From what has been said in the preceding chapter, it will be seen that Mr. Stevenson, from an early period, evinced a decided2 liking3 for general Engineering, and I find that almost simultaneously4 with his appointment under the Lighthouse Board, for whose peculiar6 duties he had qualified7 himself by a pretty large and hard-earned experience, he resolved to prosecute8 the practice of Civil Engineering, in all its branches.
I find also that coincident with this start in life, he commenced a systematic9 “Journal,” beginning in 1801, of the various travels made in the prosecution10 of his profession, which occupies nineteen octavo and quarto manuscript books.
His Reports, many of them on subjects of great interest, occupy fourteen folio manuscript volumes, and his printed reports occupy four thick quarto volumes.
13 These books, together with relative plans, the number of which I fear to mention, are the documents I had to consult in obtaining the records of my father’s professional life. The Journals, Reports, and Plans extend over a period of nearly fifty years, and the selection of topics from such a mass of matter has been no easy task. But as the duty I have undertaken is to convey to the reader a sketch11 of my father as a Civil Engineer, I have been content, passing over many interesting subjects, to select from the documents before me only so much as should be useful in carrying out that object; and even in this I encountered the difficulty of determining the best order in which the selections I have made should be given. To do so according to any chronological14 arrangement I find to be impossible, and having resolved to give them not as a consecutive16 narrative17, but in the form of detached notices, I think it will be most appropriate that I should commence the story of Mr. Stevenson’s professional life with his great work—the Bell Rock Lighthouse,—which extended over a period of twelve years, commencing with his early conception of its structure in 1799, and terminating with its completion in 1811.
* * * * *
The Inchcape or Bell Rock lies off the east coast of Scotland, nearly abreast19 of the entrance to the Firth of Tay, at a distance of eleven miles from Arbroath, the nearest point of the mainland. The name of “Bell” has its origin in the legend respecting the good intention of a pious20 Abbot of Aberbrothock being frustrated21 by the notorious pirate, Sir Ralph the Rover, as related in14 Southey’s well-known lines, which I have given in an Appendix.
Of the origin, progress, and completion of the lighthouse Mr. Stevenson has left a lasting22 memorial and most interesting narrative in his quarto volume of upwards23 of 500 pages, a great part of which was written to his dictation by his only daughter, and was published in 1824.2
But there are some circumstances connected with the early history of the Bell Rock, which, while they could not properly have found a place in his narrative, have been noticed in his Memoranda24, from which I shall transcribe25 a few paragraphs detailing his early efforts and disappointments while engaged in designing and arranging for the prosecution of that great work:—
“All knew the difficulties of the erection of the Eddystone Lighthouse, and the casualties to which that edifice27 had been liable; and in comparing the two situations, it was generally remarked that the Eddystone was barely covered by the tide at high water, while the Bell Rock was barely uncovered at low water.
“I had much to contend with in the then limited state of my experience; and I had in various ways to bear up against public opinion as well as against interested parties. I was in this state of things, however, greatly supported, and I would even say often comforted, by Mr. Clerk of Eldin, author of the System of Breaking the Line in Naval28 Tactics. Mr. Clerk took great interest in my models, and spoke29 much of them in scientific circles. He carried men of science and eminent30 strangers to the model-room which I had provided in Merchants Hall, of which he sometimes carried the key, both when I was at home and while I was abroad.15 He introduced me to Lord Webb Seymour, to Admiral Lord Duncan, and to Professors Robison and Playfair, and others. Mr. Clerk had been personally known to Smeaton, and used occasionally to speak of him to me.”
It is impossible to read this little narrative without feeling a respect for Mr. Clerk’s hearty32 enthusiasm, and perceiving the beneficial influence which a kindly33 disposition34 may produce on the pursuits of a young man, by stimulating35 an honourable36 emulation37 and discouraging a desponding spirit.
“But at length,” the memorandum38 continues, “all difficulties with the public, as well as with the better informed few, were dispelled39 by the fatal effects of a dreadful storm from the N.E., which occurred in December 1799, when it was ascertained41 that no fewer than seventy sail of vessels42 were stranded44 or lost, with many of their crews, upon the coast of Scotland alone! Many of them, it was not doubted, might have found a safe asylum45 in the Firth of Forth46, had there been a lighthouse upon the Bell Rock, on which, indeed, it was generally believed the ‘York,’ of 74 guns, with all hands, perished, none being left to tell the tale! The coast for many miles exhibited portions of that fine ship. There was now, therefore, but one voice,—‘There must be a lighthouse erected47 on the Bell Rock.’
“Previous to this dreadful storm I had prepared my pillar-formed model, a section of which is shown in Plate VII. of the ‘Account of the Bell Rock Lighthouse.’ Early in the year 1800, I, for the first time, landed on the rock to see the application of my pillar-formed model to the situation for which it was designed and made.
“On this occasion I was accompanied by my friend Mr. James Haldane, architect, whose pupil I had been for architectural16 drawing. Our landing was at low water of a spring-tide, when a good space of rock was above water, and then the realities of its danger were amply exemplified by the numerous relics48 which were found in its crevices50, such as a ship’s marking-iron, a piece of a kedge-anchor, and a cabin stove, a bayonet, cannon-ball, silver shoe-buckle, crowbars, pieces of money, and other evidences of recent shipwreck51.
“I had no sooner set foot upon the rock than I laid aside all idea of a pillar-formed structure, fully53 convinced that a building on similar principles with the Eddystone would be found practicable.
“On my return from this visit to the rock, I immediately set to work in good earnest, with a design of a stone lighthouse, and modelled it. I accompanied this design with a report or memorial to the Lighthouse Board. The abandoned pillar-formed plan I estimated at ￡15,000, and the stone building at ￡42,685, 8s. But still I found that I had not made much impression on the Board on the score of expense, for they feared it would cost much more than forty or fifty thousand pounds.”
It was as to some of the details of this stone design that my father asked Professor Playfair to give his opinion, and received the following reply, which was not a little encouraging to the young engineer attempting to improve on the design of the great Smeaton:—
“Mr. Playfair is very sorry that he has scarce had any time to look more particularly over the plans which Mr. Stevenson has been so good as to send him. Mr. Playfair is too little acquainted with practical mechanics to make his opinion of much weight on such a subject as the construction of a lighthouse. But so far as he17 can presume to judge, the method of connecting the stones proposed by Mr. Stevenson is likely to prove perfectly55 secure, and has the advantage of being more easily constructed than Mr. Smeaton’s.”
“9th August 1802.”
* * * * *
The Lord Advocate Hope, one of the Commissioners56 of Northern Lighthouses, and Member of Parliament for the city of Edinburgh, who had interested himself much in the Bell Rock question, and often conferred with Mr. Stevenson on his design for the work, determined57 that the matter should not be allowed to rest, and introduced a Bill into Parliament in 1802–1803 to empower the Board to carry it out.
This Bill passed the House of Commons. The Committee to which it was referred report—“That it appears that a sufficient foundation might be prepared on the north end of the rock, where the surface is highest and of greatest dimensions: That artificers could work five hours at the times of each low-water in the day-time of the summer months, and that if the building should be made of masonry58 the stones to form it might be prepared on shore, marked and numbered, and carried off to the rock and properly placed: That as the present duties may not for a long time enable the Commissioners to defray the expense of erecting59 and maintaining a lighthouse on the Bell or Cape18 Rock, it will be expedient60 to authorise the Commissioners to levy61 and take further duties for that purpose, with power to borrow a further sum on the credit of said duties.”
18 At that early date there was no “standing62 order” of the House requiring the promoters of a Bill to lodge63 plans of their proposed works, and my father in his Memoranda says:—“The only plans in Mr. Hope’s hands were those which, in 1800, I submitted to the Lighthouse Board.”
In the House of Lords the Bill met with opposition64 from the Corporation of the City of London, as including too great a range of coast in the collection of duties, and such alterations65 and amendments66 were introduced in the Upper House as rendered it necessary for the Lord Advocate to withdraw the Bill.
* * * * *
In order to fortify67 Mr. Stevenson’s views as to the practicability of building a stone tower in such a situation, which was apparently68 the chief difficulty in all the early negotiations69, the Board resolved to take the advice of Mr. Telford, then employed by Government in reporting on the Highland70 Roads and Bridges and the Caledonian Canal, who, however, was unable to overtake the duty, and thereafter, on Mr. Stevenson’s suggestion, they applied71 to Mr. John Rennie, Mr. Stevenson’s senior by eleven years, who had, like himself, at the early age of twenty-one, commenced the practice of his profession, and was then settled in London as a civil engineer. Rennie having concurred72 with Stevenson as to the practicability and expediency73 of adopting a stone tower, the Lighthouse Board resolved to make another application to Parliament.
19 The second application was made in 1806, in a Bill introduced by Lord Advocate Erskine, and proceeded on the same design and estimate of ￡42,685, 8s., prepared by Mr. Stevenson, in 1800; and the following is an extract from the Report of the Committee of the House of Commons to whom was referred the petition of the Commissioners of the Northern Lighthouses:—
“Proceeded to examine Mr. Robert Stevenson, Civil Engineer, who, in his capacity of Engineer for the Northern Lighthouses, has erected six lighthouses in the northern parts of the kingdom, and has made the erection of a lighthouse on the Cape or Bell Rock more particularly his study,—especially since the loss of about seventy sail of vessels in a storm which happened upon the coast in the month of December 1799, by which numerous ships were driven from their course along the shore, and from their moorings in Yarmouth Roads, and other places of anchorage, southward of the Firth of Forth, and wrecked74 upon the eastern coast of Scotland, as referred to in the report made to this House in the month of July 1803; the particulars of which he also confirms: That the Bell Rock is most dangerously situated75, lying in a track which is annually76 navigated77 by no less than about 700,000 tons of shipping78, besides his Majesty’s ships of war and revenue cutters: That its place is not easily ascertained, even by persons well acquainted with the coast, being covered by the sea about half-flood, and the landmarks79, by which its position is ascertained, being from twelve to twenty miles distant from the site of danger.
“That from the inquiries80 he made at the time the20 ‘York’ man-of-war was lost, and pieces of her wreck52 having drifted ashore81 upon the opposite and neighbouring coast, and from an attentive82 consideration of the circumstances which attend the wreck of ships of such dimensions, he thinks it probable that the ‘York’ must have struck upon the Bell Rock, drifted off, and afterwards sunk in deep water: That he is well acquainted with the situation of the Bell Rock, the yacht belonging to the Lighthouse service having, on one occasion, been anchored near it for five days, when he had an opportunity of landing upon it every tide: That he has visited most of the lighthouses on the coast of England, Wales, and Ireland, particularly those of the Eddystone, the Smalls, and the Kilwarlin, or South Rock, which are built in situations somewhat similar to the Bell Rock: That at high water there is a greater depth on the Bell Rock than on any of these, by several feet; and he is therefore fully of opinion, that a building of stone, upon the principles of the Eddystone Lighthouse, is alone suitable to the peculiar circumstances which attend this rock, and has reported his opinion accordingly to the Commissioners of the Northern Lighthouses as far back as the year 1800; and having given the subject all the attention in his power, he has estimated the expense of erecting a building of stone upon it at the sum of ￡42,685, 8s.
“Your Committee likewise examined Mr. John Rennie, Civil Engineer, who, since the report made to this House in 1803, has visited the Bell Rock, who confirms the particulars in said report, and entertains no doubt of the practicability of erecting a lighthouse on21 that rock, is decidedly of opinion that a stone lighthouse will be the most durable83 and effectual, and indeed the only kind of building that is suited to this situation: That he has computed84 the expense of such a building, and after making every allowance for contingencies85, from his own experience of works in the sea, it appears to him that the estimate or expense will amount to ￡41,843, 15s.”
This application was fortunately successful, the Act having obtained the royal assent86 in July 1806, when the Commissioners at once determined to commence the work.
Mr. Stevenson now began to feel the full stress of his responsibility. He accordingly says in his notes:—
“The erection of a lighthouse on a rock about twelve miles from land, and so low in the water that the foundation-course must be at least on a level with the lowest tide, was an enterprise so full of uncertainty87 and hazard that it could not fail to press on my mind. I felt regret that I had not had the opportunity of a greater range of practice to fit me for such an undertaking88. But I was fortified89 by an expression of my friend Mr. Clerk, in one of our conversations upon its difficulties. ‘This work,’ said he, ‘is unique, and can be little forwarded by experience of ordinary masonic operations. In this case Smeaton’s Narrative must be the text-book, and energy and perseverance90 the pratique.’”
Mr. Rennie also, who had supported the Bill of 1806 in Parliament, and afterwards was appointed by the Commissioners as an advising Engineer to whom Mr. Stevenson could refer in case of emergency, and who had suggested some alterations on Mr. Stevenson’s design22 of the lighthouse in which he did not see his way to acquiesce91, nevertheless continued to take a kind interest in the work, and they continued to correspond frequently during its progress. “Poor old fellow,” Rennie says in one letter, alluding92 to the name of Smeaton, “I hope he will now and then take a peep of us, and inspire you with fortitude93 and courage to brave all difficulties and all dangers, to accomplish a work which will, if successful, immortalise you in the annals of fame.”3
How well Mr. Stevenson met the demands which, in the course of his great enterprise, were made on his perseverance, fortitude, and self-denial, the history of the operations, and their successful completion, abundantly show. The work was indeed, in all respects, peculiarly suited to his tastes and habits; and Mr. Clerk truly—although perhaps unconsciously—characterised the man, in his terse94 statement of what would be required of him: “The work is unique—ordinary experience can do little for it—all must depend on energy and perseverance.” No one can read Mr. Stevenson’s “Account of the Bell Rock Lighthouse” without perceiving the justness of this estimate of the difficulties that lay before him, and his ability to overcome them.
Though ever maintaining the highest respect for Smeaton and his noble work, Mr. Stevenson was led, in his original design of 1800, as we have already seen, and further in his actual execution of the Bell Rock tower, to deviate95 to a considerable extent from the design of the Eddystone. Mr. Stevenson adopted a23 height of one hundred feet instead of sixty-eight for the height of the masonry, and he carried the level of the solid part of the tower to the height of twenty-one feet above high water, instead of eleven feet as at the Eddystone. In addition to these deviations96 in the general dimensions of the tower, he increased the thickness of the walls, and he also introduced some changes of importance in its interior structure, whereby he secured a greater continuity, and therefore greater strength of the masonry of the walls and floors, which he describes in his book as follows:—
“Each floor stone forms part of the outward walls, extending inwards to a centre stone, independently of which they are connected by means of copper97 bats, with a view to preserve their square form at the extremity98, instead of dovetailing. These stones are also modelled with joggles, sidewise, upon the principles of the common floor, termed feathering in carpentry, and also with dovetailed joggles across the joints99, where they form part of the outward wall.... The floors of the Eddystone Lighthouse, on the contrary, were constructed of an arch form, and the haunches of the arches bound with chains to prevent their pressing outward, to the injury of the walls. In this, Mr. Smeaton followed the construction of the Dome100 of St Paul’s; and this mode might also be found necessary at the Eddystone, from the want of stones in one length, to form the outward wall and floor, in the then state of the granite101 quarries102 of Cornwall. At Mylnefield Quarry103, however, there was no difficulty in procuring104 stones of the requisite105 dimensions; and the writer foresaw many advantages that would arise from having the stones of the floors to form part of the outward walls, without introducing the system of arching.”
Smeaton in fact adopted an arched form for the floors24 of his building, which rendered it necessary, in order to counteract106 the outward thrust, to insert chains, embedded107 in grooves108, cut in the masonry; but Mr. Stevenson, in designing the Bell Rock Lighthouse, improved on Smeaton’s plan, not only by a better general arrangement of the masonry, but by converting the floors into effective bonds, so that, instead of exerting an outward thrust, they actually tie or bind109 the walls together. This is at once apparent from Figs111. 1 and 2, which show the floor-courses of the Eddystone and Bell Rock in section.
Fig110. 1.—Eddystone.
Fig. 2.—Bell Rock.
The engineer of the Bell Rock had all the advantage of Smeaton’s earlier experience, which he ever thankfully acknowledged; but there can be no doubt whatever that the Bell Rock presented peculiar engineering difficulties. The Eddystone Rock is barely covered by the tide at high water, while the Bell Rock is barely uncovered at LOW WATER, rendering113 the time of working on it, as we shall afterwards find, extremely limited; and the proposal to erect26 a stone tower on this low-lying isolated114 reef, at a distance of twelve miles from land, was no less remarkable115 for its novelty than for its boldness.
PLATE I.
BELL ROCK LIGHT HOUSE.
W. & A. K. Johnston, Edinburgh.
PLATE II.
SECTION OF THE BELL ROCK LIGHT HOUSE.
W. & A. K. Johnston, Edinburgh.
25 Plate I. is an elevation116 of the Bell Rock Lighthouse, and Plate II. is a section showing the manner in which the interior is laid out, and, so far as the size of scale admits, the peculiar arrangements of the masonry, to which reference has been made.
The following is a brief statement of the progress of the work:—
The spring of 1807 was occupied in preparing a floating lightship to be moored117 off the rock, erecting the timber framework which was to support the barrack to be occupied as a temporary dwelling118 by the workmen, and in carrying out other preliminary arrangements. During this first season the aggregate119 time of low-water work, caught by snatches of an hour or two at a tide, amounted to no more than thirteen and a half days’ work of ten hours each.
In 1808 the foundation-pit was excavated120 in the solid rock, and the building was brought up to the level of the surrounding surface, the aggregate time of low-water work amounting to twenty-two days of ten hours, so that little more than a month’s work was obtained during the first two years.
In 1809 the barrack for the workmen was completed, and the building of the tower brought to the height of seventeen feet above high water of spring-tides.
In 1810 the masonry of the tower was finished and the lantern erected in its place, and the light was exhibited on 1st February 1811. The light is of the description known as revolving121 red and white, and hence Sir Walter Scott’s “gem15 of changeful light” (see page 47).
26 These weary years of toil122 and peril123 were also years of great professional responsibility for the Engineer, and of constant anxiety for the safety of his devoted124 band of associates, including shipmasters, landing-masters, foremen, and workmen, in all of whom Mr. Stevenson took a cordial and ever friendly interest, and in whom he invariably placed implicit125 confidence when he found that their several duties were faithfully discharged. To form strong attachments127 to trustworthy fellow-workmen was ever a marked feature in my father’s character, and after a lapse128 of nearly half a century many who joined in his labours at the Bell Rock were still associated with him in the business of his office, or as Inspectors129 of works.
His daily cheerful participation130 in all the toils131 and hazards which were, for two seasons, endured in the floating lightship, and afterwards in the timber house or barrack, over which the waves broke with very great force, and caused a most alarming twisting movement of its main supports, were proofs not merely of calm and enduring courage, but of great self-denial and enthusiastic devotion to his calling. On some occasions his fortitude and presence of mind were most severely132 tried, and well they stood the test.
The record of this great work is, as I have already said, fully given in the “Account of the Bell Rock Lighthouse,” to which I must refer professional readers; but as this volume is out of print, and is not easily accessible, I shall give a few extracts from it, which I feel sure will be read with deep interest, and convey to the reader at27 least some idea of the difficulties with which this undertaking was beset:—
“Soon after the artificers landed on the rock they commenced work; but the wind coming to blow hard, the Smeaton’s4 boat and crew, who had brought their complement133 of eight men to the rock, went off to examine her riding-ropes, and see that they were in proper order. The boat had no sooner reached the vessel43 than she went adrift, carrying the boat along with her; and both had even got to a considerable distance before this situation of things was observed, every one being so intent upon his own particular duty that the boat had not been seen leaving the rock. As it blew hard, the crew, with much difficulty, set the mainsail upon the Smeaton, with a view to work her up to the buoy134, and again lay hold of the moorings. By the time that she was got round to make a tack135 towards the rock, she had drifted at least three miles to leeward136, with the praam boat astern; and having both the wind and tide against her, the writer perceived, with no little anxiety, that she could not possibly return to the rock till long after its being overflowed137; for, owing to the anomaly of the tides, formerly138 noticed, the Bell Rock is completely under water before the ebb31 abates139 to the offing.
“In this perilous140 predicament, indeed, he found himself placed between hope and despair; but certainly the latter was by much the most predominant feeling of his mind,—situate upon a sunken rock, in the middle of the ocean, which, in the progress of the flood-tide, was to be laid under water to the depth of at least twelve feet in a stormy sea. There were this morning in all thirty-two persons on the rock, with only two boats, whose complement, even in good weather, did not exceed twenty-four sitters; but to row to the floating light with so much wind, and in so heavy a sea, a complement of eight men for each28 boat was as much as could with propriety141 be attempted, so that in this way about one-half of our number was unprovided for. Under these circumstances, had the writer ventured to despatch142 one of the boats, in expectation of either working the Smeaton sooner up towards the rock, or in hopes of getting her boat brought to our assistance, this must have given an immediate54 alarm to the artificers, each of whom would have insisted upon taking to his own boat, and leaving the eight artificers belonging to the Smeaton to their chance. Of course, a scuffle might have ensued, and it is hard to say, in the ardour of men contending for life, where it might have ended. It has even been hinted to the writer that a party of the pickmen were determined to keep exclusively to their own boat against all hazards.
“The unfortunate circumstance of the Smeaton and her boat having drifted was, for a considerable time, only known to the writer, and to the landing-master, who removed to the further point of the rock, where he kept his eye steadily143 upon the progress of the vessel. While the artificers were at work, chiefly in sitting or kneeling postures145, excavating146 the rock, or boring with the jumpers, and while their numerous hammers, and the sound of the smith’s anvil147, continued, the situation of things did not appear so awful. In this state of suspense148, with almost certain destruction at hand, the water began to rise upon those who were at work on the lower parts of the sites of the beacon and lighthouse. From the run of sea upon the rock, the forge-fire was also sooner extinguished this morning than usual, and the volumes of smoke having ceased, objects in every direction became visible from all parts of the rock. After having had about three hours’ work, the men began, pretty generally, to make towards their respective boats for their jackets and stockings, when to their astonishment149, instead of three they found only two boats, the third being adrift with the Smeaton. Not a word was uttered by any one, but all appeared to be silently calculating their numbers, and looking to29 each other with evident marks of perplexity depicted150 in their countenances151. The landing-master, conceiving that blame might be attached to him for allowing the boat to leave the rock, still kept at a distance. At this critical moment the author was standing upon an elevated part of Smith’s Ledge112, where he endeavoured to mark the progress of the Smeaton, not a little surprised that the crew did not cut the praam adrift, which greatly retarded152 her way, and amazed that some effort was not making to bring at least the boat, and attempt our relief. The workmen looked steadfastly153 upon the writer, and turned occasionally towards the vessel, still far to leeward. All this passed in the most perfect silence, and the melancholy154 solemnity of the group made an impression never to be effaced155 from his mind.
“The writer had all along been considering various schemes—providing the men could be kept under command—which might be put in practice for the general safety, in hopes that the Smeaton might be able to pick up the boats to leeward, when they were obliged to leave the rock. He was, accordingly, about to address the artificers on the perilous nature of their circumstances, and to propose that all hands should unstrip their upper clothing when the higher parts of the rock were laid under water; that the seamen156 should remove every unnecessary weight and encumbrance157 from the boats; that a specified158 number of men should go into each boat, and that the remainder should hang by the gunwales, while the boats were to be rowed gently towards the Smeaton, as the course to the Pharos or floating light lay rather to windward of the rock. But when he attempted to speak, his mouth was so parched159 that his tongue refused utterance160, and he now learned by experience that the saliva161 is as necessary as the tongue itself for speech. He then turned to one of the pools on the rock and lapped a little water, which produced an immediate relief. But what was his happiness when, on rising from this unpleasant beverage162, some one called out ‘A boat! a boat!’ and on looking30 around, at no great distance, a large boat was seen through the haze163 making towards the rock. This at once enlivened and rejoiced every heart. The timeous visitor proved to be James Spink, the Bell Rock pilot, who had come express from Arbroath with letters. Spink had for some time seen the Smeaton, and had even supposed, from the state of the weather, that all hands were on board of her, till he approached more nearly and observed people upon the rock. Upon this fortunate change of circumstances sixteen of the artificers were sent at two trips in one of the boats, with instructions for Spink to proceed with them to the floating light.5 This being accomplished164, the remaining sixteen followed in the two boats belonging to the service of the rock. Every one felt the most perfect happiness at leaving the Bell Rock this morning, though a very hard and even dangerous passage to the floating light still awaited us, as the wind by this time had increased to a pretty hard gale165, accompanied with a considerable swell166 of sea. The boats left the rock about nine, but did not reach the vessel till twelve o’clock noon, after a most disagreeable and fatiguing167 passage of three hours. Every one was as completely drenched168 in water as if he had been dragged astern of the boats.”
After this accident difficulty was experienced in getting the men to turn out next morning, as related in the following extract:—
“The bell rung this morning at five o’clock, but the writer must acknowledge, from the circumstances of yesterday, that its sound was extremely unwelcome. This appears also to have been the feeling of the artificers, for when they came to be mustered169, out of twenty-six, only eight, besides the foreman and seamen, appeared upon deck, to accompany the writer to the rock. Such are the baneful170 effects of anything like misfortune31 or accident connected with a work of this description. The use of argument to persuade the men to embark171, in cases of this kind, would have been out of place, as it is not only discomfort172, or even the risk of the loss of a limb, but life itself, that becomes the question. The boats, notwithstanding the thinness of our ranks, left the vessel at half-past five. The rough weather of yesterday having proved but a summer’s gale, the wind came to-day in gentle breezes, yet the atmosphere being cloudy, it had not a very favourable173 appearance. The boats reached the rock at six A.M., and the eight artificers who landed were employed in clearing out the bat-holes for the beacon-house, and had a prosperous tide of four hours’ work, being the longest yet experienced by half an hour.
“The boats left the rock again at ten o’clock, and the weather having cleared up, as we drew near the vessel, the eighteen artificers who remained on board were observed upon deck, but as the boats approached they sought their way below, being quite ashamed of their conduct. This was the only instance of refusal to go to the rock which occurred during the whole progress of the work.”
The state of suffering and discomfort, as well as danger, on board the floating light, which lay moored off the rock during the first two seasons of the work, before the timber beacon was used as a habitation, is described, in the following passage, which presents a striking illustration of the continual anxiety that must have existed in the minds of those engaged in the work, and of the frequent calls for energetic and courageous174 exertion:—
“Although the weather would have admitted of a landing this evening, yet the swell of the sea, observable in the morning, still continued to increase. It was so far fortunate that a landing32 was not attempted, for at eight o’clock the wind shifted to E.S.E., and at ten it had become a hard gale, when fifty fathoms175 of the floating-light’s hempen176 cable were veered177 out. The gale still increasing, the ship rolled and laboured excessively, and at midnight eighty fathoms of cable were veered out; while the sea continued to strike the vessel with a degree of force which had not before been experienced.
“During the last night there was little rest on board of the Pharos, and daylight, though anxiously wished for, brought no relief, as the gale continued with unabated violence. The sea struck so hard upon the vessel’s bows that it rose in great quantities, or in ‘green seas’ as the sailors termed it, which were carried by the wind as far aft as the quarter-deck, and not unfrequently over the stern of the ship altogether. It fell occasionally so heavily on the skylight of the writer’s cabin, though so far aft as to be within five feet of the helm, that the glass was broken to pieces before the dead-light could be got into its place, so that the water poured down in great quantities. In shutting out the water, the admission of light was prevented, and in the morning all continued in the most comfortless state of darkness. About ten o’clock A.M. the wind shifted to N.E., and blew, if possible, harder than before, and it was accompanied by a much heavier swell of sea; when it was judged advisable to give the ship more cable. In the course of the gale the part of the cable in the hause-hole had been so often shifted that nearly the whole length of one of her hempen cables, of 120 fathoms, had been veered out besides the chain-moorings. The cable, for its preservation178, was also carefully “served” or wattled with pieces of canvas round the windlass, and with leather well greased in the hause-hole. In this state things remained during the whole day,—every sea which struck the vessel—and the seas followed each other in close succession—causing her to shake, and all on board occasionally to tremble. At each of these strokes of the sea the rolling and33 pitching of the vessel ceased for a time, and her motion was felt as if she had either broke adrift before the wind, or were in the act of sinking; but when another sea came, she ranged up against it with great force, and this became the regular intimation of our being still riding at anchor.
“About eleven o’clock, the writer, with some difficulty, got out of bed, but, in attempting to dress, he was thrown twice upon the floor, at the opposite side of the cabin. In an undressed state he made shift to get about half-way up the companion-stairs, with an intention to observe the state of the sea and of the ship upon deck, but he no sooner looked over the companion than a heavy sea struck the vessel, which fell on the quarter-deck, and rushed down-stairs into the officer’s cabin, in so considerable a quantity that it was found necessary to lift one of the scuttles180 in the floor to let the water into the limbers of the ship, as it dashed from side to side in such a manner as to run into the lower tier of beds. Having been foiled in this attempt, and being completely wetted, he again got below and went to bed. In this state of the weather the seamen had to move about the necessary or indispensable duties of the ship, with the most cautious use both of hands and feet, while it required all the art of the landsman to keep within the precincts of his bed. The writer even found himself so much tossed about that it became necessary, in some measure, to shut himself in bed, in order to avoid being thrown to the floor. Indeed, such was the motion of the ship, that it seemed wholly impracticable to remain in any other than a lying posture144. On deck the most stormy aspect presented itself, while below all was wet and comfortless.
“About two o’clock P.M. a great alarm was given throughout the ship, from the effects of a very heavy sea which struck her, and almost filled the waist, pouring down into the berths182 below, through every chink and crevice49 of the hatches and skylights. From the motion of the vessel being thus suddenly deadened or34 checked, and from the flowing in of the water above, it is believed there was not an individual on board who did not think, at the moment, that the vessel had foundered183 and was in the act of sinking. The writer could withstand this no longer, and as soon as she again began to range to the sea, he determined to make another effort to get upon deck.
“It being impossible to open any of the hatches in the fore12 part of the ship in communicating with the deck, the watch was changed by passing through the several berths to the companion-stair leading to the quarter-deck. The writer, therefore, made the best of his way aft, and on a second attempt to look out, he succeeded, and saw indeed an astonishing sight. The seas or waves appeared to be ten or fifteen feet in height of unbroken water, and every approaching billow seemed as if it would overwhelm our vessel, but she continued to rise upon the waves, and to fall between the seas in a very wonderful manner. It seemed to be only those seas which caught her in the act of rising which struck her with so much violence, and threw such quantities of water aft. On deck there was only one solitary184 individual looking out, to give the alarm in the event of the ship breaking from her moorings. The seaman185 on watch continued only two hours; he had no greatcoat nor overall of any kind, but was simply dressed in his ordinary jacket and trousers; his hat was tied under his chin with a napkin, and he stood aft the foremast, to which he had lashed186 himself with a gasket or small rope round his waist, to prevent his falling upon deck or being washed overboard. Upon deck everything that was moveable was out of sight, having either been stowed below previous to the gale, or been washed overboard. Some trifling187 parts of the quarter-boards were damaged by the breach188 of the sea, and one of the boats upon deck was about one-third full of water, the oyle-hole or drain having been accidentally stopped up, and part of the gunwale had received considerable injury. Although the previous night had been a35 very restless one, it had not the effect of inducing sleep in the writer’s berth181 on the succeeding one; for having been so much tossed about in bed during the last thirty hours, he found no easy spot to turn to, and his body was all sore to the touch, which ill accorded with the unyielding materials with which his bed-place was surrounded.
“This morning about eight o’clock the writer was agreeably surprised to see the scuttle179 of his cabin skylight removed, and the bright rays of the sun admitted. Although the ship continued to roll excessively, and the sea was still running very high, yet the ordinary business on board seemed to be going forward on deck. It was impossible to steady a telescope so as to look minutely at the progress of the waves, and trace their breach upon the Bell Rock, but the height to which the cross-running waves rose in sprays, when they met each other, was truly grand, and the continued roar and noise of the sea was very perceptible to the ear. To estimate the height of the sprays at forty or fifty feet would surely be within the mark. Those of the workmen who were not much afflicted189 with sea-sickness came upon deck, and the wetness below being dried up, the cabins were again brought into a habitable state. Every one seemed to meet as if after a long absence, congratulating his neighbour upon the return of good weather. Little could be said as to the comfort of the vessel; but after riding out such a gale, no one felt the least doubt or hesitation190 as to the safety and good condition of her moorings. The master and mate were extremely anxious, however, to heave in the hempen cable, and see the state of the clinch191 or iron ring of the chain cable. But the vessel rolled at such a rate that the seamen could not possibly keep their feet at the windlass, nor work the handspokes, though it had been several times attempted since the gale took off.
“About twelve noon, however, the vessel’s motion was observed to be considerably192 less, and the sailors were enabled to walk upon36 deck with some degree of freedom. But to the astonishment of every one it was soon discovered that the floating light was adrift! The windlass was instantly manned, and the men soon gave out that there was no strain upon the cable. The mizzen-sail, which was bent193 for the occasional purpose of making the vessel ride more easily to the tide, was immediately set, and the other sails were also hoisted194 in a short time, when, in no small consternation195, we bore away about one mile to the south-westward of the former station, and there let go the best bower-anchor and cable, in twenty fathoms water, to ride until the swell of the sea should fall, when it might be practicable to grapple for the moorings, and find a better anchorage for the ship.
“As soon as the deck could be cleared the cable end was hove up, which had parted at the distance of about fifty fathoms from the chain moorings. On examining the cable, it was found to be considerably chafed196, but where the separation took place, it appeared to be worn through, or cut shortly off. How to account for this would be difficult, as the ground, though rough and gravelly, did not, after much sounding, appear to contain any irregular parts. It was therefore conjectured197 that the cable must have hooked some piece of wreck, as it did not appear from the state of the wind and tide that the vessel could have fouled198 her anchor when she veered round with the wind, which had shifted in the course of the night from N.E. to N.N.W.
“Be this as it may, it was a circumstance quite out of the power of man to prevent, as, until the ship drifted, it was found impossible to heave up the cable. But what ought to have been the feeling of thankfulness to that Providence199 which regulates and appoints the lot of man, when it is considered that if this accident had happened during the storm, or in the night after the wind had shifted, the floating light must inevitably200 have gone ashore upon the Bell Rock. In short, it is hardly possible to conceive any case more awfully201 distressing202 than our situation would have been,37 or one more disastrous203 to the important undertaking in which we were engaged.”
The distance at which the floating light was moored from the rock was about three miles, and the passage of the men to and from their work, and boarding the vessel in rough weather, was a source of great anxiety and danger, and is described in the following paragraphs:—
“When the tide-bell rung on board the floating light, the boats were hoisted out, and two active seamen were employed to keep them from receiving damage alongside. The floating light being very buoyant, was so quick in her motions, that when those who were about to step from her gunwale into a boat, placed themselves upon a “cleat” or step on the ship’s side with the man or rail-ropes in their hands, they had often to wait for some time till a favourable opportunity occurred for stepping into the boat. While in this situation, with the vessel rolling from side to side, watching the proper time for letting go the man-ropes, it required the greatest dexterity204 and presence of mind to leap into the boat. One who was rather awkward would often wait a considerable period in this position: at one time his side of the ship would be so depressed205 that he would touch the boat to which he belonged, while the next sea would elevate him so much that he would see his comrades in the boat on the opposite side of the ship, his friends in the one boat calling to him to ‘jump,’ while those in the boat on the other side, as he came again and again into their view, would jocosely206 say—‘Are you there yet? You seem to enjoy a swing.’ In this situation it was common to see a person upon each side of the ship for a length of time, waiting to quit his hold. A stranger to this sort of motion was both alarmed for the safety, and delighted with the agility207, of persons leaping into the boat under those perilous circumstances. No sooner had one quitted his station on the gunwale38 than another occupied his place, until the whole were safely shipped.”
On their return trips from the rock to the floating light, the men had a no less hazardous208 and trying ordeal209 to undergo, for Mr. Stevenson records the following as an example of the risks to which they were exposed:—
“Just as we were about to leave the rock, the wind shifted to the S.W., and from a fresh gale it became what seamen term a hard gale, or such as would have required the fisherman to take in two or three reefs in his sail. The boats being rather in a crowded state for this sort of weather, they were pulled with difficulty towards the floating light. Though the boats were handsomely built, and presented little obstruction210 to the wind, as those who were not pulling sat low, yet having the ebb-tide to contend with the passage was so very tedious that it required two hours of hard work before we reached the vessel.
“It is a curious fact, that the respective tides of ebb and flood are apparent upon the shore about an hour and a half sooner than at the distance of three or four miles in the offing. But what seems chiefly interesting here is, that the tides around this small sunken rock should follow exactly the same laws as on the extensive shores of the mainland. When the boats left the Bell Rock to-day, it was overflowed by the flood-tide, but the floating light did not swing round to the flood-tide for more than an hour afterwards. Under this disadvantage the boats had to struggle with the ebb-tide and a hard gale of wind, so that it was with the greatest difficulty they reached the floating light. Had this gale happened in spring-tides, when the current was strong, we must have been driven to sea in a very helpless condition.
“The boat which the writer steered211 was considerably behind the other, one of the masons having unluckily broken his oar5. Our prospect212 of getting on board, of course, became doubtful, and39 our situation was rather perilous, as the boat shipped so much sea that it occupied two of the artificers to bale and clear her of water. When the oar gave way we were about half-a-mile from the ship, but, being fortunately to windward, we got into the wake of the floating light at about 250 fathoms astern, just as the landing-master’s boat reached the vessel. He immediately streamed or floated a life-buoy astern, with a line which was in readiness, and by means of this useful implement213, the boat was towed alongside of the floating light, where, from the rolling motion, it required no small management to get safely on board, as the men were much worn out with their exertions214 in pulling from the rock. On the present occasion, the crews of both boats were completely drenched with spray, and those who sat upon the bottom of the boats to bale them were sometimes pretty deep in the water, before it could be cleared out. After getting on board, all hands were allowed an extra dram, and having shifted, and got a warm and comfortable dinner, the affair, it is believed, was little more thought of.”
An interesting incident, showing the constant anxiety of the chief for his men, is given in the following passage:—
“The boats left the ship at a quarter before six this morning, and landed upon the rock at seven. The water had gone off the rock sooner than was expected, for as yet the seamen were but imperfectly acquainted with its periodic appearance, and the landing-master being rather late with his signal this morning, the artificers were enabled to proceed to work without a moment’s delay. The boat which the writer steered happened to be the last which approached the rock at this tide; and, in standing up in the stern, while at some distance, to see how the leading boat entered the creek215, he was astonished to observe something in the form of a human figure in a reclining posture upon one of the ledges216 of the rock. He immediately steered the boat through a narrow entrance40 to the eastern harbour, with a thousand unpleasant sensations in his mind. He thought a vessel or boat must have been wrecked upon the rock during the night; and it seemed probable that the rock might be strewed217 with dead bodies—a spectacle which could not fail to deter13 the artificers from returning so freely to their work. Even one individual found in this situation would naturally cast a damp upon their minds, and, at all events, make them much more timid in their future operations. In the midst of those reveries, the boat took the ground at an improper218 landing-place; but, without waiting to push her off, he leapt upon the rock, and making his way hastily to the spot which had privately219 given him alarm, he had the satisfaction to ascertain40 that he had only been deceived by the peculiar situation and aspect of the smith’s anvil and block, which very completely represented the appearance of a lifeless body upon the rock. The writer carefully suppressed his feelings, the simple mention of which might have had a bad effect upon the artificers, and his haste passed for an anxiety to examine the apparatus220 of the smith’s forge, left in an unfinished state at the evening tide.”
In the following words Mr. Stevenson explains his resolution to regard the operations at the Bell Rock as a work of mercy, and to continue them, when weather permitted, throughout all the seven days of the week:—
“To some it may require an apology, or at least call for an explanation, why the writer took upon himself to step aside from the established rules of society by carrying on the works of this undertaking during Sundays. Such practices are not uncommon221 in the dockyards and arsenals222, when it is conceived that the public service requires extraordinary exertions. Surely if, under any circumstances, it is allowable to go about the ordinary labours of mankind on Sundays, that of the erection of a lighthouse upon the Bell Rock seems to be one of the most pressing calls which could41 in any case occur, and carries along with it the imperious language of necessity. When we take into consideration that, in its effects, this work was to operate in a direct manner for the safety of many valuable lives and much property, the beautiful and simple parables223 of the Holy Scriptures224, inculcating works of necessity and mercy, must present themselves to every mind unbiassed by the trammels of form or the influence of a distorted imagination. In this perilous work, to give up every seventh day would just have been to protract225 the time a seventh part. Now, as it was generally supposed, after taking all advantages into view, that the work would probably require seven years for its execution, such an arrangement must have extended the operation to at least eight years, and have exposed it to additional risk and danger in all its stages. The writer, therefore, felt little scruple226 in continuing the Bell Rock works in all favourable states of the weather.”
He however conducted a regular Sunday service, as noticed in the following paragraph:—
“Having, on the previous evening, arranged matters with the landing-master as to the business of the day, the signal was rung for all hands at half-past seven this morning. In the early state of the spring-tides, the artificers went to the rock before breakfast, but as the tides fell later in the day, it became necessary to take this meal before leaving the ship. At eight o’clock all hands were assembled on the quarter-deck for prayers, a solemnity which was gone through in as orderly a manner as circumstances would admit. Round the quarter-deck, when the weather permitted, the flags of the ship were hung up as an awning227 or screen, forming the quarter-deck into a distinct compartment228 with colours; the pendant was also hoisted at the main-mast, and a large ensign flag was displayed over the stern; and, lastly, the ship’s companion, or top of the staircase, was covered with the flag proper of the Lighthouse Service, on which the Bible was laid. A particular toll229 of the bell called all hands to the quarter-deck, when the writer read a chapter42 of the Bible, and, the whole ship’s company being uncovered, he also read the impressive prayer composed by the Reverend Dr. Brunton, one of the ministers of Edinburgh.”
Fig. 3.—The Beacon or Barrack.
So soon as a barrack of timber-work could be erected on the rock as a substitute for the floating light, it was inhabited by Mr. Stevenson and twenty-eight men. This barrack was a singular habitation, perched on a strong framework of timber, carefully designed with a view to strength, and no less carefully put together in its place, and fixed230 to the rock with every appliance necessary to secure stability. The tide rose sixteen feet on it in calm weather, and in heavy seas it was exposed to the assault of every wave. Of the perils231 and discomforts232 of such a habitation the following passages give a lively picture:—
“This scene” (the sublime233 appearance of the waves) “he greatly enjoyed while sitting at his window. Each wave approached the43 Beacon like a vast scroll234 unfolding, and in passing discharged a quantity of air which he not only distinctly felt, but was even sufficient to lift the leaves of a book which lay before him....
“The gale continues with unabated violence to-day, and the sprays rise to a still greater height, having been carried over the masonry of the building, or about 90 feet above the level of the sea. At four o’clock this morning it was breaking into the cook’s berth (on the Beacon), when he rang the alarm-bell, and all hands turned out to attend to their personal safety. The floor of the smith’s or mortar235 gallery was now completely burst up by the force of the sea, when the whole of the deals and the remaining articles upon the floor were swept away, such as the cast-iron mortar-tubs, the iron hearth236 of the forge, the smith’s bellows237, and even his anvil, were thrown down upon the rock. The boarding of the cook-house, or story above the smith’s gallery, was also partly carried away, and the brick and plaster work of the fireplace shaken and loosened. It was observed during this gale that the Beacon-house had a good deal of tremor238, but none of that ‘twisting motion’ occasionally felt and complained of before the additional wooden struts239 were set up for the security of the principal beams; but this effect had more especially disappeared ever since the attachment126 of the great horizontal iron bars in connection with these supports. Before the tide rose to its full height to-day, some of the artificers passed along the bridge into the lighthouse, to observe the effects of the sea upon it, and they reported that they had felt a slight tremulous motion in the building when great seas struck it in a certain direction about high-water mark. On this occasion the sprays were again observed to wet the balcony, and even to come over the parapet wall into the interior of the light-room. In this state of the weather, Captain Wilson and the crew of the ‘Floating Light’ were much alarmed for the safety of the artificers upon the rock, especially when they observed with a telescope that the floor of the smith’s gallery had been carried away, and that the triangular240 cast-iron sheer-crane was broken down. It was quite44 impossible, however, to do anything for their relief until the gale should take off....
“The writer’s cabin measured not more than 4 feet 3 inches in breadth on the floor; and though, from the oblique241 direction of the beams of the Beacon, it widened towards the top, yet it did not admit of the full extension of his arms when he stood on the floor; while its length was little more than sufficient for suspending a cot-bed during the night, calculated for being triced up to the roof during the day, which left free room for the admission of occasional visitants. His folding-table was attached with hinges immediately under the small window of the apartment; and his books, barometer242, thermometer, portmanteau, and two or three camp-stools, formed the bulk of his moveables. His diet being plain, the paraphernalia243 of the table were proportionally simple; though everything had the appearance of comfort, and even of neatness, the walls being covered with green cloth, formed into panels with red tape, and his bed festooned with curtains of yellow cotton stuff. If, on speculating on the abstract wants of man, in such a state of exclusion244, one were reduced to a single book, the sacred volume, whether considered for the striking diversity of its story, the morality of its doctrine245, or the important truths of its Gospel, would have proved by far the greatest treasure.”
The Barrack was not removed immediately on the completion of the tower, and on Mr. Stevenson’s first visit to the rock after the light had been established, it was with feelings of emotion that he viewed his old quarters. His Journal says—“I went up the trap and entered my own cabin with mingled246 thoughts of reflection upon the many anxious hours I had spent within the narrow precincts of its little walls, and here offered up thanks to God for the happy termination of this work.”
Mr. Stevenson’s merit as Engineer of the Bell Rock45 Lighthouse does not rest in his bold conception of, and confident unshaken belief in, the possibility of executing a tower of masonry on that submerged reef, or even in his personal courage and discretion247 in carrying out so difficult a work, in the face of so many dangers, when he had neither “steamboat” nor “steam-crane” to call to his aid. But his mechanical skill in all the arrangements of the work was pre-eminent in bringing his labours to a successful issue. Not only did he conceive the plan of the moveable jib and balance cranes, described in a subsequent chapter—which he applied with much advantage in the erection of the tower, and the former of which is now in universal use,—but his inventive skill, ever alive to the possibility of improving on the conceptions of his great master, Smeaton, led him to introduce all those advantageous248 changes in the arrangements of the masonry of the tower, which have been already described, as distinguishing it from the Eddystone.
The Commissioners entertained a high sense of Stevenson’s services at the Bell Rock Lighthouse; and, as many of them took a deep interest in the execution of that remarkable work, and paid occasional visits to it during its progress, they were well able to appreciate the ability and zeal249 with which he devoted himself to this arduous250 task, and they resolved, at a meeting held in the lighthouse itself—“That a bust251 of Mr. Robert Stevenson be obtained, and placed in the library of the Bell Rock Lighthouse, in testimony252 of the sense entertained by the Commissioners of his distinguished253 talent and indefatigable254 zeal in the erection of that lighthouse.” A beautiful bust in marble, by Samuel Joseph, from which the frontispiece46 has been engraved255, was accordingly placed in what is called the library, being the upper apartment of the tower.
* * * * *
Mr. Stevenson’s interest in the Eddystone did not cease on the completion of his own work. We know that he paid at least two visits to the Eddystone after the completion of the Bell Rock. One of those visits was made in September 1813, when, by the courtesy of the Trinity House, he was accommodated with the use of the ‘Eddystone’ tender, and, though the weather was not very favourable, succeeded in landing on the rock and making a hasty inspection256 of the far-famed lighthouse.
Mr. Stevenson’s last visit was made in 1818, on a voyage in the Northern Lighthouse tender, on which occasion he was favoured with a smooth sea and a low tide, and enabled to make a thorough inspection of the rock. It is important and interesting to record that this examination strongly impressed him with the ultimate insecurity of the structure, as appears from the following almost prophetic extract from his Journal:—
“The house seems to be in a very good state of repair, and does not appear to have sustained any injury by the lapse of time. The joints are full of cement, and the stone exhibits little appearance of decay, being granite or syenite. The rock itself upon a narrow inspection seems to be gneiss. The rock is shaken all through, and dips at a very considerable angle, perhaps one in three, towards the south-west; and being undermined on the north-east side for several feet, it must be confessed that it has rather an alarming appearance. I am not, however, of opinion that it has altered its state perhaps since the date of the erection of the tower. Since47 my last visit in 1813 I am not sensible of any change upon it. On the north-east side, however, at what is called the ‘Gut’ landing-place, where the men sheltered themselves from the fire of Rudyerd’s Lighthouse, but especially at low-water mark of spring-tides, there is a hollowing of the rock which penetrates257 at least to the circumference258 of the base of the lighthouse. I therefore conclude that when the sea runs high there is danger of this house being upset, after a lapse of time, when the sea and shingle259 have wrought260 away the rock to a greater extent. Nothing preserves this highly important building but the hardness of the rock and the dip of the strata261, but for how long a period this may remain no one can pretend to say.”
PLATE III.
BELL ROCK LIGHTHOUSE.
That period has at length arrived, and the Trinity House, under the advice of Mr. Douglass, their Engineer, have resolved that Smeaton’s Eddystone—the engineer’s long cherished object of veneration—must be renewed, and henceforth Stevenson’s Bell Rock must be held as the earliest existing type of a class of bold and skilful262 works—still few in number—which, by converting a dark sunken danger into a source of light and safety, have saved many a ship, and cheered the heart of many a tempest-tossed sailor, as happily expressed in Sir Walter Scott’s impromptu263 “Pharos loquitur,” written in the Album of the Lighthouse, when he landed with a deputation of the Commissioners in 1814.
“Far in the bosom264 of the deep O’er these wild shelves my watch I keep, A ruddy gem of changeful light, Bound on the dusky brow of night; The seaman bids my lustre265 hail, And scorns to strike his timorous266 sail.”
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beacon
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| n.烽火，（警告用的）闪火灯，灯塔 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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oar
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| n.桨，橹，划手；v.划行 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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qualified
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| adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的 | |
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prosecute
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| vt.告发；进行；vi.告发，起诉，作检察官 | |
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systematic
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| adj.有系统的，有计划的，有方法的 | |
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prosecution
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| n.起诉，告发，检举，执行，经营 | |
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sketch
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| n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述 | |
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fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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deter
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| vt.阻止，使不敢，吓住 | |
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chronological
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| adj.按年月顺序排列的，年代学的 | |
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gem
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| n.宝石，珠宝；受爱戴的人 [同]jewel | |
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consecutive
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| adj.连续的，联贯的，始终一贯的 | |
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narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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cape
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| n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风 | |
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abreast
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| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
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pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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frustrated
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| adj.挫败的，失意的，泄气的v.使不成功( frustrate的过去式和过去分词 )；挫败；使受挫折；令人沮丧 | |
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lasting
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| adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持 | |
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upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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memoranda
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| n. 备忘录, 便条 名词memorandum的复数形式 | |
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transcribe
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| v.抄写，誉写；改编(乐曲)；复制，转录 | |
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erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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edifice
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| n.宏伟的建筑物(如宫殿，教室) | |
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naval
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| adj.海军的，军舰的，船的 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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eminent
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| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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31
ebb
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| vi.衰退，减退；n.处于低潮，处于衰退状态 | |
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hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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34
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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35
stimulating
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| adj.有启发性的，能激发人思考的 | |
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36
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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37
emulation
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| n.竞争；仿效 | |
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38
memorandum
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| n.备忘录，便笺 | |
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39
dispelled
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| v.驱散，赶跑( dispel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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40
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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41
ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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42
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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43
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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44
stranded
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| a.搁浅的，进退两难的 | |
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45
asylum
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| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
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46
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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47
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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48
relics
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| [pl.］n.遗物，遗迹，遗产；遗体，尸骸 | |
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49
crevice
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| n.(岩石、墙等)裂缝；缺口 | |
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50
crevices
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| n.（尤指岩石的）裂缝，缺口( crevice的名词复数 ) | |
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51
shipwreck
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| n.船舶失事，海难 | |
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52
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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53
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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54
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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56
commissioners
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| n.专员( commissioner的名词复数 )；长官；委员；政府部门的长官 | |
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57
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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58
masonry
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| n.砖土建筑；砖石 | |
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59
erecting
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| v.使直立，竖起( erect的现在分词 )；建立 | |
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60
expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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61
levy
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| n.征收税或其他款项，征收额 | |
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62
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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63
lodge
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| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
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64
opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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65
alterations
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| n.改动( alteration的名词复数 )；更改；变化；改变 | |
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66
amendments
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| （法律、文件的）改动( amendment的名词复数 )； 修正案； 修改； （美国宪法的）修正案 | |
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67
fortify
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| v.强化防御，为…设防；加强，强化 | |
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68
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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69
negotiations
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| 协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过 | |
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70
highland
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| n.(pl.)高地，山地 | |
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71
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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72
concurred
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| 同意（concur的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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73
expediency
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| n.适宜；方便；合算；利己 | |
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74
wrecked
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| adj.失事的，遇难的 | |
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75
situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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76
annually
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| adv.一年一次，每年 | |
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77
navigated
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| v.给（船舶、飞机等）引航，导航( navigate的过去式和过去分词 )；（从海上、空中等）横越；横渡；飞跃 | |
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78
shipping
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| n.船运（发货，运输，乘船） | |
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79
landmarks
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| n.陆标( landmark的名词复数 )；目标；（标志重要阶段的）里程碑 ~ (in sth)；有历史意义的建筑物（或遗址） | |
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80
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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81
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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82
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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83
durable
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| adj.持久的，耐久的 | |
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84
computed
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| adj.[医]计算的，使用计算机的v.计算，估算( compute的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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85
contingencies
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| n.偶然发生的事故，意外事故( contingency的名词复数 )；以备万一 | |
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86
assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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87
uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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88
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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89
fortified
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| adj. 加强的 | |
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90
perseverance
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| n.坚持不懈，不屈不挠 | |
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91
acquiesce
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| vi.默许，顺从，同意 | |
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92
alluding
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| 提及，暗指( allude的现在分词 ) | |
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93
fortitude
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| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
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94
terse
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| adj.(说话，文笔)精炼的，简明的 | |
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95
deviate
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| v.(from)背离，偏离 | |
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96
deviations
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| 背离，偏离( deviation的名词复数 )； 离经叛道的行为 | |
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97
copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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98
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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99
joints
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| 接头( joint的名词复数 )； 关节； 公共场所（尤指价格低廉的饮食和娱乐场所） （非正式）； 一块烤肉 （英式英语） | |
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100
dome
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| n.圆屋顶，拱顶 | |
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101
granite
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| adj.花岗岩，花岗石 | |
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102
quarries
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| n.（采）石场( quarry的名词复数 )；猎物（指鸟，兽等）；方形石；（格窗等的）方形玻璃v.从采石场采得( quarry的第三人称单数 )；从（书本等中）努力发掘（资料等）；在采石场采石 | |
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103
quarry
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| n.采石场；v.采石；费力地找 | |
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104
procuring
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的现在分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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105
requisite
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| adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品 | |
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106
counteract
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| vt.对…起反作用，对抗，抵消 | |
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107
embedded
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| a.扎牢的 | |
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108
grooves
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| n.沟( groove的名词复数 )；槽；老一套；（某种）音乐节奏v.沟( groove的第三人称单数 )；槽；老一套；（某种）音乐节奏 | |
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109
bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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110
fig
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| n.无花果(树) | |
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111
figs
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| figures 数字，图形，外形 | |
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112
ledge
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| n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁 | |
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113
rendering
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| n.表现，描写 | |
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114
isolated
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| adj.与世隔绝的 | |
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115
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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116
elevation
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| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
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117
moored
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| adj. 系泊的 动词moor的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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118
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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119
aggregate
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| adj.总计的，集合的；n.总数；v.合计；集合 | |
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120
excavated
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| v.挖掘( excavate的过去式和过去分词 )；开凿；挖出；发掘 | |
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121
revolving
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| adj.旋转的，轮转式的；循环的v.（使）旋转( revolve的现在分词 )；细想 | |
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122
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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123
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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124
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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125
implicit
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| a.暗示的，含蓄的，不明晰的，绝对的 | |
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126
attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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127
attachments
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| n.（用电子邮件发送的）附件( attachment的名词复数 )；附着；连接；附属物 | |
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128
lapse
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| n.过失，流逝，失效，抛弃信仰，间隔；vi.堕落，停止，失效，流逝；vt.使失效 | |
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129
inspectors
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| n.检查员( inspector的名词复数 )；（英国公共汽车或火车上的）查票员；（警察）巡官；检阅官 | |
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130
participation
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| n.参与，参加，分享 | |
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131
toils
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| 网 | |
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132
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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133
complement
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| n.补足物，船上的定员；补语；vt.补充，补足 | |
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134
buoy
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| n.浮标；救生圈；v.支持，鼓励 | |
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135
tack
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| n.大头钉；假缝，粗缝 | |
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136
leeward
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| adj.背风的；下风的 | |
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137
overflowed
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| 溢出的 | |
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138
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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139
abates
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| 减少( abate的第三人称单数 )； 减去； 降价； 撤消（诉讼） | |
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140
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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141
propriety
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| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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142
despatch
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| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
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143
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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144
posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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145
postures
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| 姿势( posture的名词复数 )； 看法； 态度； 立场 | |
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146
excavating
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| v.挖掘( excavate的现在分词 )；开凿；挖出；发掘 | |
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147
anvil
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| n.铁钻 | |
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148
suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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149
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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150
depicted
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| 描绘，描画( depict的过去式和过去分词 )； 描述 | |
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151
countenances
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| n.面容( countenance的名词复数 )；表情；镇静；道义支持 | |
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152
retarded
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| a.智力迟钝的，智力发育迟缓的 | |
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153
steadfastly
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| adv.踏实地，不变地；岿然；坚定不渝 | |
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154
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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155
effaced
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| v.擦掉( efface的过去式和过去分词 )；抹去；超越；使黯然失色 | |
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156
seamen
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| n.海员 | |
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157
encumbrance
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| n.妨碍物，累赘 | |
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158
specified
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| adj.特定的 | |
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159
parched
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| adj.焦干的；极渴的；v.（使）焦干 | |
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160
utterance
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| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
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161
saliva
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| n.唾液，口水 | |
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162
beverage
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| n.(水，酒等之外的)饮料 | |
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163
haze
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| n.霾，烟雾；懵懂，迷糊；vi.(over)变模糊 | |
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164
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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165
gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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166
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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167
fatiguing
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| a.使人劳累的 | |
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168
drenched
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| adj.湿透的；充满的v.使湿透( drench的过去式和过去分词 )；在某人（某物）上大量使用（某液体） | |
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169
mustered
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| v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的过去式和过去分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发 | |
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170
baneful
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| adj.有害的 | |
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171
embark
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| vi.乘船，着手，从事，上飞机 | |
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172
discomfort
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| n.不舒服，不安，难过，困难，不方便 | |
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173
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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174
courageous
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| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
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175
fathoms
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| 英寻( fathom的名词复数 ) | |
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176
hempen
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| adj. 大麻制的, 大麻的 | |
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177
veered
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| v.（尤指交通工具）改变方向或路线( veer的过去式和过去分词 )；（指谈话内容、人的行为或观点）突然改变；（指风） （在北半球按顺时针方向、在南半球按逆时针方向）逐渐转向；风向顺时针转 | |
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178
preservation
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| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
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179
scuttle
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| v.急赶，疾走，逃避；n.天窗；舷窗 | |
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180
scuttles
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| n.天窗( scuttle的名词复数 )v.使船沉没( scuttle的第三人称单数 )；快跑，急走 | |
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181
berth
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| n.卧铺，停泊地，锚位；v.使停泊 | |
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182
berths
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| n.（船、列车等的）卧铺( berth的名词复数 )；（船舶的）停泊位或锚位；差事；船台vt.v.停泊( berth的第三人称单数 )；占铺位 | |
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183
foundered
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| v.创始人( founder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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184
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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185
seaman
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| n.海员，水手，水兵 | |
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186
lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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187
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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188
breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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189
afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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190
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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191
clinch
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| v.敲弯，钉牢；确定；扭住对方 [参]clench | |
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192
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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193
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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194
hoisted
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| 把…吊起，升起( hoist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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195
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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196
chafed
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| v.擦热（尤指皮肤）( chafe的过去式 )；擦痛；发怒；惹怒 | |
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197
conjectured
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| 推测，猜测，猜想( conjecture的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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198
fouled
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| v.使污秽( foul的过去式和过去分词 )；弄脏；击球出界；（通常用废物）弄脏 | |
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199
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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200
inevitably
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| adv.不可避免地；必然发生地 | |
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201
awfully
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| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
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202
distressing
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| a.使人痛苦的 | |
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203
disastrous
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| adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的 | |
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204
dexterity
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| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
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205
depressed
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| adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的 | |
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206
jocosely
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| adv.说玩笑地，诙谐地 | |
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207
agility
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| n.敏捷，活泼 | |
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208
hazardous
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| adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的 | |
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209
ordeal
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| n.苦难经历，（尤指对品格、耐力的）严峻考验 | |
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210
obstruction
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| n.阻塞，堵塞；障碍物 | |
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211
steered
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| v.驾驶( steer的过去式和过去分词 )；操纵；控制；引导 | |
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212
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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213
implement
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| n.(pl.)工具，器具；vt.实行，实施，执行 | |
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214
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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215
creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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216
ledges
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| n.（墙壁，悬崖等）突出的狭长部分( ledge的名词复数 )；（平窄的）壁架；横档；（尤指）窗台 | |
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217
strewed
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| v.撒在…上( strew的过去式和过去分词 )；散落于；点缀；撒满 | |
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218
improper
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| adj.不适当的，不合适的，不正确的，不合礼仪的 | |
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219
privately
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| adv.以私人的身份，悄悄地，私下地 | |
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220
apparatus
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| n.装置，器械；器具，设备 | |
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221
uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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222
arsenals
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| n.兵工厂，军火库( arsenal的名词复数 )；任何事物的集成 | |
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223
parables
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| n.（圣经中的）寓言故事( parable的名词复数 ) | |
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224
scriptures
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| 经文，圣典( scripture的名词复数 )； 经典 | |
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225
protract
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| v.延长，拖长 | |
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226
scruple
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| n./v.顾忌，迟疑 | |
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227
awning
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| n.遮阳篷；雨篷 | |
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228
compartment
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| n.卧车包房，隔间；分隔的空间 | |
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229
toll
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| n.过路(桥)费；损失，伤亡人数；v.敲(钟) | |
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230
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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231
perils
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| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
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232
discomforts
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| n.不舒适( discomfort的名词复数 )；不愉快，苦恼 | |
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233
sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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234
scroll
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| n.卷轴，纸卷；(石刻上的)漩涡 | |
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235
mortar
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| n.灰浆，灰泥；迫击炮；v.把…用灰浆涂接合 | |
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236
hearth
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| n.壁炉炉床，壁炉地面 | |
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237
bellows
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| n.风箱；发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的名词复数 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的第三人称单数 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
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238
tremor
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| n.震动，颤动，战栗，兴奋，地震 | |
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239
struts
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| （框架的）支杆( strut的名词复数 )； 支柱； 趾高气扬的步态； （尤指跳舞或表演时）卖弄 | |
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240
triangular
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| adj.三角（形）的，三者间的 | |
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241
oblique
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| adj.斜的，倾斜的，无诚意的，不坦率的 | |
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242
barometer
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| n.气压表，睛雨表，反应指标 | |
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243
paraphernalia
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| n.装备；随身用品 | |
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244
exclusion
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| n.拒绝，排除，排斥，远足，远途旅行 | |
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245
doctrine
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| n.教义；主义；学说 | |
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246
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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247
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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248
advantageous
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| adj.有利的；有帮助的 | |
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249
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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250
arduous
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| adj.艰苦的，费力的，陡峭的 | |
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251
bust
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| vt.打破；vi.爆裂；n.半身像；胸部 | |
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252
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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253
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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254
indefatigable
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| adj.不知疲倦的，不屈不挠的 | |
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255
engraved
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| v.在（硬物）上雕刻（字，画等）( engrave的过去式和过去分词 )；将某事物深深印在（记忆或头脑中） | |
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256
inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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257
penetrates
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| v.穿过( penetrate的第三人称单数 )；刺入；了解；渗透 | |
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258
circumference
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| n.圆周，周长，圆周线 | |
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259
shingle
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| n.木瓦板；小招牌(尤指医生或律师挂的营业招牌)；v.用木瓦板盖（屋顶）；把（女子头发）剪短 | |
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260
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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261
strata
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| n.地层（复数）；社会阶层 | |
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262
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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263
impromptu
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| adj.即席的，即兴的；adv.即兴的(地)，无准备的(地) | |
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264
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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265
lustre
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| n.光亮，光泽；荣誉 | |
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266
timorous
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| adj.胆怯的，胆小的 | |
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