone to be lifted. The large wheel measuring 3 feet 3 inches in diameter, formed the single purchase, and the smaller wheel of 2 feet 6 inches, with its pinion of 6 inches, when connected with the former by an intermediate pinion, formed the greater purchase, exerting a power in the one case in the ratio of about 20 to 1, and in the other of 98 to 1.

Fig. 2. is a front view of the machine described above, with corresponding letters. At letters _h h_, will be seen more distinctly the cast-iron bed, with the snugs or flanges for the reception of the lower ends of the sheers _a a a_ and _b b b b_, with their journal-bolts. This apparatus, along with the other parts of the works, have been modelled for preservation.

Fig. 3. represents one of the malleable iron Lewis-batts, with which the stones were lifted from stage to stage, after leaving the hands of the stone-cutter. This useful implement consists of six members, viz. the palm, which is in three pieces, marked _a_, _b_, _c_; the palm-bolt _d d_; the shackle _e_. The spear-bolt _f_, for preventing the palm-bolt from drawing, was seldom used in practice.

Fig. 4. is a section of one of the praam-boats, shewing her cargo on deck, and more particularly the form and application of the mushroom-anchor and chain-moorings of the Bell Rock craft. _a a_ is the cargo upon deck; _b b_ is the hold or compartment under deck, calculated to contain a sufficient number of empty casks, for floating her, in the event of receiving injury at the rock. _c c_ mark the fore and after peaks, for containing warps, kedge-anchors, grapplings, defenders, and other tackle; _d_ marks the position of the bits and cross-tree to which a hook at _e_ was fixed, for attaching the end of the mooring-chain; _f_ is the slit in the stem, answerable to a hawse-hole, through which the mooring-chain passed almost on a level with the deep water-line, and was ultimately fixed by the ring _g_, to the lower swivel of the floating buoy _h_, and also with the mushroom-anchor _i_ at the bottom, connected with a length of chain extending to about twice the depth of the water.

The detached diagram towards the stern of the praam-boat, consisting of a mushroom-anchor, a larger and smaller floating buoy, with their respective chains, represent the state of the moorings while the praam-boats were employed at the Rock. The small buoy _k_, with its chain _l_, was connected at the ring accented _l´_ to the hawser-chain of the praam. When she was unmoored, this small buoy prevented the end of the chain from sinking. In this manner the praams were conveniently disengaged, or attached to the large buoy _h_. When at their moorings, the small buoy _k_ was unhooked and stowed below, the strong mooring-chain being now drawn through the hawse, or slit at _f_, and the ring at _l´_ being simply laid into the hook at _e_.

Fig. 5. is a perspective view of the sloop Smeaton at her moorings, delivering a cargo of stones, with one of the praam-boats along-side. In the back ground, the Light-house is seen partly built, together with the Beacon-house. Two of the three figures shewn on the deck, near the mast, are working the winch-machine of the ship in raising a stone from the hold, while the figure, in a lying posture, is holding-on the end of the tackle-fall, as described at page 144. A stone is seen in the main hatch of the ship, suspended from the end of a short boom nearly at right angles to the mast. The figure near the companion or cabin-stair is working one of the guy-tackles. On the praam’s deck, part of a cargo may be seen, and the figure towards her stern is laying hold of the stone, suspended in the tackle, to guide it to its birth, while the other contiguous figure is working an opposite guy-tackle. To avoid confusion, only five figures are here introduced. The praam-boat is understood to be lashed head and stern to the ship, having three or four large wooden defenders slung between them, to prevent the vessels from injuring each other with the undulating motion of the sea. The Smeaton’s sails are handed, and the main and gaff-booms braced to one side, to give room upon deck, in bringing the stones out of the hold. The only peculiarities about the fitting of the Smeaton, were her large main hatch, for the conveniency of loading and discharging; her winch-machine was pretty powerful, exerting a force in the ratio of about 20 to 1, independently of the purchase-tackle; her cargo was also carried upon a temporary platform laid in the hold.

Fig. 6. is a perspective view of the smith’s forge, which was partly fixed with batts upon the Rock; and also of the Foundation-pit, with a number of figures pumping water from the excavated site of the Light-house. The pumps for this purpose were laid in an inclined direction, made of a square form, and very simple in their construction; the pump-spear with its leathern valve, being worked by the artificers, who laid hold of a rope attached to the end of it. In the back ground of this diagram, the Floating-light is seen as if through the haze of the atmosphere.

Fig. 7. represents an Attending-boat, occasionally used during the summer months for visiting the Rock, and relieving the light-keepers. _a a_ is a section of the principal boat, measuring 22 feet in length of keel, and equipped in her rigging after the manner technically termed _Lateen-sails_, which were originally introduced into use on the Firth of Forth by Mr Thomas Bruce of Grangemuir. These sails are considered more safe than the common _lug-sail_, from their greatest breadth being carried very low on the mast. But the chief peculiarity of this boat is the launch or “two-half boat” of Mr James Bruce, which she carries, for more conveniently communicating with the Rock, as alluded to at page 412, and further described in Thomson’s Annals of Philosophy, vol. viii. p. 58. In this diagram _b_ is the two-half boat, stowed the one-half within the other, between the main and fore masts, _c c_ the two halves about to be joined and used as one boat, _d d_ the stern view of these boats in a separated state, _e e_ the chatter and catch-bolt for connecting the boats together, after the manner of a ship’s rudder, _f f f f_ the bolt holes, by which the upper parts of the boats are connected and held together.

PLATE XII.

WORK-YARD, LIGHT-KEEPER’s HOUSES, SEA-WALL AT ARBROATH, AND SEAMEN’s PROTECTION-MEDAL.

_PLAN of the HARBOUR and part of the TOWN of ABERBROTHOCK_

_PLANS & ELEVATION of the LIGHT KEEPERS HOUSES & SIGNAL TOWER_

_Drawn by D. Logan_

_Eng^d. by W. H. Lizars_

_PLATE XII._]

[Sidenote: Pl. XII.]

WORK-YARD.--The left-hand side of this Plate is occupied with a plan of the harbour of Arbroath, shewing the relative positions of the Bell Rock work-yard and light-keepers’ houses.

LIGHT-KEEPERS’ HOUSES.--The other side of the Plate is occupied with a plan and elevation of the light-keepers’ houses; but as the apartments are respectively marked, it seems unnecessary to enter farther into particulars, than to notice that each family has three rooms, with other conveniencies. Connected with this establishment, there is also a signal-room at the top of the tower, represented in the elevation, where a five-feet achromatic telescope is placed upon a stand. On the roof a flag-staff is erected, and here the signals made by the light-keepers at the Rock are watched and repeated. On the opposite side of the small court formed by these buildings, there is a range of houses for stores, and accommodation for the seamen belonging to the Bell Rock Tender. The whole occupies a piece of ground extending to about one-third of an acre. While the works were in progress, the large telescope was placed at one of the attic-room windows of Provost Balfour’s house, which commands a view of the Rock, as may be observed from the Plate.

SEA-WALL.--The diagram laid down on the left of the light-keeper’s houses, represents a section of the wall erected for the protection of the property against the encroachment of the sea. It extends to about 100 feet, and consists of a face-wall of stone from Mylnefield quarry, backed with Arbroath stone, and a granite pavement along its seaward base.

PROTECTION MEDAL.--The diagram in the central part of this Plate represents the obverse and reverse of the seamen’s protection medal, described at page 209.

PLATE XIII.

PLANS OF THE SEVERAL COURSES OF THE MASONRY OF THE LIGHT-HOUSE.

_PLANS OF THE COURSES OF THE MASONRY OF THE BELL ROCK LIGHT HOUSE_

_Drawn by D. Logan._

_Eng^d. by W. H. Lizars_

_PLATE XIII._]

[Sidenote: Pl. XIII.]

As the ground or imperfect course of the building could not be ascertained till towards the second year’s work, when the site of the Light-house was excavated, this course is represented in Plate XV.